Never Gone
Chapter Nine:
Tell Him
Makoto stood in front of the oven watching as her fresh batch of school work finished cooking. She loved her early morning baking classes. She had missed them. Two weeks away had put her greatly behind, but her professors had faith in her skills to complete the missed work. She was still a fair few assignments behind, but this batch of cookies would help her catch up.
The timer ran out with a clear ding. She grabbed an oven mitt, opened the steal door, and pulled out the fresh batch. The room was immediately filled with the smell of cinnamon.
Professor Kiminota hurried over in anticipation of what her prized student had created. Makoto placed the cookie sheet on a cooling wrack. Professor Kiminota noted the brown shade of the cookies. She used a toothpick to check the middles. And, after about five minutes, she returned to taste the pastry. She analyzed the consistency, the flavor, and the overall aesthetic experience of the cookie.
Makoto waited with baited breath for the verdict. She wanted these to be perfect. And Professor Kiminota would be the only one to tell her the truth. She was the hardest, most critical teacher in the Culinary Department. Her approval was coveted by all.
Professor Kiminota hummed in thought as she swallowed the cookie. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were pulled into a thin line.
Makoto wrung her hands nervously behind her back. Please, please, please…
Professor Kiminota opened her eyes. "Well done, Kino-san," she said. Usually, she would place the pastry back on the trey and walk away, but today, she kept the cookie captive while venturing to the next student to continue her scrutiny. That was more a compliment to the perfection of her cookies than the two words spoken in affirmation.
Makoto suppressed a squeal. She had done it! She had made the perfect batch of cinnamon cookies! Now she could take them to him, and he wouldn't be able to say they were burned this time because now she could cook! Her smile was contagious even as some of her classmates congratulated her. As the class came to an end, Makoto packed the cookies into a green and pink bag. It was time. Gripping the bag to her chest, she walked out of the room.
It was such a beautiful day! The sun was shining! It was not too hot. A nice breeze was dancing through the trees. It was if the entire planet was cheering her on in her venture. Today, she would go to Professor Unami and tell him everything. After the dream they had shared last night, she knew it would be ok. All thoughts of what could happen should they be discovered were gone. All fears of rejection or of her being wrong were no more. All she wanted was to be safe in his arms again, and what better way to initiate that moment than with a batch of his favorite cookies? At least, she hoped they were his favorite. Cinnamon had been his favorite flavor back then.
"It is such an interesting flavor," he said as they strolled through his garden. It was his personal garden separate from the Royal Gardens. The Royal Gardens were filled with roses, the Prince's favorite. His garden, however, had so many different plants. Flowers, trees, vegetable patches, and herbs, so many herbs! She especially loved the herbs. They smelled wonderful. "Cinnamon can be used to flavor anything."
"Really?" she asked skeptically.
"Indeed," he said as he stopped to pick up a small leafy herb. "Mint cannot do that." He handed her the delicate plant. She sniffed it. It sent a cool chill through her body. "Mint is used to cool. I would not recommend it on chicken. But, add a bit of cinnamon to chicken…"
She laughed out right then. "You are making trickery to confuse me," she accused. "Who would eat cinnamon on chicken?"
He grinned playfully as he took the mint back. "I would," he admitted. And with that, he bit into the mint and smiled.
Makoto grinned at the memory. He had been such a strange man with strange tastes. But he had been right about one thing: cinnamon chicken was, indeed, quite tasty. As were cinnamon cookies. And cinnamon on toast and in assorted hot drinks. Before the end, he had had her try cinnamon on just about anything he could think to serve. Thus, it would be a shame for him to dislike the flavor now.
Makoto neared the Science Building. Something stirred in her heart. A small twinge of dread laced with urgency. She paused to calm her nerves. It's going to be ok, she assured herself. His face filled her memories; their dream played out before her eyes. Everything is going to be ok.
"Stay put!" Makoto started out of her reserve at the sound of Umino's voice as he came running out of the Science Building. He was on the phone, his eyes narrowed in a sever expression she had never seen on his face before. Umino had always been a shy, introverted type of character, but the man she saw running toward her was in command of the situation, determined, and in no way reserved as he said, "I will contact you as soon as it is safe." With that, he ended the call.
"Ohiyo, Umino-kun," Makoto greeted cheerfully.
