Cosmic Warriors

Disclaimer: All non-original characters in this story are copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi and Toei respectively. I also do not own the mythological beings you'll read about throughout the story.

Thank you eriaphoenix16, TropicalRemix, Firery Ice, and boagarota for reviewing.


Chapter Fifty Five - Tsukuyomi no Kami


Sunday December 6, 8:39AM Game Center Crown, Azabu-Jūban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

Usagi stepped into the din of button mashing and machines beeping as the door to the Game Center Crown opened for her. She nodded her thanks to the patron exiting before her and walked to the back counter. Her eyes skimmed the crowds of young kids swarming various machines, but noted her favorite, the Sailor V side-scroller was free.

"Hey, Usagi." Motoki said as he emerged from the back with a large box in his arms. "How are you?" he asked as he dropped the box on the counter and smoothed out his shirt.

"Hi Motoki. I'm fine, how about you?" she asked as she leaned against the counter.

"Can't complain." he replied. "We're surprisingly busy. Even though the weather is getting colder kids don't seem to mind."

"What's in the box?" Usagi asked.

"New posters for the windows." he said as he popped the folds on the box's top and pulled out a long roll.

Even though it was rolled up tight, Usagi could make out the face of Sailor V in a comic-style drawing. "Another Sailor V game?"

"Yup, they're bringing in the new machines in a few weeks." Motoki said as he dropped the roll back into the box. "What's wrong, Usagi, you seem a little down?"

Usagi sighed and seemed to deflate onto the counter. "I hate to ask, but you haven't seen Mamoru have you?"

"Actually we went out Friday night." Motoki said. "It was the first time we'd hung out in a few weeks and considering he'd been missing classes I was shocked. But I haven't talked to him since then, why?"

"Just wondering." Usagi sighed. The last she'd seen of Mamoru, or Tuxedo Mask, was during their mission in Rome. After hearing the full story from Minako and Luna she was desperate to talk to Mamoru about it.

"You seem upset." Motoki said thoughtfully.

"I just wanted to talk to him about something." Usagi said. "I figured I would see him around, eventually."

"I could try calling him at his apartment." Motoki offered as he moved to the far right of the counter. He turned the phone base around towards him and dialed in Mamoru's number. Motoki's eyes flittered around the ceiling as he held the phone between his ear and shoulder.

Usagi watched with little hope that Mamoru would actually pick up, which was confirmed when Motoki put the phone back down.

"No luck, he didn't answer." Motoki said. "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we head over to his place when I get off? I actually have been wanting to thank him for something and haven't gotten the chance yet."

"Really?"

"Sure. I get off at eight. I'll meet you out front."


Sunday December 6, 11:14AM Keio University, Mita, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

On the premises of Keio University an old building stood, not unlike the others of the campus, made of red brick and white stone, with spotless windows that reflected the cloudless morning sky.

To the students of the university it was an old library and after a newer one had been built it was made into a storage building for old supplies. No one ventured far enough on campus to reach it, but Ami managed to find it nonetheless.

Walking through the entree her eyes gazed over the room, the entire first floor of which seemed to have been a common area. In the center sat an oval shaped information desk and beyond were rows of desks and computers blanketed by dust. Around her were tables with tattered chairs and hallways that led off into bathrooms and small classrooms.

Finding a tattered directory on one of the walls, Ami made her way to the second floor, one of many she was interested in visiting. The second level was home to numerous wooden shelves, nearly all of which were stuffed full with books. In the center of the room was a railing that surrounded a wide space in the floor that gave her a view of the floor below.

"It's a library, just like she said." she murmured. Even though it appeared to have been abandoned she felt the rules of a library should be withheld, no matter its condition.

Ami made quick work of searching the floor, only glancing at book titles before she found more directories on the walls, colour-coded with the position of each book section.

"Biographies, young adult, science, mathematics, reference, history." she read aloud, her finger stopping on the last word she spoke.

Following the map of sorts, Ami made her way towards the northern end of the floor and into the middle of the designated section. After nearly twenty minutes of scanning tittles she plucked her first book from its shelf. That started a series of scanning indexes before she grabbed another book, starting a small gathering of them on a nearby table.

"The History of Rasputin." a voice said from a few aisles over.

Ami nearly dropped the books she held at the realization she wasn't been alone. "Uh, excuse me?" she muttered, peaking through the shelf. "Who's there?"

"Just an old relic." the voice replied.

Ami listened to footsteps get louder before a man stepped into view at the end of her aisle. "Oh, Mr. Meness!" Ami squawked.

"Be easy child. I am just Meness here." Meness replied with a simple smile.

"Sorry, I'm just used to seeing around you the hospital." Ami said.

Meness ran his wizened hand up several book ends before he turned his attention back to the girl. "Do you know, you're the first person other than myself to step foot into this building in, oh, I'd say a good decade?"

"I can't imagine why, there are so many books here." Ami said cheerfully.

"I believe you've discovered the reason." Meness smiled before noting the books at her feet. "Have you found what you were looking for?"

"Oh." Ami jolted before dropping to the ground and gathering the fallen books. "I wasn't looking for anything in particular."

