SailorStar9: This is Chapter 9 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny.

Chapter 9: Origins

In the Sohma manor…

"Good, everyone is here." Luna nodded as the Sohma family gathered in the main hall. "Akito," she turned to the clan head. "How much do you know of Shendu?"

The older Sohmas paled considerably.

"So…" Hatori started slowly. "He has finally returned."

"But how?" Akito mumbled. "He was sealed!"

"Apparently someone found his seal and released it." Luna rolled her eyes. "I see you haven't told the youngsters. Okay, children." She went into story-telling mode "Listen closely and carefully as I won't be repeating this again. All of this started eons ago; Shendu was once ruler of the world, but he was harsh and cruel. God heard the pleas of His people and answered their prayers. He empowered Shendu's second-in-command the holy mission to defeat the cruel emperor and bring peace once again to the people. Shendu's deputy rose against him and using an extraction spell, trapped his former master in statue form, separating his powers from him in the form of twelve Talismans. To prevent the Dark Emperor from ever rising again, Lo Pei found twelve volunteers as hosts to the Talismans. When a human host dies, his Talisman is passed down to the next host the Talisman chose. From then, generation after generation passed, until now. Somehow Shendu's conscious is revived and he seeks to regain his powers. All of you are in danger; once your Talisman is extracted, you'll become what Ayame turned into yesterday. Only the Senshi's healing spells can return your Talismans you're your body and revert you back to human form. Ami," she turned to the ice Senshi. "You cannot be everywhere; we must inform the rest about this."

"Luna," Ami started. "Can we talk?"

"Of course." The black cat blinked.

Outside…

"Luna," Ami sighed. "We… I can't tell the girls."

"Why not?" Luna asked.

"Because…" Ami started. "To do so will mean betraying the Sohma's faith in me. I have once sworn to take the secret to my grave."

"You have misgivings about Usagi." Luna voiced knowingly. "You feel that she'll take this chance to claim Yuki for herself."

"Am I wrong to think this way?" Ami gave the cat a pained look.

Luna sighed, "Fine, don't call in the Guardian Senshi. How about…"

"The Outers?" Ami finished the question. "Well, knowing Setsuna, she'll already know of this."

"Good point." Luna agreed.

"Ladies?" Shigure stepped out.

"It's okay." Luna assured, strolling back in. "We've decided."

In the main hall…

"We will not be calling in the Guardian Senshi." Luna made the official announcement. "However, since Sailor Mercury cannot be everywhere, it's been decided we enlist the aid of the Outer Senshi."

"Just ask and you shall receive." Sailor Pluto manifested from a portal, effectively scaring the younger Sohmas.

"You never appear normally, do you, nee-chan?" Ami deathpanned.

Sailor Pluto smirked playfully, "Since when are any of us normal?"

"I was afraid you'll say that." Ami muttered.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.