A Second Chance

by Ryu Niiyama

Seiya has a strange dream that sends the Starlights back to Earth. Yet the darkness of destiny looms over Earth and her kin. Do those that avatar the planets of the Sol system have the strength to combat destiny? Is destiny what they assume it to be?

7. Chapter 7

A Second Chance

Chapter 7

By: Ryu Niiyama

Rated: R/Strong R

THE WARNING SECTION: (because so many authors like to put those up) there is a violence warning up ahead as well as a heterosexual warning.

AN: Forgive the length of this chapter as well as the delay but I plan on putting ASC on hold after this so I can work on my other fics…so I figured I might as well put some meat on this chapter's bones….besides I had a lot of fun working on Keep in mind that i will be taking this chapter down in about a week for heavy editing so i wont get slapped by so if anyone who reads this could be so kind as to not flag this i would thank you kindly...

R

"Let it happen…'

…

…

Seiya had absolutely no time to react as he felt his body impacted heavily, and was sent crashing through the windows of a nearby store. His body was carried by the inertia of the impact and he slammed bodily into a display case, its contents burying him easily. After a few moments, Seiya's raven head surfaced and he reached out plucking one of the now ruined display case contents from his head. "What happened…?" The idol singer questioned no one in particular as he brought the display case object to his face, his azure eyes crossing as he realized he was staring at a plushie... of himself… "Hey, they even got the pony right! Well aren't I just adorable?" The starlight's musings were interrupted brutally as he felt himself being lifted, agonizing pressure crushing his limbs tightly to his body. The starlight let out a choking gasp has he felt a rib snap from the pressure, bile and blood rising in his throat. Suddenly he was airborne again and he impacted into the nearest wall for half a second, before his momentum carried him through the wall and into the next store behind it.

The raven haired man's prone body rolled to a stop finally, and to his relief without crashing into anything else. Coughing up blood, Seiya forced himself to his feet, his right arm automatically going to cradle his abdomen. Quickly realizing that whatever hit him was invisible, the idol shifted backwards, falling into a stance, and focused his mind on his element; the very stars that filled the heavens. Despite their distance, they heeded the cry of one whose planet had been ripped from that period of its life, forced to live out its life as a lonely star and denied its potential to create life. The stars listened to the plea of this child of Fighter, her last daughter, her last warrior, and filled Seiya with their strength. Immediately, Seiya's crystalline eyes opened and he threw out his arm in an upward block, his smaller form easily deflecting the massive arm that surged towards him.

His attacker was tangible now, though Seiya could see little more of than the distortion that shouldn't be present rather than an actual physical form. For the raven haired leader of the Starlights, it was more than enough. Preparing himself for the next blow, Seiya shifted backwards and shifted to the left as the massive arm came thundering towards him, quickly using his attacker's arm as a platform by flipping into a handstand on the muscular appendage. As the murky arm descended from his weight, Seiya dropped his left leg straight down , and then used his own inertia, to kick off from the face of his now staggering attacker. The idol singer's lithe form rocketed downwards, and Seiya immediately tucked his body into a roll the moment his hands reached to floor, the action bleeding off his momentum.

Knowing he had to act fast, as there was now a crowd gathering at the remains of the entrance of the first store he'd slammed into, Seiya scrambled to the back wall, quickly noticing the ventilation shaft in the corner. He flinched as he heard a roar behind him, knowing that if that…thing caught him he was dead, the starlight jumped onto a nearby table and used it as a springboard to launch himself into the corner wall, which he bounded between twice before tucking his head and wrapping his left arm around it and ramming through the ventilation gate. Seiya was grateful that even in this form his body was muscularly lean, knowing that he would have to crawl for all he was worth in this small space to reach the roof. He couldn't feel his injuries now, which he knew was a blessing and a curse, because the moment his adrenaline wore off he would be in hellish agony.

The idol singer blinked sweat from his worried yet determined midnight blue eyes and crawled as fast as he could, trying not to jar his injured abdomen. He groaned when he heard the disjointed roar of his inhuman attacker and felt the shaft abruptly jerk and begin to clank and shudder, signaling that the massive beast had some how gotten his oversized body into the shaft as well and was attempting to pursue Seiya. To his relief, light shone a few feet before him, meaning that the exhaust to the roof was within reach. Pushing himself harder Seiya reached the end of the shaft and looked up, seeing that the exit was just above him. To his relief this part of the ventilation shaft he could stand up in, and the idol scrambled to his feet then jumped up reaching out his arms to grip the grating of the shaft exit. The grate held for a brief moment before it have way depositing him back inside. With a grunt, Seiya braced both his hands and feet on either side of the narrow upright shaft and began to climb upwards.

Sighing in relief, the idol hauled himself out of the shaft and fell ungracefully to the tarmac of the roof below. Seiya struggled to his feet and undid the binding of his hair, grateful that the ribbon was longer than it looked upon first inspection. The starlight quickly shrugged out of his coat and then wrapped the ribbon around his torso as best he could, hoping that his makeshift binding would hold his ribs in place. Taking a deep breath to test his wound, Seiya called forth his star yell. 'All right you bastard…let's do this….' The idol singer's azure eyes narrowed and his lips thinned into a straight line as the concrete beneath his feet began to rumble. The idol singer stood his ground as he felt the concrete beneath his feet warp and shudder and the ventilation shaft he had just exited gave one final groan before it burst apart, the murky creature springing forth with a piercing roar.

"FIGHTER STAR POWER….MAKE UP!"

R

"Goddamn you urk-!"

Zoisite paused in his curse as Sailor Star Maker delivered a powerful right hook to his jaw, causing the long haired shitenno to stagger back drunkenly. Maker rushed forward, her eyes luminous fucia, murderous intent written upon her beautiful face. Zoisite caught the starlight's fist, and blocked the side swing kick before lashing out with a sharp kick to Maker's knee. Had she been a human, her right knee cap would have been crushed easily, but her denser Makan bone structure along with her senshi fortitude made it a glancing blow at best. It did however give Zoisite a clear opening as he hammered the tall senshi's midsection with punches, holding on to her arm so that the Starlight couldn't twist away.

Maker couldn't breathe and she knew that her ribs couldn't take very much more of this; she already suspected that she had some slight bruising on her internal organs. Marshaling her strength, she pulled back roughly, effectively staggering Zoisite and causing him to lose his grip, but at the cost of dislocating her arm in the process. Ignoring the burning pain, Maker uppercut him with her good arm throwing all of her weight along with her enhanced strength into the punch as it easily lifted Zoisite into the air and tossed him backwards, his jaw broken. 'At least I won't have to hear him talk…' Maker thought smugly as she watched the wounded lord rise to his feet.

Not giving him time to react Maker rammed into Zoisite with her injured shoulder, popping her arm back in place as she slammed him into the wall at the back of the alley. With a roar of anger, Maker aimed a punch at the ice lord's face, only to miss as he ducked into a crouch. Maker's fist pounded into the brick wall, powering a considerable amount of the surface. Using her missed punch as an opportunity, Zoisite punched Maker directly in the crotch, before surging upward so that his shoulder impacted her neck, throwing her backwards. While his attack would have been more effective on a man, it still hurt Maker considerably and the senshi struggled to get up, trying not to black out from the blinding pain.

Zoisite staggered forward and kicked the crouched over Maker in the head, re-depositing her onto her back. With an evil sneer upon his beautiful, battered face the polar lord straddled Maker, hands going for her throat. Only one thought screamed through his mind now: Kill. Kill the one whom would dare take that which was destined to be mine….Kill…. Zoisite began to squeeze, to clench his hands like a vice, eager to snuff out her life. The power was almost erotic to the polar lord, he was a god…yes a god of life and death and he had passed down his judgment upon his most hated foe. Maker struggled against the polar lord, her body screaming for air even as her vision began to darken around the edges. Her body felt so heavy, and she was becoming so tired…it would be so easy to just give in…

R

A few scant blocks away a medical student fell to her knees within her shower, her hands reaching to her neck trying to pry off phantom hands. Her body began to tense and convulse as the sigil of mercury appeared upon her brow, various unidentifiable images streaming through her head at a hectic rate, her body thrashing against the mental invasion. She began to gurgle and choke as one image…one memory began to slam into her head, the power of Mercury immediately reacting to it, all the water in the surrounding air turning to fog and ice.

She could feel herself walking through a garden, another woman walking at her side, yet at the same time she was watching disembodied from afar. She recognized this mirror image of herself if only fleetingly. She was in her past, this was the Moon Kingdom… and the woman beside Princess Mercury was…Taiki? Dressed in a simple tunic, with her long chestnut hair tied off at her waist, a few loose locks trailing down the side of her beautiful face, was indeed Taiki Kou but one of the Silver Millennium. Ami was confused as she saw her past self turn to this other princess and smile, pure joy radiating from her features, and Taiki's smile echoed in kind. 'How is this possible? Taiki wasn't a part of my past as well was she?' Then again how much did any of the senshi truly remember of their past? All of them still had to go upon what Luna and Artemis saw fit to tell them, and they all knew that the Mau had no qualms in 'editing' the truth if need be. Returning to the vision before her, Ami stepped forward slightly as she saw her past self guide this alternate Taiki to an ivory bench and take a seat beside her. Her past self was nervous Ami could tell, though she hid it well. Ami's azure eyebrows flickered upwards as she saw Taiki's past self frown and take one of Princess Mercury's hands into her larger ones…apparently she did not hide it well enough.

"Aerin, what troubles you my love? We've spent the entire day together, and yet you seem both preoccupied and entirely too focused upon me, has something happened?"

