Fushigi4

Ch. 4

This fight is not for anybody, this is

Purely for myself.

And I won't stop until I reach the

Very top.

I don't know what is wrong, or what is right,

I've got to find the answer.

But until I do there's no way I will

Ever give up.

So place all your bets on the one you think is right.

-It doesn't matter, Sonic's Theme, Sonic Adventure

"What're we gonna do, what're we gonna do, what're we gonna do?"

Sailormars slapped her. "Usagi, calm down. We've got to think logically right now and unfortunately, your babbling isn't helping."

Sailormoon held the side of her face. "My question still stands, Rei-chan. We just let the Shogun take Suzaku no Miko!"

"Correction," Seiji said softly. The situation had drained him of nearly all energy. "Suzaku no Miko just let the Shogun take Suzaku no Miko. I'm afraid we didn't have too much say in it."

Hotohori shook his head. "I don't understand! How could you let them take Miaka?? You were supposed to protect her!"

"Give her a break," Ryo snapped. "Her scepter was destroyed and besides, it was Miaka's choice. There was nothing we could do."

"You could have stopped her, prevented her from going through-"

"And risked the lives of us all? I don't think so, your eminence." Ryo's tone was vicious. "We don't sacrifice each other for one person!"

Hotohori drew his sword, prompting Ryo to draw his katanas. The two of them stood, bristling at each other. Sailormoon stepped between them and stared them both down.

"Enough! We need to heal up our friends first, and then we'll go after Miaka. And not before. Yes, we came here to protect her, and we will recover her, but not with only half of us in operation."

Tamahome placed his hand on Hotohori's shoulder. "She's right, your majesty. They can't help us if they're not all in good shape."

Hotohori growled, but sheathed his sword. "If any harm comes to Miaka, I swear I will have vengeance on you, not the Shogun."

Ryo bristled. He didn't take kindly to threats-especially from one he was supposed to be helping. "No harm will come to Miaka, but lay one hand on any of those under my care and may Kami-sama help you."

He turned to Sailormars. "Rei-chan, help me get them inside."

Mars picked up Sailormercury, casting a series of worried glances over her shoulder back at Hotohori.

"Very silly, you know," Rubbeus shook his head at the absurdity. "Giving yourself up for those you don't even know."

"I know they came to help me, and M won't stand by and let anyone die because of me." Miaka was trembling with fear, but was determined not to show it. "I'm not like you."

Rubbeus snarled at this remark and raised his hand as if to hit her but his wrist was caught before he could bring it down. He looked behind him to see that Rajura had held him back.

"Knocking her senseless won't help us."

Rubbeus looked from him to Miaka and back, then lowered his hand.

"You had better be careful of how you talk to me, little girl," he spat fiercely. "Ov else once we've got your power, you're done for."

Rubbeus stalked out and Rajura sighed.

"A word of advice," he said softly. "No one around here is ever quite what you think they are. But don't back talk to Rubbeus. I may not be around next time."

Miaka nodded fearfully. Rajura grinned. "And don't look so scared. You're useful to us, so we'll keep you in good condition. Once we have your vow of loyalty, we'll let you roam free."

"I'll never give you my vow of loyalty," she hissed. Rajura sighed and grinned wider.

"You will. With time and persuasion."

Rubbeus…the Shogun! Oh gods, no, Miaka!! She sat up quickly, forcing her eyes open. Almost immediately a set of hands tried to force her back down. She grabbed them and prepared to hurl them across the room when she looked into the face of her attacker…or not. Sailorvenus!! She moaned, realizing that she was in a bed, the Sailor Senshi and Samurai Troopers crowded around her. She lay back down slowly before looking up at the bandaged Shin. She grinned weakly. "How're ya feeling?"

"Could be better. How are ye feeling?"

Jupiter managed a shrug. "Could be worse. Where's Miaka?"

Shin started and looked away from her. Gods, no, she thought. She grabbed Shin's hand with a surprising amount of strength.

"Where is Miaka?"

"She's gone," Touma said bitterly. "She went with the Shogun."

"B-but why??"

"She didn't want to see any more of us get hurt," Mercury said softly. Jupiter could tell she'd been crying. She sighed.

"It's okay, Ami-chan. We'll get Miaka back quicker than Usagi downing a pizza."

Mercury smiled over a quiet snort.

"First you must get stronger. There's no way we can get past the Shogun if we're all not up to speed."

"What about Hotohori?"

"What about him?" Ryo asked bitterly. Jupiter turned her head to face him quizzically.

"Well, isn't he helping us?"

"We don't need his help. We can do it on our own."

Jupiter blinked. "But Hotohori, Tamahome and Nuriko know this world much better than we do! They could really help. We may need-"

"I said we could do it alone!" Ryo shouted. Jupiter blushed and fell silent. Mars frowned.

