A Second Chance
By Ryu Niiyama
Rated: R/Strong R
Chapter 8
Disclaimer: While the characters of Ami's parents are not my creation and are instead Naoko Takeuchi-sensei's my version of their characters and to a milder extent their appearances (as I used the manga as a reference) are of my own creation and can not be copied or used without my consent. And the character of Akane Mizuno is dedicated to my mother...who I pray will never read my work but in this way I wish to show that I love and admire my mother greatly.
After having the computer I write all my fanfiction on become a rather expensive paperweight and finally getting it back up and running I'd figured I'd write just a little bit… And Pluto is a planet damnit!
WARNING: There is a mild sexual violence warning for this chapter. I didn't go into detail, but what you think happened when you read it will be what happened. I do not in any way condone rape or excessive violence during sex between two consenting adults. I think that sex can be and more importantly that making love is a beautiful act that should not be desecrated by violence or any other such strong negative emotion. However there is a reason for this scene within this fic which is why after a great deal of debate that I did not take it out.
AN: While I've not mentioned the ages of the shitenno directly in using adjectives for age in relation to each other I'll use the PGSM model. They won't be as far apart in age but I do think its an accurate deduction if you look at their styles in both the anime and manga. Jadeite seems to be impulsive in both, with Nephrite following merely because he was just a little too impatient for his own good, and Zoisite who is different in a few key ways in both versions of the story but from what I've streamlined from both is that he is the unfortunate oxymoron of being an emotional level-headed person. And Kunzite…is well….Kunzite. So Kunzite is the oldest, Jadeite is the youngest and Nephrite and Zoi are inbetween.
Also I've been very ill for the past couple of months (with no end in sight) so a good portion of this was written while I was whacked out on oxycodine…which doesn't work on pain for me might I add…just makes me really, really disorientated and confused.
As with the last chapter this one hasn't really been edited and will be most likely updated/fixed later…
Alright I've rambled enough….on with the madness!
Yaten twitched as a part of his mind began to become far too content with the feel of Minako's body pressed against his own. He bit his lip to suppress a groan and found his hands burning where he touched her. How he longed to feel the press of her body in his true form, to not have to hide behind this loathsome mask… Realizing where his thoughts were headed, Yaten was immediately angry with himself and found his anger sparking towards Minako as well. However if the silver haired empath had been willing to examine his feelings he would have realized that it wasn't annoyance that sparked his anger. He gasped softly as Minako's embrace tightened briefly, and she buried her face into his neck. It was as if she were trying to comfort him, as if she could sense his lost of balance and pushed away her own grief to comfort him.
To Yaten it felt like pity…and the silver haired starlight detested pity.
Gathering his now wounded pride, Yaten braced his hands against Minako's shoulders and gave a brief insistent push. Minako didn't move for a moment, before silently acquiescing to his wishes. Thoroughly irritated with himself and the source of his unbalance, Yaten affixed one of his trademark glares upon the suffering blonde. "You know, normally when someone tries to hand you back something you've lost you receive it gracefully instead of plowing the person into the ground…" At the starlight's callous remark Minako blushed and wiped at her face quickly trying belatedly to remove all evidence that she had been crying. She gave him a bitterly placicating smile and sighed softly. "I suppose that would depend on how precious the thing that I had lost was…" Yaten flinched as he found himself once again drowning in endless blue. A smile flickered briefly upon Minako's full lips in apology and the blonde senshi moved to replace her bow. The silver haired starlight felt his anger drain away almost instantly as he watched Minako's hands move through her hair with practiced ease.
'How does she do that?' the starlight wondered in awe as Minako's movements, though entirely innocent, provoked the most base of desires within him. He supposed there was actually some merit to the goddess of love title she seemed to insist she possessed. Yaten shook his head to clear it of his less than pure thoughts, ashamed and angry with himself for his reaction. 'It doesn't matter, none of it…none of it matters…'
The starlight's left eye began to tic as Minako tended to her hair for what seemed like an inordinate amount of time, the blonde woman keeping her back to him as she ignored him completely. Minako took her time with her bow, using it as a cover to reconcile Yaten's sudden re-appearnce in Tokyo. She suspected there must have been a press conference or something on the news but the blonde haired woman had heard nothing about a return of Three Lights. Which was odd in itself considering that she was usually the start of the various rumor mills throughout Tokyo… And now…and now a man whom she'd thought she would never see again stood a mere arm length away…real and warm to the touch. This was no specter, no fantasy concocted through melancholia and pain and desire. This was…
"Mina?"
Minako gasped as the velvet echoes of Kunzite's rough baritone skittered up her spine from the darkness of memory. Bitting her lip, Minako hung her head softly, reminded of the vows she had made and the consequences of breaking them. And as she felt her heart lurch and ache within her breast she knew she could not break those vows…after all she loved Kunzite…
Didn't she?
Yaten cleared his throat elegantly and flicked part of his wayward mane over his shoulder. "You'll have to excuse me Minako-san but if you're feeling better… I have to get going." Minako turned swiftly to Yaten, azure eyes yearning before she clamped down on her emotions and affected the bubbly personality that served her so well in the past. "Oh. Sorry about that Yaten-san…I'm sure you have a recording session to get to or something." Yaten frowned briefly at her before his face became impassive and Minako wondered if the silvered haired man could see though her ploy to seem nonchalant. "…Actually, I'm looking for…Taiki. You haven't seen h…him have you?" Yaten nearly slipped up and said 'her' but despite the fact that the senshi knew the starlights were naturally female Yaten still felt like it was a secret they had to keep.
Minako's blue eyes widened as she looked Yaten over a second time. His clothes were crumpled and his hair windblown and unbound, something that would be a tremendous faux pas for the fashion conscientious and mildly vain starlight. He was worried…perhaps even terrified for Taiki's safety. Frowning, the blonde haired senshi shook her head slowly, her heart aching as Yaten's shoulders slumped slightly in response.
"I'm sorry Yaten-san, I haven't seen him. I didn't even know you guys had returned to Earth, let alone were back in town. …Hmm, perhaps Ami-chan would know? If for no other reason than brains flock to the same dinner table…"
Yaten snorted in amusement at another of Minako's trademark miswordings, but conceded that perhaps Minako did have a point. Even if Taiki left Ami's apartment after the blue haired woman had called the Kou residence, there was no reason that they weren't together or at least that whatever caused Taiki to transform had been near Ami's house. The problem with that solution was Yaten didn't know where Ami lived at the moment... Emerald eyes alighted upon Minako's form.
Problem solved.
"Minako-san would you mind…"
Yaten jerked and trailed off as his cell phone began ringing insistently. Obvioiusly annoyed, yet anxious the silver haired idol yanked the shrill device from his pocket and glanced at it hurriedly. A frown immediately marred his features as he didn't recognize the number but he flipped it open anyway.
"Moshi Moshi? …Hmm who did you say you were again? Well look I don't want to give any blood or anything… WHAT? He's… what happened?! Never mind I'll be there shortly!"
Minako had remained off to the side watching the various emotions slide over Yaten's face as he took the urgent phone call. The desperate terror that had firmly settled upon his beautiful features worried the blonde haired woman beyond measure. Had something happened to Taiki-san? Minako stepped forward as Yaten ended the call and thrust his cell back into his pocket. She startled and faltered when the silver haired man looked up, his verdant eyes haunted and terrified.
