AN: Another chapter, here we go! Questions are answered, plot is given, and thickened, and ya basically just your average chapter.
As promised more on the 'bitch' and this is basically a filler, cause I had to set some stuff up. It's done, for now, and the next turn has been taken. Once again, language, is basically the only warning. And for all you Sere/Endy fans…nice big long scene next time…I promise…she is still sleeping…well read and you will figure out what I am trying to say.
Disclaimer: Refer to previous chapters…too lazy to type it out.
Once again, go to Shittenou.com for all your senshi/general needs…
Dedication: TO AER, for finally getting my Mako/Neph scene out…and of course to all my reviewers, you all are the best *hugs*.
~*~*~*~
They were the hunters; they were the hunted. They were the Prince's of darkness; rulers of the night. No man dared deny them; no women tried. It was a curse that should have killed them, only to make them even stronger…
As they thirsted for blood, for innocence, and what they could never have…
They were the hunters; not just the hunted…
Revenge was first on their mind…hatred was not far behind
As they searched the world for those they had lost.
And soulmates they could only dream about, it was a danger world, and one they took hand in hand. To defeat the queen, and free themselves of a curse.
And it was just the beginning….
~*~*~*~*~
She had been beautiful once; in fact none had been able to rival her. The men had flocked and the women had been jealous, she had been the person incarnate, of everything they could not…and would never be, or have.
With her flowing red hair and matching eyes she had been exotic, and with her mysterious smile and lithe form she had been an enigma, there was none in the land that could match her. She had been the jewel in the kings eyes, and the sought after bride of the princes. But there was one line she could never touch nor even come close to touching. The line of Endymion.
They were the optimum of royalty, the highest, and most powerful in the land. Their men had been gorgeous, the ruling line with their enchanting blue eyes, and their princesses had even dared to match her beauty, with their own dark looks, and smiles. They had also controlled the earth, something, that she herself had never had the pleasure of doing, she had sought, and sought after one of them, any of them, only to be denied over, and over again. For she was nothing to them but a maiden, with unusual looks, for they had their own women, who possessed the magic of the land. She had nothing; nothing to all of them.
Then they had discovered the moon, and its women, with their silver hair and silver/blue eyes and a power to control the planets, for their silver crystal matched the earth's golden one. It was a war lost, after that she had not even their pitying looks in her direction, they were to busy concentrating on the moon.
So she was lost, even further than she had been in the beginning, lost without hope or any chance of recovery. Then the Moon Brat Selenity had come, and with her, had come her guardians. She had beautiful, gorgeous even with her lithe body, silver hair, moon crescent, and her amazing blue/silver eyes. Her guardians, each a royal from a planet, had been no less beautiful from the dark earthy tones of mars, to the light sunny of Venus, they had charmed and enchanted the earth kings. They had left once more, returning to their wonderful worlds with no thought towards the men they left behind.
She had slunk, in that time, further into the shadows, no longer the most beautiful, for every man dreamed of Venus, and Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and most importantly the Moon. She was long forgotten in the time stream, even Endymion who had started to turn towards her, had turned his attentions to that which he could not have the princess of the moon.
Why she never knew since the queen married, or was bedded-she never was sure which as she was not high enough to know for sure-by the King of Venus, and born his child. The next in line to the world, whom she named Selene, only to start the circle once more, and Endymion married a woman with light blue eyes, named Galia, and continued his line. So she waited patiently, hoping, scheming and waiting, until one day Metala ca found her.
The woman had no power nothing, but she herself had enough magical gifts-which she had known of-to feed him, through her. So she gave herself to Metala, mind heart body, and soul to the being, until he himself could find a body.
He eventually did, of course it was no normal human, he took energy, from pain, suffering, whatever he could find, then he formed his body. He looked like a god, his looks were un-describable. With his dark violet hair, and black eyes, he was the most sensual person that she had ever seen. He had excreted sexual attraction, and lust, while walking around in his perfect body. A body that she come to learn intimately, since her life had been prolonged by his inhabitants, she had even born his daughter, which she had named Metallica.
But he to saw the Princess of the Moon, and came to lust after her as well, and turned his attentions away from her, unless his body had demanded her, she had been without. She had powers, yes, thanks to him, for he had never been able to reclaim what he had given her. No amount of torture or pleasure could cause her to give them up, they were hers, and hers alone. Then she had started to age. He had said it was the powers, and then he had left, taking his daughter with him, he never returned.
So she continued her quest, to reclaim the line of Endymion, he would belong to her one day, of that she was certain. So she had offered a gift, to each and everyone of the line, they had refused, for they had their own powers. Then for some strange reason to moon fell-she never found out what caused it-and the princess, and her guardians came to the earth again, only they had caused the earth Princes to fall for them. So in her rage she had attacked, only to be beaten back, and locked away. It was years later she finally emerged, only to find that their spirits had survived, thanks to something the King had done in the end.
So she had struck out against his son, the last of the line of Endymion. She turned him and his guards into the undead. So he to would suffer for as long as she had, and would, for she to would never die. But they had gotten away from her power, severed her link, and lived to destroy her.
