Author's notes at bottom - Enjoy!!
@----
No Greater Love
Chapter 7 - The Battle Begins
By: Bethany
Editor: Meara
Rated: PG
@------
It wasn't until nearly five hours later that anyone came back to
our hide away under the arcade. I was rummaging through the cabinets,
looking for something to make for dinner when I heard the door above
slid open and footsteps making their way down the star well. Haruka
plopped down on the sofa, her head rolled back and her eyes closed.
Michiru came in and sat beside her, looking exhausted. Within
minutes of each other Minako and Makoto came in, sitting down in
chairs, looking equally tired.
I walked over to the living room area, Chibi-Usa crawling up
beside me. "Where is everyone else?" I asked, looking back up at the
empty staircase.
Haruka looked at me as she bent forward and placed her head in
her hands. "Captured," she mumbled so faint that I barely heard her.
Never the less the words found my hearing, sending a strange feeling
over my body.
My heart began to pound, even though my thoughts were still
blank. I shook my head as if she had just spoken the words of a mad
person. "What did you say?" I questioned, putting one hand on a table
to steady myself. "Heh, I thought you said they were captured..."
"That's what I said," Haruka stated dully, raising her battle
worn eyes up to meet mine. She had a faint stain of blood coming from
the corner of her mouth and her eye looked swollen and the faintest
hint of a bruise was beginning to color her jaw.
I quickly came around the chair and sat down hard in it, my fists
clinched tightly. "Where.. when? I-I, what happened while you all were
gone?!" I demanded, my voice nearing hysteria. I laughed, sounding
nearly insane myself. "You must be joking, Ami-chan... Ami-chan
wouldn't let that happen. And... and Rei-chan... Mamo-chan..."
Minako looked up from her own hands, tears captured in her eyes,
making them shine. "Usagi-chan, I'm sorry. We tried to save them, but
they were gone so quickly it was all we could do to get away and back
here. But we can get them back, ne Haruka-san?" A lone tear fell from
her eye, but she wiped it away quickly. "Ne?"
Haruka leaned back again, not looking any of us in the eye. I
felt my teeth start chattering like I was sitting on ice, my body felt
cold and alone... I had felt this way before, but when? When... last
night...
"...all who you love will die by my hand..."
I felt a scream rise up in my throat at the haunting words that
came back to me now. Had that been a dream? Or a warning that I paid no
heed to? Could I have stopped this?
"The truth is," Haruka finally said, stopping my thoughts from
continuing. "Is that without Ami's computer, I'm lost on how to find
where they are. We have Michiru's mirror, I hope that is enough."
Haruka?! I wanted to scream. What is wrong with her? What had she
seen that made her act so helpless? What happened out there today? I
pushed back my natural instinct to panic and wiped the tear trails from
my face. That was my friends and my husband out there, nothing short of
death would stop me from finding them.
Hard core determination ran through my veins as I stood up,
slapping my palm against the wooden coffee table loud enough to make
Mako-chan jump. "What are you talking about? We are Sailor Senshi, and
our friends need our help! We can't sit here and talk, we have to act."
Minako lifted her head up, and as I turned I seen Michiru staring
at me with an odd glint in her eye. I walked over to the computer I had
seen Ami on just this morning and sat down, turning it on. Luna jumped
up on the desk, watching as I typed in words that I didn't even know
that I knew. They came from a part of my memory that until this very
moment had stayed dormant inside me.
With my fingers flying over the keys, I pulled up a diagram of
the energy mass and its location. And with the small map on the
computer screen, I understood what had happened. The energy mass had
settled over Tokyo. I continued typing, looking for anything abnormal
in the mass that could be a hide out. "You battled with this today?" I
asked, though it was more of a statement.
Makoto pointed to Tokyo Gardens where a massive built up of energy
was harbored. "There," she said. Her eyes took on a far off look
as she spoke, remembering a battle she seemed to wanted to forget. "It
was everywhere, but we couldn't see it. It knew Ami-chan could tell
where it was with her visor, and it took her first. Mamoru-san had her
hands, trying to pull her back out and then... then they both
disappeared. No doorway, no evil laugh - only silence and empty space.
I tried to attack it, Usagi-chan, I tried," she mumbled, her eyes wide.
I looked up from the computer, tears in my own eyes. "Mako-chan,
it's not your fault. We'll get them back," I told her, I only hoped I
was right. She said no more, and I asked no more questions. It was
plain from the look on all four Senshi's face that they had watched
helplessly, one by one, as the others were pulled away. No, I didn't
have to ask any more questions, this story now told itself in my mind.
@------
I sat on the side of the only bed in the room and tucked Chibi-
Usa and Shingo in. As I bent down and kissed Shingo's forehead, and
then my daughter's, I thought about what I was about to do. If they
woke up during the night, I wouldn't be here. I would be out trying to
fight an unseen enemy for their future.
Chibi-Usa yawned, her blue eyes watching me curiously. I kissed
her head again and pulled the covers up to her chin. "Goodnight my
babies," I whispered. "I love you."
"Papa?" Chibi-Usa questioned, looking around the room. "Papa kiss
ChiUsa?"
I took a deep breath and tried to push back my tears. "Papa will
be here to kiss you later, okay?" She didn't reply, but didn't look mad
about it like she did when Mamo-chan occasionally worked late and
didn't get home until after her bedtime. Tonight she looked like she
understood that he would be here if he could.
"Sing, Mama?"
Shingo turned over to face Chibi-Usa and his lips turned up
slightly. "Yeah, Mom, would you sing a song for us?"
I sat down on the side of the bed and brushed the strains of
strawberry colored hair away from Chibi-Usa's eyes. "You are my
sunshine, my only sunshine. When you're not happy, my skies are gray.
You'll never know dear, how much I love you. So please don't take my
sunshine away..." I finished, softly.
With her eyes closed, Chibi-Usa repeated "shunshine" and slipped
off to sleep.
Shingo watched as I stood up and pulled my locket out. I started
towards the living room when I heard him call my name. When I turned
around, he was sitting up on the bed. "Be careful Mama," he whispered.
"I love you."
I ran back over to the bed, wrapping Shingo in my arms and
hugging him so tightly to my chest I'm sure he had problems breathing.
"I love you so much Shingo, you know that, right?" I asked desperately.
He nodded his head and I let him go, pulling the covers up over
him once more. He rearranged the blanket over Chibi-Usa and crawled
closer to her. "Don't worry Mom, I'll take care of her," he told me and
I felt tears fill my eyes again. With a small smile I left my children
and went upstairs where the remaining Senshi were waiting for me.
Naru looked completely confused when I stepped out of the door
under the video game and showed her down the steps. "I'll explain
everything later, okay? Just take good care of my children."
Naru nodded her head, watching me until I reached the top of the
steps and disappeared beyond. I let out a deep breath and shut my eyes,
saying a small prayer.
"Ready?" Haruka asked. I nodded my head, following her to an
alley beside the arcade where we henshined into our Senshi forms. The
city looked peaceful as night settled and people stayed inside. But we
knew of the darker secret that lay under the surface. The danger and
evil that encircled our lives.