"Mi…Minako-san… I, uh have to go. Um thank you for your help…I hope you feel better…"
Yaten moved to rush past Minako when the blonde haired woman snagged his arm and turned him around. He turned to the other senshi, his face accusing while he struggled to hold back tears. Minako's blonde brows furrowed as she fixed a steely glare upon the idol singer.
"You're in no condition to go off like this Yaten-san. I'm going with you."
Luna ran with all the speed her feline body would grant her towards Usagi's room. Mere moments before the ebony cat had been nestled in her cat bed dreaming happily of…Artemis to her chagrin… when hysterical screams of terror shattered her peaceful repose. The feline skidded to a stop belatedly, noticing that Usagi's door was closed. Though she had not been fast enough and slammed into the door painfully before her small body rebounded backwards. Usagi had neglected to install a kitty door, though Luna had suspected that there had been more to the oversight than Usagi's simplemindedness. Shaking her head to clear it, Luna moved closer to the door and crouched so that she could peer underneath it.
"USAGI-CHAN! USAGI! Can you hear me! What's wrong?!"
The feline hissed slightly as the smell of Usagi's fear reached her nose, burning the sensitive orifice with its intensity. Receiving no answer and seeing a silver glow engulfing the room Luna rose to her hind legs and braced her forepaws against the door. "Usagi-chan! I'm coming in!" Luna concentrated her energy and the moon sigil upon her head began to glow bathing her in golden light. Swiftly, Luna's body reverted to its human form and the dark haired woman reached for the doorknob.
"Locked. Damnit!" The Mau swore uncharacteristically before moving her shoulder to brace against the door. Amber eyes squinted shut as Usagi's screams increased in strength, the sounds bolstering Luna's resolve. Taking a deep breath, Luna reared back and then crashed into the door, breaking the lock and slamming the door open. Usagi lay thrashing in her bed, screaming with absolute terror, the ginzuishou pulsing with terrible power as it floated above her chest.
Luna rushed forward to shake Usagi awake, but the power of the ginzishou blasted the dark haired woman backwards, her prone form sprawled against the nearest wall…and once again in feline form. The cat struggled to rise again, only to collapse as her battered limbs refused to obey her. Weakly, Luna stretched out a forepaw towards her charge, amber eyes wavering before sliding closed.
"…Usagi…chan…"
It was dark. So, so, very dark…
Yet despite the darkness she could feel the icy coldness of the cage that held her captive. Tentatively, she reached out and gripped the bars and then howled in pain as dark energy surged from the bars in pounding waves, nearly making her blackout before her twitching body was tossed to the floor. Blinking blearily to clear her head she looked up and found glowing blue looking down at her. A piercing blue in a hue that she knew anywhere… "…Mamoru?..." The owner of the eyes moved forward slightly, his hands snaking out from the darkness to grip the bars that held Usagi prisoner.
"Am I not your Mamo-chan anymore Usako?"
Usagi moved backwards within her cage, mindful of the bars…bars that did not harm the one who spoke to her. She did not know why he had come or even if he were her captor, but she could not deny the feeling of apprehension and repulsion that filled her being at his presence. 'Mamoru' leaned forward, his face still shrouded in shadow yet his blue eyes burned into Usagi's soul as he extended a hand through the bars.
"I can free you Usako…just swear fealty to me. I understand now Usako, this power is too much for you. You can't bear it alone. Relinquish it…surrender it, give yourself to me and I will free you." Usagi wavered as the seductive trill of his voice ghosted over her body like a caress. Unbidden, she found her hand reaching out to take his…to be granted release, when an echo; at first soft and quiet and now strong and confident, reverberated all around them.
'Odango. I'll protect you…'
'Am I not good enough for you then?'
'Seren…. You need not bear this alone…I am with you, I will always be with you. Not even death will force me to relinquish you…you have my word…and my love.'
Usagi let out a cry as a woman she hadn't seen in four years appeared before her mind's eye. As the echo reverberated stronger within her mind the woman became clearer, more tangible. Yet as the image coalesced Usagi realized this was not the charismatic senshi that took on a form she was never meant to wear in order to fulfill her duty. This was someone else, familiar and alien, closer and more distant to her than the leader of the starlights had ever been. This was…
"…Shiva…" The shadows which shrouded Mamoru's form let loose a mighty roar of fury at being denied, as Usagi shrunk back from his reach, her confused azure eyes searching for the source of the echo which broke his hold on her. Furious, he gripped the bars imprisoning Usagi, and they were infused with verdant light before splintering and shattering. "You can not fight me…not anymore…and you will not help that, that THING!" His hands snaked out and gripped Usagi's throat, impeding the blond woman's escape. Off into the darkness she could see the leader of the starlights hunched over on her knees, screaming as demons unseen tormented her. Usagi flinched within the vice like grip holding her captive as she watched a being with her face and body move reach out and touch Fighter's shoulder. The dark doppelganger spoke to the stricken Fighter, her words harsh and biting, even as she readied a blade of verdant energy behind Fighter's back…
"No…please let him go! Damnit Mamoru he has nothing to do with us!"
Usagi kicked and screamed as her hands pounded weakly against the forearms and biceps of her captor. "NOOO!" The blonde haired woman screamed, tears leaking from her eyes and the ginzuishou howled in response, its glow banishing the darkness. Usagi screamed as she felt herself being jostled free of the steely grip that held her and she was thrown to the ground. Hearing the sounds of a struggle, Usagi sat up and gasped at what she saw. Locked in an attempt to wrestle Mamoru to the ground was…Mamoru himself.
"You fool, what are you doing?! How dare you fight my power!"
Usagi stood slowly watching the battle unfold before her, though now without the shadow consuming his form she could see the differences between her captor and her savior. Her captor was garbed in dark armor, and he appeared older than the Mamoru that wrestled with him. Usagi's eyes widened as she saw sharp fangs glinting dangerously within his snarling grimace and his hands, which had been clad in dark gauntlets before were now uncovered and adorned with sharp talons. Her savior looked as the Mamoru she knew; he was clad in his customary civilian clothes and his cobalt eyes glinted in courage and determination as he struggled to put down his mirror image. Yet despite his courage, Usagi could see that the younger Chiba was tiring, the power of the dark lord before him battering his defenses. Franticly he turned to Usagi, even as he rallied his strength to hold his enemy at bay.
"Usako! You have to go now…you must help her while I hold him back. If you don't she'll be driven insane in there! Go, take control! Help her!"
Usagi moved to rush to Fighter's side but pulled up short turning back to her savior. "But what about you Mamoru? I can't just leave you-"
"You can and you will! Do it now Odango Atama! I'll be fine! GO!"
Nodding, Usagi ran forward, exiting the realm the two warring Lords of Earth now occupied alone. With a roar of anger the elder Chiba swatted Mamoru down and fell upon him punching his face repeatedly. "You stupid fool! You think you can fight my will? She can not save that wretched creature and she can not save you! She has not that power!" Mamoru surged upward in the middle of the Dark Emperor's rant and head butted him in the chin throwing him backwards.
