009: Crystals and Histories
Makoto growled to herself as she slowly walked out of the grocery store. She was angry at her older brother for spending all his time with his 'friend' Michi. A second growl escaped Makoto's lips as she nearly collided with a beautiful blond boy. Makoto stepped backwards, narrowly avoiding the boy, and stepped into the path of another boy coming down the sidewalk. She pitched forward just in time to avoid being run over and nearly ran into an old woman. With a desperate sigh Makoto pulled back just after the bicyclist passed her.
Makoto gave a short cry as a boy leaving the shop pushed her forwards before she could regain her balance. Her bags dropped to the sidewalk and Makoto closed her eyes as she put her hands out to brace herself. She grimaced as she felt the rough surface scrape her left palm and right knee. Stifling the urge to scream and to turn and beat up the youth who'd pushed her, Makoto slowly started to gather her groceries.
She reached for her bag of sugar and was stopped by a gentle hand grabbing hers. Makoto looked up and blushed when she saw the cute boy she'd initially avoided hitting holding her hand. The boy turned her hand over and carefully tied a scarf on her bleeding palm.
"Thanks," Makoto said as the boy released her and grabbed the sugar. The boy placed the sugar in Makoto's second shopping bag and picked it up.
"Let me help carry these, you're hurt." The boy said; his voice soft, musical and slightly sad. Makoto nodded without thinking and started to lead the way to her apartment. The boy grinned and allowed Makoto to set their pace as they walked towards the park.
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Usagi sat in her favorite spot in the park, her Rose Garden. She was thinking about what had happened at her home over the last few days. Shingo had been so busy apologizing to her that Usagi was starting to feel guilty. She knew it wasn't anyone's fault, not really. Shingo wouldn't normally say any of what he'd said the other day, except the Dark Kingdom was beginning to interfere with her family as well. She sighed softly as she thought of how she became part of the Tsukino family.
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Usagi – age 4
Usagi wandered down the halls as her father talked happily with her aunt. She peaked into a room and frowned softly at the young boy inside. She could see the boy was crying and glanced up at her father. He was distracted so Usagi pushed the door open and walked inside. The boy didn't notice her until she gently laid her head against his leg. He gazed at her with silent wonder before he asked, "Who are you?"
Usagi grinned up and said, "Don't cry."
Looking away the boy softly whispered, "Soon a dear friend is going away but I can't do anything for him…"
"Lessee," Usagi whispered as the boy broke off crying, "Starting today, I'm going to be a big sister. My mom had a baby and I brought this as a gift. Here, Congratulations."
Usagi pulled a single rose from her bundle and held it out to the crying boy. He smiled, grabbed the flower and uttered a small, "Thank you."
Usagi smiled brightly and slowly left the room to see her father waiting outside the door. The man was smiling proudly as he picked her up. The two walked down to the maternity ward as the man talked, "That was a very nice thing to do Usagi. I'm very proud of you. Now shall we go meet your baby brother, Mannen?"
"Yep," Usagi giggled.
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Usagi – 3 months later
"Welcome to River Home, Usagi," a tall brown haired woman said with a sad smile.
"Um," Usagi whispered as she looked around at the other children. There weren't many, but they all looked at her with slightly dead eyes. She frowned and wondered how long it would be until her eyes turned out the light and became as theirs. "Thank you."
Usagi slowly took an empty seat at an unoccupied table and thought. She could still see the fury in her step-mother's face, the cold indifference in her father's and the disappointment in the house staff that had been there for the last six hours. Early that morning the entire family had woken to a loud scream from her step-mother. Usagi had already been awake, and in the nursery checking on baby Mannen, and had then been accused. Something, Usagi was unclear on what exactly, had happened that had nearly killed Mannen. After that it was decided to send her away so here she was at River Home, an orphanage for unwanted, abandoned, or orphaned children.
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Usagi - age 7
"Hey, sweetie, don't cry," Usagi said as she knelt in front of a small blond youth. The boy had fallen while playing with a few other children and Usagi had come over. The other children were hovering nervously nearby. Usagi pulled a band-aid out of her pocket and placed it on the boy's knee with a gentle kiss. The boy's tears stopped and he smiled happily. Usagi stood and moved aside as the small group of children ran off to continue playing.
