Last update: January 19, 2007
"I was told you wanted to see me."
Kino looked at the short, old man standing in front of his desk and nodded at him. "We've been trying to figure out who the Senshi really are, as well as their enemies, the youma. As I know from reports that several of the battles were quite close to your shrine, I thought you might have a clue on that."
"Not at all," Hino said, his face unreadable.
"We both know you're lying, old man. You've always boasted about your ability to sense things I wouldn't believe in, not for the fact I've seen them and talked to them."
"Listen, Taichi. I was your father's friend, and I think it's my responsability to protect you now that he's gone. Don't try digging up the dirt, son, what you find could be something you'd rather not know about. Now if you excuse me, I've got something else to take care of. Farewell."
Kino didn't try stopping the man as he walked out of the office. "Well, that sure clears up a lot of doubts," he snapped at the closed door.
Usagi looked at Terry as she walked into the classroom, and knew something was bothering him. "What's wrong?"
"Fangirls," Terry muttered.
"Huh?"
"It's been going on for a while," Umino explained, "but only recently they started being really active. So, you finally faced them?"
Terry nodded. "And I'd rather be chased by one of those monsters that attack now and then. At least those drain you then leave." And, he thought, he could slice those monsters to bits and not get arrested for it.
"What happened?"
"They've followed me around, yesterday, and also today."
"Stalkers, huh?" Mako said as she walked into the classroom.
"Worse. Fans."
"Don't let it go to your head," Mako joked.
"I have other things to worry about," Terry said, "and that's exactly the problem."
"Terry!"
The girls turned to the voice, but all they saw was a blur heading straight for Terry's desk. As it stopped, they could see it was a quite tall, red-haired girl. Mako recognized her, it was Chie Wanako, the school's cheerleader squad's captain.
Terry looked at the girl for a moment before turning to Mako. "And as you see, some are just too annoying."
"I'm the founder and first member of your fan club, Terry," Chie said.
"Only my friends call me by my first name," Terry snapped bluntly.
"The girls want to know, do you have a girlfriend?"
Mako grimaced. Chie looked strong and all, but Terry seemed ready to fling her out the window. "No, he doesn't, in fact he lost his first love to a criminal only months ago."
Chie turned to Mako with a dismissive look. "I asked him."
"And she answered," Terry said. "Now, please leave."
Chie smiled. "Okay, since you asked nicely..."
Usagi shook her head as the redhead left. "Think they'll leave you alone?"
"I doubt it," Terry said.
"He's got fans?"
Usagi nodded. "Weird as it sounds."
"Jealous?" Mako asked.
"Of what?" Ami said. "He's just a friend."
Suddenly, Terry walked by. "Hi girls."
"What's..." Ami started, then blinked in disbelief as a dozen girls walked after Terry. "... the hurry?"
"They're a bit too extreme," Usagi noticed as Terry run in the opposite direction, with the girls chasing him.
"At least he keeps healthy that way," Mako joked.
"Unless they catch up with him."
"Hi, Ryo," Ami said with a small smile.
"Hi. Ami, I just wanted to warn you, a certain professor's been staring at you today."
"Furita?" Usagi asked.
Ryo nodded. "I don't need my power to know he'll target you next."
"Thanks for the warning."
Right then, the 'fan club' run by, with their hair and uniforms adorned by spots of assorted colors. Terry walked by holding a rifle and smiled thriumphantly. "And stay away!"
The principal's voice could be heard through the school's speakers seconds later. "Terry Zephyr, using a paintgun inside the school building isn't allowed. I'll let it pass this time."
"How did he know so fast?" Mako pondered.
"I have my means," the principal said.
"Weird," Usagi said.
"It is, isn't it?"
After school, things weren't much better. The group had decided to follow Ami, hoping to scare Nephrite away, but Terry's fan squad was following them as well.
"Shit, I'm about ready to start slashing them to bits," Terry commented.
Mako looked back. A group of around twenty girls, following them at a short, yet safe distance. "I'll take care of this."
The 'fan club' stopped dead as Mako walked to them. "Hey you, out of the way."
"Make me," Mako snapped, cracking her knuckles, and trying to look as intimidating as she could.
Chie looked at the girl in an almost hateful way. She was sure they could probably win by numbers alone, but even Zephyr wasn't worth the injuries. "Okay, Kino, we get it. I think we'll leave now."
Mako stared at the 'fangirls' as they walked away. "That was almost too easy." Terry could only agree to that. But if they came back, he could possibly use his gas bombs and run.
"Hey!" The group turned to see Ryo walking their way. "Good thing I found you, guys."
"What's the problem?" Usagi asked.
"I had another vision. Today is Rei's grandfather's birthday, and the youma will pay a visit to him."
"Thought Ami was today's target..." Mako said, then flinched. "Hino's one of those super youma..."
