Happy New Year!!!
I can't promise everyone if I'd be able to update this story ASAP. My college semester across the Atlantic starts next week! I might see you again this summer. I'm SO SORRY!!!
TO MY REVIEWERS:
thescientist: yup I'm glad to be back too.well for awhile.hehe. Thanks for keeping up with me!
Sailor Emerald: Hehe thanks! I really have no objections whatsoever if you want to post my fic in your site.
Michelle Ann Myst Lady: I'm glad you understand my college predicament.phew.I just can't wait to get out of college! THANKS girl!
Tengokunou Arashi: Don't you just love cliff-hangers??? I'm sure you'll gonna love this chapter even more.
Mars Child: THANKS! I mean really thanks! But I didn't mean to make you cry though.
marstanuki: Hehe thanks! I tried to include Phobos and Deimos in this fic, but I can't seem to give them major roles. Basically, my focus is only on the relationship between the couple and it's kinda hard for me to write about the other characters.poo poo me really.
Priscilla: Hey girl! I feel much much better after reading the part where those flamers just wanted to start chaos. Hehe I think you'll get part of your.uhm.wish? in this chapter.hint: Hotohori vs. Tasuki. Like any other of your reviews, I'm so ecstatic of the way your mind seemed to work with mine.hehe. Poor poor Rei, but hey the past is the past, but her situation is so freaking challenging for me. I'm still debating what I should do with the couple. Oh well.I'm flying across the Atlantic again and I won't be able to write as much as I want. But I'LL BE BACK. THANKS Priscilla.
Chibi-chan: You love chocolates Chibi-chan? 'Coz I sure am and it makes me hyper all the time. Love those stuff! Well I hope you didn't mind those ugly reviews I had. People told me they just wanted to start some trouble. Hey thanks though! Taka and Rei.hmmm.that would be interesting.
I DO NOT OWN EVERYTHING HERE!!!
(Note: I made Hotohori single in my fic. I just don't want him to get married. I love that guy and he's all mine.ahem.)
Chapter 9
The activities at the palace seemed to be normal. One could almost overlook certain chaotic disturbances that pushed every palace residents to alert mode.almost. Since the death of the Konan emperor, Hotohori, the palace advisors still couldn't settle the issue of the heir to the thrown. Hotohori had never married and thus never had any children to succeed him. It's been almost three months and the empire of Konan didn't have an emperor. The chaos within the political side of the empire must be solved as soon as possible. However, the palace residents were facing other drastic setback right now. It would be a better idea to deal with this new found, or already existent, problem first.
The warriors of Suzaku were always welcome at the palace. They were the only reminders of the victory against the Kutou Empire and the sad but happy memories their emperor had embraced without wearing a royal mask. Konan would never be the same without their most gentle emperor, but the empire still strived. It was just that a figure head was needed.
The new threat to Konan, no, to the whole Universe of the Four Gods was the utmost importance, than finding a figure head for the empire. The palace gratefully welcomed the heroes who arrived at Konan yesterday carrying such a gloomy atmosphere with them. They were assigned to the same rooms where they used to reside. It was a bitter yet sweet remembrance of the good old not-as-complicated days they had shared.
The new arrival of the girl from Rei's world didn't bother the warriors and Miaka that much. Throughout the journey, she kept glaring evilly at Tasuki who was completely devoid of anything that's been happening since Rei's disappearance. Several tongue lashing remarks from the new blond-haired girl never seemed to move him. In short, their fiery comrade was not so fiery anymore.
Mina had been trying to evoke a response from the man who was Rei's soul mate. She was both surprise and amazed at how fate played with her best friend and this man. Yes, she could still feel the pain and that strain in the bonds between soul mates, but the overwhelming love that she could never doubt was there as well. Mina felt pity for him, for as long as Rei was gone, the fire that's been waiting to explode between their bonding souls would not be unleashed. Mina knew that it was up to Rei to accept and to return to her one true destiny.
Mina sighed again. The Konan palace was gorgeous, yet she felt so alone. She had gone to Earth with Makoto and Ami to discuss Rei's issue with Serenity. The only solution they could come up with was to call for Pluto. She had volunteered to go since she was the only one who had the ability to sense the bond. It took awhile to reach Pluto and asked for her help. The guardian of time and space finally succumbed but it came with a price. Mina's time was limited and she must act fast to stop the negaverse. Pluto didn't embellish the fact that Jedite wasn't as what he used to be. The power of Metallia was backing him and that's how he became powerful. Though Pluto had some doubts regarding defeating the negaverse, she was certain enough to sense that Mina would not be alone.
So this was how the Princess of Venus came to be at the Universe of the Four Gods, replacing Rei, who had been hurt so badly, and needed time and space to get away from the world where she had been forcefully sucked into and damaged by the one she was destined with. Mina still didn't know why her best friend's soul mate hurt her beyond reason.
Mina's thoughts were interrupted by the angry, authoritative voice coming from the court yard. It was Hotohori's, who seemed to be glowing red and looking furiously at the nonchalant Tasuki.
Mina's curiosity was piqued. She went behind the bush to have a better spot. She's not really a gossip monger but the obvious intensity of the encounter between the two Suzaku warriors, who without a doubt were talking about Rei, made the ever so bubbly princess to spy at them.
"What you did unintentionally cannot be undone, Tasuki. You still took away the virtue of that young lady. You weren't strong enough to protect her from even yourself!"
Mina was definitely taken by surprise with such enormous words from the former emperor of Konan. The blade that was pointed as a challenge towards Tasuki furthered her curiosity.
Rei must have really experienced the worst pain to evoke this kind of reaction from the emperor himself. What had Tasuki done?
Tasuki finally faced Hotohori, still with that lack of fire in his eyes. He accepted Hotohori's challenge despite the fact that Hotohori knew he was not totally at fault for causing Rei's pain.
.but I made her run away from me
"You're right, Highness, I'm not strong enough and I don't deserve her. But damn it I love her and I can't help feeling that way."
"Tasuki you are a fool. The lady was beyond your reach. She is like a goddess that no one can touch, not even us warriors of Suzaku. Your love was only an illusion, Tasuki. Your love had caused her pain." Hotohori could not fully accept Tasuki's devotion to Rei. He was still incensed about the despicable act he did to her. Just the thought of Rei's tears brought him even more to the brink in which he had to confront Tasuki.
Tasuki couldn't disagree with Hotohori. Part of him knew he was right by accusing him of not deserving of Rei, but the other part of him also knew that he couldn't live without her. She was his fire.
Tasuki touched his hair not for mere agitation but guilt and surrender to the profound feeling he was experiencing.
"I admit, I'm a fool, Highness, but that doesn't make me deny my feeling for Rei. I did those things to her, but deep inside I wanted to but not that way. Suzaku I didn't know what was wrong with me! I f*&^^%$% forced her! I couldn't control it, damn it! I hurt her! I hurt Rei, the only woman I love!"
No one had ever seen Tasuki kneeled with such desperation in his voice. He clapped his hands in front of his face and fell on his knees in front of Hotohori. The guilt and pain suffused within his self burst like the flame from the core of his heart. Watching his comrade in such a position, Hotohori smiled.
