The Mars Saga
by Candy aka solarsun
Chapter 28: Conflict
Blinking she looked toward all the scouts who where smiling around her bed, door locked of course to keep Chad and her Grandpa from walking in while Hotaru wasn't in transformation. She still didn't get everything that they where trying to tell her since she woke up five minutes ago.
"..hold on..please start from the begining..." She sighed looking down at her hands clutching the blanket underneath her. They didn't seem mad about all the bruises and scratches she had kept from them, at least that was going for her right now.
"...someone on Beryl's side contacted Jeadite, telling them that one of the generals was writing this song. A song to attack the princess and princess alone." Lita smiled sitting on her bed. "Jeadite came in all the confusion with you Hotaru. We where freaking out and accusing everybody around the block for hurting you. Raye even ran out after defending her grandfather and Chad to us."
"Grandpa and Chad would never..." Hotaru spoke up but was cut off by Mina this time who smiled and nodded.
"..we put two and two together after Hades told us why you had the scratches and Jeadite told us about the plan. That's how we figured out you where the princess." The blonde scout of Venus giggled nodding. "After all it seems you where the only one affected by that odd song."
"..I was..wasn't I?" Hotaru blinked looking around the room at all the girls and cats who where all nodding. "..but I don't really thinking I'm the princess...that person could have lied or something." She really didn't know what to think. Everyone had said the princess would be revealed when the Silver Crystal came to be and she and Darien had been in love back during the silver millenium so everyone had assumed who ever Darien had chemistry with would be the princess too. She had thought Darien was nice...but..in love! Her eyes fell on Raye who was somberly leaning against the door, a far away look in her violet eyes.
"Hotaru, there is just to much coincedence about it all," Amy said this time. "Besides Jeadite vouched for the person who had told him saying that she had known he was defecting and hadn't told Beryl PLUS this was the only time she had contacted him since, to tell us about this cursed song."
"..if you need help guarding your mind, you should have said something Hotaru," Raye's voice said afterword. Hotaru turned and looked at the girl. "I can teach you a few simple tricks to calm and guard your mind on such things. The general in question will have a hard time hurting you after I teach you them." She nodded at Raye swallowing hard.
The scout of death was trying to read Raye's face but she looked very much guarded right now. She could understand why though. Even though Raye had downplayed everything with Darien, Hotaru knew that she had grown close to the man and with this all happening Raye was probably hurting. She wanted to speak to the girl alone..to see if she could get Raye to drop her guard down a bit and tell her the truth. That was easier said then done.
"..well I sill don't feel like a princess.." She yawned which made everyone around the room giggle a bit, even Raye chuckled a little.
"We'll let you get your rest," Luna said standing up from her spot on the bed, along with Demos, and Artemis. She looked toward Hades and nodded. "Keep an eye on her."
"I always do." Hades nodded not moving from his spot. Actually with all this coming into light it made him feel a little easy. It got the attacks out in the open and he didn't feel like he would be betraying anyone, plus Hotaru will get the help she needs with them.
All the girls waved and walked out of the room slowly leaving Hotaru and Hades laying there.
"..I should probably learn those tricks before I go back to bed." Hotaru sighed feeling really exausted.
"..The attacks as of late haven't been that severe so if your that tired you probably could go to bed without much of a worry. If it's a strong attack I'll go get Raye." He smiled.
"..Thanks," She yawned again. "I'm glad you did say something to them."
"..I couldn't let them very much worry about you and go accusing everyone of beating on you," Hades laughed. But by the time Hades even finished that sentence Hotaru was fast asleep again. Shaking his head Hades sat up a bit to stand guard. He couldn't waver in this, it could cost Hotaru her life.
Walking home, Lita reached her hand out seeing a few large snowflakes landing upon it, melting instantly. She really didn't like the winter very much. Luckly Tokyo didn't have a terribly harsh winter either. She couldn't handle very much cold. It was going to be another long walk home too. She did't have any bus fair at the moment. Plus the last bus to Cherry Hill had already came and went so it didn't much matter.
