Chapter Nine
Sailor Mars dove out of the way, and hit the ground, sliding on her chest. She gritted her teeth, and climbed to her feet. She leaped into the air, doing a flip, and landed several feet away in a crouched position. She stood, and thrusted her hand out to her side, a glowing symbol appeared in her hand. "Mars..." She raised her hands in a position that mimicked an archer.
A bow and arrow made of fire appeared in her hands, not even burning her. "Flame..." She pulled the string tight and let it loose. "Sniper!!!" A flaming arrow flew out shooting straight for the Youma that looked much like a fire hydrant.
The arrow struck home, and the youma screeched in agony, as it was engulfed in flames. Sailor Mars stood ready, and watched as the youma threw out its arms, the flames vanishing. It screamed with rage, its chest rising and falling, with each breath.
"You'll pay for that you little wench!"
Sailor Mars threw out another arrow, but the Youma opened a door on its chest, and water shot out, dousing the arrow. "We'll see about that." She took a stance, "Mars..." she raised her hands up, circling around her, "Celestial..." her hands reached out above her head, "Fire..." disks took shape all around her. "Surround!" The disks shot out, attacking the Youma at all sides. The Youma opened the door in its chest, aimed, and shot down each disk, laughing, "you fool!"
Sailor Mars slid into a stance, ready to attack again, "Mars..." The youma chuckled, opening its mouth, and a beam of light came out. Sailor Mars leaped into the air, only to run into a powerful blast of water.
She cried out, falling back, and hit the ground, sliding. She moaned, and tried to lift herself up, off her back. She gritted her teeth, glaring at the youma. The youma sneered, and shot out another beam of light. Sailor Mars gasped, and rolled out of the way just in time.
The youma shot out another and another, following the senshi who rolled on the ground to get away, till finally it hit her. She screamed, flying into the air from the explosion, and hit a telephone booth. The youma grinned, rubbing its hands together, "you're mine Sailor Brat!"
Sailor Mars climbed to her feet slowly, digging her heels into the ground, and she gritted her teeth. She smeared a trail of blood across her cheek, as she whipped a gloved hand across her face.
"You should have called for help Sailor Twit. Cause now that battle is over." The youma opened its mouth, ready to unleash an attack. Sailor Mars, covered her face, ready to defend herself, if need be.
The youma let out a powerful beam that shot out at Sailor Mars, who didn't have the strength to move. Suddenly a blast shot out, from Mars's right, and doused the beam.
"What the hell?" The youma turned, finding Sailor Neptune. She glared at the Youma, hatred, and anger glowing in her dark ocean depth eyes. Sailor Neptune twirled her hands above her head. "Neptune..."
A globe of water appeared above her hands and she moved her arms out in front of her, the globe followed, growing brighter each second. "Deep..."
She released the globe. "SUBMERGE!!!" The attack hit the youma causing it's legs to buckle and it fell to the ground on one knee.
The youma growled low and deep, and opened its mouth, shooting out a beam of light. The beam lashed out through the air, and the Youma sneered, while opening the door on its chest.
Mars cried out, as a blast of water knocked her back, and then a beam of light slammed into her. She fell into Neptune, and they hit the ground.
"Hell Fire!!!!"
The youma blinked, "what the...?" It looked up, as a huge ball of fire came down from the sky. It gaped, and looked at Sailor Mars, and Sailor Neptune, who both laid in a tangle mess of limbs, and torsos.
The youma looked back up, as a creature, one with brown fur, and a red mane came out of the ball of flames. It dropped down, landing on the cement, and large claws dug into the pavement, cracking it.
The youma took a step back, as the creature crossed it arms over its chest, shaking, before taking flight into the air. The youma watched it till it vanished above the clouds. "Why on..." The youma's eyes widened, as a ball of flame shot down from the sky. It was barely able to scream before the ball of fire hit.
Sailor Neptune groaned, holding the gash on her shoulder, which had come from sliding across the pavement. The brown creature, landed in front of her and Sailor Mars, and moved towards them. Bruised, and cut up, she held up her chin, ready for an attack.