"Then, may I interest you in something?" The old man asked and pulled a leather bound book from the shelf before he handed it to Ami.

"Moon Chronicles." Ami read aloud as she stacked the books on the floor and took hold of it. "Is this—?"

Meness nodded as Ami opened the book and scanned the first few pages. "There are a large number of books in my library and there are no shortage of them that deal with the history of our people."

Interest could be seen behind Ami's blue eyes as they darted up to meet his face for a moment. "Our people, then what my mom told me is true?"

Meness shrugged. "That would depend on what she's told you, though I doubt she would spread lies."

Ami continued to scan the pages. "She said that I'm one of the Cosmic Warriors."

"That is indeed true. Well, as true as it can be to this point. We would need to test you, but so far all evidence seems to point to the same conclusion. I feel it is only a matter of time before we discover out which one you are." Meness said. "Does the book seem interesting?"

"Oh, yes." Ami muttered while her mind worked to process something.

"But, as informative as these records are, I may be able to offer a more true explanation of our history. I was there after all." he offered kindly as he took the book back from her.

"Would you really? I'd love to hear about it." Ami said. "I'm not completely sold on the idea to be honest."

After he placed the book back Meness extended an arm which Ami took under her own and she was pulled into the comfort of his robes. Into the comfort a child would find in their grandfather, one that smelled like sage and candle wax.

"There was once a time when the history of our people was told to children. The tales within Moon Chronicles would have been told in homes across the globe." Meness rested his hand onto her shoulder as he led her out of the aisle, towards one of the round tables and plush chairs.

"Stories of mythology aren't that difficult to locate, but they seem to offer different tales than what I've heard." Ami said. "I found records of gods and goddess named Jupiter, Venus, Luna, and Artemis, but they don't match with what I've been told."

"The truth often gets distorted, over time people found it hard to believe the great gods of the Solar System could be women." Meness said. "History was once relative and subjective, what was true depended on who you asked, not like today when there are definitive dates and facts."

"What happened?" Ami asked as she eased down into one of the seats, scooting back into it to curl her legs up close to her.

"The humans, they changed. You see, Lunarians have only had two rulers in our entire existence, whereas numerous men and women have ruled the world of humans. Presidents, heads of state, Emperors, Prime Ministers, they all age and die eventually. Jealously is what caused humans to change. Jealously was born in their hearts, they became jealous that they could not live forever as we did, and they became jealous of our abilities. Having extended lifespans comes with many benefits. We age slower, and our bodies grow and develop over longer periods of time which has allowed us to reveal secrets in ourselves which unlocked our special abilities to manipulate matter and energy. As generations went by, the humans' attitude towards us grew worse. Eventually they revolted and gathered together to riot and slay those that opposed them. The strongest gathered and formed a plan to overthrow the Moon. After a series of unfortunate events the humans found a leader in a human witch named Beryl."

"Sir, how could someone do something like that without reason?" Ami asked. "Just not liking Lunarians doesn't seem like enough. It doesn't seem fair to become so angry with others just because you live different lives."

Meness smiled and gave her a nod of approval. "You're right, but Beryl had fallen in love with a man, who in turn had fallen in love with a Lunarian. It was the culmination of unrequited love, jealously, and unknown hatred that tainted Beryl. But still, she was a strong woman when it came to her feelings and chose to protect the future rather than act on her emotions. It was then that a new Evil took hold of her, an Evil that still lives today."

"My mother told me about the Dark Kingdom gathering energy to revive someone, is that what controlled Beryl?" asked Ami.

Meness pursed his lips. "No, something far more sinister affected Beryl. An Evil known as Chaos."

"Chaos."

"It lives inside all of us, but it thrived inside Beryl. She took measures to prevent herself from being taken over by it, but her efforts were in vain as Chaos controlled her and with its power she was able to corrupt enough men and women to form an army."

"What else can you tell me?"

Meness pursed his lips. "Nothing more on that matter I'm afraid, as it leads to a much longer tale, one which I must explain to a larger audience when the time is right. If you chose to join us as Cosmic Warrior—whichever you are—you will be able to hear the rest of the story, in full. However, I can explain to you what lies in the pages of that book you were becoming engrossed in."

"Moon Chronicles?"

"Yes. It details the waxing days of the Moon." Meness said. "But the story begins long before the Moon even existed."

"Japanese creation mythology." Ami guessed.

"Correct." Meness said with a forward tilt of his head. "Legend tells of a man, Izanagi, who created the first piece of land in Japan. On a trip back from the Underworld he cleansed himself of his sins in a river. When he cleansed his left eye, a goddess was born. When he cleansed his right eye, a god was born. When he cleansed his nose, another god was born. These three would be known as the three noble children. Do you know their names?"

Ami gave a light shake of her head. "Sorry, I don't. I only know bits and pieces of mythology, my focus has always been science and medicine."