Princess Mercury/Aerin, smiled softly at Taiki's past self in response, bringing their joined hands to her lips and placing the softest of kisses upon Taiki's. "Hmm, you know me too well beloved. No, Brahma, there is nothing wrong, noting except that I have been going over this in my mind for weeks now, and I still know not what to say." Ami smirked as she could see the desire to offer comfort and to shield herself from emotional harm warring for dominance within Princess Taiki's/ Brahma's lavender eyes. The taller woman chose comfort, as she removed a hand that was covering Aerin's and brushed it against her brow, tucking blue strands behind her pierced ear before cupping her face gently. Ami gasped softly as she remembered Taiki echoing the action many times as they made love the night before, the tenderness of the action having made her weep and she could see Aerin blinking back her own tears. Brahma leaned into Aerin, ducking her head slightly, dropping her velvet voice to a whisper. "Then do not think my love…" Brahma trailed off and frowned as she took in Aerin's mildly disbelieving look, knowing her lover was playing with her but rising to the bait all the same."-and do not look at me like that, yes I said it! Tell me what you have to say from your heart…" Aerin nodded at the other princess and exhaled softly.

"…I love you, Brahma with all my heart and soul…"

Brahma blushed and regarded Aerin with warm eyes. "That…should not have taken weeks of deliberation my love…." Aerin rolled her eyes briefly but did not let it distract her from the matter at hand. The blue haired heir of Mercury rose slowly and moved to kneel at Brahma's feet, her eyes intently locked with the other woman's.

"…Aerin…what are you…?"

"Brahma, as you know I will be ascending the throne of Mercury in a year…two years before you yourself take your place as Kyoyn of your own people." Brahma nodded, wondering slightly why Aerin was reiterating the laws of succession of their respective homeworlds. Yet she did not question as Aerin pushed ahead. "You know that when I accept the crown and the guardianship of the sapphire flame that I must have a mate to stand and rule by my side…"

Brahma pulled back slightly in shock beginning to realize that her suspicions were correct, and Aerin's hands snaked out like lightning to re establish their contact, her eyes never leaving the now shocked and slightly dilated ones of the princess before her. "I love you Brahma Agegis-Ti, heir to the crown of Maker, even more than my great ancestor Hermes Askari loved Ayame, for whom he descended from Heaven and shed his true dragon form to assume that of a mortal. There is no power in all the Universe or in Heaven that could dare rival my love for you…"

Aerin released Brahma's hands and moved her hands to the thin platinum chain that was always present around her neck and lifted it over her head holding it in front of her for Brahma to see. The shocked Makan's eyes drifted to the charm that always remained hidden within the valley of Aerin's breasts and had only been seen by the Makan when the two of them made love. It was a dragon, cast in the same metal as the chain, its serpentine body poised and ready for battle as it was perched upon a blue orb that was nestled within the protective haven of its tail. The blue orb had always fascinated Brahma whenever she saw it as looking inside it transported one to an ocean which state of turbulence and power matched Aerin's mood. As she looked at it now she could see the ocean ebbing and flowing with violent force, the waves swelling to magnificent heights, the orb's current state similar to its appearance when Aerin was in the throes of passion. Brahma swallowed convulsively feeling Aerin's deep azure eyes alight with heat and passionate conviction as she looked at Brahma, and the Makan princess felt herself beginning to blush. She knew that the necklace was called a Dragon's Tear and it was given to a Mercurian royal at birth, even those not in line for the throne as she remembered seeing one with a verdant orb around Leerenthil's neck during training, the younger twin brother of Aerin was not expected to take the throne unless Aerin fell in battle. Brahma had asked her lover about the Tear once but had been put off, Aerin stating that she was not ready to tell her as of yet. That had been years ago, when they first became lovers, so why did Aerin choose now to reveal the nature of the strange necklace?

"The Dragon's Tear is given to an Askari at the moment of birth to help tame the Dragon within, my line is descended from the Eternal Dragon himself, the lord of wisdom and of ice, and through this necklace are my powers restricted with the hope that I will gain the wisdom to harness my power to protect the one I love…to protect you. I did not tell you of this before, because I needed to be sure, to be sure that you were the one, the woman I would love until the end of my days. To offer you my hand is to offer you my power to give you the power to bind me, to trust you with all that I am. Join your house to mine Brahma, rule by my side, be my wife and queen, and let me stand by yours in turn when you are named Kyoyn. I could love no other, I need no other… I need you. This humble dragon beseeches you, mate your soul and life to mine everlasting, know that I shall protect and cherish you till the end of my days. I beg of you, not as an heir of Askari, or a senshi, or by any other title, but as a woman whom loves you with all her heart, marry me Brahma, choose me, grant me the honor and the joy of loving you for all eternity."

Ami was as shocked as the seated Brahma at the eloquent yet desperately honest proposal, yet at the same time it ignited a quiet longing within her heart. A longing for the day she could claim Taiki as her own once again in this life. Reacting purely on shocked instinct, Brahma rose abruptly moving away from the kneeling Aerin, keeping her back to the smaller woman even as she seemed to collapse into herself. Aerin rose as she saw Brahma's shoulders shake slightly, the action almost hidden by the Makan's semi- loose mane. The blue haired woman moved closer refusing to take Brahma's actions as a rejection, not just yet, as she intended to embrace her beloved from behind.

"Stop! Do not come any closer!"

Aerin's dragon nature warred with her respect for Brahma, as the need to comfort her chosen surged wildly within her. Even as she paused respecting the other woman's wishes, she wondered briefly if the strength of her passion was now raging unchecked without the Tear binding her or if it was because deep within her heart she had already claimed Brahma as her own, and save Brahma no longer loving her would let no one take her chosen from her, not even Brahma herself. "Brahma… Ra, I lo-"

"Do not!" The Makan princess interjected sharply, closing her eyes, knowing that if she'd let Aerin finish, if she let her beloved entreat her with the name that Aerin called her only when they were at their most intimate she would falter, and agree to something that would break both of their hearts later on.

"What about Lord Zoisite? You are promised to him."

Aerin shook her head, softly a gentle growl rumbling though her throat. "He is my friend Ra, nothing more. You know that. Even more you know that under Mercurian law, no betrothal of treaty has the power to circumvent the choice of the Askari heir. Hermes chose in love, and his line has continued to do the same. …Do you not love me now Brahma?" Aerin asked sadly, pointedly. Brahma tensed and whipped around immediately the denial half out of her throat, before she looked at Aerin, realizing that if she gave her the answer she wanted, the blue haired woman would pursue her to the ends of the universe. She sighed exasperated, yet at the same time extremely touched by the defiant determination she saw brewing behind Aerin's now slightly reptilian eyes, her pupils having elongated into thin diamonds though the irises were just as blue as ever.

"What is this really about Ra? Tell me…tell me that you do not love me, tell me truthfully and I swear to you that I will marry Zoisite and I will never bother you again. However, if you can not, then I will not stop, I will not falter, not until you are mine, and I yours.

Brahma bristled at the thought of Aerin with Zoisite, the urge to beat the polar lord within an inch of his life rising swift and strong within her. Aerin stepped closer, taking that as an invitation, and reaching out a hand to cup Brahma's cheek, she smiled bitterly when the Makan woman leaned into her hand, plump tears leaking from her mauve eyes. "Is it enough? Am I enough?" Brahma questioned bleakly, the pain in her eyes breaking Aerin's heart. As if she were angry at herself for voicing her concern Brahma broke their contact and once again turned her back to Aerin. Perplexed and profoundly hurt, Aerin stared at the elegantly powerful back of the woman she loved momentarily, unable to speak. When she finally found her voice it was harsh and bitter. "How can you ask me that? After all we have been through how can you doubt me so? How can you view my love as…" Aerin blinked as she thought carefully about her lover and her personality, the realization snuffing out her anger and outrage like a dash of cold water. Aerin moved forward and embraced Brahma from behind, startling the taller woman briefly, before she relaxed into her lover's embrace. "Oh, Ra… nineteen years and still you do not see yourself." Though Aerin was only two years older than her beloved Brahma at twenty one summers she sometimes forgot that fact, as well as the unfounded insecurities that plagued Brahma's personality.

Aerin pressed her body length wise against the other woman, inhaling her sweet scent and trying to ignore what such close proximity to Brahma did to her, as much as she needed to project her love she also needed clarity, it would do no good if she could not control herself like some adolescent dragon in heat. "Brahma, my beautifulBrahma, I know what it is you fear because I too share in your fear." Aerin let her hands drift to Brahma's belly and she began to draw her fingers with light sharpness over the summer tunic, easily feeling the heat of the taller woman's body as well as the flat powerful muscles beneath the restricting fabric. "I feel it every time you look at me, every time you breathe my name, every time you touch me, every time you hold me. I feel a quaking deep within my soul every time you tell me you love me, every time we make love. It is as if I am going to fly apart, if you do not hold me together and yet you are the very cause for my distress. However with that fear Ra, comes the most exquisite ecstasy I have ever known, I will ever know. I feel as if I was born to love you, Ra, as if that is my true purpose. As with finding that purpose I am terrified at its power, and yet I have never known a greater sense of contentment." Aerin nuzzled against her lover's shoulder blades briefly biting back a moan, knowing that if she didn't replace the Dragon's Tear soon that she would end up throwing Brahma to the moist lunar earth and ravishing her utterly. The Mecurian wondered briefly if this unquenchable love and desire is how her mother felt for her father and decided it must have been so, as nearly eighteen years after his tragic death she still mourned him deeply.

Ra, I only see two options for this. Either we run from it as fast as we can, hiding behind our mantles and our thrones, committing to loveless marriages…" Aerin found herself beating back an overwhelming surge of jealousy and possessiveness at the thought of anyone other than herself being in Brahma's heart or her lover. "…or we cling to one another and weather out this storm my darling, if we let this love grow… even more powerful than it is now, and guide our peoples, together. Ra, choose me. Let me love you, please. Tell me what you want! Hermes above I will rip Heaven asunder to give it to you." Not willing to hear Aerin debase herself in such a fashion any longer, she turned and pulled the smaller woman into her embrace.

"Stop it my Angel, I can not bear to hear you continue. What would you have me do?"