"Really? Then why are you afraid of her then? Why do you need me?"
The Dark Emperor narrowed his eyes as he felt the combined power of Usagi and Seiya rebuff him from the raven haired woman's mind, the fabricated realm he'd created falling apart. He grit his teeth as he felt his creation being broken and severed from his hold. Agitated, the dark Chiba moved forward and grasped Mamoru by his hair, the kinzuishou materializing between them.
"It seems you have overplayed your hand little princeling. And it seems I must teach you your place…" The kinzuishou began to glow, and a piercing howl of pain and terror was ripped from Mamoru's body as he was bathed in the golden light.
"…Yes, and teach you I shall. You will scream for me until you realize that you are without worth and without power. And then Mamoru Chiba…we shall begin."
"Oooh, Setsuna-mama that one is gorgeous!"
Setsuna smiled softly as she watched her daughter squeal and rush into a nearby store, a dress in the window catching her eye. The ruby eyed senshi looked at the dress Hotaru was ogling with a designer's critical eye even as she enjoyed watching Hotaru take such joy in normalcy. So much of Hotaru's life had been pain and suffering only now did the young girl seem to know some semblance of happiness. The seamstress' forest green eyebrows furrowed for a moment as she thought of the rare moments that Hotaru would let her sadness show. The youngest senshi missed her father at times, Setsuna knew. Despite the evil acts Professor Tomoe had committed he had truly loved his child and had wanted to protect her. Yet there was a loneliness that would haunt Hotaru at times, a darkness that couldn't be explained by the loss of her father. Despite the popularity she had gained, Hotaru was still very much on the outside looking in. The only person that seemed to understand and accept Hotaru for who she was outside of her surrogate family was lost to her…and if her readings of the time stream were of any worth…they would be separated perhaps forever. Setsuna sighed. Usagi's future daughter didn't remember Hotaru from her childhood…which meant that at some point before the girl's birth the outer senshi would reclaim their duty of protecting the solar system from outside attackers…which meant they would leave Earth.
Meaning that Hotaru quite possibly had a very lonely life ahead of her.
Setsuna sighed softly. She knew the weight of loneliness. For her it had become a comfort, a constant companion in its own right. Yet it was not something that she would wish upon anyone, let alone her beloved surrogate daughter. The green haired woman was shaken from her thoughts as she saw Hotaru waving her over. Chuckling softly to herself, and banishing her fears to the darkness where they belonged, Setsuna strode into the store.
With a scream, Usagi surged forward in her bed, sweat and heat pouring off her body in waves. 'My god, what was that? A dream… a vision? Or was I really there?' Slowly, the blonde ran her hand across her forehead, only to pause as she felt the oppressive heat consuming her body concentrated there. "It can't be…" Usagi stumbled out of her bed and rushed to the nearest mirror to confirm what she already knew was there.
Emblazoned upon her forehead was the proof of her heritage, the sigil of the moon. Usagi could feel the ancient power of her race pulling at her, calling out to her.
'…Serenity…'
The blonde haired woman gasped and crumpled to her knees as her mind was bombarded with countless images and sounds. Yet they were all blurred and disjointed, without any semblance of coherence. Were these memories?
'…I think… I think you should be with him.'
Usagi reached out a trembling hand as if she could touch the source of the voices, of the visions. A choking scream of anguish clawed its way from within her, and she clutched her head as her sigil glowed brighter. "Make it stop… you're…you're tearing me apart! Who are you?!" Melancholy eyes in the hue of midnight pierced Usagi's mind and the heir of the moon reached out, trying to make sense of the kaleidoscope of images.
'It was a dream Serenity. Nothing more… I do not… I do not love you… not anymore.'
The blonde let out a howl of pain as the moon sigil reached a crescendo, the shear force of its power knocking Usagi back against a nearby wall pinning her there. She gasped through the oppressive haze of pain as she saw a figure walking towards her. The woman looked to be about her age, her features were striking, beautiful…familiar. 'Seiya…san?' Her rich onyx hair flowed softly to her knees, infused with strands of cerulean blue, while tousled bangs fell into midnight blue eyes. Within her blue eyes was strength and bearing, the confidence of a ruler, yet there was tenderness, kindness and no little mischief. Silken robes of charcoal and azure clothed a body that moved with fluid, muscular grace while wings the color of a black, moonless night wafted softly with her every movement.
This dark angel paused before Usagi and reached out a delicate hand to stroke her face softly. The blonde woman flinched at first, and then relaxed almost immediately as she felt a warmth and power unlike anything she'd ever known at the feel of this specter's very real touch. The heir of the moon felt the power within her blood, within the ginzuishou itself, respond and reach out to this fragment of her shattered mind. This… woman smiled softly at Usagi and leaned forward until her lips brushed against the blonde woman's.
'Be at peace Serenity. Be free.'
Before the whispered words had registered within Usagi's ears the woman bridged the gap between their lips and kissed Usagi with gentle possessiveness.
Usagi screamed within the kiss.
"Damnit! You lost it!"
The Dark Emperor turned towards his guest and waved off his concerns.
"Well yes, the little freak was stronger than I expected. Unlike Hino…humph, I had expected her to put up much more of a fight. She was so easily manipulated…sad really. Also you're going to blow your cover if you keep following me…I know you were on the rooftop with me when I infused him. Nonetheless we gained something much more valuable in return…come, have a look." The dark emperor gestured that his guest follow him and the two of them strode into a dark chamber where the only illumination came from dim, verdant runes that were etched into the walls. It was the furthest wall that drew the guest's attention. A broken, battered form lay chained against the back wall, unconscious.
The guest moved forward briskly, his movement agitated. He gasped as he took in the sight of the battered figure before him. "My word what did you do to him?"
The dark emperor shrugged, his face amused. "Hmm? Oh that. Aside from the wrist I had little to do with his current state. Seems Mercury's new whore got a hold of him first. Quite frankly I'm a little amazed that he survived… but it makes it so much easier to utilize his services now don't you think?"
The dark emperor's guest seemed incensed by the nonchalant attitude that radiated from his host. He turned to his host and narrowed his eyes. "Don't forget why we are here. We need the Balancers true, without the Bearer intact none of this will work. I know what happened in there."
The Dark Emperor bristled, finally showing signs of anger at the reminder. "You forget your place Light King. Who called whom for help hmm? You sought me out remember? I know what must be done and how far I can go… besides it's not as if you can't…tidy up now can you? You're so good at that. How is the little puppet anyway…snapped under the pressure yet?"
The one addressed as Light King grimaced slightly but answered nonetheless. "She's fine, though she may be getting a little…worried. But the Bearer…"
"Without the Balancers the Bearer is useless! Surely you of all people know that."
The figure addressed as Light King turned away, his cloak hiding most of his face, save his grinding teeth. The dark Emperor smiled softly, seductively, taking pity upon his distressed guest. "Do not worry, that boy was dead anyway…there are plenty more where he came from."
Instead of taking solace in his host's words, Light King turned on the dark lord in a fury. "You fool, the more you take the weaker the Bearer will become!"