We stayed to the rooftops mostly, to avoid being seen by people
on the streets and roads as we made our way towards the site of the
earlier battle. What would normally be a warm night in April was now
alive with a blustery wind that howled through alleyways and cut into
one's skin. I paid no attention to the cold as I jumped to the next
rooftop.
I had decided against telling the Senshi that I was pregnant. The
information would only add something else to their list of worries and
we had enough to deal with at the moment. The same protective barrier
that I wore while fighting pregnant with Chibi-Usa had wrapped itself
around my body again when I henshined, it would have to be enough. I
had always assumed that my body wouldn't allow anything to happen to my
unborn children while I was Sailor Moon form, anyways. If what Ami said
was true, the Silver Crystal would protect my child like it had
protected Mamo-chan and I in our first battle.
The park came into view and we stopped to review our plan before
proceeding. The area was thick with fog, and the air felt weighed down
by it. Uranus looked from the park to us and exhaled deeply. "Okay,
here goes."
We each jumped to the street below and cautiously started towards
the park. The fog seemed to thicken around us, so much that when I
looked around me for the other Senshi, I could only see their shadows.
As I walked on I felt a sensation run up my spine, the feeling of being
watched by someone. I stopped, turning my head to see behind me.
In the shadows, following us, was a tall figure of a man. When I
stopped, he stopped also. There was something strangely familiar about
his shape, but still I took fighting stance. "Who are you?" I demanded.
"Onegai, don't attack me," the deep voice said and I felt my
breath catch. I would be able to pick that voice out of a group of a
thousand men. It was the voice that proclaimed love for me, played with
our daughter and swore to protect us.
With a speed not unlike that of a track star, I ran as fast as my
legs would carry me towards him. "Mamo-chan!" I cried, wrapping my arms
around him as tightly as I could.
"Sailor Moon?" Uranus called behind me.
Mamo-chan wrapped his arms around me, but it wasn't the same
embrace I had felt a million times, or the same smell as what I had
grown accustomed to. I backed up slightly, searching the blue eyes that
looked at me in confusion. It was Mamo-chan, but it wasn't. This man
didn't have the eyes my husband had, or the same expressions.
"Mamoru-san?" I heard Sailor Venus ask as she approached, her
voice full of disbelief. "But..."
"This is not Mamo-chan," I choked, detaching myself from this man
and backing up. I bowed quickly, my heart aching to see this replica of
the man I loved, if only in appearance. "Gomen nasai," I muttered and
backed up to stand next to Jupiter. She placed her hand on my shoulder
reassuringly.
The man stepped forward, his eyes boring into mine. "I, eh, there
had been some talk about some strange women around town. And I followed
you," he shook his head, obviously not having the collectiveness that
my Mamo-chan had. "I'm sorry, my name is Chiba Mamoru, I usually would
keep my nose in my own business but, at the moment, I'm wanted by the
police for a kidnapping I know nothing about. You wouldn't know
anything about that, would you?" he asked me.
I covered my mouth with both hands, shaking my head and turning
to face Jupiter. Not looking into those deep blue eyes, I tried to
think without my reasoning becoming clouded.
"Chiba-san, there has been a misunderstanding," Neptune told him,
her voice flowing and believable where I would probably only stutter
and start crying. "I'm very sorry for any problems we have caused you,
but we are currently rectifying the problem. So, if you would please
excuse us."
Jupiter put her arm around my shoulder and Uranus and Neptune
followed behind us as the man was covered by the fog between us. My
heart ached so badly I wanted to just fall to the ground and cry, but
determination wouldn't allow me to drown in self pity and heartache.
"That was freaky," Venus mumbled as we walked away. "He looked
exactly..."
"Not to me," I replied, sniffling back my tears. "That wasn't my
husband. And to think, somewhere in this world the rest of our
alternate selves are living, unknowing of who they really are. Sad, I
think."
"Sad? Why?" Neptune asked, cocking her head to the side.
"Because I wouldn't trade the people in my life for anything," I
answered honestly.
Jupiter squeezed my shoulder and nodded her agreement. The
conversation might have continued, but for the giant gust of wind
blasting down on us from the heavens, and the fog clearing in its path.
In front of us was a six foot rat, it's red beady eyes shining in the
moon's rays. Daiki had completely been taken over by whatever
transformation had begun, no signs even resembling human were left to
view. I swallowed hard, taking a step back.
"Thank you Senshi, for leading Usa to me and saving me the
trouble of finding her," he hissed, stepping towards us.
Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter and Venus stepped in front of me in a
fighting stance. I heard Uranus grumbled deep in her throat, just
daring him to continue towards us. "We weren't leading her to you. We
came to take back our friends. The only way you are getting to her is
over our dead bodies," she stated lowly.
"Consider it done," he replied and jumped up in the air at
Uranus. Venus pushed me out of the way, sending me rolling in the
grass. I looked up in time to see Uranus jump up into a tree.
"Venus Love-me Chain!" a blast of golden hearts shot across the
clearing and around Daiki's legs. He swayed, but didn't fall before he
broke out of them and came running at her.
I stood up, looking for a way to attack him without giving him
enough warning time to come after me. Jupiter ran in from the left
side, knocking Venus out of Daiki's path before he caught up with her.
"Supreme Thunder!" The electricity hit him dead in the chest, the
force knocking him backwards and into a tree. "Now Sailor Moon!"
Jupiter yelled, helping Venus up off the ground.
I pulled out my scepter and began to call forth power from within
myself. When I reopened my eyes, my entire body was glowing silver.
"Moon Princess..." I pointed my weapon at Daiki just as he was starting
to get up and let lose. "Halation!"
It seemed like an eternity passed and still Daiki fought against
my power and continued trying to stand up. As he struggled, Jupiter's
electricity lit up his body with fire, burning his fur and flesh. Still
he advanced towards me as I held my ground. "World Shaking!"
The planet shape of yellow power surged forth and hit Daiki and
he fell to one knee. His mouth snapped open to let a howl of pain that
echoed through out my head escape his lips. The stench of burning flesh
reached my nose, but determinedly I pushed on. "Crescent Beam!" Venus
called, also attacking.
Finally he fell, his body burning until nothing but the raw
stench of dying animal and ashes were left. I fell to my knees, letting
out a deep breath of relief. That part was finally over.
I looked up to the other Senshi and saw Neptune holding her
mirror out, moving it around the area. Just as I stood up to join them,
a smile broke out on her face. "I found it," she told us. In front of
the ashes of Daiki's body Neptune's mirror shined on a large oval
doorway. "His powers were coming from whoever is behind this. When he
died I was able to focus in on it and kept it open with my mirror. But
we don't have too much time before it closes again, hurry!"
Without a second thought as to my safety or what may lie ahead of
me on the other side of the portal, I jumped through it. Behind me I
heard the other Senshi call out for me and then all went quiet.
@------
"Sailor Moon," a hushed voice urged repeatedly. "Sailor Moon,
wake up!"
