Chp. 25
A/N: I don't know if you guys noticed, but my story is coming to an end. J It makes me sad. I loved writing this story. I'll write more stories though; this is uber fun! But first I should probably finish my other two stories after this one. Hehe, anyways, enjoy! ^_^
Thunder boomed in the sky, and I screamed for the third time since we embarked on our journey to their hideout. A storm just had to make its appearance when we decided to leave. "Are you sure you're okay, Sailor Moon?" Kurama asked, amusement seeping from his voice.
"I-I-I'm fine." I stuttered, cowering behind the group a little.
The warrior of fire rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Here I thought you'd grown up."
I growled and appeared beside her in an instant, "What did you say?"
"You heard me. I said 'here I thought you'd grown up.' You obviously have not."
"Just because I'm terrified of thunder does not make me any less mature."
She scoffed and crossed her arms, "Try again, Odango-Atama."
I could tell our other friends were either aggravated or pissed that we continued to argue, and as much as I missed the beautiful priestess, I already tired of her picking fights with me. "You know what Rei," I stopped walking in front of her, forcing her to stop, and naturally my friends stopped as well, "I'm getting tired of your comments. If it wasn't for me, your butt would still be under Akira's spell and eventually dead. I may be scared of thunder and what my future possesses now, but that doesn't make me any less of a human."
Before she could say anything, I turned and ran off, leaving her stunned speechless with my friends. Who needed them? I'd just… I don't know. I knew I couldn't face the three villains alone, and I wouldn't dare try. So what if I had a couple fears and flaws…who doesn't? Perfect Mars doesn't. I finally stopped running and collapsed in the middle of the street. We didn't have time to be fighting and picking on each other and running away. A battle needed to be won.
I looked around, examining my surroundings, and I realized I stopped running in the middle of the Shopping District. Crown Center Arcade stood tall and desolated to my right. In fact, the sidewalks were empty, not a face to be seen. Lightning struck and thunder sounded again, another scream escaped my lips and I ran inside the arcade. As scary as it was, I preferred it over the loud thunder. I sat across the door and watched as rain finally poured.
Sailor Mercury located their hideout, learning that they remained in separate locations. Our aim was to take Akira down first, seeing as how he could somehow resurrect our past enemies. Beryl and Nehellenia both hated me, and we wanted to deal with them last, figuring they would actually be harder to rid of. Serenity and the future Senshi remained in the hideout with Uranus and Neptune, while the present Senshi, the Spirit Detectives, and I wandered out into the danger alone. We were prepared. Thankfully, I saw no sign of a future Kurama, but I knew I shouldn't let that slide yet.
"Usako… are you alright?" I looked up, startled, and rubbed my eyes to be sure I was awake and seeing straight. Mamo-Chan stood across from me, well Tuxedo Mask did, and he looked so real.
"Mamo..ru?" I whispered.
He nodded, smiling, and I ran into his arms, feeling the tears burning my eyes. I couldn't believe it…I shouldn't believe it. I pulled away, "You can't be here. You died…Akira killed you."
"Your love brought me back," He pulled me to him again, and I rested my head on his shoulder, all thoughts of the present and future forgotten except for him.
"Princess, you've made this easy." A familiar voice said from behind me. I pulled away from Mamoru…with no luck. He wouldn't let me go.
"Mamoru let me go. Beryl resurrected him; he's back and going to kill us."
His arms tightened around my torso, and I found I could barely breathe. Through the reflection in the windows, I could make out the image of the Shitennou behind me, weapons drawn. The Shitennou were the four generals and bodyguards of Prince Endymion before Queen Beryl brainwashed them. Now, they are the generals and bodyguards of her and the Dark Kingdom. They are also the lovers of the Inner Senshi, once upon a time. Kunzite stood tall and front in center in his blue Dark Kingdom uniform: pants, a collared shirt, and white gloves, with his white hair willowed around his face, his ice cold, narrowed eyes pierced the back of my head. A black and navy cape clung to his shoulders, signaling the leader, as only he bore this cape. Shivers flew down my spine. Zoisite, the shortest, remained closest to Kunzite, as they treated one another like brothers, moreso than the other members of the Shitennou, in the same uniform, adorning blonde hair pulled into a ponytail and poisonous green eyes.
Jadeite, the second shortest, angled himself more toward the back of the group of generals, his blonde, shaggy hair slightly falling in his ocean eyes, and lastly, Nephrite stood slightly in front of Jadeite. His chocolate hair fell to the middle of his back in waves, and his matching chocolate eyes bore into my back with hatred. They all hated me, and I couldn't blame them. What about Mamoru though? Mamoru cackled, "You fell for our trap. As if I could ever love you again, your heart left me for another man."
This couldn't be Mamoru. He'd never talk to me like that. He would understand, wouldn't he? "Let me go." I whimpered. He released me, only to quickly wrap his large hands around my small neck… and squeeze. I couldn't contain myself anymore, and I let my tears flow freely now. I didn't understand. Nothing happening currently made sense to me, and for some reason, I felt like breaking down just then. It felt like everything I worked hard to maintain and control the last few weeks couldn't have any more added to it. And it couldn't. I couldn't. In the windows, I made out Kunzite's reflection raising his sword, ready to have a turn at me.
"Let her go!" The Senshi of passion and fire screamed, and I looked away from the reflection to the door, sighing gratefully when my Senshi stood, ready to fight, with the Spirit Detectives.
Mamo's hands didn't let up though, only squeezed harder. I coughed, feeling I could no longer breathe even the tiniest bit. "Why should I?" He lifted my higher before turning to face my friends, allowing me to see the Shitennou now. Just before I thought I would pass out, he threw me as if I weighed the same amount as a mere sheet of paper. I hit the wall hard, screamed, and landed on my side.
"Sailor Moon!" Sailor Venus and Kurama ran to my side, helping me to my feet and checking my wounds. I brushed them both off, informing them I was fine and they could take care of me later.
"Who are you? You're not Mamoru." My voice came out raspy, betraying my confidence.
"I'm Tuxedo Mask of course. Who else would I be?"
I held my hand up, and my trusty tiara appeared, the red, centered jewel held between my forefinger and thumb. My eyes narrowed angrily, and I said "Moon…," The tiara glowed a bright yellow, "would you like to explain, or I could do this the hard way?"
His lips formed a smirk, daring me to attack. The Shitennou stepped forward while I gave Mamoru time to decide once and for all whether or not he wanted to answer me. The generals stood across their ex-lovers: Kunzite in front of Venus, Nephrite and Jupiter, Jadeite and Mars, and Zoisite and Mercury. The Spirit Detectives posed with the Inner Senshi, ready to fight – sword out, finger up, whip in hand. "Moon Tiara Action!" I yelled, tired of waiting. My tiara took the form of a discus and wound its way around the room, flying toward Mamoru. It struck his stomach, and he yelled in agony. My tiara disappeared, and Mamoru fell to his knees, holding his wound. He stood up, and his face scrunched in fury.
"You brat!" He yelled, and he ran toward me, sword in hand and ready to strike.
TBC
A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger. It makes it more... killer! Hehe :) I'll update tomorrow! Nighty night all!
*** A BIG thanks to sailorangelmoon1 and Moonprincess1416 for the continuous support and love! You two inspire me the most to keep writing. Thank you again!