"Which is the reason for the guard….I mean really, you're here aren't you? And I didn't take the boy from him. Do not mock me Light King… If you haven't the resolve to finish this you never should have called upon me. Now you need to decide what is most important to you… and you need to accept that the time for compassion is over. If we fail, every thing will fall apart…the timeline, everything you've worked so hard to maintain."
The one known as Light King struggled not to weep; for himself, for those he'd involved, and for the destiny he clung to… even as it unraveled within his grasp.
Elsewhere in the cold confines of space, a massive wolf-rayet star struggled against itself pain arching throughout its massive form. 'You will not have me! I have pledged to guard you little sister but you will not destroy me in your madness! Do you hear me sister? DO YOU HEAR ME!!'
"You know that I am with you my Lady…but are you sure? I mean can't we at least-"
"There's no time for that. We have to at least try to help them. Don't worry…this time, I can handle myself"
"Are you sure you want to do this? You know who'll be there. Are you ready to face her…can you look her in the eyes with your truth and not turn away?"
"…"
"Forgive me, I've spoken out of place. As you wish my Lady, my friend. I am ready to die for you if need be."
"Heh, you are so serious…and you wonder why you have trouble getting a date. Well, let's hope it won't come to that shall we? …MOON PRISM POWER….MAKE UP!"
A rose hued light illuminated the shadows, outlining the forms of two warriors briefly before they vanished within the light's embrace, as if they had never been.
Sailor Uranus leapt from rooftop to rooftop, nearing the scene of the explosion she'd seen from her manor. As she bridged the distance between two particularly far rooftops she felt a twinge of warmth within her starseed. 'Michi?' Before the senshi of wind even had the time to contemplate what the feeling meant, she heard footsteps fall in sync with hers. Uranus grinned, knowing only one person who could match her so well. "Hello, partner." Beside her, Sailor Neptune let out an elegant snort of indignation. "Hmm? Are you referring to me now? Had you planned on calling me before or after rushing towards whatever it was that caused that explosion?" Uranus grimaced, hearing the real anger and worry that laced her partner and beloved's sardonic reply. 'Oh boy…I'm in trouble' Not breaking her stride, but making nervous hand gestures the wind rider did what every semi-intelligent and loving spouse did when millimeters away from the dog house.
She apologized.
Profusely.
Or rather she attempted to. Before the sandy haired blonde had a chance to stammer out a suitable reply, Neptune held a gloved hand. "We're here." They bridged the gap to the last rooftop and slowed as they took in the remnants of the fight that reduced this building and many more around it to a fragmented battlefield. Neptune gasped and covered her mouth, while Uranus clenched a fist as she tried to comprehend what she saw before her.
"What the hell?!"
Ami sat perched on the edge of a chair, brow resting on her clasped hands and her body hunched over upon itself, as she listened to the shallow breathing of the prone figure in the bed next to her. She couldn't bring herself to look at Taiki, couldn't bear to see the woman she had loved in secret for so long in such pain.
She couldn't bare that Taiki, who had finally returned her love was lying there unconscious…because of her.
Everything was wrong, she was wrong. This never should have happened, no matter how wonderful the memories they had created, no matter how much she ached for the Senshi of Maker. Indulging in how she felt about Taiki could only bode ill…and it had, for two lifetimes in a row. Ami, squeezed her eyes shut as the images of the death of Brahma branded themselves into her psyche, scarring her soul. This was her fault, each time…she dared believed herself worthy of the senshi of Maker's love and each time Taiki paid dearly for it. She tried not to think of the vow she'd made or the hopes and dreams for the future that were given life by the starlight's touch. She tried not to think that not even a day had passed since she had finally made Taiki her own; since she had learned of their past. Those things didn't matter…not anymore. She had to set things right…for both their sakes…She-
The blue haired woman was startled out of her thoughts by a gently insistent knocking at her bedroom door, before the door was softly pushed open. A head wreathed in shoulder length blue and silver hair, looked towards Ami and smiled grimly. "Ami-chan, may I speak with you for a moment?" Ami gave Taiki one last glance, moving to trail her fingers across the sleeping woman's cheek before nodding to the interloper.
"Yes, Mother."
Akane Mizuno tried not to pace as she stepped into the living room of her daughter's apartment. She was confused; in fact the word was a gross understatement of how she felt, and she was not comfortable with her confusion. She had not expected Ami's midday phone call, even more so she had not expected the hysterical desperation that tainted Ami's words. Akane shuddered slightly at the memory; she didn't think she'd ever heard her usually composed and even tempered daughter so… so terrified. Ami had begged her to come over, to save a friend, but she had been adamant about not calling for an ambulance.
Dr. Mizuno had not been prepared for what she had found… her mind was still reeling from the ordeal. Ami's friend had been woefully beaten, but even with her injuries, her vitals shouldn't have been so low…it was as if the very life had been sucked out of the girl. Akane squinted slightly in recollection…that was where her confusion started. Not so much the girl's injuries or her daughter's insistence on not seeking adequate medical facilities, but rather it was the girl herself. She looked remarkably familiar…too familiar. Akane had not told her daughter until recently that she had been the physician for Three Lights during their brief stay in Tokyo. Ami had been a fanatic (for Ami) fan of the group…especially Taiki Kou, so the doctor had kept silent for her daughter's sake. Even worse with the two of them attending the same school and being rivals if not forming an odd sort of friendship, Dr. Mizuno had been worried about galvanizing Ami's crush on the tall boy even more. And after witnessing Ami's withdrawal when Taiki and his siblings left the country on hiatus…Akane felt she had acted in her daughter's best interest by keeping silent. The band had wanted the best physician, and Dr. Mizuno was not too modest to admit that she was the best…and that her skill came at a price… Akane shook her head trying not to think of the husband she'd neglected and then lost, or the childhood of her daughter that she'd missed out on… No, Ami's friend bore an uncanny resemblance to Taiki Kou…too uncanny a resemblance. The injured girl could have easily been Taiki's fraternal twin, but even still to bare that much of a semblance in features, height and body type? Something wasn't right…
The injured girl's odd appearance aside, what disturbed Akane most was the way Ami hovered over the brunette. Ami, had been worried, terrified even, but what troubled the elder Mizuno had been the tenderness and guilt that warred for dominance in her blue eyes. Akane knew that look, it had graced her own features much of her marriage as she'd tried to come to a decision. It was a look of impending sacrifice, a necessary sacrifice that would be made to right an indescribable wrong. A sacrifice that would cause pain on both sides. Akane thought of her own sacrifice and how it changed her…and her daughter, and she prayed that Ami would never do what she had done. Yet something still troubled the doctor, the sacrifice she made so long ago had been for her husband's sake, for the only man she had ever loved…would ever love. Why would Ami look at this injured woman this way? To her knowledge, Ami wasn't…that way. Even more importantly Ami was with Zoisite; a kind, caring man, one whom Akane knew for a fact was contemplating proposing to Ami…
The doctor was shaken from her thoughts at the quiet sound of her daughter exiting the bedroom and closing the door behind her. Dr. Mizuno took this time to observe her daughter as the young woman came closer, and she was stricken by how haggard Ami appeared. It was as if Ami had aged centuries in mere hours, her body painfully lethargic and her eyes sunken and haunted. Dr. Mizuno quickly clamped down on her terror "Come Ami, you need to rest. You'll wear yourself out this way."