Aerin moved backwards slightly, breaking their embrace, once again holding up the Dragon's Tear. "Accept me." The princess of Mercury said without preamble and without negotiation. Brahma looked deep into Aerin's depthless azure eyes, searching for any sign of hesitation, and when she could find only love, the Makan woman nodded. "Yes…though I think you are making a grievous error Aerin Askari, I will be your wife. I can only hope that I can give you half of what you have given me." Brahma kneeled so that she would be at a more accessible height for Aerin, the Mercurian woman cupped her lover's face and tilted it upward staring into the eyes she loved so very much. "You are everything that I could have ever wanted or needed….never, ever doubt that." Aerin bent forward and pressed her lips to Brahma's, kissing the younger woman for all she was worth and then some, both of them slightly breathless when they parted and Brahma had a slightly dazed but very happy grin on her face. Convinced now that the brunette was ready to accept her, Aerin opened the necklace and then clasped the Dragon's Tear around her neck. Mere seconds after the necklace settled upon it new resting place it began to glow, and Aerin's eyes followed suit, the Mecurian woman dropping to her knees as if she had been struck, Aerin clutching Brahma to her desperately, burying her face in the worried Makan's neck.

Aerin knew that the stronger her love the stronger the bonding, and as she heard Brahma's worried thoughts filter into her own mind she knew without a doubt that there could be no greater bond. Every emotion she'd ever felt for the other woman was rising within her like a tempestuous wave, threatening to consume her, but the blue haired woman forced herself to ride it out, focusing on the absolute joy she felt at finally being bound to her soul mate. When it was finally over, Aerin lay panting in Brahma's trembling arms trying to figure out how she survived the entire experience.

"Aerin…what? What happened to us?"

The blue haired woman found herself unable to talk, and quite frankly not wanting to speak at all as she realized that she was even more aware of Brahma that she had ever been before. The gentle whisper of her breath, the steady pulse of her heartbeat, the scent of her skin and hair, Aerin absently flicked her tongue against a toned shoulder, the taste of her as well. "…Aerin…?" Brahma questioned uncertainly as Aerin gripped her tighter, the Mecurian royal trailing sweet kisses along her neck and shoulder. The smaller woman gave Brahma a gently firm push, easily toppling her to the lunar earth below. Brahma groaned deep within her chest as she felt Aerin's sweet weight upon her, the Mecurian's hands moving over her body with skilled intent. "A…Aerin…Angel, do not start something you can not finish…" The brunette's words trailed off as a moan when she felt Aerin's leg bump provocatively against her pelvis, whether by accident or not Brahma wasn't sure. "I can assure you my darling, I will most definitely finish what I have started." Aerin smiled against Brahma's skin as she felt her lover, no her future wife begin to tremble beneath her touch. "Hermes above Ra, you are one of the most powerful senshi in existence and yet you respond to me so readily…" Brahma blinked, her impressive intellect being reduced to nothing as she found it hard to form words, let alone thoughts, as Aerin's hands drifted to her tunic sliding the silken material off her shoulders, the Mecurian's lips caressing every millimeter that was revealed. Fog began to weigh heavily about the two lovers, obscuring their fevered forms though if one drifted close enough they could hear languid moans of delight, and gentle whispers of love's declaration.

The scene leapt forward at a frantic pace as Ami found herself entering a new memory, the surroundings and images swirling around her in a kaleidoscope of colors and light. Ami looked around, finding herself in one of the outer halls of the Palace of the Moon and she looked out to a nearby balcony, realizing that it was night, the Earth hanging heavy in the sky like a brilliant topaz. She turned back as she heard soft footfalls only to see Aerin gliding down the hall, obviously having just exited the library, a pair of heavy tomes cradled in her grip. As the blue haired regent passed a heavy tapestry, a gloved hand snaked out and grabbed her shoulder pulling her into the hidden alcove. Ami rushed forward to see what happened to her past self and gasped at what she saw. A tall figure dressed entirely in black with cloak and mask about the body and face pressed an insistent hand against Aerin's mouth, his grip on her arm stern. Yet Ami could see the ice dagger Aerin was slowly forming behind her back and she spared a brief moment of awed respect for her past self before refocusing on the matter at hand.

"I know I've been gone a while my Angel, but surely you would not stab me for it."

Aerin's azure eyes widened as the darkly garbed figure pulled back cloak and mask, and rich auburn hair tumbling free as mauve eyes twinkled in strained mirth. "Brahma?" Aerin hissed in shock before she threw herself into her beloved's arms, dispelling the dagger, her fear and panic being quickly eroded by joyful surprise. "What are you-" Aerin paused as Brahma raised a gloved hand to her lips, shaking her head. "Not here, I have matters of the utmost importance to discuss with you my love..." Aerin nodded and inched sideways slightly, making sure that no one was coming. The Great Ball was tonight, held to announce Princess Serenity's engagement to Prince Endyminion, despite rumors of discord among the humans of Tau'ri, so she was sure that most of the castle would be there. Seeing no one, Aerin gathered her books with one arm and gripped Brahma's gloved hand with the other, tugging the other princess behind her as they sprinted to Aerin's chambers, Ami right behind them. Once with in the safe haven of her rooms, and the door bolted behind them Aerin brought up the lights and set her books down on the nearby desk.

"Brahma, mphh!" Aerin's sentence was swallowed by the taller woman's full lips upon hers, Brahma kissing her as if she were water and the Makan woman had been dying of thirst. When they finally parted Brahma pulled Aeirn against her, holding the shorter woman tightly within the protective circle of her arms, the brunette trembling slightly. "Stars in Heaven, I was so afraid…so afraid that I would not make it in time…" Aerin allowed her lover to take apparently much needed comfort from her embrace momentarily, even as she puzzled over the other woman's actions. Brahma was supposed to be back on Maker assisting her parents in a treaty negotiation as well as going through her final training, though the strain of being in another stellar system and even worse one in another galaxy had been painful for the two of them, Brahma had never been one to abandon her duty for a tryst…something was terribly wrong. Finally Brahma stepped back and looked at her intended, her mauve eyes grave. "The Tau'ri have fallen. I do not know if Endyminion is among them but most of the Baraknol line as well as his guardians have fallen to a great evil. They are led by Beryl, the once gentle sorceress whom ruled the lands to the west of the Earth Kingdom." Aerin pulled back shaking her head, unable to form words… "That is… not possible. I spoke to Zoisite last week! He-"

"Did he not seem odd to you my love?"

Aerin paused and looked up sharply into her lover's intent eyes. It was true Zoisite had been…acting strangely, his gentle demeanor nothing but a bleak coldness, and an almost perverse degree of vindictiveness. However they were fighting against uprisings that held the treaty between Earth and the Silver Millennium alliance in disdain, even more so the political marriage between Endyminion and Serenity…so he was bound to have behaved differently, would he not? "Do not try to justify him in your mind Aerin, he and the other shitenno have been responsible for the recent attacks on transport and supply ships." Brahma had never liked Zoisite, they had loved the same woman after all, but she did respect him, and she knew there had to be more under the surface then the shitenno merely defecting. There had been reports of them possessing abnormal amounts of strength and power…

"So why are you here Ra? You are putting your life in danger by coming here!"

Brahma pulled Aerin against her once again, dropping her chin on to the crown of the cherished blue head, inhaling briefly before she spoke. "You are my life Angel. I came here to warn you, you must tell Venus so that you may prepare. They are going to attack soon, I am not sure when. I must return to Maker; Maker, Fighter, Healer and Kinmoku are readying for the coming battle. However our alliance agreement demands that we wait until they attack, anything else will be seen as a declaration of war on our part. I just needed to make sure that you were all right. Promise me that you will stay safe, do not do anything rash! Promise me Aerin! Swear it upon your house!"

The blue haired woman broke contact at the rough desperation in Brahma's voice and looked up into her pained, anxious eyes. "Brahma you can not ask that of me, I have a duty, just as you do! I-" Aerin was cut off by Brahma gripping her biceps tightly, the brunette's lavender eyes frantic. "I do NOT care about your obligations Aerin! I care about you! Whatever it is that is guiding them, it is unnatural, and it is evil…warn Venus but tell her to wait! Wait until our armada has arrived! We will crush them then!"

"You have not that level of power…"

Startled, Brahma whipped around, standing protectively in front of Aerin, though what she saw before her was not entirely unexpected. Somehow having got through the bolted door, without touching it Brahma noted absently, stood or rather floated Zoisite, a deranged smirk marring his beautiful features. Aerin moved from behind Brahma, or as much as she could, considering the Makan princess had a death grip on her arm, trying to see the figure that Brahma's larger body blocked from her view. "Zoisite? Why are you here?" Aerin asked more out of shock, her mind immediately realizing that the question was slightly rhetorical. As the blonde shitenno's glowing eyes locked on to Aerin, they dulled to his gentle emerald momentarily, and the polar lord clutched his head as if trying to keep it from exploding, absolute pain and guilt radiating from his features.

"…R..un…nnnn…." He slurred out before his eyes took in Brahma's defiant stance, who had called forth her senshi form in full, having been partially transformed under her clothes, and his eyes returned to their lifeless glowing state. The possessed shitenno immediately drew his broadsword and disappeared in a flurry of sakura petals, even as Sailor Maker raised her hand to attack. Within in the space of a second the words of her attack were surging from her mouth, but her target had moved from the door to right in front of her. Even as her mind was commanding her body to move she felt the press of sharp steel diagonally against her abdomen from shoulder to hip.

"CREATION A--!"

Maker let out a pained gasp as she felt the blade rend her aura and slice through her abdomen, the steel cutting so deeply it severed the joint connecting her arm to her shoulder. The dying senshi pirouetted easily in her own blood her quickly deafening ears taking in Aerin's blood curdling scream, and the last thing she saw as her eyes glazed over with death was her beloved, her beautiful, stricken face splashed with her own blood. The senshi of Maker and creation was dead before her body hit the ground, the Dragon's Tear she wore around her neck ripped from her body from the force of the blow and impacting the wall several meters behind them. The ambient temperature of the room dropped drastically, everything within a five foot radius being frozen instantly save Aerin and Zoisite. Aerin had not thought to call forth the power of Mercury, in fact she had not thought of anything at all, her mind shutting down due to shock and her body moving on pure enraged instinct. An amalgamation of scream and roar thundered from her throat as she leapt towards the rapidly backpedaling Zoisite, her eyes becoming reptilian and her hair lengthening to a calf length mane. Zoisite tried to bring down his sword, but Aerin caught it easily, the steel turning to ice and then shattering under her dragon enhanced grip. Finally afraid, Zoisite brought his arm over his face and Aerin surged forward and bit him, her canines now sharp fangs, as she tore into his flesh, threatening to rip it clean off his body. She raised a taloned hand and struck him heavily, bone yielding in protest in his abdomen as he was thrown backwards, through the heavy oak doors, now missing a good portion of his arm. Aerin charged forward, loping on all fours, mindless rage coloring her every movement as the need to kill the one whom had slain her beloved mate pounded through her. The possessed shitenno looked at the hellish beast his unrequited love had become as she charged him, preparing for death, despite the loss of his mind and soul, he flinched as he saw Aerin's body jerk six times and her forward movement stopped, her momentum carrying her to crash into the wall next to him.

