KONNICHIWA MINNA-SAN! It's me! Xaph-chan! Here for your literary pleasure! I hope you enjoy this lovely chapter! Remember: Seiya is Hot, I don't own Sailor Moon, and If you have some Cake, you should eat it! CHIBI-CHIBI!
Love, your neighborhood psycho: Xaph!
A raven haired woman looked up from the blazing fire in front of her.
Soon.
Soon, they would be coming for her. Soon, she would have to live another life…
Usagi looked up at the ceiling. It had been nearly two days since she had fallen ill and she was exhausted as ever. Her body felt numb all over and her brain seemed like it couldn't function properly.
It felt as if her spirit had grown… like freezing water in a sealed jar. She felt like her whole being was different…
She rolled over, rubbing her face into the silk pillow. She breathed in deeply, wishing more then anything she could get away from here. These odd bursts of pain were reeking havoc on both her nervous system, and mental stability. It was almost as if she had some deranged case of cabin fever.
She swallowed hard, trying to settle her self. But nothing seemed to be working. And so she sat in the empty room, alone, confused, and scared.
Seiya walked over to Haruka's apartment. He'd asked her out to lunch the day before and was looking forward to the outing. It was positively horrible back at Taiki's apartment.
He hated being so close to Mamoru. They always seemed to get into fights and arguments over who Usagi truly belonged to. And when they questioned Pluto, she would simply stare back at them with those placid, monotone eyes and sigh.
It felt good to get away from that, even if it was only a for a few hours. It was like hell not having his apartment repaired yet. Living with Taiki wasn't bad. He usually kept to himself, occasionally going out to the library or to meet one of his friends. When dinner came around he would talk to Seiya, but Seiya didn't talk much. He was still brooding over not being able to rescue Usagi…
"Seiya!" Michiru smiled as she answered the door. "Come on in!"
He smiled slightly, and walked into the living room. A large white drop-cloth sat in the center and Haruka stood in the middle of it with a purple and gold toga with gold leaves adorning her head in a crown. Her cheeks were blushing furiously as Seiya fought to contain his laughter.
"Konnichiwa Haruka-kun…" He chuckled.
"Shut up…" Haruka hissed slightly.
"Haruka! Stand still! I just have to make one little mark and…" Michiru painstakingly painted a few more additions onto the canvas before she set her brush down. "Perfect! Come here, Seiya. Tell me what you think."
Seiya walked next to Michiru and looked at the canvas. It was almost photographic and was of the highest quality. The picture was slightly different then the model. For instance, the toga on the canvas hung off Haruka in a more seductive manner, and her eyes were the same way. Of course there was an elaborate back-ground… and… that was odd.
"Michiru, What's that?" Seiya pointed to a figure in the corner. Michiru looked at it and blushed.
"You know… I don't know. When I started this piece about a month ago it was supposed to be Haruka as the focal point, but that girl just came up… it intrigues me." Michiru looked at the beautiful figure.
The woman in the background was beautiful… her hair was blonde-silver and her eyes glittered tranquilly through thick lashes. She was wearing a pure white toga and gold adornings on her body. The white of the fabric almost blended in completely with the woman's skin.
"Michiru… it kind of looks like … Usagi," Seiya said sadly. Michiru gave a start and looked at the picture again.
It DID look like Usagi… the same hair style too. Who could forget those distinct buns and pigtails? "It does… that's very odd…"
"Excuse me, Michi-chan, can I change now?" Haruka asked, exasperated.
"Go on ahead," Michiru chuckled.
Haruka nearly bolted to the bedroom as Michiru laughed at her.
"You know I think the best part about painting Haruka, is that I get to torture her," She said, almost maliciously.
Seiya chuckled. "Actually… it is kind of funny to see Haruka in a toga…"
"Hm… You know, Seiya… you would make a great model for one of my paintings…"Michiru said, holding a finger to her lips in a thoughtful manner.
"Uh… No thanks, Michiru. I'll pass…" Seiya held up his hands in defense.