"Tasuki, I knew what you did was not your doing, and I know that despite your cruel jokes you have admired and loved her from the start. I wasn't blind Tasuki, but I wasn't blind to her pain either."
Tasuki looked up with pain filled eyes to Hotohori. Keeping his hands clenched on the ground, Tasuki wanted to run away. He didn't want to hear more of Rei's pain anymore.
"She told me what happened that night. I didn't want to believe that you are capable of such an act. Rei was devastated. She had cried all night. You changed her Tasuki."
Hotohori stared at the humbled man and finally lowered his sword. "She loved you too, you know."
Tasuki had the gall to smirked, but the spark of hope was there in his eyes. "Really, Highness, if she loved me too then why'd she go? Why do I feel as if she's never coming back?"
Hotohori sheathed his sword and turned his back. "You really are a fool, dear friend." Hotohori walked away fading into his ghost form, finally convinced that Tasuki was man enough to deserve the lady goddess.
"Highness, playing match maker now are we?"
Hotohori only smiled at the hovering ghost of Nuriko.
Meanwhile at the bushes, Mina was musing over what had just occurred when a sudden popping sound scared the wits out of her.
"That was pretty intense, no da."
Mina was so startled at Chichiri's sudden appearance that she stumbled backwards. Luckily, Chichiri was fast enough to catch her head before it hit the hard ground.
Mina blinked from the closeness of the monk's face. "Do you always wear that mask, Chichiri?"
For the first time, the wandering monk, also known as Chichiri of the Suzaku Sichiseishi, was speechless. It wasn't from the lack of words, but from the lack of breath. The girl in his arms had breathtaking beauty. He already noticed that since her appearance, but he never really looked at her this close.in his embrace.
"Chichiri?"
Chichiri was taken out of his revelry when he felt Mina's hands trying to take off his mask. He became tensed and Mina felt it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry your mask off."
"It's ok." He rather said to her distantly and it quite annoyed Mina.
"Did I really offend you that much? If so I'm really sorry." She pushed away his helping hands and stood herself up. There's no way this masked fellow was going to ruin her happy demeanor just because he couldn't elaborate what the hell made him so cold towards her.
.it was a just mask!
Chichiri watched as the blond girl walked away from him. He didn't get exactly what made him act as if she was harming him. She didn't do anything, and yet he couldn't keep his fear from turning into cold indifference towards her. He never felt this side of himself since.since his fiancé declined to marry him.
Chichiri stood up and with one last look, he bowed his head towards the direction of Mina.
"You didn't offend me."
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Jedite was pissed. He had felt her disappearance. Someone had interfered with his plan and took away Rei from him again.
The negaverse general snarled. He already planned to tear the heart out of the Suzaku warrior called Tasuki. Rei's sudden disappearance only heightened his resolve. He could bring her back again, with the help of Metallia's energy trapped in a cylindrical dome for him to control as he pleased. However, he needed the energy to conquer the Universe of the Four Gods once and for all and not to mention that the Suzaku warriors were going to be a pain in the bottom. Yes, he knew that Suzaku's chosen warriors were strong, but trickery and cunningness were his best advantage against them. Didn't he just throw them like a bag of garbage before? He thought of that scene again and laughed at the surprised face of the red head named Tasuki. Jedite laughed even more. A brilliant idea just occurred to him.
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Makoto, Ami, and Serenity did their best to cheer Rei up, but the sadness in her eyes could not be erased. It's already been almost two months since her "rescue" from the Universe of the Four Gods. The Princess of Mars was not the same person she was before her disappearance. Despite Rei's constant devotion to her five-in-the-morning meditation in front of her sacred fire, whenever Serenity pushed her far enough to produce a tongue lashing fight with her, the fire in Mars's eyes was not there. The two remaining inner senshi and the Queen of the Silver Millennium had no clue what to do.
Rei felt empty. She had never felt such emptiness this profound before, not even when she lost her family during the Great Battle. She knew what to do but she's just afraid to embrace and accept her destiny. Now here she was again in front of her sacred fire, reading it over and over again for the past several weeks and trying to figure out how to contact Mina. She didn't want to admit it but a certain red head kept intruding her thoughts, thus swaying her concentration often. She really was quite unstable.
Since arriving back at the Silver Millennium, she noticed instantly that one of her bonded best friends was missing. The puzzlement in her eyes was answered by Makoto. After the Princess of Jupiter's brief summary, Rei exploded into her popular temper and demanded for Mina to return back at once. Unfortunately, even the guardian of the time and space didn't appear to provide the only solution for Mina to get back. On top of that she wanted justice. It had been a bane of her existence to pursue justice for the sakes of her family, her people and her peace of mind. Now that Jedite finally showed himself, everyone in that world was in danger, especially.especially the person whom Rei loved.
Tasuki.
Rei's nights also seemed to be filled with her soul mate. She had been so emotional lately. She couldn't seem to depend wholeheartedly with her best friends anymore. Nevertheless, their constant support touched her, like always in the past. The link between her and Tasuki could never be broken and she could even feel it growing stronger despite the distance between them.
"Princess, you need to eat your breakfast. The others are waiting for you."
The light whispers of one of Rei's guardians shattered her concentration. "Ugh, Deimos, you know better than to interrupt me in here."
"Sorry princess but the others insisted that I fetch you now."
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming." Rei grumbled under her breath.
Deimos, one of the loyal appointed guardians to Rei, only shook her head both with amusement and concern etched on her forehead.
"Our princess has matured greatly." Phobos, Rei's other guardian appeared beside Deimos.
"I know.did you notice her physical change too?"
Phobos nodded her head, also looking at Rei's direction.
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Mina's first youma fight in Universe of the Four Gods happened in the second week of her stay at Konan. Ami's ingenious device alerted her whenever a youma happened to cause havoc.
The sudden beeping signal from her device startled the occupants in the hall where the seven warriors of Suzaku, their priestess, and herself were discussing how to deal with the enemy.
"I have to go guys." Mina jumped from her seat and rushed towards the door, only to be halted by Chichiri.
"We're coming with you." The blank mask said to her.
Mina was both amused and disappointed. The latter surprised her that she should feel such .but she told herself that's because Chichiri hid his real self behind a mask. It was just like Mina to think that since she was used to people shedding their illusions when they're around her. It was fitting to say that her personality spoke volume when it came to revealing one's true self, one's true intention, and one's true heart. That's why she's called the senshi of love.
Mina sighed yet again. "I'm sure Rei already told you this. Only the power of the senshi can defeat the negaverse. With your powers, it will take a little longer to kill a youma or two." With the looks the warriors were giving her, Mina didn't get a chance to finish her speech. "All right, all right, you can join me but don't complain to me when you have missing limbs."
The ghosts just grinned, but the living ones groaned.
Chichiri helped Mina with the device to locate the enemy that's probably already causing havoc somewhere. Mina was cool about it and ignored the annoying mask hovering close to her face.
Chichiri transported everyone (except Miaka who was mad for being left out and who finally agreed to stay at the palace after several tries from Taka) at the desert. Everyone had a bad feeling that something was quiet wrong.