"…Ra…wa…it…for..me…"

The blonde shitenno looked down at Aerin's final whisper, as her body reverted to normal, six magenta energy blades piercing her back and head. He looked up and in the distance saw Kunzite lowering his hand, the flesh steaming from dispersing energy in the artic room. "How weak Zoisite… Queen Beryl will not be pleased that she will have to heal you so soon…You are wasting Queen Metaria's power." The silver haired leader of the shitenno sneered in disdain as he turned, flicking his cape and trod over the body of the fallen Sailor Maker crushing a frozen limb with a sickening crunch. Zoisite nodded and staggered to his feet, faltering for a second as his soul trapped within warred for control. Beating it back with severe finality, Zoisite tossed his pony tail off his shoulder and strode after his leader.

"…Yes, Kunzite-sama…"

Nearby Ami dropped to her phantom knees, screaming until she was hoarse, her soul overcome with unbearable grief. 'He killed her… My god he killed her right in front of me!' Ami had forgiven Zoisite for his transgressions as Beryl's slave once she learned of his identity but she had also not remembered much more that his attacks against Nephrite, and the rainbow crystal carriers. To have seen him commit such a heinous act and even more her past self's reaction to it left her numb inside. 'What kind of power do we possess and no longer know how to access….what am I?'

"You are the reincarnated heir to the throne of Mercury…" Ami rose and spun around in shock, and staggered backwards as she saw Aerin looking upon her with sad eyes. Confused Ami turned to the decimated door and found the butchered body of the fallen Askari untouched and unmoving. Ami turned back to Aerin realizing that this version of her past self was not a part of her memory, but a part of her. "You must grow strong Ami Mizuno, you must learn to harness your true power. All of you must learn this, for you will need it in the coming battle. Time and space is being warped and distorted, in fact it has been for longer than we have known, but it is reaching its pinnacle which is why I am able to speak to you. You must be able to embrace your mantle and your power… you must be able to protect her…He grows stronger and he hungers for vengeance…"

"What? Who? What is going on? Protect whom?" Ami questioned feverently wondering just what the hell was going on.

Aerin waved her hand and Ami gasped as she saw SailorStar Maker being choked by Zoisite, the brunette asphyxiating. "…No…Taiki!"

"…You must prepare for the coming battle… you must protect her…you must uphold your duty…" Aerin's words were beginning to fade as the dreamscape began to disperse…

"TAIKI!"

Ami surged forward in her tub, her breath coming to her in heavy pants. She reached for the ice cold water faucet and shut off the water, before stumbling out of the tub, crawling weakly for the door. "MERCURY STAR POWER….MAKE UP!" Within seconds Super Sailor Mercury was bounding through the window of Ami Mizuno's condo and running desperately towards her soulmate. Praying that she wasn't too late.

R

'I love, desire, and need you, Taiki Kou with all my heart'

Visions of Ami began to pierce Maker's mind, splintering the darkness that threatened to consume her; Ami shyly blushing, her quiet confidence in the classroom, her serene smile, her fierceness in battle, her passion in ecstasy… the starlight's mind saw both the fellow classmate she'd met and rivaled four years ago, as well as the stunningly capable woman she had become…. And then briefly Maker's mind flashed upon a woman she had never seen before but had known all her life, she was Ami yet not and as she reached out her hand to Maker, the starlight found herself echoing in kind. The power of the fallen planet Maker thrummed through the starlight's body almost painful in its intensity and unformed words tried to take shape in the back of her mind. She could not quite hear them but she could still understand enough to harness their power. Weakly, Maker moved quaking hands upwards and placed them flat upon the chest of her adversary, this new power seeking an exit before it consumed her. back to me…'

'…..nnnnnnNOOOOOOO!...' Maker's eyes snapped open as the mental roar reverberated within her mind desperately, and the painful buildup of energy screamed out of her hands in torrential waves. Defenseless at such a point blank range Zoisite was thrown back easily, his body smoking from the heat and power of the energy. The ice shitenno impacted the tarmac of the alley and his body rolled in a sickening blur of smoking and bleeding limbs as he impacted the back wall before completely bursting through it, the injured shitenno tumbling a few more feet before skidding to a stop, his body limp and unmoving. Maker struggled to her feet looking towards her fallen rival before her spent body began to fail her and she collapsed to her knees. Pained mauve attempted to stare through a haze of bleariness as Maker's transformation dispelled, and Taiki Kou blacked out.

"Aerin…."

R

Kunzite closed the door to his apartment behind him, tossing his coat in a random direction, not caring where it landed at the moment. He needed a drink, there was really no other way to deal with this. He couldn't understand Minako sometimes…she had finally gotten her grades under control and was doing well in college, and she had her duty to think about. What about Crystal Tokyo, doesn't she care about her future? Doesn't she care about her duty? Kunzite lurched forward, into the kitchen, pounding the wall in the general direction of the light switch, barely noticing that the lights did indeed flicker on. The silver haired lord moved to the nearby cabinet and removed a glass and a bottle of vodka from the back. He set the glass on the counter and opened the vodka bottle, setting it next to the glass. The Shitenno jerked the door of the freezer open and yanked out an ice cube tray, his movements agitated and spastic. Kunzite turned to shuffle the ice into his glass but found himself gripping the tray tightly, his limbs trembling from the effort.

He was losing her…and that terrified him.

Kunzite didn't like being terrified, he didn't like not having complete control, but more importantly he hated the thought that Minako was drifting away from him…

Minako… despite how he may have appeared to an outsider he loved her, desperately. Everything about her made his heart beat faster, her warm smile, those twinkling blue eyes, her long golden hair always adorned with that ridiculous bow…her loyalty, her kindness, her honor, her love. The usually stoic shitenno ducked his head, bitter tears splashing onto the ice tray clutched in his desperate grip. He didn't want to push her away, he wasn't trying to push her away but it seemed no matter what he said it was the wrong thing, or whatever she did perplexed him beyond belief. 'What is happening to me… to us?'

"Chikuso!" Kunzite roared, abruptly throwing the ice tray against the opposite wall, watching with a perverse degree of satisfaction as it impacted the wall and rebounded elsewhere, the ice cubes falling with gentle shatters. He stalked forward to where the ice tray hit the wall and punched the wall repeatedly, his thundering fists causing random objects to skitter off the shelves to their awaiting demise below. Mid punch his pale eyes alighted upon a flashing light, partially obscured by his coat…his answering machine. He hadn't even noticed it when he returned from his run earlier, having been so intent on his date with Minako. 'And look at how that went…' The pale haired man thought bitterly. Partially distracted, the shitenno strode over to the machine and removed his coat, laying it across a nearby chair before pressing the play button.

"Saito-san! Please you have to help me! He's gone insane! I don't know how much longer I can hide out before…. No, No get away! Help me ple-"

BEEP…. End of message.

Kunzite frowned immediately as the message finished playing, his mind trying to wrap around the shear horror that infused the entire message. At first the voice was so frantic that he could recognize who it was, however when a face drifted to the panicked voice the shitenno inhaled sharply. Yuuchirou-kun. He had taken Mamoru on a ski trip for the week and a half to help in clearing dark haired man's mind. Mamoru and Usagi were to be married in six months, but they had been fighting constantly for nearly a year now, and it was no small secret that both the senshi and shitenno alike were worried about their charges. Even still only Yuuchirou and Mamoru had gone together, Motoki, and the rest of the shitenno not having been able to go for one reason or another. But surely, Yuuchirou had not been talking about Endyminion-sama…. Had he?

"Mr. Saito, my name is Dr. Woddard from Yamanouchi Resort hospital, and I am calling in reference to the John Doe we received early this morning. Your number had been recently called on his cell phone and as we do not have legal access to look up his name through his cell phone carrier we dialed you instead. Your friend has been severely injured as well as severely frostbitten, but he was stabilized and transported to Tokyo General for skin grafting… please call Dr. Akane Mizuno in reference to him at…

Kunzite paled and snatched up the nearby cordless phone, punching in the numbers anxiously, and tapping his foot as he listened to the line ring. "Yes, Mizuno-sensei? This is Kun Saito, I just got the message from Woddard-sensei. Yes, Yes. Sure I can contact his family. Thank you. Good bye." Kunzite knew there would be no reason in calling Yuuchirou's family, they would be in America for the next couple of months and he didn't have their current contact information anyway. Instead he dialed the Hikawa Jinja, knowing that Rei and the rest of his surrogate family would want to know about his condition. The polar lord pulled the phone back from his ear, looking at it in confusion, at it rang endlessly. Even at the unlikely event that everyone left, Jadeite usually got stuck babysitting the phone, so where was he now? And everyone else for that matter?

R

Yaten attempted to affect some air of his usual flippancy as he looked at the devastated Minako hoping that it would mask some of his concern, his conscience hammering at him slightly for the deception before he squashed the thought completely. As Minako looked into his eyes, her azure eyes watered and she moved before he could react, pouncing upon him and hugging him tightly. "Yaten-san!" The silver haired man pushed back the groan he felt surge from his throat at the feel of Minako's weight against him, her scent assaulting his senses easily and he arched towards her slightly, reminded of how very much he had missed the fragrance of her hair and body. Realizing that he was rapidly losing control, he braced his hands against her shoulders ignoring the ache to touch her elsewhere and attempted to push her off him. He rolled his verdant eyes as he found her not budging, her patented Minako death grip in full effect and he was about to shout at the top of his lungs for her to get the hell off him, when he felt warm moisture splash against his neck. He realized belatedly that she was crying, her body shuddering with soul wracking sobs. Concerned Yaten moved his hands from her shoulders, to wrap his arms about her body, and he reached out to her empathically.