"That's quite alright, those are both important fields. But I am an old man and I feel comfortable relishing in things older than I am." The duo shared a laugh before Meness continued. "Izanagi gave each of these three noble children special duties. The firstborn child was given rule over the day. His second child was assigned rule over the seas and the night, and the last child was assigned power over storms. When they reached adulthood the first child, Amaterasu, climbed the celestial ladder and took residence in the sky where she became the Sun goddess. She was followed by her brother, Tsukuyomi, who became the Moon god. The last child, Susano, remained on Earth as the god of storms.

"So when they took to the sky, that's when the sun and moon were created?" asked Ami.

"Yes." Meness nodded thoroughly. "They remained in the sky for some time until one day Tsukuyomi upset his sister by killing another goddess out of distaste. In a fury Amaterasu vowed to never see her brother again. She made it a point to travel to the other side of the world whenever her brother would begin to rise."

"Later Tsukuyomi passed on his control over the seas to his brother and focused solely on the Moon. He began building structures there and would invite other deities to visit. When mankind first came along he took several to the Moon where a civilization began. Wanting to distinguish them from the rest of the humanity he referred to them as Lunarians. Eventually a strange phenomenon came to be, an infant was found on the Moon. It had no mother and no father, no one to claim it. It was decided by Tsukuyomi that it was a child born from the universe, brought to life by fate to serve a purpose. So the child was cared for by Tsukuyomi himself and raised as his daughter. She became the first Queen."

"Queen Serenity." Ami said.

"Indeed, the child was given the name Serenity and as she grew her vast talents were known by all. As she grew older she was placed under the care of a trusted family who already had a daughter. Serenity was a beautiful girl with tremendous life force and magical abilities, she was liked by all and was the first Lunarian to travel to Earth. She took with her tales of life on the Moon and was amazed by this planet. She was then welcomed on Earth as one of their own, but this upset Tsukuyomi."

Ami frowned. "Was he jealous? Couldn't he come back to Earth?"

Meness gave her a fair nod. "He could, but it was his desire that Lunarians would never live among humans. He went through much work to build a suitable world for them. It took a lot of his powers to make it suitable for humans to remain on the Moon. Taking a preference to the Earth was a disrespect to the work of a god. One day there was a prophet who spoke to Serenity and detailed what her future would entail. He foresaw her overtaking Tsukuyomi and becoming the first Queen of the Moon within her hundredth decade of life. Serenity accepted the prophecy, not wanting to doubt the craft of humans, and word of her destiny spread across the planet."

"He wasn't happy about that was he?" Ami guessed.

"Not at all." Meness said. "Tsukuyomi, like many gods, gather their power from those that believe in them. With no followers, no one to believe in them, or no one to share their stories, a god loses their power, as do all legends. As Serenity came into favor those that believed in Tsukuyomi began to die off and lose faith and over time his power declined. On the eve of Serenity's hundredth birthday Tsukuyomi attempted to take her life. The two dueled for the entire day and as the day waned on into Serenity's birthday the Lunarians wished to see the prophecy come true and wished for Serenity's victory. Their wishes combined and took shape as the Silver Crystal which Serenity used to defeat Tsukuyomi. As the prophecy came true Lunarians and humans believed in and supported Serenity and her power grew. At the same time Tsukuyomi lost all power and the lack of faith in him caused him to fade away."

"The Silver Crystal was created from the wishes of Lunarians?" Ami asked. "My mother told me a bit about what that Crystal did, she said it was a kind of weapon."

"Yes, it is an immensely powerful item and was born from the deepest desires of the Lunarians." Meness said. "The true power of the Silver Crystal is often shrouded in mystery, many have sought to acquire it without knowing its exact power. But I will tell you, the power of the Silver Crystal is the fulfillment of desires. A wielder with the power to use it can have any desire they want granted."

"Wow, that's incredible." Ami gasped. "I can see why it is so important as. I would love to hear more about it and about Beryl."

Meness nodded. "I'm sure you would, but that story is filled with many secrets and important details. Things I cannot divulge to just anyone. That tale holds many secrets, secrets only three living beings now know. The truth in that story is something that will fuel our Protectors and Warriors to eliminate the Dark Kingdom once and for all. It is like a trump card, but it will only work once, so I must play it carefully. Ami, do not take my words the wrong way, but you were once an enemy to us. Though we have done our part to cleanse you we are all waiting on your decision to join us or not."

Ami turned her gaze to the floor. "I understand, my mom made that point clear, but I'm not sure—not sure if this is something I can commit to, but part of me is compelled to know more, and then I'm not sure why I'm an hesitating."

"By making the choice to become a Cosmic Warrior your loyalty to the Silver Guard is certain. Any and all remaining darkness that affects you will be washed away. I am confident you will make the right choice, and I will share with you the other story at that time. But I hope you decide soon. I am a patient man, but the time for decision is coming to a close. The time for action is upon us."


D-Point, North Pole

Beryl sat in her throne, hand raised before her as she held a yellow crystal in her palm. Hovering over her lap were six other crystals of varying colours found within a rainbow. Her brow creased as her mind mulled through a theory before three men appeared at the entrance to her chamber.

Her hooded eyes flicked to the entrance, uninterested in the fact that it was only Kunzite and Danburite, before she noticed the third individual. Between the two men Mamoru was being dragged across the chamber's floor, chains wrapped around his arms and his sweatpants tore as his shins trawled across the stone. The two men stopped short of the throne steps and forced Mamoru onto his knees.

