Fushigi2

Ch. 2

Moonlight makes me want to cry,

Midnight's too late to call,

Because of my naiveness what will I do?

My heart is a kaleidoscope.

-Moonlight Densetsu, Sailormoon themesong.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into doing this."

Katzie smiled and pressed up to Anubis. His normally wild hair had been tamed into a bun in the ancient Chinese fashion. Her own hair was up rather like Pluto's in an attempt to fit in. Rajura's hair had been left out, as had Sh'ten's. Naaza's hair had also been fought into a bun, and Rubbeus' hair was too short to do much. Bertie had let her hair out for an effect, and it made her look a hundred times younger. Prizma and Avery kept their hairstyles, they were quite fond of them. All had changed clothes so as not to look conspicuous.

"It's for our own benefit, Anubis. If the Senshi DO follow us here, we'll look as normal as the rest of the population."

Rubbeus was still following his earring. It was pointing in a steady direction. Rubbeus reached the top of the hill and grinned. "I know where our power source is."

"Oh really?" Rajura said, panting slightly. Fighting was one thing, but the trip had taken his breath away and he still didn't quite have it back yet. "And where is that?"

"There," Rubbeus said, pointing. Rajura looked and grinned. He recognized the architecture. It was a palace.

Hotohori looked up sharply from the foot of the shrine of Suzaku.

"I have a feeling an evil force has just entered my land," he said softly. "I must pray for Miaka's safety."

"Ow!!"

Usagi looked around confused. Where was everyone? "Guys? Where are you?"

She heard a groan from under her and looked down. She saw an exasperated Rei looking up at her.

"Usagi-chan? You wouldn't mind getting off of us, would you?"

Usagi blushed and scrambled off, letting everyone up. Mamoru stretched before looking around. "I wonder where we are?"

Ami looked around the barren landscape. "Wherever we are, it's not Tokyo."

A-ko turned to Rei. "Rei? Can you sense the Dynasty now?"

Rei paused then nodded. "I hadn't even noticed it, I'm so used to their presence. But now that I concentrate, yes. I can feel them."

"Then we're in the right place," Minako murmured. Usagi shivered. The scenery-or lack thereof-was giving her the heebie jeebies.

Ami studied her readouts. "If we're here to stop the Dynasty, then I think we'd better do it as Senshi."

Makoto nodded. "I agree."

She held up her henshin stick. "Jupiter Crystal Power,"

Ami held up hers. "Mercury Crystal Power,"

Rei was next. "Mars Crystal Power,"

Minako followed. "Venus Crystal Power,"

Together the four of them chorused "Make Up!"

The Troopers and A-ko watched as each one transformed into, respectively, Super Sailors Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Venus. Usagi and Chibiusa held up their brooches.

"Moon Crisis Make Up!"

The two of them transformed into Super Sailors Moon and Chibimoon. Mamoru held up a rose. "Tuxedo Make Up!"

With a few twists and turns, he became Tuxedo Kamen.

The Troopers nodded. "It's our turn!"

Each used their armor orb to transform into their pre-armor. "Armor of the Wildfire…"

"Armor of the Halo…"

"Armor of the Strata…"

"Armor of Hardrock..."

"Armor of the Torrent…"

Together the five of them chorused "DOWCHII!!"

A-ko grinned. "That was pretty cool."

Sailormoon shrugged. "We wouldn't know, we've never seen ourselves transform before."

"Someone oughta tape you."

Seiji rolled his eyes a bit. "Rei-chan. Do you know where they're headed?"

Sailormars shook her head. "I just know they're here…"

Sailormoon thought. "They said there were getting a new power source….Ami-chan?"

"Way ahead of you, Usagi," Mercury said, her hand working furiously over the keyboard of her computer. She looked up. "This way."