Then the brats had been born, they with the power to undo everything, she could not, would not let that happen. Time was working against her; already one had lured Justin into her trap, by soul bonding him. The others could not fall; she would not let them.
It was time to pull out the big guns, the people who she feared, and controlled with an iron fist. The werewolf lords. They were her most powerful alleys. They were also hers, and hers only. Only they would be able to destroy the girls, or worse.
"You called my Queen." A deep male voice, murmured causing the chamber to emit in echo's of his voice.
"Yes Lord Glavin, I did." She murmurs, before turning, her eyes taking in the site before her. They were all extremely handsome men, ranging from the dark to the beautiful.
Nodding his head, the powerful smiled coldly. He was the most dangerous of the men, with more raw power than 10 men had; he could do basically what he pleased. While his counter part, Lord Damen with his blond/ash hair, and crystal colored eyes, was the most ruthless person she had meet.
Lord Andrew, with his violet hair, was cold, and calculated, ruthless yes, but more inclined to watch than to battle. His soul brother, Lord Christopher, was an assassin, and was frequented-in bed-by many women. Lord Hassan was the loner, the dangerous one, for he could blend into any shadow, and was only seen when he wanted to be.
"There have been some recent attacks, my men have not been able to take care of some women, and I need you to do it.'"
"Of course, who are they?" Hassan questions in his silky voice, it sounded like warm honey, and he knew how to use it, for he was a great seducer, of men and women.
Waving her hand idly, she smiled, "I believe they are that moon brat Serenity, and her guardians reborn, one of them," Pulling Rei's image higher, she smirked, when Christopher's brows raised in appreciation. "Is soul bonded to Justin, this is messing up my plans. You must destroy them before they can do the same to the others."
"Destroy that perfection?" Christopher says chuckling, his eyes taking in the girl's short skirt and dark hair.
Smiling coldly, she continues. "If you wish more, you may, I just want them out of the picture understand."
"What can they do?" Damen questions.
"Rei, or Mars," she says, leaving the picture into focus, "Has fire, and arrows, she is the spit fire of the group." Pulling Ami to the fore she continues, "While, Ami, Mercury, with the power of ice and snow, is the calculated one. Minako, Venus, and the power of light," She says, pulling the blond goddess's picture to the front, "Is the leader and will give you the most trouble, while Makoto, Jupiter, is most impulsive, with thunder and lighting."
Turning, she noted the blank expression on their faces, and nodded her head, they were prepared for the hunt. "Any more questions gentlemen?"
Shaking their heads no, they wink out as fast as they can. Smiling softly, to herself, she smirks, it was time for the girls to meet their maker, this time not to return. Then Endymion would be hers, and no one else's. That moon brat would not win this time, never again.
~~~
Looking down, at the tiny bundle, of fur, in front of her, Ami felt her heart leap to her throat. A myriad of emotions, washing over her body, as she stared into her grey eyes, she was going to die.
'I's think you scaredy…' The little puppy chirps, 'No be scaredy…Mommy and Daddy bring home good meat, they warm, and no big things find you when you with them…. it all good.' She continues, in her baby-know-it-all-voice.
"Mommy and Daddy probably will not like me." She replies softy, squatting down, onto her knees, "Do you know a way out?"
'Why is you wanting to leave…. you no like me?' She questions softly, her grey eyes widening.
"You are cute little thing," Ami murmurs, "But I have to get out of here."
As her ears were twitching in amusement, she shook her head. 'You stay, be my friend, we have lotsa fun.'
"I can not stay sweetie," Ami says, shaking her head.
Pouncing onto her lap, Keike, shakes her head. 'NO! You stay!' She says imperiously, her tone demanding.
"I can not." Ami says gently, scooping off the tiny bundle.
Her ears cocking, she hopes out of her lap, 'De home!' She cheers, running towards the opposite side of the room, before stopping dead. Her entire body freezing, the tiny puppy became as if she was an ice cube, before screaming. 'MOMMY, DADDY!'
It was the most heart-wrenching site, that she had ever seen, the tiny bundle of fur was on the ground, her body twitching, as she howled, it was a cross between a cry, and fingernails on a chalkboard. All in all, it made her want to start crying with the poor thing. Not to mention wince in pain, as her ears were assaulted by the little creature's wail.
Scooping her up, Ami shook her, 'KEIKE, get a hold of yourself. What is wrong."
'Mommy…Daddy….is gone.' She wails, 'I no live either.'
"You what?" Ami yelps, understanding dawning on her features. She had always heard-in the old stories-that werewolves, were tightly bonded, to the point that, if parents died, the pup killed itself, for it had no ties to the world, no reason, or hope to live.
"You will not die." Ami snarls, shaking the tiny puppy, an anger filling her, the tiny thing was so young, and here it was going to destroy itself, because its parents, were gone, never having a chance to fully live, or to be loved. She would not let it happen, not while she could stop it.
