My name is Mizuno Ami. I'm fourteen and am in my second year of junior
high. My peers only know me as the Girl Genius with the IQ of 300. My
peers shun me because I'm too intelligent. People can be so
indecisive. One cannot be too smart or too dumb. It seems there is
no grounds in-between. Yet I still aim to protect all these people and
their future. Why do I even try? No! I can't think like that! I am
one of the four Sailor Senshi that protect this world. I am Sailor
Mercury.

Mirror of Reflections
Chapter 4
Reflections on the Water - Sailor Mercury
Rating: PG - PG 13
Email Alecto: Chiba_Ohiko@yahoo.com
Website: www.angelfire.com/anime2/sunrise

"The world needs a champion." Serenity looked up to find Pluto watching
her with a strange intensity.

"Some poor sacrificial fool to die, you mean." Serenity ran one hand
across her eyes.
- 'This is the Dawning' by Mintaka

~ denotes telepathy (thought-speaking) ~
'denotes thought'
*flashback, dream, or vision*

"Shabon Spray!"

"Fire Soul!"

"Supreme Thunder!"

"Crescent Beam!"

Zoisite leap up into the air to avoid the four attacks that surrounded
him. Artemis followed the General, not willing to allow the man to get
away.

"Dark Maelstrom!" The senshi scattered as darkly colored water came
crashing down on them like a huge wave.

Sailor Mercury turned to face Zoisite. She was livid. This man
claimed to love her but he didn't even know her. She was not who he
thought her to be. Now he was attacking her friends and her. "Shabon
Spray!"

"Weak." Zoisite commented in a languid manner as he dispersed the fog
with a wave of his hand.

"If you're so eager to die, why don't you just roll over and do so?"
Mercury snapped viciously.

The other senshi gawked at her. They all knew deep down that this was
not her usual demeanor.

"Touché Kallan darling." Zoisite shook his head sadly. "There is still
one more task I must complete before I 'bite the dust'."

"I am not this Kallan you speak of! I am Sailor Mercury and your
enemy!"

~~~

I've never been so angry. I've never wanted to hurt anyone so much.
That's exactly what I did.

~~~

The sharp sound of flesh meeting flesh stunned more than just Zoisite.
Mercury glared angrily. No one knew if that anger was directed to
Zoisite alone. Zoisite lifted a shaking hand to his swollen cheek. A
fleeting emotion flashed through his eyes, something akin to both
regret and triumph. It made the General appear almost vulnerable and
open.

"I spite you. I abhor you." Mercury stated coldly with an acrid
undertone. Her eyes were impenetrable spheres of ice, like snow globes
of blizzard.

Zoisite threw his head back and laughed. Whatever evidence of his last
remaining humanity slipped away. A smooth and sardonic expression
overtook his face. "I love you too dearest." He leaned forward and
kissed Mercury.

Mercury gasped and pushed back, making a hasty and clumsy retreat. The
other senshi formed a protective line in front of the blue-haired girl,
their hands glowing with their individual powers.

~~~

I touched my numb lips gently. His lips were so cold, like ice. But
didn't they complement each other in that way? Such frost that felt
like heat. I shivered involuntarily.

~ He killed you with ice, you know? ~ An inner voice whispered quietly
to me. It was full of remorse and bitterness. ~ He turned your own
attack against you. ~

I felt the cold. It was harsh and biting, seeping under my skin and
deep into my bones. All I could see before me was a haze of light
blue. It was my Shabon Spray. Chilling ice water flooded my lungs. I
struggled to breath.

~ This was how you died in the last life but not before you sent *him*
to hell first. ~ There was an acrimonious tone. ~ He should have
stayed where he belonged. ~

I held a heavy stone sword. It was silver colored but clearly made of
stone. The hilt was in the design of two crescent moons, back to back,
and between them did four gems in each cardinal direction surround a
silver gem. It was a sacred sword of a holy stone, the Artemis Sword.
The blade slid into his flesh like knife through butter. His warm
blood spilled onto her silk ball gown.

~ This is what happened. The senshi each died at the hands of those
they loved. Each senshi killed their loves with this holy sword. ~

~ In the last life? ~ I asked. ~ *Who* are you? ~

~ I am Chishiki Kallan, your past incarnation. ~

~~~

An amused laughter sounded through the air. A round of applause
followed it. Sailor Moon stepped out from behind a tree. An icy yet
mocking smile graced her delicate features. "You always did know how
to treat a woman, Zoisite."

"You're here." Zoisite greeted calmly. "Have you come to finish me?"

Moon raised a mocking eyebrow as she fingered her tiara. "What do you
think General?"

The other senshi watched this exchange. They didn't know what to make
of it. Their circle was complete, so who was this senshi?

"Who are you?!" Artemis demanded.

"Sailor Moon, at your service." Moon bowed to the senshi.

Artemis's eyes narrowed dangerously as he stated evenly. "There is no
senshi of the moon." He raised his sword into an attack position but
made no move.

