Chapter 11: The Return of a Soldier

Group Two

"So how have you been Healer-san?" Venus broke the silence. Healer kept looking straight ahead and kept her mouth shut. The blonde bit her lip and tried again. "I missed you...a lot."

"Why are you talking to me?" Healer snapped. Venus took a step back. She knew Healer had a temper problem but this was worse. She was yelling at her.

"What do you mean?" Venus whispered.

"I don't talk to traitors." She explained.

"Don't let her get to you Venus." Mars called over her shoulder. Fighter and Maker remained silent but gave each other a knowing look behind the other senshi's backs. The continued along the path for a couple of more minutes until Fighter spoke up.

"Is it just me or do you guys think the ground is getting hotter?" she asked. Maker turned around and noticed her jumping from foot to foot. "It's so hot I can feel it through my boots." She added. Mercury quickly pulled out her small computer and started to type quickly.

"That's odd." She muttered while looking at the small screen.

"What is it Mercury?" Jupiter looked over her shoulder.

"I just checked my computer. There is no indication of Usagi's crystal in here at all." Mercury explained.

"You mean-"Venus started.

"This was a set up." Healer spat. Her whole body shook with anger. "They wanted us to come in here and-"she started.

"Run!" Fighter all of a sudden screamed as she tore down the long tunnel. Maker turned around to see what her problem was and then gasped in horror. A huge wall of flame was charging down the tunnel towards them,

SHINE AQUA ILLUSION

The water turned into steam even before it hit the wall of flames.

"Don't just stand there run." Mars grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down the street. Everyone was panting as they raced down the tunnel. The flames weren't that far behind. Everyone was sweating from the heat.

Venus cried out as she tripped and crashed to the ground. Healer stopped and ran back towards her. "Are you alright?" she kneeled down to exam the fallen senshi.

"No, my ankle hurts." Venus grimaced as she grabbed her leg. Chibi Chibi broke free and ran over to the two senshi. "Chibi Chibi, come back!" Maker shouted. Fighter quickly ran and grabbed her.

"Don't just sit there get up." Sailor Kakyuu called back to them as the fire raced closer and closer towards them. Chibi Chibi started to cry hard and struggled to be dropped. Healer quickly covered Venus and closed her eyes as the flames descended upon them.

MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK

Healer felt a rush of cool air. She looked behind her and noticed that the flame was gone. The tunnel was empty except for them. She stood up and helped Venus to her feat. Healer silently let her lean on her as they headed towards every one else.

They all walked in silence as they near the end of the tunnel. The stepped outside and looked up at the starry sky. The cool night air welcomed them. Healer smiled softly and lowered Venus to the ground. She lightly touched the hurt ankle and kept it there for a couple of seconds. When she removed her finger the ankle was heeled.

"Hey, look everyone else is out." Saturn ran over to them excitedly. She rubbed Chibi Chibi's cheek and gave Galaxy a hug. The rest of the sailor senshi ran up to them as well.

"Fighter, you're alright." Usagi cried while launching herself into the starlights arms. Fighter was shocked at fits but relaxed into her warmth. She had a soft smile playing on her face.

"Are you guys okay?" Neptune asked. Sailor Kakyuu quickly ran over and gave each Starlight a big hug.

"I don't know what I would do if I lost you three too." She whimpered. Maker held her close as Fighter was busy calming Usagi down. Healer looked up at the sky with her bright green eyes and frowned.

"The crystal wasn't here at all." Mars spat. "It was a trick to try and destroy us." She added.

"Usagi, I thought you can't use any of your attacks." Jupiter raised an eyebrow.

"I can't." she shook her head. "You saw something too?" she asked. Before Jupiter could reply the leaves in some bushed close by rustled as a figure emerged.

"It looks like you all still need me help." Sailor Chibi Moon smiled as she brushed some leaves out of her hair. She had matured a lot since the last time anyone has seen her. Her body has developed since she is now a fourteen year old girl. Her pink hair had grown out and started to resemble Usagi's a bit but it wasn't as long.

"Chibi-usa chan." Saturn cried happily.

"Chibi-usa, I'm so glad it's you." Usagi broke apart from Fighter and gave her future daughter a big hug. A few stray tears slid down her cheeks as the two held onto each other. "What are you doing here?" she asked when they pulled away.

"I was sent here by my mom to help protect Usagi." Sailor Chibi Moon addressed everyone else. "Everyone in the Moon Kingdom knows what happened with you and the crystal." She added.

"Then that means you know Demando is back to." Usagi nodded.

"Yeah," Sailor Chibi Moon reply. A look of hurt and anger crossed her face as she rounded towards the inner senshi. "And I also know that you guys left her to fend for herself."

"You don't know the whole story." Sailor Mars immediately spat back.

"What I do know is that you all are cowards." Sailor Chibi Moon stood her ground. Sailor Mars stared at her angrily and finally looked away.

"Let's get out of here." Sailor Mars demanded. The other inner senshi looked back at them wearily and followed.

"I'm sorry about them." Sailor Chibi Moon gave her a sympathetic look. It was then changed to a look of determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure Demando doesn't get his hands on you."

"Hey, it's past one in the morning." Pluto explained. "We should head back."

"My mom is probably worried about us." Usagi added. Healer continued to look up at the sky. She didn't move when everyone else started to follow. "Aren't you coming?"

"What are you looking at?" Fighter looked up at the sky too. Healer blinked and finally lowered her head.

"Meteor shower..." Healer whispered. "Sailor Star Shooter is somewhere here on Earth." She added.