The creature reached to its side, and muttered, "Curaga." It tossed something up into the air. She watched in wonder, as small balls of blue light landed on Sailor Mars's skin. She gasped as Sailor Mars's body slowly healed, and the girl's energy returned to her.
Sailor Neptune laid Sailor Mars down, and stood. She studied the creature closer, before asking, "Who are you?" She eyed it, weariness slowly fading away from her tensed body.
Weakly it replied, as if strained, "a Guardian." She watched as it's eyes unfocused, and it stumbled on its feet. She gasped, leaping to action, and caught it before it could hit the ground. She let out a startled yell, as they both fell back, only to disappear through a portal. Shocked, Sailor Mars scrambled up, going to her knees, touching the ground, where they had vanished. She swallowed hard, feeling around, "a portal, but how?"
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, "Pluto." She stood, and looked behind her, to see people collecting around her, staring at the spot Sailor Neptune, and that creature had once been. With ease, she leaped into the air, landing onto a nearby rooftop.
She had to see Setsuna, now.
?????
Neptune grunted, when she landed on the couch. A body landed on top of her, and instantly, her arms wrapped around it. She opened her eyes, to see a young man's face.
'This is the guardian?'
Neptune let out a breath of air of relief; with ease she slipped out from under him, and stood up next to the couch. She looked down at him, and frowned. 'Isn't that Squall, the new student?'
Her eyes widened, when he rolled over, and his eyes cracked open. She saw bright blue eyes looking at her, and knew right away it was him.
With a smile, she knelt down, and brushed back his hair, which had fallen into his face. "Are you feeling okay?"
He started to nod, but ended up shaking his head. Neptune nodded, and touched his forehead, "you're coming down with a cold."
From her subspace pocket, she pulled out cold medicine. She noticed the strange look he gave her, and she couldn't help but smile. "I have a little girl, who is always sick, and I need to be ready, if something happens."
She poured the medicine into a small plastic cup, and handed it to him. "If you take two tablespoons a day, you'll be good as new by the end of the week.
Squall downed the medicine, and winced, as the bitter taste went down. Neptune smiled, "well I best be going. You take care of yourself."
She stood, but something stopped her, and slowly she turned, to see a portal open up.
?????
Rei raced towards the track, and slid on her heels, to turn. She looked left then right, her heart pounding in her chest. Something was terribly wrong. She glanced out at the track, as a shot rang out. She watched as Usagi took off running, from the starting line, and picking up speed as she went.
Taking a minute, Rei watched, engrossed, at how mature the blonde looked as she ran. The girl's arms pumped at her sides, her feet in sneakers thundering on the ground. It helped some, that the blonde haired girl wore her hair back in a ponytail, instead of her usual odangos.
Remembering the guardian, she ran to the bleachers. She glanced at all the parents, and student watching the competition. "GO Usagi you can do it!!!!!!!!! Go Girl! Wahoo!"
Rei found Minako screaming for Usagi, and dancing around the bleachers. She spotted Setsuna off to the side, which was watching the race intently. "Setsuna!" She leaped over the bar railing, landing on the third row. A few of the parents frowned at her with disapproval. Ignoring them, she hurried up the bleachers, to where the lone woman sat, away from the over excited Minako.
Rei reached her, "Setsuna!" The dark haired woman looked up, her garnet red eye lighting up, "Rei? I thought you had to be at the shrine?"
Rei replied not even answering the woman, "Something's wrong Setsuna."
Setsuna frowned slightly, patting the seat next to her, "Rei sit, and tell me what's wrong." Rei nodded, and took a seat next to the Senshi of time. Setsuna glanced out at the track, and smiled as Usagi won the race, she turned towards Rei, "now tell me what's bothering you."
Rei paused, taking her time, before answering. "On my way home, I was attacked by a youma. Sailor Neptune came, but still the youma knocked us down. This guardian, came, and killed the youma, and healed me. Then something happened. Sailor Neptune, and the guardian vanished in a portal, one of yours." Setsuna nodded, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, "I see. But don't worry Rei, Michiru is fine, and so is the guardian. I guess I should go see how the two are doing right now. You stay here, I'll be back when I'm done."
