Tension of the Past
Part 12
*~*~*~*
A sun harboring a billion lives speeds to this Earth, a force magnified to ours, bound by strings that no one can see. The lives of the senshi will end when we invite them to our home.
*~*~*~*
Despite all the excitement, despite all the pinching and jabs she gave herself, Chibi-Usa could not keep awake. Hotaru had left her with Ichigo, Diana was too preoccupied with her parents and staring at Seiya (which would be fitting, she thought. She had no doubt Artemis admired Taiki) and her own parents were doing a routine stroll around the room. And where was Puu?
"She's coming. I must leave."
"Don't go yet, Puu! You've only been here for a couple of hours!"
"Small Lady... do not ask me to stay. If you desire the lives of your mother's friends, let me go."
"But why can't you tell your story to me?!"
"Small lady! Forgive me!"
Pluto had left her all alone. And she was bored. Oh so very, very bored. But she needed to stay up. She needed to be a big girl. She needed to act like a... like a... like... a...
"Uh-oh. Looks like somebody's getting tired."
Chibi-Usa covered her yawn, trying to deny her father's observation, but to no avail. Her parents laughed lovingly, and Endymion rested a hand on her head.
"Please... just a little longer," she pleaded. Her father shook his head.
"Next time," he said. "Maybe you won't be so tired."
"There won't be another next time like this!" she cried.
"Of course there will," said Kakyuu leaning down to the little girl. "Next year, we can all celebrate on Kinmoku, how does that sound?"
Chibi-Usa's eyes widened. "That sounds wonderful!"
"It's settled, then," said Endymion.
"'So let it be written! So let it be done!'" cried Taiki, and both she and Ami burst out in uncontainable laughter. Makoto and Rei looked at each other.
"Looks like Small Lady isn't the only one tired," said Makoto, staring as the two women clutched each other to hold steady. Rei nodded in agreement.
"Who's turn is it to take Chibi-Usa-chan to bed?" asked Rei.
Small Lady stretched and said, "Jupiter-san tucked me in last night... so tonight would be Venus-san!"
Minako looked up from her conversation, her attention caught by the echoing of her name. The small cat family and the leader of the senshi walked over to the thrones, and Minako knelt down to Chibi-Usa.
"That's right," she said. "It's my turn tonight, isn't it?"
Small Lady nodded, and both she and Minako turned, bowed to the king and queen, bowed to Kakyuu, Chibi-Usa got a goodnight kiss from both her parents (a sweet "awe" omitting from the crowd), and Minako got her own goodnight kiss from Serenity (laughter erupting from the crowd), and went their way, the princess' hand enfolded in her Venus-san's.
Yaten scowled, and began to go after them, offering to be an escort, when she felt a small tugging on her ponytail, and turned around to stare at a set of big, sweet, and cat-like eyes.
"Yaten-sama..."
"Yes?" she looked up to Artemis and Luna who only nodded their heads.
"Will you walk me to my room and then to Small Lady's? I need to get..."
Blushing, she tugged harder, bringing Yaten to her level, and whispered into the woman's ear. Yaten's face softened, and then nodded reassuringly. "It's not something to be embarrassed about in front of grown ups. Everybody's had a little stuffed animal to sleep with at night."
"Really?"
"Sure!" Well, Yaten hadn't had one, but it was better to leave that unsaid. And now that she thought of it, neither had Taiki or... no wait... Seiya definitely hid something furry in her closet. Smirking she caught a glance to a flushing Seiya, and then looked to Diana. "Ready?"
Diana shook her head, giggled, bowed to the king and queens, got a goodnight kiss from her parents (a sweet "awe" omitting from the crowd), Yaten politely declined her own peck on the cheek (much to the relief of Artemis), and the two women headed on down the hallway, the little girl's hands enfolded in the protective warmth of Yaten's.
*~*~*~*
"There we go!" said Minako, pulling the covers up to the little girl's chin. "Brushed your teeth and everything?"
Chibi-Usa nodded, opened her mouth, and exhaled, Minako dipping her head low to the princess, her golden strands mingling in with the pink.
"You used the cinnamon paste tonight."
"Yup. Matches my pajamas." She stuck out an arm, showing off a cute brown and red sleeve. Minako smiled, but frowned a moment later, and untied the yellow ribbon from her neck, sighing happily as her throat was freed.
Such soft skin... my pet... my beautiful Venus...
"Are you feeling alright?"
"I just feel like my throat is closing up."