Umino did not return the greeting. Instead, he grabbed her wrist in a surprisingly strong grip and said, "Come with me."
Before Makoto could react, Umino was pulling her into the Science Building. The Senshi of Strength regained her bearings in time to pull her hand free just before ascending the first set of stairs. "What are you doing?" she demanded.
Umino rolled his eyes. "Now is not the time for questions, Lady Jupiter," he said in a voice that borderlined on arrogant. It was a tone she had heard once before, yesterday during Astronomy. Umino had been flat out rude to her then, something he was not known for, and yet, here he was again, nose in the air, talking down to her in a short tone reserved for unruly children.
Not one to be so ill treated, Makoto crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes, a hot retort on her lips when something occurred to her. He had called her "Lady Jupiter." Shock overtook her anger, allowing her arms to slip back to her sides as she gaped at him. "How did you…"
Umino grabbed her wrist once more and pulled her forward again, snapping, "There is no time! Lord Nephrite is in trouble!"
The dread from earlier—what she had mistaken for nerves—shot through her heart. "What?" she stuttered as she fell in step behind him. He was leading her further into the Science Department, up the stairs and to the left to the Astronomy rooms.
Umino did not answer her. He simply kept running. Makoto followed suit. She pulled her hand free in order to increase her speed. Together, they flew past the twice-startled department secretary, who once again yelled after them, demanding to know what they were doing. And, again, Umino yelled something over his shoulder about urgent business and whatnot and that she should get back to her work before he reported her. His threat, weighing heavy with authority, silenced the old woman once and for all. She sat quietly behind her desk to continue her work.
Within moments, they were at the door labeled "Dr. Unami Seiya." Umino walked in without preamble, but Makoto lingered outside the door. Fear crept up her spine. What would she find? She had been on the verge of getting him back, and now…and now Umino was telling her that something was wrong. What's more, her heart confirmed it. She could feel it deep her in soul, an urgency, a pulling, something calling to her. She swallowed hard. She needed to move. She was Sailor Jupiter, the Senshi of Strength. She could do this. Throwing her head back and squaring her shoulders, Makoto walked through the open door…
…and lost her nerve at the sight of him. Tears pricked her eyes even as her long legs carried her across the office floor to his side. Falling to her knees, she reached out with trembling fingers to touch his deathly pale face. "Seiya?" she cried.
He leaned into her gentle touch with a low moan.
"That's a good sign," Umino muttered as he stood over them.
"What..." Makoto whispered, still trying to understand. He was so pale! And so cold. His skin was clammy. And he was trembling. The first tear broke the threshold of her eyes, rolling down her cheek as she stroked his face. "What's wrong with him?"
"Biological weapon," Umino answered. His voice darkened and became sharp with bitterness as he continued. "A special type designed solely for Terrains."
Makoto gasped as a memory surfaced, resurrected by the horrid truth of his words.
"Should the Terrains rise again," the Mercurian Professor—what was his name? She did not really care. Mercurians were arrogant and snobby. She avoided them as much as she could, Sailor Mercury being the only one she tolerated. Either way, this Mercurian was insistent on reporting this new development in the defense against Terra should that barbaric planet ever reawaken. Jupiter was not concerned. Ever if Terra did somehow rise again, it was far too weak to ever threaten the Silver Alliance. Still, Venus had insisted they be a part of this lecture. Thus, she turned her mind back to the new weapon. "This weapon will, theoretically, put a stop to any magical threat posed."
"Theoretically?" Mercury asked. "Meaning you have not perfected it?"
The Professor bowed humbly to his Princess and said, "Not yet, my lady. But, it will be ready within the year."
Jupiter snorted. A year. The entire Jovian army would be ready within moments, yet the Mercurians needed a year. This lecture was not worth her time.
Makoto came back to the present. Umino was squatting in front of her, looking at her with intense eyes uncommon for his once soft features. Behind his glasses, Umino looked a true threat. Eyes studying his face, he worked out the truth without her needing to say it. "You've heard of this weapon," he concluded.
Makoto could not look at him. "Yes," she confessed, no longer leaving room to question how or why he knew what he knew. "It was before the Princess first came to Terra. The Mercurian Scientists were working on this, but they had not perfected it."
Umino snorted derisively. "Apparently, they did," he growled as he stood up.
Makoto cupped Seiya's face and continued to stroke his cheeks with her thumbs. Her body heat transferred to his skin, warming him a little. "What can we do?" she asked softly.