"Why the desert? There's nothing here." The healer Mitsukake finally spoke.
Mina glanced at the boys and simply said "It's a trap."
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The breakfast went quite peacefully. The three princesses and the queen were now sitting in the veranda, enjoying a serene morning. Serenity noticed that Rei looked kind of pale.
"Rei, are you all right?"
It took a while to swallow some air into her lungs before she could answer and placate her queen.
"Have you been feeling ill lately?" Serenity asked cautiously.
With a nod from Rei, a smile grazed the queen's face. She looked at Ami and Makoto and they also knew what was going on. Rei, on the other hand, seemed to be concentrating to keep her food from escaping her stomach.
The silence went on for a bit longer when finally the Princess of Mars realized what was going on. How could she be so blind to the changes in her body? She's been mulling over her predicament that she became oblivious to even herself. A pang of something she couldn't name enveloped her senses that she felt both nauseous and happy. It's just as well since her inner turmoil was both uncertain and sure. Rei looked up at the people so dear to her and saw the support and happiness etched on their faces. She never doubted them to abandon her ever and that hope to reach her light, her destiny, opened even wider.
For the first time since she came back to the Silver Millennium, Rei smiled.
"I'm pregnant."
Her best friends hugged her but careful not to crush her. Tears were streaming from their eyes. Pain mixed with joy as the bonded friends continued to share and support the agony and longing of their fiery princess.
"Hey girl, you know we'll always be there for you right?" Makoto exclaimed through the bouts of tears she was trying to stifle. "But man! If that Tasuki guy were here, I'll pound him to bits and pieces!"
"Mako-chan!" Ami's quite amused reprimand only added to the hilarity and seriousness of the situation.
"I.I found him, yet I don't know if I could..if I could."
"We know, Rei, but the deed is already done and it is better to leave it in the past." A hurt expression from Rei made Serenity paused. "But you can't change the fact that he is your soul mate, the man you're heart, body, and soul belong to."
Serenity clutched Rei's closed fists. "It's going to be all right Rei-chan. Just learn to trust again."
Rei closed her eyes for a bit. "It's hard.it's just hard to be able to."
Serenity remembered how painful and hard it was for Rei to finally reveal what happened to her. It shocked them for the things that Rei went through were so unforgivable. Serenity grimaced, remembering how Makoto reacted. It was definitely a good thing that Tasuki was not present at that moment. Ami, on the other hand, stayed reserved and calm, but if one looked closely at her eyes, that person would have frozen to death. Nonetheless, she herself portrayed an uncommon anger that was only reserved whenever the people she loved were hurt.and that's not very consistent nowadays since the last Great Battle.
Rei's suffering had affected them all. They wanted to erase that pain, but despite their efforts, Rei remained so un-Rei like. Makoto, Ami, and Serenity, even Mina who already knew the basics of what happened to Rei, knew that there's only one solution to their best friend's dilemma.
"You love him don't you Rei?"
Rei wanted to deny it, but ever since.ever since their bonding she had felt it. The proof that Tasuki was her soul mate just grew and grew. The bonding of their bodies just entwined their souls and Rei had realized it then. The feeling was already there, it was just that she's blinded by the mission and the constant bickering they threw at each other. But even those mockeries, those non-stop insults, the fire was already burning inside her, telling her that her heart was changing. Tasuki was her partner for life, the man whom her everything belonged to and the father of the child she's carrying.
New tears streamed down her face. "Yes, I love him. Damn it! I love him despite everything."
The friends huddled together again to comfort Rei.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Makoto who was wiping both her face and Rei's managed to choke out her question.
Rei smiled again through her tears. She didn't need any words to know that her friends agreed with her.
At her shrine, where her sacred fire was forever burning, Rei felt the tremors within her. It felt as if her own sacred fire was trying to burn her. It was trying to tell her something.
Makoto, Ami, and Serenity looked at each other, knowing that Rei was totally focused with her reading. They waited until Rei spoke to them of what she saw. She was trembling from what the fire revealed to her.
Tasuki's in danger.
Rei had doubts if she had the power to transport herself, but she asked everyone anyway to combine their powers in order for her to get back to the Universe of the Four Gods. She was sure that she needed something from that world as some kind of a connection device to focus her power. She didn't need anything tangible, however, for she's already carrying it.her connection to that world.her and Tasuki's child.
Serenity interrupted Rei from doing what she was about to do.
Serenity's cue finally came. She secretly went to the time gates to seek Sailor Pluto right after Rei revealed her painful experience. After the Queen of the Silver Millennium asked, or rather demanded, to give her the key to the Universe of the Four Gods, Pluto just smiled secretly.
Serenity hid the key until Rei was ready to accept her destiny. She already told Makoto and Ami of her plan and they both readily agreed.
"Rei here's something from me, but promise that you won't open it until you get back to that world." Ami handed a velvety package to Rei, who was a little surprised at the mischief she saw behind her blue-haired friend's smile.
Rei had this confuse look on her face. She didn't get why Ami was giving her a present. It's not even her birthday yet and on top of it the action seemed kind of bizarre since they were supposed to concentrate on the task at hand.
"Thanks Ami-chan, but." Rei was further surprised at the fierce hug the Princess of Mercury gave her.
"Be careful and be happy Rei-chan." Ami tried to smile through her tears.
Serenity stepped up and held her dear friend's sweaty palm and disclosed to her the portal key.
"That's Sailor Pluto's key! How." Rei's heart beat quite rapidly after seeing her only hope to save the people, the person she held dear.
"It's a long story, but Pluto grudgingly gave it to me. I'm her queen for Selene's sake and she must obey me." A wink from Serenity closed everyone's gaping mouths. That was surprising to hear Serenity taking advantage of her station. She never did it before, but when it came to fulfilling one of her best friend's destinies, there was no denying her.
A nervous, yet goofy laughter erupted from the group.
"And here's my going away present to you Rei-chan."
"Thanks Mako-chan, but you guys didn't have to give me anything. It's not like we won't see each other again."
"We love you Rei and we just want to give you a little bit of something."
Rei just rolled her eyes, knowing her best friends these so called 'a little bit of something' tends to be not what they seemed to be.
"Ready Rei-chan?"
"I don't know if I'm ever going to be ready anymore, but yes I'm eager to face any obstacles that are going to be thrown at me." Rei looked at her long time friends again and couldn't stop another batch of tears from falling.
"I really am getting emotional am I?" She laughed at her own statement.
"Oh Rei." Serenity hugged her fiery best friend once more. Wiping away her tears, Serenity gave her a wonderfully covered round box. "Here's my own present for you."
The queen of the Silver Millennium raised her hand and chanted the right words to transport Rei to the Universe of the Four Gods.
For the sake of Rei's happiness, they were willing to let go of her. It didn't matter how great the distance was going to be between them, their hearts would always be together. Who knows.they would see each other again someday...
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"It's about time, Mars." Pluto said quietly to herself, watching the gates as the senshi of Mars appeared just on time. She already knew that Venus couldn't handle Jedite alone, it's was just a matter of time that Mars realized that her own destiny was in the Universe of the Four Gods.
