Chapter 9
"Koneko, I can't believe you said that back there!" said Mutashi as she and Usagi were walking with Koneko. They were going to spend the night at the temple.
"Yah," Agreed Usagi. "It might have been funny at another time, when everything wasn't so serious, but I don't think that's what Makoto needed to hear."
"I'm sorry! But why do you guys always have to tell me what I do wrong and right. This whole group acts like they are my mother, that kind of gets annoying." Koneko replied.
"We do that because even though you are the oldest you act like the youngest and are the smallest of the group so we all feel like we have to protect you. We're not doing it just to be mean, if that's what your thinking." Said Mutashi.
"I know, I'm just getting irritable, that's all. I can't believe how much I miss that little butt-head when she's gone, it's just not normal." Koneko said.
"That's because deep down inside you two love each other, even though you won't admit it anytime soon." replied Usagi as they walked up the stairs of the temple.
"Koneko! YOU ARE SO GOING TO PAY FOR THIS! YOU THINK YOU CAN HOLD ME DOWN FOREVER? THINK AGAIN BUSTER! YOU ARE SO INCREDIBLY DEAD! DO YOU HEAR ME? DEAD I TELL YOU! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR THIS!" They heard from inside. They all winced at the shrieking that followed.
"Wow," said Mutashi. "I never knew how much alike you two were." Koneko gave Mutashi a look.
"Oh Rei don't be such a baby! We had to tie you up other wise you would have escaped and caused so many problems! You are in too much pain to move." Koneko said as she walked into the room where Rei was tied down.
"We should have gagged her as well, people are going to wonder what's going on in here." Said Usagi with a smile.
"Oh Rei! Look at what you've done! You've squirmed around and what not so now all of your cuts have reopened and you are covered in blood." Koneko said with a sigh. "You guys, can you get me some warm water and cloths?" Mutashi and Usagi nodded and went to get what Koneko asked for.
"Well can you blame me? You tie me up and then go fight evil people while I'm stuck here! And oh that hurts like hello!" Rei cried as Koneko started to clean the wounds again with peroxide. Mutashi and Usagi came in with the water and cloths.
"Thanks you guys, you might want to plug your ears, you think I scream loud, she screams just as loud as I do, if not louder."
"I do not!" Protested Rei. Koneko wet one of the cloths and put it on one of Rei's wounds. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! SHE'S TRYING TO KILL ME! SOMEBODY HELP! DON'T YOU GUYS HEAR ME? HELP!"
"My goodness, you're right." Said Usagi as she uncovered her ears. "She does scream as loud as you do! I did not think that that was possible!" Koneko glanced at her and made a face.
"Oh, I wouldn't be talking if I were you." replied Rei to Usagi. "You are a baby just as well so you can just shut your little mouth . . . or should I say . . . really big mouth!"
"Hey!" screamed Usagi. She picked up a pillow and was about to throw it at Rei when Koneko stopped her.
"No way! She's in enough pain now. Can't you two get along for just one night?" She cried. Usagi and Rei looked at each other, crossed their arms and looked away.
"Koneko, that has got to be the stupidest thing you have ever said in your entire life! That's like asking you and Akutenshi to get along for one night!" replied Mutashi
"Good point . . ." said Koneko with a smirk on her face, then she started to remember her and Akutenshi's fights and her smile disappeared. Mutashi knew what she was thinking.
"It's okay Koneko, we'll find her and get her back. I honestly don't think that the verse-verse got her, like Makoto said, she wouldn't give up that easily. She is too stubborn and pig headed to go against us."
"You don't have to tell me that twice!" replied Koneko.
"Koneko, be nice."
"There!" Koneko interrupted, as she finished wrapping up Rei's arm. Rei's face was red from trying to hold in screaming from the pain. "All done!"
"It's about time!" cried Rei as she tried to stand up but fell back down in pain.
"See what we mean?" said Mutashi, "You are in no position to go anywhere, much less fight a battle!"
"Good point. But this really hurts! I am so going to get revenge for this one." replied Rei.
"You're not the only one planning to get revenge on the verse-verse, a lot of us are too!" Said Usagi.
"Why?" Asked Rei confused.
"They took Akutenshi," replied Mutashi with a sigh.
"THEY DID WHAT?!" Cried Rei. "Okay, now I really am going to kick some Nega moon butt!"
"Don't let Makoto hear you day that!" said Koneko calmly.