Her mind wondered back to the date she had went on with Darien before Hotaru had been found out as the princess. He was kind through out it all but like she had thought, he hadn't felt any sparks and in truth...neither had she. Though she wondered if she would ever find a man to call her own. Lita had dated quite a few but always it was "I'm looking for a shorter girl" or "your to rough for me". But the later of those was mainly said by guys who wouldn't even give her a chance.
Looking up she noticed a strange red haired man standing in the middle of the sidewalk. He almost looked lost. Walking up Lita stopped.
"..Are you alright Mr.?" She asked the snow hurring around them.
Shaking his head turned toward an odd woman who had stopped, her green eyes gazing at him with curiousity. Nephlite refrained from frowning at the woman because he didn't want to act suspious. Though she had startled him. His mind had been elsewhere scanning for possible crystal carriers.
"..I'm a bit lost." He made the excuse. It seemed reasonable enough, especially in the winter months where a lot of the Tokyo streets looked a lot alike. Nephlite knew that much about this town.
The woman had the nerve to be giggling at him! His head turned back at her wondering why the hell she was laughing!
"..It's understandable." She said stopping. "..Tell me...where do you need to go? I know this area pretty well."
"..Ahh.." He mumbled trying to think up something on the spot. "I'm looking for a book store." He gazed back at her wondering if he should just zap the girl and disappear. That would end this confict. He really didn't want to be doing some idle chat with some random woman. It annoyed him.
"There is a book store just down the street, to the left." The woman smiled pointing. "You weren't that far off actually."
"..yeah..." Turning his head Nephlite looked. Well at least he wasn't to far off of his scanning point. "Thanks..I shall be heading then."
"K" She smiled. "It was nice helping you, I hope you get what you're looking for."
"Me too." He mumbled walking off leaving Lita there watching him.
Shaking her head she continued down the block behind the man, toward her apartment building. Hoping the snow would let up sometime soon.
"Well with Darien out of the picture I can look for some other guy!" Mina exclaimed walking home with Artemis.
"And something tells me that you already have one in mind," Artemis said dryly looking up at the senshi of love who began to laugh nervously. He knew her to well in some instances but if he knew who exactly she was trying to go after he'd have a cow..or maybe a kitten. What ever the case he wouldn't be happy one bit. Humming lightly Mina began to ignore the cat as she made her way back to her house.
Stepping inside she set her bag down and took her coat off. Walking toward her kitchen she decided to get something to drink and then maybe go figure something out from a dream she had had. Maybe it would be her luck and she could just bump into the hot god of silver hair. Then like in many romantic movies she had seen, manga she had read that he would fall head over heals instantly in love with her and follow her like a lost puppy dog till she confessed to him. Then they would have their first kiss and all would be good in her love life...
Well of course another idea she had been thinking about played out. Mina tended to read a lot of manga and watch a lot of romantic movies. She blamed the fact she was the scout of love on it when the others would complain though most of them didn't. It was Artemis and Luna who tended to complain when she got in those kicks.
Ahh well she didn't care.
Right now Mina had her sights on Kunzite and there wasn't a single normal thing (and magical talking cats) that could stop her plotting..even though there was hardly a chance she could just bump into him. Well she'd figure out how to do that in her plan but for right now she was thirsty and the soda in the fridge was calling her.
"Miinnnnaaaa drrrinnnk meeee!"
And she wasn't the type to let that kind of call go unanswered.
Grinning the scout of love walked past the white cat who had been talking (even though she had ignored it) and opening the refridgerator door pulling out the soda bottle.
"That'll go to your waist.." Artemis grumbled. THAT she did hear.
"Hush. I know you and the chocolates I have hidden under the bed." She replyed dryly poring herself a glass. The cat swallowed hard.