"Minako-sama!" a small voice called from the hallway, and Minako moved to the door, opening it to see Diana staring and looking around warily, a small and cute stuffed mouse clutched in her tiny arms.
"Diana!" cried Chibi-Usa, and immediately, the covers were flung off and the small princess was hopping on the bed, ruining the work that Minako had so painstakingly tried to do. Eh, cleaning was never her forte, anyways.
"They said it was okay to sleep with Small Lady tonight. The hallways scare me, and I ran as fast as I could! Even with Yaten-sama!"
Yaten nodded to Minako, and she blinked. Minako smiled warmly, assuring Diana that everything was all right, and Diana raced into the room, joining Chibi-Usa in her desecration of the bed.
The lady Venus sighed, shook her head in amusement, and looked up to Yaten.
"Thank you for bringing her here," she said. "It's rare for the princess to have a sleep over, even with her best friend living in the same building."
"No problem," said Yaten.
"Good night, Ya-chan!" The two little girls giggled fiercely, and Yaten just blinked. Minako, though, heated up. Twirling around, she pounced the two girls, sending them into fits of laughter as she tried to catch them underneath the sheets.
Minako hissed, "How many times have I told you two NOT to eavesdrop in my room?"
"Eeek!! Nonononono! Don't tickle!"
"Well?! Are you going to apologize?!"
"We're sorry! We're sorry! Uncle! Uncle!"
She stopped, leapt off the bed, fixed her hair, and inhaled deeply, before turning around and smiling sweetly at Yaten, who blinked again.
"Children. Ahehehe."
"Right..."
"Minako-sama?"
"H-hai?"
"Will you tell us one of your stories?"
"Not a scary one like last time!" cried Chibi-Usa.
"Sure, sure. Yaten, do you want to go now? You don't need to stay. I'll be back in the ball room once everything's settled."
Venus... Venus... come to me now... Now, my dreamer...
"I'd like to stay here for a while, if you don't mind. I could walk you back once you're done."
"Oooooh," sang Chibi-Usa and Diana giggled. "How romantic!"
Yaten and Minako both shot daggers at the little girls who promptly shut up.
"Thanks," chirped the blonde, and Yaten melted into the shadows as Venus sat gently next to the two children, tucking them back in tight, making sure the heads of the little stuffed animals were above the covers. "So you want a happy story tonight?"
"Yeah!"
"Those aren't any fun, though," mumbled Minako. The two girls started to shriek in protest. "All right! All right! Happy then!"
"A love story too!"
"Adventure!"
"Make her a princess!"
"Make her somebody who can turn into a cat! And have a prince!"
"No, a pegasus!"
"How about somebody from another planet?"
"And have her be a super heroine!"
"And let her have a pet that can talk! And make it purple!"
"Oi, oi," cried Minako. "Do you want me to tell you a story, or just talk about us?"
"Both!" they cried. And Minako sighed.
"Once upon a time, there was a girl who was gorgeous, beautiful, and very cute. Her name was Wakuseino Hinako-"
"Chick girl of the planet?!" guffawed Chibi-Usa.
"Shut up! Now, Hinako-chan was a super-idol, the biggest there ever was. Everybody was in love with her-"
"Please tell me this isn't going to be like last time," muttered Chibi-Usa. Diana began to tremble in fear.
"The paparazzi hovered around her every move during the day, and sometimes at night-"
"Yup. It's going to turn into a horror story."
"But when the cameras were off of her, Hinako-chan's little secret could be revealed." Diana began to scream. "I just started! You haven't even heard anything yet!"
"I've heard enough!" she cried.
Minako shouted above Diana's sobbing. "Her secret was she was actually a princess of a far away planet, where she could turn into a cat, and her true love was a man called Apollo from another planet who could turn into a pegasus, and the only way they could be together was to run away to Earth, where nobody could find them!"
Diana stopped crying, and joined Chibi-Usa's wide stare as Minako took in a large breath.
"They came to the first gate of Earth, begging Sailor Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn to let them find sanctuary on the planet. But Uranus was too worried the other planets would wage war on them, and Neptune agreed, though neither one of them were happy about it. The prince and princess reminded them of their own king and queen during the past, and their hearts ached to let them stay. But they couldn't risk it..."
"How tragic!" whispered Diana.
"But Saturn took pity on the royal lovers, and creating a distraction, letting the couple slip past the defenses. Both Uranus and Neptune knew what happened in their subconscious, but they made sure not to realize it, just in case the representatives of the planets came near by and tried to pry into their minds. They sent Saturn on a long vacation to stay at the palace, which was protected by the senshi's powers, so nobody could read her mind.