"It's not fair of you to yell at Mako-chan, Ryo. And she's making some very valid points. Points you've conveniently missed."

Ryo shot her a hard look. It didn't silence her. "You're both upset over Miaka being taken. It's understandable. Just go back and tell Hotohori that you're sorry and I'm sure he'll accompany us."

"NO!" he shouted again. Touma sighed.

"Ryo, you're being totally unreasonable. Rei-chan and Mako-chan are right, and you know it. You're just being too stubborn to let it go."

Ryo snorted and stalked out. Jupiter turned to Mars. "What was that all about?"

"Hotohori and Ryo had some words earlier. Hotohori's upset because we let Miaka go. Ryo's upset because Hotohori's upset…its all one huge mess."

Jupiter sat up a bit more, over Mercury's protests. "Rei-chan, you should go talk to Hotohori for Ryo. He may not want to admit it, but he knows we need his help. We won't get it if someone doesn't apologize."

"Why me?"

Venus smmled. "Ryo's less likely to hurt you after finding out you apologized in his name than if any of us did it."

Mars giggled slightly.

A haze lifts from him and he's walking…walking? Where? He looks up to see…Sailormars. Rei-chan. Chan? Yes, he knows the word is right. Chan.

"Rei," he murmurs. She looks down at him, realizing that's he's waked. She smiles, and begins showering him with kisses as they walk.

"Daijoubu, Ryo-chan. You're safe now, the Shogun can't get at you anymore."

She was there…. He knows. Watching him as they beat him.

"You were there, watching me…."

Rei gasps, for he can no longer think of her as simply Sailormars. She is Hino Rei, fifteen years old, priestess, student at the First School for girls.

And ultimately, the woman he's going to marry. The woman he loves. He realizes all of this in a single instant. He nods, smiling weakly.

"I saw you…"

Rei searches hms blue eyes, then nods. He hears, in a fuzzy kind of way, the Ancient's voice up ahead. Warning them…they need help…

"Ryo-chan?"

Ryo started awake and looked into a set of very blue eyes. He realized that Sailormercury was bent over him, checking his wounds, something she'd started to do when Jupiter had started to come to.

He yawned and sat still as she looked him over. She glanced up at him shyly.

"You were talking in your sleep."

Ryo blinked. He was? Mercury continued softly.

"You were dreaming of the past, weren't you? Of that time we had to save you in the Dynasty…. I don't think that dream came about by accident, Ryo."

Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Oh no?"

Mercury sat back on her heels for a second, looking into his blue eyes with her own.

"Look. All I$can tell you is that I've seen evidence that the Ancient One is still watching over us even though he's gone. He guides us, but in more subtle ways now. And I think he's trying to guide you right now."

She stood and turned to go. He stood too.

"Ami, what do you think he's trying to tell me?"

"Rei-chan was right back then. She came and rescued you when you were sure you would need no such rescue. Perhaps she's right now?"

Ryo blinked. He thought for a second and looked up to ask Mercury another question. But she was gone.

"Your majesty, please be reasonable! You cannot really mean to go after Miaka by yourself!"

Hotohori shot a murderous glare at Nuriko. "And why not?"

"Your Majesty, these aren't our enemies! It would be best if we went with the Senshi and-"

"NO!" Hotohori roared. Nuriko gasped and fell silent. Hotohori sighed. Intellectually, he knew he would never get Miaka back without the help of the Troopers and the Senshi. But his anger that Miaka had been taken was so great, that he couldn't bring hmmself to apologize and ask their help. He sighed. When he spoke again, his tone was calmer, quieter.

"I think I'll go to the shrine and pray that Suzaku gives us a sign."

Nuriko sighed and watched him go. He wanted Miaka back as much as his emperor did. That settled it. He turned and began to walk towards the wing of the palace where the Senshi were staying to apologize.

"Time to eat!"

Miaka's eyes opened slowly to see Bertie standing over her, smiling and holding a steaming bowl of rice.

"It may not be much, but you've got to eat. Here."1

She handed the bowl to Miaka, who quickly began to devour the meal. Bertie smiled and chuckled nervously.

"Hmmm. I imagine you and Usagi get along famously…"

Miaka looked up and blinked. "You mean because of how I eat? Actually I'm friends with Chibiusa," She shoved another mouthful of rice into her mouth and swallowed. "This is great! Who made it?"

Bertie blushed. "Well, I did, actually. I didn't trust Rubbeus to do it without trying to harm you. You know," she said, kneeling before Miaka. "We don't wish to harm you. It's not you we're after. We just need power and you happen to have a lot of it. We're not your enemies, Miaka. We'd love to be friends with you."

