Part Thirteen

Part Thirteen: A concert and a battle! The Sailor Senshi's Christmas

Shinzui's head came up even before she heard the knock. "We're going to have a visitor," she said to Centauri as she rose to her feet. The golden retriever regarded his mistress with a smile. He did not have to inquire how she knew; Centauri was completely aware of Shinzui's mental sensitivity to her friends.
 "Who is it?" he asked, as the knock finally sounded on the apartment door.
 Shinzui did not reply, but she ruffled the silky fur of his head gently as she went to answer the door. "Michiru! What a lovely surprise." The tall blind girl welcomed Kaioh Michiru into the apartment. "Please, come in. I was just about to make some tea. Would you like some?"
 Michiru nodded. "Yes, thank you." The graceful musician took a seat on Shinzui's cream-colored davenport as Shinzui stepped behind the kitchen counter that faced the living room. She watched the young blind woman with interest as she deftly filled the teapot with water and placed it on the stove, and opened the cabinet above her to locate the tea. Shinzui raised two different boxes of tea to her face, inhaling. She seemed to determine the type of tea from its scent, because she turned to Michiru.
 "Would you like peppermint tea or Earl Grey?" she inquired sweetly.
"Oh, the peppermint sounds lovely."
 Shinzui winked a vacant eye at her. "I thought you might say that. As I recall, you always did have a special fondness for peppermint tea." She put one of the boxes back into the cupboard, and began to put the contents of the other into her china teapot.
 Michiru took a moment to survey the apartment somehow it was precisely as she imagined Shinzui's apartment would be. Everything was neat and tidy and clean, and decorated in peach and cream colors. Long peach chiffon curtains floated over the windows, and the cream colored davenport and loveseat were accented with small peach brocade pillows. The carpet, soft and almost silky looking, was a pale cream color, and along one wall was a glass case. Displayed prettily on the shelves was a collection of blown glass flowers. Above the mantel was a beautiful painting of a fairyland-like waterfall, and arranged neatly along the mantel were several smaller framed pictures. Michiru recognized Shinzui and her sister in several of them two pale-haired, gray-eyed girls, one short and plump and with bright, eager eyes; the other tall, slender, with that familiar opaque gaze. One picture in particular caught her attention. It was a photograph of the two girls, much younger of course, sitting on the floor at the feet of a smiling couple who had their arms around them. The woman was beautiful, with pale blue hair and dove-gray eyes and a sweet, gentle smile. The man had white hair and green eyes and a happy-go-lucky expression that made Michiru want to laugh right along with him.
 "Are these your parents?" Michiru asked.
 Shinzui came to stand next to her, tilting her face up towards the picture even though she couldn't see it. "Yes. My mother and father."
 Michiru gazed at the picture thoughtfully. "What happened to them?" she wanted to know.
 A slow, sad smile touched the blind girl's lips. "A car accident, when I was twelve. Sachiko and I were in the car as well, but we survived. They didn't."
"I'm so sorry."
 "So am I." The answer was gentle and sorrowful. Shinzui reached out to touch the photograph. "Of course, these pictures don't mean much to me. I was blind as a child as well; I don't remember my parent's faces like this. I remember shapes." She turned to the mantelpiece and picked up two small bronze statue busts; and for the first time Michiru noticed that the busts had been fashioned in the likeness of the man and woman in the photograph. Shinzui ran her fingers over the features of the statuettes tenderly. "This is how I remember my parents," she said quietly, offering the bronze busts to Michiru to look at. The blind girl smiled as Michiru also touched the small metal faces. "Sachiko made those for me, after they died. So I could remember them too."
 Michiru looked closely at the busts, then back up at Shinzui. "Your sister is an artist, then?"
 Shinzui nodded. "She did that painting up there," she told her, indicating the magical waterfall that Michiru had noticed a few moments before. "And she made those flowers in a glass-blowing seminar." Shinzui pointed out the delicate glass flowers in the case. She smiled fondly. "Sachiko has so much talent. I just wish I could see many of the things she creates."
"How is your sister? I mean, is she-" Michiru was uncertain as to how to finish her question without sounding rude. The last time she'd seen Sachiko, the girl had been so high on drugs that they'd had to rush her to the hospital.
 Shinzui smiled. "Sachiko is doing much better. As a matter of fact, she left on a plane this morning for London she's been asked to host a special Christmas art show gala this year at one of the most prominent galleries in England. It's a great honor, and I'm so proud of her; she was really excited about it."
 "You didn't go with her?" Michiru inquired in surprise. "But that means you'll be alone over Christmas."
 The taller girl shook her head. "I can't leave now. Not with the jaki showing up everywhere. I can't just go off and leave the Princess to fight alone this is my battle, not hers, and I'm not about to go take a vacation at the moment." She turned in Centauri's direction. The golden retriever was curled up on the armchair near them, and he lifted his head. "Besides, I won't be alone. Centauri is always with me."