Blue meeting grey, Ami was swept into a world, were only she had Keike existed, and felt a piece of her, go to the puppy, and in return, be given a piece back, she vaguely heard the tiny voice in the back of her mind.
'You be my sister now, my pack, my life, my friend, this idea I like.' Before everything went black.
~
Waking-god only knew how much longer-Ami peeked an eye open, everything was blurry, blues, and blacks, while the smell of earth, hit her hard in the nostrils. Blinking away the grim, in her eyes, Ami rolled, only to come in contact with something soft, with a very loud complaining voice.
'I's is down here, sister, what are you doing?' She demands hotly, confusion written across her features.
"Keike?" She mumbles, trying to get her bearing, while rolling off the still protesting baby.
'Who else would be in here with you?' She snaps, while rolling in the dirt, and then shaking her body.
"I am not sure," Ami mumbles her senses returning to her, what had happened back there? "Did you just call me your sister?" She says whipping around the to face the tiny creature in front of her.
'Yes,' Came her amused grin, 'You are my sister now. We soul sisters, you are my pack, my friend, my joy. I go were you going, you go were I go, and I is hungry, find food now?' Her voice ending on a wistful tone, she smiles-as close as she could get-her tail going a mile a minute.
Nodding her head Ami sighs to herself. She did not want to play nursemaid to the little thing, but somehow she knew she didn't have a choice. For once, more meeting, the grey ones of the tiny creatures, she an intense wave of protectiveness wash across her. She was going to help this little thing, and in the process gain a sister.
"What do you want to eat?"
'RABBIT' She cheers joyfully, her body twitching with spasms of joy.
Looking horrified, at the little puppy, Ami groans this was not going to be fun. She hated hunting as it was, and normally left that job to Makoto or Rei, Minako could find something, if it fell dead right in front of her, and Serena was no better.
The only thing that she had ever been able to hunt had been fish, and she was the best at that strategy. She could also cook the things seven days a week for three meals, and never run out of recipes for the things. It was pretty much the only thing she excelled in cooking at. Makoto on the other hand, was a master; she could cook anything and make it taste good. While they just watched, and shook their heads.
~
Two hours later, she had decided that they tiny thing could find her own food. Not to mention eat it somewhere else. The tiny puppy had dug into her food with a gruesome appetite. She was hungry, and by the way she had ripped into the intestines, she was letting the world know about it.
"I think I am going to be sick." After hunting for the poor things meal, watching about a hundred rabbits go past her snare, getting hot, sweaty, and bug bitten she had been ready to give up, when the thing had just walked into her trap. Of course now she was wishing that it had not even attempted that, this was just disgusting.
Looking up from her meal, Keike licks her blooded muzzle, 'Why?' Her tone was about as puzzled as it got, as a tiny tendrils of whatever organ she was one, hung out one side of her mouth.
Shaking her head, Ami gags, before heading off to find some fruit or something. She could not handle this anymore, which was just disgusting. Who knew a baby could be that gross? If this was a picture on her future, she was not having kids.
Walking through the forest, she smiles to herself, when she found the cool stream that she had located earlier in the day. Slipping off her shoes she set her hot, tired feet into the icy, cool water. It was refreshing. It also woke her up from the half slumber, half awake mode. She loved cool water, always had, even before she had met the Lady Mercury she would swim or bath in the streams before they were really warm. She had also gotten many a child hood cold from such play, but it had been worth every second of it.
Reaching in to the make shift carrying case she had made out of some leaves, she pulled out some half ripe fruit, it was sour and left a bitter taste in her mouth, but it was better than nothing. Until she figured out where she was, and how to find the others, she was not going to find anything much better to eat. Unlike Keike she could not survive off of raw rabbit.
Shuddering at the though of such a thing she shook her head, her bangs falling into her eyes. She was going to have to find the others fast. She didn't know how much longer she was going to survive out here. They would have to get on the move as soon as Keike finished her meal, night would fall in a few hours, and she did not want to be caught out again, that was just to dangerous.
~
Stalking, through the streets, in broad daylight was not the brightest idea he had ever come up with. Even though he was not affected by the bright sunshine, of the day, they were still hunters out there. He was also not in any danger, there tiny spikes, and silver arrows did not affect him in any way, size, shape, or form. They were though, an annoyance, and the most he could do to them was kill them, slowly, or take them back to the castle, which he was stalking towards, and wait until he was hungry and finish them off that way. After a while neither one of them was as much fun as they had been in the beginning.
Not when blue eyes, creamy skin, with a slight dusting of freckles, and wavy blue hair was wafting through your mind. Not to mention the feel of her skin on his lips, not to mention the taste of her blood, at first he had only wanted to kill her, now he was heading in a totally different direction. He would capture and possess the tiny women, no more no less, she would be his before he was done with her.
So now he was rushing towards the castle as fast as he could, first the girl had gotten away, and then Endymion had called them to the castle. He also sensed something else, something further away, a danger. He wasn't sure what it was, he was going to have to ask Justin, all he could do was tell that it was there. Hovering on the edge of his conscience, for the whole world to see. Picking up his pace he shook his head, his King needed him, and the girl would have to wait.