"Why not?" Rei asked curiously, Mutashi and Usagi also looked at her questioningly.
"Cause that's Akutenshi's saying!" said Koneko with a half way smile. Everyone kind of laughed and looked towards the sky. "Please be okay, and please come home soon, we can't do it without you and your attitude as well as bossiness!" That kind of lightened up the mood, everyone stared into the fire. Soon the conversation started up about school. The four girls talked long into the night until they decided that they had better get some sleep incase something happened tomorrow.
"Good night everybody." said Rei.
"Good night." Everyone echoed.
"Do you need anything Rei?" asked Koneko.
"No, nothing except for sleep."
"Okay."
"Good night." said Koneko
"Koneko?" Rei asked after a few moments of silence.
"Huh?" Koneko mumbled.
"Thanks for treating my wounds."
"Your welcome."
"I hate to rain on the two of you parade but we are trying to sleep here!" cried a voice that sounded like Mutashi's. Everyone giggled and finally fell asleep.
« Z «
"Mutashi! Usagi! Wake up!" Rei cried. Mutashi and Usagi opened their eyes half way and turned to look at Rei.
"What do you want?" The mumbled.
"Koneko's gone!"
"What?!" Mutashi screamed as she shot up, now totally awake.
"She left a note saying that she missed Akutenshi and that her and Makoto were going to go find the Nega verse and get her back!"
"That's totally crazy of those two! What ever put that idea into their heads?" Asked Usagi, still half asleep.
"I don't know but come on, we have to get up, get dressed then get the others here to the temple." Mutashi said as she was getting dressed. "I'll go get the others and meet you back here as soon as I can. Why don't you make some breakfast Usagi? Wait a minute . . . on second thought just order something and have it delivered. Here's some money. I'll be back soon." With that she handed Usagi the money and took off down the steps of the temple.
« Z «
Isis gave a deep sigh of boredom. "I should plan my next attack..." she muttered looking around the large room that was empty except for a single pedestal that stood in the center of the room holding a softly glowing white orb. Isis sat cross-legged on the floor facing it.
"I'm thinking that I should find this Akutenshi girl..." Isis whispered, putting her hands behind her head and sighing, looking up at the ceiling that was too dark to see. "Perhaps she has a suitable energy source..." Isis then gave another long sigh. "But she's no where to be found... And without knowing what energy waves she has... it's impossible..."
Isis shrugged and stood up and walked over to the glowing white orb. "So until I'm able to track her down... I'll have to resort to... other... methods..."
Isis' hand floated over the orb and all around her, more orbs, of every color appeared revolving around her in a perfect circle. Isis smirked and the revolving orbs stopped. She smiled and walked over to the edge of the large circle, looking over her colorful orbs.
"Who shall I pick today?" she asked herself. She stopped at a hole in the circle where the blue orb should have laid. "Poor Kayniore... She barely had a chance..." Isis muttered. "I'll have to use a stronger power..."
Isis continued around the circle and stopped, taking an emerald orb out of the circle and lifting it to her face. She looked into it long and hard, and a smirk replaced her frown of concentration. "Perfect..." she whispered. A light flickered from the orb and a figure appeared standing in the shadows. "Ikari... You will be my next servant..."
The youma bowed. "Yes Isis..." it hissed.
« Z «
Deep under the see, a figure shot furiously through the water in what appeared to be a glass orb. Akutenshi sighed, still in her princess dress, as she moved the shield along with her own will.
"It's been almost two days..." she whispered. "My energy shield is going to run out soon..." Akutenshi glanced around the endless bottom of the ocean. "I still haven't found what I have been looking for..."
Suddenly she stopped the orb as a crystal like shine hit her eye. She squinted trying to see what it was, and then, giving up on the squinting idea, moved the shield orb forward to investigate.
As she Yukai near her eyes widened with surprise. "I... Found it..." she muttered, her breath taken away. She looked long and hard at what stood before her, trying to convince herself that her search was over.
Jammed in the rocks was a crystalline coffin, if you will. And inside, a blonde haired man with mysterious sky blue eyes. He looked shocked and afraid in his frozen state.
Akutenshi smiled with satisfaction, but her smile faded as a sudden strong current came along caring rocks that banged against her shield. Akutenshi gave a small scream of surprise, the groaned. "Of all the time a storm had to come... it had to come right when I found what I was looking for..." she muttered in anger.