Umino strode to the computer, his eyes riveted to a window open in the top left corner of the screen. "Luckily, my department was able to procure a vial of the weapon, and I was able to make an antidote. That's why I need you."
"I'll do anything," Makoto vowed. She would do anything to save his life. She couldn't lose him now. Not when she was so close to getting him back. "Just tell me what to do."
"Stay with him," Umino said simply. He knelt next to her again. "See how he's reacting to your touch?" She nodded slowly. "You're his anchor. Call to him. Use his name." Makoto looked up at him in shock. How did he know…Umino grinned a secretive sort of grin. "I know you know his name. Call him. Draw him to you by any means necessary. Surround him in your touch—physical, mental, magical. It does not matter, as long as you anchor him here. Understand?"
Makoto nodded.
For the first time, a glimpse of the old Umino came through as he smiled gently and gripped her shoulder encouragingly. "Good." Then, it was gone, replaced by the cold scientist who held her love's life in his hands. Umino stood and looked to the door, his eyes calculating hundreds of factors in moments. "I will be back as soon as I can." Dark eyes turning back to her, he commanded her to "Keep him here."
"I will," Makoto promised.
Vow made, Umino hurried out of the office, closing the door firmly behind him.
THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE! THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE!
Dr. Tekahashi stood before his Chemistry 300 class delivering what he considered to be one of his best lectures on the benefits of understanding the laws and limits of chemical sciences as displayed by those who came before. He relished in all the eager faces looking back at him, ready to get started. This was his special class, hand chosen by him to be here. No bored expressions, no "I'm doing this as a core, stop lecturing me!" students interrupting his flow. Only minds ready to be molded into the future of Japanese science and research. This was his utopia. "And once you understand the boundaries of natural law, all kinds of possibilities open to you!"
The classroom door burst open, breaking into the climax of his lecture. "Pardon me, Professor."
Dr. Tekahashi grit his teeth in annoyance. "Gurio-san," he ground out. This particular young man had not been invited to his special class. Yes, Gurio Umino was considered the brightest mind to enter this University, Dr. Tekahashi was not so convinced. This boy had too many outlandish ideas that put his careful constructed logic into a tizzy. Energy manipulators, magical harmonization, the idea that neurological impulses could be compatible with technological function! This young man's ideas were fit for a Manga, not science. Thus, to have said young man burst in unannounced and uninvited into his classroom whilst he was lecturing put him in a foul mood. He would show this young man his place.
Gurio-san, for his part, was running about, grabbing empty beakers, vials of different chemicals, and the first aid kit.
"Gurio-san," Dr. Tekahashi said coldly. "What, pray tell, are you doing?"
"Supplies," was the short answer.
Dr. Tekahashi felt his ire rise at the rude retort. "Yes, well, we are in the middle of class. I'm sure whatever experiment you are working on can wait till then."
"No, it cannot," Gurio-san replied without missing a beat. He dashed to the open supply closet at the back of the room.
Dr. Tekahashi's spine stiffened. That was his personal supply, open only to his favored students! That unorthodox little whelp had no business going in there! "Gurio-san!" he snapped. "I said we are in the middle of class!"
Gurio-san popped his head out. "And I'm trying to save someone's life!" he snapped back, his eyes narrowed darkly, fixing the professor in his place with an authority that one so young should not carry. "If you would please put your hubris on hold for a moment, I shall be out of your hair in two minutes! Till then, continue your lecture if you must!" He disappeared back into the closet.
The classroom was quiet. Every eyes was turned onto the sputtering professor, silently asking for an explanation. His specially chosen few had never seen him so put out of place. Dr. Tekahashi could not think of what to say. Impertinent boy!
The silence remained until Gurio-san left the room, his pockets bulging with multiple vials and two empty beakers in his hands. At the door, he turned and nodded. "Carry on," he commanded.
The professor did as told.
THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE! THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE!
Makoto sat in silence stroking Seiya's face, Umino's words echoing through her mind. "Call to him. Use his name...Surround him in your touch."
The tears continued to slip from her eyes. She had to be strong. She had to be strong for him. Slowly, she leaned down until her forehead touched his. His skin was so cold. She took a deep breath, just drinking him in. This was not how she had imagined this moment. She had wanted to enter his office, see his smile, and be confident in his love for her. She would have given him the cookies. Let him eat one. He would make a teasing comment, perhaps about a non-existent char on the underside. Then she would know it was ok.