?????
Squall looked over, to see Setsuna walk into the room from a portal. The tall woman was smiling, as the portal vanished. "How are you feeling Squall?"
"Like Doom train ran me over. How do you think I should feel?"
Setsuna chuckled, "something like that. It's tough on your body to hold the force of a Guardian for so long. But don't worry, soon your body will be able to withstand the energy drain you feel now."
Setsuna turned to Sailor Neptune, "Here use this portal to go to congratulate the hime on winning." Neptune smiled softly, "I'm very proud of her, she's come so for." Setsuna nodded, and watched as Neptune left through the portal.
She turned back to Squall, who sat up on the couch; sweat beading down his face. "You'll feel better by tomorrow. Ami told me, what you said to Usagi yesterday. Is it true?"
He frowned, slightly wincing at the lack of energy. "What I said? What did I say?"
"About the dance."
He frowned for a second, and slowly he nodded. "Yea, I told Usagi that. It's her choice." He shrugged, as if he really didn't care. Setsuna nodded, a smile playing on her face.
'Things are almost ready.'
?????
Usagi sat down, with the group in front of her. Rei smiled, "Odango, I'm so proud of you, you actually won against all those runners." Usagi frowned, at the nickname, but didn't comment. She set her shake on the table in front of her.
Ami looked up from her drink, and asked, "How do you get yourself to run like that Usagi chan?" Usagi shrugged, "I don't really know. Haruka helped me though"
Haruka chucked, sitting in the booth behind the inner senshi. She glanced at Michiru, before turning herself around so she could see the girls. "All I had to do was tell her that a youma was after her."
The girls laughed, leaving Usagi flushed in the face with embarrassment. Makoto patted her on the shoulder, "how do you get her to stop? Oh wait, let me guess, the Ice cream truck bit?"
Usagi looked at the brunette, "Thanks a lot Mako chan, I thought you were on my side." The group burst out laughing, and Usagi giggled. "So I like ice cream..." she smiled, her eyes lighting up. Hotoru leaned over the seat, hugging Usagi from behind. "You're the best Usagi mama. You did great out there. I'm so happy!" Usagi smiled, turning in her seat, and hugged the girl back. "Artigato Hoto chan. You made my day a whole lot better now!"
Hotoru giggled, as she pulled away. "I'm glad."
The door to the arcade jingled, and Usagi looked up expectantly, but was disappointed to not find whom she had hoped.
Sighing, she sat back in her seat, and smiled, as Makoto told a joke, and Haruka told stories about her racing, as Ami told Minako, what Squall told her in Chemistry class, and Minako nodded all the while listening intently. Usagi stared out the window, not listening, a forced smile on her face.
?????
Minako jogged after Usagi, who was just now leaving the arcade after the celebrating party. "Usagi, why didn't you tell me!"
Usagi looked up, yawning, "tell you what Mina chan?" Minako frowned, stopping in front of the blonde. Usagi sighed, "Minako, I just want to go home, and go to bed. It's been a long day."
Minako shook her head, "iie. I'm very upset with you." She frowned to prove her point. Usagi just shook her head, and tried to move around her, but Minako stepped in her way again. "You said that Squall told you iie right?" Usagi whimpered, slumping slightly, "hai Mina chan, now can I go?"
Minako scowled, "I just talked to Ami chan. She told me, that Squall told her, that you had a choice, a choice!" Usagi's bottom lip trembled, "Can't this wait Mina chan? Like for tomorrow?" Minako shook her head, and pointed to the blonde, "iie. I'm going to tell Squall tomorrow at school, that you decided, that you're gonna go to the dance."
Usagi replied, "but I don't want to go!" Minako shook her head, "I don't want to hear about it Usagi chan. You're going, and that's final. See you tomorrow after school, we're going dress shopping."
Usagi watched as Minako skipped away. She pouted, her bottom lip trembling, "but I don't wanna go."