The crystals clattered to the floor around Beryl as she released them from suspension. She gripped the armrests of her chair as she stood, taking in the sight of Mamoru. She stood tall, her eyes drifting across his face, his narrowed blue eyes, his hair, dark and unkempt, his lips turned down into a glower. She relished in his wry expression.

Beryl took the steps down to the ground floor slow, each footfall bringing her closer to him, as she gazed upon his physique. Her eyes lingered on the grey sweatpants hung low on his hips and then up the iliac furrow on his toned abdomen. Numbers flashed back in her mind, in sets of twos, as she traced up to his pectorals, the skin taunt as his arms remained locked beyond his back.

Beryl stopped before the young man and crouched down to him. She waved her hand in the space between them and the chains restraining him snapped. "Oh Endymion. I've waited so long for this." she asked, her long and sharp nailed hands caressing his face.

Mamoru's face scrunched up slightly in disgust as he watched her hands move across his cheeks. His lips twitched before he made a quick straining growl in the back of his throat and shot a gob of spit into Beryl's face.

Kunzite and Danburite tensed in absolute fear as Beryl shrieked and cowered back. She wiped the glob of sputum from her face, shaking her hand free of it before she turned her gaze back to him. "You will obey me." she said.

The chamber seemed to shudder in response to Beryl's voice. The walls vibrated and the ground shifted as a sizzled snare of power filled the room. As if gravity itself bent itself around Beryl's will, Mamoru, Kunzite, and Danburite were all forced onto the ground.

Mamoru bent under the pressure and smacked face first onto the ground. The two men behind him crumbled down into kneels, straining to remain on their feet.

"Leave us." Beryl curled her hands in, rubbing her thumbs against her twitching palms as she approached Mamoru.

Danburite and Kunzite nodded as the pressure lifted. Danburite turned away without regard to what Beryl might do to the boy and headed to the exit while Kunzite spared a fleeting glance.

In the hall that led from the chamber, Danburite waited until Kunzite walked past before he grabbed the man by the shoulders and pushed him against the wall. Kunzite' eyes flared up with anger, his hands bunching into fists at his side.

"You've been saying cryptic things to me all week. What did you mean when you said I shouldn't be afraid of death because I've died so many times?"

Kunzite's expression softened and glanced to Danburite's hands.

Danburite nodded before he released the man and stepped back. Kunzite smoothed out some of the wrinkles on his jacket before he turned and headed down the hall. "Walk with me. How much do you remember of your past lives?" Kunzite asked.

"Lives?" Danburite asked. "I've only lived one life."

Kunzite glanced over his shoulder. "No, you've lived two. Your first life started on Magellan Castle as the son of a nobleman. You became entranced by the beauty of Princess Venus and decided to dedicate your life to her by becoming a member of the armed military there. Your life came to an abrupt end in the year 992 when I destroyed Magellan Castle."

Danburite froze, his eyes straining against Kunzite's back as the man continued walking. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not surprised you don't remember. Without proper incentive reclaiming memories of a past life is nearly impossible to do alone." Kunzite said. "But what I'm telling you is true. Before the date of destruction, Princess Venus and the other Princesses of the Solar System became Cosmic Warriors who have been reborn, as you were, into their present day reincarnations."

"Then Cosmic Warrior Venus is the Princess?" Danburite asked.

"Yes." Kunzite said. "When Zoisite told me you encountered her in the woods and that she wasn't dead I feared you had regained your memories and fallen in love with her for the third time."

"Third time?" Danburite asked, his face scrunching in confusion.

"When you worked under me for the Dark Agency." Kunzite said as he stopped at a four-way hall. "You became infatuated with Sailor V, hadn't you?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything? Sailor V cannot be Cosmic Warrior Venus, can she?"

"She can and she is." Kunzite said. "We haven't be able to prove it, but we've done extensive research into Sailor V. Her connection to the Silver Guard is Artemis whom has always been connected to the Warriors. After the appearance of Warrior Venus, Sailor V's appearances dwindled and although there have been minor sightings they are never seen together despite working for the same organization. Again, it's all speculation until we capture one of them and pry off their disguise, but it makes no difference. If they are indeed the same person when we rid the world of the Silver Guard we will have taken care of the only person, other than them, to successfully oppose us."


Sunday December 6, 8:16PM Oakwood Apartments, Azabu-Jūban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

Usagi and Motoki walked in even steps down the hallway of Mamoru's apartment building. Motoki pulled a keychain from his pocket and started to flip through them. "Let's see. Parent's house, parlor, arcade, car, apartment, work locker, ah here we go." he beamed as he held up a key at the end of the chain. "Mamoru gave me a key for emergencies. I was supposed to move into this building with him, but I couldn't afford it."

"Is it expensive?" Usagi asked as she pulled her hands from her jacket pockets.

Motoki laughed as he knocked on the door. "About 60,000 yen more than my place. Hey, Mamo, you in there? It's Motoki and Usagi, just came to check on you."

