Usagi slammed her bedroom door shut and threw herself upon the bed, sobbing. How could I do that? How could I hurt the one man I love more then any other in the universe? I'm so sorry , Mamochan. She sat up and glanced tearfully out the window. Clouds failed to hide the brightness of the moon; it was nearly full, and its serene beauty mocked her.
Among her university courses, Usagi had included severly astronomy classes, wishing to learn more about her future kingdom. Of course, she had most enjoyed learning about the moon, her original home. Leaning against the window sill, she soon found Mare Serenitatis. That's where the crown city was located. Then, it wasn't an empty crater; the area was filled with beautiful buildings and gardens. I remember all of my past life, and the memories I treasure most are those that involve our outings into the city and its country side. We were so carefree. Endymion would put me up on his horse, and we'd outride all of the others.
Tonight, the moon drew her more then usual. It calls to me, urging me to forget my responcibilities, to simply run wild.
"Why don't you?" That voice! It's the same that called to me in the park! "Of course, Princess. Do you not recognize me by now? I'm hurt." Viper appeared, floating outside her window.
"You!" Usagi scrambled back on her hands and clutched at her crystal. "Moon-"
Viper's smirk darkened. "Oh, I don't think so. In fact, I believe it's time for you to discover just how unworthy you now are of being the eternally pure Moon Warrior." He held out one hand, palm out, and a dark force grabbed Usagi.
"Ahhh!" Screams were all she was capable of as horrible pains shot through her body. The rage she had earlier fought so hard to control rose up, overpowering her, as did the hunger that she could not assage. Hunger . . . The single thought usurped all of her being. I hunger . . .
Viper smiled. "Yes, I know. And I know just what will help you."
No, please! Senshi! Mamochan! Usagi struggled against the darkness which threatened to overwhelm her. Holding out her hand, open palm facing her strange enemy, she fired a single shot of energy. Instead of its usual clear purity, this energy was tinged with anger and pain. Still, it achieved its purpose, Viper was struck in the chest and thrown to his knees.
"You are very strong. That is good, but it will not save you, Princess. Just wait; by the time your past kingdom turns the color of human blood, you will belong to us." And he disappeared, leaving Usagi to curl into a ball on her bed and cry.
* * *
Mirichu poured hot tea into the cups held by Mina and Lita as they sat in the front room of her apartment. "How's Rei?"
"Tired." Mina unabashedly stirred several cubes of sugar into her cup. "After Viper left, she insisted upon returning to the sacred fire. She still couldn't see anything, though."
"And Usagi?"
Lita shook her head. "Mamoru's still out looking. He said he'd bring her here. If he finds her, that is."
Haruka glanced at her lover. "Have you tried your mirror? It's more attuned to the Senshi then Rei's fire is. Maybe you'll have more luck."
Surprise dawned on Mirichu's face. "I didn't even think about it. I lent it to Chibi again, since she's studying Seeing. I'll call her right now." So saying, she hurried from the room.
Mina peered around the room. Pictures of the Senshi together filled frames everywhere. Especially pictures of Hotaru, first as a baby and then as the young woman she now was. Sometimes I feel sorry for Hotaru. She's never had a real childhood. Lita's voice interrupted her train of thought.
"What about Setsuna? She was so sure that the battle with Galaxia was our last."
Haruka shook her head. "Pluto's watching the Time Gateway as we speak. She's very confused; as far as I know, there's still no sign as to what's going on."
Mirichu came back in. "Chibi should be here in about ten minutes. I got her on her cell phone."
Silence ruled as they waited for the youngest Senshi.
When she arrived, Chibi-Usa didn't bother to knock; like the dwellings of the other Senshi, this was her home and those awaiting her were family. "I have it, Mirichu. Thanks for lending it to me."
Mirichu smiled her gracious smile as Chibi handed her the delicate silver mirror. "Well, let's see what it has for me." She held the beautifully wrought handle in her right hand and passed her left over the blank face. As always, she held her knowledge of the Sanguine Moon and the new enemies foremost in her mind, but tried not to guess at answers she desired.
An image of Usagi rose before her, but this was not the Usagi she knew and loved. A blood-red Moon was at her back, and the pure aura that had always surrounded her friend was now an unrelieved black. Usagi's big, blue eyes were, instead, cats' eyes, and small white fangs flashed in the corners of her mouth. The rest of the Senshi sprawled on the ground at her feet; Mirichu could not tell whether they were uncouncious, or . . . dead.