Sailor Mars dove out of the way, and hit the ground, sliding on her chest. She gritted her teeth, and climbed to her feet. She leaped into the air, doing a flip, and landed several feet away in a crouched position. She stood, and thrusted her hand out to her side, a glowing symbol appeared in her hand. "Mars..." She raised her hands in a position that mimicked an archer.
A bow and arrow made of fire appeared in her hands, not even burning her. "Flame..." She pulled the string tight and let it loose. "Sniper!!!" A flaming arrow flew out shooting straight for the Youma that looked much like a fire hydrant.
The arrow struck home, and the youma screeched in agony, as it was engulfed in flames. Sailor Mars stood ready, and watched as the youma threw out its arms, the flames vanishing. It screamed with rage, its chest rising and falling, with each breath.
"You'll pay for that you little wench!"
Sailor Mars threw out another arrow, but the Youma opened a door on its chest, and water shot out, dousing the arrow. "We'll see about that." She took a stance, "Mars..." she raised her hands up, circling around her, "Celestial..." her hands reached out above her head, "Fire..." disks took shape all around her. "Surround!" The disks shot out, attacking the Youma at all sides. The Youma opened the door in its chest, aimed, and shot down each disk, laughing, "you fool!"
Sailor Mars slid into a stance, ready to attack again, "Mars..." The youma chuckled, opening its mouth, and a beam of light came out. Sailor Mars leaped into the air, only to run into a powerful blast of water.
She cried out, falling back, and hit the ground, sliding. She moaned, and tried to lift herself up, off her back. She gritted her teeth, glaring at the youma. The youma sneered, and shot out another beam of light. Sailor Mars gasped, and rolled out of the way just in time.
The youma shot out another and another, following the senshi who rolled on the ground to get away, till finally it hit her. She screamed, flying into the air from the explosion, and hit a telephone booth. The youma grinned, rubbing its hands together, "you're mine Sailor Brat!"
Sailor Mars climbed to her feet slowly, digging her heels into the ground, and she gritted her teeth. She smeared a trail of blood across her cheek, as she whipped a gloved hand across her face.
"You should have called for help Sailor Twit. Cause now that battle is over." The youma opened its mouth, ready to unleash an attack. Sailor Mars, covered her face, ready to defend herself, if need be.
The youma let out a powerful beam that shot out at Sailor Mars, who didn't have the strength to move. Suddenly a blast shot out, from Mars's right, and doused the beam.
"What the hell?" The youma turned, finding Sailor Neptune. She glared at the Youma, hatred, and anger glowing in her dark ocean depth eyes. Sailor Neptune twirled her hands above her head. "Neptune..."
A globe of water appeared above her hands and she moved her arms out in front of her, the globe followed, growing brighter each second. "Deep..."
She released the globe. "SUBMERGE!!!" The attack hit the youma causing it's legs to buckle and it fell to the ground on one knee.
The youma growled low and deep, and opened its mouth, shooting out a beam of light. The beam lashed out through the air, and the Youma sneered, while opening the door on its chest.
Mars cried out, as a blast of water knocked her back, and then a beam of light slammed into her. She fell into Neptune, and they hit the ground.
"Hell Fire!!!!"
The youma blinked, "what the...?" It looked up, as a huge ball of fire came down from the sky. It gaped, and looked at Sailor Mars, and Sailor Neptune, who both laid in a tangle mess of limbs, and torsos.
The youma looked back up, as a creature, one with brown fur, and a red mane came out of the ball of flames. It dropped down, landing on the cement, and large claws dug into the pavement, cracking it.
The youma took a step back, as the creature crossed it arms over its chest, shaking, before taking flight into the air. The youma watched it till it vanished above the clouds. "Why on..." The youma's eyes widened, as a ball of flame shot down from the sky. It was barely able to scream before the ball of fire hit.
Sailor Neptune groaned, holding the gash on her shoulder, which had come from sliding across the pavement. The brown creature, landed in front of her and Sailor Mars, and moved towards them. Bruised, and cut up, she held up her chin, ready for an attack.