~~~
It was cold, she realized, and far to dark for her to see, even the hand in front of her face. Her princess needed her, though, so she was running, as fast as her legs would carry her, through the forest. Not the smartest thing that she had done in a while, to be sure. She would have broken a nose, or several other body parts, if it was not for the trees yelling "WATCH OUT" every time she got to close to one of them.
The power, that had driven her in this direction, had, by now, stopped, and the direction, of the Princess, had changed all together, forcing her to head deeper, into the thick trees, than she would have done on a normal occasion. Especially at night! Even with her new abilities she was still at risk, could be caught, killed, maimed or turned into a dinner. She just had a better chance of survival than most. Her new skills would also keep her alive, no matter the coast, while she was in the woods. It was the benefit of being on of the most powerful warriors, on the planet, of course that didn't include the vampire lords, or as far as she could guess, the werewolves lords either.
She really did not want to run into one of those. With vampires, as bad as they were, she did not want to think, of how unhealthy, an encounter with someone who could turn into a very large wolf, at the slight command of its will, was going to be. Now if she could just the get the thought, out of her head, that she was being followed it would help matters, a lot.
Forcing her body to go faster, she continued on her break neck pace. There was more to this game than staying alive, all though, that was the main objective. Keeping all body parts in tact, was a good idea, and she already had enough enemies as it was. Of course, finding her Princess was at the top of her list. Which was why she was running, like an idiot, though a forest, in the middle of nowhere, all the while trying to dodge the trees around her, so that, she did not break her nose. Life was never boring for her, or the others that much was for sure.
Her eyes picking up, on some light ahead, she stopped dead. Either it was some idiot who was trying to get them selves killed, or it was hunters. Hunters had been her favorite people to listen, to stories, about as a child. She would sit by the fires, until the wee hours of the morning, just listening. She had decided when she was a child, that she would be one of them, up till right after her encounters with Jupiter. Of course, she had not seen or heard from any that she had known as a youngling for years.
Shrugging slightly, she took off for the light, she would stay out of reach until she knew what they were, and it would be completely safe.
~
Peeking through the trees, some time later, she felt a grin tug at her lips. They were defiantly hunters, in fact some very good ones, for they traveled with a caravan, which was currently dancing, and having the time of there lives.
She smiled, slightly, to herself, while the scene in front of her brought back so many memories of the home she had once known. The dancing, that she had never been old enough to partake in, the food, the songs, it all came back in a flood, causing a wave of homesickness to emerge. As tears un-bided, flowed down her face, as what was going to happen to her, hit her hard in the stomach. She was going to grow old, yet not age, she would only die, if something immortal killed her, and she was currently being hunted, and for his own reasons, by one of he most powerful vampires in the world. She was scared, sobs leaking from her throat, she cried, rocking herself back and forth, as the weight of the world became too much for her to handle.
She never heard the music stop, or the heads turn, for she was to caught up in her own world, but she did feel the gentle hands, and the warm embrace, as someone caught her up in hug. And she did hear the heavy accent of the women.
"Hush now child, whatever causes the ill, you have come to the right place, nothing my harm thee here, the Goddess Serenity, hath sent you to us." She cooed, never minding the fact that the women in her arms was twice her size, and yet, seemed to be, as lost and broken as a child did.
Blinking up at the women through her tears Makoto shook her head, "I am sorry, I don't know what happened." She murmurs brushing the stray tears from her face, for her tears had stopped as suddenly as they had come.
"Sometimes it is good to cry, but enough of that, my name is Selena, what is yours my child."
Looking up at the graying women Makoto took her features in. she had a kind homely face that was lined with wrinkles, the kind you only get from laughing and smiling, and her eyes had the tiny little crows feet crinkling out from beside them. To say the least, she was the perfect picture image of a grandmother, and she felt her name slip out easily to the woman.
"Makoto."
"Well, Makoto, would you like to join us in our campfire?" She questions gently, as if she was speaking to one no more than a child, and she found it, oddly enough, comforting.
"I would not want to intrude," She says shaking her head, causing her stray curls to stick to her wet cheeks. "I have already interrupted you all enough for one night."
"Nonsense, the goddess would not have sent you if you if you did not need to be here, besides you are perfectly safe with us, nothing can get you."
'Besides random Vampire Lords,' She thought sarcastically, before slowly nodding.
"Good then," She says with a smile, before helping the taller women to stand.
~
She had never in her life, laughed so hard. She never would have thought it, but these people accepted her almost as quickly as the girls had, so long ago.
"By the goddess." Selena, chortles, "That was the funniest hunt we ever had."
Giggling from her place in the midst of the crowd Makoto nods her head; "It sounds like it." She says, tears shinning from her eyes lashes, as she giggled around her mouth full of food.
"It was, you would have enjoyed it young one." The man sitting next to her says, with a soft smile on his handsome features.
