The Pulse

Part 8

Author: Nyneve

Okee-dokee. 'Lo every1! Hope you're liking the ficcie so far. Right now I am in the basement, it is approximately 10:35 PM and I have to get up at 6:00 AM sharp tomorrow. I HOPE YOU ALL APPRECIATE THIS! I COULD GET IN HUGE TROUBLE IF I GET CAUGHT! Neways, don't own the anime, and I'm too impatient to say anything else so bye.

-Nyneve

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"Looks like Megaera's ready to go."

"I hope Mars holds out."

"If she doesn't, her shard will be exposed."

"Don't remind me."
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Raye hummed softly as she walked down the hall, pausing every now and then to turn around. She could swear someone was following her. Probably Mina playing her stupid spy game she guessed. Ever since she had gotten back from her "mission" she had been very quiet and secretive about what she did and when she did it. That triggered another thought. Raye realized how much they had all changed after coming to…wherever they were. Amy had gotten more outgoing, Mina a little less outgoing, and it was even looking as though Trista might have a heart, somewhere. Even Raye saw how much she herself had changed after spending time with Quatre. She was calmer now, and less likely to lose her temper. Then again, who could get mad at Quatre? Only Lita still seemed the same, though Wufei had gotten a few bruises and cuts courtesy of her.

Footsteps interrupted her thoughts. She immediately spun around and pulled out one of her ofuda scroll, and threw it at whoever was behind her. A gasp and a thump was the only response she got. Then she realized her follower was none other than Quatre.

"Oh S***," Raye cursed, then knelt down next to him, removing the scroll. "Quatre? Hello?" she asked, trying to get a response out of him. No such luck. His eyes were closed and his face was pale. She gently caressed his cheek, trying to wake him up. "Quatre?" she asked again. His eyelids fluttered and he opened his eyes.

"Oh! Miss-Miss Hino!" he cried, blushing violently. This time, Raye did too as she stood up.

"Are you okay Quatre? I thought you might be Mina, so I threw a scroll at you. I'm so sorry," she apologized as he stood up.

"I'm fine. It's all my fault for following you in the first place. Please, forgive me," he said. Raye shook her head and smiled.

"You are impossible, you know that? I try to take the blame for knocking you out and then you go and get all nice," she remarked. A mumbled "Sorry" was all she got. Raye sighed, and changed the subject. "Why were you following me in the first place?"

"I was worried about you. Ever since your fire reading I've been thinking something's wrong," he answered.

She rolled her eyes. "Quatre, I've told you a million times! I am o-k!"

"I know I know. But I can't help getting a little nervous for you Raye. I care about you," he remarked. Raye was about to say more, then stopped.

"You called me Raye," she said in amazement. Quatre shrugged.

"That's what you wanted me to call you," he said.

"I know, but I mean…" she trailed off. What did she mean? And why did her stomach feel weird when Quatre said he cared about her?

"Raye?" Quatre asked, touching her shoulder gently. "What is wrong? And please tell me the truth."

Raye took a deep breath. Could she tell him that she was out to see if he held the very essence of death inside of him? Or that she wasn't even from this universe? No. She couldn't tell him anything. Not now. Even if she care about him.

Get with it Mars. He's not the one. You don't need someone to love. That's not your duty. Get over your feelings and focus on your mission! A voice inside of her said. But she didn't have time to respond. Because something had just burst through the window.

"What in the world?" Raye cried, looking at whatever it was. Suddenly, she felt a cold stab in her heart as she recognized it.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't a couple of Shard-bearers in love. This could work to my advantage," the figure said, revealing itself as none other than one of Night's daughters, Megaera.

"I remember you! You were one of those things that attacked us!" Quatre cried. Megaera smiled.

"Good memory. However, you won't remember anything when I'm done with you. Prepare to die mortal," she snarled, then pulled out her spear which instantly ignited with flame.

"No!" Raye yelled, then without thinking, pulled out her henshin pen. "MARS CRYSTAL POWER!"

The flaming rings surrounded her and her uniform appeared. Quatre stared in amazement as Sailor Mars took Raye's place.

"Quatre! Get out of here now! She's going to kill you!" Raye yelled, motioning towards the door.

"Are you crazy? I can't leave you here with her!" Quatre yelled back, pulling out a gun and aiming at Megaera. Raye raised her eyebrows in surprise as the calm, gentle boy she knew prepared to attack the demon-girl.

"I don't think your little toy is going to do anything. Now give me the Thanatos!" Megaera ordered. Raye gasped. Quatre had the Thanatos? The essence of Death? There was no way…

Megaera immediately threw her flaming spear, a second appearing in her hand immediately. Quatre managed to dodge the spear, which hit the wall and started burning. Raye quickly glanced at him.

"Will you go now?" she asked. He shook his head. Raye sighed. "I apologize in advance," she said, as she unleashed a stream of fireballs at Megaera. A few of them scorched her hand and for arm, but most just set off the fire alarms. Quatre's men immediately came running.

"Master Quatre!"

"Call the fire department, quickly. We'll be fine, don't worry," Quatre ordered. Raye pleaded with him again.

"Quatre, go. I'm begging you. I don't want to see you get hurt…ahh!" she cried suddenly. In her lack of attention towards Megaera, another spear had been thrown and had hit her in the side. She gasped for breath, then pointed towards the end of the hall.

"Run Quatre. Please…" she murmured, before collapsing. Megaera stood gloating over her.

"You should have listened to your precious princess boy. Now, you will both perish," she grinned, and was about to throw another spear when a flaming bird suddenly appeared and was swiftly attacking her.

"Damn you! Get away!" she yelled, swatting at it. But the bird seemed to carry the fire of hatred for Megaera inside of it. It opened its mouth, let out an ear-piercing screech, and let out a stream of fire that engulfed her.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Megaera screamed, before she was reduced to a smoldering piece of matter.

Quatre stared in amazement at what had happened. Megaera had attacked because she wanted something from him, something called the Thanatos. Raye had been seriously hurt trying to protect him, let alone the fact that she had the capabilities to defeat the monster. There was more going on than he could figure out.

Late that evening, Raye awoke in her bed, with Quatre stroking her hand gently. She smiled at him.

"Quatre…" she murmured, closing her hand over his. He smiled.

"You're okay. I'm so thankful," he replied. "When that…thing attacked you, I thought…"

"I have been in way worse situations than fire-girl back there. It takes a lot to take me down," Raye smiled.

"Still, I'm glad you're okay. I won't ask anymore questions though. Amy was so upset when she found out, it's a miracle she let me stay with you," he said. Raye's eyes widened.

"You-you stayed with me this whole time?" she asked in disbelief. Quatre nodded.

"It's my fault in the first place, I think. You can explain later," he whispered, leaning down and kissing her forehead. "Get some rest. I'll be right here."

"Thank you…" Raye replied, realizing she was tired. As she closed her eyes, the voice inside of her was saying some more stuff about how she should pay attention to her mission, but she was too happy to care. No. Megaera made a mistake. There is no way Quatre could hold the Thanatos. No way, no how.

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"Poor Mars. Megaera got the better of her."

"How long until the corrosion starts?"

"I'm not sure. But you're the God of Time, not me."

"Save it Kairos. I'm not amused by your wit."

"Sorry."

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*giggles* That was so fluffy at the end. But we got a good battle scene there too. Sorry if it wasn't gory enough. I'll try to do better next time. R+R!