"Tamahome!"Tamahome looked up from his exercises to see Miaka running towards him. He smiled. "Miaka. What can I do for you?""Well, you promised to come with Nuriko and me to get some clothes. Nuriko's going as a girl, so we need an obvious guy with us. Also, Hotohori doesn't want me going out there with only one Celestial Warrior at my side."Tamahome smiled a little nervously but nodded. "Okay. I'll come."He walked back towards Nuriko's room. His ladies-in-waiting let him in. Nuriko was once again dressed as one of Hotohori's harem, his beautiful long hair upswept into a graceful bun with braids dotting either side. Tamahome had a feeling that Nuriko styled his own hair. He stood and smiled. "Miaka!" he called in a sing-song voice. "Come! We've got to get going! I see you've managed to drag Tamakins with us. Good, I don't want to have to reveal my true self out there.""Oooh!" Nuriko held up a beautiful silk dress up against Miaka. "This would look wonderful on you! Don't you think Tamahome?"Tamahome could see it on her. Nuriko was right. Miaka would look beautiful. He smiled and nodded. Nuriko grinned and brought out some money. "We'll take it!"

"So that's her? She's our power source?"

Rubbeus nodded. "Given the amount of energy she's putting out, I'd say she has to be the main character. The Priestess of Suzaku."

"Look at her clothes," Bertie said softly. "She's obviously from our world. I'd guess her to be no older than the Senshi are."

"If she's the Priestess of Suzaku," Rajura said. "Then that guy-"

Rubbeus nodded. "Obviously one of her warriors. The woman could be too, though I doubt that. She's dressed to lavishly for battle."

Anubis grinned. "There's more of us than there are of them."

Sh'ten grinned as well. "Let's take 'em."

Miaka popped up in front of Tamahome. "Tamahome, here. What do you think?"

He regarded the fighting outfit a little dubiously. Personally, he wasn't too fond of tight garments. He shook his head.

"Not my style, Miaka."

Miaka started to say something, but her eye caught a group of people moving towards her. They all seemed to be looking right at her.

"T-Tamahome?"

Tamahome saw the expression on her face and whirled in time to see the group still making their way towards them. His eyes narrowed.

"Don't worry, Miaka. I'll protect you. Nuriko, try to get Miaka back to the palace."

Nuriko nodded. "Right."

The man with the red hair walked straight up to him. "Out of my way," he growled. Tamahome looked him dead in the face. "Make me."

The man grinned. "Fine with me." His hand began to glow and suddenly Tamahome felt as if he'd been hit in the stomach. He hurled back into one of the stalls. Miaka gasped. "Tamahome!!"

She broke away from Nuriko and began to run towards him, but she was caught by Anubis. He grinned. "This was almost too easy…" He looked up to see the woman holding up-an entire stall?? And she threw it at them. Anubis dropped Miaka in favor of ducking. Miaka began to make her way towards Tamahome again, but this time she was stopped by Avery.

"Not so fast. You're coming with us back to Tokyo."

Miaka blinked. "T-Tokyo? You're from my world??"

Avery produced her whip and quickly snagged Miaka with it. She then looked up to see Nuriko charging full force at her. He hit Avery full in the gut, once again freeing Miaka.

Rajura usually had no qualms about hitting a woman, but this time he was rightfully a little dubious. But then the woman's dressed slipped a bit. He knew enough about women's bodies to know that two breasts were missing. Which made this woman a…

He grinned and quickly transformed into his armor.

"She's a man," he called out to his comrades. "I suggest you just take him."

Anubis blinked. She…was a he? But he could see Rajura was right. So he too transformed, and saw his comrades following suit. Miaka gasped. She'd seen their pictures on the news before.

"The Shogun!" she gasped. Oh, where were the Sailor Senshi when she needed them?

Rajura grinned. "Web of deception!" he yelled, quickly engulfing everyone in the vicinity….including his comrades. Bertie shot him a glare. "Next time, care to give us a little warning before doing that?"

Rajura shrugged, but loosed his web so that they could get out. He quickly plucked Miaka from the web.

"You're mine."

She whimpered, obviously scared out of her wits. He turned to deal with the other two but heard an all-too-familiar voice call out

"Moon Tiara Action!"

Miaka's bonds were split and she fell. Halfway, she was caught by Tuxedo Kamen. Rajura almost felt like crying. They HAD her, god dammit! He looked up$to see the familiar sight of the Senshi, Troopers and A-ko greeting him.

Sailormoon looked especially pissed. "I told you I'd follow you wherever you went and I meant it! I will not allow you to use this girl to your own advantage, I cannot forgive it!! For love and justice,"

Chibimoon chimed in. "Pretty soldier in a Sailor suit."

"Sailormoon!"

"Sailorchibimoon!"

"In the name of the moon,"

"You're punished!" the two of them finished together.

