Sailormoon Eclipse 8
http://hizashi.net/eclipse/
By: Jackie Miller

The Destined Meeting

Karei slowly woke up and everything was a blur. She felt strange, wet and drained of energy. She blinked rapidly, the world twisting and swaying, strange muddled forms in front of her. She rubbed her eyes, and cautiously opened her eyes. She was lying on the ground, soaking wet, her hair plastered to her face. She sat up slowly and looked around in shock. She was sitting in a moist pile of leaves and Demetria was quietly cropping grass next to her. She stood up shakily and rubbed her temples, she vaguely remembered a storm and lightning, but that was all. She looked at the sky and she could just see the sun peeking over the hills. "Kami-sama!" she gasped, "It's morning already! I've been out all night!" she shakily walked over to Demetria and petted her nose, "Arigatou Demetria, you're a true friend." Demetria knickered and bumped her with her white nose. Karei smiled slightly jumped into the saddle, she groaned as she settled into the, she was sore all over. She stroked Demetria and urged her into a quick canter. While galloping down the path, she saw someone else on horseback, riding through the trees, it was hard to tell who it was. "Hello!" she called, waving her crop, and slowing Demetria. The rider stopped and trotted over to her. "Melody!" Karei gasped, a smiled breaking on her face. Melody rode up on her white and grey Andalusian, Artex. "Karei! I was so worried about you!" Melody cried. She rode next to her and leaned over from her saddle, hugging her fiercely. "Where have you been? Everyone is looking for you! Look at you! You're a mess." Melody exclaimed with worry, looking at Karei. Karei had bags under her eyes, her face had small scratches all over it, her clothes were torn and ripped, and Demetria was filthy as well. Karei smiled weakly, noticing Melody's scrutiny, "I was out riding and suddenly a bad storm came up, I think I fell and hit my head or something. I woke up on the ground and I can't remember hardly anything." "Well come on! We need to get you back, so everyone will know that you're alright." they turned and cantered together towards the barn. "They sent me out to see if maybe you had gone on a ride. It's a good thing I did!" Melody yelled over the noise. Karei nodded, a strange look on her face.

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"Controllerwind! Fire!" Planet snapped, she sighed as she waited, she held out a hand, a glass of black granite appearing in her hand, she languidly drank black wine from it. There was a slight forming of something in the middle of the room, when suddenly a flame of red-hot fire, and pillar of cold mist appeared out of nowhere, Fire and Wind stepped out of their own respective portal and bowed deeply before her. "Wind, I have graciously decided to give you one more chance. I want you to go out and kill at least a couple of the senshi." planet warned, her eyes shifting between deep purple and black. "If you can manage that." Mistress Luna snickered behind her fan, her eyes glinting dangerously. Wind scowled at her, her white-blue eyes narrowed and her pallid skin flushed. "How dare you!" she hissed, a white aura flared up and shone around her. "Don't try anything Wind." Mistress Luna taunted, she stood up luxuriously her unfeeling blue eyes hardened, a gold aura began to spark around her. Planet laughed cheerfully, "Now, Now, calm down." she warned jestingly. Mistress Luna smirked and bowed very slightly towards Planet, and sat down, throwing a arm across the chair, and relaxed into the chair, smirking at Wind. Wind glared at her and lowered her head, hiding her anger. "Now Fire, I want you to try and take care of that smaller power, I think you can manage." Planet said, looking meaningfully at Wind. Wind and Fire bowed and disappeared. Planet sipped her ebony wine and spoke without looking. "When Wind fails, it's your turn. I want you to watch the battle and learn from her mistakes." Planet said, smiling to herself. Mistress Luna stood and bowed grandly, holding her fan in front of her, she disappeared in a brilliant glitter of gold.