Nervously Darien stood outside the temple a rose in his hand and a box of chocolates in the other. Ok. So Hotaru was the princess. Serena had called to inform him of what exactly had happened yesterday and now here he stood staring at the temple front like a frightened teenager. Well it was more the fact that he didn't feel he could do this. Every thing about this whole situation was telling him that unless he was a lolicon in their previous lives that he couldn't have possibly have been in love with the scout of death and rebirth. There just couldn't be any logical explination.
Glimpsing to the side of the door he saw a feminine shadow pass by and his heart skipped a beat. How the hell could he be in love with Hotaru when he obviously had feelings for Raye! This wasn't the place he wanted to be right now. Right now he wanted to go talk to the person Jeadite had talken to and find out the whole truth There was something missing, he was sure of it but Serena sounded sure...and Raye had been avoiding him. So why the hell was he still scared.
Walking up to the door he knocked on it only to have Serena answer.
"Hey!" She giggled pulling the door open more. "I see you've already gotten into the spirit." She giggled covering her face as if they where talking about something private and embarrasing.
Darien sweatdropped glancing down at her.
"Is Chelsy up?" He finally asked his eyes glancing about the hallway in front of him trying to catch a glimps of the scout of Mars. So he would have to try and give up these feelings. They would make him confused later on if what Jeadite said was true. He didn't need to be in love with two woman.
"I can go check," Serena said walking down the hallway and then turning making kissy faces towards Darien who groaned rubbing the side of his face. This wasn't going to be good at all, was it? A very aquard mess he had somehow thrown himself into.
That's when he saw Raye pass quickly by the hallway. Darien forgot why exactly he was standing by the entrance with chocolates and a flower when he saw her and took after the scout of Mars who must have realized what would happen. Turning a corner Darine blinked noticing it was empty. There where a few doors down and he figured she had probably ducked into one of them to get away. Sighing and turning back toward the door he gave up. When Raye didn't want to be talked to there was no way he was going to get through. Walking out of the hallway he saw Serena looking for him.
Laughing nervously he walked up to see her grin.
"She's awake now!" She laughed. "And wouldn't mind talking to you."
"Ok." He sighed giving up glancing to his back to maybe catch a glance of the scout of fire maybe sneaking a peak at him from her hiding place but didn't see her.
And Raye wasn't going to come out at the moment.
Walking past Serena Darien headed toward the room that Hotaru was using at the temple. The room he had once used after the girls had blown up his apartment. Walking up to it he knocked on the door lightly hearing someone inside. They came to the door and unlocked it.
Opening the door slowly Darien slipped in looking at Hotaru who did look as bad as the girls had told him although the scratches on her face where now healing. Hotaru smiled toward him bowing slightly.
"Hi!" She giggled looking toward the violat cat who sat on her bed. "I figured I'd see you again soon since everyone's gone all crazy."
Darien chuckled feeling a bit of nervousness float away with that comment. At least he wasn't the only one who thought everyone somehow had gotten the crazy gene and forgot about him and Hotaru in all this. Never had he thought of the child as someone to even attempt to date.
"You think that too?" He laughed setting the flowers and chocolates down walking toward the girl. "I mean if you are the princess and such we must have been in love at some point in time back in the silver millienium..but..."
"You don't have to make an excuse Darien," Hotaru giggled seeing the man blush as he tried to let her down softly. "I've never felt that way about you either. If it is all true we've grown out of what had happened."
"At least that's saine..." He laughed again walking over and sitting down at her bed looking around the room. "Now all I have to do is get Raye to let down her guard enough for me to be let in."
"...so you do like Raye," Hotaru grinned hoping on the bed beside him causing Hades to hop off the bed.
"Could you be a bit nicer?" Hades complained cleaning his fur that had been disturbed by the fact he had to jump down so quickly.
"..ahh well I think so..." Darien muttered. "Why else would I want to give her those roses...but now..it's going to be hard to even attempt this because now she has an excuse to push me away. That girl can be so stubborn at times."