 Her dog rose to his feet and left the armchair, coming over to nuzzle against his mistress' hand. "That's right," he affirmed, meeting Michiru's gaze. "I'll be looking after Shinzui."
 The aqua haired violinist smiled at that, and turned back to the blind girl. "Actually, Shinzui-san, I came here today because wanted to ask you for a favor."
 Shinzui cocked her head. "What sort of favor?" she inquired melodiously.
 "Well, I'm supposed to be performing in a Christmas concert on Christmas Eve over at the Tenth Street Music Hall. They've asked me to play Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker Suite', and I'm having some difficulty with the interpretation of the pieces because they are so varied. I was hoping, perhaps, that you might be willing to help me with it."
 The tall blind girl giggled. "Of course I will. I adore Tchaikovsky." But then she seemed to become very serious. "Michiru-san, does Haruka-san know you're here?" Her vacant dove-gray eyes were very soft.
Michiru blushed a bit. "Well, no, not really. She went to one of her races today. I thought it might be best if I didn't mention that I was coming to see you. She's been having a very difficult time lately with all of this."
 "I know." Shinzui sighed, and tucked a stray strand of pale hair behind one ear. Her voice was gentle. "Are you sure it's going to be all right for me to help you? I don't want to upset Haruka-san any more than can be helped."
 The turquoise eyes narrowed a bit, mischievously. "Well, what she doesn't know won't hurt you and me," she responded with a wink. But Shinzui's expression only seemed to grow more sorrowful, and the blind girl shook her head.
"I'm worried about hurting her, Michiru-san. I don't want to cause her any more pain." Her voice softened until it was nearly inaudible. "I've hurt her enough already."
 Michiru frowned for a moment in puzzlement, but there was a note of something in Shinzui's voice that warned her not to pry any farther. Instead, she just smiled. "It will be all right, Shinzui-san, really. We won't tell Haruka about this, and if she does find out for some reason, you just let me handle her. She can't stay angry with me for very long."
 The blind girl had to return the smile. It was true that the princesses of Uranus and Neptune had always been close, closer even than sisters. If anyone could soothe Haruka's tumultous emotions, it would be Michiru. Shinzui nodded. "All right then. When would you like to start?"
 "Well, it just so happens that I've got my violin with me," Michiru responded with a smile. "Do you have a bit of time to spare?"
 Shinzui giggled then at the other girl's good-natured impertinence. "Why not? Come with me into the back room it's sort of my music studio, and we can work there."
 "Could we start with the Waltz of the Flowers? It's one of the pieces giving me the most trouble."
 "Sure we can. Did you know that Waltz was one of the first pieces of Tchaikovsky's suite to be choreographed" The girls' voices faded as Shinzui shut the studio door.

"She's coming." The three golden robed figures straightened as the familiar pale silhouette approached them through the mists.
"Greetings, my Guardians." The Sacred Child's voice echoed delicately against the steaming metal of the pipes above them. She extended a slender hand to the center figure, who took it in his own and pressed it to his lips.
"Greetings, Child," Guardian Brother responded as he released her fingers. The Child then turned to Guardian Father, rising on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his forehead.
 "Guardian Father." She turned to her right to shake hands warmly with the figure on that end. "Guardian Friend." Then the Child turned back to the center figure and embraced him sweetly though they had already greeted one another, this was part of their ritual, something they had done almost since the dawn of time. "Guardian Brother."
 The three robed Guardians returned her greetings, but to everyone's astonishment it was Oberon who quickly brought up their business.
 "Child. We have been searching to no avail. I feel that the Silver Dagger is somewhere nearby, and yet I cannot determine its location." The whispering voice, like wind through the treetops, seemed to be carried on the hissing from the pipes.
 Neophilus nodded. "This is true, Child. I, too, can feel the presence of the Dagger. But so far our search for it has been unfruitful."
 Demetrius, in the center, shook his head. "You'd think that of all the blood I see coming through the hospital's emergency room, that I'd have at least seen a hint of the Dagger by now. But there has been nothing."
 The Child listened to this very quietly. Though they could not see her expression, the Guardians knew she was concerned. But her voice was light. "Do not be discouraged, my friends. We still have plenty of time. The Dagger will reveal itself soon enough; we just have to be ready for it when it does appear."
 Demetrius shook his head. "I have continued to search the Book of Balance for another way, Child. I know that it exists the more I study the more certain I am that the gate can be resealed without the Sacrifice. But the answer still eludes me. I just can't-" Guardian Brother's voice broke with frustration, and he could not continue. The girl's hand was gentle on his shoulder.
"It will be all right, Guardian Brother," she assured him softly, and he could hear the encouraging smile in her bell-like tones. "If there is another way, then I know you will be able to find it. But perhaps you are looking too hard."
