Fushigi6

Ch. 6

Many friends help me out

In return, I help them,

Certain things I can do,

And there are things only I can do.

No one's alone!

-I wanna fly high, Tails' theme, Sonic Adventure. (See? New character. Ha.)

Usagi paced the entrance to the shrine. Patience may be a virtue, but she didn't posses it. She felt her wrist caught by a strong hand. She looked down into the blue eyes of Mamoru, who gently pulled her to him.

"Marching around in front of the shrine isn't going to make Suzaku show us the way."

"Yeah, chill out, Usagi-chan," A-ko said, one leg slung over the arm of a chair. "If Suzaku is going to help us find Miaka, he'll help us. Whether or not you glance into the room every five seconds."

"Easy for you to say," Usagi retorted sullenly. "You're not the one mentioned in the Universe of the Four Gods."

Tamahome smiled gently. "Perhaps, but Nuriko, Hotohori and I are, and we know that Suzaku works in his own time. He'll take us to Miaka in time to save her."

Usagi blinked, then sighed. "I suppose you're right," she murmured. She sat down, not without a wave of apprehension washing over her. Ami could easily understand how Usagi felt.

To suggest an idea, then not be able to help carry it out was a frustrating thing, and for something so important, it seemed as if every second counted. Ami knew better, however. She'd dealt with the Shogun far too many times not to have learned that they were slow and methodical in their work. This time, she knew, Rubbeus would see to it that this job were not botched.

She also knew that he wouldn't be very happy when they all barged into the Dark Kingdom, demanding Miaka back.

What she was worried about was the effect the Dark Kingdom might have on the Seishi. After all, they had never been in so dark a realm. Ami shivered as she remembered her first trip into the Dark Kingdom. Well, her first close encounter, in the clock shop in Tokyo. She well knew how disorienting it could be at first.

She vaguely wondered if Miaka had been subjected to the same sense of disorientation when she first entered.

She gasped as a set of strong arms encircled her. She looked up to see Touma's blue eyes looking into her own, hope and concern apparent in them. Hope for Miaka…concern for her. She realized she must have had "the look" as Touma put it, the look she acquired when in deep concentration. She smiled up at him, assuaging him with her own eyes. He smiled, then sat his chin gently on top of her head, nestling his face in her soft hair.

She glanced around and saw the other Senshi and Troopers in similar positions, save Ryo and Shou. Shou, of course, had no girlfriend. Ryo had taken up where Usagi had left off, pacing back and forth in front of the entrance to the shrine. This time it was Seiji who put out a hand to stop him. He grinned.

"Rei-chan's dealt with Shogun, Youma and Queen Metalia. Surely you're not worried about her contacting Suzaku, are you?"

Ryo stopped and grinned. "If it were only that. What if Suzaku refuses?"

"I don't see why he would," Nuriko said, currently in the process of putting his hair into many tiny braids. "After all, what god or goddess," he added, nodding towards Usagi. "Would want their priestess taken?"

Ryo smiled. "I don't doubt that Suzaku wants Miaka back. What I doubt is that Suzaku will be able to take us to her."

Nuriko opened his mouth to gently refute this point when a bright red glow from inside the shrine made him shield his eyes. When he opened his eyes again, Rei-no, Sailormars was grinning from the doorway.

"We've got our way in."

Miaka helped herself to yet another large chalupa. Bertie had discovered that she had a flair for Mexican cooking, and Miaka loved it. Katzie and Anubis watched her dumbly for a second before Anubis returned to the thankless task of trying to get Katzie to gain weight.

On Bertie's advice, and with a sound promise from Rubbeus not to hurt Miaka, Miaka had joined them at their dinner that evening. The encounter rather, in Rajura's opinion, gave them all a taste of what it would be like to have a dinner with Usagi.

Bertie smiled, a little embarrassed, as Benjamin had to duck a few flying particles of food. He eyed Miaka dubiously, as if wondering how old she really was.

Sh'ten and Prizma were much too wrapped up in each other to truly notice Miaka's presence at all.

Avery was, of course, too busy talking non-stop to no one in particular about the movie "The Beach".

Naaza, in his usual fashion, simply ignored everyone.

Rubbeus managed to snatch a chalupa off of the center plate and bit into it, his expression brightening once he tasted it.