Usagi grinned at the youths before she walked off and went to her small garden. She happily pulled weeds as she listened to the younger children behind her continue to play. She listened to the soft chatter behind her, waiting for another bout of tears as she worked.
She knew that somewhere on the property there were several prospective parents looking to adopt, and knew it was just as likely they would overlook her. In the past it always seemed as though the parents never saw her, but found someone who needed a home. Since Usagi's arrival at the home all of the children older than herself had been adopted into families and many of the younger children as well.
"A garden?" a soft melodic voice whispered. Usagi turned and stared at the woman with green hair and soft eyes was admiring her small garden. Usagi blushed and turned back to weeding her garden. The tall woman knelt at her side and gently touched one of the flowers. "I have a garden at home, but no time to tend it. I'm afraid it's not doing so well, hmmm…what would you do little one?"
"Standard, weeding, watering, things like that. I'm sure it would be lovely in no time with the proper care," Usagi whispered.
"Would you like to join my family?" the woman asked. Usagi blinked at the woman in utter shock for a few seconds, certain she'd heard wrong. The woman smiled softly, waiting for Usagi's response and was pleased when Usagi nodded. A man stepped beside his wife and grinned down at the pair. "Honey, what do you think?"
"She looks just like you, love." The man whispered.
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"Naru, I have a mission for you." Queen Beryl said to the short redhead kneeling before her. The red head nodded as the queen continued, "Use this crystal to find our Seven Monster Allies."
Naru nodded and took the crystal from the queen. Her fingers burned slightly and her eyes blurred as she slowly made her way out of the room. She felt Nephrite behind her and sighed as she relaxed into his arms. Softly she whispered, "Don' feel good…Neph…."
"Naru," Nephrite cried as the redhead passed out in his arms.
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Anaru- age 6
"Anaru-chan, Anaru, ANARU!" a demanding voice yelled at the distracted redhead. Anaru pulled her mind from the window and focused on her teacher. Tsume frowned and said, "You're supposed to be studying child, not daydreaming. Come along lessons."
"Yes, Tsume-sensei," Anaru said as she stepped away from the window. She followed the woman down into the study. Tusme grinned as the two slowly started to practice. Anaru was trying to channel magic into crystals without shattering them, while her teacher was repairing the broken crystals. It took Anaru all day to not break crystals as she channeled magic.
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Anaru – Six Months Later
"Um, Haruka-hime," Anaru asked softly.
"Yes," Princess Haruka answered as she looked over the priestess in training.
"Could you, um, possibly help me?" Anaru asked.
"Sure, I'll do what I can," Princess Haruka said. Anaru smiled and pulled out a two and a half carat quartz crystal and then touched Princess Haruka's hand. The young princess disappeared into the crystal. Anaru grinned happily as she held up the crystal and saw little Haruka's form trapped inside.
"Um, sorry Haruka-hime... I don't know how to get you out, but I'll ask my teacher." Anaru said as she carefully put the small crystal in her pocket. She walked towards her teachers quarters within the palace with a considering frown. Twenty minutes later she knocked on her teacher's door. Tsume grinned and let Anaru in as Anaru said, "Tsume-sensei I have a small problem."
"Oh?" Tsume asked as she started to make tea.
"How do you take something out of a crystal once you've put it in?" Anaru asked.
"Excuse me?" Tsume asked shocked.
"I put Princess Haruka in a crystal, how do I get her out?" Anaru said with a grin as she fished out the quartz crystal.
"You did what?" Tsume exclaimed in surprise. She looked faintly at the quartz, seeing an image of young Princess Haruka sitting and crying. "Oh my. We need to talk with Queen Serenity."
"Okay," Anaru said. She followed her teacher as the woman raced down to the throne room. The duo interrupted Queen Serenity as she was talking with the King, Queen and young Princess of Mars. The group looked confused as Tsume raced across the throne room, leaving her student behind. Once Anaru reached the throne she bowed and held out the crystal, "Tsume-sensei thinks you can get Haruka-hime out."
Serenity looked slightly confused as she picked up the crystal and examined it. She gasped in shock as she saw Princess Haruka. She frowned as she quickly grabbed her Silver Crystal and attempted to pull Haruka from the crystal, and failed. Her frown deepened and she asked, "How did this happen?"
"I did it," Anaru said happily.
"You what?" Queen Serenity asked bewildered.