 "Or else I'm not looking hard enough," Demetrius snapped back. The Child did not seem dismayed by his uncharacteristic outburst, her touch on his shoulder remaining unfalteringly comforting, but Guardian Brother still felt immediately guilty. "I'm sorry, Child. I didn't mean for it to sound that way. It's just that"
 "You're frustrated because you want this so much." The girl's voice, so sweet and clear and soft, seemed to echo his own heart for a moment, and all he could do was nod. The Child shook her head, her pale hair glowing in the electric blue light, and he could see a glint of understanding in her eyes as the light swept over them briefly. She was then shrouded in darkness once again. "Demetrius, my brother, I think that of all of us, the Sacrifice is hardest for you. You are required to do the one thing that breaks your heart, over and over again. I understand your frustration, Guardian Brother. I wish there was something I'm so very sorry that I must put you through this."
 Demetrius stared at her, all former frustration forgotten, and his voice was shocked. "I should have known you'd find some way to take the blame for my problems," he said, astonished.
The Child sighed. "I don't have to claim the blame for it, Demetrius. It's my fault that the Sacrifice was made necessary in the first place. The Gate and all that has occurred to create it that's all my fault. And so it is my fault that you must endure this pain as well." Her voice was full of sorrow. "No matter how I try to make things right, I just go on hurting the people I love. Even when I'm helping them." The pale hair glimmered as she shook her head, and Demetrius could hear the tears in her voice. "If I could just stop If I could just not cause pain anymore then I think I would be happy. But I can't do that, or everything will stop right along with me the past would win and there will be no future. I have to live the rest of eternity causing pain to the people that I love in order to save them from myself. It's a circle and I can't escape from it. I'm so sorry, my friends, that you have to be trapped in it as well."
 Now it was Demetrius' turn to be tearful. "Don't say that, Child," he ordered passionately. "You're not the only one at fault here we Guardians are as much to blame as you, because we allowed this to happen. We didn't see it coming until it was too late, and we ignored all the warning signs because we didn't want to believe it. I should have gone out there myself and done something instead of staying in the Celestial Hall twiddling my thumbs and wishing it away. It's not your fault."
 "It doesn't matter whose fault it is." This quiet voice came from Oberon, who stepped between them and regarded both of them evenly. "Blaming ourselves is useless we cannot change time. Not even Pluto had enough power to restore the Blend once it had been destroyed. We cannot waste time looking back, my friends. We must look forward, and forward alone. We will continue our search for the alternative answer to the Sacrifice, and in the meantime, focus on maintaining the Balance through the Sacrifice until that answer is found. Which means that we must be thinking about the Silver Dagger, and not become distracted by regrets."
 The Child was quiet for a moment, but the Guardians were certain, even in the dimness, that she was smiling. "Oberon, my friend, I think that is the longest speech I have ever heard you make." Her voice was teasing. "But you are right, as always, Guardian Friend." She turned to Demetrius. "We will do as we have always done, Guardian Brother. We will concentrate on the Balance, and with the Princess on our side, everything will be all right in the end. Somehow she always makes it right. Have faith in her."
 Demetrius nodded, as he too began to think of the Moon Princess' purity of heart. "It's true," he agreed quietly. "Princess Serenity has a power of soul that could even rival mine, I think I've never seen it so pure and unadulterated as it is in her. If anyone will find the answer to the Sacrifice" suddenly Guardian Brother's eyes widened. "That's it! That's it, Child. We should reveal ourselves to the Princess. She would help"
 "No." This reply was in unison, both from the Sacred Child and Guardian Father. Demetrius turned and frowned at them.
 "Why not?"
 "You know why," Neophilus declared, his authoritative tones thundering through the dank tunnels. "Because the past is the past. There is no need to dredge it up again." He looked over at the girl standing before him. "She has lived through it once. We should not make her endure it again."
 The Sacred Child shook her head. "I endure it every day, Neophilus. I am ashamed of what I was, but I am not hesitant to remind the Princess of it should the need arise. But you know as well as I that every bit of knowledge we reveal places her in danger. Our enemies will target the Princess and the other Senshi if they know too much, and I will not allow that to happen just for my own benefit." She smiled rather sadly at Demetrius. "Besides, Guardian Brother, can't you remember? There have been many lifetimes in which I have found it necessary to reveal everything to the Princess, and she was still unable to help find the alternative to the Sacrifice. The only thing that resulted was an even greater despair and sorrow as she was forced to stand by and allow the Sacrifice to continue. I will not put her through that unless it is absolutely necessary."
 Guardian Brother sighed. "You always say that, Child. You're always thinking of other people. But I'm thinking of you. What about your safety, your happiness?"
 "Irrelevant and undeserved."
 "You don't mean that, Child."
