A.N: Hi guys! Yes I'm still alive… I was just wrapped up in other things… Most notably a computer game. You know you've played Knights of the Old Republic too much of you begin to refer to things as "bantha poo-doo". :D That's me at the moment I'm afraid.
As usual nothing belongs to me… and flames used as s'mores blah blah blah…
Silver Moonlight-81: You are usually the first to review on my story so it may seem… Just a little fun fact… I figured I would put that in just because sometimes, Usagi is too cautious when it comes to the people she loves. Sorry it took so long to update.
Teaniaea: Thanks… Sorry I took so long…
Henio41: It does fit him well and I liked the line. I've been trying to make my chapters longer, I know I tend to make them only 6 to 7 pages and I get really frustrated when I do that.
LunarStar Princess Krystal: SORRY!! You asked me to update soon and it's been almost forever! I feel terrible… well not really but still… I loved the idea that Ginny and Hermione were sisters in the past because in the books they just clicked so well…
Silver Moon Goddess1: Hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the others.
Chapter 21
"Michiru," Haruka shook the woman awake, "Michiru. The unicorn's gone."
"Gone where?" Michiru mumbled.
"I dunno," Haruka said, "We both fell asleep."
Michiru sat up suddenly, "We lost the unicorn?"
"That's what I said," Haruka sighed.
"We have to find it."
"Usagi's going to kill us…"
p/p
"I'm going to bed," Harry yawned and padded up the stairs to his dormitory, "You two need to think about it as well."
Ginny and Hermione nodded. The common room was deserted, no one was around, which was lucky, since most people would find what they were doing nuts.
"I'd like you to send me a visual image of something," Hermione said.
"Why," Ginny yawned, "I'm tired."
"I'm wondering how exactly this works and I can't pick Usagi's brain so you're the only person I can do this with," Hermione settled into the meditative position and began breathing in rhythm.
Ginny rolled her eyes and followed Hermione's suit. After a bit, she began to fidget.
"Stop that," Hermione said quietly out of the corner of her mouth.
"How can you sit so still?" Ginny demanded.
"My mother and I do yoga," Hermione explained, "She says it's good for us and it's like a mother daughter sort of thing."
"My mother could never get into some of those poses," Ginny said.
"It takes practice," Hermione smiled. She straightened and said, "We're getting distracted."
"Yes mother," Ginny teased.
"Sister, remember?" Hermione stuck out her tongue.
"You're thinking of him aren't you?" Ginny asked, "Kayson."
"I can't help it," Hermione said. Her eyes were shining, but she wasn't crying.
"I wish I knew what happened to everyone," Ginny said tucking her knees under her chin, "Like Mara and Theron. And Torin."
"We know what happened before they were reborn," Hermione put an arm around Ginny, "I wish there was some way of finding them."
p/p
'Haruka? Michiru?' Setsuna's mind voice sounded amused, 'I believe I found something you misplaced.'
Haruka and Michiru looked at each other, "The unicorn?"
'Don't worry about it,' Setsuna assured them, 'That thing is looking for Usagi right now.'
"Usagi's really going to kill us if that baby dies in The Forest," Haruka moaned.
p/p
Usagi heard a twig snap and she spun around quickly. There was nothing there. She shook her head and kept picking the herbs she needed. She chided herself for being jumpy.
A presence behind Usagi made her stiffen. Slowly she turned to see what was standing behind her.
'Setsuna…'
p/p
Ginny felt Hermione wake her.
"You fell asleep just as I was about to have a breakthrough," Hermione said grumpily.
"Of course," Ginny grumbled, "You can breakthrough yourself. I'm going to bed."
"I was just going to suggest that," Hermione said.
"Uh huh," Ginny yawned, "Whatever."
Hermione glanced out the window and saw Professor Meioh. She deliberately kept her eye on the professor as she drew closer to the window.
Professor Meioh was standing near the edge of the Forest looking in, as if waiting for something. Hermione blinked and Professor Meioh disappeared.
"You can't Apparate on school grounds," Hermione whispered furiously.
p/p
"Usagi?" Setsuna called softly. She looked around for the blonde girl.
"Over here Sets," Usagi called back just as softly.
"What's the problem?" Setsuna asked.
"Well there is a very nice wolf here who would like to nibble on my leg if I'm not mistaken," Usagi's voice seemed cheerful, but Setsuna could hear a panicked tone.
"A werewolf?" Setsuna asked.
"Uh… I hope not." Usagi was quiet for a moment then she said, "Actually I think you have something there."
"Shit," Setsuna cursed.
"It's not acting like the werewolves I've read about…"
"Are you thinking Wolfsbane Potion?" Setsuna asked.
"Probably," Usagi said, "But if it's someone from the castle, I don't want to be recognized."
"Transform then," Setsuna said pointing out the obvious.
A flash of light and Princess Serenity leapt down from a tree. Setsuna transformed into Pluto and they both approached the werewolf. Usagi held a hand out to it.
At first, it snarled. Then slowly, so slowly, it inched toward Usagi. After what seemed like an eternity, they touched. Both visibly shivered and Usagi's breath caught in her throat.
"Professor Lupin?" Usagi said, her brows knit together with confusion.
"Lupin?" Setsuna said sounding surprised.