The creature reached to its side, and muttered, "Curaga." It tossed something up into the air. She watched in wonder, as small balls of blue light landed on Sailor Mars's skin. She gasped as Sailor Mars's body slowly healed, and the girl's energy returned to her.
Sailor Neptune laid Sailor Mars down, and stood. She studied the creature closer, before asking, "Who are you?" She eyed it, weariness slowly fading away from her tensed body.
Weakly it replied, as if strained, "a Guardian." She watched as it's eyes unfocused, and it stumbled on its feet. She gasped, leaping to action, and caught it before it could hit the ground. She let out a startled yell, as they both fell back, only to disappear through a portal. Shocked, Sailor Mars scrambled up, going to her knees, touching the ground, where they had vanished. She swallowed hard, feeling around, "a portal, but how?"
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, "Pluto." She stood, and looked behind her, to see people collecting around her, staring at the spot Sailor Neptune, and that creature had once been. With ease, she leaped into the air, landing onto a nearby rooftop.
She had to see Setsuna, now.
?????
Neptune grunted, when she landed on the couch. A body landed on top of her, and instantly, her arms wrapped around it. She opened her eyes, to see a young man's face.
'This is the guardian?'
Neptune let out a breath of air of relief; with ease she slipped out from under him, and stood up next to the couch. She looked down at him, and frowned. 'Isn't that Squall, the new student?'
Her eyes widened, when he rolled over, and his eyes cracked open. She saw bright blue eyes looking at her, and knew right away it was him.
With a smile, she knelt down, and brushed back his hair, which had fallen into his face. "Are you feeling okay?"
He started to nod, but ended up shaking his head. Neptune nodded, and touched his forehead, "you're coming down with a cold."
From her subspace pocket, she pulled out cold medicine. She noticed the strange look he gave her, and she couldn't help but smile. "I have a little girl, who is always sick, and I need to be ready, if something happens."
She poured the medicine into a small plastic cup, and handed it to him. "If you take two tablespoons a day, you'll be good as new by the end of the week.
Squall downed the medicine, and winced, as the bitter taste went down. Neptune smiled, "well I best be going. You take care of yourself."
She stood, but something stopped her, and slowly she turned, to see a portal open up.
?????
Rei raced towards the track, and slid on her heels, to turn. She looked left then right, her heart pounding in her chest. Something was terribly wrong. She glanced out at the track, as a shot rang out. She watched as Usagi took off running, from the starting line, and picking up speed as she went.
Taking a minute, Rei watched, engrossed, at how mature the blonde looked as she ran. The girl's arms pumped at her sides, her feet in sneakers thundering on the ground. It helped some, that the blonde haired girl wore her hair back in a ponytail, instead of her usual odangos.
Remembering the guardian, she ran to the bleachers. She glanced at all the parents, and student watching the competition. "GO Usagi you can do it!!!!!!!!! Go Girl! Wahoo!"
Rei found Minako screaming for Usagi, and dancing around the bleachers. She spotted Setsuna off to the side, which was watching the race intently. "Setsuna!" She leaped over the bar railing, landing on the third row. A few of the parents frowned at her with disapproval. Ignoring them, she hurried up the bleachers, to where the lone woman sat, away from the over excited Minako.
Rei reached her, "Setsuna!" The dark haired woman looked up, her garnet red eye lighting up, "Rei? I thought you had to be at the shrine?"
Rei replied not even answering the woman, "Something's wrong Setsuna."
Setsuna frowned slightly, patting the seat next to her, "Rei sit, and tell me what's wrong." Rei nodded, and took a seat next to the Senshi of time. Setsuna glanced out at the track, and smiled as Usagi won the race, she turned towards Rei, "now tell me what's bothering you."
Rei paused, taking her time, before answering. "On my way home, I was attacked by a youma. Sailor Neptune came, but still the youma knocked us down. This guardian, came, and killed the youma, and healed me. Then something happened. Sailor Neptune, and the guardian vanished in a portal, one of yours." Setsuna nodded, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, "I see. But don't worry Rei, Michiru is fine, and so is the guardian. I guess I should go see how the two are doing right now. You stay here, I'll be back when I'm done."