But that was not what was happening. She was leaning over his body—a body that used to be so warm. Oh, how she had loved staying in his arms. Terrian nights had been so chilly. He would hold her close as they looked up to the stars; he would introduce her to each by name. He had never treated her like the muscle. Every member of the Silver Alliance had only seen her as only the brutish daughter of the Jovian Line to be used for battle and little else. But he had seen more. He had taught her more. He had shown her more. He had loved her.
A strangled sob rose in her throat. He had loved her! And she had loved him. She still loved him! She would not lose him here! Closing her eyes against the tears, she whispered, "Seiryu?"
His breath hitched.
"Seiryu, please," she whispered again, her fingers moving of their own to stroke his hair. "Please, hear me. Seiryu?"
He titled his head back, a gasp breaking from his lips, drinking deep the air.
Makoto kissed his clammy forehead. It felt a little warmer. "Come back," she pleaded, her mind focused on him. She willed her soul to touch his. "Seiryu."
Something nudged her. Soft, delicate, distant, but it was there. She leaned into him, forehead to forehead, mind open, magic surging through her veins, and tears trailing from her eyes. "Please, Seiryu, beloved, please! Come back!"
It touched her again; a probing force reaching for her mind and a hand reaching for her arm.
Hope rose in her heart. Makoto focused on the pulse and tried…No! She succeeded! She needed to succeed! There was no try. There was win! She focused on the nudging, envisioned her mind touching his, searching for the light she knew would be there—his light, his aura, his soul. "Seiryu!"
His hand found her arm as magic surged between them. His eyes flew open as he gasped for air, his other hand coming up to hold her, desperate, like a drowning man cleaving to land. Grey eyes darted about, wild and distressed, anxiously searching for her. "Diana?" he breathed.
Makoto sobbed in relief. "Seiryu!"
"Diana," he whispered again, his eyes never stilling. "I can't," he panted, "I can't see you."
Makoto cradled his shaking body against hers, wrapping her arms around him protectively. "It's alright," she soothed. "Just feel me. Open your mind to me. I'll protect you."
He held her close, trembling, sweating, struggling to breath. "I can't," he wheezed. "The poison…"
"It won't hurt me," she assured him. Her soul rejoiced in the nearness of him. She could feel his light. He was holding it back even with the bond now open to them. A smile over took her as she released her magic to overtake him, to coax him to her, to her safety. "Hide in me."
It was an eternal moment of her magic hovering in his mind before she felt him respond. The gentle pulsing of his soul slipped through their bond. His body relaxed against hers as he found refuge in her light.
It was then that Umino returned. "You brought him back," he discovered with palatable relief.
Makoto nodded and continued to rock her lover in her arms.
Umino placed two beakers on the desk and began to pull vials of different chemicals from his pockets. His hands flew in a frenzy, grabbing this vial and that, mixing different levels of ingredients into each beaker. Makoto watched it all in silence, her mind focused solely on shielding her soul mate from the parasite raging through his blood. She could feel it trying to cross over, but its very make-up hindered it. It could never hurt one of the Silver Alliance Thus, it hovered on the edges, waiting to overtake its prey should he choose to leave his refuge.
Finally, Umino lifted the first beaker and swirled it about, mixing the contents and muttering, "Come on, come on, come on…" The liquid within turned a deep red. "Yes!" He set it down, then reached into his pocket as he turned to the two and knelt. "Lord Nephrite?" he called. "Can you hear me?"
Seiya stirred enough to turn his head to glance at Umino. "Anawin?" he wheezed. "Is that you?"
Umino nodded. "I've got the antidote, sire."
Seiya closed his eyes, sighing in relief. "Good."
Umino held up the object he had had in his pocket. It was a syringe. "I'm going to take some blood," he warned as he ripped open Seiya's shirt sleeve. "You'll feel a pinch."
Seiya nodded. Makoto tightened her hold on him. Umino felt about for the right vein, and then, on the count of three, pierced the skin. Seiya hissed. The ripples of pain rushed through their bond. That had hurt more than necessary; the poison was destroying him. "Hurry," Makoto pleaded.