"So far so good, right? But unfortunately, they had a little encounter with the second gate. The magnificent Sailor Venus was on duty that month, and using her incredible psychic powers, she found them out, and confronted them about their little escape from the outer senshi. Being the goddess of love and beauty, she listened to their story, and decided it was her duty to protect them with her power and help unite them completely!
"So far so good, again, right? Well, what nobody knew was the fact that a representative of the planet of Perro had trailed behind them, using a dark magic to conceal himself (Though it didn't work with the Divine Protection... the senshi were just distracted by the prince and princess), and slipped through the defenses of the first gate while Saturn had created the disturbance. He was a fierce and angry man, working for the evil emperor who had taken over Perro a short time before the departure of our protagonists. You see, the Emperor, Oushi-"
Diana began to whimper again, but Chibi-Usa shushed her by squeezing her hand.
"Emperor Oushi wanted Hinako-hime for himself, and his sister was dying to add Apollo to her collection of rare animal-men. But the biggest reason was both held inside them the dust of creation. The aftermath of a super nova had seeped into their skin, giving them incredible powers. Apollo became an incredible psychic, able to leave his body and travel around as just his soul, while Hinako was physically powerful, able to turn her body into a weapon if needed, and change her body to disguise herself. Even in cat form, she could change her body. When before she had been a simple but elegant house feline, she could turn into a panther!"
"Not fair!" mewled Diana.
"So Venus-sama hid them on a secluded island, away from the civilized world, coming in every now and then to check up on how they were doing. But one day, while Apollo-ouji left his body to see how his planet was doing (both were getting very homesick), and Hinako-hime was taking a nap, Oushi's assistant stole Apollo's body and took it with him back to Perro! But before he left, Hinako-hime woke up and saw her beloved's body racing away, and before she knew what she was doing, her emotions took over, and she started turning into a purple tiger!"
Diana gasped in delight, and Yaten watched, either in horror or fascination (maybe even a little of both), she couldn't tell, as Minako's actress instincts kicked in.
"She tried to catch Apollo's body, crying in fear and agony, and the lifeless body suddenly began to glow. His spirit couldn't enter his body again to regain his full power, and frustrated, Apollo's creation dust was leaving his body through his tears. Amazed, Hinako-hime began to transform back into a human, and as she began to, a little of the creation dust fell onto her body, and she felt as if she were splitting apart... when in all actuality her cat form and human form were separating from the dust.
"To no avail, Hinako could not catch the pegasus-man's body. And Hinako-hime lay on the ground, clutching her cat self, sobbing in despair. But a voice took her out of her spell. A beautiful voice, and Hinako turned her head to stare at Apollo's form. A beautiful Pegasus of light. An image. She called out to him, and he neighed back, but when she reached out to touch him, her lover disappeared.
"Venus came by later that day, not expecting the destruction that had occurred, and Hinako-hime told her everything that happened, begging to help her. Venus told her to stay on the island while she would make preparations, and so, for nearly a week, Hinako-hime stayed on that island, alone, with her purple cat.
"But when she sang... when she sang, she could feel Apollo next to her, could feel his breath on her skin. And when Venus got back, Hinako-hime told her her plan. She would sing to find her Apollo. Sing enough to keep him by her side, to find his spirit and hold it by her until she found enough strength to go to Perro and retrieve his body from it's cage.
"Venus agreed, and Hinako changed her form, and went with the soldier into Crystal Tokyo, making her fame.
"And after the cameras where gone, after all her fan mail had been thrown away, she would stand in the moonlight, and sing. Just to feel the whisper of touches of her lover. To only know him, and see him. Nothing but him. Forget her fans, the photo shoots. That was not why she was there. She was here for Apollo, and Apollo only, and that was how it would be...
"Until she met some incredible people... some very special people, who taught her of love, and dreams, and hopes... and with that strength she knew she could get her love back... if only his spirit would come to her..." Minako opened her eyes after realizing they had been closed, and stared at the two enraptured girls.
"Sugoi," gasped Small Lady. "This isn't going to be so bad after all! Tell us what happens!"
"Yes! Please!"
Minako shook her head. "It's too late... we'll finish next week..."
"W-what? But that's so far away!"