"I know Darien," Hotaru giggled.
"..Anyway...you never did tell anyone why you kept the scratching a secret." He said looking toward Hotaru motioning to the scratches all over her face and her arms. There where probably more where he couldn't see but he wasn't going to mention them. "The girls I'm sure are wondering why you chose that considering how close you are to them."
Blushing Hotaru blinked looking toward the floor taking a deep breath.
"They have more important things to worry about then a few scratches. I didn't want to worry them about such a small thing." Hotaru muttered quietly. "Besides Raye has been generous even causing bad publicity of her shrine to keep me safe from my father while they try and save him. I don't want to burden her with worries. Besides their just scratches. If it had grown worse I would have told someone."
Nodding Darien looked over to the dresser seeing a small picture of the group of them (Hotaru as Chelsy of course) standing with each other. Even though things where drasticly different from the other timeline he wouldn't wish it any different at the moment. Even though they had two bad guys to defeat things seemed peaceful around them.
Now he just needed to get Raye to let go of her pride and stop denying how she felt for him. That is of course she did feel that way about him which he was pretty sure she did. He could read Raye pretty well. Hell even in the other time he could read her emotions well. Why was she so stubborn!
Raye on the other hand was hiding still. She didn't want to deal with Darien or any of that stuff at the moment. Right now she just wanted to get over everything and try to move on...but for some odd reason back in the other time line it seemed a whole lot easier to get over Darien after they had broken up. Why did it hurt so much now! What Raye wouldn't give to be back in the other timeline when things where a lot simpler.
That's when the phone rang. Walking out from her hiding place Raye picked up the phone hearing a familar voice on the other end who sounded puzzled about the call.
"Hey Michelle!" She laughed. At least they could get help soon from them.
Her violet eyes gazed at her supposit "queen" who was sitting on her thrown staring out in the crowd of followers. There was wide spread worry that Beryl who seemed to be getting sick as of late. Most of the group around her thought it was due to over work and over stress. Detanance knew better though. After all she was the one who was causing the look of sickness on their queens features. It gave her pride that the spell cast so long ago was finally showing it's ugly head. By the time Beryl's doctors could tell it was no ordinary sickness it would be to late for the queen. She'd be on her last legs and the Negaverse would fall.
Which of course was good news for her and her nieces. It was the least she owed them for causing all this mess.
Your not gonna get out of this alive..you do know that, right? The voice inside of her head muttered also seeing Beryl breathing a bit heavier and sweating a little bit. Nobody but yourself could make a curse like that around here so it would be your head once found out..unless you flee before then .
'I won't go,' She thought back to the voice. 'I am going to see every minute of her suffering before she or I dies...besides she'd probably die before the doctor could tell what the heck was inficting her. It took a while to make it but it's a beauty of a curse.'
Taking a deep breath she grinned from ear to ear hearing someone behind her mutter something about Beryl not having much of an appetite as of late. Not only that but word was spreading around her that Kunzite's master song that was supposity given to him by their great leader was in a fluke and he hadn't been able to add a single page in quite a while.
Beryl was pissed about that.
Not only that but another rumor was that the scouts had gotten two more rainbow crystals not to long ago. That might not have been SO bad if it wern't for the fact that they had none. That of course reflected badly on Nephlite out on the field who was suppose to be finding the crystal carriers. It seemed as if nothing was going their way.
Which of course made Destanance all the happier with things. She had to control her emotions or she'd give herself away. After all as a loyal member of Beryl's team of generals (even though she didn't consider herself one. She was more of a right hand woman only appearing when Beryl asked for her) she should look like the world was coming to an end.
Well for Beryl it was..but that was another point.