"I did it, See I read about people who trapped people or things in crystals, and I wanted to try. Haruka-hime said I could," Anaru explained with a bright smile. The young visiting princess hid a snicker behind a cough. The King and Queen of Mars were frowning, concerned for the young girl trapped within the quartz. The group behind them started murmuring, many calling little Anaru a witch.
Serenity looked up with a frown and said loudly, "I ask the members of the Earth Council to contain their comments. Anaru has a rare gift, and is not to be called a witch." Serenity switched her attention to the girl before her and said, "We are unable to help Haruka-hime, you must."
"How?" Anaru asked softly.
"I don't know, Tsume-san, can you help her find the right books to retrieve our young princess? I must go and talk with her parents," Queen Serenity said as she rose from her throne and turned to leave. Tsume bowed and took the crystal from the queen before she turned to lead Anaru from the throne room.
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Twelve hours later
"Ma, what's ree store ate shun?" Princess Serenity asked as she pointed at a word. Her mother looked over at the book and nearly screamed with joy. She grabbed the book, kissed Serenity's forehead and rushed over to Tsume, Anaru, and Haruka's parents. The small group looked up, hope written into their features.
"Serenity found this," She put the book down in the center of the table. Tsume lunged at it first, reading quickly as the Uranus King tried to read over her shoulder. His wife was carefully holding the crystal with their daughter, trying to hold her tears at bay.
"Will it work?" the Queen of Uranus asked softly. The group looked up uncertain and the queen frowned. She looked back at her daughter and said, "I think she's hungry."
Anaru reached over and took the crystal. She then wandered off to a stand filled with food for the near hundred people looking through the library. After filling a plate full of food Naru touched the plate and sent the food to Haruka. Once the crystal was safely back in Haruka's mother's hands Anaru looked at the book and frowned. "Too many words…I learned from a book with lots of pictures…how's it work? Can we get Haruka-hime out?"
"You need to go inside with her…" Serenity mumbled.
"Can't don't know how…there weren't enough pictures and words I knew to tell me how. It's harder than sending other things," Anaru said. Queen Serenity glared at the book and looked for any other information. Finding nothing about sending oneself into a crystal Queen Serenity slumped into an empty chair.
"We're looking for the wrong book! We need a book on how to send yourself into a crystal!" Tsume shouted in frustration. Several minutes later a young blue haired girl walked over with a book.
"Here," Ami said as she handed the book to Anaru.
"I can't read this," Anaru said after she looked through several pages.
Tsume looked at the book and frowned, "Is this written in Atlantean? Who reads Atalantian?"
"Yes, and I can," Ami answered as she sat next to Anaru. The two young girls quietly conversed as Tsume and Queen Serenity went around telling people they could leave. When the two adults returned Anaru was calmly holding Haruka's crystal trying to do as the book had instructed. Ami turned to the adults and whispered, "She's trying, but it's very complicated."
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Sevvareal hours later
Makoto gasped as the crystal fell to the pillow and Anaru disappear. She looked inside as Anaru sat beside the shivering Haruka and waited for them to return. She listened to the excited clamoring around her as the group waited. Anaru hugged Haruka and the two girls appeared suddenly on the floor in front of Makoto. All the young princesses, except the Mars Princess, launched themselves at Haruka to hug their friend.
Anaru carefully pried herself away from the girls and bowed to Haruka's parents. She shook slightly as she whispered, "I'm so very sorry. I swear to never ever do that to anyone ever again. I promise you on my life I will never lock another thing within a crystal unless it's magic to be used for the good of the people of the Moon Kingdom."
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Anaru – Age 18
Anaru stared out the window, watching her teacher stand beside the rest of the palace Priests and Priestesses. She longed to fight beside them, but knew she wasn't as strong or skilled as them. She also understood that if they fell she'd have to help protect the many young children within the palace. She turned her attention back to the whimpering children and the three nursemaids with her.
Her attention turned back to the fighting as she heard a muffled explosion. Just in front of the line of defense a cloud of dark smoke was clearing to reveal a battered and bruised form. Anaru stifled a gasp as she spotted Princess Haruka, her sword held in her one remaining arm, start back towards the fighting. A soft yell escaped the injured woman as she raced into the fighting once more. As she watched the monster Jijii appeared before the wounded princess. His sharp claws flexed angrily before he roughly plunged his claws through Haruka's chest. He threw her lifeless body towards the line of defense and continued forward.