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The senshi rode in their van to the nearby mall. Usagi was smiling and she looked excited for the first time in days. "I can't wait to see American clothes!" Minako grinned and nodded, "Hai! when we get back everyone will be so jealous!" she exclaimed. "I want to get some American cookbooks! I've liked the food we've had so far." Makoto said enthusiastically. "I think I might get some English books. I'll probably get a headache looking at them though, english is such a backward language!" Ami joked. "Hai!" all the others agreed, laughing. "Ooh! I have to get a fancy dress, Mamoru is taking me out to eat tonight at a fancy restaurant." Usagi squealed, clapping her hands. "You are such a odango atama!" Rei said rolling her eyes. "Ne! Only Mamoru is allowed to call me that!" she said indignantly, her eyes flaring. "Gomen." she said sarcastically, smirking. Usagi stood up and lunged at her, they both wrestled playfully. Haruka sighed from the drivers seat. "Who is going to stop them now that Luna is gone?" she said quietly to Michiru who was sitting next to her. Michiru smirked slightly. "Well, we're here!" Haruka announced over the squeals coming from the back, pulling into the parking lot. "Yay!" Usagi and Minako yelled as one. Haruka rolled her eyes, laughing and parked. The senshi all tumbled out, while Michiru and Haruka stepped out quietly from their seats. "So what are Mamoru and Artemis doing while we're shopping?" Ami asked, as they walked up to the huge mall. "Oh, they are going to see a movie or something." Usagi said waving a hand. They all walked into the mall and the 5 Inners all gasped, "Whoa...This is so cool!" Usagi squealed. The inside of the mall was monstrous, many people were bustling busily around, talking at what seemed to be a million miles a hour. There was a large fountain in the center, with blooming plants all about it, and small children played on it's rim. On the upper level, there were even more people, standing in line at the food court or eating. The senshi all just stood and stared in awe, until a beautiful girl with short, cover-girl blonde hair, talking on a cell phone, bumped into Haruka and walked off without a word. Haruka ground her teeth and started after her, but Michiru grabbed her by the arm, "Haruka, things are different here." She said quietly. Haruka sighed and nodded. The other senshi looked at each other, and started to walk around, stopping and gawking in every store. As they walked through the stores, they got some appreciative looks from American guys, especially Usagi and Michiru. Minako and Makoto were loving it, "Look at all these cute guys!" Minako squealed, her eyes looking like stars. "Well, I wish Mamoru had come with me, then all these American girls would be jealous!" Usagi said. Everyone else rolled their eyes. "Rei, don't forget what Artemis said, keep your senses open for anything, maybe the person who is Sailorvictory is here." Ami said, as she struggled to hold her load of books. She looked thoughtful for a moment, "You know one good thing about being in America is that we don't have to worry about anyone overhearing us, they all speak english!" she grinned. Usagi looked thoughtful as well, a uncommon look for her. "Ne minna! Watashi wa Sailormoon!" she yelled. Several people looked over at the strange beautiful girl screaming in a foreign language. Usagi laughed, clapping her hands, "This is awesome! I hope Luna doesn't find out what I did!" she suddenly sobered when she mentioned Luna......