"We have all the time in the world," she murmured, kissed the two girls on the forehead, and kissed the stuffed animals as they were pushed her way. "Anyways, Yaten's probably wanting to go back to the party, right?"
She looked back to Yaten in the shadows, and smiled warmly, stretching out her hand, beckoning the woman to join the small circle. Yaten left her corner, but stayed farther from the bed. The little girls were royalty. Strangers. And even if Minako had known them most of her life, she still couldn't fathom becoming that intimate with them.
"I'll be waiting by the door," said Yaten. "Good night, princess. Good night, Diana."
"Good night, Ya-chan." The giggles erupted again, followed by shrieks as Minako flailed them with a pillow.
And the woman walked out of the room, closed the door quietly, and leaned her head against the wall. She was suffocating. Too much emotion had been bared, too many hearts in that room had been open, her own included. Breathing in deeply, she turned around and looked at the ceiling, and smiled despite her claustrophobic episode.
Diana yawned, showing her sweet and tiny cat fangs, and Chibi-Usa caught the bug, joining in on the voice of sleep.
"Good night you two," she whispered.
"Good night, Venus-san..."
"Good night, Minako-sama..."
"I... I love you two, you know that? I really do..."
Both girls opened their sleepy eyes, and smiled happily.
"We know," they said quietly, and snuggled close to each other. "We love you too."
Minako turned away quickly, and walked to the door, her head hanging low, and turned off the lights, leaving the snoozing girls as fast as she could lest her heart break. Closing the door, she leaned her forehead against it, her veins throbbing as she tried to hold the emotions inside. But to no avail, the tears began to flow.
"Minako?" She flinched at her name being called, but didn't turn to the voice.
"I'm fine," she said, and inhaled deeply, stuffing her sorrow deep inside her. It didn't work, though, when she faced her companion's scrutiny. "I... I just..."
"Is it time to pay your bet?" Minako shook her head vigorously, and Yaten sighed.
"Let's just go, okay?"
Yaten didn't answer, but started to walk down the hall slowly, moving into the stride of Minako's, and stared straight ahead. It was silent for a few moments until Minako stopped walking and gasped.
"I almost forgot!" she cried. "My ribbon!"
And she ran down the hall, calling Yaten to go on without her. Annoyed and frustrated at Minako's evasions of the truth, she began to do just that. Until the voice returned.
Yes, my beautiful soldier... closer now... come to me... there is no escape from destiny. Now... so soon... it's time, my dear... time to join me...
Yaten spun around, searching the shadows for any movement, her form flickering from Star Healer to Yaten rapidly. After finding no enemy, Yaten decided to return to the princess' room.
*~*~*~*
The children were sleeping when she opened the door, their soft breathing brushing against her ears. She walked in the darkness, groping around for her ribbon, and finally, her hands honed in on the soft fabric. Sighing in contentment, she tied the ribbon back on her neck, and began to walk back to the door.
A huge burst of light stopped her from turning the knob. A light so brilliant, so cold, it pricked her skin. Minako jumped in fear, and spun around, feeling her clothes being replaced by her fuku, her chain wrapping around her hip. Instantaneously, a feeling of security, of safety, of strength. This was her true form. A soldier. A soldier with a woman's heart.
A glow of light seeped through the cracks of the door that led to the royal chamber, and Venus walked to the door, hesitating only a brief moment before turning the knob, walking through, and staring straight into the eyes of General Kunzite.
*~*~*~*
End part 12
*~*~*~*
The little bedtime story... well... I happen to like it. So it's there. It's long. It's unfinished. MUAHAHA.
AAAAND... I've been thinking about the usage of names (example: Uranus or Haruka), and here's what I think (this is for TOP, not for the entire series):
Let's make Mina-chan our official example.
*Minako comes out onto the stage with a bright spotlight on her.*
Minako isn't EXACTLY Minako. Nor is she Venus. She's somewhere in between. Both forms have melded together, creating a person who is BOTH Venus and Minako. Which is why she no longer needs her transformation pen. It's been a while. She looks like Minako enough to be recognized, but has the power to transform without any aid.
And for the sake of the Starlights, it's the same thing with them. They've been alive for 900 years, they just didn't know it!
So Minako has basically two names that can be used. Minako is definitely the most informal, but each can be used without it being awkward.
Okay, that's it!
OH! And "SO LET IT BE WRITTEN! SO LET IT BE DONE!" Is from the GREAT Charlton Hesston movie "The Ten Commandments" or something along those lines. The Pharaoh would always say it... and... well, yeah ^^;;;
Part 12
*~*~*~*
A sun harboring a billion lives speeds to this Earth, a force magnified to ours, bound by strings that no one can see. The lives of the senshi will end when we invite them to our home.