Anaru squared her shoulders and walked into the next room. She grabbed a small sack of crystals, muttered an apology and raced outside to stand just behind the line of defense. She watched the rampaging monster close in and grabbed a purple crystal from the sack before she dropped the bag and prepared to fight. Jijii pushed past the defense and straight towards the doors.
Anaru moved to stand directly between the monster and the door. Jijii flexed his bloodied claws as he approached angrily. The monster angrily swiped at Anaru, who ducked to the side just barely in time to avoid losing her arm. As it stood Anaru had a bloody wound that made it hard to use her right arm at all. Gritting her teeth Anaru called Jijii into the crystal in her other hand.
She winced as she tore her skirt to make a bandage. Grimacing Anaru noted that Jijii's claws had cut deep enough to show bone as she tied the bandage securely around her wound. Two cats, Luna and Artemis, and two birds, Phobos and Deimos, settled on either side of her as the next of the Great Seven Monsters appeared. Geisein, a red clad monster killed several priestesses as he passed, including Tsume. Anaru grit her teeth as the monster tossed Tsume's broken body into the fighting hordes as he approached her. The two birds took flight and angrily scratched at the monsters eyes.
Anaru grabbed a red crystal and tried to grab the monster. She was knocked back, blood spilling from her split lip. She frowned angrily and stood again. She approached the monster, aiming to get hit. At the moment she felt the blow Anaru sucked the monster into the crystal. She spit blood on the ground, rubbed her sore cheek, and walked back to her bag of crystals. She dropped the red crystal beside the blue one and grabbed a yellow crystal ready to fight once more.
Anaru looked up just as a yellow lizardfish monster knocked the crystal from her hands. Growling softly Anaru tried to reach the crystal as she felt a strong electric charge pull the monster off her. Grabbing the crystal Anaru watched as Princess Minako used a heart chain to pull the monster towards her. Minako angry and covered in various wounds yelled, "Not as long as my heart beats you fil…,"
The monster growled and released one of the knife-arms, spearing Minako through the heart. Bunbo grinned and turned back towards Anaru and grinned, "Looks like her heart stopped."
Anaru growled and charged the monster angrily. The four guardians with Anaru charged as well, reaching the monster before her. Deimos cried a violent war cry and charged behind the monster at the second monster charging. She grabbed the monster and pulled him into the crystal as Luna raced towards the sack to grab another crystal.
Anaru yelled angrily as Deimos was hit with an acidic attack and melted away before her eyes. She growled as Phobos charged in desperately. Luna dropped a dark blue crystal at Anaru's feet before she raced into the fray. Picking up the crystal Anaru screamed and charged, managing to seal the monster away as it was distracted.
Tired, bloody and sore Anaru was tempted to go back inside and die, but stopped beside her bag. Her hand closed around a purple crystal as she turned to look at the bloody battlefield. She tried to block out the screams as she watched dozens of thousand ton anvils drop on the fighting soldiers. She covered her mouth as she watched blood squirt the few fortunate soldiers that were standing between the anvils, narrowly escaping a gruesome death. Blood coated the soldier from head to foot and many had thrown up after the last anvil fell.
Her focus turned to a young man in pitch black armor with a glowing crescent. The man's white hair looked to be dyed blood red in places as it fell from his ponytail. He seemed to be taunting one of the seven great monsters, the giant cat, Zarkon. "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty. Come play with the big bad Kunzie. You know the traitor."
She gasped as Zarkon impaled the young man's shoulder with one clawed hand. The man smirked despite the pain he had to be in and flipped the monster over as he shouted at Anaru, "Seal him now!"
As the monster was sealed the blue haired princess of Mercury came into view. She quickly bandaged the man's shoulder ignoring the bloody gash above her own eye. Kunzite pushed her hair out of her face as he asked softly, "Last time I saw Makoto-hime her arm was broken by that damned Vena. Is she alright? How is she?"
"Anvil," Ami said tearfully. Anaru turned to the side and threw up as she pictured the strong princess of Jupiter crushed to death. The boy paled further and hugged Ami close. The boy stood and walked towards the fight as Ami asked, "Kunzite-san?"