"How can he afford a place like this?" Usagi asked. Her eyes rolled in their sockets taking in the hallway design, it didn't look that expensive, but what did she know?

"His parent's life insurance policies left behind a large amount of money for him that he got access to when he turned 18 back in August." Motoki said as he tried to knock again before he tried to knob. To his surprise the door was unlocked. "Oh?"

Motoki pushed open the door and stepped inside, scanning the room, no sign of Mamoru. Usagi peered around Motoki as she walked inside. The apartment wasn't very large, but considering just one person lived in it she figured it must be spacious enough.

The polished wood floor under her sneakers gleamed as Motoki flicked on the light switch. Across from them was a large green carpet with a small coffee table, a loveseat, a standing light, and a shelf on top of it. Mamoru's iron frame bed sat pushed against the far wall under an open window with its sheets tossed to the floor.

Usagi wandered the room, moving across the carpet towards the kitchen, when she stopped beside the bed to observe a matching iron shelf. Books, magazines, and boxes were seated on the shelf and she was briefly reminded of the last time she'd come here. Mamoru had come to the arcade with the ridiculous request of having her sow up a black and red cape. Usagi gasped and shot straight up. "Tuxedo Mask's cape!" she muttered.

"Did you say something?" Motoki asked as he walked into the adjoining kitchen.

"Nope, nothing." she said. "I can't believe I didn't see it then. He really has been Tuxedo Mask this entire time." she breathed as she plopped down onto his bed. "Where are you, Mamoru?" she asked as she reached over and grabbed his pillow.

Usagi sat the pillow in her lap and hugged it. As she hunched over it something prodded her in the stomach. She moved back and shook the pillow, watching as something heavy jiggled about under the case. Usagi flipped the pillow over before she dug her hand into the case and pulled forth a golden star shaped pendant.

"What are you?" Usagi asked as she placed the pillow across her lap and sat the pendant on top. She pressed her finger down onto a small dome in the center of the star. The dome lifted, revealing itself to be a lid, and underneath was a glass screen with a crescent moon on it over a blue background with a red orb resting in the curve of the moon.

Just as she was about to shut the top a melody started playing softly. Usagi held it to her ear and closed her eyes, listening intently to the twinkle of the song.

"There was a cup in the sink, maybe he just stepped out." Motoki said as he crossed the living room and stopped near the door. "Oh maybe not, his shoes are still here."

Usagi closed the locket and slipped it into her pocket as she stood. She walked across the carpet and stopped at a phone and answering machine set on top of the shelf. The machine's small screen blinked with the number 18. Usagi eased herself down onto couch and pressed the button to playback the messages.

"You have 18 new messages. First saved message received on Sunday November 29th at 6:26 PM. Hey Mamo, it's Rei, if you could give me a call I'd really like to talk to you about what happened yesterday. I stopped by earlier, but you weren't home. I really think we should talk about what happened in Rome. Call me later."

"Next saved message received on Monday November 30th at 5:19 PM. Hey Mamo, it's Rei again, just checking in, I hope everything's alright. Call me later."

"Next saved message received on Tuesday December 1st at 3:45 PM. Hey Mamo, it's Rei, I'd really like to talk to you, so if you could give me a call I'd really appreciate it. Bye."

"Next saved message received on Tuesday December 2nd at 9:08 PM. It's Rei again, I just finished cleaning so I'll be up for a while if you want to call and we can talk. Bye."

"Next saved message received on Tuesday December 2nd at 9:56 PM. Hey Mamo it's Motoki, some guys from our political science class are getting together for a movie night before our exam. You in? If you want to come we're in the Toto Lounge at school."

"Next saved message received on Wednesday December 3rd at 6:37 AM. It's Rei, I just wanted you to know that I'm going to school so if you try to call and I don't pick up that's why. Hope you have a good day."

Usagi frowned and pressed the forward button, skipping ahead to the last five messages.

"Next saved message received on Friday December 4th at 6:22 PM. It's Rei, Usagi invited me to come skating with her tomorrow for Makoto's birthday. She said I could bring a friend, though you might want to come."

"Next saved message received on Friday December 4th at 6:29 PM. It's Rei, again. I don't want to pressure you into coming if ice skating isn't your thing. We can do something else, call me."

"Next saved message received on Friday December 4th at 10:49 PM. Hi Mamoru, it's Rei, again. Are you mad at me? I don't know what I did, but I'm sorry. Why won't you talk to me? I'm not upset you didn't tell me, but I would still like a chance to talk to you about it, please just call me back."

"Next saved message received on Saturday December 5th at 10:34 AM. Hey Mamo, it's Motoki. I take it you're skipping class today? I don't blame you, I feel like crap, I didn't even drink last night, so how is it possible that I feel this bad? Do you remember what happened to that girl at the bar? I remember going into the woods with her, but the next thing I know I was waking up in your bed this morning. God, we didn't have sex did we?"

Usagi's brow cocked as she turned to Motoki.

"I was joking." He was grinning and rubbing the back of his head.