The Sailor Senshi and Troopers added "The Sailor Senshi and the Troopers. We cannot forgive it!"

Rajura grinned. "Morning star strike!"

The mace missed Sailormoon's head by mere inches.

She made a face. "I always hated that attack. Moon Tiara Action!"

She threw her tiara so that not only was Rajura's Morning Star cut down to size, but so were his scythes. He growled ready to lunge for the senshi when he heard a yell from behind him. He turned and saw the obvious warrior charging at him. Rajura grinned. He considered himself an expert at Martial Arts, but was startled to be outmatched by this-whelp. He watched as the symbol of the demon appeared on his forehead in blazing red. Then a well placed kick left him unconscious.

Sh'ten and Prizma were dealing with Sailormars and A-ko.

"Fire, Soul!" Mars yelled and the warlord and his girlfriend were forced to jump apart. Just what they wanted. A-ko ran and aimed a jump kick at Sh'ten, smashing him into a stall before he could summon his chain.

Sailormars took a different approach. "Akuryo Taisan!" And Prizma was frozen.

Bertie and Sailormercury were battling it out, their attacks meeting head on and leaving beautiful Ice Sculptures in their wake.

Bertie grinned and summoned another attack of ice. Sailormercury was sick of this.

"Shabon Spray!" She yelled, clouding the immediate area. Bertie looked around in confusion for her foe.

"Arrow Shock Wave!"

Bertie was out cold.

"Jupiter, Oak Evolution!"

Avery hastened to jump out of the way. Naaza charged at Jupiter from behind.

"Thunder Bolt Cut!"

Jupiter turned as the warlord fell heavily at her feet. She grinned at Seiji, who shrugged.

"Anything to help."

She turned back just as Avery sent her whip after her.

She jumped out of the way as quickly as she could. "Supreme Thunder!"

Unfortunately for Avery, leather can conduct electricity. Avery fell heavily as well.

Rubbeus snarled and aimed a discreet blast at Sailorjupiter and Seiji.

"Oh no you don't," a feminine-yet-not-so-feminine voice called out. Rubbeus looked down to see the other man-woman or whatever holding up another stall. Grunting slightly, he/she…it hurled it at him. Rubbeus had not enough time to scamper out of the way. He fell to the ground.

Katzie and Anubis sneered. "Time to beat a hasty retreat," she murmured. Anubis was inclined to agree and they all disappeared.

Sailormoon ran over to Miaka, who was still trembling in Tuxedo Kamen's arms.

"Daijobu?" (Are you alright?)

Miaka's eyes went wide, and the next thing she knew Sailormoon found herself trapped in a chokehold of a hug.

"Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou for rescuing me, Sailormoon! I was so afraid you weren't going to show up but now you did and-"

"Miaka?"

Miaka turned, keeping her hold on her hero. "Yes, Tamahome?"

"Sailormoon, is it? Well, she's beginning to turn blue."

Miaka turned. There was Sailormoon, a sour look on her face, looking as if she was about to pass out. Miaka gasped and let go, and Sailormoon slowly, ever so slowly, tipped over and lay there. Miaka blushed.

"Sorry…"

"So this is your heroine?"

Miaka nodded solemnly. "Yes, Hotohori. This is Sailormoon, the one mentioned in the Universe of the Four Gods."

Sailorvenus blinked. "Isn't that the name of the book we're in?"

Miaka nodded. "It's also the name of this scroll," she said, holding a delicate red scroll. Sailormars looked at Miaka's clothes, then at her backpack in the corner. Something caught her eye and she wandered over, and pulled out a half-exposed Sailor V. comic. She smiled.

"You're a Sailor V. Fan too, huh?"

Miaka grinned. "Sure am. Huge Sailormoon fan too."

Sailormoon grinned. "Nice to know I have fans…"

Hotohori smiled and walked over to Sailormoon. He bowed deeply, his bangs hanging lightly over his face.

"We are honored you have come to protect the Priestess of Suzaku, Princess Moon."

Sailormoon blinked, then smiled and, with princess-like dignity and gracefulness, bowed back.

"It is an honor to be here, your highness."

Miaka smiled. "And now you're going to show those mean old Shogun that they can't use ME any old way they want to!"

Sailormercury smiled. "We're going to protect you, Miaka-san. Make no mistake about that."

