Shattered Ice: Super Sailor Mercury
Chapter 42
The copper haired woman stirred, feeling comfortable and safe for the first time in weeks. The twenty-something woman was even smiling slightly, the blankets and something else keeping her warm. But something made her open her eyes, blinking sleepily as she expected to see her palace.
Instead Kakyuu found herself in a plain bedroom, and the young lady realized also that she wasn't alone. Turning slightly in bed she realized there was a older woman laying beside her, her messy blue hair falling into her face.
'Nicole,' Kakyuu thought, her eyes widening. 'Oh hell, what HAPPENED last night?'
"Hmm," Nicole stirred, then her eyes opened as she saw Kakyuu sitting up in bed beside her. "Good morning," she said as she sat up, "I'll get breakfast going for you and Chibi soon."
Kakyuu hesitated then said, "Uhm, if I did anything inappropriate last night, I'm sorry."
Nicole sat up as well, revealing that she was wearing pajamas. Like Ami she had a petite figure, but Kakyuu still found her eyes drawn to the woman's form, round breasts, barely concealed by the soft cloth. "So, if something happened you'll take responsibility?" she asked, amused.
"Yes," Kakyuu agreed, even as she blushed faintly.
Surprisingly Nicole burst into soft laughter, the older woman shaking her head. "You were exhausted after the meeting with the Sailors," she told the younger woman, "you pretty much collapsed once I got you home. No hanky panky involved."
Kakyuu blushed furiously as she muttered, "Oh."
Nicole smiled cheerfully as she got up, "Now, let's go wake Chibi Chibi and make some breakfast, all right?"
"Ah, right," Kakyuu followed her sheepishly, only then noting that she was dressed in too small, borrowed pajamas.
Memories from last night were trickling back to her, and Kakyuu mentally sorted then as they roused Chibi Chibi from where the child was sleeping in the spare room. "Chibi?" the little girl blinked up at them sleepily.
"Good morning," Nicole smiled, patting the girl on the head, "do you want breakfast?"
"Chibi!" the little girl beamed.
Yes, Kakyuu remembered how stunned and overjoyed the Starlights had been, and how disheartened she was to discover that the planet's champion, Sailor Moon, was dead. That news had hit her and the Starlights hard, as her legend had even reached their homeworld. She had foolishly hoped that Sailor Moon could defeat Galaxia.
Yet even when her hope was crushed, Sailor Mercury was able to rekindle it. She pointed out that they were powerful as a unit, and that Galaxia must have some weaknesses, or else she wouldn't be attacking through agents. Kakyuu and she quickly agreed on an alliance, then pulling their teams along with them.
'But then what happened?' Kakyuu frowned as she sat at the kitchen table, watching bemusedly at Nicole bustled about making breakfast.
There had been a argument about where she should go, Kakyuu remembered. The Starlights seemed determined to take her with them, while Nicole pointed out that having a woman just appear in their lives would look rather strange. Plus, as public figures they could be a scandal.
Mind you, her Starlights were fully prepared to retire their civilian lives at that point. But Ami pointed out that their fame and connections could be useful, especially if they were right and Galaxy TV was connected to Galaxia. Certainly having Lead Crow pop up at the concert was telling, but they didn't know for sure.
So Ami escorted them to Nicole's home, with the Starlights hovering anxiously in the background. It was kind of sweet, really, how worried they were for her. And rather guilt inducing, considering how Kakyuu had disappeared on them...
"You seem lost in thought," Nicole noted as she put a bowl of rice in front of her and then got Chibi Chibi seated nearby.
"Sorry," Kakyuu said with a smile. "Have I thanked you lately for everything you've done for me?" she asked warmly.
"Yes, but you're welcome to do so again," Nicole said as she sat down and started to eat, Munching on the rice and bits of fish she noted, "What brought this on?"
"Just thinking that I've terribly inconvenienced my warriors, you and others," Kakyuu glumly mused as she ate. "I thought I was doing something heroic, but it seems I've failed."
"I think you've achieved something," Nicole offered, "if not for you Sailor Mercury wouldn't have met Star Fighter and they wouldn't have fought against Galaxia together." She shrugged, "Hopefully this alliance will save both our worlds."
"That's true," Kakyuu brightened.
Nicole made a face, "I just said my daughter may be essencial to saving the world. My life had become truly strange."
