A/N: Well, it's been forever trying to update this thing. Between writer's block, work, and a Las Vegas wedding for next year, it's been quite busy. And no, I'm not the one getting married. Here you are! Enjoy!
Sailor Night stood at the top of a skyscraper as she monitored Ami Mizuno's movements. She wouldn't allow being drained of her energy to stop her from trying to keep her friends saved. The Scout of Water was being escorted home by their companions, which made her feel better, but the Scout of Night couldn't shake the feeling that something would befall her fellow scout. Shaking her head, she focused on the task at hand. She would not allow Ikeda Takuya to kill anymore innocent people on her watch.
Why he would target my friends is beyond me.
No other civilians, aside Venus, had been reported as missing as of late and that made Sakura very suspicious and wary. Was he doing this for sport? Was he doing this for infamy? Or was he targeting them because he was part of something bigger? Nothing added up and nothing really sounded right. Was he killing people just because he could? That had a bit of truth behind it and it made her feel cold inside.
Earlier in the day, as she prepared to do a patrol run, she noticed a strange mark upon her neck. It was already dark but it was cold to the touch. She had Sailor Mars look at it and was told that it was a branding of sorts. A dark force had her marked...weather for death or for some other reason was unclear. The young psychic had slipped the Dark Scout of the Night protective charms before she had gone out to overlook the area where Ami went to school.
"Just be careful." Sailor Mars warned.
Sailor Venus's power-stick grew warm upon her skin. It was a warning sign that danger approached. Sailor Night began to follow Sailor Mercury at a safe distance just in case she could see something or someone following her. She pulled out her communicator and contacted her companion.
"Be on your guard, Mercury." Sakura urged. "Danger approaches."
"I sense it, too." The blunette replied.
Mercury and their friends were aware that Sailor Night was following them from a distance. It allowed them some breathing space and it gave them an extra pair of eyes to search behind them. So far, Sakura saw nothing but the danger she felt was invisible. It watched, whatever it was. Her nerves were high on edge.
Fortunately, they had made it safely to their destination and it was decided that they would all stay with their resident genius. Sakura's nerves were pretty much shot but she wouldn't allow herself to drop her guard. Ikeda Takuya still plotted and waited...hunted. She sighed. She had failed Venus but she would not fail Mercury.
Now that the night had fallen, Sakura linked herself to the dark element. It was imperative to find out what had been stalking them. She drowned out all of the negative energy that hid within the night and sought the energy of their stalker. Soon, she began to follow the trail of an energy signature that matched the stalker's and it led back to her main suspect.
"Well, son of a bitch."
Sakura was very well aware of how spiritually powerful he was but she didn't think he was this strong. Astral projection? It had to be. Takuya was simply lounging upon his bed when his eyes shot open. Suddenly, the young woman felt invisible fingers close around her neck and began to suffocate. A shock of cold stabbed her in between her legs before being released. She had wanted to scream at the intrusion but refused to do so. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her in pain.
"Well, that was reckless of you."
A projection of Takuya appeared before her.