"I'll be back. With Vena, be ready." Kunzite said as he charged into the fray yelling at the top of his lungs. Anaru grabbed a green crystal and ran to stand beside Ami. The girl was watching the sky in horror as forty feathers appeared in the air drawing a vague design of a menacing dragon. A short blast of immense energy disintegrated the feathers and wiped out the design causing both girls to sigh in relief.
As the girls waited for Kunzite's return two other princesses appeared; the princess of Saturn and the princess of Mars. Both girls were bloody, bruised and barely standing. Saturn spoke first, "What the hell is going on over here?"
"I'm breaking my promise. I've sealed five of the seven monsters, but I'm tired, and I can only seal them when touching them." Anaru whispered as she waited. Ami nodded as Kunzite dragged the struggling Vena into view. Anaru ran past the guard and quickly sealed Vena. Kunzite then pulled her back behind the line of defense.
"What the hell were you thinking! There's still one more. If you feel you must die, die sealing Boxsy. Dammit!" Kunzite yelled as he looked up. Growling he asked, "Where the hell is Hotaru-hime?"
Rei knelt in exhaustion as she said, "We tried, but she went after Boxsy. If he goes, maybe…"
Kunzite swore fluently in several languages as he scanned the field of battle. Anaru went to grab one last crystal and picked the orange crystal before she turned back to the battle. She gasped and nearly dropped the crystal as she watched Boxsy drop Princess Hotaru on Ami with a vicious laugh. Ami screamed, twin ice dagger appearing in her hands for a second before they were air born and wedged in Boxsy's wings. Wings melted the monster fell to the ground with a screech of pain and anger.
Anaru raced towards Boxsy intent on sealing him away as Kunzite knelt at Hotaru's side. The crazed monster slashed out wildly, slashing Anaru's belly, driving the youth to her knees as Hotaru whispered to Kunzite, "Sorry, Kunzite-kun, I couldn't… keep our…promise…"
Anaru screamed in rage as she watched another princess die and lunged for the smirking monster. She grabbed the remains of Hotaru's staff that had been imbedded in Boxsy's leg and pulled him close to her. Slowly she touched the crystal to the monster and sealed him away as another scream echoed across the sky, "ENDYMION!"
She watched Ami and Rei race back into the fighting, logic and sanity lost from their eyes leaving nothing but pure rage and grief. Kunzite lowered his eyes for a moment before he fully drew his sword and prepared to return to fighting. Anaru closed her eyes and whispered, "Nothing left to fight for, nothing at all…"
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Naru woke up, sweat pouring off her brow as she tried to shake the nightmare. Already the dream was fading into a distant memory beyond her reach, but the blood and the feel of sealing the crystals lingered. She sighed and sat up to stare at her alarm clock. The door open to reveal the blond general and Naru instantly pulled the covers up to hide her exposed skin. Jadeite bowed slightly as Naru picked up her alarm clock and said, "OUT NOW!"
"But Bery…" Jadeite began as the alarm clock was thrown. The door slammed shut and the alarm clock burst through the door hitting the general. Nephrite sat up sent a shock of energy after the alarm clock and pulled Naru close as he lied back down.
"Sleep, Naru, sleep," Nephrite murmured into her hair. Naru sighed and drifted off to sleep as the blond ran down the hall. Jadeite murmured under his breath about lazy lay-abouts and pointless subordinates.
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Makoto squared her shoulders, forced a smile and walked outside to eat lunch. She settled under a tree and pulled out her bento trying not to listen to the whispers of people who passed her. Most were whispering about her and her reputation of fighting so Makoto bowed her head slightly. After a few moments everyone had settled down to eat and Makoto smiled sadly to herself.
"That looks good," a soft voice said behind Makoto, making the brunette jump. Makoto whirled around to stare at a grinning blond girl with bright blue eyes. She could see the two smartest people in school hovering under a tree nearby, whispering and pointing at the blond. "I'm Usagi, Tsukino, Usagi."
"Um, Makoto…Kino, Makoto," Makoto muttered. Usagi settled down beside Makoto and grinned happily at the tall girl. She waved over the two hovering geniuses and slowly opened her own lunch, her eyes still locked firmly on Makoto's bento. Laughing happily Makoto held up her lunch and asked, "Would you like some?"
"Yes, thanks. Oh, Ami, Ryo sit. These are my friends, guys this is Mako-chan." Usagi said as she grabbed food from Makoto. The brunette smiled and the two friends bowed trying to hide embarrassed blushes before they sat. The small group chatted as they ate their lunch. Makoto grinned thinking, 'Guess this year won't be lonely. Thank you, Usagi.'