Mirichu closed her eyes and dismissed the mirror's magic, then looked up at the others watching her. "My friends, Usagi is the key to this thing, and she is in very deep trouble. We need to keep a very close eye on her. Get hold of Mamoru and fill him in. He needs to find her, and soon."
* * *
"Viper, you have disappointed me."
Viper grovelled on his knees before his leader. "My Lord, please. I did not expect-"
"You did not think. You were unprepared, and weak. This is the last time I will accept such blundering. Draco." He turned his attention to the last and most powerful of his three minions. "You will do as I order, and carry out the corruption of our Chosen One?"
Draco stepped forward. His entire being was swathed in the black of shadows; no one had ever seen his face and lived to tell the tale. "Your wish, Lord Daimon. Have I permission to possess the knowledge and power of this unworthy one?" He glanced down at Viper. At his Lord's nod, Draco knealt and placed a hand on his victem's head. Viper screamed once, and was still.
Draco's cruel laughter filled the darkness as he faded from sight.
* * *
Mamoru turned off his cellphone and stared blankly into the night sky. Mirichu had just informed him of her vision, increasing his worry over Usagi. He had decided not to tell the others about what had transpired in the park that afternoon, but it only reenforced the knowledge that something was wrong. He had searched all over Tokyo for her as Chiba Mamoru; now, as night fell, it was time to try as Tuxedo Kamen. He pulled a rose from mid air and leapt onto the nearest roof, intending to begin his search from there.
Suddenly, a familiar tugging pain echoed through the back of his skull. Usako! He closed his eyes, confident of their bond, and dashed off toward his beloved, wherever she was.
When the tugging stopped, he opened his eyes-
And kicked himself. He was standing on the balcony outside of Usagi's apartment. Earlier that afternoon, Mamoru had rung the bell and shouted Usagi's name; when she hadn't answered, he'd assumed that she wasn't there and continued on his search. "Usako?" He banged on the window; the shades were drawn, so he couldn't see inside. This time, he wasn't leaving until he talked to Usako.
Abruptly, a graceful figure threw open the balcony door and leapt out into the night. Usako?? Mamoru grabbed her arm, but she snarled and pushed him aside. "Usako, it's me. Wait!" When she did not respond, he grasped at her once again. Thinking only of his love and worry, he was not prepared to block the blow she sent into his chest; never in years had anyone hit him so hard.
"Usa . . . ko . . ." Mamoru wheezed her name as he lost consciousness.
* * *
Usagi tossed and turned, unable even in sleep to escape the shadows haunting her. Here, surrounded by darkness, the hunger Viper had awakened was even stronger. In her nightmare, Usagi decided to assage her cravings. Food wasn't enough; what she needed was energy. The pure energy she had always fought to protect. The energy youmas stole from human beings. In her mind's eye, Usagi sent her dream self out onto the roofs of Tokyo.
*That's right. Feed your hunger. Why should you care about these mortals? They're nothing but sheep.* A new voice filled her mind; it was similar to Viper's, but even darker, even crueler and stronger. In her sleep, Usagi laughed in agreement.
Tokyo's nightlife was filled with men and women of all ages. From clubs and restaurants to secluded little parks, life shined like glowsticks to Usagi's eyes.
There. A couple lay immersed in each other under a beautiful willow tree. Exhausted by their obvious recent physical activities, the two slept with their arms wrapped around each other. Perfect; the area is quite private. No one will see me or hear any screams. Usagi silently touched down not ten feet behind her targets.
*Do you not feel jealous? This couple shares levels of trust and intimacy that your Mamochan refuses to give you. They are so happy together. Why should they have what you cannot? Only a touch will drain their energy and destroy them. Go ahead; indulge yourself.*
Usagi felt the mentioned jealousy and accompanying rage rising inside of her, fueling the greedy hunger. I hate them, and I hate that they can have such a relationship, that they can take comfort in each others' body. It took only one strong leap to bring Usagi next to the unwary victems.
*All you need to do is touch them; that will allow you to absorb their vital energy.*
Usagi held one trembling hand over the man's head. One touch would end his life. Another would kill the young woman. . .
* * *
"Mamoru! Wake up! What happened?!" Mamoru opened blurry eyes and found Sailors Uranus, Saturn, and Venus staring down at him with concern evident on their faces.