 "I do. I most definitely mean it. I don't deserve to be happy, not ever; not after what I've done. And my safety is insignificant. The only thing that matters is keeping the Princess and the Balance safe." Her voice was firm.
 Demetrius looked at his two companions, and then back at her. "But, Child, perhaps we should at least tell them about the Sacrifice. The Sailor Senshi could be of great help to us in our search. Surely we could tell them about the Dagger and the Gate without revealing too much of the past. Just that much couldn't put her in much danger, could it?"
 The Child was quiet for a moment. "I will think about it," she finally responded. Just then, the stone set into her belt began to pulse with a gentle light, and beeped softly. The Child straightened her shoulders. "They've tracked us again," she said to her Guardians. "We must disband now." Leaning forward, she kissed Neophilus on the forehead once again. "Safe questing, Guardian Father." She shook hands with Oberon. "Safe questing, Guardian Friend." She then pulled Demetrius into an embrace, which he returned, his heart so full that he could not speak. He didn't have to. He knew she understood. Pulling back, the Child smiled at him. "Safe questing, Guardian Brother," she whispered quietly.
The three golden figures bowed to her. "Safe questing, Child," they responded. The girl in white turned quickly and strode away, the clicking of her heels echoing through the maze of metal and stone. The Guardians watched her go in silence, and then they too turned in the opposite direction, and were swallowed up by the thick mists.

"What do you have there?"
 "Go away, Lady Slipper!!"
 "Oh, come now, my dear Admiral don't be like that. Friends shouldn't keep secrets from one another. Show me what you have in your hand there."
 "I'm not your friend, Lady Slipper. And I have no intention of showing anything to you, except one particular musical Sailor pest in a coffin, delivered to the Avatar's front doorstep!"
 "Oh, I see." Lady Slipper's voice was mocking, as usual. "You can't find the Dagger so you'll present the Avatar with a sort of peace offering, is that it?"
 "It won't be a peace offering. It will be a demonstration. To show the Avatar what I'm capable of." Lord Narcissus' tone was boasting. Lady Slipper giggled at him.
 "Why, my dear Narcissus, you've already demonstrated to the Avatar exactly what you're capable of. Let's see, how many jaki have you lost to the Sailor Scouts now?"
 "Shut up. This time that little Orion brat is going to be mine for certain."
 "Oh, really? Well, this should be interesting. Who gave you his assistance this time? Sailor Delphinus? Or was it Draco?"
 "For your information, I don't need help from anyone." There was silence for a moment. "But Sailor Gemini did lend me one of his combs. Which I accepted only because I didn't want to hurt his feelings."
 "Of course you did." There was another giggle. "Well, at least you chose a bit more wisely this time. Gemini has hundreds of those combs, so when this one is destroyed at least he won't be coming after you."
 "It's not going to be destroyed," Narcissus growled at her. "This is going to work. It's too perfect not to work. This comb is going to infuse Orion with my dark power as soon as it touches her hair. It will drain her energy bit by bit until there's nothing left, and then all I'll need to do is show up to collect her pretty little corpse."
 "And just how, exactly, do you plan on getting her to wear that thing? As I recall, Sailor Orion isn't much for fancy frills."
 "Oh, she'll wear it all right, if she thinks it's a gift from her favorite person in the world. Don't forget that I watched Sailor Moon transform."
 Lady Slipper began to laugh. "Oh, Narcissus, you never learn, do you? You just keep on making the same mistakes over and over again. How long is it going to take before you stop underestimating the Senshi?"
 "Look, just shut up. I don't care what you say, I'm going to get her this time. You'll see." There was a pause as Lady Slipper giggled again, but apparently Narcissus was ignoring her now, because he called out for his jaki. A drop of the glistening black goo began to gather at the edge of the aperture. Their entire conversation had emanated from this breach in the air, and now the shining black stuff that lined its edge had balled into a drop at the lowermost point. This droplet grew big enough to finally fall free, and it struck the surface of the black stone below with a splattering, hissing sound; like a drop of water in a hot skillet. The dark substance began to shift and swell, increasing its mass until it had finally taken shape.
This creature was smaller than most of its predecessors, but no less unattractive. A bulbous, swollen head was attatched to shriveled shoulders that graduated into arms like an ape's-- long and dragging on the ground. The broad, malformed chest quickly jutted into a pair of stubby legs, and at the tips of its feet were sets of bells each hideous foot bore three small golden bells that jingled as the spirit moved. The gleaming teeth of this monster were also golden, and they sparkled merrily as the jaki addressed its master. "Jaki here, Lord Narcissus."
 "I have a special delivery for you to make." There was more ominous laughter, and the evil spirit grinned back.

"Where were you today?" The question was meant to sound casual, but Michiru did not miss the note of reproof in her partner's voice.
