Adonis ran his hand gently through Minako's hair and held her tightly. Finally, he lifted her chin and looked down into her eyes. What he saw was her eyes, filled with tears. "Mina…"
"Ace…Adonis…" Minako murmured. "How're we going to get through this…?"
Adonis was silent.
"Well, isn't this sweet?" A cynical voice said. "Adonis, isn't it? Or do you want me to call you, Danburite, or Ace?" She didn't wait for a reply. "Either way, you're going to have to hand your little girlfriend over."
Both Adonis and Minako turned, to face the person the voice had come from. Minako glanced at Adonis, who was slightly more perplexed than she, then looked back at the newcomer. The voice seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't pinpoint it.
Sailor Chaos watched the baffled couple. What are they? She thought annoyed. To confused to even move? She brushed a strand of red hair, slightly tinted blonde from her highlights, out of her face and sighed.
Finally, Adonis moved in front of Minako. "Henshin." He quickly instructed her.
Minako nodded, hesitating slightly, it still wasn't completely clear to her, what was going on. But what was clear, that this girl was an enemy. "Venus Crystal Power, Make UP!"
Once henshined, Venus studied her opponent. She had something about her that made her look older, but it was still all too obvious that she was a few years younger.
"Just hand her over, and all will be peaceful. It's not like I'm going to kill her." Chaos explained, she glanced at Minako who had a perplexed expression. "My name is, Sailor Chaos in case you were wondering. And by the way, Adonis, it's not like you can do much to 'protect' her. True, you may have been a general of Endyimon's, but a low ranked one."
Venus stifled a gasp and blinked. She…knew so much…"Okay!" She finally spoke, fed up. "I don't care why you're here, Sailor Chaos, but I want you to leave my house! Most of all, my room! And leave Adonis alone!"
Chaos turned her attention to Sailor Venus. "Mina, have you forgotten about your love in the Silver Millennium? One thing's, for sure, it wasn't him."
Venus blinked again. "Love…in Silver Millennium…?"
Adonis clenched his hands into fists. He knew all too well what Chaos was talking about. And he wanted her to drop it. He didn't want to hear about Kunzite anymore. Not now, that he finally had a chance to be with the one he loved.
Chaos arched an eyebrow at Venus. This was just pathetic! She knew more about their pasts then they did! Raising her hand, she released a powerful attack in Venus' direction.
Venus reacted quickly. "Venus Wink Chain Sword!" She shouted, the sword of imperium crystal appearing in her hands and she quickly countered her attack.
Chaos laughed. "Nice try."
Venus held the magical sword tightly within her grip. "Chaos, isn't it? I recommend that you retreat and tell Kaosu that…" She paused for a moment and smiled. "That I was too strong for you."
Chaos studied Venus for sometime. "Too strong, eh? You can't be sure, whether or not you're strong enough to beat me. So I wouldn't assume things."
Venus smiled. "Can you beat the Ginzioushu?"
The room went silent for sometime, as Chaos didn't give an answer.
"Well, then, I doubt you'll be able to handle this."
Chaos sighed. I can at least stop her from attacking… in a flash, fire surrounded Sailor Venus. The flames licked her sides, threatening to scorch her skin if she made any move.
Adonis started forward to Venus, but the flames lashed out at him as he drew near. He stepped back, examining the burn marks on his arm.
Venus continued to hold the sword up, away from the flames. "Ace! Stay back. You'll just get burned as well if you try and come." Yes. It was her job to protect him. She was always the one who protected everyone.
But…he wasn't the one she was born to protect. She was reborn here on this planet to protect the princess. How could she risk everything for one…when another was whom she should be standing by?
She shook the thought from her mind. Ace…Selenity…. Iie. I… She looked defiantly at Chaos and the flames. I can protect everyone.
She lashed out with the sword at the flames. Fire couldn't harm the sword of imperium- nor ice, thunder, or wind. She watched as the sword all but sliced through the raging flames.
Chaos watched amazed as the sword cut through the flames. Then she smiled. It'd take more than that.
Sailor Venus gasped as more flames immediately replaced the one's that had been doused. She braced herself as a new flame raged up in front of her. The sword clattered to the ground.
Adonis stood, until now forced to do nothing but watch. He held up a card.