She placed her hand against the side of the shield, the strength of the shield being amplified and sending a small beam of light towards the crystal coffin. The light spread out over the coffin and it began to lift itself from the rocks.
Akutenshi was knocked down as another strong current hit against her shield, delivering another, larger rock to come smashing against it. Akutenshi struggled to get up as she felt water on her feet. She looked up frantically to see a hole in her shield. Her eyes grew wide with fear.
"I've got to get to the surface..." she whispered frantically, but deep inside, she knew it was too late... The water completely smashed the shield around her and she was enveloped by the salt water...
Below her, the crystal coffin stirred free of the rocks, flowing with the current. Another rock swept by, smashing against the crystal as it went, leaving a large crack in the center.
The unconscious Akutenshi and the crystal coffin caring the blonde haired man were swept away by the current and farther away from Tokyo...
« Z «
"Any luck in your part of Tokyo?" Sailor Mars X asked, out of breath from running. Sailor Jupiter shook her head, exhausted as well, but not nearly willing enough to show her weakness at that point... even to an ally.
The two know stood in the center of a local park, just coming back from a search. It was nightfall now and a cold wind swept past them.
"I couldn't find any trace of her anywhere..." Jupiter muttered. "And from the sounds of it, you didn't find much either..."
"ACTUALLY..."
Sailor Jupiter's eyes grew wide. "What?! What did you find?!" she asked frantically. Mars X blinked.
"Don't freak out, okay?" she asked. "I didn't find anything about the location of the negaverse... But... I stumbled upon something while searching your apartment..."
Jupiter glared at Mars X. "Who gave you right to go into my apartment?" she asked. Mars X laughed nervously.
"Um..."
"Oh forget the excuses..." Jupiter muttered, crossing her arms angrily. "What did you find in MY apartment...?"
Mars X flipped out an envelope that was sealed with a sticker that held the letter 'K'. She smiled. "I found it on Akutenshi's desk..." Mars X said. "It is addressed to you and the handwriting is DEFINITELY Akutenshi's..."
Jupiter's eyes grew wide as she took the letter away from Mars X slowly. She looked shocked down at the letters that spelled out her name. It was from Akutenshi alright... Why hadn't she seen it before? 'Of course...' Jupiter thought miserably. 'I couldn't bring myself to go into her room after I found out she was missing...'
"Aren't you going to open it?" Mars X asked. "If you don't, I will!"
"No I'll open it..." Jupiter replied. She placed her finger under the envelop flap and flipped it up, the sticker letting it's tight hold go as Jupiter reached in and took out the note inside. Jupiter opened it carefully, as if it held Akutenshi's life itself and read the contents out loud.
Dear Makoto,
Since you've got this letter, you've probably already realized I'm just not there... I don't want you to worry about me, okay? I'm doing something really important... And I have to do it alone... I'm sorry... I didn't want any of you to get involved in my mistakes... It's something that I need to make up for...
So please... don't worry about me... I'll be fine... I always am... Take care and don't let Koneko eat all the chocolate cookies we made last Monday! See you soon I hope.
Sincerely,
Akutenshi
Sailor Jupiter bowed her head, trying not to show her tears. Mars X grabbed the letter from Jupiter and read it over again quickly. She then looked up at Jupiter with an angry look.
"You made chocolate cookies and didn't tell me?!" she asked, placing her hands on her hips.
A laugh was heard from behind and both of them turned to see what it was. "Koneko's stupid comments prevails in lightening the mood once again..." said a very familiar voice.
"Rei?! What are you doing out of bed?!" Mars X asked enraged as Sailor Mars, and the rest of the gang walked up to the two.
Mars smiled. "Much better thanks to your murder attempts..." she muttered, trying to sound angry, but grateful at the same time. Mars X frowned.
"But you still need to rest!"
"I'll be fine!"
"GET BACK TO BED!"
"We've tried that Mars X..." Sailor Moon said giving a sigh. "It just doesn't work..." Mars smiled.
"Of course it doesn't! Cause I know I'm fine!"
"Yeah... you said THAT when you were bleeding half to death..." Sailor Mercury muttered. Everyone gave small laughs.
"Now on to more important stuff!" Sailor Venus said.
"We have to figure out what exactly happened to our comrade!" Sailor Venus X added, both of them raising their pointer fingers from their previously crossed arms.
"Have any ideas?" Mercury X asked, eyeing the both of them. The Venus' both smiled nervously.