 "I had to rehearse for the Christmas Eve concert. You know it's tomorrow night," she responded lightly, patting Haruka's cheek lightly as she stepped past into the kitchen.
 "I know that, Michiru. But you promised you'd come to the track today to watch the final heats," the rich voice pouted teasingly, and Michiru had to smile at her friend.
"I'm sorry about that, Haruka. But I was working on 'The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' and we lost track of time." Her aqua curls bounced as she winked at Haruka. "Besides, I knew you were going to win anyway." The blond racer did not wink back.
 "We?" she inquired, curiosity creeping into her voice. "Who's we?"
 Michiru's eyes widened, but it was difficult to tell if it was from surprise or from innocence. "Oh, the pianist I'm going to be performing with. We needed to work on our pieces together." Which is not exactly a lie, since Shinzui did agree to perform with me for the concert. I need her inspiration behind me if I'm going to pull this off.
Haruka frowned. "But you and I usually play together," she pointed out with a hint of disappointment. "Why didn't you ask me?"
 Michiru shook her head. "You're too busy right now, Haruka, getting ready for the Christmas District Races. You don't have time to learn Tchaikovsky at the moment. And besides, heaven forbid I should come between you and your motorcyle!" Michiru winked at Haruka again, and this time Haruka grinned back at her. "Now, what do you want for dinner?" she inquired brightly, changing the subject so smoothly that Haruka scarcely noticed it. The blond tomboy pretended to scratch her head.
 "Well, now you've got me thinking about sugared plums," she teased, and Michiru playfully swatted her.
"Come on, be serious."
 "Oh, all right then. How about gyouza?" Michiru nodded, and turned to one of the cupboards to pull down the flour. Haruka watched her for a moment, and couldn't resist adding, "And maybe some plum sauce?" Michiru groaned melodramatically and swatted at her again. "Or what about stuffed plums?"
 "Oh, cut it out, Haruka."
 " Plum pie?"
 "Haruka."
 "Or some of those great noodles you make with a nice plum relish?"
 "You're asking for it, Haruka."
 "Or even better how about some prunes?"
 "That does it!" Michiru tossed a handful of flour right into her partner's face, with a giggle. The white cloud of powder adhered to her nose and eyebrows, and Haruka opened her eyes and had to blink several times as her lashes were coated with the flour.
"Oh, so that's how it is," she responded as Michiru broke into a fit of laughing at the sight of her. Haruka reached into one of the nearby earthenware jugs on the counter. "I think someone is asking for a fistful of rice down her back."
 Michiru's eyes got bigger. "You wouldn't dare."
 "Come here." The deep voice resonated with mischief.
 "No way!"
"Come here."
 "I don't think so." The aqua-haired girl backed away from the counter, and Haruka stood up, following her, a wicked grin on her flour-dusted face. Michiru gave a little shriek of glee, and ran from her into the next room, with Haruka right on her heels. Their merry chase would last a while, and probably get much more messy in the process; and when it was over and Haruka felt sufficently avenged they'd most likely go out to eat somewhere. They'd stay out an extra long time, maybe even go dancing for a while, so that the lady who cleaned their apartment would have to arrive and take care of the mess. That's what I love about Haruka, Michiru mused to herself, then screamed playfully as her partner caught up to her and snatched her around the waist. As the cold grains of rice were dumped inside the back of her dress, she laughed and shivered and protested indignantly all at once. With her around, how could I ever get bored?

"Ooh, Shinzui-san what's this?"
 Shinzui came over to where Michiru was standing at the makeup counter, and Michiru placed the item in her hand. She smiled when she recognized it. "Oh, this is a little Christmas present from the Princess."
 "From Usagi? Really?" Michiru gazed down at the small golden comb, encrusted with little amber-colored stones. "It's beautiful. This must have cost her a fortune."
 "I think so too. It's funny, but somehow that comb seems familiar to me. I think it's very valuable, which is why I can't keep it. I think the Princess knew I wouldn't accept it anyway, because she didn't give it to me herself. She just knocked on the dressing room door and dashed off on her white horse."
 Michiru frowned. "White horse?"
 Shinzui laughed a bit. "Yes I think the Princess was wearing some Christmas bells on her shoes, because I could hear them jingling all the way down the hall when she ran off. It reminded me of that old nursery rhyme, you know:
 "Ride a cock-horse to Dansbury Cross
 To see a young lady upon a white horse
 Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
 And she shall have music wherever she goes."
The violinist had to laugh at that. "Well, I suppose that's Usagi for you," she conceded with a giggle. "Sneaking backstage right before a concert!" Then she picked up the small card lying on the counter, that had been scrawled in very messy Hiragana. "To Shinzui-san. From Usagi." Next to that there was a little cartoon drawing of a rabbit and some little hearts and stars. Michiru smiled as she set the card down. "But won't Usagi-chan be terribly disappointed if you don't keep the comb? I mean, she can be so sensitive sometimes."