"Next saved message received on Saturday December 5th at 1:55 PM. HelloMr. Chiba, this is Dr. Kiyoshi Fumito from the Tokyo Therapeutic Center calling in regards to the inquiry you made with our Azabu-Jūbanoffice earlier this week. We do offer sessions by the hour, but you are able to set up a schedule to meet with us either weekly, biweekly, or monthly, depending on your needs. Thank you for your interest in our services, I hope this message was helpful. Have a good day, sir."

"Wow, Rei calls him a lot." Motoki said.

"And he doesn't answer a lot." Usagi said. "I feel bad for her."

"Did she say something about Rome?" Motoki asked.

"Oh did she? I didn't notice." Usagi muttered as she got up. "We should probably leave, it feels like we're snooping."

"Yeah, you're right." Motoki said as he gestured to the door. "I'm sure he'll turn up eventually. Probably just needs some time to himself."


Sunday December 6, 9:39PM Azabu-Jūban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

Agents Tenou and Kaiou sat parked just inside the gated property of Rhett's house. The grounds had been destroyed in the Dark Kingdom's venture to capture him and were still a long way from being brought back to its former condition. Scorch marks and fissures marred the face of the brick building. Craters and deep groves cut through the expansive yard and smaller buildings that resembled miniatures of the main house had entire walls missing.

"You ready?" Haruka asked as she removed her sunglasses and glanced to Michiru.

Michiru smiled and nodded her head. She gathered up a pad of paper and a pencil from her lap before she opened her door and climbed out. Michiru looked to the pad before she wrote Rhett's name at the bottom of a list.

Kyacha Yufou Unresponsive
Hino Saburo – Stable
Augusto Julio –
Stable
Urawa Ryo – Stable
Yumeno Yumemi – Stable
Nishimura Reika – Stable
Butler Rhett –

The girls exited the car and made their way up to the main house. Haruka paused at the doors, noticing how new the doors looked compared to the state of the house. She pressed her fist to the door before rapping against it.

As they waited Haruka turned and scanned the property, sitting so deep into the woods was sure to have its advantages, but the only thing on her mind was the lack of visibility.

The double doors were pulled open and a large man stood behind them. "Yes?"

"Mr. Butler?" Michiru asked pleasantly.

"How can I help you?" he asked as his eyes scanned each of the girls from head to toe. "Are you selling something?"

"No sir, good evening." Michiru said with a smile as she touched a hand to her chest. "Hi, I'm Agent Kaiou Michiru and this is Agent Tenou Haruka. We're here to follow-up with you as a request from the Silver Guard. You were expecting us?"

Rhett eyed the girls up and down again before he stepped away from the door and gestured them inside. "I was expecting the Guard to send someone, but I didn't expect it to be two young ladies such as yourself."

"Thank you, sir." Michiru said as she walked into the house. She stepped out of her shoes and into a pair of slippers before she crossed the entryway's beige carpet. Her eyes caught a rolled up carpet pushed against the adjacent wall as well paintings that hung unevenly on the walls with burn marks defacing them. There were several cuts and grooves that marked up the floor, walls, and even the ceiling.

"They did quite a number on my home." Rhett said as he closed the door behind Haruka. "All of my staff were killed when those people came for me. I've been debating hiring anyone new. I'd hate to put anyone else in danger like that."

"I understand." Michiru said. "Is there someplace we could sit and talk?"

"My study." Rhett said and gestured to the grand staircase with his arm. "Follow me."

The Agents followed Rhett up the stairs and down two separate halls before they entered a wide room filled with books. A long couch sat before a wooden desk with papers stacked high on it.

"Have a seat." Rhett said as he made his way behind the desk.

"Thank you, we'll try and make this quick." Michiru said. She flipped a page on the pad and glanced down at the list of symptoms she was supposed to read off. "Are you having trouble sleeping or staying asleep?"

"No."

"You're from the planet Mau like Luna and Artemis. They are able to change in and out of their feline form and I was told that prior to your abduction that was a challenge for you. Does that challenge still occur?"

"No, I've been able to change regularly and without issue."

"Great." Michiru said as she jotted down his response. "Have you experienced any outstanding muscle tension?"

"Not that I can think of."

"Chronic headaches?"

"No."

"Bouts of irrational fear or panic attacks?"

"No."

Michiru smiled as she checked off another item. "Have you had any flashbacks?"

Rhett's eyes flicked to meet Michiru's. "Occasionally."

"Could you describe any that were memorable?" Michiru asked as she prepared to write.

Rhett ran his fingers across the wood of his desk before his eyes darted to Haruka who was staring straight at him. "I see glimpses of what happened in Rome through the Demons eyes. Attacking the Guard mostly. They usually only come at night."

Michiru nodded and jotted it down. "Any compulsive behaviors?"

"I've been trying to get my estate back into a presentable state so I spend most of my day doing that, tending to the lawn, cleaning up blood." Rhett said. "Something to keep me busy."

"Okay, have you had any blackouts that you can recall?" Michiru asked.

"No. I can remember my schedule each day since I returned home." Rhett said. "Breakfast, exercise, working around the house, reading, and then sleep. Occasionally I go for walks."

"Wonderful." Michiru said as she finished writing the word STABLE beside his name. "That about covers it Mr. Butler, thank you for your time."