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"Come on Karei, you'll like it! We haven't gone shopping in forever! And school is starting in a month!" Melody said as she drove the car through rush hour traffic, towards the mall. Karei sighed, "You're right, I do want to go." she said mediocrily. She pulled a brush out of her purse and started to brush her long emerald mane. "You look fine, Karei, don't worry, you always look beautiful." Melody said, smiling at her from the corner of her eye. Karei smiled, "Except for when I'm covered in mud and leaves like last night!" she joked. Melody laughed as she pulled into the mall parking lot. As they walked into the mall, Karei suddenly had a strange feeling. She looked warily around, 'I feel like something is going to happen.' she thought to herself. Usagi and the others walked through the mall, "I love my new dress!" she sighed dreamily, hugging the bag to her chest, "Do you think Mamoru will like it?" she asked worried. Haruka smiled, "Hai, he'll love it, don't worry! You looked beautiful in it!" she reassured her, patting her arm. "Oh! Look a arcade!" Usagi shrieked, a store with the sign, 'King Game Center' was in front of them. "I have to play some American games!" she said her eyes lighting up. "Me too!" Makoto and Minako said. Michiru noticed a music store and she dragged Haruka over to it. "Come on Rei-chan!" Usagi said. Rei shook her head, holding a hand to her head, "I'm not feeling very good. I'm going to sit on the bench out here." Usagi frowned and walked over to her, "What's wrong?" she said worried, putting a hand to Rei's forehead. She sat down next to her, "Do you want to go back to the hotel?" she asked worriedly. Rei smiled, "Iie, I'll be fine, I'm just a little tired, go on." she said, giving Usagi a little shove towards the arcade. "Are you sure?" Usagi said, concerned. Rei nodded, smiling slightly. Usagi gave her a hug and walked into the game room. Rei frowned after she had left and looked around suspiciously. 'I have a feeling, something is about to happen. I have to be aware.' she thought to herself, concentrating. Karei and Melody walked around aimlessly, "Do you want to play some video games?" Melody suggested hopefully. Karei started to say no, but she suddenly said yes for some reason. They walked towards the game center. When they were about to go in, Melody suddenly had to go to the bathroom. "I'll wait for you on the benches." Karei said. She turned and walked towards the benches in the center of the court. She felt strange, like she was walking on air, without will. She started to walk towards an empty one near the bathrooms, but her feet kept walking on their own and she stopped in front of a bench, a girl sitting on it. The girl had long raven black hair which flowed like silk down her back, her eyes were closed and she looked like she was concentrating deeply. Karei frowned slightly and looked at her closer, actually leaning over to see her closer. The girls eye's suddenly flew open and she lifted her head, revealing crystal clear violet eyes, which stared up into Karei's startled green eyes. They both gasped and Karei quickly took a step back. 'I know her!' they both thought, shocked. Karei looked down, "Sorry." She mumbled, holding her hand to her mouth. She nervously sat down next to the girl, straightening her clothes uncomfortably. She felt the girls eyes studying her, and Karei laughed nervously, "Hehe, umm, I guess you've never seen anyone with hair my color huh? It's natural believe it or not." Karei joked, running a hand through her hair. She looked the girl in the eye and they both stared at each other. 'This girl is so familiar!' Rei thought. She felt like a vision was coming, but the girl suddenly started to speak in english. Rei blushed and looked down. "I do not speak english." she said hesitantly, enunciating her words. "I am from Japan." Karei's eyes widened as she looked strangely at the girl. 'Thank Kami-sama for watching, "Let's Speak English." I just wish I had paid attention, instead of staring into his eyes!' Rei thought to herself. "Oh! I'm from Japan too!" Karei said suddenly in japanese. The girl's eyes widened in shock, and she turned slowly to stare at Karei. "My name is Yuchino Karei." she said easily, bowing slightly at the waist. "Oh, really, that's awesome!" Rei said, smiling enthusiastically. "My name is Hino Rei." 'Interesting name.' they both thought. "So why are you here in America?" Rei asked, her eyes curious. Karei's eyes saddened and she looked down. "My parent's died when I was 7, I came here to live with my Aunt Aya." Karei said softly. "Oh! Gomen nasai." Rei said quickly, blushing. "It's all right!" Karei looked up and her eyes brightened again. "So why are you here?" she inquired. "Anou...My friends and I all live in Japan, we came to....visit." Rei said uncomfortably. Karei started to say something when Melody walked up, "Oh, Melody!" Karei said in english. She stood up, "Here meet my new friend, Rei Hino." Melody's eyebrows rose as she looked down at the beautiful girl, who was looking with interest at her. "Hi, my name is Melody Hollis." Rei looked uncomfortable and stood up. "She only speaks Japanese." Karei said quickly. "This is my friend Hollis Melody." She said quickly to Rei in japanese. Rei smiled at Melody and bowed slightly. "Just a second Rei-san." Karei said quickly. "Melody, I really hate to do this, but there is something about this girl, I want to meet her friends. Do you think I can hook up with you later?" she said. Melody looked surprised but said, "No big deal, catch you later!" she gave Karei a hug and walked off. Karei turned to Rei, "I'd like to meet you friends!" she smiled. Rei smiled, odd, in a way it seemed relieved. "Of course, they are playing video games." Rei took her hand and led her into the game center. Usagi was playing a game against Minako and Makoto was cheering them on. "That's them there." Rei said pointing. Karei looked and a odd sense of familiarity filled her as she studied the three girls from afar. A gorgeous blond girl with a slightly strange hairstyle was eagerly playing a game against another beautiful blond girl, with hair that nearly touched the floor as she sat down, the top part up in a bright red bow. Another lovely tall brown haired girl was standing next to them, jumping up and down. 'They are all so beautiful!' she thought to herself. Rei lead her over behind them. Rei started slightly when she saw that they were playing a Sailormoon game, and she rolled her eyes. Suddenly, loud bells went off and Usagi jumped up and started cheering. "I won, I won!" a bunch of coins poured out. "Darn!" Minako slammed her hand on the game. "Minna, I want you to meet my new friend!" Rei said. They all turned and looked at Karei. "This is Yuchino Karei, she is japanese, but she lives here." Rei said, introducing her. Karei bowed slightly, "Hajimemashite." she said politely. "Hi! My name is Tsukino Usagi!" Usagi said enthusiastically. "My name is Aino Minako!" Minako said, making a V with her fingers. "I'm Kino Makoto." Makoto said. 'Finally someone I can look in the eye!' she thought to herself, looking at Karei, who was about her height. Karei looked slightly embarrassed with all these girls looking at her so intently. 'They all have such unique names, I wonder why?' she thought. "I've never played the Sailormoon game, is it fun?" she said nervously. "Oh yes! It's so much fun, do you want to play me? My treat, I won a bunch of tokens!" Usagi said happily, showing Karei her pocketful of coins, "Sure, you'll probably totally beat me though." Karei laughed, sitting down. Usagi grinned broadly, and sat down at the next chair. The screen came up and offered the girls choices of 9 senshi, Usagi picked Sailormoon. Karei studied the 9 available senshi, "Who should I choose?" she asked looking up. "Sailorvenus!" Minako said "Sailorjupiter!" Makoto said "Sailormars!" Rei said. Karei looked taken aback and choose Sailorpluto. The arena came on the screen and Usagi immediately started to fight, rapidly pushing buttons, and released. Karei wasn't sure what to do, she pushed random buttons, when suddenly a strange feeling came to her again. She pushed a combination of buttons, and her character spun on one knee, knocked Sailormoon's legs out from underneath her with her time staff. Sailormoon fell to the ground and Karei did another combo and pluto let Dead Scream loose, and Moon disappeared. Bells went off, and Usagi looked stunned. Suddenly the heard scream outside the game room....

To Be Continued