I blinked several times, finally able to push back the cloak of
darkness from my eyes and let the light come through. Everything stayed
blurry for a minute more before I saw Sailor Venus bending over me,
searching my face worriedly. "Are you okay?"
I sat up, my back protesting from laying on a hard surface.
"Yeah," I mumbled, looking around. "Did we make it? Are we in the lair
of the enemy?"
"We're somewhere that is an eleven on the scale of freakiness,"
Venus mumbled, also looking around us. Everywhere there was metal, from
the floor to the ceiling.
The hall reminded me of a hospital corridor. It went on in two
directions and was lit up by lights that ran across the ceiling. "So
much for dark and evil caves, ne?" I quipped, standing up with Venus'
help. "We are now facing a technology advanced lunatic."
"Peachy," Uranus murmured.
"So how do we know which way to go?" Jupiter asked, more to
herself than to any of us.
I looked back and forth down the hallway, but it was the same
either way. Sighing, I looked back to the other Senshi for suggestions.
"I say we split up," Neptune suggested.
"Sounds good," I replied. "Neptune and Uranus go that way.
Jupiter, Venus and I will go this way," I said, pointing to my right.
"In twenty minutes if you don't find anything, start coming back this
direction so we can think up a different plan."
Uranus looked a little uneasy about it, but nevertheless we split
up and went our separate ways. The three of us walked down the same
corridor until I felt like I would go mad from staring at the same
thing. Everywhere I looked it was the same metal walls, floor and
lights on the ceiling. Jupiter, who had been walking a few feet a head
of Venus and I stopped suddenly, putting her finger over her lips.
I stopped as well, trying to listen for what she heard. There was
the distinct sound of a humming, but it was hard to tell where it was
coming from. "We're getting close to something," Jupiter said, looking
all around us. "Stay close and keep your eyes open."
We continued down the hall, the humming sound becoming louder. I
stopped, looking around. "We're not getting anywhere," I complained.
"There's no doors, nothing in sight, we just keep walking and
walking." I leaned up against the wall, and I was just about to suggest
we turn around when the wall behind me disappeared and I was thrown
into another room. When I looked at the wall I had just came through,
it was solid again. I shook my head and stood up. "Great."
A few seconds later, Jupiter and Venus came flying in the room
the same way. Venus picked herself up off the ground, looking around.
"What kind of sick joke is this?!"
"There's no telling how many doors like this one we passed..."
Jupiter mumbled, rubbing the back of her head.
I looked around. We were in a fairly large room that was lined
with the same metal walls as the hallway. On the opposite wall there
seem to be chains hanging down, holding people up. I tried to see who
they were, but in my mind I already knew. That had to be the other
Senshi and Mamo-chan! I started running towards the wall, Jupiter and
Venus calling for me not to. I saw the black cape, the red lining...
the white domino mask... I knew that was them! It had to be!
"Sailor Moon! Wait!!" Venus yelled, running behind me. "It could
be a trap!" Above me I heard the sound of metal and a machine started
humming, the same sound we heard in the hall. I looked up, seeing a
large cage coming down around me.
I heard Venus yell to get out of the way and suddenly I was
shoved to the side. I fell, sliding across the metal floor and hitting
a wall before I stopped. Behind me, I heard the sound of the cage
coming in contact with the floor - Jupiter sitting in the middle of it.
"Jupiter!" I called, picking myself up off the floor and running
towards her. Venus yanked my arm, pulling me back. I watched as the
Senshi of Jupiter tried again and again to move the bars, to escape -
but to no avail. Venus bowed her head beside me and I felt my heart
begin to ache. She was trapped in that cage like an animal, because of
me. Because of me...
"Come on, Sailor Moon," Venus urged. "We have to find Uranus and
Neptune. We'll get her out. We'll get them all..." she said. I glanced
over at the wall where I had seen Tuxedo Kamen hanging from the wall,
but it was bare now. Just a trick and I fell for it. Slowly I followed
Venus.
We ran down the hall towards the place where we had separated
with Uranus and Neptune. But the hall was eerily the same over and over
again, never ending - just continuing forever in two directions. I slid
to a stop. My side felt like there were fingertips of fire pressed
against me. I bent over, trying to catch my breath. "This is no use,
Venus," I gasped, holding my side. "Surely we've already passed where
we left them at and then some, and they are nowhere to be found. They
must be captured."
Venus turned, her face flushed and wet from perspiration. "What
else can we do?" she bellowed, throwing her hands up in the air.
"There's only us! If we don't find a way out of here, then we seal not
only our fate but everyone's!" She pressed her palm to her forehead,
looking around. "There's got to be some way out of here and into
another area of this hell hole..."
I looked around, finally able to stand up. Venus was right,
something had to give. We couldn't just walk around this place forever.
I reached up and let my transformation go and began digging in my
pockets.
"What are you doing?" Venus asked when she looked back towards
me, shocked I had detransformed. "Someone might see you and know who
you are!"
"I think that's the least of our worries," I mumbled, pulling out
a tube of lipstick. I drew a large circle on the wall and colored it
in. After I put the tube back in my pocket I transformed again.
"And the point of this is?" she asked, pointing to the circle on
the wall.
"To see if we are walking in circles," I replied, walking again
down the hall.
Venus ran to catch up with me and together we walked in silence,
only the sound of our shoes clicking on the floor echoing around us.
Another half hour passed and still we came upon nothing, not even the
mark I made on the wall. Venus stopped, feeling of a wall to make sure
she wouldn't go through it before leaning against it. "Now what?"
"We could go down the hall feeling and see if there's anymore
doors," I suggested. "Of course, they could be a trap and we get caught
too," I flinched, thinking of Jupiter sitting in a metal cage fit for
an animal, because of me.
"I wish we had some special devises like Neptune and Mercury,"
Venus said wistfully. "Then we could see what's going on and have a
plan. Sometimes I feel so useless as I am."
"Why?" I asked, surprised.
The Solider of Love shrugged, looking down at the floor. "I just
don't feel like I add a lot to the team, you know? I feel like there's
more, something else I'm suppose to do but I don't and because of that
I'm just added weight."
"That's silly," I told her. "You're a great Senshi." I tried to
say more, but the words were just lost on me. She looked so serious
about what she was saying, and I had no idea what to say to comfort her
and make her feel better.
I leaned up against the opposite wall, looking around our
surroundings. "Back there with Jupiter, I would have probably stayed in
that room and worried about how I had gotten Jupiter captured if you
hadn't forced me on. You're a great strength to me, and the rest of
us."
"Right," she replied, smiling a little. "I saw that hard look of
determination on your face when we came back to the arcade earlier.
You're the strong one. You were the one whipping us back into shape
when we had barely escaped this thing the first time." She sighed,
flinching at the memory.
"We have to win this, you know," I said, more to myself than to
her. "I have to tell Mamo-chan...." I stopped, shaking my head. If I
allowed myself to think like this, I wouldn't be any good to anyone. I
straightened up, looking down the hall again. "We better get-- Venus?"