Ryo nodded. "Yes. And from my vision, most of those you call 'Generals' will be there too... Only one will come to attack Ami."
Ami frowned. "Girls, go help Rei."
"But..." Usagi started.
"I'll protect her," Terry said. "I can handle Nephrite."
"He's right," Naru said.
"I still don't like this," Usagi commented.
"I can help, I think," Ryo said.
"You?" Mako asked.
"Fighting isn't the only way to help," Ryo said. "Just go help your friend, I'm sure Zephyr's good enough to protect Ami."
Usagi sighed. "Okay, you win."
Terry and Ami kept on walking, with Ryo walking a few steps behind them. He frowned as Nephrite appeared in front of the couple. 'If Zephyr tries to fight Nephrite, it won't do any good. He needs to get somewhere to transform.'
Terry, who had stood between Nephrite and Ami, was thinking the same way. "Get lost, monster."
Nephrite chuckled. "Humans are fun. How do you plan defending her from me?"
Ryo tossed a rock at Nephrite, getting his full attention. "Terry, go get some help."
"I won't leave her alone!" Terry said, then frowned. Right, so that was his plan... He had to admit Urawa wasn't that bad after all. But never outloud.
Ami sighed as Terry run off. Ryo's plan was good, Zero had way better chances to defeat Nephrite than Terry. She gasped, however, when Ryo took Terry's place, standing in-between the General and her. "Ryo?"
"I won't let him hurt my friend," Ryo said.
"That's funny," Nephrite said, then shot an energy blast at Ryo, knocking him out. "Pitiful... Now where were we?"
"I think I was about to kick your ass."
Nephrite turned to Zero, who was standing on a nearby tree, swords drawn. "Sorry kiddo, but Luminite's busy elsewhere today."
"That's just too bad, since I wanted to stab her through. Guess you'll have to be her substitute."
Nephrite shot another energy blast, and frowned as Zero leapt over it, falling at him with a drop kick. He jumped back barely missing the kick, then looked around and frowned. "Where the hell is the girl?"
Zero took the chance to slice Nephrite's leg. "I'd worry less about her and more about your own life, idiot."
Nephrite growled at the ninja, then tackled him, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him off the ground. "Actually, I think I'll just drain you instead."
"Sore... Loser." Zero snapped.
Nephrite grinned. "On the other hand, I bet if I kill you, I'll piss Luminite off bigtime." He laughed as his hand started shinning, and energy started flowing into Zero's body.
"Shabon Spray!"
The General turned to Mercury. "That tickles. I don't know why you even try, you're the weakest Senshi."
"Shabon Spray!" Mercury repeated her attack, this time aiming it at Nephrite's arm. The General grunted as the blast forced him to release Zero, and she grinned. "I know I'm not a fighter, but I trust my friends to do the fighting for me when I'm outpowered."
Nephrite swiftly summoned an energy blade and stopped Zero's dual slash. He then punched the ninja in the ribs, strong enough to make him fly back a few meters.
Mercury frowned. At least she hadn't been drained, but now she had to find a way to beat Nephrite. Her magic wasn't good enough, and Zero's swords couldn't get past Nephrite's energy blades. If only they had something...
She remembered Luna saying one of Zero's sword was Mercury's sword. A plan formed in her head, a quite unlikely one, but it could just be good enough to work. "Shabon Spray!"
Nephrite chuckled as the blast hissed by. "Missed me."
"Wasn't aiming at you," Mercury said with a shrug.
Nephrite sensed movement behind him and turned, his blade ready to stop Zero's ones... But he gasped as he saw the sword coming at him. It was one of Zero's swords, but it was glowing an eerie cyan color. It slashed through his energy blade and left a deep wound in his shoulder. "How..."
Zero put his sword on Nephrite's forehead and glared at him. "My friend Nemesis apparently thinks you're not completely evil, so I'll let you go this time."
Mercury sighed as Nephrite vanished. "Thanks..."
"I should be thanking you. Nephrite almost knocked me out... And it was you who beat him, Ami."
"I only acted on a wild guess."
"And it sure worked," Zero said looking at his sword. The glow pulsed for a few seconds, then the sword was back to normal. "Darn, I hoped it'd stay that way."
"Let's go help the others."
"What about Urawa?" Zero asked.
"I'm... Fine," Ryo said as he stood up. "I wouldn't like to get blasted by that guy again, tho."
"I agree," Zero said. "Let's go."
Ryo sighed as Zero called his board, and both him and Mercury leapt on it, flying off towards the shrine. "Guess you can't fight destiny after all... At least I tried."
A/N: Fan clubs. Gotta love them... Not. This episode ended up being way shorter after the edit, but as I've mentioned elsewhere, I hate fillers.
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is a creation of Naoko Takeuchi, and I thank her for creating such wonderful universe.