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Usagi smiled as she spotted a red sports car parked out front a black haired boy behind the wheel. A soft giggle escaped her lips as a similar yellow car parked behind the red one revealing two grinning men and a smirking woman. The four exited their vehicles and slowly approached her, all looking solemn and slightly regal in matching outfits. At Usagi's feet they bowed and muttered, "Princess, your carriage awaits."
A bright laugh escaped Usagi's throat as the four stood and escorted her to the red car. Mamoru opened the door for her and then walked to the other side. Her other friends retreated to their car and the small procession pulled away from the school leaving a gasping crowd behind them.
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"She's got good friends," Ryo whispered to Ami and Makoto as they watched Usagi leave. The two girls nodded in agreement as they looked at the pair of sports car disappear from view. "I'm happy to see a true smile on her face. She's seemed so depressed."
"Since the day I met her," Ami finished and the two flushed slightly. Ami looked at Makoto and added carefully, "Usagi is a good person with an unbelievable ability to see the truth of matters and people. She…she helped me when I needed it most, offered friendship, and I needed that. It's difficult being singled out and it's hard not to be sometimes."
"I've heard some of the things all afternoon about the two of you. There are always a lot of prejudices, but how does Usagi avoid it?" Makoto asked as the trio started to walk home.
"She doesn't. Her best friend recently started to bully her, and Usagi's suffering for that. I think, maybe she needs us as much as we seem to need her, but it's hard to explain. I could just be imagining things, but it's like I've known her from another lifetime, or maybe I've met her before in this one…" Ami said softly. Ryo nodded in agreement as Makoto considered the girl she'd just met. 'She is different, but…I just met her, it could be just me.'
Makoto looked up and growled lightly as she spotted her brother. Ami looked up at Makoto in mild shock as she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Them," Makoto groused as she pointed at her older brother and Michiru. Ami and Ryo growled at the pair and prepared to follow. Makoto allowed the two to wander off as she spotted the beautiful boy staring at her brother. Makoto waved at her new friends and raced off to follow the boy as she shouted, "I gotta go. See you tomorrow."
"Bye," Ami and Ryo shouted as they too raced off.
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Setsuna grumbled under her breathe as she continued to scan one man's groceries. The man was singing off tune and Setsuna was ready to kill the customer if he failed to shut up. The second the last item was scanned and the total was available Setsuna said, "Your total comes to forty-six dollars and twelve cents, will that be cash or charge?"
"How about a date with you so I can serenade you more?" the man said with a wink. Setsuna looked over the man with utter disgust taking in his baggy pants, visible boxers and torn t-shirt. She did her best to avoid throwing up as the man anxiously awaited a response and held out a credit card.
"Serenade? I was under the impression that was the mating call for the most vile, disgusting, wretched sludge ever to disgrace society with its presence." Setsuna said as she handed the card back.
"What do you mean? My voice was perfectly in key," the man said, shock on his features as he stared at Setsuna's disgusted scowl.
"Yes, you would have been on key if your voice wasn't squeaking every time you hit a high note. If you could enunciate properly and clean that sludge out of your throat, maybe you might have been able to sing in key. Clean those aspects up first then your musical career could take off. Provided you find a band that can actually play," Setsuna said. She smiled vaguely at the next customer who was nodding in agreement.
"I have been signed. I'm recording an album next week," the man declared angrily.
"Dear Gods save us now. The universe is doomed," Setsuna muttered as she rolled her eyes.
The man slammed his fist on the counter and nearly screamed, "Katsuya Records, the number one recording agency, believes we are good enough."
"Really? Who signed you?" the next customer asked.
"Aiko Almira," the man said with a grin.
"I guess her hearing aid was out that day," Setsuna said.
"I thought she was going tone deaf," the next customer murmured as he straightened his business suit.
The tone deaf customer turned and glared at the other man and said, "Hey fairy-boy when I want you opinion I'll give it to you. Go home to your loverboy Mr. …"
"Cloud Katsuya," the man said, a smirk on his face. "I'm the chairman of Katsuya Records"
Setsuna stifled a giggle behind her hand as the man took a step back from Cloud. The man trembled slightly as Cloud pulled a business card form his pocket and handed it to Setsuna and said, "I'll be leaving. I'm not particularly hungry anymore. Call me, if you want a different job."