Venus' eyes grew wider and she jumped towards me. "Watch out!"
she cried, grabbing my arms and trying to pull me away. But something
had came out of the wall I was leaned against and had grabbed me by the
waist. I felt like I would be ripped apart from the strength of the
arms behind me and Venus pulling my arms the opposite direction.
"Venus," I gasped between gritted teeth. "You've got to let me
go..."
"No!" she exclaimed, still struggling to get me away from the
arms.
Fear rose in me - the arms were locked tightly around my mid-
section and I could feel them cutting into my stomach. "Venus, you've
got to let go! I'm pregnant!" My words stopped her cold in her tracks.
The arms that had a hold of me didn't let up even for one second, and
the moment Venus stopped pulling we were both yanked through the wall
and into the blackness beyond.
@------
I couldn't see what was half pulling us and half dragging me
through the darkness. Someone or something had a hold of my arm and no
matter how much I protested and fought, I couldn't break free. At some
point when we had been pulled through the wall, Venus and I had lost
contact and I could now hear her footfalls as she ran somewhere behind
me.
"You sick bastard," I mumbled, nearly falling flat on my face
while being drug. "Let me go!" I twisted and pulled, but it was all I
could do to keep up with it's fast pace, let alone have enough time to
try to fight. I raked my nails into it's arm, even tried to bite it -
still we fled through the pitch black. I tried to look around, find
something perhaps to hold on to, but I could barely see my hand in
front of my face. Just when I thought I would collapse, we stopped.
The shock of not running anymore nearly made me fall forward, but
whoever this was at least had the common curtsey to catch me. I squared
my shoulders, readying to let into this fool who thought he could
kidnap Sailor Moon and get away with it. Just as I was about to tear
into him, a heard the small click of a light bulb and a soft faded
yellow glow bathed over a small area. In the shadows just beyond the
light's glow, I could see the features of a man.
My first instinct was fight or flight, and since I would be
running around in complete and utter darkness, the first was what I
chose. "Arggg!" I screamed, racing forward to land a punch anywhere I
could mange.
"Easy, Usako," I heard a deep voice. I stopped, taking two steps
back and trying to catch my breath. The man walked into the light, his
midnight black hair glimmering in its glow. "I feel sorry for the youma
who catches you," he whispered, chuckling lightly.
I faltered for a minute, a vague sense of insanity flickering
through my mind. But this was real, he was real... right? He stood
perfectly still, as if he understood my dilemma. I swallowed hard, the
musty smell of the room making my throat dry and sore. I reached
towards him slowly, like one in a trance, and placed my hand on his
cheek. He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips and pressing them
against my flesh. "Mamo-chan?" I whispered, relief flooding my body.
"Of course, baby," he replied, stepping closer so that his entire
body was in the light. I smiled slightly and reached back and slapped
him in the chest. His face lit up with shock. "Ow! Hey, what was that
for?!"
"For scaring me half to death!" I proclaimed, crossing my arms
and glaring at him.
He laughed, actually laughed! And pulled me close to him. "Looks
like I'm married to a regular little spit fire, ne?" he tipped my chin
up and kissed my lips softly. "I'm sorry for scaring you, but there was
a good reason."
"And what's that?" I asked as I snaked my arms around his chest
and hugged him close.
"So we wouldn't be followed. Out there in the hallway, there are
cameras that show everything that goes on. I found the camera room and
saw when you, Venus, Neptune and Uranus arrived. I had to find a way to
get to you quickly and then get to somewhere were we could talk without
being found for a few minutes," he explained.
"Do you know where Uranus and Neptune are?" I asked quickly,
wondering about this camera room. "And where's everyone else?"
"Neptune and Uranus were captured in a cage similar to the one
Jupiter is in and..."
I blinked, looking up at him. "How did you know that Jupiter was
in a cage?"
"I told you there are cameras..."
I let go of my hold on him, backing up. "You said there were
cameras in the hallways." He flinched slightly, so little that if I
hadn't been paying attention I wouldn't have noticed.
"Yeah, well, there's cameras in all the rooms," he said unsurely.
When I stepped back again, he looked confused. "Usako? What's wrong?"
I fingered my wand, searching him over for any sign that my
suspicions were true or false. Finally I decided I would have to find
other means. "Mamo-chan?"
"Hai?" He seemed perplexed that I was questioning him. I couldn't
decide whether to believe him or not, but I couldn't afford to take any
chances.
"Where's Luna and Artemis? Did you find them?" I asked, knowing
very well that Luna and Artemis were back home with the kids.
He looked to be thinking for a moment and then after
concentrating on his answer, he replied: "They must still be with the
others. I haven't seen them since we were pulled into this place."
I felt my heart grow heavy in my chest. Stepping back, I brought
my Moon Rod out. "Who are you?" I demanded, hardening my glare as much
as I could.
The man blinked, stepping towards me. "You know who I am,
Usako," he replied, holding his hands up. "What are you talking about?"
I pointed my scepter at him, ignoring the unimaginable sensations
that came with attacking someone I believed to be my husband until
about a minute ago. "You are not Mamo-chan," I spat, forcing my words
out. "Where are my friends? Where is my husband?"
"Usako!" he exclaimed, ignoring my scepter and looking at me with
clear astonishment. For a split second I could have believed the pain I
seen flash in his blue eyes, but instead I hardened my resolve.
"Don't say another word! And.. and don't call me that!" I brought
my scepter up, a light glow radiating off of it.
The man in front of me seen the light and his hands dropped to
his sides in apparent defeat. "What do you want to do, Usako? Do you
want to attack me? Is that it? Will that convince you?"
I shook my head to rid it of that voice, that deep voice... No! I
told myself, I couldn't trust anyone. I couldn't afford to put blind
faith into what my eyes saw. I stared at him, undecided and not knowing
what to say. Instead, I closed my eyes to this deception and powered up
my attack.
"Moon Princess...."
--End Chapter 7.
::avoids throwing objects:: I know (everyone reminded me ^^; ) that you've
waited for nearly two weeks for this chapter, but I have a good reason!
(::cough:: excuse...) Anyways, I didn't get this chapter to my editor until
last week, and then she had some stuff happen so that she couldn't get to it,
and when she did *boom* for some reason I'll never understand it was all
encoded and stuff (I checked everything for a virus, nothing...) and so then
I sent it to her again, and it did it again and so we tried a third time and
I copy and pasted it and it worked! I got it back yesterday and I have it
to you all today ^-^v I'm getting slow on writing since the kids are out of
school now, but I'm working my best on it :) I can't promise chapter eight
next week, but I'll try.
Huge thanks to everyone who emailed me and read and reviewed, you guys are
so great to me!! *huggles* ::flinches cuz' of sunburn:: ^^;; Anyhoo - see
you all next week (hopefully) for chapter 8 which hasn't been named yet....
By the way, I moved/renamed my web page, everyone please come visit my
new.... ::drum roll:: Domain!!! :D http://Moon-Bunny.org !! I'm so happy :D!!