*~*~*~*
Despite all the excitement, despite all the pinching and jabs she gave herself, Chibi-Usa could not keep awake. Hotaru had left her with Ichigo, Diana was too preoccupied with her parents and staring at Seiya (which would be fitting, she thought. She had no doubt Artemis admired Taiki) and her own parents were doing a routine stroll around the room. And where was Puu?
"She's coming. I must leave."
"Don't go yet, Puu! You've only been here for a couple of hours!"
"Small Lady... do not ask me to stay. If you desire the lives of your mother's friends, let me go."
"But why can't you tell your story to me?!"
"Small lady! Forgive me!"
Pluto had left her all alone. And she was bored. Oh so very, very bored. But she needed to stay up. She needed to be a big girl. She needed to act like a... like a... like... a...
"Uh-oh. Looks like somebody's getting tired."
Chibi-Usa covered her yawn, trying to deny her father's observation, but to no avail. Her parents laughed lovingly, and Endymion rested a hand on her head.
"Please... just a little longer," she pleaded. Her father shook his head.
"Next time," he said. "Maybe you won't be so tired."
"There won't be another next time like this!" she cried.
"Of course there will," said Kakyuu leaning down to the little girl. "Next year, we can all celebrate on Kinmoku, how does that sound?"
Chibi-Usa's eyes widened. "That sounds wonderful!"
"It's settled, then," said Endymion.
"'So let it be written! So let it be done!'" cried Taiki, and both she and Ami burst out in uncontainable laughter. Makoto and Rei looked at each other.
"Looks like Small Lady isn't the only one tired," said Makoto, staring as the two women clutched each other to hold steady. Rei nodded in agreement.
"Who's turn is it to take Chibi-Usa-chan to bed?" asked Rei.
Small Lady stretched and said, "Jupiter-san tucked me in last night... so tonight would be Venus-san!"
Minako looked up from her conversation, her attention caught by the echoing of her name. The small cat family and the leader of the senshi walked over to the thrones, and Minako knelt down to Chibi-Usa.
"That's right," she said. "It's my turn tonight, isn't it?"
Small Lady nodded, and both she and Minako turned, bowed to the king and queen, bowed to Kakyuu, Chibi-Usa got a goodnight kiss from both her parents (a sweet "awe" omitting from the crowd), and Minako got her own goodnight kiss from Serenity (laughter erupting from the crowd), and went their way, the princess' hand enfolded in her Venus-san's.
Yaten scowled, and began to go after them, offering to be an escort, when she felt a small tugging on her ponytail, and turned around to stare at a set of big, sweet, and cat-like eyes.
"Yaten-sama..."
"Yes?" she looked up to Artemis and Luna who only nodded their heads.
"Will you walk me to my room and then to Small Lady's? I need to get..."
Blushing, she tugged harder, bringing Yaten to her level, and whispered into the woman's ear. Yaten's face softened, and then nodded reassuringly. "It's not something to be embarrassed about in front of grown ups. Everybody's had a little stuffed animal to sleep with at night."
"Really?"
"Sure!" Well, Yaten hadn't had one, but it was better to leave that unsaid. And now that she thought of it, neither had Taiki or... no wait... Seiya definitely hid something furry in her closet. Smirking she caught a glance to a flushing Seiya, and then looked to Diana. "Ready?"
Diana shook her head, giggled, bowed to the king and queens, got a goodnight kiss from her parents (a sweet "awe" omitting from the crowd), Yaten politely declined her own peck on the cheek (much to the relief of Artemis), and the two women headed on down the hallway, the little girl's hands enfolded in the protective warmth of Yaten's.
*~*~*~*
"There we go!" said Minako, pulling the covers up to the little girl's chin. "Brushed your teeth and everything?"
Chibi-Usa nodded, opened her mouth, and exhaled, Minako dipping her head low to the princess, her golden strands mingling in with the pink.
"You used the cinnamon paste tonight."
"Yup. Matches my pajamas." She stuck out an arm, showing off a cute brown and red sleeve. Minako smiled, but frowned a moment later, and untied the yellow ribbon from her neck, sighing happily as her throat was freed.
Such soft skin... my pet... my beautiful Venus...
"Are you feeling alright?"
"I just feel like my throat is closing up."
