A.N.: I'm back! To give you another chapter. A couple of people were confused with the sign that Usagi saw after she woke up. It was a sign that Dumbledore made for Usagi reserving the bed in the Hospital Wing. Sorry I wasn't more clear on that. I hope I answered a few more questions you guys might have had. Enjoy!
As always I'll say the usual. Sailor Moon and Harry Potter aren't mine… Flames will be used for s'mores… All other reviews welcome… even criticism. Replies to reviews are at the bottom. You know… general stuff.
Chapter 14
Ginny stared out the window. There was so much on her mind; she didn't know where to start.
"Ginny are you okay?" Harry asked for the third time that morning.
"Yeah," Ginny nodded looking at Harry, "Just tired."
Harry nodded. Ginny had said the same thing every time he asked. He could sense there was something else bothering her but she didn't seem to want to talk about it.
Harry looked at Usagi. The girl had slept for quite some time. She was obviously tired. Harry wondered exactly what Usagi was doing in the abandoned corridor.
'Ginny must have found her using the map,' Harry mused, 'I'm not entirely sure how I found that place myself.'
Hermione and Ron poked their heads in the door; "I brought your homework for you."
"Hermione, Ginny is on a forced vacation. I don't think she wants to be doing homework," Ron teased.
"Actually I've gotten really bored lately. All Usagi does is sleep and Madam Pomfrey says I have to stay in here until my 'magical stores right themselves' or something like that."
"What could have drained you like that?" Hermione wondered out loud.
Ginny shrugged. In truth, she knew exactly what had drained her, but she had sworn to Usagi she wouldn't breathe a word of it.
Hermione looked at the grandfather clock in Madam Pomfrey's office through the window, "We need to get to class. I'll bring in Usagi's homework tonight."
"I'm sure she'll be looking forward to it," Ron rolled his eyes. He drug Hermione out of the Hospital ward to give Harry and Ginny some privacy.
"I'm glad you're okay," Harry said. He gave Ginny a hug.
Ginny closed her eyes, breathing in his scent, one of the only normal things these past few days. Harry let go and placed a hesitant kiss on Ginny's lips.
After Harry left Ginny turned to look up at the ceiling, "I know you're awake Usagi."
"Sorry," Usagi said sheepishly, "I just thought if I pretended to be asleep, you wouldn't notice."
"So I have a couple of questions," Ginny said.
Usagi sighed. She regretted not telling Ginny everything. She had hoped to let Ginny absorb all she could before hitting her with the big stuff.
"Did Candra survive the attack on the Moon?" she asked.
"No one did actually," Usagi said, "Queen Serenity…"
"Your mother," Ginny added, trying to get the facts straight.
Usagi nodded, "She used the Silver Crystal to seal away the Shadow and all of Beryl's forces. Then she used the last of her strength to send everyone who died to Gaia to be born again in time."
"So there are others?" Ginny asked, "Like us? Who are they? Where are they?"
"They are spread across the world. Setsuna, Michiru, Hotaru, and Haruka belonged to the Silver Millennium," Usagi said, "There are some in Japan. Quite a few actually…"
"You mean the Sailor Senshi?" Ginny asked.
Usagi nodded, "They were the Guardians of the Princess…"
"That would be you right?"
Usagi nodded again.
"So you would be Sailor Moon?" Ginny asked slowly.
Usagi smiled, "Doesn't seem likely does it?"
"Hermione suspected you were Sailor Moon," Ginny laughed, "She also thought Hotaru and the others were Sailor Senshi."
"Hermione is really perceptive," Usagi said slowly.
"You mean they really are?" Ginny shook her head. Suddenly a fog seemed to lift from Ginny's head and she gasped, "They are!!"
Ginny shook her head, "Why didn't I realize?"
"There is a certain quality which veils our identities are obscured until we reveal them," Usagi explained.
"That's why Hermione crossed out the names," Ginny laughed.