Ami jerked as if she had not realized her mother was in the room, nearly stumbling as she turned to face the elder Mizuno. "…I'm fine…Mother…" Ami rasped out, her voice rough from crying and lack of use. Akane Mizuno frowned at her daughter, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at the stubbornness she'd inherited in spades from Ken, the doctor moving towards the younger woman and grasping her shoulders. "No, you are not. Now sit down here and I'll fix you some tea." Once Akane grasped her daughters shoulders, all of the fight seemed to drain immediately from the young woman and she collapsed like a broken puppet onto the couch. Dr. Mizuno kept her gaze clinical though the part of her that was a mother screamed in horror and confusion for her child. Swiftly Dr. Mizuno moved to the kitchen and to begin preparing tea.
Ami's tired eyes followed her mother's form until the older woman disappeared from sight. Tiredly she dropped her head into her hands and tears began to leak between her fingers unbidden. 'Taiki…' Even worse not only had her actions led to Taiki's current state but what of Zoisite? What had happened to him? The scene Ami had come upon had been a battlezone…if Taiki had been this injured… Zoisite could be anywhere, hurt or even fatally wounded and alone…
All because of her…
Ami's body began to spasm as she began to retch. Trembling, the blue haired woman clamped a hand over her mouth and fought down her bile, though her body kept lurching and the most disturbing sounds clawed their way from her throat. In the kitchen, Akane Mizuno quickly placed the ceramic cups in her hands down, before rushing back into the living room, drawn by her daughter's sounds.
"Ami!"
Kunzite ran as fast as he could through the halls of Tokyo General, heedless of the shouts of frantic nurses for him to stop or at least slow down as entered the lobby of the ICU. Frantic eyes darted around, looking for a nurse or receptionist; instead his gaze alighted upon someone very much unexpected. Sitting hunched over in a nearby chair, his posture dejected and defeated sat-
"Jadeite?"
The short haired lord jumped, startled by the sound of his leader's voice. His whole body seemed to tremble as he turned to Kunzite, his violet eyes haunted. Kunzite gasped as he took in the sight of the youngest member of the shitenno, his handsome face was tear stained, and his shaggy hair stuck up about his head unruly. The jinja robes he traditionally wore during the times he helped Rei and her Grandfather were crumpled and was that blood splashed across the front? Kunzite moved forward swiftly and took the hands of the man he loved as a brother, noting absently that they were coated with dried blood. Jadeite's mouth moved wordlessly for a few moments before his voice, raspy and hollow sounded forth.
"Rei-san….Rei-san is…she…"
'Jadeite-san, I'll be doing a fire reading for the next few hours. Can you finish sweeping out here?'
Jadeite smiled and looked at the woman he loved unrequitedly in adoration. "Sure, Oji-san wanted to finish selling charms anyway."
Rei snorted. "You mean he wants to hit on girls again… well at least you talked him out of looking for "employment candidates" at the mall."
Jadeite smiled at Rei's exasperated response, watching how the light caught her eyes, the violet orbs alluring and sad. He longed to ease that loneliness within her, to entice her heart to passion and desire…to protect her always. Yet she rebuffed him, determined to forge her own worth, her own destiny, alone. Still he could see longing within her heart, and it worried him. Her friendship with Yuuchirou and the Shitenno had eased some of her disdain for men and yet he still could not tell who it was she looked to when her heart cried out in its despair. Nonetheless, he knew it wasn't him. The lilac eyed fire lord beat back the stab of pain her lack of reciprocation of his love caused within him. He would wait. She would recognize his merit one day, she would see the proof of his love.
Or at least that was what he prayed for.
Little more than an hour had passed when Jadeite had finally finished his chores. The shorthaired blonde was sitting on the steps watching the cherry blossoms fall and Rei's grandfather attempt to hit on a pair of school girls when a clattering sound startled him from his thoughts. "Wha- Rei-san can't be finished already…" Yet something didn't feel right to the fire lord. Setting his broom aside, the lilac eyed shitenno walked towards the hall of the Sacred Flame. Knowing that Rei would not tolerate being interrupted Jadeite carefully reached out to slide open the screen. Just as his fingers brushed the frame, Rei's voice frantic and pained rang out in a scream that chilled Jadeite to his very blood.
"Rei-san!"
Jadeite threw open the screen that separated himself from the woman he loved. "Rei-san! No!" The blonde haired lord rushed into the room, his mind barely registering that Oji-san was in step behind him. Jadeite moved to rush to Rei's side, when a verdant barrier threw him backwards. Beside him, Rei's grandfather began to chant forming seals with his hands. Jadeite could feel the verdant power attempting to challenge the old Guji and the fire lord was confused at how… familiar the sinister power felt to him.
'Do not fight your destiny Jadeite. Surrender to me, and I shall give you that which you desire most…the heart of the Flame of Mars.'
Jadeite clutched his head, dropping to his knees, attempting to fight the ominous presence within his head.
'No! Damn you! I will not force her to love me…I want her to choose me willingly! Now let her go demon!'
The fire lord struggled to his feet as he felt the barrier breaking under Oji-san's assault. With a roar he unleashed his own power, feeling the Sacred Flame, which had been protecting Rei from the brunt of the assault, reach out to him. "Jed-kun! Hurry!" The blonde nodded at Oji-san's plea and he rushed forward to the fallen miko's side. Rei was screaming in blind terror and convulsing as if she were still trapped within the grasp of the dark power that had attacked her. Jadeite clutched her thrashing body to him, and gasped as he noticed the blood.
There was so much blood.
It poured from a wound in her abdomen, and gurgled out of her mouth and nose. She was even crying crimson tears of blood. "Rei-san! Hold on! Oji-san, I'll get her to a hospital!" Not caring if the old man heard him, or even saw his power Jadeite willed the fires of the earth to enshroud him with their power. The gray uniform of a protector of Endyminion and Divine Lord embraced his body and the fire lord and his precious burden vanished in a flurry of flames.
Jadeite ran to the ER screaming at the top of his lungs… praying he wasn't too late.
"Someone help me please!"
"…Jade…I'm sorry…"
Kunzite whispered as he pulled the younger man into his embrace, the blonde unabashedly sobbing into his shoulder. Jadeite did not cry for himself, rather he shed tears for the woman he loved desperately…and could not protect. After a few minutes Jadeite hiccupped and pulled away, and Kunzite squeezed his hand, smiling grimly.
"I…I don't understand. I didn't think to call anyone. Why are you here Kunzite-sama?"
Kunzite flinched, abruptly reminded of the reason behind his frantic entrance to Tokyo General. "Jade. Something's happened… to Yoruchirou-san…and perhaps even the Master. They-"
"Lady, you've got about ten seconds to remove your hand from my shoulder or you WILL draw back a nub!"
"Yaten-san, please…this isn't helping…"
Kunzite and Jadeite both stood and spun around at the sounds of an argument at the receptionist area of the waiting room they were in. Kunzite gasped as he watched an agitated silver haired man burst into the room and wave off a nurse with a blonde woman in tow. A blonde woman with a red bow adorning her silken tresses. A blonde woman he would know anywhere.
"Mina?"