"Minako-sama!" a small voice called from the hallway, and Minako moved to the door, opening it to see Diana staring and looking around warily, a small and cute stuffed mouse clutched in her tiny arms.
"Diana!" cried Chibi-Usa, and immediately, the covers were flung off and the small princess was hopping on the bed, ruining the work that Minako had so painstakingly tried to do. Eh, cleaning was never her forte, anyways.
"They said it was okay to sleep with Small Lady tonight. The hallways scare me, and I ran as fast as I could! Even with Yaten-sama!"
Yaten nodded to Minako, and she blinked. Minako smiled warmly, assuring Diana that everything was all right, and Diana raced into the room, joining Chibi-Usa in her desecration of the bed.
The lady Venus sighed, shook her head in amusement, and looked up to Yaten.
"Thank you for bringing her here," she said. "It's rare for the princess to have a sleep over, even with her best friend living in the same building."
"No problem," said Yaten.
"Good night, Ya-chan!" The two little girls giggled fiercely, and Yaten just blinked. Minako, though, heated up. Twirling around, she pounced the two girls, sending them into fits of laughter as she tried to catch them underneath the sheets.
Minako hissed, "How many times have I told you two NOT to eavesdrop in my room?"
"Eeek!! Nonononono! Don't tickle!"
"Well?! Are you going to apologize?!"
"We're sorry! We're sorry! Uncle! Uncle!"
She stopped, leapt off the bed, fixed her hair, and inhaled deeply, before turning around and smiling sweetly at Yaten, who blinked again.
"Children. Ahehehe."
"Right..."
"Minako-sama?"
"H-hai?"
"Will you tell us one of your stories?"
"Not a scary one like last time!" cried Chibi-Usa.
"Sure, sure. Yaten, do you want to go now? You don't need to stay. I'll be back in the ball room once everything's settled."
Venus... Venus... come to me now... Now, my dreamer...
"I'd like to stay here for a while, if you don't mind. I could walk you back once you're done."
"Oooooh," sang Chibi-Usa and Diana giggled. "How romantic!"
Yaten and Minako both shot daggers at the little girls who promptly shut up.
"Thanks," chirped the blonde, and Yaten melted into the shadows as Venus sat gently next to the two children, tucking them back in tight, making sure the heads of the little stuffed animals were above the covers. "So you want a happy story tonight?"
"Yeah!"
"Those aren't any fun, though," mumbled Minako. The two girls started to shriek in protest. "All right! All right! Happy then!"
"A love story too!"
"Adventure!"
"Make her a princess!"
"Make her somebody who can turn into a cat! And have a prince!"
"No, a pegasus!"
"How about somebody from another planet?"
"And have her be a super heroine!"
"And let her have a pet that can talk! And make it purple!"
"Oi, oi," cried Minako. "Do you want me to tell you a story, or just talk about us?"
"Both!" they cried. And Minako sighed.
"Once upon a time, there was a girl who was gorgeous, beautiful, and very cute. Her name was Wakuseino Hinako-"
"Chick girl of the planet?!" guffawed Chibi-Usa.
"Shut up! Now, Hinako-chan was a super-idol, the biggest there ever was. Everybody was in love with her-"
"Please tell me this isn't going to be like last time," muttered Chibi-Usa. Diana began to tremble in fear.
"The paparazzi hovered around her every move during the day, and sometimes at night-"
"Yup. It's going to turn into a horror story."
"But when the cameras were off of her, Hinako-chan's little secret could be revealed." Diana began to scream. "I just started! You haven't even heard anything yet!"
"I've heard enough!" she cried.
Minako shouted above Diana's sobbing. "Her secret was she was actually a princess of a far away planet, where she could turn into a cat, and her true love was a man called Apollo from another planet who could turn into a pegasus, and the only way they could be together was to run away to Earth, where nobody could find them!"
Diana stopped crying, and joined Chibi-Usa's wide stare as Minako took in a large breath.
"They came to the first gate of Earth, begging Sailor Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn to let them find sanctuary on the planet. But Uranus was too worried the other planets would wage war on them, and Neptune agreed, though neither one of them were happy about it. The prince and princess reminded them of their own king and queen during the past, and their hearts ached to let them stay. But they couldn't risk it..."
"How tragic!" whispered Diana.
"But Saturn took pity on the royal lovers, and creating a distraction, letting the couple slip past the defenses. Both Uranus and Neptune knew what happened in their subconscious, but they made sure not to realize it, just in case the representatives of the planets came near by and tried to pry into their minds. They sent Saturn on a long vacation to stay at the palace, which was protected by the senshi's powers, so nobody could read her mind.