Insert regular disclaimer that absolutly no one reads here - you get the
idea ^_^ I'm going to Disney World in four weeks, please don't sue me ^_^;;
*huggles* to my editor, you're the best ^_^
Love n' Hugs,
@----
No Greater Love
Chapter 7 - The Battle Begins
By: Bethany
Editor: Meara
Rated: PG
@------
It wasn't until nearly five hours later that anyone came back to
our hide away under the arcade. I was rummaging through the cabinets,
looking for something to make for dinner when I heard the door above
slid open and footsteps making their way down the star well. Haruka
plopped down on the sofa, her head rolled back and her eyes closed.
Michiru came in and sat beside her, looking exhausted. Within
minutes of each other Minako and Makoto came in, sitting down in
chairs, looking equally tired.
I walked over to the living room area, Chibi-Usa crawling up
beside me. "Where is everyone else?" I asked, looking back up at the
empty staircase.
Haruka looked at me as she bent forward and placed her head in
her hands. "Captured," she mumbled so faint that I barely heard her.
Never the less the words found my hearing, sending a strange feeling
over my body.
My heart began to pound, even though my thoughts were still
blank. I shook my head as if she had just spoken the words of a mad
person. "What did you say?" I questioned, putting one hand on a table
to steady myself. "Heh, I thought you said they were captured..."
"That's what I said," Haruka stated dully, raising her battle
worn eyes up to meet mine. She had a faint stain of blood coming from
the corner of her mouth and her eye looked swollen and the faintest
hint of a bruise was beginning to color her jaw.
I quickly came around the chair and sat down hard in it, my fists
clinched tightly. "Where.. when? I-I, what happened while you all were
gone?!" I demanded, my voice nearing hysteria. I laughed, sounding
nearly insane myself. "You must be joking, Ami-chan... Ami-chan
wouldn't let that happen. And... and Rei-chan... Mamo-chan..."
Minako looked up from her own hands, tears captured in her eyes,
making them shine. "Usagi-chan, I'm sorry. We tried to save them, but
they were gone so quickly it was all we could do to get away and back
here. But we can get them back, ne Haruka-san?" A lone tear fell from
her eye, but she wiped it away quickly. "Ne?"
Haruka leaned back again, not looking any of us in the eye. I
felt my teeth start chattering like I was sitting on ice, my body felt
cold and alone... I had felt this way before, but when? When... last
night...
"...all who you love will die by my hand..."
I felt a scream rise up in my throat at the haunting words that
came back to me now. Had that been a dream? Or a warning that I paid no
heed to? Could I have stopped this?
"The truth is," Haruka finally said, stopping my thoughts from
continuing. "Is that without Ami's computer, I'm lost on how to find
where they are. We have Michiru's mirror, I hope that is enough."
Haruka?! I wanted to scream. What is wrong with her? What had she
seen that made her act so helpless? What happened out there today? I
pushed back my natural instinct to panic and wiped the tear trails from
my face. That was my friends and my husband out there, nothing short of
death would stop me from finding them.
Hard core determination ran through my veins as I stood up,
slapping my palm against the wooden coffee table loud enough to make
Mako-chan jump. "What are you talking about? We are Sailor Senshi, and
our friends need our help! We can't sit here and talk, we have to act."
Minako lifted her head up, and as I turned I seen Michiru staring
at me with an odd glint in her eye. I walked over to the computer I had
seen Ami on just this morning and sat down, turning it on. Luna jumped
up on the desk, watching as I typed in words that I didn't even know
that I knew. They came from a part of my memory that until this very
moment had stayed dormant inside me.
With my fingers flying over the keys, I pulled up a diagram of
the energy mass and its location. And with the small map on the
computer screen, I understood what had happened. The energy mass had
settled over Tokyo. I continued typing, looking for anything abnormal
in the mass that could be a hide out. "You battled with this today?" I
asked, though it was more of a statement.
Makoto pointed to Tokyo Gardens where a massive built up of energy
was harbored. "There," she said. Her eyes took on a far off look
as she spoke, remembering a battle she seemed to wanted to forget. "It
was everywhere, but we couldn't see it. It knew Ami-chan could tell
where it was with her visor, and it took her first. Mamoru-san had her
hands, trying to pull her back out and then... then they both
disappeared. No doorway, no evil laugh - only silence and empty space.
I tried to attack it, Usagi-chan, I tried," she mumbled, her eyes wide.
I looked up from the computer, tears in my own eyes. "Mako-chan,
it's not your fault. We'll get them back," I told her, I only hoped I
was right. She said no more, and I asked no more questions. It was
plain from the look on all four Senshi's face that they had watched
helplessly, one by one, as the others were pulled away. No, I didn't
have to ask any more questions, this story now told itself in my mind.
@------
I sat on the side of the only bed in the room and tucked Chibi-
Usa and Shingo in. As I bent down and kissed Shingo's forehead, and
then my daughter's, I thought about what I was about to do. If they
woke up during the night, I wouldn't be here. I would be out trying to
fight an unseen enemy for their future.
Chibi-Usa yawned, her blue eyes watching me curiously. I kissed
her head again and pulled the covers up to her chin. "Goodnight my
babies," I whispered. "I love you."
"Papa?" Chibi-Usa questioned, looking around the room. "Papa kiss
ChiUsa?"
I took a deep breath and tried to push back my tears. "Papa will
be here to kiss you later, okay?" She didn't reply, but didn't look mad
about it like she did when Mamo-chan occasionally worked late and
didn't get home until after her bedtime. Tonight she looked like she
understood that he would be here if he could.
"Sing, Mama?"
Shingo turned over to face Chibi-Usa and his lips turned up
slightly. "Yeah, Mom, would you sing a song for us?"
I sat down on the side of the bed and brushed the strains of
strawberry colored hair away from Chibi-Usa's eyes. "You are my
sunshine, my only sunshine. When you're not happy, my skies are gray.
You'll never know dear, how much I love you. So please don't take my
sunshine away..." I finished, softly.
With her eyes closed, Chibi-Usa repeated "shunshine" and slipped
off to sleep.
Shingo watched as I stood up and pulled my locket out. I started
towards the living room when I heard him call my name. When I turned
around, he was sitting up on the bed. "Be careful Mama," he whispered.
"I love you."
I ran back over to the bed, wrapping Shingo in my arms and
hugging him so tightly to my chest I'm sure he had problems breathing.
"I love you so much Shingo, you know that, right?" I asked desperately.
He nodded his head and I let him go, pulling the covers up over
him once more. He rearranged the blanket over Chibi-Usa and crawled
closer to her. "Don't worry Mom, I'll take care of her," he told me and
I felt tears fill my eyes again. With a small smile I left my children
and went upstairs where the remaining Senshi were waiting for me.
Naru looked completely confused when I stepped out of the door
under the video game and showed her down the steps. "I'll explain
everything later, okay? Just take good care of my children."
Naru nodded her head, watching me until I reached the top of the
steps and disappeared beyond. I let out a deep breath and shut my eyes,
saying a small prayer.
"Ready?" Haruka asked. I nodded my head, following her to an
alley beside the arcade where we henshined into our Senshi forms. The
city looked peaceful as night settled and people stayed inside. But we
knew of the darker secret that lay under the surface. The danger and
evil that encircled our lives.