"Usako? Where is she?" He allowed the three to help him up, and rubbed the back of his aching head; a large lump throbbed its existance.
"We don't know. After Mirichu's vision, we came looking for both of you." Venus grabbed his face and pulled it toward her. Her eyes were bereft of their usual glee, frightening Mamoru more then anything she could have said. "The window was open, Usagi was gone, and you were lying unconscious in the alley."
"I . . ." it was hard to think past the ache of his head. "She was here, but . . . she pushed me backwards . . . and left." A memory of Usagi's eyes flashed through his mind; they were completely vacant of awareness. "She's in trouble. I've got to find her!"
Saturn looked up from her wrist-com. "The others are on their way. We'll meet at Tokyo Tower, then split up and continue searching the city in pairs. Come on." And the group rushed to meet their friends, leaving Usagi's apartment unobserved.
* * *
An orgasmic rush flowed through Usagi's veins as the woman's life force filled her. What a dream this is! I've never felt anything like it! The man's energy had been strong, permeated with thoughts of ambition and passion. The woman's, however, was very different; Usagi gloried in the delicate dreams that filled her mind, of marriage, children, a life with her beloved. A life she'll never have, now.
Usagi was suddenly overcome by a wave of lassitude. Just a moment of rest, then I can see what else this strange, wonderful dream I'm in has to offer. She closed her eyes . . .
And opened them, but a moment later, to find herself secure in her bedroom. What an odd dream. To think that I could do anything so horrible . . . Usagi shook her head a little to dismiss the disturbing memories. Love is such a beautiful, precious thing; I could never hate anyone for being lucky enough to have it. And I'm satisfied with what I share with Mamochan. A much different thought struck her. Curious; I don't feel hungry for the first time in days.
Looking down, Usagi realized with horror that she was draped over her open balcony window, and her feet were damp with dew and covered with mud. Bits of flower from a nearbye park clung to the hems of her pants. But it was a dream! It couldn't have been real, right? What is happening? . . .
* * *
Pluto sighed and gestured, and the latest scene faded from her view. So much time spent before the Door of Time, and she still had nothing to show for it. Up till now, she had used the vampires and Rei and Mirichu's visions to guide her search, but to no avail. The vampires obviously had some method of shielding themselves from her power.
The others really didn't understand. They all thought that she could cast a spell, and see their timeline laid out clearly before her. It wasn't that simple. There were so many possibilities in the future. A single word, or a tree hit by lightning, could create a whole new line of possible outcomes. Pluto had to search each one, looking for some clue of what was going on, what might come next.
"Usagi," she whispered, and cast the Door open once again. This was not the best way to find anything; her little friend had so many distant futures. Pluto watched scenes of Neo-Queen Serenity: different weddings, most, but not all, to Mamoru, her possible children, and her different deaths. Those were the most painful to watch; Pluto would have to return later and discover the cause of each line, then go about preventing them. Always so exhausting, but necessary to keep Usagi alive.
There were others, little everyday scenes with her friends and family Pluto smiled as she sat for hours, unconscious of the time spent, watching her friend's joys and sorrows, and-
There. "STOP!" The Door grasped upon one image and held it, freezing it so that Pluto might study it further. This image was of a very near future, possibly even of that night. Usagi knelt by a young girl, one hand over her forehead, and one over her chest. Energy was being pulled by force from the innocent victim and being absorbed by Usagi.
"Oh, Usa, no." Tears fell unheeded down over Pluto's cheeks. Finally, she knew what was happening. She recognized that particular energy transferance. She realized where the vampires were coming from. And she knew what Usagi was becoming.
Pluto turned resolutely. No matter how painful the ordeal, she needed to alert the other Senshi. They needed to stop Usagi before she changed anymore.
"And just where do you think you're going, little timekeeper?"
Pluto gasped and whirled. Before her, there stood a tall figure. She could make out no more then that, for the . . . man, she assumed from the voice, was covered in darkness. "How did you come here? No one may enter the Gates of Time-"
The man laughed. "Do you really think your pathetic little spells can hold us? Fool. I'm afraid I really can't you share your discovery with your teammates. Our queen is nearly ready, and The Master will not be stopped now. Goodbye."
He held out a single hand, and whispered a single word. What it was, Pluto would never remember; she was too busy fighting the strands of shadow that wrapped around her body and pulled her down.
* * *