Shinzui nodded. "And she can also be too generous at times. I'll do it very gently, and I don't think it will offend her." She smiled as she handed the comb back to Michiru. "Besides," she said in a confidential manner, "it really isn't my style."
 Michiru fingered the comb gently. "Shinzui-san, would it be rude of me to ask a favor?"
 "You want to wear it to the concert tonight."
 The aqua-eyed girl stared at her. "How did you know that?" she wondered.
 "I could hear it in your voice," Shinzui responded sweetly. "And no, it's not rude. I think it would look lovely on you, Michiru-san."
 Michiru blushed a bit as she turned to the mirror, holding the comb up close to her hair, trying to determine the best spot for it in her elaborate confection of aqua curls. "Oh, thank you, Shinzui-san."
 "Is Haruka-san coming to the concert?" the blind girl inquired softly. Michiru shook her head.
"No, she isn't. She's got this Championship Race she's competing in tonight. I'm actually going to go watch her as soon as our performance is done I missed coming to the final heats and so I promised I'd be there for the big race." Shinzui nodded, and Michiru finally slid the golden comb into place, directly behind her head where it rose up like a delicate tiara, shimmering in the bright makeup lights and matching perfectly with her green-and-gold velvet evening gown. "Well," she said as she straightened, "we've still got another thirty minutes before the concert begins you want to go over the music one more time just to make sure?"
 Shinzui shook her head. "We don't need to anymore, Michiru-san. The music is inside us now. Let's keep it there until the time is right to let it out."
 Michiru nodded. "All right, then." She frowned a little as a wave of dizziness suddenly swept over her, and she gripped the chair for a moment for support.
 "Are you all right, Michiru-san?" Shinzui inquired with concern, but Michiru waved it off.
"I'm fine," she answered. "I always get a little dizzy before a concert. I think it's my body's way of being nervous, even though I'm never really worried."
 Shinzui's expression remained attentive. "All right, then but you be sure to tell me if you think you're getting sick."
 Michiru nodded and smiled. She surveyed Shinzui critically her pale hair was pulled back in its usual simple bun, and Michiru reached out and gently pulled out a few strands from around Shinzui's face to soften the look a little. "There, that's perfect. You look elegant." She swayed again, suddenly, as another dizzy spell took hold of her, and she gripped Shinzui's shoulder to maintain her balance.
 "Michiru-san, are you sure you're all right?" Shinzui wanted to know with a frown.
 The violinist nodded again. "I'm okay, really, Shinzui-san. I think I'm just a little tired. We've been practicing so hard the last few days."
 "Here, sit down," the blind musician suggested kindly. "Rest a little before we go on. We can't have you fainting of exhaustion out there, now can we?"

I wasn't being serious, Shinzui thought to herself worriedly as she felt Michiru's dizziness again. They were only on the Arab Dance, and barely half finished with the performance, and the violinist's weak spells were growing in intensity. So far she had not made any mistakes, and Shinzui was certain the audience could not sense that anything was wrong, but they could not feel Michiru like she could, and she knew without a doubt that something was not right here. I shouldn't have let her come out here like this. I should have taken her to the emergency room. She can't play like this!
 But Michiru was playing, and what's more, she was actually playing well. Extremely well, for someone who was having trouble standing. They began the Russian Dance, and her fingers flew over the violin's strings as she stubbornly remained on her feet. Michiru did her best to recall everything that she and Shinzui had been discussing about making the music her own. The lights shining on her were so bright so bright and hot and they made her sleepy. But she couldn't focus on that now. The music. Just think about the music and you'll be fine. Let it give you energy, give you life. Let the music be the reason you are standing, the reason you are holding your instrument, the reason you play. Michiru could still hear Shinzui's words from their rehearsals, and now she found that she understood them. Forgetting about whether or not she had the strength to continue, Michiru found herself absorbed into the melody, until the song seemed to have a life of its own. She was her violin's instrument now, simply allowing Tchaikovsky's sweet notes to control her hands.
From behind her, Shinzui gave a slight nod of approval as she felt her friend begin to allow the music to support her. The dizzy spells were still there; Shinzui could still sense them, but they could not affect the violinist because she was not depending on her own energy any longer. The blind girl's slender hands caressed the keys of the grand piano gently as they completed the Waltz of the Flowers together, and began the Waltz of the Snowflakes, supporting and encouraging the main melody from the violin. Shinzui paid close attention to the sensations she was receiving from the other girl on stage. She was continuing to lose energy quickly, though as long as she kept playing she would be all right. Shinzui wondered if she'd be able to reach her in time after the last piece in order to keep her from collapsing on stage. I was only teasing when I said she might faint from exhaustion, the blind girl reprimanded herself. I should learn to keep my mouth shut! The final notes of the Nutcracker Suite finally sounded, and Shinzui held onto them for as long as she dared before rising to her feet. The audience began to clap enthusiastically, and as Michiru lowered her bow Shinzui could tell that she was on the verge of passing out. The blind girl reached out and took Michiru's elbow to steady her, and the two musicians smiled and bowed gracefully to the audience. Then Shinzui carefully steered the trembling teal-haired violinist off the stage, and once they were out of sight, Michiru did indeed collapse into Shinzui's arms.