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The fight was not as intense as Mina had expected it to be. Sailor Venus alone had defeated the youma in one single blow with her "Love Me Chain" attack.
Everyone, however, still felt something was terribly wrong.
Sailor Venus felt a bitter tang in the air, the same sense she felt during the Great Battle.
I see.
"Well Jedite, are you going to show your ugly face here or not?! Still hiding behind that despicable bitch Metallia?!"
As the leader of the senshi, Venus was responsible for her team's well- being. The Great Battle that was initiated by the dark entity called Metallia tested her limits, but she with her senshi's help prevailed. Metallia was nonetheless destroyed, but not totally, as proof of that unsavory extract she could feel.
"Sailor Venus!" Hissed Jedite as he appeared in front of the heroes. His eyes avoided Venus for a second to gaze at his intended target.
"Nice to see you again too Jedite!"
Jedite grinned evilly, "I'm sorry if I'm lacking the courtesy to be polite senshi, but I came here to eliminate some obstacles."
Tasuki didn't miss that insinuation directed towards him, and the red head had the gall to grin earning him an approval from his comrades. At least his fire was back in front of his enemy.
Venus also didn't miss that hint. Jedite, she guessed, must have known that Tasuki was Rei's soul mate.
"Venus crescent beam!"
Jedite easily blocked it.
"You really think you can hurt me with that Venus?!" Jedite laughed even harder. "Nothing can beat me now"
For once in her life as a senshi, Venus didn't doubt what Jedite said. The power of Metallia was backing him. Even if it was not as powerful as during the Great Battle where Serenity's silver crystal was needed, she couldn't stop Jedite by herself.
Why didn't Pluto tell me this before?
The guys seem to notice this and they didn't hesitate to throw their own powers at the blue-eyed enemy.
Jedite smirked at the orange clad senshi's reaction. "I'll come again to finish you off later Venus." The general then turned towards his intended target.
"Run Tasuki!" Venus yelled at the enraged red head.
"I'll not run away from this mother f*&%&$&%*&er!" Tasuki yelled back as he prepared his tessen to counter attack the probable blow from Jedite.
Jedite just smiled further at him. "I can't imagine why Rei is fond of you..I just can't imagine. A puny little thing like you. Rei needs a strong man, like me. Rei will belong again to me!"
"Rei was never yours to begin with, nega trash!" Venus was angry at the man's chauvinistic proclamation about her best friend. She wanted to scream that Jedite already lost his claim to her fiery fellow senshi. Rei had now found her soul mate in Tasuki. Venus smiled, thinking of the belittling words Jedite had just said 'puny little thing like you'. She's thinking of what would Jedite's reaction would be when he found out the result of the bonded mates' inner powers. Unfortunately, Tasuki was new to this.
Rei would be the only one to teach him to unleash that power.
Jedite ignored Venus and looked at the red seishi.
Tasuki wasn't paying attention to his comrades' warnings. He was on fire. How dare this piece of shit claimed Rei was his. Just the thought of Rei in this bastard's arms made his blood boil. Rei was his woman and he would never ever let this blue-eyed scum take her.
Jedite didn't see it coming. It came so fast that he didn't even have a chance to blink. He was hit.
Where did that come from?!
"Damn!" Cursed Tasuki. He was surprise at his own show of fire power, but he aimed it a little too high. His stunned position gave Jedite a chance to counter back.
The others saw the attack coming and this time they were ready, not to be caught unaware again.
Chichiri managed to build a shield around Tasuki and the rest of the gang attacked with all their mights. However, despite Jedite's injury the power of Metallia was stronger than them. Jedite merely deflected them.
Summoning the dark powers of the negaverse, he blasted the warriors. Grimacing with his own pain, Jedite directed his attention back to Tasuki.
"Now, you die!"
"Flame sniper!"
More surprises were on Jedite and he didn't like it one single bit. He was already weakening from his relentless blockings. He had been burned badly before and the wounds he would receive would be even more severe if he couldn't get out of his beloved's inferno.
Calling out for help to his unlikely ally, Jedite took one more glimpse at the couple.
"REI!" Jedite yelled his pain, his promise before he disappeared.
Rei, who was in her senshi form, transported just in time to prevent Jedite's dark power to kill her soul mate. She appeared right in front of Tasuki.
"Rei" "Tasuki"
The couple said at the same time and blushed as a result.well more like a scowl coming from Tasuki.
Rei could have said more but Tasuki put his finger on her lips. She was stunned by the longing and something else that's so profound she couldn't seem to breathe.
Tasuki wasn't even aware that he pulled Rei to him and held her so close, as if she was his only life support. Nothing else mattered as long as his beloved was there within his arms. All he could think of was that Rei was back and he would never let her go, no mater how long it would take for him to earn her trust, her love. He would kill anybody who dared touch her. He vowed that no one would ever claim her, especially that slime Jedite.
"Tasuki, I can't breathe."
Tasuki eased his hold a little, but his arms remained on her hips. Rei was giving him a confuse glare with those beautiful eyes of hers and he wanted to smile.
My fire brand is back.
Rei wanted to hold him back but it was still hard for her to show what she really felt for him. She really did want to touch his face and look at his wonderful eyes forever. A strand of his red hair fell over his eyes and she was itching to show him how much she yearned to caress it away. Still, she held back.
Tasuki was not discouraged however. He pulled Rei back within his arms and bent his head at the hollow of her neck. Tasuki couldn't help feeling so relieved and so complete just holding his woman. He didn't even notice that he managed to lift Rei off the ground as he held her to him and cradled her head, feeling the silkiness of her hair.
Rei felt warmed by his action. She could feel his hot breath on her exposed neck, felt his lips brushed lightly. His strong arms wound around her, clinging around her waist, massaging her hair. He was so warm, so tender that Rei just wanted to surrender, yet she didn't want to.
The rest of the gang felt elated. They managed to ignore their hurts as they watched their fiery comrade hugged Rei as if nothing could separate him from her.
"MARS!" Venus rushed to her best friend, ecstatic to see her even though she shouldn't have gone with the trouble to get back and be in danger again.
Tasuki let go of Rei to let the rushing blond gain her fire brand's attention. He watched the two hugged each other. He watched his woman laughed and happy. He couldn't help but grinned and smirked too. Doubts started to plague him. He wanted Rei to smile like that to him, he wanted Rei to be happy around him. He wondered if Rei would truly be his. Tasuki could still feel Rei's resistance to him, but he didn't care. He just wanted her to be here with him. Did she come back.for him? He told himself that Rei had a mission to annihilate the enemy called the negaverse. Was that the only reason she came back? But those glorious amethyst eyes of hers told him otherwise.
Tasuki held that hope dearly within his heart.
Meanwhile the best friends finally finished their hugging. Mina was surprised, really surprised. Rei sensed that her blond friend became stiff, then giddy all of a sudden. Before Mars could utter a single word to ask what the hell was wrong with her, Mina jumped around with glee.
"Oh Selene! This is wonderful! Rei why didn't you tell me you're pregnant!"
That clumsy revelation froze everyone, especially the father of the unborn child.
Well everyone, that's it for now! Happy New Year again!!!