Miaka stopped eating. "You would?"

Bertie smiled again and nodded. "Of course! All roughness aside, we'll protect you, if you want, from anyone who would wish to harm you. Believe me, once we get back to our own world, you'll be quite in demand."

Miaka gulped. "I-I will??"

"Oh, yes. You're lucky we were the first ones to sense your power. We easily could have gotten here second, behind someone like, say, Apocalypse. You know who he is, don't you?"

Miaka nodded. She'd heard of Apocalypse, the X-men's worst enemy. She'd also heard of how strong he was.

"Just imagine if he'd gotten to you first. And he will try to get at you when you get back to our world, whether or not it's with us. He knows, though, that he's really no match for our Wiseman and Lord Talpa, so his attack on us will be brief at best. The Senshi cannot guarantee that kind of safety."

She stood and smiled at Miaka. "Think about it."

And she left, leaving Miaka one more thing to think about.

"If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black."

Rajura sighed. "Rubbeus, I am not going to be dawn into another fight with you. Listen to reason for once. Injuring Miaka not only renders her just that much more unable to use this energy of hers, but it also angers Lord Talpa and your Wiseman. And I'm assuming you wish to stay in one piece."

Rubbeus growled. "It's not for you to lecture me. If I recall, you nearly killed Sailorvenus? And let's not forget the time you slapped Jupiter so hard-"

"Now who's being hypocritical? Or should I remind you of Sailormercury?"

Rubbeus opened his mouth to retort, then realized Rajura was right. He closed his mouth, crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, fuming. Rajura looked up as Benjamin poked his head into the room.

"Daddy?"

Rajura smiled. "Yes, Ben?"

"Sh'ten sent me to tell you that he says that all indications point to a split between Hotohori and the Senshi, whatever that means. He said that they're at each other's throats. Is Sailormoon going to choke Hotohori?"

Rajura laughed. So the little incident involving Miaka had split the two apart. All the better. He picked up his four-year-old son, marveling once again at just how intelligent he had become in such a short time. Anubis had been right when he had predicted that Benjamin would become a child prodigy. He was much more intellectually advanced than his years, talking and behaving more like a seven year old, than a four year old.

"No, Sailormoon and Hotohori are mad at each other right now. Very mad. Which means we may be ale to defeat them."

"But Chibimoon will live, right?"

Rajura sighed. The Chibimoon thing again. Benjamin had somehow developed feelings for the young senshi, most likely because she was closest to his age.

"All the Senshi will live, son. It's the Troopers who may have to die."

Benjamin frowned. "I've been thinking about that. Lord Talpa wants their armor, and they have to die. Yet he has your armor, and you're all living. Why can't Lord Talpa just take the Trooper's armor and let them live, or better yet turn them into Shogun like you all?"

Rajura blinked them smiled. "We're alive because we gave ourselves willingly to Lord Talpa, and he is able to utilize our armor with us still alive. The Troopers won't be willing to give in to Lord Talpa, so they're going to have to give us their armor another way."

"But killing them?" Benjamin said dubiously. "Somehow that doesn't seem fair or just. Who are we to deny them life because they have something we want?"

Rajura opened his mouth when he realized that he had no answer. Rather, he had no answer that he liked. His young son had just made a very valid point. And he seemed to realize it, his face resembling the face of his mother when she had just won a point against Rajura. Rajura sighed.

"Enough of this. Why don't you go play."

Benjamin shrugged. "No one to play with."

"Miaka's over in the other room," Rajura said. "She may not be your mental equal, but be patient with her, okay?"

Benjamin giggled, then smiled. He hugged his father then ran out of the room. Rubbeus rolled his eyes.

"That's some kid. He's even outthinking you, Rajura. Not that that's any great accomplishment."

Rajura turned and snarled "Shut up."

"Hotohori-sama?"

Hotohori's head jerked up at the voice. He turned and saw Sailormars standing timidly at the door. His expression softened and he nodded for her to enter. Sailormars kneeled by Hotohori.

"Hotohori-sama…I'm really very sorry about what happened earlier. Ryo's not usually quite so stubborn…I mean he's usually open to reason. And he wasn't this afternoon."

Hotohori remained silent, his head bowed. Sailormars faltered, then went on in e rush.

"I know you're very upset at Miaka being taken. Quite frankly, it was a shock to all of us and happened before we could stop it. But we're going to get her back, have no doubts about that. But we cannot do it without your help, your majesty. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry, and I'll apologize on Ryo's behalf too. We're all very sorry about all of this and wish you'd help us get Miaka back."

Hotohori stayed silent for a long time. Sailormars, sensing that he would have to think on what he had heard, stood silently and walked out.