"Bet I am older than you." She snorts, causing the camp to erupt into laughter again. They had all had just a little bit to much to drink, but it really made everything so much more interesting. Especially since Ryo, the group teller, was down right hysterical when he got going on a rampage, when he was drunk. Or so she had learned, quite quickly.
"Sure you are," He says shaking his head, before taking a heaping bite of stew.
"So what brings you all out here?" She questions.
"There was an attack on a village nearby, so we were sent to take care of it." Ryo explains calmly.
"Did you find out who did it?" She questions, while sipping her cold mint tea.
"No, they got away far to quickly, and then escaped into the badlands." Selena says a scowl creasing her normally cheerful features. "But if they step foot into these parts again, we will hear of it and track them down again."
"How long have you all been hunters?"
"Since the goddess came and told our people to look for the evil approaching and destroy it, no one is sure how long ago that was." Her log companion explains, with a shrug, on his broad shoulders.
"Tell me about your goddess." Makoto requests softly.
"Well, she once roamed the earth, until the day came for her to return to her home. But she was very beautiful, and kind. With silver hair like the moon, and four guardians, she was a princess, of the mystical kingdoms of the moon. Before she left, she granted a group of us powers to protect the world from danger, and evil. So we follow her rules and laws. To be compassionate, only take the lives of the dark ones, and to help those in need." Sighing wistfully he smiles softly, "I wish I had been alive to see her."
Nodding her head Makoto smiles softly at him, her heart pounding. She vaguely remembered the group of fighters who had dedicated themselves to her princess, as they promised to life, and to fight for her. They also promised to watch for the dark ones, Mars had seen coming, and destroy them when they could. "Maybe you will."
~
The fire had died some time ago, and she found she could no sleep. A pair of chocolate eyes was embedded in her mind. She could still taste his mouth on hers as well, something that was really quite disturbing to her mind.
How could one person, who she hated with a passion, imprint themselves that firmly into ones soul, in just a few short moments. Damn it all to hell, she did not need this. She did not need him messing up her life. Following her, trying to kill or eat her, whatever the hell it was he was doing to her. She did not need it, now or ever.
Now if only she could get the rest of her to agree with her mind.
~
It was pitch black, and the wind was blowing its freezing torrents, it was also barely past midnight, and she knew without doubt, that they were coming. The castle had been preparing for weeks upon months for the final showdown, yet they were sadly not even coming close to being ready in time. Closing her eyes, against the thought of losing everything that was dear to her and the others, Makoto wept. Silent, frustrated tears of pain, longing, losing, and lack of hope, for it would be all over soon. She knew it, the others knew it, and there was nothing that they could do. They had given up trying a long time ago.
The only thing that had even kept any of them going, for as long as they had anyway, was Serena. With her, shinning eyes of innocence, and tears of pain, every time a report came in, homes destroyed, people killed, it always sent her into her room with tears of heartbreak. It also strengthened their resolve to help, nurture, and guide her. It was all they could do now, now when everything was falling down around their heads.
If Metallica had her way, everything and everyone would be dead, destroyed, gone, and finished, no more. There would be nothing left, why, because she became jealous of the love of a princess, and the power that, that love granted the princess.
Opening her eyes, Makoto looked heaven ward, staring at the stars, her expression was distant, but her eyes were still tear filled. Why did everything have to leave them, they were not invincible, they were stronger, faster, and more inclined to be able to think their way out of so many situations. But that was just about it. Never mind their special abilities for only the queen herself could combat this evil; all they would be able to do would be to protect the Princess.
Letting her shoulders rest on the balcony, Makoto sobbed brokenly, she was supposed to be the strong one, the one who knew no fear, was always ready for the fight, never stopping to think, just acting. But they were oh so wrong. Yes, she loved to fight, and she was normally the one that they turned to in a time of crises, but today, today she was no stronger or faster than a babe. For she could no longer protect her princess from the world, and the dangers that were coming. She like the rest of the galaxy wanted to curl up in a bed somewhere, and hide where nothing could find her. Where she could be safe, but it would never happen. She had a duty to the people, and to her princess. Fighting back the remainder of her tears, she turned back to the war room. It was time to be once more, Senshi Jupiter, Guardian to the Princess of the Moon. No more could she be just a women, she was a fighter, a warrior, it was time to take up her duty, once more.
~
Waking up with a gasp, Makoto tugged the blanket closer to her body, to ward off the sudden chill. Raising her hands to her checks, in wonder, she felt the tears trickle gently down her face. She had not cried since she was a child. The sensation was odd, and it left her feeling cold alone, and foreign, she did not like it one bit.
~
Nathan had never been so scared in his life, than he had been when he felt the power, of the golden crystal, sing through his veins. Now, as he watched his prince, and Kunzite spar, he could only feel relief. It had been so long since their prince had used the crystal, that it momentarily paralyzed him. Watching Zach, enter the room, he smiled coldly. They were all almost here, it was now just Justin that they were waiting on. He would take longer than the rest though, he always did, and if Endy was right, he was bringing one of the girls, which would cause him to be even slower this time. Fighting back his annoyance, he let his thoughts drift back to the girl. She was quiet and interesting catch, if he did say so himself.