"This is really good, Bertie," He said between mouthfuls. "That annoying Sailorjupiter may have to move over for some competition."

Bertie flushed. She liked to think that she would one day be as good as Makoto-san.

She blinked as Miaka reached across her for her seventh or eighth chalupa and gently grasped her hand.

"I think that's enough food for one sitting. Don't you agree, Raja-chan?"

"Hmmm?" Rajura looked up from reaching for his ninth chalupa. He caught the look in Bertie's eyes and hastily pulled back his hand.

"Oh yes, dear," he said. "Absolutely."

Bertie turned to Miaka and smiled. "So, Miaka, what do you think? Are we all I said we are, or is this yet another Shogun trick?"

Miaka smiled a little. "I don't think this is a trick, not anymore. You're too nice Bertie, I know you been honest with me."

Bertie smiled again and nodded. "So, what about our offer? To protect you once we get back to our world?"

Miaka bit her lip. She seemed to think about it.

"I'm still not very sure….can I have some time to think it over?"

Bertie smiled. "Sure Miaka. Take as much time as you need."

Sailormercury consulted her readings from her visor, and cross-referenced it with charts she'd created from their many previous treks into the Dark Kingdom. In a few seconds, she knew exactly where they were and exactly which way to go. She smiled.

"Looks like that new program I wrote is working. We need to go this way," she said, pointing a little off to her left. Hotohori smiled. He was happy to see that the Senshi hadn't been exaggerating when they'd said they could find Miaka once inside the territory of the Dark Kingdom, though he was feeling quite chilled himself. He would never have been able to know which way to go without their help. He glanced at the suddenly serious faces and wondered just how serious their situation really was.

Rajura choked on the chalupa he'd just managed to sneak himself. After Rubbeus banged him on the back a little harder than was necessary, Rajura turned to him, full fury on his face.

"You're sure?"

Rubbeus' expression was grim. "Positive. The Seishi are with them," he said, glancing at Miaka. Miaka's eyes widened. "T-Tamahome? Hotohori? They're here? Nuriko too?"

She suddenly turned to Bertie. "You won't hurt them, will you? Promise me!"

Bertie glanced at Rubbeus. Rubbeus nodded and she smiled reassuringly.

"I promise."

"Sailormoon!! Watch out!"

Hotohori dived at Sailormoon, his momentum carrying them both out of the way of Rajura's Morning Star. Rajura retracted the mace, and quickly unhooked his nunchuku. He would have caught both Hotohori and Sailormoon in the back if Shou hadn't stuck his staff in the way. Rajura growled as his nunchuku twisted around Shou's staff. Shou grinned and Rajura's eye widened as he realized what was about to occur.

"Iron Rock Crusher!" Shou yelled, sending Rajura flying backwards along with several hundred lbs. of earth. He turned and gasped as he ducked a swipe taken at him by Naaza. Naaza brought his sword back again, but was tapped on the shoulder. He turned, and the last image he saw for quite a while was Nuriko smiling and bringing his fist back.

Nuriko punched Naaza for all he was worth and was quite satisfied when Naaza didn't get back up.

Rajura, however, had gotten back up, stubborn shogun that he was and grinned. He nodded to Anubis and Sh'ten, who both launched into attacks.

"Black Lightening Strike!"

"Quake With Fear!"

The area was turned pitch dark and moments later Hotohori heard a grunt next to him as someone was brought down by Sh'ten's attack. Scanning his memory of the seconds before it went dark he concluded that it had to have been Tamahome. He heard Tamahome struggling for all he was worth, but to no avail. He then heard a yell of pain and heard a very peculiar buzzing sound. When Anubis lifted the darkness, Hotohori started. Tamahome lay on the ground, charred and unmoving. Sailorjupiter gasped. They'd electrocuted him! She grit her teeth. They wanted to play with electricity? Fine.

She brought her hands together and turned to Sh'ten. "Sparkling Wide Pressure!" She yelled, hurling the ball of lightning at him. Sh'ten teleported out of the way. Mars frowned. They were all much to evasive. She'd put a quick end to that.

"Akuryo Tai-"

"Web of Deception!" Rajura yelled, his scythes extending and trapping them all before Sailormars could finish her attack. The Seishi, Senshi and Troopers struggled in vain to escape. Rajura laughed. They finally had them right where they wanted them. And this time, none of them could pull an escape.

