The Guardian, Part 13
New Developments
By Taerir

All Sailor Moon references are the property of their respective owners. Any concepts, characters, world names, plotlines, and so on not found in the Sailormoon television series or manga are the sole property of the author, Taerir, copyright 1999. No duplication is permitted without written permission from the author.

Asami and Kensaku took their time traveling home, enjoying being together for once.

"So, don't you feel better now?" Kensaku chided her gently.

Asami smiled. "I do. You were right, as usual."

Kensaku gazed down into her eyes, kissing her gently. A sudden urge hit him. "Good, because I've got another surprise, lass," he replied, in Enyddan. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small box that he had been carrying with him for the last day or so. He opened it slowly.

"Marry me, Wyna," he said softly. Through the link between his mind and hers, he feels the emotions run through her. First confusion, then surprise, then amazement.

Finally, a smile crossed her lips. "Of course..." she begins. "Some day. Just not now. You know there's only you."

Kensaku smiled. "And I'm glad. But you'll at least wear an engagement ring?" He pulled a signet ring engraved with a Celtic cross out of the box.

She nodded. He put it on her, then kissed her again. Hand in hand, the two continued home and settled down for a peaceful evening for the first time in quite a while.

Kado slammed his fist into a table as he felt Midori fade away. The time had come for drastic measures.

"You won't find me so easy to kill as Midori, senshi," he growled softly. "The time has come."

With a laugh more angry than humorous, he pulled his powers together and perfected his plans.

Asami groaned and rolled out of bed the next morning. The last night's events had weakened her somewhat, and with her luck, she now seemed to be coming down with something.

"It doesn't look like I'll make it to class today," she muttered, and tried to stand. Nausea overtook her, forcing her to sit back down on her bed. Struggling, she at least managed to shower and dress before settling down on the couch.

Kensaku knocked, and Asami grudgingly rose to let him in. He watched her nervously as she swayed on her feet before gripping her by the waist and guiding her back to the couch.

"What's the matter, lass?" he asked. His voice began to ring in her ears.

Asami sighed, her energy draining quickly. "It's just your typical stomach bug, I guess. But it's worse in me, because my body's defenses are down after last night... Ugh, my head..." Unable to sit up any longer, she went to rest her head on the back of the couch.

Kensaku settled down beside the girl and pulled her into his arms, letting her rest her head on his chest. "Well, I think you could use someone to look after you. You look just a tad green." [author's note: thanks to Pisces and her Alex character]

Asami lifted her head slightly. "Gee," she retorted, her voice hoarse. "Do you think so?" She placed her head back against his chest.

Kensaku grinned. "At least you still have a sense of humor."

Asami smiled. "Yes, there is that." She groaned and lay down on the couch, resting her head in Kensaku's lap instead.

Kensaku frowned. "I think you need someone to take care of you. I only have one class today anyway; I'm staying here."

"But you don't have to do that, Keelan," Asami protested. "I'll be alright."

"I'm staying, Wyna," Kensaku replied firmly. "I have to, for my own peace of mind. I need to make sure you're okay." He rose and went to the kitchen, digging for a can of broth and heating it on the stove. When he finished, he brought it back to Asami. "Here; you need to get something in your stomach."

Asami shuddered. "I should have realized I was coming down with something."

"No matter, lass... Just rest," Kensaku comforted her gently.

Knowing it was the only thing she was capable of doing at the moment, Asami obliged.

In downtown Tokyo, Kado appeared in an alley and stepped into the light. He laughed. Good; the place was highly crowded. The senshi would have to respond to a threat like this.

Pulling out a small crystal, he threw it before him, watching dark power radiate from the small item. With a small pop it began to grow, expanding across the street. Once it blocked the way from either side, its power grew, and the passerby began to scream in pain, clamping their hands over their ears.

Kado just smiled. The members of the general public were dropping like flies. The crystal would be enough, until the senshi arrived. Then the real fun would begin.