"Awe… now come on, Seiya…" She smiled sweetly at him, "As a favor for me?"
"Um… Ah…" Seiya stepped back as Michiru smiled sweetly at him with her pleading eyes.
"Please?"
"No… Michiru… It's-"
"Let's go, Seiya-kun," Haruka said, walking out of the bedroom, dressed fully in a pair of baggy khaki's and a tee-shirt.
'Saved by Haruka! Thank you God!' Seiya thought, nodding at Haruka.
"Sure. Let's go… Ja ne, Michiru!" Seiya said walking out the door.
"Don't worry, Seiya! I'll get you! If it's the last thing I do!" Michiru called jokingly after the duo.
"No thanks, Michiru!" Seiya laughed back.
Haruka turned to Seiya as they walked down the street, "Michiru-chan, trying to get you to model for one of her paintings, I take it?"
"Yep…" Seiya shoved his hands into his pockets and looked down.
"What is it, Seiya?"
"I could have saved her… you know. She was right there… why didn't I do anything?" Seiya looked down sadly.
"Seiya, you could have gotten yourself killed. From what I hear there was nothing anyone could do. Not even you…" Haruka said with compassion.
"I know… but I feel like there is. I wish she was back here…" Seiya sighed, as they turned into the restaurant. They were seated and Haruka looked up at him calmly.
"So, who's next?" She questioned, after they had ordered their drinks.
Seiya leaned forward and whispered, "Mars."
Haruka closed her eyes tightly as a look of deep concentration flashed over her face. After several long seconds, Haruka's eyes opened again. "I think… I remember her… the one with the fiery temper?"
"Hai," Seiya nodded, "That's her… when she found out about Serenity and I… let's just say it was the last time I ever crossed her path…"
Haruka chuckled. "I wonder if she's changed?"
Seiya sighed exasperatedly, "Doubtful."
Haruka chuckled again, "This time be a little more discrete with your… relationships."
Seiya chuckled, and whispered, "You won't have to worry about that, I was reborn as a senshi for one purpose only: to find and retrieve the moon princess."
The waiter came and took their orders and menus.
"So how were… Taiki and Yaten… you know… related with you back… then?" She questioned, when the waiter had left.
"Captain Taiki and Captain Yaten. They were my second in command."
"But why were they reborn also?"
"They were in love too…"
"Please don't tell me with Serenity…" Haruka said exasperatedly.
Seiya laughed, "No. Two Sailor Senshi, Mercury and Venus. Since they loved the two senshi, they had an indirect link with the princess through them. In the end… they were reborn with me. So they have not only one, but two quests. To find the princess and to find their own loves."
Haruka rubbed her temples, "Ack…"
"Don't worry about it. It'll become second nature in a while…" Seiya chuckled
Haruka sighed. "I hope so…"
Seiya smiled, "You know… you make one hell of a senshi. I was impressed with your work the other day."
Haruka shook her head and chuckled, "I have yet to kill you for that comment though."
"Yeah…" Seiya laughed, "I know. Oh, wait. Did you see the paper?"
"No…" Haruka looked interested.
"Hang on a second," He stood up from the table and went to grab a paper from the front of the restaurant, then came back. "Check out the headline."
Haruka grabbed the paper. On the front sat: New 'Sailor Senshi'! Who is it? Along with that came a picture of Haruka. Only… her breasts were three times as large, her hair was longer, her waist was much thinner, her legs were longer, and her fuku was MUCH skimpier. Underneath the picture sat: Artist's Rendition.
"NANI! ECCHI!" She yelled.
"Oh, wait.. you haven't seen mine yet…" He turned to the third page. And sure enough… the same changes were on Fighter as well.
"Oh Kami-sama! What the hell… what psychotic idiot thought this one up? Fucking hentai…" Haruka growled, trying to restrain from making a big scene.
"I told you, you had sexy legs," Seiya chuckled.