Miaka was in tears. "You promised!!" She yelled. "You promised me they wouldn't get hurt!!"

Bertie was stunned. She agreed that Anubis had gone a little overboard by electrocuting the Seishi. But more than that, she was stunned because her promise to her friend-yes, she realized suddenly, her friend-had been broken with no say whatsoever from her. Rubbeus snorted derisively.

"You could hardly expect otherwise, Suzaku no Miko. This is a battle. And we are the Dark Kingdom."

She turned from his smirk to the smirking faces of Avery, Prizma and Katzie, and then to the oddly disturbed face of Bertie. She could tell Bertie was coming to a decision. She then sighed and called Benjamin to her. Holding Benjamin's hand, she turned to the others.

"Gomen ne, minna," (I'm sorry, guys) she said softly. She then froze them all save Katzie up their necks. She simply froze Katzie's legs.

"Bertie," Katzie said in alarm. "What are you doing?"

"I'm doing what I know is right," Bertie said in the same soft voice. She shed a few tears. "God, I'm so sorry!"

She then took Miaka's hand and disappeared.

Nuriko struggled to break free of the web in order to get to Tamahome, who was hanging limply from his bonds. Rajura grinned beneath his armor.

"There is no escape now,"

"Don't be too sure."

Rajura turned-or rather, he tried to but found he was frozen from the chest down. He looked around and saw the other Shogun in similar positions. His web had frozen as well and after a moment, it shattered. Nuriko managed to catch Tamahome before he hit the ground.

"Tamahome!"

He watched in mounting horror as Miaka ran to the fallen Seishi. But how in the world did Miaka-

Then he saw his wife and his son. Bertie was crying.

"Gomen ne, Raja-chan. I can't do this anymore."

"What are you talking about?" Rajura roared. "What is she doing here?"

Bertie drew her lips into a straight line.

"Rajura, I'm defecting. I'm joining the Sailor Senshi."

Benjamin's face lit up with glee. "You mean I get to play with Chibimoon and Gohan? I get to play with other kids?"

Bertie smiled. "Yes, darling."

"This is insane," Anubis said. "Bertie, think about it. Why on earth would you want to join them?"

"Because," Sailormoon said, stepping up and laying an encouraging hand on Bertie's shoulder. "She doesn't want to do harm anymore. She doesn't want to hurt anymore."

Bertie turned to Sailormoon.

"Usagi-sama. Please rid me of this negative energy."

Sailormoon smiled. "Gladly."

She took out her Ginzoushou. And held it high, letting the positive energy of the Ginzoushou wash out the residual negative energy imposed on her on Nemesis.

Rajura saw red. He began to strain against the ice and after a few seconds, it shattered. The now cleansed Bertie turned back in horror as Rajura stepped from his icy prison, radiating power. He drew a scythe.

"You've taken away everything from me. My wife, my son," He raised a scythe and Sailormoon was sure she saw the glint of tears beneath his face guard. "Shine!" (Die!) he yelled, hurling the scythe at her. Sailormoon instinctively threw out her hand and came up with the Moon Kaleidoscope.

"Of course," Sailorvenus whispered. Sailormoon looked intently focused.

"Moon Gorgeous Meditation!" She yelled, deflecting the scythe to land inches away from Rajura's feet.

Rajura, however, didn't pick it back up. He fell to his knees, then forward onto his hands. Bertie walked to him and held his face up to hers. She then removed the helmet so that his snow white hair fell in cascades onto his armored shoulders.

"I love you, Raja-chan," She whispered. She kissed him once and stood.

"You're welcome to join me whenever you wish," she said softly.

She stood and began to walk off.

"Bertie?"

She turned. She watched Rajura transform out of his armor completely, so that he was wearing normal clothes. He picked up the fallen scythe at his feet, looked at it, then dropped it and walked to his wife. He took her hands into hers and after a moment, smiled.

"Wherever you go, I go."

He turned to Sailormoon. "I will join you as well. You have my word of honor as a Samurai."

Sailormoon grinned. "Glad to have you aboard. Do you think you could help us outta here?"

Rajura chuckled and created a warphole. Touma looked at the other, rather shocked Shogun.

"What about them?"

"They'll thaw," Rajura said simply. He turned and walked through the warphole, closing it only after the last person had walked through and left the Shogun frozen where they were.