Setsuna glanced at the card before her eyes flickered to a nearby clock. She frowned and asked, "Are you willing to wait twenty minutes, I'll be off then."
"I'm glad to have you on my staff," Cloud said with a bright smile.
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Haruka frowned as Makoto blushed and held out her scarf. Haruka went to grab the scarf as a strong gust of wind blew it away. The scarf drifted along the breeze until a blond woman plucked it from the sky. Grinning brightly the blond tossed her brown trench coat aside and revealed her black dress with yellow highlights. The two girls raised eyebrows as they stared at the woman's outfit.
"Who's she?" Makoto asked loudly.
"Mimette. I'm Mimette, and I was hoping to ask that cute boy for a date. So what do you say sweetie, wanna date?" the woman asked with a hopeful grin.
Grimacing Haruka answered, "I'd rather not."
"Oh, you're so mean!" Mimette said as she stamped her foot angrily. She pulled out a small white seed and held it over the scarf. Haruka hissed as the seed sunk into the scarf and Mimette smirked. Slowly the scarf started to twist and writhe until it had turned into a grinning female monster dressed in a bright red ribbon. The monster pushed her blue cape off her shoulders so it flowed gracefully behind her and brushed against the floor. Mimette smirked and said, "Steal that cute boy's heart crystal for me Ressha."
Makoto growled low in her throat before she rushed towards the two women ready to strike. Haruka tried to stop the furious brunette but the monster had already caught her in its ribbon's tight grasp. Green eyes widened in pain for a brief moment before the monster threw the semi-conscious brunette to the side.
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"What is Michiru up to?" Ryo asked as he stopped outside the park. Ami growled softly as she watched the car holding Michiru and her friend drive away. "Who was that guy she was with anyways? You don't suppose she's dating him…do you?"
"I suppose…but what about Haruka?" Ami muttered as they slowly walked into the park. Together they walked towards the lake as they considered Michiru's motives and her friend. A dark portal appeared several feet before them, and they watched bewildered as a grinning red haired girl stepped through onto the grass. Ami felt Ryo recoil slightly before he hissed, "Anaru."
"You remember me Bunbo, I'm so glad that should make this easy. Return to your true form and kill…" Naru said with a smirk as she walked closer. Ami and Ryo took hesitant steps backwards.
"NO! Never," Ryo yelled angrily. Naru smirked and pulled out a black crystal. Her smirk darkened as she pushed her magic through the crystal. The wave of her magic combined with the dark crystal forcefully removed the crystal from within Ryo. Screaming in anguish Ryo slowly turned from a young boy into a yellow lizard with what looked like twin pocket knives for hands. Ami gasped in shock as Naru caught the yellow crystal that was extracted from Ryo before she stepped back into her dark hole. The monster growled and turned to face Ami, angry glowing in its eyes.
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Haruka closed her eyes briefly as she felt air escape her lungs as the monster, Ressha, tightened its ribbon's hold. Ressha smiled and revealed a small black star-shaped tattoo on her left shoulder. A soft light started to glitter at the center of the star as Haruka's vision started to blur. Whispering Ressha announced, "Pure heart…I want it for our collection."
Seconds later Haruka landed on the ground, her wrist stinging painfully from her fumbled attempt to save herself. She blinked blurry eyes as a new weight landed in her lap. When Haruka could see clearly she saw Makoto half sprawled on her, half on the ground.
"Makoto…" Haruka whispered as she watched the monster collect the fallen girl's heart crystal. Gently Haruka laid Makoto's limp body on the ground and stood, still shaky from lack of oxygen. The monster handed the crystal over to the scowling Mimette before it charged forward. Haruka moved to the side slightly and the monster barely missed catching her in its ribbons again.
Dodging past the enraged monster Haruka darted towards Mimette. A dagger appeared in the woman's hand as she prepared for the blonde's attack. The monster turned and attempted again to capture Haruka. Ribbons closed around Haruka and abruptly tossed the blond into a wall. Mind unclear and body sore, Haruka attempted to stand once again. The monster slowly advanced, as though taunting the injured blond. Shaking, Haruka leaned against the wall she'd just crashed into, and glared at the monster.