"Not a clue..." they replied in unison causing a unison of exasperated sighs.
"I think that Akutenshi is searching for her true love!" Chibi Moon said with 'one of those looks' in her eyes. Chibi Moon X did the same, agreeing with Chibi Moon.
"Yes! So she may live the rest of her life happily!" Chibi Moon X added.
"Didn't she had a good enough life already?" Jupiter asked. Both Chibi Moon's realized they might have hurt Makoto's feelings.
"I'm sorry... It was only a suggestion...." Chibi Moon said. Jupiter smiled.
"That's okay Chibi Moon... I know what you meant..." Jupiter replied. "Everyone's got to fall in love sometime... Maybe Akutenshi was tired of waiting for Mr. Right to come to her..."
At that moment, Mars X and Moon X broke out laughing and all eyes turned to them in confusion.
"Where have you guys been?" Mars X asked as the two continued to laugh. "Akutenshi? Go after her true love?! Now THAT'S funny!"
"Akutenshi hates guys if you hadn't noticed!" Moon X added. "And what did she do? Stumble upon the Negaverse while doing so?!" Moon X laughed more, then continued. "I can just imagine it! The Negaverse asks what she's up to and she replied with teary eyes 'I'm looking for my true love!'"
More laughs from the two comedians and the rest of the group gave exasperated sighs, half because of the loud laughter, and half because they knew the two were right...
"Do you think it might be possible that somehow SHE'S responsible for our enemies appearance?" Mercury asked, lowering her head in wonder. Mercury X blinked, then thought about it herself.
"You know? You do have a point... I mean why else would she go looking for the Negaverse saying that she needed to correct her mistakes?" Mars said, making some sense out of what Ami said to the rest of the group.
"But we don't even know that she went looking after the Negaverse..." Sailor Moon pointed out. "She could have been going towards something totally different..."
"Sailor Moon's right..." Jupiter said after a few moments of silence. "There are still to many mysteries to be making any liable conclusions..."
"And in the mean time..." Moon X muttered. "We have to stay with the idea that this Isis girl truly IS Akutenshi..."
"Which means we can't kill her..." Mars added. "So... The question is... What now?"
"Simple..." Sailor Moon said with a look of determination. "We find a way to get Akutenshi back..."
"Koneko, I can't believe you said that back there!" said Mutashi as she and Usagi were walking with Koneko. They were going to spend the night at the temple.
"Yah," Agreed Usagi. "It might have been funny at another time, when everything wasn't so serious, but I don't think that's what Makoto needed to hear."
"I'm sorry! But why do you guys always have to tell me what I do wrong and right. This whole group acts like they are my mother, that kind of gets annoying." Koneko replied.
"We do that because even though you are the oldest you act like the youngest and are the smallest of the group so we all feel like we have to protect you. We're not doing it just to be mean, if that's what your thinking." Said Mutashi.
"I know, I'm just getting irritable, that's all. I can't believe how much I miss that little butt-head when she's gone, it's just not normal." Koneko said.
"That's because deep down inside you two love each other, even though you won't admit it anytime soon." replied Usagi as they walked up the stairs of the temple.
"Koneko! YOU ARE SO GOING TO PAY FOR THIS! YOU THINK YOU CAN HOLD ME DOWN FOREVER? THINK AGAIN BUSTER! YOU ARE SO INCREDIBLY DEAD! DO YOU HEAR ME? DEAD I TELL YOU! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR THIS!" They heard from inside. They all winced at the shrieking that followed.
"Wow," said Mutashi. "I never knew how much alike you two were." Koneko gave Mutashi a look.
"Oh Rei don't be such a baby! We had to tie you up other wise you would have escaped and caused so many problems! You are in too much pain to move." Koneko said as she walked into the room where Rei was tied down.
"We should have gagged her as well, people are going to wonder what's going on in here." Said Usagi with a smile.
"Oh Rei! Look at what you've done! You've squirmed around and what not so now all of your cuts have reopened and you are covered in blood." Koneko said with a sigh. "You guys, can you get me some warm water and cloths?" Mutashi and Usagi nodded and went to get what Koneko asked for.
"Well can you blame me? You tie me up and then go fight evil people while I'm stuck here! And oh that hurts like hello!" Rei cried as Koneko started to clean the wounds again with peroxide. Mutashi and Usagi came in with the water and cloths.
"Thanks you guys, you might want to plug your ears, you think I scream loud, she screams just as loud as I do, if not louder."