Miaka grinned, then frowned as several loud rumblings filled the air. Hotohori's eyes widened.

"Miaka…was that you?"

"Not all me," she said. "At least, I don't think so…"

Sailormoon and Shou blushed.

"Um…that was us," Shou said sheepishly. Sailormoon laughed a bit.

"Where's the kitchen?"

"How did they know? HOW?" Rubbeus paced the floor. "There's no way! We left no clues!"

Rubbeus," Avery said softly. "Rei is psychic, you know, and she always seems to know when we're around. Maybe she, I dunno, felt us leave? Or maybe Ami's computers registered something…"

Rubbeus sighed. However the Senshi knew, they did and they had followed them…again. And now they were protecting the Priestess of Suzaku. What did that guy say her name was? Miaka? Rubbeus sneered. She was definitely Japanese. And she could definitely be useful. If only they could get past the Troopers and Senshi…

Anubis finished bandaging the worst of Naaza's wounds and slunk back into the shadows. "Whatever the case," he said, starting slowly. "Now it's not only a matter of getting past her protectors. Didn't Wiseman say that there were three protectors so far?"

Rubbeus nodded, then saw where Anubis was headed. "We only saw two," he said slowly. "There's still one more."

"As a priestess," Rajura said. "She'd be staying at the palace, where the original energy readings came from. My suggestion is that we attack there next."

"Agreed," Rubbeus said. "But not right away. Let the Senshi and Troopers have time to feel safe. That's when they're most vulnerable."

"So, you're a man?"

Nuriko nodded, his beautiful earrings making the tiniest jingling sounds.

"I am a man. I'm one of the Celestial Warriors, one of the protectors of the Priestess of Suzaku."

Hotohori, now out of his imperial garments, nodded, his long hair falling slightly over his shoulder.

"I am also one of the Celestial Warriors. As is Tamahome."

Tamahome waved. Hotohori turned back to Sailormoon.

"From what Miaka tells me, you too have warriors who protect you. The, Sailor Senshi?"

Touma nodded. "Yeah. But their story is a little more complicated than that of Miaka's, your majesty."

Hotohori blinked. "And…you are?"

Touma bowed. "Touma of the Strata, your majesty."

Hotohori looked to Seiji. "Seiji of the Halo, your highness."

Ryo went next, bowing deeply. "Ryo of the Wildfire."

"Shou of Hardrock."

"Shin of the torrent, your majesty."

Hotohori nodded. "Are you Senshi as well?"

Shin shook his head. "Nae, we're Samurai Troopers. Some of the enemies we fought today were actually our enemies, and since they've teamed up with the Senshi's enemies, we thought it advisable to join forces as well. We are the Senshi's partners, and, at times, their protectors."

Nuriko raised a slender brow. "Protectors? If you two teamed up for the sole purpose of defeating your joint enemies, then neither would have to protect either. Which tells me that there's more to your relationships than you're telling us."

Everyone blushed a bit.

"Truth be told," Ryo said slowly. "Our relationships are a bit more involved than that."

Hotohori held up a hand, smiling. "No more need be said. Nuriko, shame on you for prying."

Sailorjupiter smiled. "No harm done, your majesty. We don't mind."

"Of course" Hotohori continued. "You will be allowed to make yourself comfortable for the duration of your stay."

Sailormoon opened her mouth and Tuxedo Kamen quickly clamped his hand over it.

"We are honored, your majesty. Thank you."

"It really is beautiful here," She sighed softly. "Almost in a way that our world seems to have forgotten."

"Talking to yourself, Mina-ko?"

Venus turned to see Seiji, in pre armor, walking up to her, smiling. She sighed.

"I guess, Seiji-chan. But it's just so beautiful here, and how often do we get to sit back and$just…admire the beauty around us?"

Seiji smiled. She, of all senshi would notice the beauty in everything. But she had a point.$

"Not often enough," he admitted, putting his arms around her. "And you're right, this place is wonderful, like my home before-"

He cut himself off abruptly, his hands clenching. Venus looked at him. "Before what?"

"Before Naaza killed everything in his attempt to kill me…"

Venus gasped. Several years had passed since she'd met him, and yet there were still things she did not know. She hugged him, bringing him out of the past.

"I'm so sorry, Seiji-chan. I didn't know…"

Seiji smiled softly and kissed her on the forehead.