"Not until now." The moon soldier's grin widened.

~~~

Who are you really, Sailor Moon? I should know you but from where?
From when? Perhaps my last life? We are complete now. Why do I feel
you will become the source of our disunity?

~~~

"Moon Tiara Action!" No one moved to stop Moon's attack, not even
Zoisite.

"Zoisite! Baka!" A sphere of dark energy knocked the disc of energy
off course. Moon caught the tiara easily and leaned languidly against
the tree trunk. "What were you doing just standing there?"

Kunzite appeared next to the un-moving General. He didn't know what
compelled him to save the blond-haired man but it was done.

"I didn't now you cared Kunzite." Zoisite replied sweetly and evenly.

"Kunzite..." Sailor Venus muttered. "You're alive..."

~~~

Love. It was love shining in Venus's eyes. It was absolute and
undying love and fidelity, a promise of eternities spent together and
forever. I was scared now. That was what I saw deep in Zoisite's eyes
no matter how much he tried to hide it from the world.

~~~

Kunzite glared at the approaching Venus. Something about this girl
stirred his stone heart. He didn't like it one bit. "So these are the
Sailor Senshi who've been giving us so much trouble? Not much to look
at. It's hard to believe they got as far as they did."

Sailor Jupiter balled her fists in anger. "Shut up yaro! Who do you
think you are?! I'm gonna kick your ass!" Jupiter charged forward.

"Jupiter! Stop!" Venus exclaimed. "I order you as your superior!"

Jupiter paid no heed to the senshi's command.

Kunzite watched impassively as the lightning warrior advanced toward
him. "I am Kunzite, first General of the Dark Kingdom." With a wave of
his hand, he sent Jupiter flying into Sailor Mars.

~~~

This was the last of the Generals Luna told us about.

~~~

Moon knocked Artemis over and grabbed his sword. She rushed toward the
silver haired General while Jupiter distracted him. "Moon Tiara
Action!" Several discs of energy flew at Kunzite. She raised Artemis's
sword high in the air and prepared to slice Kunzite clearly in half.

"Venus Love Me Chain!" A golden chain of hearts wound around Moon's
upraised hand. Artemis's sword fell from the moon senshi's hand.
Venus pulled back hard and sent Moon sprawling over the concrete
ground. She let the chain go and it snaked around Moon, binding her
tightly. Venus bent down cautiously to retrieve Artemis's fallen
weapon. She lined the blade against Moon's throat and addressed Moon
coldly. "There is no senshi of the moon, there never was. I would
remember such things."

Moon gazed up at the warrior, her eyes filled with remorse and sorrow.
"Please Princess Celeste," Venus tensed as Moon said her true name. "I
mean no harm. I was created only recently. I wish to do nothing more
than to carry out my Queen's will and protect my Princess. I only
exist for them..."

Venus slowly lowered the blade. There was something vaguely familiar
about the girl. Perhaps she spoke truth after all.

Moon gasped as she saw the ice shards aimed at Venus's back. She
jumped to her feet and barreled into an astonished Venus. She bit down
on her tongue as she felt the ice rip through her. At least Venus
would be safe.

Venus groaned as she sat up. She gazed at the girl, who had just saved
her life, with concern. "Daijobu?"

Moon didn't speak. She simply nodded in response.

Venus unbound Moon and snapped her chain at Zoisite like a whip. She
reached for the fallen sword once more. It was heavier than the sword
she had lost a millennium ago. That sword had been an extension of her
and all the Inner Senshi shared its ownership equally. Yet the weapon
always seemed to favor Venus above all others. That was why she was
named leader of the Inner Senshi. "You'll pay for that."

"Iie!" There was a single red rose embedded in the sidewalk by Venus's
feet. Tuxedo Kamen appeared before her.

~~~

I could see the pleading eyes hidden behind that snow-white mask. He
wanted to save his comrades, his friends, his brothers-in-arms. I felt
I should know him as well, outside the façade of a hero. Luna
addressed him as the Terran Prince. Terra...otherwise known as
Earth...

~~~

"You can't kill them in cold blood. I won't let you." Tuxedo Kamen
stood firmly in Venus's way.

"Endymion-sama! Why protect them!? They have broken their vows to you
as well. They work with the foe we seek to destroy!" Venus quivered in
rage.

"What of Kunzite?" Tuxedo Kamen asked quietly.

Venus appeared slightly taken back. "I do what I must. I will fulfill
my duty to the best of my ability. I would suggest you do the same
earthling." She pushed roughly pass Tuxedo Kamen and faced the two Dark
Kingdom Generals.

~~~

No. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. This wasn't what was
supposed to happen. I couldn't take it anymore. I don't know what
compelled me to do what I did next.