The surge of reciprocal emotion was painful, even more so because he had not done it for anyone other than his sisters or Kakyuu before but he road out the desolate emotions, and sent her his own emotions, keeping them soothing and warm, giving her a part of himself he had always kept hidden. At first Minako balked, but once she realized that he was trying to help her, she gradually began to relax until her sobs were nothing more than soft shudders. Yaten attempted to pull back, not wanting her to know how good it felt to him to be able to hold her like this, now that her distress had eased, but somehow she wouldn't let him break the connection, desperately clinging to him empathically as much as she was currently doing physically. So the starlight settled against her, attempting to keep his feelings neutral but not denying her comfort or trying to pull away.

R

Nephrite stood within one of the massive chambers of the estate of Masato Sanjouin calling forth the power of the stars to him. The polar lord had no problems with enjoying the finer things in life, and after being revived had immediately re-established his old base. Only this time he operated out of it with legitimate means, acting as the head CEO of the electronics company he ran with the other shitenno, Shin Ten Tech. The auburn haired man had originally sought the stars to search his own heart, the cause of his introspective quest lying on the desk just outside of the range of area that was warped in space-time when he consulted the stars. It had been an invitation, to the wedding of Umino Gurio and Naru Osaka, and it had taken three shots of whiskey to calm him down enough so that he didn't incinerate the letter on the spot…or the would be groom.

Naru…he had sought her out after his rebirth, not really expecting anything but wanting to see the woman she had become. She had been….radiant. She had finally grown into that confidence and wisdom that she had possessed when he first met her, only now it didn't seem so out of place. Now she wasn't an awkward fourteen year old spouting about things that she should have had no clue about…things like love. The auburn haired shitenno smiled wistfully, 'And yet she taught me what love meant….' She was now a beautiful woman, with bewitching green eyes and rich red hair that cascaded in thick waves down her shoulders. He couldn't quite place the name of her intended, though if he remembered correctly Umino was the same name of the gangly nerd with the ridiculous swirl glasses that had attempted to fight off one of his youma… with shrimp. The auburn haired man tried not to shudder at the absurdity of the idea. Instead he focused his mind, seeking the star that ruled his destiny, needing desperately to know where his direction lay, and if he was honest enough with himself to know that he was terrified of the answer.

Makoto... the moment she entered his mind the constricting bands that seemed to wrap around his chest loosened their hold. He loved her, that he knew but was it enough? He couldn't bear the thought of hurting her, but they had built a relationship of honesty, and if he loved someone else, if he loved Naru Osaka, she had a right to know. He chuckled in spite of himself as he thought of how they started their relationship. Nephrite, unlike the other shitenno did not care for knowing of his past life, for none of them possessed the whole truth, their memories decimated or altered by Metaria, and quite frankly he had no desire to castigate himself for what he did under Beryl's control. If he were to leave that life behind and live for himself, he felt it was best to do so with a clean slate…or as clean as one such as himself could get. As such he had not known at all who Makoto Kino was when he first met her, though she had left a distinct impression on him then. He had been eating at one of the newer five star restaurants in town and had so thoroughly enjoyed his meal that he'd felt the need to complement the chef personally. He still imagined his surprise as an intern from the local cooking school, who in his opinion looked like she couldn't boil water, had been summoned to his table. He had been outraged, thinking that the actual chef had been too arrogant to appear himself and had sent this green intern to mock him. He remembered standing up, ready to lay into the waiter as well as the managerial and kitchen staff, when a bruising grip on his wrist stymied him into his chair before he had been able to rise to his full height. Makoto had moved smoothly in front of him, blocking the view of the death grip she had on his wrist and had easily and professionally diverted the misunderstanding, every now and then increasing the pressure of her grip to drive a point home. Thoroughly humiliated and embarrassed, he apologized and paid his bill before leaving for the hospital to make sure she hadn't broken his hand.

Nephrite rubbed his wrist in absentminded memory, his lips upturning in a smile. Her brutal honesty had affected him deeply, and he found himself unable to stop thinking about her, he began to frequent the restaurant regularly, but he never saw her again face to face until almost three weeks later. He had been walking back from his favorite tennis court (having developed a real interest in the game) and to the nearby park where he parked his car when he was surrounded by a group of thugs. Nephrite had little problem in dealing with them, even fighting with his hands in his pockets, until one of them assaulted him from behind with a metal pipe. He had been fortunate that Makoto liked to train in Karate and Kung-Fu in that park, and had been taking a run to finish her workout, when she happened upon the now losing shitenno's predicament. Makoto had stepped in and neatly incapacitated all of his attackers. He remembered her smirking sardonically and shaking her head at him before she helped him to the hospital. He had blacked out after that and had not been sure if what happened had been real or not until she visited him the next day.

Nephrite cut off the tv, not willing to prolong his torture by sitting through one more mundane talk show… he really didn't understand popular culture at all. He groaned softly and settled back against the pillows, wishing for the stars to look at…they were never mundane, which is why he supposed he trusted them more than people. He had been so lost in thought that he startled badly when he heard the gentle knock at his door. "Co… ahem…Come in." His russet eyebrows arched in surprise as his savior walked in and leaned casually against the door, a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Nephrite found himself unable to breathe momentarily as she regarded him with amused yet concerned eyes.

"Well… Sanjouin-san, you seem to have this effect on people. What did you do, criticize their mugging procedure?"

Nephrite smiled at that, grateful for the humor despite the barb it had also served to be. Makoto strode forward and wordlessly began to tidy up his room, finding a suitable place for her flowers and clearing out any clutter. The auburn haired man looked on in pleasant confusion at this woman whom he had done nothing but insult but had still taken the time to help him, had taken the time to care. Even now she was cleaning up for him, making the place less sterile, for no other reason than she possessed a kind nature. He looked her over, this time assessing her aesthetically. She was beautiful, though she carried herself as if she didn't know that, but she didn't seem meek…merely respectful. Her rich auburn hair, even more luxuriant than his own (and he was introspective enough to recognize the pang of outraged vanity that surfaced at that point, but he consoled himself on not possessing Kunzite's or worse Zoisite's vanity; who believed he was the most beautiful creature in existence next to Ami) was unbound, and cascaded in wind tousled waves down her back. Her verdant eyes were intent as her hands, faintly calloused from her various pursuits, tidied and cleaned. Her body, was… exquisite and not even the oversized sweater and long static skirt she wore could hide that, she was voluptuous but her tall frame carried it well, while his mind flashed upon the lithe muscle that had put him in a wrist wrap for a week and had made short work of his attackers. But what impacted him most was her gentleness, her cooking was divine (he was positive God was wondering what happened to his chef),he knew all the flower shops in Japan and had never seen that arrangement before which meant she made it herself, and all of her actions radiated tenderness…with a hint of sadness. He found himself wondering why that was, and who had hurt her so, and if the brute had a death wish.

It had only taken a few moments for her to finish but as he looked around the room felt… personal now. He looked at her and smiled shyly and blushed, only to began throttling himself mentally for acting like a pubescent schoolboy. 'Hell who am I kidding, schoolgirl!' Nephrite thought bitterly. Makoto's smile warmed as she watched his reaction, wondering if she had misjudged him, and charmed by the honest response, no longer put off by his rakish charm. In her youth she would have swooned at him, but had gotten better about her abandonment issues as she'd gotten older, so she had been less than impressed with the angry arrogant socialite she had met all those weeks ago.

"Please, after all we've been through call me Masato. And your name is?"

"That's right, you never let me introduce myself at the restaurant.. It's Makoto, Masato-san. Makoto Kino."

"Makoto Kino-san. Now I know which chef to thank in person…"

They became friends not long after that, and began dating a few months later. When he found out about her being a sailor senshi, he had been thrilled as well as terrified, wondering if he had hurt her in the past. The auras of the sailor senshi masked their faces until one saw them transform, so he had no idea if she had been one of the other two (as he knew Sailor Moon's identity) he had attacked. He had been more than grateful to find out that Makoto did not join the senshi until after his death. He looked up as he felt the power of his patron star caress his mind before shooting a beam of starlight into his mind. 'What is it that you seek, my son' the star whispered, its voice vibrant and somewhat youthful as it was a massive blue star. "Show me, the path to my heart! The path which I fear that I may no longer tread, show me with whom my heart lies!" The star's laughter reverberated throughout the chamber though Nephrite did not feel as it he was being mocked. 'My beloved son, you already know the path, but I shall show you to ease the tremors of your heart' The vision began to reveal itself undulating into view, and Nephrite found himself almost wanting to turn away, but his patron star, held fast to his mind, forcing him to see his truth. Relief and joy rose strong and swift within him, as the figure of Sailor Jupiter imposed itself upon his mind, and he knew without a doubt now that she was, and had always been the one. He grinned when he realized sharply as he remembered their meeting he had not thought of Naru once. He realized that she would always hold a special place in his heart, but he no longer loved her, just as she no longer loved him.

'Before you go my son, there is something you must see…' the star whispered, in such a grave tone, that Nephrite's earlier joy all but dissipated. Instantly the stars of each of the shitenno appeared, orbiting the Earth. Nephrite knew that was accurate, that his and the other shitenno's stars possessed a long range orbit with the Earth at the focus and had consulted this image many times when advising either Mamoru or Zoisite (who was tactician among the shitenno). But what startled him most was the nature of Zoisite's star; A Wolf –Rayet star, it was massive, moderately young, and wise, yet still very volatile; the star constantly ejecting its outer atmospheric envelopes. The star looked as if were in pain however, its surface warping and convulsing, as if it were beginning to collapse upon itself, but was resisting for some reason… as if something were influencing it, forcing it to collapse. Nephrite knew from the many lectures he'd attended with Ami, and a bored Zoisite, that if it collapsed the core of the star would form a black hole, which would consume the star, resulting in a gamma ray burst, leaving nothing in its wake. The stars guided the destines of all whom lived, and if this star, so closely bound to Zoisite were destroyed before its time, it would spike his power exponentially… but at the cost of his mind, or his life. But what shocked him most was that all of their stars were beginning to warp, as they began to drift far too close to the Earth, and it seemed as if the Earth were the cause of the distortions, as its magnetosphere reached out like invisible hands, choking the life out of their stars, and the planets around it.