~fleur~
I can't promise everyone if I'd be able to update this story ASAP. My college semester across the Atlantic starts next week! I might see you again this summer. I'm SO SORRY!!!
TO MY REVIEWERS:
thescientist: yup I'm glad to be back too.well for awhile.hehe. Thanks for keeping up with me!
Sailor Emerald: Hehe thanks! I really have no objections whatsoever if you want to post my fic in your site.
Michelle Ann Myst Lady: I'm glad you understand my college predicament.phew.I just can't wait to get out of college! THANKS girl!
Tengokunou Arashi: Don't you just love cliff-hangers??? I'm sure you'll gonna love this chapter even more.
Mars Child: THANKS! I mean really thanks! But I didn't mean to make you cry though.
marstanuki: Hehe thanks! I tried to include Phobos and Deimos in this fic, but I can't seem to give them major roles. Basically, my focus is only on the relationship between the couple and it's kinda hard for me to write about the other characters.poo poo me really.
Priscilla: Hey girl! I feel much much better after reading the part where those flamers just wanted to start chaos. Hehe I think you'll get part of your.uhm.wish? in this chapter.hint: Hotohori vs. Tasuki. Like any other of your reviews, I'm so ecstatic of the way your mind seemed to work with mine.hehe. Poor poor Rei, but hey the past is the past, but her situation is so freaking challenging for me. I'm still debating what I should do with the couple. Oh well.I'm flying across the Atlantic again and I won't be able to write as much as I want. But I'LL BE BACK. THANKS Priscilla.
Chibi-chan: You love chocolates Chibi-chan? 'Coz I sure am and it makes me hyper all the time. Love those stuff! Well I hope you didn't mind those ugly reviews I had. People told me they just wanted to start some trouble. Hey thanks though! Taka and Rei.hmmm.that would be interesting.
I DO NOT OWN EVERYTHING HERE!!!
(Note: I made Hotohori single in my fic. I just don't want him to get married. I love that guy and he's all mine.ahem.)
Chapter 9
The activities at the palace seemed to be normal. One could almost overlook certain chaotic disturbances that pushed every palace residents to alert mode.almost. Since the death of the Konan emperor, Hotohori, the palace advisors still couldn't settle the issue of the heir to the thrown. Hotohori had never married and thus never had any children to succeed him. It's been almost three months and the empire of Konan didn't have an emperor. The chaos within the political side of the empire must be solved as soon as possible. However, the palace residents were facing other drastic setback right now. It would be a better idea to deal with this new found, or already existent, problem first.
The warriors of Suzaku were always welcome at the palace. They were the only reminders of the victory against the Kutou Empire and the sad but happy memories their emperor had embraced without wearing a royal mask. Konan would never be the same without their most gentle emperor, but the empire still strived. It was just that a figure head was needed.
The new threat to Konan, no, to the whole Universe of the Four Gods was the utmost importance, than finding a figure head for the empire. The palace gratefully welcomed the heroes who arrived at Konan yesterday carrying such a gloomy atmosphere with them. They were assigned to the same rooms where they used to reside. It was a bitter yet sweet remembrance of the good old not-as-complicated days they had shared.
The new arrival of the girl from Rei's world didn't bother the warriors and Miaka that much. Throughout the journey, she kept glaring evilly at Tasuki who was completely devoid of anything that's been happening since Rei's disappearance. Several tongue lashing remarks from the new blond-haired girl never seemed to move him. In short, their fiery comrade was not so fiery anymore.
Mina had been trying to evoke a response from the man who was Rei's soul mate. She was both surprise and amazed at how fate played with her best friend and this man. Yes, she could still feel the pain and that strain in the bonds between soul mates, but the overwhelming love that she could never doubt was there as well. Mina felt pity for him, for as long as Rei was gone, the fire that's been waiting to explode between their bonding souls would not be unleashed. Mina knew that it was up to Rei to accept and to return to her one true destiny.
Mina sighed again. The Konan palace was gorgeous, yet she felt so alone. She had gone to Earth with Makoto and Ami to discuss Rei's issue with Serenity. The only solution they could come up with was to call for Pluto. She had volunteered to go since she was the only one who had the ability to sense the bond. It took awhile to reach Pluto and asked for her help. The guardian of time and space finally succumbed but it came with a price. Mina's time was limited and she must act fast to stop the negaverse. Pluto didn't embellish the fact that Jedite wasn't as what he used to be. The power of Metallia was backing him and that's how he became powerful. Though Pluto had some doubts regarding defeating the negaverse, she was certain enough to sense that Mina would not be alone.
So this was how the Princess of Venus came to be at the Universe of the Four Gods, replacing Rei, who had been hurt so badly, and needed time and space to get away from the world where she had been forcefully sucked into and damaged by the one she was destined with. Mina still didn't know why her best friend's soul mate hurt her beyond reason.
Mina's thoughts were interrupted by the angry, authoritative voice coming from the court yard. It was Hotohori's, who seemed to be glowing red and looking furiously at the nonchalant Tasuki.
Mina's curiosity was piqued. She went behind the bush to have a better spot. She's not really a gossip monger but the obvious intensity of the encounter between the two Suzaku warriors, who without a doubt were talking about Rei, made the ever so bubbly princess to spy at them.
"What you did unintentionally cannot be undone, Tasuki. You still took away the virtue of that young lady. You weren't strong enough to protect her from even yourself!"
Mina was definitely taken by surprise with such enormous words from the former emperor of Konan. The blade that was pointed as a challenge towards Tasuki furthered her curiosity.
Rei must have really experienced the worst pain to evoke this kind of reaction from the emperor himself. What had Tasuki done?
Tasuki finally faced Hotohori, still with that lack of fire in his eyes. He accepted Hotohori's challenge despite the fact that Hotohori knew he was not totally at fault for causing Rei's pain.
.but I made her run away from me
"You're right, Highness, I'm not strong enough and I don't deserve her. But damn it I love her and I can't help feeling that way."
"Tasuki you are a fool. The lady was beyond your reach. She is like a goddess that no one can touch, not even us warriors of Suzaku. Your love was only an illusion, Tasuki. Your love had caused her pain." Hotohori could not fully accept Tasuki's devotion to Rei. He was still incensed about the despicable act he did to her. Just the thought of Rei's tears brought him even more to the brink in which he had to confront Tasuki.
Tasuki couldn't disagree with Hotohori. Part of him knew he was right by accusing him of not deserving of Rei, but the other part of him also knew that he couldn't live without her. She was his fire.
Tasuki touched his hair not for mere agitation but guilt and surrender to the profound feeling he was experiencing.
"I admit, I'm a fool, Highness, but that doesn't make me deny my feeling for Rei. I did those things to her, but deep inside I wanted to but not that way. Suzaku I didn't know what was wrong with me! I f*&^^%$% forced her! I couldn't control it, damn it! I hurt her! I hurt Rei, the only woman I love!"
No one had ever seen Tasuki kneeled with such desperation in his voice. He clapped his hands in front of his face and fell on his knees in front of Hotohori. The guilt and pain suffused within his self burst like the flame from the core of his heart. Watching his comrade in such a position, Hotohori smiled.