Akane Mizuno sighed as she stared at the phone within her hand, her fingers trembling as she tried to gather the resolve to dial the familiar number. She couldn't do this alone, she knew that, so why did she hesitate? 'Because it means you'll have to face him again… You have to look him in the eyes and pretend that you don't care. Do you have the strength to stand under the weight of these lies?'
Akane thought of the sight of her daughter, broken and sick upon herself, and the effort as well as the amount of medication it took to sedate her. She thought of the terror that had seized her heart as she saw the whispers of madness and guilt swirling within her beloved only child's dark eyes. If only to battle Ami's demons, Akane would find that strength. If only for a little while she wouldn't let her daughter, whose life had passed Akane by, face this alone.
Crying silently into the night, Dr. Akane Mizuno dialed the number. And when she heard the phone pickup and the rough, sleepy baritone answer, she forced herself to speak.
"Hello Ken. It's me…I need a favor…"
"Hotaru-chan, you are not wearing that!"
"But! Please Setsuna-mama! Look, I know you and Mr. Vuiton had a falling out but this dress is gorgeous! I can even pay for it myself!"
Setsuna's eyebrow twitched in as much of a show of irritation as the stoic designer was willing to show as she crossed her arms. "No. I can design a dress that will make that…thing that looks like a six year old sewed it together, look like so much gutter trash. You are here to pick up accessories…only." Setsuna argued in a tone that brooked no room for argument. Hotaru sighed and removed her glasses, her thick bangs hiding the plum tinted orbs as she cleaned her lenses in irritation…and resignation.
"Fine."
Setsuna knew she shouldn't be so difficult- it was Hotaru's social after all- but really the girl had so many role models for fashion, (If one didn't count Haruka) so why would she pick a dress that hack had designed anyway? The stoic senshi refused to grumble, but it didn't lessen the urge at all, as she followed after her daughter. Half an hour later Hotaru and Setsuna were walking out of the store, Hotaru considerably more cheerful, and both women laden with bags.
"How about some ice cream Hotaru-chan?"
"Sure! There's a great place over on…"
The dark haired teenager trailed off as the sounds of two very distinct shrieks over powered even the bustle of the various pedestrians and shoppers all around them. Both senshi had enough time to look up briefly before…
"LOOK OUT!!"
THUD
Setsuna and Hotaru groaned dazed as they were toppled and impacted by their parcels and two, heavy…people apparently. One of them coughed and shifted and Hotaru's wine colored eyes crossed as what looked like a gray tail undulated into her view from beneath the makeshift mountain. "Well, my Lady at least we didn't land on Her Majesty this time…" The woman who was being addressed groaned and shifted, rubbing her head as she blinked the sunlight from her eyes. "So, who did we land on? I swear Puu is gonna kill me when she finds out about this…" Setsuna bristled at the familiar nickname, though her head was too muddled to place the voice, but she knew she'd heard it somewhere before…
Hotaru yelped as she felt a hand fish through the tangle of limbs and packages to search blindly and then accidentally squeeze a breast before another hand palmed her other one and strong arms hauled her to the top of the pile. An oddly familiar voice let out a squeal and Hotaru righted her glasses onto her nose before a face swam into view. "…Hotaru…chan…" Hotaru furrowed her brows, trying to reconcile this woman, who'd she'd never seen before but she seemed familiar and oddly enough knew the dark haired woman's name. Long, endless, rose tinted hair fell about a beautiful elegant face, beset with eyes that shimmered like rubies. Though their positioning was awkward and the various bags were in the way, Hotaru could make out a lithe, voluptuous form clad in blue and white. Behind her, the sound of someone elegantly clearing their throat and then whispering in a gentle contralto wafted to the young senshi's ears.
"Um… My Lady, your hands. Look at your hands!"
The pink haired woman looked down briefly, and the feeling of the location of the newcomer's hands registered upon Hotaru who suddenly remembered how she had been liberated from the dogpile. The rose haired woman squeaked and removed her hands from Hotaru's anatomy while blushing and bowing her head and stammering out an apology. It was then that Hotaru noticed the woman's hairstyle. Elongated, cone shaped odango with twin ponytails streaming out of each one. Elongated odango that looked vaguely like bunny ears…that looked just like the hairstyle that…
No, it couldn't be…
"Chibi-Usa-chan?!"
Chibi-Usa nodded and then pulled Hotaru into a tearful hug, and as Hotaru registered the feel of the weight of her friend's breasts against her own and the trim body that pulled her close with strong arms she realized:
Chibi-Usa wasn't so chibi anymore.
Forgotten, Chibi-Usa's companion fished Setsuna from the bottom the pile and side stepped very quickly away from the senshi of Time and what she knew was about to happen. 'You're on your own my Lady.' The forest green haired woman frowned and cleared her throat, her crimson eyes glaring daggers at the embracing reunited friends. Chibi-Usa opened her eyes and removed her head from Hotaru's shoulder and then gulped loudly when eyes only a shade darker than her own gave her the glare of Death. A look that only her mother could trump or withstand without flinching. Breaking her embrace slowly, but with no little sense of urgency, the pink haired royal ducked behind Hotaru and laughed nervously. Waving sheepishly as she peeked over Hotaru's shoulder Lady Serenity squeaked out a response:
"…Oh, uh…hi Puu…"
Cold rasping breaths echoed in the darkness, as a prone battered figure slowly regained consciousness. Hysteria seized a slowly unraveling mind and a battered body began to struggle within tight bonds.
"Well I have to admit that you woke up sooner than I expected…" A familiarly alien male voice chuckled darkly as the sounds of booted feet echoed closer to the trapped figure. Battered green eyes looked towards the newcomer and he flinched, struggling to press his broken body closer to the wall at his back. Anything to separate himself from this, this… monster. Cobalt blue eyes grinned in pleasure at his captive's fear and the battered man's futile struggles. No one could struggle against destiny…against the destiny that he had forged. Humming softly the warden removed his armor and cloak, leaving only a dark tunic and slacks to clothe the form of Endyminion, the Dark Lord and Emperor.
Smiling with sickening brightness, Endyminion turned his attention to his prize, his servant, his Balance…his Zoisite. "Honestly Zoisite, you should be grateful. I saved your life. Even if you had succeeded in killing the outsider senshi you would have awakened a beast within Mercury which you, at your current level could never hope to defeat…or tame. It is a beast that not even she knows; a beast of her passions and desires. A beast, that if you can tame it will become the greatest lover and protector you will have ever known… but if you can't…well…"
Zoisite gurgled out a whimper, still unable to speak and Endyminion looked at him with sinister kindness and loathsome pity. "There there, you shouldn't try to move that jaw." The dark emperor crooned as he moved to stand in front of Zoisite, whose emerald eyes had begun to well with tears as he tried to move away from the demon that wore his Master's face and spoke with his Master's voice. Endyminion reached out a hand to cup the blonde haired lord's swollen jaw and the burned and scarred face; the action oddly gentle and concerned. It was then that Zoisite noticed the sharp black talons that adorned his Master's hands; it was then that he felt fear begin to trickle into his very soul.