"Stars guide me!" Nephrite cursed in shock as he saw the moon begin to warp and contort horribly and then shatter, leaving only powered rubble in its wake… The force of his vision threw him backwards and he skid upon the floor, the room returning to normal under his prone form. Weakly, he staggered to his feet and regarded the earth once again, seeing it darken as if the sun had been snuffed out, before closing his eyes to ward off his vision. 'You must help us my son, you must my help my brother! You must warn those of the Sol system, and those from afar…the three who are lost…' With that final whisper the room returned to normal, and Nephrite found himself walking shakily to his nearby desk, plopping down wearily into the chair.

He jumped as he felt the main door of the residence open and then close, this house being a construct of his power and thus a part of him, and he realized that Makoto had come to see him, knowing that the other shitenno had a habit of just teleporting in…Zoisite in particular, which still annoyed him to no end. He waited a few more minutes, hoping to get his terror under control, not wanting to startle his beloved when he greeted her. Hoping that his face looked relatively normal, he stood up, still finding his legs to be shaking slightly and made his way out of the chamber. He checked the kitchen first, noting that Makoto had gone shopping and was planning to pamper him with one of her famous meals. She was still in culinary school, but took less hours because of her genius and the fact that every restaurant in Japan and many overseas fought to have her intern for them. Yet the chef in question was not present, and he smiled as he realized where she was. Makoto had a firm and deep abiding hatred for her school's uniform, and tended to shower and put on more comfortable- not to mention less of an eyesore…he was positive that the designer had been color blind-clothes after a relaxing shower.

After about a millisecond of debating Nephrite bounded up the stairs to the master bathroom stopping outside the door momentarily as he heard the gentle patter of the shower as well as Makoto singing, her rich contralto carrying through the door. Nephrite eased the door open and shut it behind him, casting off his clothes as he walked to the spacious shower stall, opening it softly and entering before closing it behind him. He moved behind Makoto and wrapped his arms around her resting his chin on her shoulder, startling her briefly before she reached up and behind to tangle her fingers in his long wavy locks. "Hey." He whispered softly, and he felt her face move against his temple telling him she smiled, as she leaned against him. "Hey yourself." She intoned in response. Nephrite's mind flashed on the horrible scene of destruction his patron star had shown him, and he tightened his grip slightly, burying his face into her neck, trying to stop his body from trembling. Makoto moved forward slightly, allowing more of the warm water to cascade over him, and broke his embrace, turning towards him, pulling him against her. She did not speak, letting him take what comfort he needed from her, but filing it away in her mind to ask when he was better composed.

Nephrite for his part had been grateful that Makoto had said nothing, because he knew if she did he would have started to cry. He was very in tune with the celestial bodies and their connections with people, and the thought that Zoisite or his beloved Master were in danger terrified him, Endyminion and the Shitenno were like brothers and having no idea what the vision meant made his very soul tremble. Even worse he had been thrown away as the Earth's power reached beyond the ravaged moon to the other planets…towards Jupiter… If he lost her, the auburn haired man clung to her even tighter, the idea distressing him beyond thought. His beautiful Makoto, with her alluring dichotomy, her strength of body, and gentleness of spirit, her passionate warrior demeanor, her calming maternal instinct; her heart had been broken time and time again yet she continued to have faith in people, continued to have faith in him… he would die before he would let anything happen to her… but could he kill? Could he kill his beloved Master, his brother in arms, if the world he governed and avatared sought to destroy his strong and beautiful Jupiter, his gentle Makoto?

He didn't know.

Sighing softly he lifted his head and looked into Makoto's verdant eyes. It had always been comforting somehow about them being nearly the same height, it was as if their bodies physically confirmed what he already knew, that they were equals, partners. He ducked his head and kissed her, wanting, needing to erase the haunting vision, aching to banish his uncertainty. He groaned into their kiss, as she matched him eagerly, and he delighted in the feel of her body against his own. The sweet weight of her breasts, her nipples poking with delightful harshness into his chest, the way they seemed to just… fit. He knew in his heart that this was where he belonged, that this woman was his sanctuary, his haven from the storm. He began to move his hands over her body, aiming to inflame and inspire desire, praying that she didn't notice his tears, as the shower water cascaded over them. He would worry about the vision later, but for now he needed her, needed her comfort, her love, and he needed to make her scream his name until she could no longer find her voice.

R

Zoisite groaned weakly, and somehow forced himself to his feet, his body screaming in blinding pain. 'What the hell did she hit me with?' The polar lord wondered as he looked at the brick wall he had crashed through. He paused as he heard sirens in the distance, and it seemed the ever late Japanese police decided to grace them with their presence. Nonetheless, he calculated as he stumbled through the now decimated brick wall from the opposite alleyway he figured he had enough time to finish this… He made his way to Taiki's prone form, his body riddled with arching pain with every step and he regarded the fallen senshi with cold eyes. He had to admit that he was beginning to respect the honorless alien, she loved Ami almost as much as he did. 'But not enough…not enough to save you… monster.' He raised his hands above him and focused his energy, a perfectly iced broadsword appearing in his grip. His mind began to flash countless images: Ami when he first met her, her gentle blush as his hand brushed hers as he picked up her books after bumping into her; the smooth power of her body as he watched her win a swim meet; the confused sadness in her eyes as she removed herself from his fevered embrace, denying him because she hadn't been ready, that she had needed time; the way her eyes warmed as she spoke to Taiki Kou, the urgent concern…the quiet desire. His mind echoed her thoughts as she had clung to Taiki in the night, her need threatening to consume her, her love releasing her… he had loved her with all his heart and soul, and somehow it hadn't been enough, somehow, this….thing managed to reach her heart first.

She hadn't loved him… at least not as much as he loved her, but she had only needed time…time to come to love him, time to let him eradicate Taiki from her heart. But now everything was ruined, everything destroyed…Taiki had broken her heart so long ago, and then had the audacity to return and reclaim it as if she had been entitled…as if she had done nothing wrong. Did she even deliberate at all? Did her heart ever war with her mind before she took Ami, and forced her to cast him aside? Did she truly love Ami? As he looked at Taiki's battered form, he decided that it must not have been so, that the starlight merely took what she wanted, because she could, that such a cruel creature could not know love, could not feel such an emotion. And as he dropped the broadsword down, one final image stabbing its way into his mind; the thought of rending her flesh, of a forgotten past where he protected the Princess of Mercury as his sword bit into Maker from shoulder to hip, the thought of binding Ami to him forever…As that image was all he could see and his sword descended to impale Taiki, he swore, that Taiki Kou would never hurt Ami again….

He swore it on his life…

R

The beast roared and swatted Fighter away with two of its arms, the raven haired senshi's body sent sailing in a wide arc that resulted in a tumble off the building's edge. Fighter groaned as her arm snagged the railing of the fire escape, grunting loudly as her momentum slammed her against the fire escape. 'And Taiki says I'm pessimistic…if this doesn't scream life isn't fair then what does?' Fighter thought sardonically as she attempted to haul herself up only to hiss in pain as the… thing clamped a beefy hand around hers painfully and lifted her to its eye level. Fighter was a bit startled to see that the monstrosity, which she could see clearly now, had blue eyes, the shade of them reminding her of someone, if only she could place the face. Guessing it would have little effect but trying to get free anyway, Fighter drove her free fist into one of its eyes. However rather than recoil or let her go, one of its hands snaked out before she could retract her fist and turned the limb on the axis of the last of its fingers touching her arm, snapping it like a twig. Fighter howled in pain, her beautiful voice cracking as her throat closed up, before the beast roared in her face mockingly, and threw her like a rag doll, several meters away.

Fighter landed on her back on the roof of a nearby building, the force of which splintering the concrete beneath her. Slowly she sat up, wondering why she was still alive, and almost offended by her body's resilience: 'Cause death is starting to sound pretty good right about now…' She hadn't even been able to stand before the impact of her decidedly demonic pursuer shuddered through the roof, toppling her once again. Fighter struggled as she was hauled up by a rough hand on her neck and chin, the beast once again staring into her eyes… only this time they were glowing… Fighter let out a scream as she felt it invade her mind.

She was running, she didn't know why or to where but she felt that she couldn't stop. Glancing behind her she realized why, with every step she took the ground fell away, leaving only an ominous chasm in its wake, however ahead there was a bright light…freedom. She pushed her body, commanding it to speed up as the chasm nipped at her heels, and jumped towards her goal. She grunted as her body tumbled into an awkward roll, but at least she knew she was on hard ground. Bleeding off momentum she lightly impacted something yielding and rolled to the side slightly, before coming to a stop face down. Deliriously happy to be alive and curious as to where she was, she brought herself to her hands and knees and looked over to what she had bumped into. Staring back at her with lifeless eyes was the mutilated form of Sailor Star Healer her body cruelly broken. Stricken beyond words, she reached out a hand to the fallen senshi's face realizing for the first time that she wasn't in senshi form herself, tears streaming in a torrent down her face. "Ya…ten…" Seiya whispered, her sobs escalating to a scream, as the second she touched the cold lifeless skin, it seemed to melt off her bones, leaving only a skull and her once vibrantly green eyes behind. Terrified, Seiya fell backwards, and backpedaled rapidly, tripping over something behind her.