"Sweaty, just give us your pure crystal heart. It won't hurt much," Mimette said as she tightened her hold on Makoto's crystal. Haruka hid a grimace and pushed off the wall, a fist aimed to hit the monster with all the strength she could muster. While the monster was recomposing itself Haruka used her momentum to barrel towards Mimette.
Haruka slammed into the blond woman, forcing her to release the heart crystal. Mimette responded by digging her knife into Haruka's shoulder. Biting her lower lip, Haruka suppressed the urge to scream as she pulled away from the angry blonde. Mimette, fuming with anger, took a wild slash at Haruka, slitting her shirt.
"Ressha kill this filthy female immediately. We don't need their crystals, they're totally useless to us," Mimette shrieked as she turned and walked away.
Haruka smiled weakly as she watched Makoto's crystal return to where it belonged. Her joy was cut short as she felt the ribbons once again close around her. Squeezing tightly until Haruka felt like she was being suffocated the monster gloated happily. Right before Haruka lost consciousness Ressha tossed her into the wall once more.
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"Kill me. Please Sailor Mercury," Bunbo whispered. Ami shook as the monster stepped closer to her. She watched as Ryo's mind was suppressed by the monster's mind. His kind eyes were replaced with dark hate-filled eyes and Ami steeped backwards. She didn't think she could kill Ryo.
Bunbo grinned maliciously and stepped forward intent on killing the shaking girl before him. A streak of red fire cut off Bunbo before four scouts landed between them. Sailor Venus struck a dramatic pose before Bunbo asked, "Who the hell are you?"
Sailor Venus shook fiercely; the unaccountable fear preventing her from doing anything but shake on the floor. Visions of blood and her first encounter with the monster flashed before her eyes and Venus started to cry. Sailor Neptune answered the monsters query, "Appearing gorgeously, Sailor Neptune."
Neptune blinked in surprise as Mars sent a second fiery attack at Bunbo. Ami stood, and shakily transformed into Sailor Mercury. Bunbo had charged the dazed Neptune and tossed her into a nearby tree. Saturn stepped forward to prevent Bunbo from continuing his assault on the injured scout. Mars, angry about being ignored charged Bunbo.
Angry eyes fell on Mars before he charged towards the angry scout. A short scuffle ensued before Mars fell to the ground unconscious. Bunbo grinned and walked purposefully towards Venus. He casually knelt before her and lifter her chin so she had to look at him and whispered, "Shall I still your heart again?"
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Makoto groaned as she pushed herself up to a sitting position, her lungs still aching from the first encounter with the monster. A quick look around revealed the monster's position, hovering over the fallen boy. A pool of blood was slowly forming around the young boy as Makoto surged to her feet. Without thinking Makoto rushed forward intent on getting Ressha away from the injured boy.
Makoto yelled angrily and charged the monster. Ressha turned and avoided the poorly aimed punch only to take the full brunt of Makoto's kick. Ressah stumbled into the wall and Makoto punched her right between the eyes. Energy surged through Makoto and into the monster. Ressha faded into dust as Makoto passed out, landing on the injured Haruka.
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"Venus!" Mercury and Saturn shouted as they raced towards their comrade. Bunbo prepared to strike and was suddenly assaulted by a flying black cat. Bunbo staggered backwards and Mercury pulled Venus to her feet. She shoved the older girl into Saturn's arms.
"Leave. Take her and go," Mercury whispered as she pulled out the crescent wand. Mercury brushed tears from her eyes and added, "That's Ryo…I'll do what I must."
Saturn obliged the older scout and led her over to Neptune. The older girl was leaning heavily on the tree and examining the fallen Mars from afar. "Watch Venus, I'll bring Mars over here then help Mercury…it's her boyfriend…"
Saturn went off to grab Mars and Venus stood. Her eyes filled with determination and fear she stepped towards Bunbo and Mercury. The crescent wand was currently lying behind Bunbo and Mercury seemed unable to hurt the boy turned monster. Venus looked around, spotted Artemis trying to awaken Luna and ran over to them. "Artemis how can I help…we can't kill Ryo."
"The crescent wand…use the crescent wand. Moon Healing Escalation." Luna murmured. Venus nodded and raced over to the wand. Grabbing the wand Venus prepared to use the attack Luna mentioned and faced Bunbo. The monster was holding Mercury by the throat and leering at Venus.
"Moon…," Venus whispered, her resolve dying. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Moon Healing Escalation."
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