"Oh shut up, Seiya…" Haruka smacked him on the head with the paper.
Seiya looked out the window into the street. There on the corner stood a woman with long black hair, and deep violet eyes. She looked oddly familiar to Seiya, but he brushed it off as the waiter brought their food.
"So, now what?" Haruka questioned, picking at her fries.
Seiya shrugged, "We wait for Setsuna to heal, then it's off again…"
"I hate waiting… it makes me nervous…" Haruka said, sighing.
"I know, but it's all we can do…" Seiya sat back and looked out the window again, this time the woman locked eyes with him.
~I know~
Seiya nearly jumped ten feet. What was that! It was as if someone was speeking to him from inside his mind! It was… that woman… who was she!? He looked again quickly, only to find her missing.
"Seiya! Yo, Seiya. What's wrong?" Haruka questioned. Seiya swallowed hard.
"Nothing… I guess I was just thinking too hard…"
A woman stood outside Mamoru's apartment, she knocked softly on the door. There was a noise from inside and the door opened to reveal a short, feminine-looking man, with deep jade eyes and silver hair.
"Konnichiwa," She said calmly.
"Can I help you?" The man asked, not wanting to be bothered with anything at the moment.
"I'm looking for Setsuna-san," She said in her presumptuous voice.
"No one of that name lives here."
"You lie," She said firmly.
"Wha?" He looked stunned at her forwardness.
She leaned forward to where her eyes were only a few inches from his, "Mars." She whispered softly.
At that moment the man gasped, stepped back and threw open the door. He tried to step back further, but tripped over his own feet and crashed to the ground. "Yo- Yo- You know!" He stuttered.
"Hai." The woman stepped over him and into the apartment. She waited calmly as the man picked himself up. "May I see Setsuna-san now?"
"Yaten! What is all the racket!?" A deep voice said from the living room. The woman turned her head quickly to look into a handsome face with short, raven hair, and glittering blue eyes. "Who are you? What do you want?" He questioned immediately, after seeing the strange woman.
The woman bowed softly, "I am Hino Rei. I am here to speak with Setsuna-san."
Mamoru stood thee staring at her angrily, "You have no right to trespass, looking for a woman that doesn't even live here! Leave now."
The woman blinked calmly and stood her ground, "I am Sailor Mars." She said placidly. Mamoru looked as though he were choking on something.
"Nani?"
"I am Sailor Mars," Rei repeated herself.
Mamoru backed away, "SETSUNA!" He yelled.
Setsuna rushed out into the entry way where the three figures stood. "What is- MARS!" She gasped, her garnet eyes going wide.
Rei bowed, "Konnichiwa, Setsuna-san."
Setsuna regained her calm stature, "I should have known that you would be searching for us."
"I've known for a while… that I am a Sailor Senshi. Finding you was the hard part. When you reestablished Uranus's power… I knew exactly where to find you," Rei said, following Setsuna into the living room. They both sat on the couch, leaving two stunned men at the entry way.
"The sacred fire, I suppose, has been keeping you in contact with everything?" Setsuna questioned.
"Hai. I didn't quite understand many of the things the fire had shown me, but now it's falling into place," Rei sat perfectly strait and calm with her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"I see," Setsuna said calmly. She motioned to the two men off to the side, "I suppose you have met Mamoru-san, and Yaten-san?"
A small smile tugged at Rei's mouth, "I have."
"I'm sorry…" Mamoru spoke softly, "For my behavior before…"
Rei raised an eyebrow, "Don't worry about it. I believe you are… Mamoru-san?"
"Hai…" he said, bowing slightly.
"And you must be Yaten-san, am I correct?" She questioned the silver-haired man. Yaten nodded.
"Hai," Yaten didn't bow. He held resentment suddenly for the raven haired woman. She was arrogant, pompous, and too calm for her own good. He looked at Mamoru, then at Setsuna and Rei. "I'm heading to Taiki's. I have some things I'd like to talk to him about."