Nearly hyperventilating, Seiya turned to see what had impeded her escape, only to let out a cry of absolute anguish at what she found: The body of Sailor Star Maker had been impaled repeatedly by blades, and her beautiful head had been severed from her body, locked in an eternal scream a meter away. "Oh Stars! Taiki! Taiki!" Seiya scrambled to her feet at rushed to the severed head of her brilliant sister and bent down, prepared to pick it up when a flash of lightning forced her to look up. She wished that she hadn't. In front of her stood the crucified form of Kakyuu, her once luxurious red hair laying in limpid tangles about her form… obscuring her face. "NOOOO!" Seiya screamed and dropped to her knees, immediately becoming sick to her stomach. The raven haired woman retched and dry heaved, her body shuddering as painful sobs racked her body. She drove a fist into the ground, bitter tears leaking from her eyes…she'd lost her family…again. Kind Yaten, though she tried to hide it, her heart was bigger than her small stature; Gentle Taiki, always serving as the source of calm amongst their chaos; Beloved Kakyuu, the one who gave them purpose…

Seiya's mind flashed on a world, ravaged by war, it had been a paradise once but no longer. She could see a woman, her face smiling with bitter happiness, her blue eyes pained. Seiya blinked as she realized who it was…her mother. Adorned in the fuku of Sailor Fighter she ran through the palace, her arms clutching a precious bundle…her daughter, her heir, her hope for the future. A warm light filled the end of the hall and a woman stepped forth beckoning to Fighter. Sailor Fighter rushed forward and handed her child to this newcomer Seiya knew it to be Queen Kagayaku, Kakyuu's mother and ruler of Kinmoku. "Sharra, come with me, your world is lost." Kagayaku breathed, her voice pained as the screams of death and the sounds of destruction filled her ears. Sailor Fighter, Sharra shook her head, her short shock of raven hair swaying softly at the movement. "No, I must try to reach her Kagayaku… somewhere inside that monster is my wife, and I intend to find her… and if I can not…then I shall seal her. I'm entrusting you with my daughter Kagayaku, the last of her people, the last reminder of her father for whom she is named." Sharra Fautari, last of the Kyoyns of Fighter, adjusted her daughter's blanket, one last time and kissed her forehead upon her sigil, knowing that it would disappear once Fighter was destroyed...and perhaps that was best. The entity that had so warped her wife would stop at nothing to destroy all that her beloved held dear if nothing else than to torment her trapped soul within.

With aching slowness Sailor Fighter moved away from her daughter and began to run back down the hall towards her fate, when the sounds of gentle bootfalls sounded before her causing her to pull up short. Perhaps because she had been so young, or because it had been so horrible a memory, but Seiya could not make out her father form at all, only her eyes a burning crimson could be distinguished. The dark, ominous shadow that represented the woman for whom Seiya was named wore a sailor fuku, though she could not tell from what planet as it too was shrouded in darkness, and great dark bat like wings flared from her back. Fighter stood rooted as this monster strode forward, dark confidence in every step. Kagayaku began to pull back into the light from whence she came, her grip on baby Seiya tight. The last thing Seiya could see was a blade pierce Fighter's stomach and the woman slump into the arms of her wife and murderer, forgiveness and contentment on her face. Perhaps in reaction to the heinous act she had just committed, the dark figure ducked her head and kissed the dying Fighter one last time, her wings cloaking about them both.

When Seiya retuned to her desolate surroundings she had been screaming, her mind locked in her past. She'd barely noticed as a warm hand gripped her quaking shoulders. "It's your fault you know…" Startled, Seiya looked up at would be comforter's harsh words, her face contorting in pain and confusion. "O…Odango?" Usagi arched an eyebrow in annoyance, her eyes hard and cold as she stared down the broken starlight. "How many times do I have to tell you, my name is Usagi." She intoned harshly. Seiya, far too distraught to say anything just stared at the blonde woman, her face awash with pain. "If you had been a better leader, a better warrior, if you had followed your mission and protected your princess, none of this would have happened. Their blood is on your hands Seiya, their lives were forfeit because you … are … weak."

Horrified Seiya yanked her shoulder free of Usagi's grip and stumbled backwards, moving away from this hell where absolutely nothing made sense. "Odango why are you saying these things? What's going on? Who did this? Where are we?" The raven haired woman questioned, trying to slip back to her command mask to help mask some of her terror. Usagi did not answer, merely she turned and began to walk away. Shocked Seiya surged to her feet and ran after her. "Odango! Hey wait one second I want answers!" Seiya griped Usagi's arm sternly, a part of her immediately remorseful to use such force, and whipped the other woman around. When Usagi turned around blood began to seep from her ears and mouth, and she slumped over Seiya, gripping the other woman's clothes before dropping to her knees. Seiya fell with her holding her tightly, confusion and horror battling for control of her mind. "O-odango… hold on, I'll get us out of here I swear it!" She lifted Usagi into a bridal carry and took a step forward before fog descended upon them, thick and sudden.

"Lies flow from your lips like sweet honey…."

Startled, Seiya whipped around clutching Usagi tighter to her ready to face whatever their attacker was. Her eyebrows flickered upward as she took in this man. His body was garbed in dark armor, and a broadsword was leveled at Seiya as a sinister smirk marred handsome features and cobalt eyes burned in cold rage. "You couldn't save your family, or your world and you dare promise something beyond your grasp? You can not even save yourself!" the man boomed at Seiya his voice echoing like thunder. The raven haired woman would not be moved. "Who are you to tell me what I can and can not do Mamoru Chiba!" Laughter filled the space around them reverberating from the fog, the ground, even the heavens above. "Mamoru Chiba? I am greater than he, I am Endyminion, Prince…no, Emperor of the Earth!" Endyminion dropped his sword arm down, and a gale of wind struck Seiya tossing her and her burden backwards. Usagi bounced from Seiya's grip, her limp and bleeding form rolling several feet away. Seiya attempted to rise but a green energy weighted upon her limbs heavily, crushing her body to the ground. She struggled weakly to turn her head towards Usagi, desperation coloring her gaze as she saw the blonde's prone form. The clack of Endyminion's boots sounded as he strode forward the echo causing the ground to tremble. Seiya gasped and began to struggle anew as the Emperor stopped at Usagi's battered form. "Still fighting me I see…however your power won't last for long." As the last echoes of his dark words faded Endyminion lifted his broadsword again, readying to strike Usagi down. "USAGI!" Seiya screamed, pushing with desperate strength against the energy holding her. Usagi's blue eyes opened at the panicked cry and her eyes locked onto Endyminion's. He paused, his face contorting into anguish and his limbs began to tremble as if he were at war with himself. In that moment of uncertainty Seiya was able to struggle free and she surged forward, tackling Endyminion, the impact sending the broadsword flying. They fell awkwardly and Seiya was thrown free of his grip as a soft grunt of surprise filled the air. Seiya looked up wondering what had caused the exclamation of breath when her own caught as she saw Endyminion. His body had fallen on his sword and he lay against it clutching his upper abdomen where it pierced him before his body exploded in verdant light.

"Odango?" Seiya called as she pushed to her feet and walked over to Usagi, she paused and stumbled to her knees as she saw the blonde's prone form. Usagi's wounds echoed Endyminion's and blood escaped in torrents from the gapping wound, certifying her impending death. Seiya drove a fist into the ground, bitter tears leaking from her blue eyes, her face awash with pain. "Stars no! Not you too, I can't loose you as well! Not again, not like this!" Usagi smiled weakly and beckoned Seiya to her side. "It's alright Seiya, don't cry. This world isn't real…I'm not real. You've weakened him, but only slightly…he'll be back soon enough…." Usagi swallowed blood as Seiya maneuvered her into a more comfortable position against her lap. "Listen to me. He uses your fears… against you… you've… you've felt his touch before…." Seiya nodded weakly remembering the once vague nightmares that had plagued her not long after she left Earth, and remembering the vivid horror of the final one that drove her to return. "What I said before…that wasn't me… and it's only because the real Usagi is asleep now that I can tell you this…. Though she is not aware…he will destroy her… to claim destiny…I'm not sure how but you must warn the others… You have the power to combat him… and because of that you are a threat…you must protect your sisters…be wary of dreams and visions…"

"I will, Odango. Don't speak anymore… real or not save your strength."

Usagi smiled at this, and she looked at Seiya with warm eyes. "No matter what I try I can never understand you…and yet you see me clearer than any one else….Seiya, I have a request…."

The raven haired woman blinked back tears and looked at the dying woman, her features indulgent and kind. "Name it, Odango."

"Kiss me. I may never get the chance to in the waking world…"

Seiya nodded and moved from behind Usagi, cradling her torso in her arms to keep it elevated as she shifted. The raven haired woman leaned forward to brush her lips against Usagi's cheek when the blonde woman's face abruptly turned, forcing their lips to meet. Shocked at both the familiar memory the action evoked, as well as the taste of Usagi's lips, Seiya pressed forward, kissing the woman she had loved and longed for with gentle passion. Usagi's weak arms slid around the raven haired woman's neck pulling her closer despite the pain it caused, not caring in her final moment. When they parted Usagi dropped a hand to Seiya's cheek, brushing her thumb against it before her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Her corpse began to glow, and despite Seiya's efforts to hold her close she vanished in an blast of verdant light.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

Fighter roared as she returned to herself, and she planted both feet on the torso of the monstrosity and kicked off, this time the beast actually stumbled backwards and Fighter fell to the tarmac below. Infuriated beyond reason, she felt the power of Fighter burn and roar through her, as hot as an inferno and promising destruction to all it touched. Words began to whisper along her memory, words of power, words of vengeance. 'That bastard…tried to rape my mind! Dared to harm my sisters, my princess, my Odango!' With eyes as cold as death, fighter raised her hand towards the creature, its power still weakened by Endyminion's mental defeat, but instead of pointing her index finger in the form of her standard attack she aimed the entirety of her hand towards the beast, her finger spread. Her mind flashed once more on the pain Endyminion had unleashed upon her psyche as the words within her mind became clearer.

"CELESTIAL BOMBARDMENT!"

The power of Fighter screamed out of her hand in the form of countless lasers of starlight, each one ten times more powerful than the star serious laser. The beast whimpered and whined as its body was impacted repeatedly, the lasers piercing its thick hide easily. When the haze of rage had finally lifted from Fighter's eyes she looked at what remained of the beast. She had not the power to express her surprise however, her transformation unraveling, and leaving her to sink to her knees too weak to even have shifted from senshi form to male as she toppled and blacked out. The beast staggered forward briefly, before it too collapsed and impacted the tarmac with a solid thud. Immediately a verdant light encased its form and the souls of the damned that had given it power vanished, leaving its true battered form.