"Tasuki, I knew what you did was not your doing, and I know that despite your cruel jokes you have admired and loved her from the start. I wasn't blind Tasuki, but I wasn't blind to her pain either."
Tasuki looked up with pain filled eyes to Hotohori. Keeping his hands clenched on the ground, Tasuki wanted to run away. He didn't want to hear more of Rei's pain anymore.
"She told me what happened that night. I didn't want to believe that you are capable of such an act. Rei was devastated. She had cried all night. You changed her Tasuki."
Hotohori stared at the humbled man and finally lowered his sword. "She loved you too, you know."
Tasuki had the gall to smirked, but the spark of hope was there in his eyes. "Really, Highness, if she loved me too then why'd she go? Why do I feel as if she's never coming back?"
Hotohori sheathed his sword and turned his back. "You really are a fool, dear friend." Hotohori walked away fading into his ghost form, finally convinced that Tasuki was man enough to deserve the lady goddess.
"Highness, playing match maker now are we?"
Hotohori only smiled at the hovering ghost of Nuriko.
Meanwhile at the bushes, Mina was musing over what had just occurred when a sudden popping sound scared the wits out of her.
"That was pretty intense, no da."
Mina was so startled at Chichiri's sudden appearance that she stumbled backwards. Luckily, Chichiri was fast enough to catch her head before it hit the hard ground.
Mina blinked from the closeness of the monk's face. "Do you always wear that mask, Chichiri?"
For the first time, the wandering monk, also known as Chichiri of the Suzaku Sichiseishi, was speechless. It wasn't from the lack of words, but from the lack of breath. The girl in his arms had breathtaking beauty. He already noticed that since her appearance, but he never really looked at her this close.in his embrace.
"Chichiri?"
Chichiri was taken out of his revelry when he felt Mina's hands trying to take off his mask. He became tensed and Mina felt it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry your mask off."
"It's ok." He rather said to her distantly and it quite annoyed Mina.
"Did I really offend you that much? If so I'm really sorry." She pushed away his helping hands and stood herself up. There's no way this masked fellow was going to ruin her happy demeanor just because he couldn't elaborate what the hell made him so cold towards her.
.it was a just mask!
Chichiri watched as the blond girl walked away from him. He didn't get exactly what made him act as if she was harming him. She didn't do anything, and yet he couldn't keep his fear from turning into cold indifference towards her. He never felt this side of himself since.since his fiancé declined to marry him.
Chichiri stood up and with one last look, he bowed his head towards the direction of Mina.
"You didn't offend me."
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Jedite was pissed. He had felt her disappearance. Someone had interfered with his plan and took away Rei from him again.
The negaverse general snarled. He already planned to tear the heart out of the Suzaku warrior called Tasuki. Rei's sudden disappearance only heightened his resolve. He could bring her back again, with the help of Metallia's energy trapped in a cylindrical dome for him to control as he pleased. However, he needed the energy to conquer the Universe of the Four Gods once and for all and not to mention that the Suzaku warriors were going to be a pain in the bottom. Yes, he knew that Suzaku's chosen warriors were strong, but trickery and cunningness were his best advantage against them. Didn't he just throw them like a bag of garbage before? He thought of that scene again and laughed at the surprised face of the red head named Tasuki. Jedite laughed even more. A brilliant idea just occurred to him.
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Makoto, Ami, and Serenity did their best to cheer Rei up, but the sadness in her eyes could not be erased. It's already been almost two months since her "rescue" from the Universe of the Four Gods. The Princess of Mars was not the same person she was before her disappearance. Despite Rei's constant devotion to her five-in-the-morning meditation in front of her sacred fire, whenever Serenity pushed her far enough to produce a tongue lashing fight with her, the fire in Mars's eyes was not there. The two remaining inner senshi and the Queen of the Silver Millennium had no clue what to do.
Rei felt empty. She had never felt such emptiness this profound before, not even when she lost her family during the Great Battle. She knew what to do but she's just afraid to embrace and accept her destiny. Now here she was again in front of her sacred fire, reading it over and over again for the past several weeks and trying to figure out how to contact Mina. She didn't want to admit it but a certain red head kept intruding her thoughts, thus swaying her concentration often. She really was quite unstable.
Since arriving back at the Silver Millennium, she noticed instantly that one of her bonded best friends was missing. The puzzlement in her eyes was answered by Makoto. After the Princess of Jupiter's brief summary, Rei exploded into her popular temper and demanded for Mina to return back at once. Unfortunately, even the guardian of the time and space didn't appear to provide the only solution for Mina to get back. On top of that she wanted justice. It had been a bane of her existence to pursue justice for the sakes of her family, her people and her peace of mind. Now that Jedite finally showed himself, everyone in that world was in danger, especially.especially the person whom Rei loved.
Tasuki.
Rei's nights also seemed to be filled with her soul mate. She had been so emotional lately. She couldn't seem to depend wholeheartedly with her best friends anymore. Nevertheless, their constant support touched her, like always in the past. The link between her and Tasuki could never be broken and she could even feel it growing stronger despite the distance between them.
"Princess, you need to eat your breakfast. The others are waiting for you."
The light whispers of one of Rei's guardians shattered her concentration. "Ugh, Deimos, you know better than to interrupt me in here."
"Sorry princess but the others insisted that I fetch you now."
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming." Rei grumbled under her breath.
Deimos, one of the loyal appointed guardians to Rei, only shook her head both with amusement and concern etched on her forehead.
"Our princess has matured greatly." Phobos, Rei's other guardian appeared beside Deimos.
"I know.did you notice her physical change too?"
Phobos nodded her head, also looking at Rei's direction.
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Mina's first youma fight in Universe of the Four Gods happened in the second week of her stay at Konan. Ami's ingenious device alerted her whenever a youma happened to cause havoc.
The sudden beeping signal from her device startled the occupants in the hall where the seven warriors of Suzaku, their priestess, and herself were discussing how to deal with the enemy.
"I have to go guys." Mina jumped from her seat and rushed towards the door, only to be halted by Chichiri.
"We're coming with you." The blank mask said to her.
Mina was both amused and disappointed. The latter surprised her that she should feel such .but she told herself that's because Chichiri hid his real self behind a mask. It was just like Mina to think that since she was used to people shedding their illusions when they're around her. It was fitting to say that her personality spoke volume when it came to revealing one's true self, one's true intention, and one's true heart. That's why she's called the senshi of love.
Mina sighed yet again. "I'm sure Rei already told you this. Only the power of the senshi can defeat the negaverse. With your powers, it will take a little longer to kill a youma or two." With the looks the warriors were giving her, Mina didn't get a chance to finish her speech. "All right, all right, you can join me but don't complain to me when you have missing limbs."
The ghosts just grinned, but the living ones groaned.
Chichiri helped Mina with the device to locate the enemy that's probably already causing havoc somewhere. Mina was cool about it and ignored the annoying mask hovering close to her face.
Chichiri transported everyone (except Miaka who was mad for being left out and who finally agreed to stay at the palace after several tries from Taka) at the desert. Everyone had a bad feeling that something was quiet wrong.