We stayed to the rooftops mostly, to avoid being seen by people
on the streets and roads as we made our way towards the site of the
earlier battle. What would normally be a warm night in April was now
alive with a blustery wind that howled through alleyways and cut into
one's skin. I paid no attention to the cold as I jumped to the next
rooftop.
I had decided against telling the Senshi that I was pregnant. The
information would only add something else to their list of worries and
we had enough to deal with at the moment. The same protective barrier
that I wore while fighting pregnant with Chibi-Usa had wrapped itself
around my body again when I henshined, it would have to be enough. I
had always assumed that my body wouldn't allow anything to happen to my
unborn children while I was Sailor Moon form, anyways. If what Ami said
was true, the Silver Crystal would protect my child like it had
protected Mamo-chan and I in our first battle.
The park came into view and we stopped to review our plan before
proceeding. The area was thick with fog, and the air felt weighed down
by it. Uranus looked from the park to us and exhaled deeply. "Okay,
here goes."
We each jumped to the street below and cautiously started towards
the park. The fog seemed to thicken around us, so much that when I
looked around me for the other Senshi, I could only see their shadows.
As I walked on I felt a sensation run up my spine, the feeling of being
watched by someone. I stopped, turning my head to see behind me.
In the shadows, following us, was a tall figure of a man. When I
stopped, he stopped also. There was something strangely familiar about
his shape, but still I took fighting stance. "Who are you?" I demanded.
"Onegai, don't attack me," the deep voice said and I felt my
breath catch. I would be able to pick that voice out of a group of a
thousand men. It was the voice that proclaimed love for me, played with
our daughter and swore to protect us.
With a speed not unlike that of a track star, I ran as fast as my
legs would carry me towards him. "Mamo-chan!" I cried, wrapping my arms
around him as tightly as I could.
"Sailor Moon?" Uranus called behind me.
Mamo-chan wrapped his arms around me, but it wasn't the same
embrace I had felt a million times, or the same smell as what I had
grown accustomed to. I backed up slightly, searching the blue eyes that
looked at me in confusion. It was Mamo-chan, but it wasn't. This man
didn't have the eyes my husband had, or the same expressions.
"Mamoru-san?" I heard Sailor Venus ask as she approached, her
voice full of disbelief. "But..."
"This is not Mamo-chan," I choked, detaching myself from this man
and backing up. I bowed quickly, my heart aching to see this replica of
the man I loved, if only in appearance. "Gomen nasai," I muttered and
backed up to stand next to Jupiter. She placed her hand on my shoulder
reassuringly.
The man stepped forward, his eyes boring into mine. "I, eh, there
had been some talk about some strange women around town. And I followed
you," he shook his head, obviously not having the collectiveness that
my Mamo-chan had. "I'm sorry, my name is Chiba Mamoru, I usually would
keep my nose in my own business but, at the moment, I'm wanted by the
police for a kidnapping I know nothing about. You wouldn't know
anything about that, would you?" he asked me.
I covered my mouth with both hands, shaking my head and turning
to face Jupiter. Not looking into those deep blue eyes, I tried to
think without my reasoning becoming clouded.
"Chiba-san, there has been a misunderstanding," Neptune told him,
her voice flowing and believable where I would probably only stutter
and start crying. "I'm very sorry for any problems we have caused you,
but we are currently rectifying the problem. So, if you would please
excuse us."
Jupiter put her arm around my shoulder and Uranus and Neptune
followed behind us as the man was covered by the fog between us. My
heart ached so badly I wanted to just fall to the ground and cry, but
determination wouldn't allow me to drown in self pity and heartache.
"That was freaky," Venus mumbled as we walked away. "He looked
exactly..."
"Not to me," I replied, sniffling back my tears. "That wasn't my
husband. And to think, somewhere in this world the rest of our
alternate selves are living, unknowing of who they really are. Sad, I
think."
"Sad? Why?" Neptune asked, cocking her head to the side.
"Because I wouldn't trade the people in my life for anything," I
answered honestly.
Jupiter squeezed my shoulder and nodded her agreement. The
conversation might have continued, but for the giant gust of wind
blasting down on us from the heavens, and the fog clearing in its path.
In front of us was a six foot rat, it's red beady eyes shining in the
moon's rays. Daiki had completely been taken over by whatever
transformation had begun, no signs even resembling human were left to
view. I swallowed hard, taking a step back.
"Thank you Senshi, for leading Usa to me and saving me the
trouble of finding her," he hissed, stepping towards us.
Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter and Venus stepped in front of me in a
fighting stance. I heard Uranus grumbled deep in her throat, just
daring him to continue towards us. "We weren't leading her to you. We
came to take back our friends. The only way you are getting to her is
over our dead bodies," she stated lowly.
"Consider it done," he replied and jumped up in the air at
Uranus. Venus pushed me out of the way, sending me rolling in the
grass. I looked up in time to see Uranus jump up into a tree.
"Venus Love-me Chain!" a blast of golden hearts shot across the
clearing and around Daiki's legs. He swayed, but didn't fall before he
broke out of them and came running at her.
I stood up, looking for a way to attack him without giving him
enough warning time to come after me. Jupiter ran in from the left
side, knocking Venus out of Daiki's path before he caught up with her.
"Supreme Thunder!" The electricity hit him dead in the chest, the
force knocking him backwards and into a tree. "Now Sailor Moon!"
Jupiter yelled, helping Venus up off the ground.
I pulled out my scepter and began to call forth power from within
myself. When I reopened my eyes, my entire body was glowing silver.
"Moon Princess..." I pointed my weapon at Daiki just as he was starting
to get up and let lose. "Halation!"
It seemed like an eternity passed and still Daiki fought against
my power and continued trying to stand up. As he struggled, Jupiter's
electricity lit up his body with fire, burning his fur and flesh. Still
he advanced towards me as I held my ground. "World Shaking!"
The planet shape of yellow power surged forth and hit Daiki and
he fell to one knee. His mouth snapped open to let a howl of pain that
echoed through out my head escape his lips. The stench of burning flesh
reached my nose, but determinedly I pushed on. "Crescent Beam!" Venus
called, also attacking.
Finally he fell, his body burning until nothing but the raw
stench of dying animal and ashes were left. I fell to my knees, letting
out a deep breath of relief. That part was finally over.
I looked up to the other Senshi and saw Neptune holding her
mirror out, moving it around the area. Just as I stood up to join them,
a smile broke out on her face. "I found it," she told us. In front of
the ashes of Daiki's body Neptune's mirror shined on a large oval
doorway. "His powers were coming from whoever is behind this. When he
died I was able to focus in on it and kept it open with my mirror. But
we don't have too much time before it closes again, hurry!"
Without a second thought as to my safety or what may lie ahead of
me on the other side of the portal, I jumped through it. Behind me I
heard the other Senshi call out for me and then all went quiet.
@------
"Sailor Moon," a hushed voice urged repeatedly. "Sailor Moon,
wake up!"