R

Haruka yawned, as she adjusted her grip on the bags of trash in her hands, closing in on the nearby trash bins. With an easy flick of the wrist she tossed the bags inside and shut the lid, before straightening the white mechanic's shirt she wore. She'd finished working on her car earlier than usual and decided that she had enough time to take a long bath before she dressed for Hotaru's concert at seven thirty. The blonde grinned as she thought of her daughter. Hotaru's aging had finally stabilized and she was now the age and mentality of a seventeen year old.

A senior at Mugen Gakuen, Hotaru had lost much of her sickly appearance, becoming strong enough to play soccer (not to mention to have been voted captain this year, Haruka beamed inwardly) though she did now permanently wear glasses, save when she was in senshi form. Hotaru had gone with Setsuna to enjoy a day out as well as to pick up accessories to match her dress for the prom in three weeks, although Haruka knew for a fact that Hotaru didn't have a date. Though that wasn't from lack of trying on the part of many of the boys and even a few of the girls at her school. Haruka rolled her eyes at the thought, knowing that she'd she earned a more notorious reputation as an overprotective parent than Usagi's father. Hotaru currently played violin with a string quartet for the school, and had won numerous awards for her skill, many of the critics exclaiming that she had inherited the Kaioh genius.

Her chores done, Haruka gleefully rubbed her hands together at the thought of a western style bubble bath. Michiru was out buying groceries, so that meant she could pamper herself properly. As much as she put up the façade of being overly 'butch' as some would put it, Haruka was very balanced as a woman. She could be rough and tumble when the need arose but she had a gentle feminine side that she no longer tried to smother in order to be accepted as a racer. Michiru knew this of course, and at times thrilled to see Haruka in a dress. The blonde grinned as she remembered the date they'd shared when she asked Michiru to marry her...

Michiru sighed softly, wondering what was taking her lover so long in the bathroom. "Next time she complains about me taking too long I'll remind her of tonight." The artist whispered to herself, as she cleaned her brushes, dried them and replaced them into the hardwood carrying case. The last of the paint had finally dried, and she quickly removed the painting and placed it in a protective satchel until she could have it framed the next day. It was to be a gift to her beloved, and the aquamarine haired woman smiled wistfully as she removed a velvet case from her painter's smock. Her hands caressed the case, knowing that the engagement ring inside would be safe. 'Tonight's the night…I'll ask her tonight.' The artist closed her eyes, and let out a shaky breath before replacing the case. It would have shocked the other senshi to see how nervous she was, but she was more than cognizant of the power the gentle blonde held over her. She knew that Haruka loved her, but was it a love that could last a lifetime…could it last a millennia? She prayed to Poseidon and the planet Neptune that it would, for if it didn't…if Haruka turned away from her… she was almost positive the rejection would kill her.

Shaking her head, to clear it of such desolate thoughts, the daughter of Neptune tucked the satchel away and grabbed her brush case. As she turned to put it away, she heard the door of the bathroom open. Fixing a mock glare upon her face she lifted her eyes to meet her lover.

"It's about time you-"

Michiru's false tirade flickered, sputtered and then abruptly died in the form of a gasp as her aquamarine eyes drunk in the sight of her beloved. Haruka's eyebrow flicked upward in amusement as the brush case fell from Michiru's slack hands, to thump softly on the carpeted floor at her feet. Michiru found it hard to think let alone breathe as her brain neared overload from too much sensory information. Haruka's hair was curled softly, the butterscotch strands softly framing her face. Michiru looked suspect at the strands that whispered softly at the blonde's neck remembering Haruka say that she was too busy to get a hair cut as of late. So busy in fact, that the silken strands had grown to shoulder length. The blonde's face was lightly accented with makeup the pale colors serving to draw attention to her soulful eyes. Eyes that Michiru would gladly drown in forever… Haruka's lips were painted with a pastel gloss and the artist found herself biting her lower lip slightly to counteract the sudden ache to press her lips to her lover's. Lightly adorning her neck was a crème colored silk scarf, the texture and color nicely accenting her slightly bronzed skin. Michiru was not too proud to admit to herself that she'd quickly developed a neck fetish not long after she'd first laid eyes on the blonde.

Even in casual contact she was constantly brushing her fingers about the elegant, powerful slope. And when they made love… Michiru repressed a full body shudder at the thought… she spent an certain length of time catering to Haruka's neck, normally leaving the sort of marks on her lover that only her violin had left on herself. It didn't hurt that Haruka was sensitive there either. Trailing past sculpted shoulders, Haruka's lithe, svelte form was encased in a strapless tailor-made crème dress and Michiru finally knew why Setsuna had been avoiding her as of late. It seemed the seamstress of the house had been in on whatever scheme the racer had devised…not that she was complaining. Haruka was already a tall woman, but she'd opted to become even more statuesque by adding matching heels to her ensemble. Michiru tried not to leer at her lover; it was quite uncouth after all yet she could not seem to help herself. Almost instantly she felt her passion and desire for her beloved break free of the bonds of serenity she daily placed upon herself and Michiru felt herself walking towards her lover, all thoughts of going out fleeing from her mind.

Haruka's eyes darkened slightly as she caught the look on Michiru's face, as the aquamarine haired woman glided forward. She knew that look well, it made her weak in the knees every time she saw it... it meant Michiru wanted her and wanted her right then and there and she would not be denied. As appealing as it was to let her lover have her way, Haruka had plans for the evening as her thoughts drifted to the purse lying on their bed which housed a velvet ring box.

"Ah, ah, ah…" Haruka hummed as she danced out of Michiru's grasp. "Go, get changed. I promise you it'll be worth it." The racer intoned, her silken voice sliding over Michiru like a caress. The artist had smiled then, perhaps in as much of an attempt to regain her composed, enigmatic demeanor as a sign of anticipation. Haruka watched as Michiru glided past her and entered the bathroom before moving to the bed to remove her purse. The racer removed the velvet ring box and flicked it open with her thumb and index finger. Her blue eyes warmed as she looked at the simply elegant ring that lay nestled in the protective velvet before casting her glance to the closed bathroom door. Haruka smiled slightly as she heard Michiru singing in the shower, a guilty pleasure of the artist though she possessed a melodious voice.

"Yes, tonight…"

R

The blonde was about to walk back inside when a bright light caught her eye, and an explosion muffled by distance reached her ears. Sandy eyebrows rose, and the wind rider was more than grateful that their mansion had been situated so that she could easily see Tokyo and its various districts below… Her interest piqued, the racer turned to pinpoint the location of the destruction, her eyes widened when she realized where it was. "The hell? That looks like the shopping district!"

Impulsively, Haruka ran back to the garage, grateful that she'd put her keys in her pocket. The blonde jumped on the hood, and skidded over to the driver's side and quickly hopped in the sports car, revving the engine once before peeling out towards the scene of the explosion. She prayed that whatever civilians were there were alright and that all of the nearby patrol cars would be too busy dealing with the injured to give her a ticket.

R

The dark master clutched his head in agony as he was repeled from Fighter's mind. He had lost his creation as well, which annoyed him but he viewed it as a minor set back at best. "Nonetheless I do not need to lose the balance I have snared…" With a flip of his dark cloak, his form distorted and then vanished in verdant light.

The sword of ice began to plummet towards the fallen idol singer's body its wielder, intent on driving it deep into her flesh, when a blast of energy impacted the blade near the hilt, snapping it easily, the broken blade sinking into the concrete next to Taiki Kou's head. Confused and angry that he had been denied Zoisite turned towards, the starlight's savior, only to drop the broken hilt entirely as he looked into cold blue eyes. Overcome with terror, Zoisite staggered backwards as the other figure stalked closer, moving with fluid grace and power. Before he could react, the figure surged forward and clamped his wrist, applying enough pressure to break it easily, before backhanding his already woefully wounded face, the battered shitenno blacking out from the blow. Blue eyes glowed in anger slightly before thick fog fell about the alleyway obscuring the alley occupants from sight.

Gentle bootfalls moved rapidly towards the now dissipating fog, and Super Sailor Mercury stopped abruptly as her eyes alighted upon the fallen form of Taiki Kou. She looked around for Zoisite, but found no sign of the polar lord of ice. Worried and overcome with guilt, Mercury knelt by Taiki, checking the other woman's pulse. It beat about the steady cadence of a normal human being, but Ami had learned last night that Taiki sustained a higher heart rate than a human, having had to lower it significantly the rare times she went to a doctor. Fearing for Taiki's life but knowing that taking her to a hospital would be unsafe for the alien's identity Mercury checked her wounds, making sure that she was safe to move before lifting her into her arms. As she carefully adjusted Taiki's larger frame in her arm, Ami had been grateful that she'd increased her training after Galaxia attacked. With careful urgency she leapt to the rooftop above and bounded to her apartment, just as she heard sirens approach the battle scene.

But what the hell had happened to Zoisite?

And what did these visions mean?

The senshi of knowledge and ice cursed that she had no answers, and no clue of how to get them.

R

AN: Alright another chapter bites the dust… you have no idea how much I wanted to keep going but then this chapter would have been a book rather than a chapter. For you fans of the other parings in this fic I will be shifting more focus on them (I did some in this chapter) as of next chapter but you will have to excuse my love for all things Ami/Taiki as that couple has only like 12 fics written about them….grumbles bitterly As of now ASC is on hiatus so I can focus on various projects (both fanfiction and not ) this summer. I will be fiddling around with a new chapter in my spare time though so perhaps it wont be that long of a break. Uh the past life stuff of course is my creation which stems from my silver millenium fic 'Of Darker Days to Come' (not posted on any site as it's still heavily under construction) and Seiya's vision/memory comes from another fic of mine which I shall be revamping and updating in the coming weeks (not on Also I can keep churning out chapters this length so if anyone cares let me know… other wise I'll shrink them again… I personally prefer this length and will be going back to the previous chapters and adding a few scenes because I can develop character thought and interaction more. Also all of the senshi will be appearing by next chapter… and remember, you can feed the bard here…either drop a review, a line or catch me on AIM ryuniiyama…

Peace and chicken grease

R. Niiyama

2006