Chapter Seven
Having left Ki-he back at the alley, the falcon known as Aroi-he flew high in the night sky, his head darting about as he observed the sights below. The wind was cold but his feathers were a great comfort. Unaware of what had commenced back at the alley, he soared higher up till the city was a sparkling set of jewels. Without warning, his mind grew alert and he suddenly dived sharply at the lights below, breaking his free fall only at the last minute over a dim street, the lights below very few.
Landing on a near by rooftop, he perched at the edge, glancing about. The feeling was stronger here, yet he could feel it fading.
It happened here, he thought, his feathers ruffled slightly as if to shiver. The last place he was alive. He glanced into the night sky.
At least, on this earth. He gave a low cry, like a morning bird, then lowered his head.
It may not have happened if… The bird head gave a shake and he leapt from the perch, soaring low to the ground before allowing the wind the lift him into the air once more.
But it was long ago. Yet the feeling remains. Without much thought, he dove again sharply, his eyes shut against an inner pain. Only when a sudden feeling of danger hit him did he open them, only to give a screech of alarm as a building came suddenly into view.
Trying to reassert him, he was too late as with a sudden crash, he slammed into a window. The glass did not crack as he fell to a surface below the window, a sharp pain slicing through his body.
Unable to move let alone think, the world seemed to swirl about him, curses of stupidity ringing through his mind. As he lay there, thinking he'd never be able to get back to Ki-he, the glass suddenly moved aside. His eyes not focusing, all he could do was screech in pain half heatedly as a young girl drew near, the light from the window causing her to appear like she was glowing. His weary mind thought of an image he'd once known. But it couldn't be.
"Oh, you poor bird. You must have got lost in the dark. It's okay, I won't hurt you."
He felt himself being lifted in her arms and knew he must be entering a warm room as light blinded him, his eyes half closed as he cried out.
"Shhh, it's okay. I know just the thing to help you." He felt himself being laid on soft blankets in a dimmer room and the sounds of soft footfalls leaving. Unable to really see his surroundings, he could only lay on his side, to weak to do anything.
The girl returned, bandages in her hands and a bowl of warm water. Carefully, she lifted a wing and he screamed.
"Oh, sorry. I guess it's this one." Meekly, she took a wet cloth from the bowl, wrung it out, and carefully wrapped it around his body, taking a bottle from a bedside table and dabbing it to another cloth. With gentle caresses, she dabbed the injured wing and then wrapped it in the bandages.
His wing suddenly felt cool, yet warm, as the pain eased. His mind felt heavy with fatigue as he glanced at the girl once more before falling into slumber. Once again light surrounded her from the other room, though her face he could not see. She once again appeared to be glowing and it almost seemed something glittered behind her.
His mind falling asleep, a last thought tickled him as he grinned inwardly.
A faerie.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The dark lady grinned as she left the room where screams of pain emanated, bouncing off the walls and following her as she glided down the dim corridor. Soon after, entering her throne room, she seated herself in a tall armchair near the low-banked fire as it cast shows over her, her hand whimsically tracing over something that glowed in her hand.
A flickering green crystal rose, the bud not quote open yet. The lady laughed as she raised her hand and the rose vanished. The sounds of chains rang from somewhere deep in the reaches of the dark place.
"I must admit, the plan was quite good, Roganda."
The red hared girl appeared from behind, gave a bow and approached. "Your compliments glories me, Milady."
"But, let us not forget the captor in this chase. She had uses to be sure."
"Good bait is all, I believe," Roganda's lip twitched, irritation perhaps?
"Yes, but it was she who discover our next Senshi. Even if her life force no longer breaths, her shell knows much. Come my Shadow Senshi!"
A swirl of angry waters appeared in a water spout before it dissipated suddenly, revealing the dark aqua hared Senshi bowed before her.
"Milady," came her dark voice as she looked up, her eyes flashing angry blue before they returned to the former state.
"Yes, Sailor Neptune, former Guardian to the Silver Millennium. My, you do seem better now," she chuckled darkly. "Roganda, wouldn't you say she appears unchanged?"
Roganda frowned at Neptune as she turned, "The shadow within her does grow strong, Milady. You would think she was the same."
The dark lady grinned in her shadows, "Let us see your catch."