"Are we done?" Rhett asked as he stood.

"Not quite." Haruka said, speaking for the first time since they arrived. "Have a seat because now it's my turn."

Rhett narrowed his eyes at her before he eased back into his desk chair. "What is it?"

"We didn't just come to check up on you. You and the other hosts have been under surveillance since Sunday." Haruka said. "This quick screening was a test."

"A test?"

"We're here to extend an offer to you to rejoin the Silver Guard." she said. "I would have brought along the paperwork, but you're familiar with all of it already. All we need is a yes or no."

"Of course your initiation back into the Guard comes with a stipulation and an incentive." Michiru said. "It was suggested by Artemis and Luna that we attempt to work with the hosts of the Seven Great Demons in order to help them harness the power inside of them. If all went well we would then consider inviting all of them into the Guard as Agents. Because you have prior experience with the Silver Guard and are the most knowledgeable out of all the current hosts you were the first approached. Additionally, should the testing process go well the Council is willing to offer you a position as the Protector of Publicity."

"They want to test me?" Rhett said, warily.

"To see if you can tap into the power of the Demon and use it to your advantage without it taking over." Michiru said. "We don't know how long this process would last, but at the end of it if all goes well the position would be yours."

"When are they expecting my response?" Rhett asked.

"You're free to take as much time as you need." Michiru said as she folded back a few pieces of paper on the pad and tore off a page. "Call this number when you've made your decision." Michiru placed the page on the end of the desk. "That's all we wanted to speak with you about, if you don't have any questions we'll be on our way."

"Thank you." Rhett shook his head before he stood. "I'll walk you out."


Sunday December 6, 9:53 PM Azabu-Jūban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

Gurio sat at the foot of a staircase that sat off to the side of the living room and led to the loft. His math textbook was laid out on his lap with a small spiral notebook on top. He watched his father enter the kitchen and plant a long-lasting kiss on his wife's mouth before he turned and headed down the hall to the front door. In the second of his turn Takeo cast his son an eerie look; a reminder or perhaps a warning.

It'd been nearly two months since the realization that Umino Takeo was more than just a traveling arms dealer. He vanished for months at a time, sending money and letters every couple of weeks, when it seemed that Gurio had gone just long enough without hearing from him. But he wasn't just a father whose job required him to spend time away from his family, it was his choice to leave, or at least that's how Gurio saw it. His father was a hunter.

On its face that doesn't sound too bad, but as Gurio was slowly learning, what he hunted was the issue. Even that fact, what he hunted, was something Gurio had trouble wrapping his mind around. His first introduction to it came when his father returned home with several guests. His aunt and uncle, their son Melvin, and a strange man that his father only ever referred to as his associate. After being woken up in the middle of the night and hastily dressing, he was forced into the back of a black truck and drove deep into the woods. They walked for what felt like miles through the thicket until they approached a large sewer opening. Inside they walked a network of pathways to a room that contained a woman, of sorts. The words everyone had been tossing around were hybrid and Youma.

They were simple words, but held many meanings, so many in fact it drove him to do actual research as to which everyone seemed keen on using. The hybrid woman was stripped naked and restrained from a board. She had fangs, they tortured her and treated her like she was dangerous.

He visited her one other time since the first night, determined to get answers and offered to set her free if she answered his questions. He hadn't gotten as far as he wanted with her, due to his father's interruption, but later that night he realized she had given him more information that he could have ever thought to ask for. After being lectured by his mother he returned to his room and started a journal of his findings. The plan had been to return to the sewer to speak with Amaya, the bound woman, again, but when he managed to sneak out the room was empty. He'd been tempted to check one of the other rooms in the sewer network, but fear of what he might find forced him to head back home.

On the notebook in his lap Gurio had written out several things. The words Youma, hybrid, hunter, huntsman, clan, Umino. As well as bits of his conversation with Amaya.

"I was once human."

"Eyes... transplanted... during initiation."

"...bound by the The Code."

The sight of his father's eyes stayed with him long after he heard the front door close and a car's engine roar into the distance. He'd declined the invitation to become a hunter, whatever that entailed, but he absently wondered how long the choice would be his to make.

It was obviously something his father, and Melvin, wanted to happen and he was the only one resisting. Could he say no forever? Or would the choice be taken out of his hands at some point? Would he be forced through initiation? His fingers slipped up behind his glasses and pressed to his eyelid. With his open eye he found the words on the page: 'eyes... transplanted... during initiation.'

There was a lot of information he lacked, information that could lead to the explanation of why his family was so set on him joining in. Everything they'd done since their arrival had been to push him towards their side. The show and tell of Amaya, scare tactics in the middle of the night, impromptu training sessions, and nightly visits from his father. After a week of midnight visits Gurio realized they weren't about training him in hand-to-hand combat, as his father stressed, it was a punishment, his reward for defying his father. Takeo would mumble out fight stances and the names of moves while he punched Gurio in the stomach, twisted his arms, pinned him to the wall, tossed him across the room.