"The fact that she made the association speaks wonders," Usagi smiled, "Though I suppose you couldn't expect less from Mercury's new descendant."
"You mean Hermione was a part of the Silver Millennium?" Ginny said looking up.
"I believe that Hermione was Candra," Usagi said softly.
Ginny's breath caught in her throat.
"Candra?"
Usagi nodded. "I think that's why she's been dreaming of the Silver Millennium too. You two were always so close so…"
"So close yet so far…"
p/p
Once Usagi and Ginny were let out of the Hospital Wing, they were assaulted with questions. Everyone wanted to know why they were there, how they were, and Hermione wanted to make sure both of them had done their homework.
"I hope you don't mind keeping my secret Ginny," Usagi thanked her.
"It's my secret now too," Ginny reminded her.
Usagi smiled but she knew it was hard for Ginny. She saw how Ginny looked at their other friends, Hermione especially. Thankfully there were no youma around. Ginny didn't have any fighting to do at the moment.
Each time she had an opportunity, Ginny sparred against Usagi and Haruka. Ginny showed an aptitude for physical combat just like Usagi.
"Something's been bothering me," Haruka said one day, "If you are the next heir of Mars and Hermione is supposed to be the heir of Mercury… how can you guys be twins?"
Ginny lay on her back staring up at the ceiling. She closed her eyes for a moment. She opened them and smiled. "Our parents were from different planets," she explained, "We girls were unexpected and my mother could only take care of one. It was all she had room for in the future. I was raised on Mars with my mother and Candra was raised with my father on Mercury."
"Makes sense," Usagi said. She too lay in the exercise mat, eyes to the ceiling.
"My mother died during in an accident and I was sent to my father on Mercury. No one ever wanted to spar; they were all too busy with their own live. I went back to Mars to stay with a relative. When I was old enough, I was elected to serve in the Lunar palace."
"And there you were reunited with your sister," Usagi said.
Ginny nodded, "It was pure luck that we both were picked."
"Maybe not," Setsuna commented. She had taken to watching every now and then.
"What do you mean Sets?" Usagi asked sitting up.
"All I'm saying is that all of your former Senshi were born in the same city for a reason… You were given your powers for a reason… Perhaps everything in our lives is…" she searched for he right word, "…calculated timing."
p/p
"Hey Usagi," Harry said early one Saturday morning, "Want to come down and watch the team practice?"
Usagi had never really seen much Quidditch, nodded. She had strained her ankle the day before, so Haruka said she could have the day off. She wanted to see Ginny flying.
When she got out to the pitch, she sat in the stands to wait. She saw everyone zooming around and smiled.
'Haruka might like this,' she thought.
''Ruka, Usagi called through their mental connection, 'Come watch this.'
'I'll be down in a minute,' came Haruka's reply.
Everyone was still zipping around when Haruka sauntered to the stands.
"So this is Quidditch," Haruka said watching them, "Some kid in my class was muttering about this while he was doing pushups. So I gave him ten more."
"Alright everyone," Ron called, "Let's take a break."
"Couldn't ask for a better co-Captain," Harry patted Ron on the back, "I think I'll keep you around."
"You wanna have a go on my broom Usagi?" Ron asked offering her broom to Usagi.
Usagi shook her head, "I have trouble with not breaking my neck with both feet on the ground… Up in the air who knows what will happen?"
Usagi stole a glance at Haruka, "What about asking Haruka? She seems like she'd be interested."
"Professor Tenoh?" Ron said, "You want to go for a ride on my broom?"
"Actually," Haruka said licking her lips, "I think I would. And outside of class its Haruka."
Ron nodded and offered his broom to her.
"Have you ridden a broom before?" Harry asked.
"Nope," Haruka said positioning herself on the broom.
"I can give you a few pointers if you like," Ron offered.
"No thanks." Haruka kicked off the ground and went soaring up into the air. She zipped and weaved like the best of them.