"So far so good, right? But unfortunately, they had a little encounter with the second gate. The magnificent Sailor Venus was on duty that month, and using her incredible psychic powers, she found them out, and confronted them about their little escape from the outer senshi. Being the goddess of love and beauty, she listened to their story, and decided it was her duty to protect them with her power and help unite them completely!
"So far so good, again, right? Well, what nobody knew was the fact that a representative of the planet of Perro had trailed behind them, using a dark magic to conceal himself (Though it didn't work with the Divine Protection... the senshi were just distracted by the prince and princess), and slipped through the defenses of the first gate while Saturn had created the disturbance. He was a fierce and angry man, working for the evil emperor who had taken over Perro a short time before the departure of our protagonists. You see, the Emperor, Oushi-"
Diana began to whimper again, but Chibi-Usa shushed her by squeezing her hand.
"Emperor Oushi wanted Hinako-hime for himself, and his sister was dying to add Apollo to her collection of rare animal-men. But the biggest reason was both held inside them the dust of creation. The aftermath of a super nova had seeped into their skin, giving them incredible powers. Apollo became an incredible psychic, able to leave his body and travel around as just his soul, while Hinako was physically powerful, able to turn her body into a weapon if needed, and change her body to disguise herself. Even in cat form, she could change her body. When before she had been a simple but elegant house feline, she could turn into a panther!"
"Not fair!" mewled Diana.
"So Venus-sama hid them on a secluded island, away from the civilized world, coming in every now and then to check up on how they were doing. But one day, while Apollo-ouji left his body to see how his planet was doing (both were getting very homesick), and Hinako-hime was taking a nap, Oushi's assistant stole Apollo's body and took it with him back to Perro! But before he left, Hinako-hime woke up and saw her beloved's body racing away, and before she knew what she was doing, her emotions took over, and she started turning into a purple tiger!"
Diana gasped in delight, and Yaten watched, either in horror or fascination (maybe even a little of both), she couldn't tell, as Minako's actress instincts kicked in.
"She tried to catch Apollo's body, crying in fear and agony, and the lifeless body suddenly began to glow. His spirit couldn't enter his body again to regain his full power, and frustrated, Apollo's creation dust was leaving his body through his tears. Amazed, Hinako-hime began to transform back into a human, and as she began to, a little of the creation dust fell onto her body, and she felt as if she were splitting apart... when in all actuality her cat form and human form were separating from the dust.
"To no avail, Hinako could not catch the pegasus-man's body. And Hinako-hime lay on the ground, clutching her cat self, sobbing in despair. But a voice took her out of her spell. A beautiful voice, and Hinako turned her head to stare at Apollo's form. A beautiful Pegasus of light. An image. She called out to him, and he neighed back, but when she reached out to touch him, her lover disappeared.
"Venus came by later that day, not expecting the destruction that had occurred, and Hinako-hime told her everything that happened, begging to help her. Venus told her to stay on the island while she would make preparations, and so, for nearly a week, Hinako-hime stayed on that island, alone, with her purple cat.
"But when she sang... when she sang, she could feel Apollo next to her, could feel his breath on her skin. And when Venus got back, Hinako-hime told her her plan. She would sing to find her Apollo. Sing enough to keep him by her side, to find his spirit and hold it by her until she found enough strength to go to Perro and retrieve his body from it's cage.
"Venus agreed, and Hinako changed her form, and went with the soldier into Crystal Tokyo, making her fame.
"And after the cameras where gone, after all her fan mail had been thrown away, she would stand in the moonlight, and sing. Just to feel the whisper of touches of her lover. To only know him, and see him. Nothing but him. Forget her fans, the photo shoots. That was not why she was there. She was here for Apollo, and Apollo only, and that was how it would be...
"Until she met some incredible people... some very special people, who taught her of love, and dreams, and hopes... and with that strength she knew she could get her love back... if only his spirit would come to her..." Minako opened her eyes after realizing they had been closed, and stared at the two enraptured girls.
"Sugoi," gasped Small Lady. "This isn't going to be so bad after all! Tell us what happens!"
"Yes! Please!"
Minako shook her head. "It's too late... we'll finish next week..."
"W-what? But that's so far away!"
"We have all the time in the world," she murmured, kissed the two girls on the forehead, and kissed the stuffed animals as they were pushed her way. "Anyways, Yaten's probably wanting to go back to the party, right?"