"Why the desert? There's nothing here." The healer Mitsukake finally spoke.
Mina glanced at the boys and simply said "It's a trap."
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The breakfast went quite peacefully. The three princesses and the queen were now sitting in the veranda, enjoying a serene morning. Serenity noticed that Rei looked kind of pale.
"Rei, are you all right?"
It took a while to swallow some air into her lungs before she could answer and placate her queen.
"Have you been feeling ill lately?" Serenity asked cautiously.
With a nod from Rei, a smile grazed the queen's face. She looked at Ami and Makoto and they also knew what was going on. Rei, on the other hand, seemed to be concentrating to keep her food from escaping her stomach.
The silence went on for a bit longer when finally the Princess of Mars realized what was going on. How could she be so blind to the changes in her body? She's been mulling over her predicament that she became oblivious to even herself. A pang of something she couldn't name enveloped her senses that she felt both nauseous and happy. It's just as well since her inner turmoil was both uncertain and sure. Rei looked up at the people so dear to her and saw the support and happiness etched on their faces. She never doubted them to abandon her ever and that hope to reach her light, her destiny, opened even wider.
For the first time since she came back to the Silver Millennium, Rei smiled.
"I'm pregnant."
Her best friends hugged her but careful not to crush her. Tears were streaming from their eyes. Pain mixed with joy as the bonded friends continued to share and support the agony and longing of their fiery princess.
"Hey girl, you know we'll always be there for you right?" Makoto exclaimed through the bouts of tears she was trying to stifle. "But man! If that Tasuki guy were here, I'll pound him to bits and pieces!"
"Mako-chan!" Ami's quite amused reprimand only added to the hilarity and seriousness of the situation.
"I.I found him, yet I don't know if I could..if I could."
"We know, Rei, but the deed is already done and it is better to leave it in the past." A hurt expression from Rei made Serenity paused. "But you can't change the fact that he is your soul mate, the man you're heart, body, and soul belong to."
Serenity clutched Rei's closed fists. "It's going to be all right Rei-chan. Just learn to trust again."
Rei closed her eyes for a bit. "It's hard.it's just hard to be able to."
Serenity remembered how painful and hard it was for Rei to finally reveal what happened to her. It shocked them for the things that Rei went through were so unforgivable. Serenity grimaced, remembering how Makoto reacted. It was definitely a good thing that Tasuki was not present at that moment. Ami, on the other hand, stayed reserved and calm, but if one looked closely at her eyes, that person would have frozen to death. Nonetheless, she herself portrayed an uncommon anger that was only reserved whenever the people she loved were hurt.and that's not very consistent nowadays since the last Great Battle.
Rei's suffering had affected them all. They wanted to erase that pain, but despite their efforts, Rei remained so un-Rei like. Makoto, Ami, and Serenity, even Mina who already knew the basics of what happened to Rei, knew that there's only one solution to their best friend's dilemma.
"You love him don't you Rei?"
Rei wanted to deny it, but ever since.ever since their bonding she had felt it. The proof that Tasuki was her soul mate just grew and grew. The bonding of their bodies just entwined their souls and Rei had realized it then. The feeling was already there, it was just that she's blinded by the mission and the constant bickering they threw at each other. But even those mockeries, those non-stop insults, the fire was already burning inside her, telling her that her heart was changing. Tasuki was her partner for life, the man whom her everything belonged to and the father of the child she's carrying.
New tears streamed down her face. "Yes, I love him. Damn it! I love him despite everything."
The friends huddled together again to comfort Rei.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Makoto who was wiping both her face and Rei's managed to choke out her question.
Rei smiled again through her tears. She didn't need any words to know that her friends agreed with her.
At her shrine, where her sacred fire was forever burning, Rei felt the tremors within her. It felt as if her own sacred fire was trying to burn her. It was trying to tell her something.
Makoto, Ami, and Serenity looked at each other, knowing that Rei was totally focused with her reading. They waited until Rei spoke to them of what she saw. She was trembling from what the fire revealed to her.
Tasuki's in danger.
Rei had doubts if she had the power to transport herself, but she asked everyone anyway to combine their powers in order for her to get back to the Universe of the Four Gods. She was sure that she needed something from that world as some kind of a connection device to focus her power. She didn't need anything tangible, however, for she's already carrying it.her connection to that world.her and Tasuki's child.
Serenity interrupted Rei from doing what she was about to do.
Serenity's cue finally came. She secretly went to the time gates to seek Sailor Pluto right after Rei revealed her painful experience. After the Queen of the Silver Millennium asked, or rather demanded, to give her the key to the Universe of the Four Gods, Pluto just smiled secretly.
Serenity hid the key until Rei was ready to accept her destiny. She already told Makoto and Ami of her plan and they both readily agreed.
"Rei here's something from me, but promise that you won't open it until you get back to that world." Ami handed a velvety package to Rei, who was a little surprised at the mischief she saw behind her blue-haired friend's smile.
Rei had this confuse look on her face. She didn't get why Ami was giving her a present. It's not even her birthday yet and on top of it the action seemed kind of bizarre since they were supposed to concentrate on the task at hand.
"Thanks Ami-chan, but." Rei was further surprised at the fierce hug the Princess of Mercury gave her.
"Be careful and be happy Rei-chan." Ami tried to smile through her tears.
Serenity stepped up and held her dear friend's sweaty palm and disclosed to her the portal key.
"That's Sailor Pluto's key! How." Rei's heart beat quite rapidly after seeing her only hope to save the people, the person she held dear.
"It's a long story, but Pluto grudgingly gave it to me. I'm her queen for Selene's sake and she must obey me." A wink from Serenity closed everyone's gaping mouths. That was surprising to hear Serenity taking advantage of her station. She never did it before, but when it came to fulfilling one of her best friend's destinies, there was no denying her.
A nervous, yet goofy laughter erupted from the group.
"And here's my going away present to you Rei-chan."
"Thanks Mako-chan, but you guys didn't have to give me anything. It's not like we won't see each other again."
"We love you Rei and we just want to give you a little bit of something."
Rei just rolled her eyes, knowing her best friends these so called 'a little bit of something' tends to be not what they seemed to be.
"Ready Rei-chan?"
"I don't know if I'm ever going to be ready anymore, but yes I'm eager to face any obstacles that are going to be thrown at me." Rei looked at her long time friends again and couldn't stop another batch of tears from falling.
"I really am getting emotional am I?" She laughed at her own statement.
"Oh Rei." Serenity hugged her fiery best friend once more. Wiping away her tears, Serenity gave her a wonderfully covered round box. "Here's my own present for you."
The queen of the Silver Millennium raised her hand and chanted the right words to transport Rei to the Universe of the Four Gods.
For the sake of Rei's happiness, they were willing to let go of her. It didn't matter how great the distance was going to be between them, their hearts would always be together. Who knows.they would see each other again someday...
~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It's about time, Mars." Pluto said quietly to herself, watching the gates as the senshi of Mars appeared just on time. She already knew that Venus couldn't handle Jedite alone, it's was just a matter of time that Mars realized that her own destiny was in the Universe of the Four Gods.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The fight was not as intense as Mina had expected it to be. Sailor Venus alone had defeated the youma in one single blow with her "Love Me Chain" attack.