"Come on, Michiru-san. We've got to get you to the hospital."
"No."
Shinzui frowned. "What do you mean, 'no?' You can barely stand up."
Michiru took a deep breath. "Haruka," she said weakly. "I I promised her"
The blind girl shook her head. "She'll understand if you're sick, Michiru. We have to get you some help." But the violinist gripped her hand.
"I promised, Shinzui-san. I promised. Please" She was too weak to continue.
Shinzui sighed, but she understood the value of a promise and knew that she could not in good concience force her friend to break hers. "All right," she agreed. "But I'm coming with you to make sure you're all right."
Michiru squeezed her fingers. "Thank you."

"Tenou-san. We have to begin the last heat. We can't put it off any longer."|
Haruka sighed, and brushed the short sandy hair out of her eyes. "Oh, all right. I'm coming." Her gray eyes scanned the crowd again. Where's Michiru? She said she was coming. The racer sighed again with disappointment. I guess she's going to miss this one too. As Haruka turned to mount her motorcycle, a flash of aquamarine caught the corner of her eye, and she turned to see Michiru making her way through the crowd. Haruka grinned and raised her helmet, but lowered it again as she caught sight of who it was escorting her partner. Without thinking, she dropped the helmet on the ground by her feet and stalked across the grass to the stands, completely ignoring the protests of the race manager. They couldn't start the final round without her, after all, since this final heat was a tie-breaker between her and another accomplished young racer. Haruka marched over to where Michiru had appeared, and glared. "What are you doing here?" she demanded of Shinzui, who had one hand on Centauri's harness and the other around Michiru's shoulders, supporting her.
Shinzui's expression saddened as she heard the disgust in the racer's voice. Still, her reply was gentle. "Michiru isn't feeling well, Haruka-san, but she wouldn't let me take her to the hospital until she'd come to see you race."
Haruka frowned at her parter, but Michiru just smiled back at her, albeit a bit weakly. "Shinzui-san came with me from the Music Hall, because she thought I wouldn't be able to make it here on my own."
At this point, Haruka noticed the sleek formal gowns that both Shinzui and Michiru were wearing, and realization dawned. "She's the pianist, isn't she? She's the one you've been spending so much time with this week." Her eyes darkened. Michiru had missed her races because she'd been spending time with that girl. Michiru knew that Haruka despised her, and yet she'd gone behind her back and met with Shinzui. "You lied to me, Michiru."
"I never lied, Haruka."
"You didn't tell me the truth. It's the same thing." Haruka faced the blind girl with an expression of contempt. "I want you to stay away from Michiru, you hear me?"
Shinzui's face was sorrowful as she attempted to reply, but was distracted as the teal-haired girl suddenly swooned into her arms, and she released Centauri's harness to catch her with both hands. "Michiru!" Shinzui gasped. The violinist's skin felt cold and clammy.
"Michiru!" Haruka exclaimed, reaching for her.
"I knew she should have let me take her to the hospital," Shinzui said.
Haruka glowered at her. They were interrupted, however, by a series of shrieks from the crowd nearby. The girls looked up to see a jaki leap from the stands out onto the track, carrying the body of a woman it had just drained. The creature dumped the woman onto the ground and began to head for another victim in the crowd. Haruka snarled. "Watch Michiru," she ordered, and took off running for the central pavilion where the trophies were being kept. She ran in one side, and a few moments later Sailor Uranus emerged from the other side, sprinting across the track towards the jaki.
Shinzui shook her head. "She can't destroy that spirit on her own," she said to Centauri. "I have to do something."
"It's all right, Shinzui. I'll keep an eye on Michiru for you," her guardian animal answered. "But you should transform." Shinzui nodded. They were virtually alone in the stands now, as the crowds were fleeing, and so she carefully set Michiru down in one of the stadium seats and then she and Centauri ducked behind one of the red ceremonial draperies hanging from the stands. Sailor Orion emerged from the heavy curtains, and took one more look at Michiru before taking off in the direction of Uranus and the jaki. Centauri returned to Michiru's side to watch over her.
"World Shaking!" Uranus sent her attack towards the monster, who dodged it easily, jingling as he went. He sent a burst of black lightning from his mouth at the Magnifiscent Soldier, who also dodged.