She looked back to Yaten in the shadows, and smiled warmly, stretching out her hand, beckoning the woman to join the small circle. Yaten left her corner, but stayed farther from the bed. The little girls were royalty. Strangers. And even if Minako had known them most of her life, she still couldn't fathom becoming that intimate with them.
"I'll be waiting by the door," said Yaten. "Good night, princess. Good night, Diana."
"Good night, Ya-chan." The giggles erupted again, followed by shrieks as Minako flailed them with a pillow.
And the woman walked out of the room, closed the door quietly, and leaned her head against the wall. She was suffocating. Too much emotion had been bared, too many hearts in that room had been open, her own included. Breathing in deeply, she turned around and looked at the ceiling, and smiled despite her claustrophobic episode.
Diana yawned, showing her sweet and tiny cat fangs, and Chibi-Usa caught the bug, joining in on the voice of sleep.
"Good night you two," she whispered.
"Good night, Venus-san..."
"Good night, Minako-sama..."
"I... I love you two, you know that? I really do..."
Both girls opened their sleepy eyes, and smiled happily.
"We know," they said quietly, and snuggled close to each other. "We love you too."
Minako turned away quickly, and walked to the door, her head hanging low, and turned off the lights, leaving the snoozing girls as fast as she could lest her heart break. Closing the door, she leaned her forehead against it, her veins throbbing as she tried to hold the emotions inside. But to no avail, the tears began to flow.
"Minako?" She flinched at her name being called, but didn't turn to the voice.
"I'm fine," she said, and inhaled deeply, stuffing her sorrow deep inside her. It didn't work, though, when she faced her companion's scrutiny. "I... I just..."
"Is it time to pay your bet?" Minako shook her head vigorously, and Yaten sighed.
"Let's just go, okay?"
Yaten didn't answer, but started to walk down the hall slowly, moving into the stride of Minako's, and stared straight ahead. It was silent for a few moments until Minako stopped walking and gasped.
"I almost forgot!" she cried. "My ribbon!"
And she ran down the hall, calling Yaten to go on without her. Annoyed and frustrated at Minako's evasions of the truth, she began to do just that. Until the voice returned.
Yes, my beautiful soldier... closer now... come to me... there is no escape from destiny. Now... so soon... it's time, my dear... time to join me...
Yaten spun around, searching the shadows for any movement, her form flickering from Star Healer to Yaten rapidly. After finding no enemy, Yaten decided to return to the princess' room.
*~*~*~*
The children were sleeping when she opened the door, their soft breathing brushing against her ears. She walked in the darkness, groping around for her ribbon, and finally, her hands honed in on the soft fabric. Sighing in contentment, she tied the ribbon back on her neck, and began to walk back to the door.
A huge burst of light stopped her from turning the knob. A light so brilliant, so cold, it pricked her skin. Minako jumped in fear, and spun around, feeling her clothes being replaced by her fuku, her chain wrapping around her hip. Instantaneously, a feeling of security, of safety, of strength. This was her true form. A soldier. A soldier with a woman's heart.
A glow of light seeped through the cracks of the door that led to the royal chamber, and Venus walked to the door, hesitating only a brief moment before turning the knob, walking through, and staring straight into the eyes of General Kunzite.
*~*~*~*
End part 12
*~*~*~*
The little bedtime story... well... I happen to like it. So it's there. It's long. It's unfinished. MUAHAHA.
AAAAND... I've been thinking about the usage of names (example: Uranus or Haruka), and here's what I think (this is for TOP, not for the entire series):
Let's make Mina-chan our official example.
*Minako comes out onto the stage with a bright spotlight on her.*
Minako isn't EXACTLY Minako. Nor is she Venus. She's somewhere in between. Both forms have melded together, creating a person who is BOTH Venus and Minako. Which is why she no longer needs her transformation pen. It's been a while. She looks like Minako enough to be recognized, but has the power to transform without any aid.
And for the sake of the Starlights, it's the same thing with them. They've been alive for 900 years, they just didn't know it!
So Minako has basically two names that can be used. Minako is definitely the most informal, but each can be used without it being awkward.
Okay, that's it!
OH! And "SO LET IT BE WRITTEN! SO LET IT BE DONE!" Is from the GREAT Charlton Hesston movie "The Ten Commandments" or something along those lines. The Pharaoh would always say it... and... well, yeah ^^;;;