"I do not!" Protested Rei. Koneko wet one of the cloths and put it on one of Rei's wounds. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! SHE'S TRYING TO KILL ME! SOMEBODY HELP! DON'T YOU GUYS HEAR ME? HELP!"
"My goodness, you're right." Said Usagi as she uncovered her ears. "She does scream as loud as you do! I did not think that that was possible!" Koneko glanced at her and made a face.
"Oh, I wouldn't be talking if I were you." replied Rei to Usagi. "You are a baby just as well so you can just shut your little mouth . . . or should I say . . . really big mouth!"
"Hey!" screamed Usagi. She picked up a pillow and was about to throw it at Rei when Koneko stopped her.
"No way! She's in enough pain now. Can't you two get along for just one night?" She cried. Usagi and Rei looked at each other, crossed their arms and looked away.
"Koneko, that has got to be the stupidest thing you have ever said in your entire life! That's like asking you and Akutenshi to get along for one night!" replied Mutashi
"Good point . . ." said Koneko with a smirk on her face, then she started to remember her and Akutenshi's fights and her smile disappeared. Mutashi knew what she was thinking.
"It's okay Koneko, we'll find her and get her back. I honestly don't think that the verse-verse got her, like Makoto said, she wouldn't give up that easily. She is too stubborn and pig headed to go against us."
"You don't have to tell me that twice!" replied Koneko.
"Koneko, be nice."
"There!" Koneko interrupted, as she finished wrapping up Rei's arm. Rei's face was red from trying to hold in screaming from the pain. "All done!"
"It's about time!" cried Rei as she tried to stand up but fell back down in pain.
"See what we mean?" said Mutashi, "You are in no position to go anywhere, much less fight a battle!"
"Good point. But this really hurts! I am so going to get revenge for this one." replied Rei.
"You're not the only one planning to get revenge on the verse-verse, a lot of us are too!" Said Usagi.
"Why?" Asked Rei confused.
"They took Akutenshi," replied Mutashi with a sigh.
"THEY DID WHAT?!" Cried Rei. "Okay, now I really am going to kick some Nega moon butt!"
"Don't let Makoto hear you day that!" said Koneko calmly.
"Why not?" Rei asked curiously, Mutashi and Usagi also looked at her questioningly.
"Cause that's Akutenshi's saying!" said Koneko with a half way smile. Everyone kind of laughed and looked towards the sky. "Please be okay, and please come home soon, we can't do it without you and your attitude as well as bossiness!" That kind of lightened up the mood, everyone stared into the fire. Soon the conversation started up about school. The four girls talked long into the night until they decided that they had better get some sleep incase something happened tomorrow.
"Good night everybody." said Rei.
"Good night." Everyone echoed.
"Do you need anything Rei?" asked Koneko.
"No, nothing except for sleep."
"Okay."
"Good night." said Koneko
"Koneko?" Rei asked after a few moments of silence.
"Huh?" Koneko mumbled.
"Thanks for treating my wounds."
"Your welcome."
"I hate to rain on the two of you parade but we are trying to sleep here!" cried a voice that sounded like Mutashi's. Everyone giggled and finally fell asleep.
« Z «
"Mutashi! Usagi! Wake up!" Rei cried. Mutashi and Usagi opened their eyes half way and turned to look at Rei.
"What do you want?" The mumbled.
"Koneko's gone!"
"What?!" Mutashi screamed as she shot up, now totally awake.
"She left a note saying that she missed Akutenshi and that her and Makoto were going to go find the Nega verse and get her back!"
"That's totally crazy of those two! What ever put that idea into their heads?" Asked Usagi, still half asleep.
"I don't know but come on, we have to get up, get dressed then get the others here to the temple." Mutashi said as she was getting dressed. "I'll go get the others and meet you back here as soon as I can. Why don't you make some breakfast Usagi? Wait a minute . . . on second thought just order something and have it delivered. Here's some money. I'll be back soon." With that she handed Usagi the money and took off down the steps of the temple.
« Z «
Isis gave a deep sigh of boredom. "I should plan my next attack..." she muttered looking around the large room that was empty except for a single pedestal that stood in the center of the room holding a softly glowing white orb. Isis sat cross-legged on the floor facing it.
"I'm thinking that I should find this Akutenshi girl..." Isis whispered, putting her hands behind her head and sighing, looking up at the ceiling that was too dark to see. "Perhaps she has a suitable energy source..." Isis then gave another long sigh. "But she's no where to be found... And without knowing what energy waves she has... it's impossible..."