"My poor, poor Zoisite. How that loathsome whore scarred you, marring your beauty and your power. She has taken all that you could ever offer Mercury, but it need not be this way…"
Zoisite shifted weakly as he felt an odd warmth from where his Master touched him, the touch both calming and terrifying him. "I can make you strong Zoisite, whole…I can give you the power to crush your enemy and take back that which is yours. I can give you the power to tame Mercury forever…" Endyminion crooned darkly as he leaned further into Zoisite; his other hand moving to rest upon the torn clothing and charred and bloodied skin at the blonde's hip. "But I need something in return Zoisite, something that only the shitenno can give… but lend me your aid and I…"
Endyminion trailed off and Zoisite gasped as the warmth spread over his body, infusing it with a verdant glow. Yet with the warmth he could feel claws etching themselves about his mind and soul; cold, painful, ominous claws.
Much like the Master's hands.
Zoisite twitched as he felt his body being restored and made whole, Endyminion pressing against him to lick at a fading cut at his neck. Zoisite shuddered in erotic revulsion at his Master's actions confused and horrified beyond belief. He knew that when he had been consumed by Metaria he and Kunzite had clung together in a mockery of love but he had no feelings for his leader now, aside from a brotherly love and mild annoyance…but this…he didn't want this…
'Not even for Ami?'
The question echoed within his mind in his Master's voice taunting him, even as Endyminion moved the hand at Zoisite's hip lower to cup him intimately. "So very beautiful, Zoisite. A pristine white falcon that has had his wings broken…broken by the cruelties of love, and the fires of jealousy…" Endyminion nuzzled his nose into the blonde haired man's powerful shoulder, noting the scent of cherry blossoms and thunderstorms. A most appealing combination of gentleness and strength, much like Zoisite himself.
"M-master…please…don't…" Zoisite begged weakly, his mind assaulted by a darkness he couldn't comprehend and the madness and pain that had been threatening to consume him since he first saw his beloved speak to her loathsome temptress. 'Yes, feed your pain and despair and I will make you strong. Strong enough to take her back.' Before he could register the words that whispered along his consciousness, the ice lord screamed as he felt his body consumed in verdant fire. He didn't know how long he'd sagged against his bonds, panting in exhaustion and pain but as his nerves began to send him signals other than pain he realized that his master still embraced him and moreover…
Endyminion had burned off his clothes.
Despite his pain Zoisite's skin remained pristine and restored, and he realized as he felt his master's hand moving against him and the dark haired man looking at him with disturbing fondness that Endyminion had noticed as well. "Exquisite. I think Ami-san would have been more than satisfied with you Zoisite. However I do wonder…perhaps Maker's male form is just as enticing? Or perhaps Ami-san preferred her feminine charms?" Zoisite clenched his teeth, angered by his master's words and confused by his actions, but very aware of the real danger he was in. The ice lord attempted to summon his power to break his bonds or at least give him some way to defend himself as he felt the heat of his master's erection against his thigh. Zoisite had sworn an oath to protect his master with his life, but this thing was not his master, and he would have vengeance for it's attempt to defile his master's name.
Zoisite felt as if the world had dropped away as the power that should have come at his bidding did not stir. He turned terrified eyes to Endyminion, who looked amused by the polar lord's attempt to rebel. Chuckling softly, Endyminion dropped his hand from Zoisite's jaw to hook an arm beneath one of the blonde's knees, the blonde's bonds easily morphing to compensate their master's intent. Endyminion's cobalt eyes flared, and his own clothes vanished as he pressed his body against Zoisite, who was beginning to hyperventilate.
"I know you'll help me Zoisite, because what I have to offer is what you desire most. But my generosity does come at a price…"
Endyminion leaned in and smashed his lips to Zoisite's, sinister cobalt eyes staring directly into hysterical emerald. As he pulled back, Endyminion sunk sharp fangs into Zoisite's bottom lip, sucking the welling blood in a mockery of tenderness.
"…But our relationship is one of give and take…"
Endyminion moved and Zoisite screamed as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels.
And indeed they were, and they were now ripping him apart.
Nephrite jerked away from the body which he had held in contentment and blissful ecstasy merely moments before, sitting up in the bed, struggling to draw air into his lungs. Immediately Makoto was at his side, rubbing his back soothingly, her jade green eyes worried.
"Nephrite?"
Still struggling to clamp down upon the returning surge of terror that Makoto's fevered touch had banished from him under the cascade of warm water and then within the silken embrace of their bed, the auburn haired shitenno reached out to weakly take his lover's hand. Makoto squeezed the slightly larger hand in reassurance, and began to comb her fingers through damp russet tresses, trying to give her lover some of her own strength.
"Mako…I can't…I can't hear it…"
Makoto frowned and leaned into her trembling lover, concerned jade taking in Nephrite's fearful countenance. "Can't hear what San-san? Talk to me…" Not even his lover's playful pun on his human name, which had always coaxed a smile, could ease the hollow sense of loss and pain he was now feeling.
"Zoisite…I can't hear the voice of his star anymore…"
Usagi slumped to the floor as her sigil faded and the specter who had embraced her vanished. The odango haired woman touched her lips, feeling her fingertips burn from the contact. That ghost, that woman had taken Usagi in a kiss unlike anything the blonde had ever felt before. It had been forceful and yet gentle, overwhelming yet yielding, it had filled her with such longing and desire and yet made her feel content and calm. Not even Mamoru, when they were at their strongest, had kissed her like that. He had kissed her like she was made of glass, his gentle, fragile princess. This dark haired woman that looked so much like Seiya in senshi form had kissed her like she knew the true depths of Usagi's passion, like she had wanted to burn under the heat of the blonde's desire and then brand her in return.
'Kami-sama, what am I thinking? Here I am six months away from getting married and I'm thinking about a man I haven't seen in four years… and just what happened to me? I've never had a dream that's affected my powers like this…'
Usagi was shaken from her thoughts as she heard soft moans nearby. Looking over to where that sound originated, the moon heir found Luna's small dark form struggling to regain consciousness. "Luna!" Usagi rose to her feet and rushed to her advisor's side, cradling the small silken body in her arms. Luna groaned again, and her amber eyes blinked open, the feline eyes unfocused momentarily as she tried to regain her bearings.
"Luna what happened to you?"
The dark furred Mau looked around at the room, noting the disarray, before she glanced up at the face of her sovereign and ward. "I think the more prudent question Usagi-chan, is what happened to you?"
Minako pulled up in shock at the bewildered sound of her boyfriend's gentle baritone. Kunzite stood on the far side of the room she and Yaten had just entered, his handsome face confused and pained. Just behind him Jadeite looked as if his world had been quite literally obliterated as his reddened lilac eyes darted from Kunzite to Minako to the silver haired youth behind her. The goddess of love felt guilt stab painfully into her heart as the source of her near doubt shifted slightly away from her.
Yaten did not know the two men that occupied the waiting room but it was painfully obvious that Minako did. He still felt the whispers of the rapport they'd established and he shifted uncomfortably under the weight of her increasingly worried and guilty emotions. His cool emerald eyes assessed and immediately dismissed the blond man, who looked like an extra in a horror movie but as he looked at the taller ashen haired man who seemed entirely too intent upon Minako he felt something roar inside him. Something he wanted nothing to do with.