She was also quite beautiful. With her dark curls, and flashing emerald eyes, he found himself slowly being drawn towards her. It was a dangerous obsession, one that he was not going to let go the stars had warned him, she would either be his cure, or his curse. He did not know which right now, but he would-he knew-soon enough. Now if only Justin would get his ass down here, so that they could begin the meeting.
~~~
Rei, woke slowly, groggily, as she was pulled out of the strangest mesh of dreams that she had ever experienced in her life. It was as if she had been, living, in another world, or someone else's head, it was the oddest sensation. Curling deeper into the covers, and her pillows, Rei sighed softly, the dream, was over now, and she could rest. That was when she realized some very crucial things, her pillow's were first off all, hard, second of all, they were breathing.
Her eyes snapping completely open; she snapped her head around, only to find the sleeping face of Justin, while the previous day came flooding back to her. Closing her eyes, she found the picture of him sleeping, was already imprinted into the back of her eyelids. Jerking, she rolled onto the floor, hitting with a loud thump, she was no longer tangled in her sheets, but she was still weak as a kitten. Forcing her breathing to even out, she let her mind replay the memories from last night, as the realization of what happened hit her full in the face.
It had been his memories she had lived, from the time he was a child, to their last encounter, she had seen and done it all. Shuddering slightly, she tried desperately to shut that part of her mind off.
She had seen, and felt his darkness, what it was like to have your body changed, against your will, to what it was. She had felt his pain, the mind shattering realization, you would never be normal again, and never die. She knew what his first kill was, and how good that blood had tasted. His bitter hatred of the one who had done this to him, his urges, his un-controllable craving for life, and everything came with it.
She knew everything there was to know about him, inside and out, like she knew no one before, or would ever again. It was as if he was she, and she was he, inseparable, one person, in two bodies, yet all the same they were one.
It scared the hell out of her.
Struggling to rise to her feet, she bit her lip in frustration when she as fell back onto the ground, her muscles simply were not going to co-operate with her. She had god-awful feeling, which they were mush, and she was a slug, that was as fast as she was able to move right now, any way.
"Going somewhere, firebrand?" A slightly groggy, very male, voice mumbles from above her, causing her body to tense.
"Go away," She snarls, angrily, desperately trying to get her muscles to co-operate once again. This was not fair, what had she done to her body to make it re-act this way?
"I am sorry babe, no can do." He says softly.
Glaring up at him, Rei groaned, before dropping her head back onto her hands. Did he have to look so good in the mornings? Especially when she knew she looked like crap. Silently beating herself in the head for her thoughts, she tensed when she felt his hands settle on her hips.
"What are you doing," She snaps, trying to roll away, only to succeed in turning face forward, her body went no where otherwise.
"Helping you up, unless you think you can do it on your own." He says smirking down at her.
"Leave me alone."
Ignoring her, Justin hauled her upward, before setting her back onto the bed. "Hang on right here, and I will order you a bath."
Cocking a brow at him, Rei watched as a few minutes later, people walked in with a tub, and hot water. She also realized, seconds later, that there was no way in hell she could get through the whole process without help. Shrugging her shoulders, she gritted her teeth. She had been through worse, a lot worse, she could handle this.
Gritting her teeth she stood, painfully, yet it was standing, so it worked for her.
"What are you doing?" Justin questions, walking back into the room, his eyes narrowed.
"I am going to walk over to that bath tube and give me my own bath, you are going to get the hell out of here." She states, around her gritted teeth, she could do this, she was a Salior Senshi by god, and she would not fail.
"Rei," Justin says walking towards her, until they were nose to nose. "You can not even sit up by yourself."
Meeting his blue eyes Rei shook her head. "You are not giving me a bath you got that you arrogant bastard, I have been through worse, I can handle this. So get the hell out of the room."
His eyes narrowing, he opened his mouth, only to be cut off again. "Listen, if I got your memories you got mine, so just do a quick reference check while your on the other side of that wall, now leave." She spat, her arm raising and pointing at the door.
Glaring at her for a moment longer, he turned, before stalking out the door. "I will be out here, if you need help, yell."
Wincing as the door slammed behind her, Rei sat back on the bed, her body trembling with exertion. She was already so tired, but she had to do this, there was no chance in hell he was giving her a bath.
Her body trembling, Rei stood, before slowing starting her way to the tube. Every step seemed like an eternity, and every movement made her feel more sluggish. Tripping slightly, on the carpet, she barely caught herself, on the edge of the tub, her breathing labored, she stood there for a moment before beginning the long process, of removing her clothing. She didn't know when she had lost her transformation, but right now it was a bitch, to get the complicated out fit off. Finally managing that, she forced her legs upward, and managed to get into the tub.
Letting her body relax in the warm water, Rei sighs softly in bliss. That had been the hardest 20 steps of her life, and she was going to have to do that again in a few moments. Resting for a moment, she let the heat sink into her bones, before grabbing the bar of soap on the side of the tub. That was when she noticed the wounds, and scares on her body. Tracing a finger down her side, it was fresh, shuddering slightly, and she had a sudden flash back of pain, before she ruthlessly shoved it back into a corner of her mind.