Kakyuu patted her on the arm, "Sorry."
"It's fine," Nicole shook her head as she admitted, "I thought I had become accustomed to all this, but it seems I have some ways to go."
"I'll help where I can," Kakyuu said warmly.
"Chibi," the little girl agreed seriously.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"You know, I'm feeling very, very stupid right now," Taiki noted, shaking his head as long brown hair fell down his back. She, Seiya and Yaten were walking up to the school, the three boys in their custom uniforms leaving their vehicle a few moments ago.
"Ami?" Yaten asked, the shortest of the three looking faintly amused.
"Yes," Taiki nodded ruefully. "Same face, same scar...," he mused, shaking his head, "how could I not see?"
"Magic," Seiya shrugged. Both men looked at him and he shrugged again, "Seriously. There's no way we could NOT realize, except for some powerful disguise magic."
"Feel better?" Yaten teased as they went by the screaming fangirls lining the sidewalk.
"Actually, yes," Taiki laughed.
The three young men reached their classroom, where thankfully their classmates had gotten somewhat used to their presence. Ami Mizuno was reading something but looked up as they entered, then nervously looked down at her book.
'That's kind of cute, her being nervous,' Taiki noted with some amusement. They took their seats, the three pretty much bracketing the other girl. "Good morning," she nodded to Ami.
"Morning," Ami smiled back then quietly asked, "how are you dealing with... everything that's happened?"
"We're managing," Yaten shrugged. "Can we get your mother's phone number, by the way?" she asked dryly, "Seiya kind of panicked this morning realizing he couldn't even call Kakyuu."
"I did NOT panic," Seiya said with wounded dignity.
"Sure you didn't," Yaten laughed.
Ami took out her cellphone and called up the number, letting Taiki load it up onto his own phone. "Sorry," she said, "even with everything else that happened last night, I probably should have thought of it."
"It's fine," Taiki said with a slight smile.
Seiya looked curious as he quietly asked, "And how are you taking our little revelation?"
"It was a bit of a shock," Ami admitted, "but now that I know I can't believe I didn't see it." She frowned, "It must have been magic."
Both Seiya and Taiki burst out laughing, leaving Ami blinking in confusion.
"What?" Ami demanded.
"Long story," Taiki admitted as the teacher hurried in and class officially started.
Class dragged for Taiki, who had studied much of the material already. Ami seemed similarly bored, though she managed to fake interest better than some. She also took good notes, which would help Taiki keep his 'brothers' grades up. They were kept busy during breaks by all the fangirls, but thankfully most people left them alone during lunch.
Unthankfully, Haruka and Michiru both showed up at their table, sitting protectively on either side of Ami. "You all right?" Haruka asked seriously.
Ami looked rather amused by her two guardians. "Haruka, they aren't going to kidnap me you know," she said dryly.
Michiru calmly drank some of her tea. "Considering the last time Haruka and I were involved with you, there was a monster attack," she noted dryly.
"It wasn't our fault!" Yaten protested indignantly.
Taiki nodded slightly. "We were innocent bystanders in this too," he said, looking a bit sheepish. He sighed as he added, "Galaxy hasn't even paid us for preforming, and our agent is wondering if they ever will."
Haruka raised her eyebrows, "Something shifty going on there?"
"I don't know," Seiya admitted, "but I wonder if they had something to do with that crazy monster attack?"
Taiki bit back his annoyance. He wanted to talk to Ami openly, but with her friends here it was impossible. Politely he asked, "Did you two manage to get away during the attack?"
"We slipped out in the confusion," Michiru agreed.
Ami ate a bit as she gave the two women a somewhat cross look, then sighed. "At least it looks like no lasting harm was done," she said, "no one's reported any injuries right?"
"A few tramplings, when the crowd got out of control during the monster attack," Yaten noted. "Mostly types too dumb to get out of the way."
"Yaten!" Seiya scolded.
Haruka shook her head, but didn't say anything to that. "Do you three still need the tutoring?" she asked instead.
"Uhm," Yaten looked sheepish while Seya sighed.
Ami laughed. "I'll meet up with you after school for the usual review, all right?" she offered with a warm smile. "Assuming nothing work related comes up."
"We'll be there," Taiki agreed.
To be continued...
Notes: The Three Lights know Ami is Sailor Mercury, but they DON'T know that Haruka and Michiru know. Yet anyway.