Jealousy.
He watched the man with the shoulder length ashen hair move slowly towards Minako, who'd become entirely too still, his hands reaching for her. Yaten's face flickered in momentary pain before he affixed his flippant, irritated disposition firmly upon his face and moved away from his blonde companion slightly. Turning his glare upon the nurse, who had hoped to escape his wrath, he planted his hands upon his hips and grit his teeth.
"You. What room is my brother in?"
"Uh 208, sir… but like I was trying to tell you he already has visitors!"
The silver haired idol glared and brushed past the nurse, who'd he no longer considered worthy of his attention since she'd provided the information he needed and headed towards the double doors where the patient hall was located.
Kunzite reached out to his lover, believing, knowing with all that he was if he embraced her; if he took her into his arms everything would be alright. They could shut out the things that they'd said to hurt each other so, they could lessen the pain.
He tugged Minako gently and she did not resist him, falling into his embrace. He breathed in the scent of her hair and felt his love and desire for her swell within him. "…Mina…" He rumbled out, feeling her very presence ease some of his pain. So long as this woman was in his arms, so long as he had her love, he could be strong. He could face whatever fiend threatened his Master, his brothers in arms, and his friends.
Minako couldn't react as she fell into Kunzite's strong arms. She watched from within his embrace as Yaten stormed past them and towards the inner sanctum of the ICU. She had wanted to say something when he had threw up his walls and turned to the unsuspecting nurse, but she hadn't the strength, and she could no longer feel him in her mind. Yet it felt good to be within Kunzite's embrace once more; but the depth of goodness she felt was also how deep the hollowness clawed at her soul from the lack of Yaten's presence within her mind.
Yaten refused to look back as he heard the two estranged lovers reconcile. He was so intent on his goal that he bumped into a figure exiting the patient's ward. The silver haired light was grateful that he'd not fallen on to his ass from the impact, desperate to save some of his dignity, even as it soured his mood a little bit more. He groaned in the back of his throat as he realized just who he'd bumped into.
"Tenoh-san. Excuse me."
Haruka Tenoh frowned and gripped Yaten's shoulder before the shortest Light could move past her. "Wait a second Kou. I want to ask you a few questions about your… brother…" Yaten bristled as Haruka sneered the last word but the intent of her words was not lost on him. He arched an eyebrow sardonically and glared at the tall sandy blonde woman. "You saved him?"
"I found him. Michiru and I brought him here."
"…You and Keioh-san have my thanks then. Look I'll answer any questions you may have later, but if you'll excuse me…"
Yaten made a motion to move again, when Haruka clamped the grip she had on his shoulder attempting to impede him. "No. You'll answer me now…" The tall woman moved into Yaten's personal space, her body language and her tone brooking no room for argument. "Remove your hand Haruka-san. I'll not warn you again." Yaten rasped out, his usually lyrical voice as cold as death. Haruka would not be intimidated and she increased the pressure of her grip, the force would have been bruising upon an average man.
However Yaten Kou was not an average man.
He had been dragged to a planet he did not wish to ever see again, met a woman he did not ever wish to meet again, watched her reconcile with her lover, and now one brother was in the hospital and the other one was stars knew where and possibly in danger.
He had taken about all he could stand at this point…
"No." Yaten moved a hand to clamp Haruka's wrist with bone crushing force and he removed it from his shoulder, turning to face the wind rider. Haruka was no pushover, but she was about to learn the difference in power between an outer senshi and a starlight. And she was about to learn the limits of Yaten Kou's reputedly short patience. With eyes like broken glass, which revealed no emotion from the usually expressive man, Yaten calmly squeezed tighter, bringing Haruka to her knees.
"I'm going to see my brother."
With that, the silver haired man turned on his heel and strode through the double doors and never looked back.
Jadeite looked at the remaining occupants of the waiting room and as his thoughts flickered to Rei, he wondered how life could go completely to hell in the blink of an eye.
Taiki thrashed within the bed she had laid peacefully sleeping for the past few hours, as her body struggled to rip itself from its recuperative slumber. The tall brunette surged forward with a scream, her body throbbing in horrendous agony. Yet none of that mattered, she had to go, had to get to… "Seiya…" She didn't know how, but she knew for certain that her raven haired sibling was in danger, in pain. Weakly, she stumbled out of bed, falling in an ungraceful tangle of long limbs and covers into a heap on the floor. Fussing with the covers for a moment, the usually elegant Light staggered out of the bedroom.
Akane Mizuno turned at the loud thud that had sounded behind Ami's bedroom door and began to move towards it when she saw the door open and Ami's friend stumble out. The tall woman took a few hurried steps before her legs gave out and Akane caught her trying not to buckle herself under the woman's size and weight. 'My word, she must be mostly muscle with a solid weight like this!' The auburn haired woman panted within the elder Mizuno's hold, her disheveled hazelnut tresses shrouding her beautiful, pained face.
"I'm alright Akane-san, thank you…" The blue haired woman's eyes widened as a voice that was only about two octaves away from familiar, whispered from behind the thick russet curtain. The tall woman pushed off of Akane and began to walk on her own, her steps gaining in strength when she took in Ami asleep upon the nearby couch. The doctor declined to speak, merely she watched as the mauve eyed woman gasped in shock and worry and moved towards her sleeping daughter. "She's fine. I had to sedate her though." The tall woman pulled back the trembling hand that was millimeters from Ami's face, shocked by the doctor's words. The doctor watched another piece of the puzzle fall into view as Ami's friend gripped the edge of the sofa, her gaze riveted on the sleeping woman's face, her gaze conflicted and sorrowful.
"I…I have to go Akane-san. Tell her…please tell her that I'm sorry and that I'll return…"
Dr. Mizuno flicked an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "And who shall I say this message is from?" The brunette jerked and stood, turning to meet Akane's stern gaze. Her mouth open to speak for a moment, before she snapped it shut and looked down at her chest. Akane Mizuno narrowed her eyes as she watched the young woman look at her very apparent breasts as if she'd just realized that they were there. The brunette bit her lip and blushed slightly before her eyes met the elder Mizuno's.
"Murasaki. My name is Murasaki Hikaru." The brunette intoned without so much as a quiver in her inflection. Akane nodded as Ms. Hikaru bowed and excused herself, her gaze lingering on the door for a long moment.
"Why do I get the distinct impression that Miss Murasaki Hikaru just lied to me?" Akane's eyes flickered to rest upon her sleeping daughter's form. "And why do I get the distinct impression that you know why, and who she really is? I wonder what's been going on with you my daughter…"
There was originally a ridiculously long author's note here but I read it before posting and realized that I do not need to take painkillers ever again….so I'll spare you having to read the kami awful thing. Well you know the drill, let me know what you think and send suggestions if you wish but please don't let me be writing this for an audience of one (myself). Ok this is actually back on hiatus because I'm going in for surgery very soon and will be bedridden for most of my recovery period.
Also I was going to do the entire change of readings for the kanji making up Taiki's name for her cover, but it sounded stupid and I realized its way too obvious. Akane Mizuno may not be a genius like her kid but she's a sharp tack nonetheless.
Fare thee well,
Your neighborhood friendly Dragon, Ryu Niiyama