"Nor should you have to worry about it. That was years and years ago, years before I met you. The forest will regrow. The animals will return."

Venus hugged him again. "But you shouldn't have to suffer for any of it."

Seiji smiled again. Trust Minako to try to take charge of all of his problems in one fell swoop. He kissed her softly and smiled.

"It's times like this that you make me love you even more, Mina-ko."

Venus grinned slyly. "Really? That's possible?"

"I, for one, don't trust them."

Tamahome was intrigued. "And why is that, Nuriko?"

Nuriko finished braiding his hair.

"They weren't totally honest with us about everything. We hardly know anything about this enemy of theirs. How do we know that the Senshi aren't the real enemy?"

Tamahome blinked. "The senshi have a right not to tell us everything about themselves, you know. They don't have to protect Miaka. They don't have to help us. They don't have to be here, period. Besides," he added, turning to leave. "They don't strike me as the type who would use Miaka or lie for their own advantage. So just calm down, Nuriko. Learn to be a little more trusting."

Tamahome left, leaving Nuriko alone in his room. He snorted and began fixing his dress. He was going to be spending the day with his handsome emperor, and he wanted to look his best for him, as he always did.

"Nuriko-san?"

He looked up to see Sailormoon's head looking in. "Can I come in?"

Nuriko shrugged. "Sure."

Sailormoon smiled, came in and sat down. "I wanted to ask you why you think the Shogun might be after Miaka. "

Nuriko shrugged. "Honestly, I have no idea. Do they have a history of kidnapping people?"

Sailormoon nodded, remembering her own abduction by the Shogun not too long ago. "I'm afraid they do. All of us Senshi and Troopers have been kidnapped by them at one time or another."

"And why did they take you all?"

"They took us in the hopes of turning us to their side. That I get. And they also told me that Miaka had some sort of power. My question, really, is where do you think she would get this power from?"

Nuriko blinked. Sailormoon had appeared so scatterbrained when he first met her. Maybe there was more to her than it seemed? "Suzaku, I imagine."

"Suzaku?"

Nuriko nodded. "Yes. See, there are four kingdoms, one for each of the four gods. We in the south are the land of Konan, and our god is Suzaku. And our color is-"

"Red," Sailormoon said, cutting him off. He blinked.

"Um..yeah. How did you-"

"When I was in my world, a red glow, led me to the-er-gateway into your world."

Nuriko was stunned. Suzaku had led the Senshi here? Then…Tamahome was right. The Senshi were on their side. They had to be, Suzaku wouldn't have picked them if they weren't. Finally, he smiled kindly. "I'm sorry, Sailormoon. I had my doubts about you and the rest before. Now I know you won't hurt Miaka."

Sailormoon smiled. "Uh…can I ask you one more question, Nuriko?"

Nuriko nodded. "Yes."

"Um…why do you dress like a woman?"

Nuriko blinked a few times, then out and out laughed. "Well, you may not believe this, but I'm in love with his highness."

"The emperor?!?"

Nuriko nodded. "Well, can you blame me? He's so handsome, with that face, and that hair.."

"Then why don't you tell him?"

"He knows! But he's so stuck on Miaka that he doesn't care."

"But…" Sailormoon was becoming a bit confused. "Doesn't Miaka love-"

"Tamahome? Yes, and vice versa. That's really why I want the emperor to forget about her. It causes him pain when he sees them together, so in love..I don't suppose you know how hard it is, loving someone who doesn't love you?"

Sailormoon thought back to when she had recovered her memory, but Mamoru hadn't. It had hurt so much. Her eyes downcast, she said, "Yes, I'm afraid I do."

Nuriko nodded. "And yet he loves Miaka so that all he wants is her happiness…even if it's happiness with someone else."

"And that's all you want for him," Sailormoon said softly. Nuriko nodded.

Sailormoon smiled. "Then you all do truly care for each other. And I think you care about Miaka more than you're letting on."

Nuriko looked at her at this. She was smiling. She stood. "I've got to go, now. I'm supposed to be training, but I had to get your opinion on Miaka and the Shogun and the connection. I've still got to talk to Tamahome and Hotohori. But I really enjoyed talking with you."

Nuriko smiled. "And I with you, Sailormoon. We may have to make it a regular occurrence."