~~~

Mercury emerged from behind her fellow warriors. She raised a shaking
hand in the air and whispered, "Shabon Spray." A sight obscuring fog
rolled over the desolate landscape. It was so dense. You couldn't
even see your hand if you held it right before your eyes.

~~~

I made my way through the mist, venturing farther and farther away from
my comrades. I let my sense alone guide me through the haze. I
appeared before the two men. Zoisite could only watch me with an
apathetic expression while Kunzite took a position of defense.

"I congratulate you for finally pulling yourself together." Zoisite
yawned.

"Go." Mercury's calm and assured sounding tone surprised even her.

"What?!" Zoisite and Kunzite were both shocked. "Doushite?" Zoisite
inquired of me. He gazed at me with confused eyes.

I turned away. I knew I was leaving myself open to attack like that
but I just couldn't face him. I could see the light and dark that
warred for control of him. "I don't know!" I screamed in frustration.
"Just leave!" My head swam and spun.

~ What are you doing? ~ Kallan demanded of me.

~ I don't know... ~

~ You're seriously going to just let them get away? ~

~ Hai... ~

~ I love him too but are you willing to sacrifice this world in
return for his life. Think of your duty. ~

~ He'll change. I know it. I can feel it. All he needs is
incentive. ~
~ I hope you know what you're doing. You're far too optimistic about
this. ~

The floodgate burst open before me. Voices from my past, present, and
somewhere beyond echoed through my mind. Colors and scenes flashed
before I could grasp any of them. Yet at the same time I was
completely clear and free of doubt. I knew who I was, who I am. I was
complete. I am Chishiki Kallan, Mizuno Ami, and Sailor Mercury. I am
every one of them.

~ I will always love you Kallan, forever and ever. ~ He had whispered
his oath. ~ Don't ever forget. I never will. Even if you hate me, you
will always hold my heart. ~

"Just go." I pleaded with the Generals. I couldn't allow them to die,
not here, not now, and perhaps never.

~~~

Moon gasped as she somehow picked up Mercury's words. With an alarmed
expression, she turned to the other senshi. "She's letting them go.
We have to stop her!" she turned and vanished blindly into the fog.
Artemis immediately followed. His tall form quickly disappeared into
the miasma.

"She wouldn't!" Mars growled.

Venus went without a word. She had never known Kallan to be so
reckless. Maybe she really has changed.

Jupiter stood in her place. Her gloved hands clutched the nephrite gem
close to her heart. "Leave them be, you say?" She waited for her
answer. "Very well but you better not regret it when the world ends."

~~~

"Kallan..." Zoisite breathed.

"Ami." I corrected him. I finally brought myself to look at him.
"It's Ami now."

Zoisite closed the distance between the two of us. He bent over and
sealed my lips with his own. He pulled away, his face still only a few
mere centimeters from my face. "I will always love you Ami, forever
and ever. Don't ever forget. I never will. Even if you hate me, you
will always hold my heart."

I shivered. It was the same oath he had made in the past. "And I." I
caught his lips in another chaste kiss. A vow, sealed with a kiss.

He pulled away and made his way back to Kunzite's side. The other
General stared long and hard at me. He was bewildered to say the
least. He finally regained his composure. "You'll regret this." His
voice was low and dangerous but I was not frightened. "You just doomed
your world."

"We see." Zoisite smiled. It was a real smile. I could see the
genuine happiness in his eyes. "We'll live to fight another day and so
will she and her friends. We'll see how this ends." Then they were
gone.

My fog lifted. I had no other purpose. I collapsed onto my knees. My
legs felt so weak and watery. The reality of the situation finally hit
me. I was Mizuno Ami, one of the most levelheaded people on this
planet. What had possessed me to do something so foolish and
irrational as I had just done? I looked up to see my fellow senshi
glaring angrily at me. What had possessed me to do that?

I know it's been way too long since I last updated. But you know the
usual excuse, schoolwork and stuff. I know it's kinda short but what
you're gonna do about it. Tell me what you think. R/R.

Next Chapter
Reflections in the Fire - Sailor Mars

Sailor Mars pushed through the small unmoving crowd. Her temper and
rage had clearly gotten the better of her. She pushed Sailor Jupiter
aside as Jupiter attempted to restrain Mars until she calmed down.
"Why did you do it?!" She screamed at the defenseless Mercury. "You
are a Sailor Senshi! Have you no pride in that?! You spineless little
-" Mars' head snapped to a side. She raised a stunned hand to her red
swollen cheek. Mercury, Mercury of all people, had slapped her.

"Don't you ever," Mercury's tone was low and dangerous. "Ever insult
or question my honor as a Sailor Senshi. I believe in Zoisite. I
believe he can and will change. I have a right to do so, just as you
do." Mercury grabbed the jadeite stone and dangled it before Mars'
eyes. "How do you know you can trust this? How do you know it's not
still helping the Dark Kingdom?" Mars didn't answer. She didn't have
one. Mercury narrowed her eyes and let go of the pendant. "I thought
so. I will kill Zoisite but only if it is absolutely necessary. I
*will not* be unforgiving or unwilling to embrace those who are willing
to change. I *will not* dishonor the values that Queen Serenity
instilled in us. You should be ashamed Atalanta-san."