"She's fantastic," Ginny breathed.
Usagi nodded, "Her name isn't sky king for nothing…"
Haruka landed and gave the broom back to Ron. She nodded her thanks.
"If you want, you can ride more after practice," Ron offered.
"I'd like that," Haruka smiled.
Once out of earshot of everyone, Harry pulled Ron to the side and said, "Don't tell me you have a crush on her."
Ron shook his head, "I like her class. It is really helping everyone, especially on the Quidditch pitch."
Harry looked at Ron confused. Ron sighed and said, "Our Chasers are able to fly faster and throw farther. Even Coote and Peakes are better. They hit harder and with better accuracy. Did you think that was just our superior coaching methods?" Ron teasingly jabbed Harry in the ribs with his broom handle.
"I just thought they had a lot of practice over the summer…" Harry said shrugging.
"Seriously mate," Ron shook his head.
"So you don't have a crush on her?" Harry said trying to make sure.
"No," Ron shook his head, "No crush. Besides, she's already taken."
Harry looked confused, "By who?"
"And everyone tells me I'm daft," Ron teased.
p/p
Haruka spent about an hour flying after the practice. Usagi even borrowed Ginny's broom and did a wobbly circle.
"I don't think I like flying," Usagi said once she was back on the ground.
"What's so bad about flying?" Haruka laughed, "It makes me feel free."
"I don't think I like brooms…" In Japanese she added, "I prefer to fly as Serenity."
p/p
"Usagi," Haruka poked Usagi, "We're heading inside for dinner."
"Dinner?" Usagi perked up.
"I told you saying that would wake her up," Ginny snickered.
"It's starting to rain…" Harry held his palm out and a drop landed on it. A thunder crash made Usagi jump.
"An electrical storm?" Ron said, "That's strange…" A flash of lightning made Usagi jump again.
"This doesn't seem like normal lighting," Harry shook his head. He climbed on his broom and kicked off.
"What is he thinking?" Ginny said. The rain began to pour and everyone was soaked in seconds. Ginny cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled, "Harry! Get back here!"
Harry touched down and shook the rain out of his eyes.
"There's something in the lightning," he said looking up at the cloud.
"Something like what?" Haruka demanded.
"I don't know," Harry said, "I thought I saw a kid in there too. The lighting wouldn't let me anywhere near the kid though."
"Where's the kid?" Usagi asked.
Harry pointed to a part of the castle, "Hanging on over there. A ways off the ground."
Usagi jumped as the lighting struck again. Through the thunder, she heard a scream.
"I gotta borrow this," Usagi snatched Ron's broom out of his hands. She kicked off the ground and soared up in the air. She wobbled a little and almost fell off.
"Not now," she chided the broom, "I need to do this. When we are back closer to the ground, you can buck me off."
The broom wobbled a little bit then straightened. Lightning struck close to Usagi, so closer she could feel the hair on her arms stand on end. She dodged another lightning bolt and flew up into the clouds.
"Who are you?" Usagi asked looking at a man-like creature in the clouds.
The creature turned. Usagi could see him clearly as another bolt of lightning struck the ground. It looked like a bald, dark-skinned man. His eyes were yellow, much like a cat's and when he smiled his teeth were pointed.
"This does not concern you," the creature said. His voice had an electric feeling about it. He shot a bolt at Usagi.
Usagi dodged and informed Setsuna about the creature. She turned Ron's broom to face the castle. Through the rain she could make out a small form hanging from the castle.
She raced forward to catch the child before something bad happened. A bolt of lightning struck directly in her path.
"I don't think so," the creature said, "I have express orders to come back with this child's body."
"Why?" Usagi yelled over the storm's commotion, "It's just a child!"
"This child is very important," the creature grinned with its sharp teeth.
"I don't care what plans you have for this child," Usagi said gripping the handle tightly, "I will not stand by while an innocent soul is murdered."
