A.N. Konnichiwa! Welcome to the 10th instalment of Joined By One Man! I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while, but the reviews to update on my other story, The School Of Cosmos, were piling up, so I though I better do that one first.

Ok people, I need your advice. Lets say that someone writes a story that is strikingly similar to yours. I said I would write an authors note to them, but my friend said, "Copying is the greatest form of flattery." Now I want to know what you'd do. Be honest!

Anyways, on with the chapter!

Joined By One Man

A Simple Twinkling

"Ahhhh!" screamed Syaoran. It felt as though his heart was being ripped from his chest.

"Hurry up Ancrondra! We need that key for Queen Beryl!" hissed Jadeite.

Syaoran fought to stay conscious, but the overwhelming darkness seemed to engulf him. He passed out.

There was a flash of bright light. As is withdrew, all that remained of Acrondra was a pile of dust.

"You monster! He's only a child!" yelled Sailor Cosmos from a nearby ledge. She had been walking home from Eriol's house when she heard a scream.

"What does it matter? Soon the entire planet will belong to Metallia!" said Jadeite confidently.

Sailor Cosmos' rage grew. She held out her hand, palm opened. A staff with an orb on top materialized. The orb was fitted with little wings and above it was an eight-pointed star. "You have gone too far this time! You have murdered countless people, and for this you must pay!" She pointed her staff at him. "Cosmic Star of Death!"

Jadeite never got a chance to scream before he was blasted into oblivion.

Fearing the worst, Sailor Cosmos hopped down and sprinted to the unconscious Syaoran. The key, which had been inside him, was almost extracted, but a layer of flesh still covered it. Instead of using magic like Sailor Cosmos, the Negaverse simply pulled the key out. Setting to work, Cosmos muttered about the Negaverse and their gruesome ways.

A few minutes later, she had the key in her hand, safe and sound. Syaoran on the other hand, was in bad shape. The area where Acrondra tried to take the key was swelling.

"I have to heal him, he's family," whispered Sailor Cosmos. Placing her hands on his chest, she concentrated all her energy. She began the healing process.

"Princess Serenity Usagi Tsuki Lunaria Reed! What on earth are you doing?" screamed a voice from behind her.

Sighing because of lost concentration, she turned to see a red faced Haruka and a worried looking Michiru.

"I was healing a family member," stated Sailor Cosmos angrily. "You just interrupted me! He's really hurt you know!"

"Why don't you take him to the hospital?" asked Michiru.

Sailor Cosmos rolled her eyes. "And how am I going to explain his injury? 'Well you see, there was this demon, and he wanted Syaoran's magic key…'"

"I see your point," said Michiru.

"But you're going to use up all your strength!" Haruka practically yelled.

"Then you two will have to get ready to take me home!" retorted Sailor Cosmos. "Henshin, it'll be faster." The two nodded.

"Uranus Planet Power!"

"Neptune Planet Power!"

"Make up!"

A few seconds later, Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune stood in front of her.

"You wait until I'm done," said Sailor Cosmos turning back on her injured friend.

Concentrating again, Cosmos focused all her inner energies to heal Syaoran. A few minutes later, the wound was fully healed. Sailor Cosmos smiled to herself, before falling backwards from exhaustion. At that same moment, Syaoran decided to wake up.

Uranus and Neptune carefully sat Cosmos up. "Urrg, my head!" she grumbled.

"You!" yelled Syaoran jumping to his feet. "Did you take something from me as well?"

Cosmos opened her hand and peered at the little key with the symbol of Jupiter on it.

"Hey! Watch it buddy! She just saved your life!" snapped Haruka.

"Besides, if you so much as bruise her, you'll have to deal with us!" glared Michiru.

"You guys! C'mon! He's only ten!" scolded Sailor Cosmos.

"You saved my life?" asked Syaoran suspiciously.

"Well I couldn't let you die, could I?" smiled Cosmos.

"But you attacked Kinomoto-san and Mizuki-sensei!" objected Syaoran.

"Things are not as they seem. All shall soon be revealed."

With the help of Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus, Sailor Cosmos stood up. With one final smile from Cosmos, the trio jumped off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Syaoran walked to school the next morning, deep in thought. What does she mean, 'Things are not as they seem'? he wondered. What are her motives?

Fifteen minutes later, he was seated in class, waiting for Sakura to arrive. He desperately wanted to tell her what had happened.

"Ohayo Syaoran-kun!" Sakura said cheerfully, as she sat down.

"Sakura-chan, I had an encounter with Sailor Cosmos last night," said Syaoran seriously.

"Really? What happened?"

"She saved my life."

"NANI?"

Syaoran's eyes fell. "I had something she wanted, like your otou-san and Mizuki-sensei. The only problem was than an evil man wanted the object as well. He tried to take it. It hurt so much, that I fell unconscious. When I woke up, she was there with two other women dressed like her. One of the women told me Sailor Cosmos saved me. Sailor Cosmos also said, 'Things are not as they seem.'"

With a thoughtful look on her face, Sakura was silent. After a while, she spoke, "So does this mean we can trust her?"

"Definitely," smiled Syaoran. (A.N: I don't care if he's OOC! I want him to smile!)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Usagi was walking through the park. She hadn't gone to school that day. She didn't think she could handle the children.

Checking her watch, she noted it was three forty-five. While her gaze was down, she noticed a glint of gold. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a star shaped locket… the locket she had made for Yue!

Yue must've dropped it! Usagi though as she picked it up and held it in the palm of her hand. The lid popped open and the melody started playing. The blonde quickly closed it and looked around to make sure no one had seen. It would not be good if Yue found out!

Moving her grasp to the chain, Usagi walked out of the trees. She saw Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo and Yukito walking home. Touya must be working.

It seemed peaceful enough until a man with long, wavy brown hair appeared, floating midair… right in front of Yukito!

Why on earth would Nephrite be here? There's no key!

"Pathetic human! Give me your key!" yelled Nephrite.

Going on instinct, Usagi ran right in front of Yukito, arms outstretched.

"Usagi-chan! Get out of here! You don't know what you're up against!" yelled Sakura.

Usagi smirked. "I know perfectly well what I'm up against." Turning to Nephrite, she yelled," I don't know why you want Tsukishiro-san! He doesn't have a key, but if you want to try, bring it on!" She moved into a fighting stance.

The locket slipped from her grasp. Without thinking, Usagi caught the locket part of it. The lid popped open and it started to play. There was a flash of light. Usagi looked down. Then, she felt a gaze upon her. She looked up, expecting to see Yukito's soft brown eyes. Instead, the eyes that stared back at her were ice blue.

A.N. Whoo hoo! I'm done! And it's a cliffhanger!! ~loves to keep people in suspense~ By the way… THANK YOU! I won't deny it, I love getting reviews!

Ja!