?????
Squall looked over, to see Setsuna walk into the room from a portal. The tall woman was smiling, as the portal vanished. "How are you feeling Squall?"
"Like Doom train ran me over. How do you think I should feel?"
Setsuna chuckled, "something like that. It's tough on your body to hold the force of a Guardian for so long. But don't worry, soon your body will be able to withstand the energy drain you feel now."
Setsuna turned to Sailor Neptune, "Here use this portal to go to congratulate the hime on winning." Neptune smiled softly, "I'm very proud of her, she's come so for." Setsuna nodded, and watched as Neptune left through the portal.
She turned back to Squall, who sat up on the couch; sweat beading down his face. "You'll feel better by tomorrow. Ami told me, what you said to Usagi yesterday. Is it true?"
He frowned, slightly wincing at the lack of energy. "What I said? What did I say?"
"About the dance."
He frowned for a second, and slowly he nodded. "Yea, I told Usagi that. It's her choice." He shrugged, as if he really didn't care. Setsuna nodded, a smile playing on her face.
'Things are almost ready.'
?????
Usagi sat down, with the group in front of her. Rei smiled, "Odango, I'm so proud of you, you actually won against all those runners." Usagi frowned, at the nickname, but didn't comment. She set her shake on the table in front of her.
Ami looked up from her drink, and asked, "How do you get yourself to run like that Usagi chan?" Usagi shrugged, "I don't really know. Haruka helped me though"
Haruka chucked, sitting in the booth behind the inner senshi. She glanced at Michiru, before turning herself around so she could see the girls. "All I had to do was tell her that a youma was after her."
The girls laughed, leaving Usagi flushed in the face with embarrassment. Makoto patted her on the shoulder, "how do you get her to stop? Oh wait, let me guess, the Ice cream truck bit?"
Usagi looked at the brunette, "Thanks a lot Mako chan, I thought you were on my side." The group burst out laughing, and Usagi giggled. "So I like ice cream..." she smiled, her eyes lighting up. Hotoru leaned over the seat, hugging Usagi from behind. "You're the best Usagi mama. You did great out there. I'm so happy!" Usagi smiled, turning in her seat, and hugged the girl back. "Artigato Hoto chan. You made my day a whole lot better now!"
Hotoru giggled, as she pulled away. "I'm glad."
The door to the arcade jingled, and Usagi looked up expectantly, but was disappointed to not find whom she had hoped.
Sighing, she sat back in her seat, and smiled, as Makoto told a joke, and Haruka told stories about her racing, as Ami told Minako, what Squall told her in Chemistry class, and Minako nodded all the while listening intently. Usagi stared out the window, not listening, a forced smile on her face.
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Minako jogged after Usagi, who was just now leaving the arcade after the celebrating party. "Usagi, why didn't you tell me!"
Usagi looked up, yawning, "tell you what Mina chan?" Minako frowned, stopping in front of the blonde. Usagi sighed, "Minako, I just want to go home, and go to bed. It's been a long day."
Minako shook her head, "iie. I'm very upset with you." She frowned to prove her point. Usagi just shook her head, and tried to move around her, but Minako stepped in her way again. "You said that Squall told you iie right?" Usagi whimpered, slumping slightly, "hai Mina chan, now can I go?"
Minako scowled, "I just talked to Ami chan. She told me, that Squall told her, that you had a choice, a choice!" Usagi's bottom lip trembled, "Can't this wait Mina chan? Like for tomorrow?" Minako shook her head, and pointed to the blonde, "iie. I'm going to tell Squall tomorrow at school, that you decided, that you're gonna go to the dance."
Usagi replied, "but I don't want to go!" Minako shook her head, "I don't want to hear about it Usagi chan. You're going, and that's final. See you tomorrow after school, we're going dress shopping."
Usagi watched as Minako skipped away. She pouted, her bottom lip trembling, "but I don't wanna go."