From them on, she was just concentrating on washing her body, nothing more nothing less, pushing the fatigue aside, she forced herself to clean up. That finished she moved onto towel drying her hair and body, and then pulling on the clothes, that she had not noticed, on the chair, before she collapsed in the chair.
"Justin," She called softly, knowing he would hear her. She was right, the moment she said his name he was in the room.
His eyes scanning over her body, he nodded once. "Good," before walking over and scooping her up once more, this time heading for the door.
"What now?" Rei grumbles, to weary to do much else.
"We are leaving."
"Why?"
"Endymion has called us all together, we are going to the castle."
"No!"
"Sorry firebrand but today you are coming with me."
"Leave me here, I have to find Serena." There was no use hiding anything from him, he knew too much anyway. She figured, he knew who Serena was, she would have to kill him for that later, no matter the cost to herself.
"And how would you take care of yourself, you took a bath and you are exhausted, how would you pay for the room? No you are coming with me little one weather you like it or not."
"I will do no such thing." She whispers, pain in her voice, she could not go with him, she didn't trust him, and she sure as hell did not trust the others with him.
"Go to sleep," he growls in the back of his throat, "We have a long trip ahead of us, and not enough time to make it."
"Poor baby," She snarls, her eyes twin flames, "Now put me down."
Catching her eyes with his, he mentally forced her shields down, she was good, but he was better, and if she would not sleep of her own violation. He would help her along. A few moments later she her head was resting comfortably against his shoulder, her body relaxed, and was out cold, and he was left to the piece and quiet of the trip.
Endymion needed him, and no matter how bad he wanted to lock the two them up somewhere and get to know her, it would have to wait. She was already his, mind and soul, it was only a matter of time before she belonged to him in heart, and body. No matter how hard she fought or ran, she would belong to him. There was no way around it. She could not escape him, now or ever.
Minako, for the first time in forever, woke refreshed, and happy, content, with no worries, of course, the no worry part only lasted for about ten seconds, but she still woke feeling better than she had in a very long time.
The women had been amazing, after she had taken a bath, two of three of them had rubbed her in a salve, and then rubbed all the aches, and knots out of her body, leaving her feeling refreshed and loose today. They had all be extremely sweet, and kind during the process. As the chatted and talked to her about their jobs, and how everything worked around the place. They had also provided her with fresh clothing, nightgowns, as well as a ribbon for her hair. The ribbon was a beautiful thing, much like the one she had in her hair as a Senshi, it looked like spun gold, and it fit in perfectly with the rest of her attire.
Stretching luxuriously, she sighs contently, before sitting up, looking outside she blinked in confusion, either it was really early in the morning, or was closer to being night than even she had expected. She could not have slept all day, could she?
Jumping to her feet, she quickly rummages through the closet and pulls on one of the dresses hanging there, running the brush on the night stand through her hair, she threw it up in the ribbon, before taking off down the stairs.
Reaching the kitchen, she looks at the women eating dinner, and stared, "Uh."
"Look who woke up," Tina, a pretty red head who had helped her last night, teases with a smile. "We thought you were going to sleep all day sleepy head."
Smiling weakly, she sits down, and takes the plate that was being handed to her. "I can not believe that I slept that long," she says shaking her head. "I have never in my entire existence-all nine hundred years-slept that long."
Giggling she smiles, "The salve's helped," she says softly with a smirk, "MJ invented them, and she has a healers touch. She can give you slaves that will practically give do anything for you, she even has one that can make you think that you're paralyzed. It's great, you should check out her stock sometime."
Nodding, and talking around a mouthful of food, "I think I will." Looking at the blushing dark haired women she smiles. She reminded her a lot of Ami. "Before I leave if she doesn't mind."
Shyly shaking her head, the girl smiles. "Come by whenever you want."
"I will," She promises. "Now I was thinking about leaving tonight."
"You can not do that." The girls say quickly, horror shinning on their faces.
Looking at them confused, Minako blinks. "Why not?" She demands.
"Because the blood moon starts tonight."
"The what?"
"You have never heard of the blood moon." The youngest, a pretty blond says her eyes as big as saucer plates. "How is that possible."
"You had better explain Mickie." Tina says turning towards a girl who had been sitting in a corner.
"Wait a second aren't you a…." Minako stutters that women was definitely giving off werewolf vibes.
"A werewolf? Yes, I am." She says nodding.
"How is this possible?" She stutters, for the first time, in a long while, speechless.
"My soul sister is Tina, so I go where she goes, and protect her."
"Soul sister?"
"When I was a puppy, my parents were killed, Tina found me, and I bonded her to survive, we are sisters, only we do not share blood and she is not a werewolf. The darkness that is in my people is not in me, because of my link to Tina."
"That would explain why I am not dead then."