Everyone, however, still felt something was terribly wrong.
Sailor Venus felt a bitter tang in the air, the same sense she felt during the Great Battle.
I see.
"Well Jedite, are you going to show your ugly face here or not?! Still hiding behind that despicable bitch Metallia?!"
As the leader of the senshi, Venus was responsible for her team's well- being. The Great Battle that was initiated by the dark entity called Metallia tested her limits, but she with her senshi's help prevailed. Metallia was nonetheless destroyed, but not totally, as proof of that unsavory extract she could feel.
"Sailor Venus!" Hissed Jedite as he appeared in front of the heroes. His eyes avoided Venus for a second to gaze at his intended target.
"Nice to see you again too Jedite!"
Jedite grinned evilly, "I'm sorry if I'm lacking the courtesy to be polite senshi, but I came here to eliminate some obstacles."
Tasuki didn't miss that insinuation directed towards him, and the red head had the gall to grin earning him an approval from his comrades. At least his fire was back in front of his enemy.
Venus also didn't miss that hint. Jedite, she guessed, must have known that Tasuki was Rei's soul mate.
"Venus crescent beam!"
Jedite easily blocked it.
"You really think you can hurt me with that Venus?!" Jedite laughed even harder. "Nothing can beat me now"
For once in her life as a senshi, Venus didn't doubt what Jedite said. The power of Metallia was backing him. Even if it was not as powerful as during the Great Battle where Serenity's silver crystal was needed, she couldn't stop Jedite by herself.
Why didn't Pluto tell me this before?
The guys seem to notice this and they didn't hesitate to throw their own powers at the blue-eyed enemy.
Jedite smirked at the orange clad senshi's reaction. "I'll come again to finish you off later Venus." The general then turned towards his intended target.
"Run Tasuki!" Venus yelled at the enraged red head.
"I'll not run away from this mother f*&%&$&%*&er!" Tasuki yelled back as he prepared his tessen to counter attack the probable blow from Jedite.
Jedite just smiled further at him. "I can't imagine why Rei is fond of you..I just can't imagine. A puny little thing like you. Rei needs a strong man, like me. Rei will belong again to me!"
"Rei was never yours to begin with, nega trash!" Venus was angry at the man's chauvinistic proclamation about her best friend. She wanted to scream that Jedite already lost his claim to her fiery fellow senshi. Rei had now found her soul mate in Tasuki. Venus smiled, thinking of the belittling words Jedite had just said 'puny little thing like you'. She's thinking of what would Jedite's reaction would be when he found out the result of the bonded mates' inner powers. Unfortunately, Tasuki was new to this.
Rei would be the only one to teach him to unleash that power.
Jedite ignored Venus and looked at the red seishi.
Tasuki wasn't paying attention to his comrades' warnings. He was on fire. How dare this piece of shit claimed Rei was his. Just the thought of Rei in this bastard's arms made his blood boil. Rei was his woman and he would never ever let this blue-eyed scum take her.
Jedite didn't see it coming. It came so fast that he didn't even have a chance to blink. He was hit.
Where did that come from?!
"Damn!" Cursed Tasuki. He was surprise at his own show of fire power, but he aimed it a little too high. His stunned position gave Jedite a chance to counter back.
The others saw the attack coming and this time they were ready, not to be caught unaware again.
Chichiri managed to build a shield around Tasuki and the rest of the gang attacked with all their mights. However, despite Jedite's injury the power of Metallia was stronger than them. Jedite merely deflected them.
Summoning the dark powers of the negaverse, he blasted the warriors. Grimacing with his own pain, Jedite directed his attention back to Tasuki.
"Now, you die!"
"Flame sniper!"
More surprises were on Jedite and he didn't like it one single bit. He was already weakening from his relentless blockings. He had been burned badly before and the wounds he would receive would be even more severe if he couldn't get out of his beloved's inferno.
Calling out for help to his unlikely ally, Jedite took one more glimpse at the couple.
"REI!" Jedite yelled his pain, his promise before he disappeared.
Rei, who was in her senshi form, transported just in time to prevent Jedite's dark power to kill her soul mate. She appeared right in front of Tasuki.
"Rei" "Tasuki"
The couple said at the same time and blushed as a result.well more like a scowl coming from Tasuki.
Rei could have said more but Tasuki put his finger on her lips. She was stunned by the longing and something else that's so profound she couldn't seem to breathe.
Tasuki wasn't even aware that he pulled Rei to him and held her so close, as if she was his only life support. Nothing else mattered as long as his beloved was there within his arms. All he could think of was that Rei was back and he would never let her go, no mater how long it would take for him to earn her trust, her love. He would kill anybody who dared touch her. He vowed that no one would ever claim her, especially that slime Jedite.
"Tasuki, I can't breathe."
Tasuki eased his hold a little, but his arms remained on her hips. Rei was giving him a confuse glare with those beautiful eyes of hers and he wanted to smile.
My fire brand is back.
Rei wanted to hold him back but it was still hard for her to show what she really felt for him. She really did want to touch his face and look at his wonderful eyes forever. A strand of his red hair fell over his eyes and she was itching to show him how much she yearned to caress it away. Still, she held back.
Tasuki was not discouraged however. He pulled Rei back within his arms and bent his head at the hollow of her neck. Tasuki couldn't help feeling so relieved and so complete just holding his woman. He didn't even notice that he managed to lift Rei off the ground as he held her to him and cradled her head, feeling the silkiness of her hair.
Rei felt warmed by his action. She could feel his hot breath on her exposed neck, felt his lips brushed lightly. His strong arms wound around her, clinging around her waist, massaging her hair. He was so warm, so tender that Rei just wanted to surrender, yet she didn't want to.
The rest of the gang felt elated. They managed to ignore their hurts as they watched their fiery comrade hugged Rei as if nothing could separate him from her.
"MARS!" Venus rushed to her best friend, ecstatic to see her even though she shouldn't have gone with the trouble to get back and be in danger again.
Tasuki let go of Rei to let the rushing blond gain her fire brand's attention. He watched the two hugged each other. He watched his woman laughed and happy. He couldn't help but grinned and smirked too. Doubts started to plague him. He wanted Rei to smile like that to him, he wanted Rei to be happy around him. He wondered if Rei would truly be his. Tasuki could still feel Rei's resistance to him, but he didn't care. He just wanted her to be here with him. Did she come back.for him? He told himself that Rei had a mission to annihilate the enemy called the negaverse. Was that the only reason she came back? But those glorious amethyst eyes of hers told him otherwise.
Tasuki held that hope dearly within his heart.
Meanwhile the best friends finally finished their hugging. Mina was surprised, really surprised. Rei sensed that her blond friend became stiff, then giddy all of a sudden. Before Mars could utter a single word to ask what the hell was wrong with her, Mina jumped around with glee.
"Oh Selene! This is wonderful! Rei why didn't you tell me you're pregnant!"
That clumsy revelation froze everyone, especially the father of the unborn child.
Well everyone, that's it for now! Happy New Year again!!!
~fleur~