Isis shrugged and stood up and walked over to the glowing white orb. "So until I'm able to track her down... I'll have to resort to... other... methods..."
Isis' hand floated over the orb and all around her, more orbs, of every color appeared revolving around her in a perfect circle. Isis smirked and the revolving orbs stopped. She smiled and walked over to the edge of the large circle, looking over her colorful orbs.
"Who shall I pick today?" she asked herself. She stopped at a hole in the circle where the blue orb should have laid. "Poor Kayniore... She barely had a chance..." Isis muttered. "I'll have to use a stronger power..."
Isis continued around the circle and stopped, taking an emerald orb out of the circle and lifting it to her face. She looked into it long and hard, and a smirk replaced her frown of concentration. "Perfect..." she whispered. A light flickered from the orb and a figure appeared standing in the shadows. "Ikari... You will be my next servant..."
The youma bowed. "Yes Isis..." it hissed.
« Z «
Deep under the see, a figure shot furiously through the water in what appeared to be a glass orb. Akutenshi sighed, still in her princess dress, as she moved the shield along with her own will.
"It's been almost two days..." she whispered. "My energy shield is going to run out soon..." Akutenshi glanced around the endless bottom of the ocean. "I still haven't found what I have been looking for..."
Suddenly she stopped the orb as a crystal like shine hit her eye. She squinted trying to see what it was, and then, giving up on the squinting idea, moved the shield orb forward to investigate.
As she Yukai near her eyes widened with surprise. "I... Found it..." she muttered, her breath taken away. She looked long and hard at what stood before her, trying to convince herself that her search was over.
Jammed in the rocks was a crystalline coffin, if you will. And inside, a blonde haired man with mysterious sky blue eyes. He looked shocked and afraid in his frozen state.
Akutenshi smiled with satisfaction, but her smile faded as a sudden strong current came along caring rocks that banged against her shield. Akutenshi gave a small scream of surprise, the groaned. "Of all the time a storm had to come... it had to come right when I found what I was looking for..." she muttered in anger.
She placed her hand against the side of the shield, the strength of the shield being amplified and sending a small beam of light towards the crystal coffin. The light spread out over the coffin and it began to lift itself from the rocks.
Akutenshi was knocked down as another strong current hit against her shield, delivering another, larger rock to come smashing against it. Akutenshi struggled to get up as she felt water on her feet. She looked up frantically to see a hole in her shield. Her eyes grew wide with fear.
"I've got to get to the surface..." she whispered frantically, but deep inside, she knew it was too late... The water completely smashed the shield around her and she was enveloped by the salt water...
Below her, the crystal coffin stirred free of the rocks, flowing with the current. Another rock swept by, smashing against the crystal as it went, leaving a large crack in the center.
The unconscious Akutenshi and the crystal coffin caring the blonde haired man were swept away by the current and farther away from Tokyo...
« Z «
"Any luck in your part of Tokyo?" Sailor Mars X asked, out of breath from running. Sailor Jupiter shook her head, exhausted as well, but not nearly willing enough to show her weakness at that point... even to an ally.
The two know stood in the center of a local park, just coming back from a search. It was nightfall now and a cold wind swept past them.
"I couldn't find any trace of her anywhere..." Jupiter muttered. "And from the sounds of it, you didn't find much either..."
"ACTUALLY..."
Sailor Jupiter's eyes grew wide. "What?! What did you find?!" she asked frantically. Mars X blinked.
"Don't freak out, okay?" she asked. "I didn't find anything about the location of the negaverse... But... I stumbled upon something while searching your apartment..."
Jupiter glared at Mars X. "Who gave you right to go into my apartment?" she asked. Mars X laughed nervously.
"Um..."
"Oh forget the excuses..." Jupiter muttered, crossing her arms angrily. "What did you find in MY apartment...?"
Mars X flipped out an envelope that was sealed with a sticker that held the letter 'K'. She smiled. "I found it on Akutenshi's desk..." Mars X said. "It is addressed to you and the handwriting is DEFINITELY Akutenshi's..."
Jupiter's eyes grew wide as she took the letter away from Mars X slowly. She looked shocked down at the letters that spelled out her name. It was from Akutenshi alright... Why hadn't she seen it before? 'Of course...' Jupiter thought miserably. 'I couldn't bring myself to go into her room after I found out she was missing...'