I blinked several times, finally able to push back the cloak of
darkness from my eyes and let the light come through. Everything stayed
blurry for a minute more before I saw Sailor Venus bending over me,
searching my face worriedly. "Are you okay?"
I sat up, my back protesting from laying on a hard surface.
"Yeah," I mumbled, looking around. "Did we make it? Are we in the lair
of the enemy?"
"We're somewhere that is an eleven on the scale of freakiness,"
Venus mumbled, also looking around us. Everywhere there was metal, from
the floor to the ceiling.
The hall reminded me of a hospital corridor. It went on in two
directions and was lit up by lights that ran across the ceiling. "So
much for dark and evil caves, ne?" I quipped, standing up with Venus'
help. "We are now facing a technology advanced lunatic."
"Peachy," Uranus murmured.
"So how do we know which way to go?" Jupiter asked, more to
herself than to any of us.
I looked back and forth down the hallway, but it was the same
either way. Sighing, I looked back to the other Senshi for suggestions.
"I say we split up," Neptune suggested.
"Sounds good," I replied. "Neptune and Uranus go that way.
Jupiter, Venus and I will go this way," I said, pointing to my right.
"In twenty minutes if you don't find anything, start coming back this
direction so we can think up a different plan."
Uranus looked a little uneasy about it, but nevertheless we split
up and went our separate ways. The three of us walked down the same
corridor until I felt like I would go mad from staring at the same
thing. Everywhere I looked it was the same metal walls, floor and
lights on the ceiling. Jupiter, who had been walking a few feet a head
of Venus and I stopped suddenly, putting her finger over her lips.
I stopped as well, trying to listen for what she heard. There was
the distinct sound of a humming, but it was hard to tell where it was
coming from. "We're getting close to something," Jupiter said, looking
all around us. "Stay close and keep your eyes open."
We continued down the hall, the humming sound becoming louder. I
stopped, looking around. "We're not getting anywhere," I complained.
"There's no doors, nothing in sight, we just keep walking and
walking." I leaned up against the wall, and I was just about to suggest
we turn around when the wall behind me disappeared and I was thrown
into another room. When I looked at the wall I had just came through,
it was solid again. I shook my head and stood up. "Great."
A few seconds later, Jupiter and Venus came flying in the room
the same way. Venus picked herself up off the ground, looking around.
"What kind of sick joke is this?!"
"There's no telling how many doors like this one we passed..."
Jupiter mumbled, rubbing the back of her head.
I looked around. We were in a fairly large room that was lined
with the same metal walls as the hallway. On the opposite wall there
seem to be chains hanging down, holding people up. I tried to see who
they were, but in my mind I already knew. That had to be the other
Senshi and Mamo-chan! I started running towards the wall, Jupiter and
Venus calling for me not to. I saw the black cape, the red lining...
the white domino mask... I knew that was them! It had to be!
"Sailor Moon! Wait!!" Venus yelled, running behind me. "It could
be a trap!" Above me I heard the sound of metal and a machine started
humming, the same sound we heard in the hall. I looked up, seeing a
large cage coming down around me.
I heard Venus yell to get out of the way and suddenly I was
shoved to the side. I fell, sliding across the metal floor and hitting
a wall before I stopped. Behind me, I heard the sound of the cage
coming in contact with the floor - Jupiter sitting in the middle of it.
"Jupiter!" I called, picking myself up off the floor and running
towards her. Venus yanked my arm, pulling me back. I watched as the
Senshi of Jupiter tried again and again to move the bars, to escape -
but to no avail. Venus bowed her head beside me and I felt my heart
begin to ache. She was trapped in that cage like an animal, because of
me. Because of me...
"Come on, Sailor Moon," Venus urged. "We have to find Uranus and
Neptune. We'll get her out. We'll get them all..." she said. I glanced
over at the wall where I had seen Tuxedo Kamen hanging from the wall,
but it was bare now. Just a trick and I fell for it. Slowly I followed
Venus.
We ran down the hall towards the place where we had separated
with Uranus and Neptune. But the hall was eerily the same over and over
again, never ending - just continuing forever in two directions. I slid
to a stop. My side felt like there were fingertips of fire pressed
against me. I bent over, trying to catch my breath. "This is no use,
Venus," I gasped, holding my side. "Surely we've already passed where
we left them at and then some, and they are nowhere to be found. They
must be captured."
Venus turned, her face flushed and wet from perspiration. "What
else can we do?" she bellowed, throwing her hands up in the air.
"There's only us! If we don't find a way out of here, then we seal not
only our fate but everyone's!" She pressed her palm to her forehead,
looking around. "There's got to be some way out of here and into
another area of this hell hole..."
I looked around, finally able to stand up. Venus was right,
something had to give. We couldn't just walk around this place forever.
I reached up and let my transformation go and began digging in my
pockets.
"What are you doing?" Venus asked when she looked back towards
me, shocked I had detransformed. "Someone might see you and know who
you are!"
"I think that's the least of our worries," I mumbled, pulling out
a tube of lipstick. I drew a large circle on the wall and colored it
in. After I put the tube back in my pocket I transformed again.
"And the point of this is?" she asked, pointing to the circle on
the wall.
"To see if we are walking in circles," I replied, walking again
down the hall.
Venus ran to catch up with me and together we walked in silence,
only the sound of our shoes clicking on the floor echoing around us.
Another half hour passed and still we came upon nothing, not even the
mark I made on the wall. Venus stopped, feeling of a wall to make sure
she wouldn't go through it before leaning against it. "Now what?"
"We could go down the hall feeling and see if there's anymore
doors," I suggested. "Of course, they could be a trap and we get caught
too," I flinched, thinking of Jupiter sitting in a metal cage fit for
an animal, because of me.
"I wish we had some special devises like Neptune and Mercury,"
Venus said wistfully. "Then we could see what's going on and have a
plan. Sometimes I feel so useless as I am."
"Why?" I asked, surprised.
The Solider of Love shrugged, looking down at the floor. "I just
don't feel like I add a lot to the team, you know? I feel like there's
more, something else I'm suppose to do but I don't and because of that
I'm just added weight."
"That's silly," I told her. "You're a great Senshi." I tried to
say more, but the words were just lost on me. She looked so serious
about what she was saying, and I had no idea what to say to comfort her
and make her feel better.
I leaned up against the opposite wall, looking around our
surroundings. "Back there with Jupiter, I would have probably stayed in
that room and worried about how I had gotten Jupiter captured if you
hadn't forced me on. You're a great strength to me, and the rest of
us."
"Right," she replied, smiling a little. "I saw that hard look of
determination on your face when we came back to the arcade earlier.
You're the strong one. You were the one whipping us back into shape
when we had barely escaped this thing the first time." She sighed,
flinching at the memory.
"We have to win this, you know," I said, more to myself than to
her. "I have to tell Mamo-chan...." I stopped, shaking my head. If I
allowed myself to think like this, I wouldn't be any good to anyone. I
straightened up, looking down the hall again. "We better get-- Venus?"