"Alright," Setsuna said calmly, she watched as he walked swiftly out of the room and down the hall.
Usagi rolled over again, covered in sweat. It was one of the few moments she didn't have some nurse or maid waddling around her, trying to force-feed Usagi odd elixirs and medicines. She just wanted sleep… she wanted to be rid of whatever was causing this strange fever.
She forced herself to look at the door. And there… there she saw a wonderful figure, with long raven hair, indigo eyes, and a magnificent smile.
"Seiya…" She whispered, her hand reaching out for him, "Hold me…" But within a moment, the figure had vanished, and in its place sat a large golden sword. But the sword exploded into flames of fire. Usagi gasped.
"Fire…" she whispered, afraid.
Then the fire vanished, revealing a cold, black hole, lined with purple. From the hole came an immense gall that seemed like it was going to drown her. From the gale spouted a golden heart that glittered like the sun its self. The heart cracked into two pieces as it was struck by a spiny finger of green lightning. And the lightning fizzled to an end as it was encased by a glittering blue bubble. Then there was a burst of white light as everything seemed to be encased by a garnet orb, and then… it faded into oblivion.
"Darkness…" Usagi wheezed out, closing her eyes and trying to push out the disturbing hallucinations. Only to find, when she closed her eyes… she was haunted by a deep voice and sparkling indigo eyes.
Yaten walked into Taiki's apartment without even knocking. He looked up from a large book on the table. Next to him sat a pretty, small girl, with bright blue eyes, and short, deep blue hair. Taiki and her were hunched over the book, and were both writing on numerous sheets of paper.
"Oh. I didn't know you were busy, Taiki-kun," Yaten blushed lightly.
"It's okay, Yaten-kun. Can I help you?" Taiki questioned.
Yaten felt a little sheepish. All he had wanted to do was to talk to Taiki. He cleared his throat slightly, "Um… Can I see you in private for a moment?"
Taiki looked at Ami then back at Yaten. He knew Yaten wouldn't do this unless it was fairly important. "Sure. I'll be back in a moment, Ami-san."
Ami watched as he stood up and followed Yaten into his room. "What is it, Yaten-kun?" he questioned when he had closed the door.
"She came looking for us…" He whispered.
"Who?" Taiki asked, confused
"Mars."
Taiki's eyes went wide as he suddenly had a hard time getting his breath. "Mars?" He forced out.
"She's sitting in Mamoru's apartment, making small talk with Setsuna," Yaten rolled his eyes, "I don't like her. She's pompous, overbearing, and arrogant."
Taiki raised on eyebrow, "Hm… sounds a lot like some one else I know."
"Shut up," Yaten hissed crossing his arms over his chest.
"Listen, we're gonna have to get used to her… I know that our mission extends beyond finding the princess…" Taiki looked at Yaten softly, knowing that, that was why Yaten could be so hot-headed about senshi business.
He looked down, "I miss her…"
Taiki placed a hand on his shoulder, "I miss her too…"
Yaten looked up and breathed in deeply, "I know… I know…"
"It's going to be okay."
"But we're so close! I just wish… I just wish I could feel her in my arms again, Taiki…" Yaten looked down at his hands and sighed deeply.
"I know the pain…" Taiki looked away, but they both jumped as some one at the door knocked.
"Taiki-san?" It was a very airy and gently voice.
Taiki opened the door, "Gomen ne, Ami-san."
"Taiki-san, It's time for me to go home. I will be back tomorrow, if that's alright with you?"
"Sure. Tomorrow, we'll see if we can figure out those equations, alright?"
"Hai," She bowed. "Sayonara, san." With that she stepped softly out of the apartment.
Yaten looked at Taiki strangely, "Who was that?"
"My lab partner. Mizuno-san," Taiki shrugged.
"Mm," Yaten looked angrily at the closed door, "Come on, you'd better be meeting Pyro."
Taiki chuckled and followed him down the hall.
Ami looked down the hall as she waited for Makoto to open her door. At the far end stood Taiki-san and his friend.