"Aren't you going to open it?" Mars X asked. "If you don't, I will!"
"No I'll open it..." Jupiter replied. She placed her finger under the envelop flap and flipped it up, the sticker letting it's tight hold go as Jupiter reached in and took out the note inside. Jupiter opened it carefully, as if it held Akutenshi's life itself and read the contents out loud.
Dear Makoto,
Since you've got this letter, you've probably already realized I'm just not there... I don't want you to worry about me, okay? I'm doing something really important... And I have to do it alone... I'm sorry... I didn't want any of you to get involved in my mistakes... It's something that I need to make up for...
So please... don't worry about me... I'll be fine... I always am... Take care and don't let Koneko eat all the chocolate cookies we made last Monday! See you soon I hope.
Sincerely,
Akutenshi
Sailor Jupiter bowed her head, trying not to show her tears. Mars X grabbed the letter from Jupiter and read it over again quickly. She then looked up at Jupiter with an angry look.
"You made chocolate cookies and didn't tell me?!" she asked, placing her hands on her hips.
A laugh was heard from behind and both of them turned to see what it was. "Koneko's stupid comments prevails in lightening the mood once again..." said a very familiar voice.
"Rei?! What are you doing out of bed?!" Mars X asked enraged as Sailor Mars, and the rest of the gang walked up to the two.
Mars smiled. "Much better thanks to your murder attempts..." she muttered, trying to sound angry, but grateful at the same time. Mars X frowned.
"But you still need to rest!"
"I'll be fine!"
"GET BACK TO BED!"
"We've tried that Mars X..." Sailor Moon said giving a sigh. "It just doesn't work..." Mars smiled.
"Of course it doesn't! Cause I know I'm fine!"
"Yeah... you said THAT when you were bleeding half to death..." Sailor Mercury muttered. Everyone gave small laughs.
"Now on to more important stuff!" Sailor Venus said.
"We have to figure out what exactly happened to our comrade!" Sailor Venus X added, both of them raising their pointer fingers from their previously crossed arms.
"Have any ideas?" Mercury X asked, eyeing the both of them. The Venus' both smiled nervously.
"Not a clue..." they replied in unison causing a unison of exasperated sighs.
"I think that Akutenshi is searching for her true love!" Chibi Moon said with 'one of those looks' in her eyes. Chibi Moon X did the same, agreeing with Chibi Moon.
"Yes! So she may live the rest of her life happily!" Chibi Moon X added.
"Didn't she had a good enough life already?" Jupiter asked. Both Chibi Moon's realized they might have hurt Makoto's feelings.
"I'm sorry... It was only a suggestion...." Chibi Moon said. Jupiter smiled.
"That's okay Chibi Moon... I know what you meant..." Jupiter replied. "Everyone's got to fall in love sometime... Maybe Akutenshi was tired of waiting for Mr. Right to come to her..."
At that moment, Mars X and Moon X broke out laughing and all eyes turned to them in confusion.
"Where have you guys been?" Mars X asked as the two continued to laugh. "Akutenshi? Go after her true love?! Now THAT'S funny!"
"Akutenshi hates guys if you hadn't noticed!" Moon X added. "And what did she do? Stumble upon the Negaverse while doing so?!" Moon X laughed more, then continued. "I can just imagine it! The Negaverse asks what she's up to and she replied with teary eyes 'I'm looking for my true love!'"
More laughs from the two comedians and the rest of the group gave exasperated sighs, half because of the loud laughter, and half because they knew the two were right...
"Do you think it might be possible that somehow SHE'S responsible for our enemies appearance?" Mercury asked, lowering her head in wonder. Mercury X blinked, then thought about it herself.
"You know? You do have a point... I mean why else would she go looking for the Negaverse saying that she needed to correct her mistakes?" Mars said, making some sense out of what Ami said to the rest of the group.
"But we don't even know that she went looking after the Negaverse..." Sailor Moon pointed out. "She could have been going towards something totally different..."
"Sailor Moon's right..." Jupiter said after a few moments of silence. "There are still to many mysteries to be making any liable conclusions..."
"And in the mean time..." Moon X muttered. "We have to stay with the idea that this Isis girl truly IS Akutenshi..."
"Which means we can't kill her..." Mars added. "So... The question is... What now?"
"Simple..." Sailor Moon said with a look of determination. "We find a way to get Akutenshi back..."