Ch. 5
I have no, such things as weak spots.
Don't approve of him but got to trust him.
This alliance has a purpose.
This partnership is only temporary.
-Unknown from M.E. Knuckle's theme, Sonic Adventure (yes, again, Kobito. I LIKE THE SONGS, IS THAT SO WRONG???)
"How's that feel?"
Sailorjupiter moved her arm, then smiled appreciatively. "Feels almost like new, Ami-chan. Thanks."
Mercury blushed a little. "It's nothing. I'm really not all that good, I've got so much studying to do before I become a doctor…"
She trailed off as Sailormars came walking slowly back into the room. She looked into Sailormars' violet eyes, a question in them. Sailormars shrugged.
"He didn't say anything when I left," she said simply. Ryo's head jerked up.
"Who didn't say anything?" he asked accusingly. Sailormars flushed a brilliant scarlet and looked down. Ryo shook his head. Rei had gone and apologized for him. He opened his mouth to ask her just what the hell she had thought she was doing when Mercury's words came back to his mind. Maybe Rei was right now, and they needed Hotohori's help more than he realized.
Or rather, than he was willing to admit.
He sighed and looked up at Sailormars, a small smile on his lips.
"Gomen ne, Rei-chan. I'm not mad at you. Not really. I don't think I'm really mad at Hotohori-sama, either."
Sailormars smiled and sat next to him. "Look. You're both mad because Miaka was taken by the Shogun. But in order to get her back, we all need to work together. Especially since Usagi no longer has her scepter."
Sailormoon blushed. Venus sat up. "You know, I've been thinking. It's not as if Sailormoon hasn't any other scepters at all, you know. What about her scepter from when we were still battling cardians?"
Mercury shook her head. "At this point, the Shogun are so strong that a 'Moon Princess Halation' would be about as effective as a 'Pink Sugar Heart Attack.'"
Sailorchibimoon snorted quietly. Jupiter sighed. "Then how is Sailormoon supposed to battle? I mean, let's face it, she's not the most athletically inclined of the Senshi."
"No arguments there," Shin agreed. "And I nae think that a 'Moon Tiara Action' will do the trick either."
Mercury sighed. "I knew we should have invested in Pocket Monsters."
"As soon as we get back," Sailormoon said. "We're applying for a gym."
"A…gym?"
Everyone looked up at the new voice. Nuriko was standing in the doorway, wearing-
"Whoa!" Chibimoon said. "Nuriko! You look like a guy!!"
Nuriko smiled, flipping his long braid over his shoulder. "I know, I figured that it would be easier to surprise the enemy if I weren't wearing my harem garments." He became serious. "Ryo-san, I came to apologize on behalf of the emperor."
Ryo blinked, then grinned slightly. "Does he know you're here?"
Nuriko flushed the smallest bit. "No, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell him I've come. I wouldn't want him to become angry with me."
"Why would I be angry if you're doing the right thing, Nuriko?" a soft voice said behind him. Nuriko went white, his eyes grew wide and he slowly turned around to see Hotohori standing there, a small smirk on his face. Nuriko flushed and backed away slowly, choosing to try to hide behind Mamoru. Hotohori bowed before Ryo, who, to everyone's immense surprise, bowed back.
"I am sorry, Ryo-san," Hotohori said. "Nuriko and Sailormars are both right. Our primary objective should be to retrieve Miaka, not to blame each other."
Ryo grinned. "Your majesty, I do believe that that's the best thing anyone's said all day."
"Lunch time!!"
Miaka practically drooled as Bertie brought in a rather generous helping of a Spanish dish Miaka seemed to like called Quesadilla. She sat it down and Miaka immediately tore into it, half of it gone in what may have been just short of Shou's all time record. Bertie smiled and sat next to Miaka, crossing her legs. Miaka glanced at her.
"So you're saying that this Talpa of yours just wants to help me?"
Bertie nodded. "Of course. What would we gain from hurting you?"
Miaka frowned. "Have you tried to explain it to the Samurai Troopers and the Sailor Senshi?"
Bertie sighed. "I'm afraid we have, but none of them seem to understand. But I'm glad you do, Miaka."
Miaka swallowed another slice of quesadilla and blinked. "What about Tamahome? And Hotohori and Nuriko?"
Bertie shrugged. "They're more than welcome to join us. The more the merrier, right?"
Miaka nodded distractedly. "Right…"
Bertie frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Well," Miaka said, taking another huge helping of quesadilla. "I mean… how in the world am I going to convince Tamahome to come with me to join you guys if the Samurai Troopers and Sailor Senshi think you're evil?"
Bertie smiled. "You love him then?"
Miaka blinked, nearly choking. After swallowing, she thought for a second, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess I do."
Bertie nodded. "And it's more than obvious that he loves you. He'll follow you, if it comes down to it. If he loves you, that is."
Miaka brightened a little. "You…you really think so?"
Bertie smiled again. "Trust me. If there's one thing I know, it's love."
"How is it?"
Anubis straightened and smiled warmly. "It's doing fine, as is the mother. But may I suggest to the mother that she cut out the diet foods, as she needs to gain weight?"