Umino poured the taken blood into the beaker and swirled again. The red liquid turned green. Umino fished out a second syringe, dipped the needle into the liquid, and filled it. He tapped it against the glass until all the air bubbles were out and then knelt again. "Hold on, sire," he prayed.
He stabbed the needle into the exposed arm.
Seiya tensed, his teeth grit against the pain.
And then, they waited.
A heavy silence filled the room. Seconds ticked by like hours. Umino watched his liege with bated breath. It had to work. It. Had. To. Work!
Then, Seiya exhaled slowly, all tension visibly leaving him as he sank further into Makoto's arms. He did not move. Did not speak. Did nothing but lay there, breathing with grateful ease. Then, slowly, he sat up, heat and color already returning to his face. And he smiled. "Thank you, Anawin."
Umino jumped to his feet with a victorious whoop! "It worked!" he exclaimed. "I knew it would work! Ha ha!"
Seiya watched the young man dance about as the auras broke through the oppressive darkness that was his blindness. Sparks of electric green drew his grey eyes. Never had he been so happy to see her stormy essence dance across his senses. "Diana," he whispered as he cupped her face and brushed away the tears lingering there.
Makoto gripped his hand in response. "Seiryu," she sobbed, no longer able to hold back her tears. He was ok. She allowed him to pull her close as she cried openly before him. He was ok.
Umino missed the exchange, for once his celebration was complete, he returned to the task at hand. He sat down before CDT and began to type. "I am sending instructions to Prince Endymion's phone," he reported. "Hopefully, the prince's medical training will do the rest."
"Indeed," Seiya mused from the floor. He could feel his strength returning bit by bit.
Umino fished two more syringes from his pocket and taped them to the second beaker. He, then, caped the vital mixture and turned to his master. "If you would please."
Seiya waved his hand. A shadow portal formed next to the young scientist. "Be quick," he ordered. "Kunzite's powers are just as tainted. He will feel the effects of my channeling."
Umino thrust the beaker into the portal. "This is just a temporary fix," Umino said gravely, more to himself than to the room as the portal closed.
"What?" Makoto asked through her tears. She shot a betrayed look at Umino.
Seiya placed a comforting hand on her back. "The parasite was passed to Kunzite and myself through our bond with Tanzanite," he informed her. "The antidote must be given to him for the full healing to take place." Looking up at the young scientist, Seiya asked, "Umino?"
"Already on it, sire," Umino said, sitting back down to fulfill the unspoken command.
Makoto snuggled back into Seiya's chest, fresh worry filling her and passing through their bond into him. He stroked her hair soothingly as she had done for him not too long ago. "Do not fret," he said. "It will be ok."
Makoto nodded against him but did not speak. Today had been far too close a call for her liking.
Not wanting his love to be distressed, he looked around for something to distract her. It came to him in the form of a heavenly scent. A moment later, a green and pink bag was hovering just over her head. He reached for it, drawing Makoto's eyes. She sat up immediately, grabbing for the bag, but he pulled it away with a swift psychic tug. The bag came to his hands. He opened it with a mischievous grin. "Did you make these for me?" he asked sweetly.
Makoto blushed. "Yes," she confessed, feeling suddenly like a junior high student again.
Seiya leaned back against the wall as he pulled out a cookie and sniffed it, rumbling, "Mm, cinnamon." He took a grateful bite. Makoto waited anxiously for his opinion. He took his time chewing, savoring the taste. These were, by far, the best cookies he had ever had. He swallowed and licked his lips. Sensing her impatience, he purposefully waited an extra minute before he said, "These are good."
"Good?" she asked uncertainly.
He nodded. He could feel the disappointment she felt at his unimpressed demeanor. He grinned. "You should try them."
"I have tri—"
His lips closed over hers, cutting her off. The kiss was laced with the lingering essence of cinnamon and sugar. She melted into him. He pulled back after a minute or two, a self-satisfied smirk on his lips. "See?" he said.
"Tickets and travel papers procured," Umino reported before Makoto could form a coherent response. "A car will be waiting for us in font of the Science Building in ten minutes. Plane leaves in one hour. We will make it just in time."
"Excellent." Seiya stood, testing his returned strength and finding it sufficient. Reaching down for his lovely soul mate, Seiya asked, "Kino Makoto, will you go to England with me?"
AN: And cut! Yeah! No one died! Yet...mwhahahahaha! Reviews are love!