Melvin followed in Takeo's footsteps, but was more open and random with his blows. A jab in the ribs as they passed at breakfast. A headlock when Gurio was trying to study. A playful shove on the stairs that nearly sent Gurio tumbling to the ground floor, head first, all in the name of combat training.

The result were bruises and welts covering his body, but never in a place that could be seen in normal circumstances; a blessing and a necessity. He didn't have the heart to lie to his friends if they openly questioned him about a black eye and his father wouldn't want people snooping around the house looking for answers. Gurio closed his math book and started up the stairs as his mother went back to her task of cleaning up after dinner.

As he reached the loft he turned back to the ground floor, his mother on his mind. What was her role in all of this? Women didn't seem to be exempt from the hunter role, as evidenced by Melvin's mom, but his own mom didn't seem like the hunter-type and yet she let it all play out under her roof. All the meetings, the lies, the subtle abuse.

Gurio brushed aside the thought, he would dissect his mother's actions later, right now, while he was gone, was the time to dive into his father.

Connected to the loft was his parent's bedroom. He slipped inside and shut the door as quietly as possible. It was a small simple room with a large bed. Two bedside tables flanked the bed and across the room were two pea green dressers that shared one large mirror.

Rather than wander aimlessly around the room in search of anything incriminating, Gurio picked up his investigation where he'd last left off. The bathroom. A door beside the left dresser led him into his parent's shared bathroom with smooth, but rough, white tile floors, a five-sided glass shower, a jacuzzi tub, a line of white counter tops that sat along the far wall, starting at the tub and ending at a porcelain white toilet, and lastly a closet door.

Gurio opened the closet door and pulled it closed behind him as he ventured into the walk-in. He pulled on a drawstring that illuminated the spacious box before he walked to the far back and saw, poorly concealed behind a rack of his mother's shoes, a safe. Gurio pulled out his notebook and flipped to a back page where he'd written the code and thought about the first time he'd found the safe.

It was almost too easy, their bedroom was too small to yield many answers and the safe was easy enough to spot if you were looking down at the right time. Of course the combination had been a problem, but there were a finite selection of numbers that might mean anything to his father. The truly troubling thought of why the safe had been so easy to find, something he mulled over on his previous attempts to break in. Was it a trap? Did his father want him to find it? The more plausible explanation, the one Gurio settled on was that his father never thought he would find it. He was clearly disappointed in his reluctance to become a hunter, that much was clear from the way he looked at him, at the way his fists made contact with him gut, a little too hard to be just a training exercise.

He'd been underestimated. That was the thought he clung to as the safe lock clicked and he pulled the door open. He pulled out all of the contents as they sat inside, so that if in a hurry he could easy replace it all and make his way into the bathroom. He'd never been able to get through it all, footsteps in his parent's room or the sound of a door opening ended the investigation and gave him just enough time to get into the bathroom to intercept his mother when she fired off questions about why he was in their bathroom. His answer to which was always that Melvin was in his bathroom, which always ended up being true.

Gurio cut a stack of papers in half and pulled a thick manilla folder into his lap. He counted the pages inside until he found where he'd left off. A fax from an office in Europe offering the Uminos a job. Gurio scanned the lines as he read aloud, his voice just barely above a whisper.

"Dear Takeo. I hope this letter has reached you well. I work for a cleaning organization in here in Japan that specializes in the scouring of supernatural identities from our world. An office in Rome has acquired several specimens following an earthquake and cave-in. A team of experts has been sent to investigate and so far no live remains have been recovered, which is promising. However the sheer number of corpses being recovered, daily, is alarming to say the least. My organization is well-known around the world and is receiving flack for allowing a congregation of that size to have gathered and as such I am writing to you to seek your help. Your reputation and former employers speak highly of your capabilities in this field. I am willing to pay you your flat rate for an extermination in the city of Rome, the radius of which would cover two miles in each direction from a starting point of my choosing. In addition I am willing to offer a bonus of 20% per month if after your extermination you are willing to develop a contract with us and begin another extermination. Our plan is to cleanse all of Japan within the next five years. We will supply you with any resources you require should you chose to accept our extended plan. I look forward to hearing back from you. Yours Sincerely, HT."

Gurio scanned the rest of the page and then the back, in search of a name. No name of the organization was present on the form or whoever had written the letter, only HT. His eyes flickered across the page, stopping on certain words that drew his attention. Extermination, Rome, supernatural identities, specimens.

"Cleanse all of Japan?" he said before his eyes fell back onto another line. "Your reputation and former employers speak highly of your capabilities in this field." he said softly, his lips testing the words. What kind of reputation did his father have?

"Gurio?"

At the sound of his mother's voice Gurio closed the folder, dropped it onto its stack and buried it beneath the other half before he began sliding everything back into the safe. He tucked his notebook into the waistline of his pants, grabbed his textbook, and darted into the bathroom.


End of Chapter Fifty Five


Next, Ami makes her life altering choice and the Dark Kingdom begins the process of brainwashing Mamoru to do their bidding. As the newest Cosmic Warrior is being trained the Council calls the Guard together for an important announcement that will change everything. What information will the oldest of Lunarians reveal? Find out next time.

Chapter Fifty Six - The Warrior of Water