"Orion Mini-Sphere Detonation!" Uranus looked up as Sailor Orion's tiny grenade-like orb sailed over her head, landing neatly at the feet of the creature and exploding in a cacophony of light and sound. The evil spirit howled in pain as the cleansing, destructive effects of the Mini-Sphere caused its little misshapen body to melt away. The creature kicked its feet as it melted, and when it was gone and the black oily stuff had absorbed into the dirt of the racetrack, Sailor Orion could see the small golden bells left on the ground. Suddenly her silver eyes widened. "Michiru," she breathed, and spun around on her heel. "Michiru!!" Orion began to run back towards the unconcious girl on the other side of the track, with Sailor Uranus right behind her.
But Uranus was faster than Orion, and got there first. She picked up Michiru's limp form and held her protectively, away from Sailor Orion. "You're not touching her," Uranus growled at the taller Senshi. "You've done enough already."
Orion shook her head, still trying to catch her breath. "Uranus, listen to me. You've got to destroy that comb in Michiru's hair."
"What are you talking about?"
"The comb it wasn't a gift from the Princess, it was left for me by the jaki. I heard those bells ringing when it ran off."
Sailor Uranus glared at her. "What are you babbling about?"
"Now I know why the comb seemed so familiar to me." Sailor Orion shook her head. "I remember now. That comb belongs to Sailor Gemini, and it's sapping Michiru's energy. If you don't destroy it, right now, it will kill her."
Uranus, for a moment, appeared uncertain as she looked down into her partner's pale face. Then her gray eyes narrowed and she looked up again at Orion. "I'm supposed to trust you? You sneak around with Michiru behind my back and now I'm supposed to trust you?"
Orion sighed. "It was wrong of me to keep our rehearsals a secret, Uranus, and I'm sorry. I should have told you from the beginning, and I promise it will never happen again. But if you don't want Michiru to die, you're going to have to trust me. Please, Uranus. Don't punish her for my mistake."
The Magnifiscent Soldier looked at Michiru's face again, and nodded curtly. "Fine." She removed the golden, shimmering comb from the aqua curls, and tossed to Sailor Orion. "Here you go."
Orion wasted no time in throwing the comb onto the ground, and stomping on it with those impossibly high black heels. She kept pounding away at it until it had been ground into powder underfoot, and a strange golden mist rose from the destroyed jewels. This mist swept its way back to Michiru, where it entered the unconcious girl's mouth and was absorbed. A few moments later, Michiru stirred and opened her eyes, looking up into Uranus' face.
"Uranus? What happened?"
Sweeping up what was left of the comb, Sailor Orion extended a gloved hand so that Michiru could see it. "This was meant for me, not you, Michiru," she said quietly, her musical tones becoming low. "I should never have let you wear it in the first place. I'm sorry." Then she looked up at Uranus. "It would seem I've made nothing but mistakes here," she said, her voice so undescribably mournful that Uranus could not suppress a tiny twinge of pity. "I'm going to leave now, before I hurt anyone else." With that, she raised her bracelet, pressed the opal, and vanished.
Sailor Uranus and Michiru watched her disappear. Then they met one another's eyes. After a very long moment, Uranus nodded.

Shinzui opened the door, but there was no one there. "Looks like somebody has delivered another mystery Christmas package," Centauri commented as he picked up the small, gaily wrapped box in his mouth gently to give to her. "Mmphffs safph ffmnnn nuffmm."
Shinzui had to giggle as she shut the door and went to take a seat on the davenport. She took the gift from her pet's mouth. "You know, you really ought to learn not to speak with your mouth full, Centauri." The dog made a face at her, which of course she couldn't see. "Oh, there's a card and it's written in Braille!" She winked a vacant eye at Centauri. "Guess that means you won't have to read this one for me." She ran her fingers over the message.
Dear Shinzui - Thank you for everything you've done to help me with the concert. Please don't feel badly about the comb; you
couldn't have known it was dangerous, and after all it was you who convinced Haruka to let it be destroyed. You are a very
 dear friend, and I hope you will enjoy this little present. Merry Christmas, Keioh Michiru. P. S. - I thought you might like to
know that this gift was actually Haruka's idea. She wishes you a merry Christmas too.
Shinzui's soft gray eyes filled with tears as she ran her fingers over the postscript again. The tears actually spilled over as she opened the box, and found inside a small golden trophy with a motorcyclist on top. Centauri read the engraving out loud. "Tenou Haruka. First Place. Grand National Christmas Championships, Christmas Eve." The shiny gold of the trophy suddenly sparkled even more as Shinzui's tear fell onto it.
"They may not know it, but Haruka and Michiru have just given me the very best Christmas present of all. Their acceptance." The blind girl rose to her feet and placed the trophy on her mantel, right next to the picture of her family. She smiled for a moment as she touched the little motorcycle on top, and then turned to her dog. "Merry Christmas, Centauri."
"Merry Christmas, Shinzui."

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