"I hope he doesn't recognize me," Usagi bit her lip.
"Hopefully you have a different scent in this form…" Setsuna trailed off.
"That's right," Usagi said. Silently she hoped that he wouldn't recognize her. He seemed to hear something she could not and ran off.
"That's why I always felt strange around him…" Usagi said to herself.
"What?" Setsuna asked, not having heard her.
"I always felt connected to him somehow. When I first met him, a chill went up my spine. It was like there was this connection…"
"Because the werewolf's transformation is controlled by the Moon," Setsuna said slowly.
"I don't think he'll recognize me," Usagi said, "What do you think?"
Setsuna shrugged. A streak of gold shot past Setsuna and came skidding to a halt in front of Usagi. The filly's calculations were a bit off, so Usagi and the unicorn ended up in a knot of limbs.
Setsuna looked away so that Usagi couldn't see her smile. Usagi untangled herself from the unicorn and brushed herself off.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, "I thought I left you with Michiru and Haruka."
The wind shifted and the unicorn picked up a scent. It began to prance around and whinny. Usagi looked to see what the young one was so excited about.
The herd of Unicorns stepped through the trees silently. In a minute, Usagi was by the herd leaders side, giving him a quick embrace. The herd leader approached the filly. They began to converse in their own language and Usagi sat back, feeling a bit left out.
After awhile, the herd leader turned to face Usagi. He rubbed his head against her arm with affection and turned to leave they way they came.
Her filly looked up at Usagi with sad eyes. Usagi felt something squeeze her heart as she nodded.
"Go on," Usagi said, understanding what the filly wanted, "If you think you're ready…"
The filly leaned against Usagi for a little, nipped her playfully, and then pranced away to join her herd.
Usagi wiped a tear away from her eyes and gave Setsuna a watery smile.
"Guess now I don't have chicken pox huh?"
p/p
Fighter placed her hands behind her head. She was waiting for her princess to meet her. Princess Kakyuu had said there was something they needed to discuss.
"Hello," Kakyuu closed the door softly. Fighter noticed there was a distinct absence of Lyra. Apparently whatever the princess had to say were for her ears only.
"Princess," Fighter bowed. She offered Kakyuu a chair before reseating herself.
Kakyuu settled herself and gazed out the open window. Kinmoku was as beautiful as it had been before Galaxia had destroyed everything. It was peaceful again. She stared in the direction of Earth. The direction of Usagi.
"You love her don't you?" Kakyuu said, not one to dance around a subject.
"My loyalty to you…" Fighter began.
Kakyuu interrupted her, "Is not under discussion. Do you love her?"
Fighter looked toward Earth, where Usagi's light was a small glimmer in the distance. She looked at her princess and bit her lip before answering.
p/p
Usagi awoke and stretched. She would be rejoining her classmates again soon, and she was glad of it. She had been cooped up for a while, but she would still miss the filly.
"You remind me of a cat when you do that," Setsuna smiled.
Usagi sat up. She had fallen asleep on the couch as soon as they had teleported back to their apartment. She hadn't even bothered to change out of her clothes. The basket of herbs she had collected was on the table.
Usagi glanced at the grandfather clock and noticed she had quite some time before breakfast was to start. She waved to Setsuna and left to get ready for the day.
p/p
"Usagi!" Ginny hugged the blonde furiously, "We would have had to slip your Christmas presents under the door if you there any longer."
"I know," Usagi sighed, "The chicken pox were driving me completely insane! I was itchy all over and Setsuna spelled mittens on my hands so I couldn't scratch."
"We got your basket," Hermione murmured to her over the book she was reading.
"Good," Usagi nodded, "I have all the other ingredients too."
Hermione looked over her book with suspicion.
"Glad you didn't bet now Hermione?" Ginny snickered.
Whatever Hermione was about to say was cut off by the arrival of the owls. A murmur went through the crowd. Everyone's eyes were on a sleek owl. It carried a letter with a black satin ribbon. The owl soared over the Gryffindor table and landed in front of Lavender.
The girl sat there with her hands covering her mouth. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook her head furiously, as though trying to deny what was sitting in front of her. With shaky hands, she took the letter from the owl and set the letter on the table.
The owl, having finished his duties, took off.
Lavender wiped her eyes and sat up straight. Her face pale and her hands still shaking, she opened the letter. She read it without making a sound and nodded. She placed the letter back onto the table and stared down at her lap for the rest of the meal.
After breakfast, as people shuffled out, they gave soft words of comfort to Lavender. She and Parvati sat there talking until long after everyone had left the hall.
p/p
"Poor Lavender," Ron said, "I dunno what I would do if I got that letter…"
"What letter?" Usagi asked.
"It's the letter that tells you someone in your family has been killed," Hermione whispered, "Looks like he's getting ready to begin the final wave…"
"We aren't ready," Harry said. He shook his head.
"Then we'll get ready," Ginny said. Her fists were clenched at her sides and she looked like she was ready to explode.
"We'll get ready and give them everything we've got," Ginny said, "It's not just us involved anymore Harry. He'll take from every family until there's nothing left but the world he would rule."
Everyone in the group looked at Ginny, she had a fire in her eyes. She looked every bit as fierce as Mars, and almost twice as scary.
p/p
END OF BOOK ONE