Coughing she excused herself from the group around her and walked down the hallway toward the dining area of the palace. She was hungrey and had to think of a few more ways to disrupt things around the Negaverse. After all that dream eating curse would only last so long before Kunzite would figure out his problem and by that time she either had to have another solution, the princess safe and guarded (which hopefully with her warning to the scouts helped), or Beryl dead. With Beryl dead, even if Kunzite got over the dream eating curse there would be no direction to take. The Negaverse would be in shambles. Then she could take power and turn it the way she wanted it...or just sneak quietly out the back door and nobody would be the wiser. Especially if she created some sorta dead body that looked like hers.
Ahh yes planning. What fun!
Giggling she headed down into the dining area. She felt like a snack anyway.
Looking back Amy stood there waiting for her boyfriend who was five minutes late for their date. Glancing down at her watch she frowned once more then hearing a set of familiar shoes to her right. Turning her head she saw Zoicite (Zach of course) in his human form laughing and waving at her.
"I'm sorry that I'm so late." He said once walking up to her. "This new job I have sure does work you a lot."
"Well it's good to work." Amy smiled walking with him as they headed down the street together. She loved being in love. Especially with the man beside her. They where two peas in a pod, as the saying goes. Reaching over as a blush crept on her cheaks she took his hand into hers. Normally public displays of affection where something alien to her but she wanted to hold his hand. As if to tell all the woman who where staring at him that he was hers and to back off.
Giggling lighty at the thought she turned her head glancing at him.
"So where are you taking me today?" She asked.
"A museum of course," He grinned. "Followed by a quiet dinner and maybe some dancing if your up to it."
"Dancing?" She blushed. The blue haired scout of water had always tended to be the girl on the edge of the dance floor with nobody there to ask her even though she was a good dancer and had proven it time and again during their trials and tribulations as scouts.
"That's of course if you want to. If you don't..." Zoicite's voice broke in worry in his voice. She had sounded startled earlier and hadn't spoken sense.
"It's fine. I like to dance." She laughed blushing a little. "Just the first time I'm dancing as a date."
"I'm glad I'm the first at least." He grinned. The happy couple continuted on their way to their date.
He still didn't understand. Even while trying to write the pages of the song..he couldn't get anything out. This was making Kunzite pissed off. How the hell was he suppose to win his queens heart when he couldn't finish this wonderful masterpiece that had been given to him. Why now!
It still aluded him as he plunked away at the keys. Not only the fact he couldn't write but he seemed to be falling less and less away from the original feeling of the magic song causing the times that he did try to play it to be weak. He could bearly feel the princess on the other end now. When he was so close to capturing her too! That one time if she had just cross that last barrier...then he would have done what the song was suppose to do and the princess would have been dead.
Then Beryl..his precious Beryl would be queen and his. All his. But he would have to get past this whole writers block that he was having. Didn't their great one think he was worthy enough to recieve the wonderful song? Had he upset them in some way, shape, or form?
Well he could have. But Kunzite figured if the great one was gonna grow a coincounce now..then he didn't want the blasted song. That left him though with only one option: Working with Nephlight to find the rest of the crystal carriers which was something that he didn't want to do. After he had went to Beryl bragging about this song he had been receiving from the great one and now reduced to this.
In a fit of anger Kunzite slammed his arm on the piano causing the lid to fall echoing though their apartment. At least Nephlight wasn't here to see this.
What he had become.
Sighing once more Kunzite got up and decided to head out for a walk. Maybe a change in scenery is what he needed to get over this block.
If not that. At least to get over his pride.
(authors notes)
twirly eyes This was the HARDEST chapter to get out of them all! Its not because I've lost interest or anything (don't get worried). Just your dear Candy-chan is on a writing streak on another of her stories (one that she might add doesn't get as many reviews as this one) and wants to write on that one. But after a few days she was able to get this out.
That and making STHH comics takes a lot of her time. Although she tends to wait on the last minute with that. sweatdrops.
Anyway hopefully I'll have another chapter out asap! Please review before you go and as always thanks for taking the time to read one of my stories!