Katzie giggled and sat up, pulling her shirt down over her stomach.
"The mother doesn't want to gain weight."
Anubis sighed and held her close, kissing her. "I know you don't darling, but if the baby is to survive, you must. It won't be able to survive if you insist on staying at 135."
Katzie made a face. "Okay, then I'll pig out on ice cream and peanut butter sandwiches."
Anubis grinned. "It's not my craving. Eat whatever you want, but make sure you drink orange juice and eat plenty of fruits too…"
Katzie smiled. "Now you really sound like my physician and not like my fiancé."
Anubis grinned. "I think I take to both roles rather well, don't you?"
They leaned in for a more passionate kiss when Rubbeus entered the room. Katzie scowled.
"Aren't you turning out to be the spoiler lately? Shouldn't you be somewhere, like with Avery?"
Rubbeus grinned. "You won't look so sour when I tell you that we're close to leaving."
Anubis raised a brow. "How close?"
Rubbeus grinned wider. "Close. Like Miaka is coming to our side of her own free will close."
Anubis raised both brows. "And how, pray tell, did we manage that?"
"'We' did nothing. Bertie has done everything. Cooked for her, spent time with her…she has infinitely more patience than I shall ever have."
"She has a son, Rubbeus," Katzie said. She looked at Anubis, a thought suddenly occurring to her. From the look on his face, it had occurred to him as well. She took a deep breath and began to take the plunge.
"In fact, Rubbeus, there's something you should know about me. I-"
Rajura appeared, looking very sour indeed. Rubbeus frowned. "What's up?"
"Hotohori and Usagi have made up."
Rubbeus cursed. "This means we'll have to deal with all of them at once."
Rajura now grinned. "Not all. Remember: Usagi no longer has a wand."
Rubbeus blinked. "What about her other scepters?"
Rajura laughed out loud. "Please. She might as well 'Moon Tiara Action' us!"
Anubis cleared his throat, annoyed. "We were talking Rajura…"
Rajura blinked. "And?"
Katzie sighed. "Look. I might as well tell both of you. I'm…"
Bertie was walking with Avery down the hall towards the infirmary when they heard the sound of something hitting the floor and people shouting. Running in, they saw Rubbeus unconscious on the floor, Katzie and Anubis bent over him trying to revive him and Rajura standing in a corner looking oddly amused. After a few moments of general bedlam, Rubbeus came to. Avery and Anubis helped him to a bed. He looked up at Katzie and rasped
"How long?"
Katzie shrugged. "I suppose about two months."
"TWO MONTHS??" Rubbeus shouted, now enraged. "Why the hell did you come on this mission if you knew you were…were…"
"Were what?" Avery asked. "Katzie, what's going on?"
Katzie flushed. "I'm pregnant."
Rubbeus flinched as two squeals of delight erupted from the two women. They ran over and began congratulating Katzie and Anubis, both of whom were looking quite embarrassed. Rubbeus stood.
"You're going home."
Katzie gasped. "No! See? That's exactly why I didn't tell you in the first place!"
"You shouldn't be here!!" Rubbeus roared. "What if you get hurt? What if the baby gets hurt? You're going home this instant."
Anubis laid his hands on Katzie's shoulders. "She goes, I go."
Rubbeus had already opened his mouth, but at Anubis' statement no sound came out. He closed his mouth, a muscle working furiously in his left temple. He seemed to be thinking about it. Finally he sighed.
"Okay, Katzie. You can stay. We won't be here for much longer anyway. Bertie, how soon do you think Miaka will pledge herself to us?"
Bertie shrugged. "That's sort of hard to say. It could be tonight, it could be two weeks from now."
Rubbeus smiled. "We've got time. Keep working with her, Bertie. Make any promises you need to, we need her on our side."
"So you're saying that our biggest problem is finding where they are?"
Mercury nodded. "I'm afraid so, Tamahome. We have ways of finding Miaka once we're in their domain. It's getting there that's going to present a problem for us."
Hotohori sighed. "Does anyone have any ideas?"
No one spoke. No one had anything to say.
Sailormoon, especially, looked lost in thought. Suddenly, she blinked.
"Nuriko, you said that Miaka gets her power from Suzaku, right?"
Nuriko nodded, confused. "Your point is?"
Sailormoon grinned and went on in a rush. "And Suzaku led me here. So, maybe Suzaku can lead us to Miaka!"
Everyone blinked.
"Is that even possible?" Touma asked in awe. Hotohori sighed.
"In theory, it is, but it may or may not work."
"Look, Miaka is Suzaku no Miko, right?" Sailormoon said, standing. "I know when I need help, my mother, the goddess of the moon doesn't just sit around and let my friends blunder into me. She shows them the way! And I bet Suzaku will to, if we ask him."
A-ko grinned. "You know, Usagi, I think you really may be on to something here."
Sailormars smiled. "Like we have a choice, anyway. It's the only suggestion we have."
She turned to Hotohori. "Hotohori, I'm a priestess. I'd like to help in asking Suzaku to show us the way to Miaka."
Hotohori smiled as well. "I would be honored."