'Huh… I wonder what that was all about before…' she thought. Her thoughts were cut short as the door opened.
"Ami-chan!" Makoto let her inside. "Have you heard anything yet?"
Ami shook her head sadly, "No… I'm really worried, Mako-chan… people just don't disappear…"
Makoto looked down sadly at the carpet, "The police are almost ready to pronounce Usagi… dead…"
"BUT SHE'S NOT!" Ami yelled, tears bursting suddenly to her eyes. Makoto joined in with the shedding of tears.
"I know… I KNOW! I would feel it… but she's no where to be found… and Seiya's apartment… it was attacked…" Makoto looked down.
"NO! I REFUSE TO BELIVE SHE'S DEAD!" Ami yelled, "She's out there some where! We have to find her, Mako!"
"How? Ami, How?"
To this, Ami had no comment… all she wanted was her friend… back… safe…
"They can't… she's not dead… she's alive," Ami was filled with determination, "She is alive! And we're going to find her!"
Rei looked up at the two new faces in the room. "Konnichiwa Yaten-san, and Taiki-san, I suppose?"
Taiki nodded, "Hai. And you must be…"
"Hino Rei," She nodded.
"Konnichiwa." Taiki said with a calmness that matched her own.
"Is Seiya-san going to be coming?" Rei questioned Setsuna.
She rolled her eyes, "Doubtful… he's out with Haruka now…"
Rei looked a little surprised, "Oh? Haruka and him are…"
Setsuna was a little confused by her reaction, "Best Friends. Haruka has… another."
"Oh…" Rei's face turned a light shade of pink, "Gomen."
Setsuna looked a her strangely, "Rei… I may have enough power to return your senshi powers to yourself…"
Taiki looked at her strangely, "Are you sure, Setsuna-san? I don't want you to…"
"I'll be fine, Taiki-san. The sooner we get this finished with, the sooner we can retrieve the princess…"
"Hai…"
Setsuna quickly transformed, with the same exotic lights and colors. Rei found the transformation intriguing as she watched the beautiful woman change into a higher concentration of magical power.
Within moments she had transformed and now was ready for to bring Rei into the world of the senshi.
"Come here, Rei-san," Setsuna said. Rei took a step forward and held her head proudly. Setsuna raised her staff and gently touched Rei's forehead.
Rei closed her eyes as she felt a strange sensation on her forehead. It itched right in the middle of her forehead… and then burned… then it felt as though her whole body were on fire. For a moment she wanted to scream in pain and anguish, but she forced her mouth to stay close.
Eventually the pain subsided and Rei stood thee, looking at a fatigued Setsuna. She smiled.
"Welcome, Mars-" She was cut short as there sounded a knock on the door.
Mamoru looked at Yaten and Taiki, "Get her to bed. She needs rest. Rei, go sit with Setsuna, your sign is a little obvious."
Rei touched the itching spot in her forehead. It felt oddly smooth in some parts. She nodded to Mamoru.
"Hai," She walked off with Yaten and Taiki.
Mamoru went to the door and opened it, "Hai?"
There stood a woman with long, wavy black hair and sad eyes, "Mamoru-san? I need to speak with Seiya-san." Her voice was rough, as though she had been crying.
Mamoru suddenly recognized this as Usagi's mother. "He's not here right now, he should be back soon." Mamoru let her into the apartment.
"The police… are giving the case another week… before they pronounce Usagi… dead…" She said through the tears.
Mamoru looked deeply troubled. Even though he knew where Usagi was… the idea of death struck him fiercely. "No… they can't…" He whispered, tears threatening to fall. "Usagi's alive… I know it…"
Ikuko sobbed heavily, "I don't know what to do… My little rabbit…"
Mamoru gave her a comforting hug, "It will be alright… we'll find her. She'll be back… I promise…"
Mamoru's tears now fell freely down his face. 'I promise, Usako… I will get you back… I will get you back.'