Venus' eyes grew wider and she jumped towards me. "Watch out!"
she cried, grabbing my arms and trying to pull me away. But something
had came out of the wall I was leaned against and had grabbed me by the
waist. I felt like I would be ripped apart from the strength of the
arms behind me and Venus pulling my arms the opposite direction.
"Venus," I gasped between gritted teeth. "You've got to let me
go..."
"No!" she exclaimed, still struggling to get me away from the
arms.
Fear rose in me - the arms were locked tightly around my mid-
section and I could feel them cutting into my stomach. "Venus, you've
got to let go! I'm pregnant!" My words stopped her cold in her tracks.
The arms that had a hold of me didn't let up even for one second, and
the moment Venus stopped pulling we were both yanked through the wall
and into the blackness beyond.
@------
I couldn't see what was half pulling us and half dragging me
through the darkness. Someone or something had a hold of my arm and no
matter how much I protested and fought, I couldn't break free. At some
point when we had been pulled through the wall, Venus and I had lost
contact and I could now hear her footfalls as she ran somewhere behind
me.
"You sick bastard," I mumbled, nearly falling flat on my face
while being drug. "Let me go!" I twisted and pulled, but it was all I
could do to keep up with it's fast pace, let alone have enough time to
try to fight. I raked my nails into it's arm, even tried to bite it -
still we fled through the pitch black. I tried to look around, find
something perhaps to hold on to, but I could barely see my hand in
front of my face. Just when I thought I would collapse, we stopped.
The shock of not running anymore nearly made me fall forward, but
whoever this was at least had the common curtsey to catch me. I squared
my shoulders, readying to let into this fool who thought he could
kidnap Sailor Moon and get away with it. Just as I was about to tear
into him, a heard the small click of a light bulb and a soft faded
yellow glow bathed over a small area. In the shadows just beyond the
light's glow, I could see the features of a man.
My first instinct was fight or flight, and since I would be
running around in complete and utter darkness, the first was what I
chose. "Arggg!" I screamed, racing forward to land a punch anywhere I
could mange.
"Easy, Usako," I heard a deep voice. I stopped, taking two steps
back and trying to catch my breath. The man walked into the light, his
midnight black hair glimmering in its glow. "I feel sorry for the youma
who catches you," he whispered, chuckling lightly.
I faltered for a minute, a vague sense of insanity flickering
through my mind. But this was real, he was real... right? He stood
perfectly still, as if he understood my dilemma. I swallowed hard, the
musty smell of the room making my throat dry and sore. I reached
towards him slowly, like one in a trance, and placed my hand on his
cheek. He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips and pressing them
against my flesh. "Mamo-chan?" I whispered, relief flooding my body.
"Of course, baby," he replied, stepping closer so that his entire
body was in the light. I smiled slightly and reached back and slapped
him in the chest. His face lit up with shock. "Ow! Hey, what was that
for?!"
"For scaring me half to death!" I proclaimed, crossing my arms
and glaring at him.
He laughed, actually laughed! And pulled me close to him. "Looks
like I'm married to a regular little spit fire, ne?" he tipped my chin
up and kissed my lips softly. "I'm sorry for scaring you, but there was
a good reason."
"And what's that?" I asked as I snaked my arms around his chest
and hugged him close.
"So we wouldn't be followed. Out there in the hallway, there are
cameras that show everything that goes on. I found the camera room and
saw when you, Venus, Neptune and Uranus arrived. I had to find a way to
get to you quickly and then get to somewhere were we could talk without
being found for a few minutes," he explained.
"Do you know where Uranus and Neptune are?" I asked quickly,
wondering about this camera room. "And where's everyone else?"
"Neptune and Uranus were captured in a cage similar to the one
Jupiter is in and..."
I blinked, looking up at him. "How did you know that Jupiter was
in a cage?"
"I told you there are cameras..."
I let go of my hold on him, backing up. "You said there were
cameras in the hallways." He flinched slightly, so little that if I
hadn't been paying attention I wouldn't have noticed.
"Yeah, well, there's cameras in all the rooms," he said unsurely.
When I stepped back again, he looked confused. "Usako? What's wrong?"
I fingered my wand, searching him over for any sign that my
suspicions were true or false. Finally I decided I would have to find
other means. "Mamo-chan?"
"Hai?" He seemed perplexed that I was questioning him. I couldn't
decide whether to believe him or not, but I couldn't afford to take any
chances.
"Where's Luna and Artemis? Did you find them?" I asked, knowing
very well that Luna and Artemis were back home with the kids.
He looked to be thinking for a moment and then after
concentrating on his answer, he replied: "They must still be with the
others. I haven't seen them since we were pulled into this place."
I felt my heart grow heavy in my chest. Stepping back, I brought
my Moon Rod out. "Who are you?" I demanded, hardening my glare as much
as I could.
The man blinked, stepping towards me. "You know who I am,
Usako," he replied, holding his hands up. "What are you talking about?"
I pointed my scepter at him, ignoring the unimaginable sensations
that came with attacking someone I believed to be my husband until
about a minute ago. "You are not Mamo-chan," I spat, forcing my words
out. "Where are my friends? Where is my husband?"
"Usako!" he exclaimed, ignoring my scepter and looking at me with
clear astonishment. For a split second I could have believed the pain I
seen flash in his blue eyes, but instead I hardened my resolve.
"Don't say another word! And.. and don't call me that!" I brought
my scepter up, a light glow radiating off of it.
The man in front of me seen the light and his hands dropped to
his sides in apparent defeat. "What do you want to do, Usako? Do you
want to attack me? Is that it? Will that convince you?"
I shook my head to rid it of that voice, that deep voice... No! I
told myself, I couldn't trust anyone. I couldn't afford to put blind
faith into what my eyes saw. I stared at him, undecided and not knowing
what to say. Instead, I closed my eyes to this deception and powered up
my attack.
"Moon Princess...."
--End Chapter 7.
::avoids throwing objects:: I know (everyone reminded me ^^; ) that you've
waited for nearly two weeks for this chapter, but I have a good reason!
(::cough:: excuse...) Anyways, I didn't get this chapter to my editor until
last week, and then she had some stuff happen so that she couldn't get to it,
and when she did *boom* for some reason I'll never understand it was all
encoded and stuff (I checked everything for a virus, nothing...) and so then
I sent it to her again, and it did it again and so we tried a third time and
I copy and pasted it and it worked! I got it back yesterday and I have it
to you all today ^-^v I'm getting slow on writing since the kids are out of
school now, but I'm working my best on it :) I can't promise chapter eight
next week, but I'll try.
Huge thanks to everyone who emailed me and read and reviewed, you guys are
so great to me!! *huggles* ::flinches cuz' of sunburn:: ^^;; Anyhoo - see
you all next week (hopefully) for chapter 8 which hasn't been named yet....
By the way, I moved/renamed my web page, everyone please come visit my
new.... ::drum roll:: Domain!!! :D http://Moon-Bunny.org !! I'm so happy :D!!
Insert regular disclaimer that absolutly no one reads here - you get the
idea ^_^ I'm going to Disney World in four weeks, please don't sue me ^_^;;
*huggles* to my editor, you're the best ^_^
Love n' Hugs,