Venus gasped as a card cut past her brooch, causing it to fall to the floor. "A- Ace!" Minako cried as more flames closed in. Had she been wrong to trust him again?
Adonis picked up the brooch quickly. The sign of Venus flashed on his forehead and the brooch began to glow a steady gold.
"Adonis…!" Minako said again, wincing as more flames raged.
Adonis stepped forward and tossed the brooch. It sailed through the flames and landed by Minako.
Minako picked it up. "Venus…" Power surged through her. "Eternal, Make UP!"
Her body glowed a sparkling golden color, wings sprouted from her back and folded softly over her body. Her boots appeared, just the same as before but her gloves were different, they cut off at her wrists in a 'v'. The wings unfolded a moment later and disappeared, revealing the body suit of her fuku. It all remained the same, with the exception of her skirt; the second layer was a beautiful gold color. Her choker was also in a 'V' and the sign of Venus rested elegantly on her forehead. And she had reclaimed the golden chain around her waist.
Eternal Sailor Venus glanced at Adonis as the flames simmered down to a small lick at her feet. "Ace!" She cried, rushing forward and throwing her arms around him. "You…you saved me!" Just like before… She added to herself.
Adonis smiled, looking down at her. "It's not over yet." He reminded her.
Venus looked up at him, then back at her enemy, Sailor Chaos. How she wished other sailor senshi weren't their enemies. True, it had happened before, with Galaxia and the Sailor Anima mates. But none of them…really intended those actions…however, these soldiers did.
She turned to face Chaos fully. "Venus…" She began, removing the chain around her waist and slowly began to raise it until it was level with the symbol on her forehead. "Exuberant…" She added, wings appearing on her back and once again folding over her body. The sign of Venus flashed brilliantly and her body was submerged in a golden aura. It seemed an illusion, but not really, as the symbol on her forehead shot forward a beam of light, which connected with the chain. "ANGEL!" A golden angel emerged from the chain as the wings vanished; the angel got closer to Sailor Chaos and soon emerged into it.
Chaos glanced down at her body as the beautiful figure from Venus' attack became one with her body. Not even she could hear it, but inside there was a small voice calling for someone to help her. It soon dimmed away, beaten once again. Chaos snickered. "You're little attack, however how much more powerful it is, won't work." With that, she was gone.
Venus was silent for some moments, disturbed. Then she smiled. "Oh, but it did! She's gone!" She turned towards Adonis…to see him leaning against the wall, holding his arm. She de-transformed into Minako and cried, "Oh no! I completely forgot, you're hurt!" I have to call the others… She realized. I've been hiding him from them but now…I can't heal this wound myself…
Minako held Adonis in her arms, tears silently rolling down her face. "Ace…forgive me…this is my fault…my fault that you're hurt…"
Adonis gave no answer.
Usagi sat on the bed by Minako, squeezing her friend's hand, trying her best to give her comfort.
Ami sat near the foot of the bed, just watching everything that happened.
Rei sat on the other side of Minako. "That's four of us…I wonder how much longer it will be till the rest…"
Makoto leaned against the wall, silently studying the scene before her. "This…this is what you've been keeping from us!"
Minako glanced up from the wounded Adonis. "I'm sorry Makoto…but I didn't know how mina would react."
Hotaru stood up, "I need to get home." She smiled and shrugged. "Haruka-otau, Michiru-okaa and Setsuna-okaa have set some new rules."
Minako nodded "Alright, arigatou Hotaru-chan."
DarkStar didn't bother hiding a laugh as Chaos showed up.
Chaos glanced at her. "Don't even start. It's not like you don't fail enough."
DarkStar gave Chaos a hard glare. "Yeah well, I'm amazed you actually failed." She headed down the hall. "Since you're his pet."
{Authors Note; Puu: A little shorter chapter, but, hey that happens. Kakyuu: I am such a genius! Look at my wonderful work! Puu: Uh huh…I know you are but you don't have to brag to the whole world. Kakyuu: *sticks out tongue* what's the matter, jealous? Puu: J Nope. Besides, I do most of the work on SMED. DON"T SAY ANYTHING! WE"RE MOVING ON! Kakyuu: Typing, perhaps. But who does most of the plot? Eh? Eh?}