"Exactly, as for the blood moon, it the two day period when the werewolves are in completely control of all their powers, it is also the time, when they choose their mates, all they have to do it mark them. Which is why women stay in safe houses, no one want s t be marked, it means you belong to the werewolf that marks you until you the next one, which is about a hundred years down the line."
Nodding her head, Minako sighs. "I can understand that," She mumbles, before her eyes widen in horror. "I have to find the others though, I can not just leave them out there."
"You will have to, the moon starts in less than a hour, you woudn't have time to find…well your mother."
"But,"
"Minako listen to me," Mickie says, her tone commanding, "You can not go out there, the Lords are going to be hunting this night, tomorrow you can go find them, to night it is not safe. Do you understand me?"
Nodding her head, Minako sighs gently. "What about vampires?"
"They are not affect by the moon, because they do not use it at all, they will however probably not come out of where ever it is that they go to hide, so that conflict does not come between the two races, even their high lords.
'Thank God'. "All right, I will stay for tonight at least, tomorrow though, I have to leave, people who I care very much about are out there. I have to find them."
"Tomorrow I will help you look." Mickie says simple, before returning to her corner of the room.
Shrugging, Minako turns her attention back towards her food, she would need every bit of strength she could get tomorrow, the girls were going to be hard to find.
They could be anywhere, and she had the stinking suspicion that this blood moon, or whatever the hell it actually was, was going to mess up the links between them. She just prayed, to whatever deity was listing, to her these days, that Serena was safe. She did not think she could handle it if her princess was bonded to a werewolf.
Makoto hopefully would be able to find her before tonight. It was going to be a long haul, but they would get them all together some how soon, again. Though she was the most worried about Rei.
She had felt something strange along that line a while back, and she was not sure if it was good, or bad. Personally she just wanted to find her girls, and make sure that they were all okay. It would do wonders for her heart, and after that encounter with that vampire lord, she really needed a good dose of her girls.
~
They had all finally arrived, and he wondered if they had a clue as to why they were called back in. Looking at the four men in front of him Kunzite doubted that they did. A blood moon was a serious thing to werewolves, and they did not need to interfere with it, period.
Of course, he hoped that a certain blond stayed where he had left her, if he got any indication that she was in danger, or being sought after, screw protocol, he was going after her.
Justin, he knew, had brought on of the girl's back with him, the odd thing was, she was in his room, with his attendants watching after her. Shaking his head, he watched the moon slowly starting to rise. Turning he headed towards the conference room, everything would be found out in a few minutes, of that he was sure.
~~~
"You rang," Justin demands sarcastically, as they all sat at the conference table, he looked more amused than upset, Endymion decided.
"Yes, I did." He says, his blue eyes shinning, with his own amused at his second in commands tone, "I think you all have forgotten one very important thing." Looking at him, the others blinked.
"And what is that?" Zach demands, he rarely forgot anything, and did not appreciate the implication that he had, forgotten something.
"The blood moon?"
All their eyes widening, the three men looked at each other. "Oh right, that is this week isn't it." Nathan says, rolling his eyes, he personally, did not give a crap about any blood moon. Even with its powers, those pathetic werewolves were no match for he, or any of the others. Which was why, he didn't tip toe around him, they messed with him, or his people, they got their asses kicked, plain and simple.
"Ah yes, the lets-get-an-orgy-going-moon." Justin cracks, annoyance lacing his voice. "Can we not just find some way to stop it from happening, then I would be happy. Damn creatures get so horny."
"What about the other girls?" Zach questions, concern written across his face, then something else, something that he could not read.
"That is another thing, we can not let them be claimed, but we can not interfere either. You know it, and I know it." Endymion says. They were stuck between the rock, and the hard place, and they all knew it.
"We are going to have to take some risks, that is all there is to it." Kunzite says, "But watch yourselves, and remember. If we can't control them we are going to have to kill them."
Exchanging looks, the men blink.
"Oh ya," Justin says a cruel smile lighting his features. "Or change them whatever."
Rolling his eyes Endymion heads for the window, "I am going to check on the moon child, until later my gents."
~~~
Walking quickly over to the temple, he climbed into a tree, and looked into the window, were his angel was sleeping. Her silver hair was sprawled out across her pillow, and her limbs were taking up the whole bed. She was also gently snoring, all in all she was the most beautiful creature that he had ever seen.
He also had the odd feeling to protect the tiny creature, it was almost as if his life depended on it. He knew to, he would, call it instinct, but she was just too innocent to take care of herself. So he would do it for her. Leaning back in his tree, he was careful not to enter into the temple property. He was just watching…for now.
~~~
"What now my brothers," Christopher questions coldly, his expression grim, yet amused. "She wants us to kill them."
"Why kill them when the blood moon is rising, they are…quiet delectable creatures." Hassan murmurs, as he pulled up the picture of the women that Beryl had given them.
"True," Glavin comments, his own eyes on the picture.
"I see we, we do what we can, bond them if possible, or kill them. Either way, this should be fun." Daven murmurs.
"Let it be then," Glavin says, "We start on the morrow, get some rest, you are going to need it."
~~~
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