A bolt of lightening hit the floor beside Neptune, who did not even flinch, and there floated another, her head hung in defeat and the look of death in her skin.
"She fought hard against the illusions," spoke Roganda, "But it was the Senshi of Neptune who changed her mind. Her mind is open now, her spirit gone."
"As I already know, Roganda. But tell me, what might I find with this one? Her deepest fear, was it not a strange one for such a powerful Senshi?"
"I-I do not know, Milady. I-I do not tread on your ways…"
The lady stood, a frown in the darkness, "See that you don't. I suppose you must leave now, if I'm not mistaken."
With a start, Roganda blinked, then nodded, "Yes, I had forgotten. Thank you, Milady. I will not fail." Being quick, she ran lightly to a mirror and slipped through, vanishing.
The lady approached the limp form hung in the air, turning to face Neptune for a moment, "You may go. I am sure there are people who will have 'questions'."
Neptune's grin was cold and sly as she nodded, her dark eyes glinting. "Of coarse, Milady." With a bow and a waterspout encasing her, she vanished.
Now alone with the still form, the dark shadow reached out with a hand and lifted the form's chin. Her eyes were blank and dark green, no life present, her body appearing very beaten and cut. The woman chuckled darkly.
"You will know such power as you've never felt. You will feel strength like such never met. The darkness, the anger will flow through your veins." She leaned closer to the girl's ear, whispering, "You are now mine!"
With laughter she brought her hand forward and a dark beam shot out, enveloping the girl, her eyes glowed a fierce brilliance of blue, a shadow floating over her. Then like silk, it slipped through her, seeping in like water on a sponge. The light faded and she fell to the floor. After a moment, the girl slowly rose, her eyes glowing blue before resuming a fierce green, her outfit even appearing darker.
A nasty grin appeared as she nodded to the lady.
"Welcome back, Shadow Senshi, Guardian of Jupiter!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
"So far, nothing," Ami murmured as she tapped on her small hand held computer, "As far as I can see, Lita just isn't here anymore."
"No," whispered a saddened Serena, clutching the edge of the table, "Not her too. Why? Why is this happening?"
Rei rested a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry. We'll find them."
Haruka had been standing at the doorway of Rei's room, over looking the garden outside. Having said nothing for a while, she spoke quietly.
"It's not making sense. We searched everywhere. How and why are they taking them. And what is their purpose?" she touched a hand to her forehead, "this isn't making sense."
"They don't appear to be a rational enemy. But are we sure they took Lita too?"
"I wouldn't put it past them," Ami said as she put away her computer, "From what we've seen, they have an objective of collecting people. For what purpose, we've yet to speculate."
"And what of this strange woman we encountered?" Haruka said darkly, "What do we make of her?"
"Leave her out of this," Serena suddenly spoke, "I can't believe she'd be responsible for any of this. She saved us, remember? She even tried to save Michiru, remember Haruka?"
"How do we know?" Haruka said, suddenly turning to them, "She made an attempt the take Michiru back, granted. But how do we know she wasn't about the claim her herself?"
Serena said nothing, only turned away, holding her knees close to her. Rei glanced at the clock, "it's getting late and we do have classes tomorrow. Aren't you suppose to be practicing, Serena?"
Serena nodded, slowly rising. Ami piped up, trying to sound cheerful, "I'm sure Lita will turn up, and Michiru as well. We have to put on a brave face till they do. We don't want too many questioned asked right now. Agreed?"
After they all nodded, they left, leaving Rei to her meditation, and Haruka insisting she walk Serena home.
"We don't need you missing at all," she said gently as they waved to Ami.
Serena was silent as they walked, Haruka glancing down once and a while to her. She was going over in her head the things said at the meeting when she became suddenly aware of a soft crying coming from Serena.
Glancing down again, she saw Serena furiously wiping away tears as they walked. Without a word and putting her own pain away, Haruka suddenly stopped and held Serena to her, hugging her as she ran a hand over her back. Serena continued to weep into her shoulder until she finally stopped, glancing up to Haruka in soft surprise.
Haruka grinned down at her, "It's okay, Princess. I understand your pain. But don't forget, we're here with you. And we'll always protect you. I will protect you. I swear it."
Serena nodded silently as they continued to walk, Haruka's arm about her in silent comfort as they continued home.
~*~*~*~*~*~