"Look lady," the creature placed his fist on a hip, "Her older sister wants her dead. Now it is either her or me…"
"Why would a sister do that?" Usagi demanded.
"She's next in line for the throne after that brat. She wants her out of the way…"
p/p
"Where's Haruka?" Harry turned to look for the teacher.
"She said she went to go get the Headmaster," Ginny lied. She had seen Haruka transform and run off to fight the creature in the clouds. She had just barely seen the creature. How Harry and Ron couldn't see the creature was beyond Ginny. Maybe it was because she was a part of the Silver Millennium, she was more aware of such things.
Up in the clouds, Ginny could see all of the Senshi fighting the creature. Mentally, she wished them luck and turned to watch Usagi.
p/p
A scream made Usagi turn. She worried that the child was loosing her grip. She flew forward, dodging bolt after bolt of lightning.
Just as she was about to reach the child, she lost her grip on the castle. Usagi watched as a blur of pink flew by her. She was so shocked; she almost crashed into the outcropping the child had been hanging onto.
Quickly she turned and pushed off the outcropping with her feet, diving towards the ground. Usagi was a finger's breadth away from grabbing a hold of the falling child.
The ground was rushing up fast. Usagi let go of the broom and grabbed the child in her arms. She turned and absorbed the brunt of the fall.
"Thank goodness…"
p/p
"What happened?" Haruka stormed in the hospital wing. She stopped at the end of Usagi's bed. The others weren't far behind. They all stood at the end of Usagi's bed and looked at their princess.
Usagi was bundled up in the bed. There was something else under the covers with her but when they tried to lift them to see what it was, Madam Pomfrey swatted their hands.
"The child she saved is under there," she informed everyone, "When we tried to take her away, she screamed and kicked Mr. Potter in the face."
The Senshi looked over at Harry who was holding a rag to his nose, "Nothing too serious."
"We even tried moving her after she fell asleep but she clung to Ms. Tsukino as though for dear life. Poor thing…"
"That one is a fighter though," Harry sighed. He removed the rag from his nose. It had stopped bleeding.
"I don't see why you didn't let me fix it for you Mr. Potter," the nurse sniffed.
"It wasn't all that bad and you have Usagi and the child to worry about."
"Did you get a name out of her?" Dumbledore appeared out of nowhere, making Ron and Harry both jump.
"I tried but no luck. There was something that was with her and Usagi," Ginny said. She pointed to a toy over in the corner.
"No way," Setsuna said looking at it.
"If that's…"
"Then that means…"
Hotaru's face lit up at the sight of the cat-shaped ball, "Chibi-Usa?"
p/p
Cosmic Slytherin: I'm trying to incorporate ideas from all of the mediums of Sailor Moon, anime, manga, and live-action. I'm trying to pull them all in to make it fit to my story. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Comet Moon: If she were to scream "Mars power make-up", Madam Pomfrey might have popped in to see what all the hubbub was about and we couldn't have that can we. Anyway thanks for the review. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. P.S. I can't have a story without teasers.
LunarStar Princess Krystal: I liked writing the fall of the Silver Millennium from a different perspective. It kinda gave the characters, the castle, and even the story of it a little depth. As for the pictures, we might be seeing them again in coming chapters… maybe as a Christmas gift or something….
Wolfprincess09: Thanks. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it but then it just sort of fell into place. I'm really happy with it and I'm glad to know everyone else thinks it turned out great too.
Silver Moonlight-81: Thanks. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last one. As for the note, if you haven't already read the Author's Note, the explination is in there. Sorry for the confusion.
Hoshiko Megami: Thanks, I hope this chapter is as good as the previous one. As to the sign, it is explained in my Author's Note. It is referring to the time when Usagi said she should have a bed on reserve. Just Dumbledore being Dumbledore.
Henio41: Thanks. I'm trying to update as often as I can. As it is, most of my other stories haven't gotten half as far as this one. I'm surprised.