HELLO THERE! It's me, Xaph! And here you go, chapter 21 of Voice… a fun filled, exciting chapter… yeah whatever… Well… okay then, announcements:
- I don't own Sailor Moon
- I need to know if anyone out there likes She's Got It or Trials of The Average High School Super-Hero. Cause if no one is interested, then I won't bother with them anymore
- E-mail me! I love it! (Xaphrin@tokyo.com)
- And most importantly:
This chapter was brought to you by:
Fraks INC. Yeah… we'll do that.
Be sure to visit their site at:
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Chapter 21: Capture
(Date: August 1st 2002)
Taiki glared at the setting sun. It had been a truly horrible day. Absolutely awful. All the flirting and… disgusting display between one of his best friends and his friend's soul mate. He hated it.
Taiki threw a couch pillow at the floor and sighed. He wanted his Mercury, he wanted her so… much…
"I love you…"
A knock sounded from the door, making him jump. Taiki glared at the door then stomped over to it, opened it, and glared at the small, blue-haired girl there.
"What?" He asked, irritably.
Ami gave a start, she blushed furiously, "I'm sorry for bothering you, Taiki-kun. I just wanted to drop off the work I said I would do…" She handed him several papers, a folder, and a book. Taiki grabbed them harshly from her hands.
"Anything else?" He asked, his temper short.
Ami blinked, letting the blush deepen, "I was going to ask you if there was anything else you wanted me to do, Taiki-kun… I know you're anx-"
"No! I'll call you some other time!" He closed the door abruptly in her face. He tossed the papers on the table without another thought, then went to wallow in his anger and self-pity.
Ami blinked at the door, her mind reeling with confusion. Taiki had never done that to her before… he'd always been a polite and caring gentleman, and even more-so after he found out about Usagi.
She sighed, shaking her head, and turned, only to see Minako standing there talking to an attractive young man with silver hair. Ami smiled slightly, the first time she had done so in a while. At least Minako was coping with the situation.
"Minako-chan!" Ami called out. Both Minako and the man turned to her.
"Ami-chan! I didn't know you were here, what are you doing?" Minako walked up to her friend.
"I had to drop off some work to Taiki."
"Oh, that's right, he's your lab partner."
The silver haired man smiled lightly at Ami, "Sorry about his attitude lately, he's trying to cope with some loss…"
"Oh?" Ami questioned, trying fiercely to remember this man's name. "Loss of what?"
He blushed, "His … girlfriend left him."
Minako passed a strange look his way.
"Oh, I didn't know he had a girlfriend…" Ami blushed.
"Well," Minako laughed lightly, "He doesn't any more!" she quickly changed the subject, "Ami-chan, have you met Yaten?"
Ami held out her hand politely, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Yaten-san."
"It's nice to see you again also, Ami-san," Yaten had been considerably politer since his discovery of Venus.
"I was just over to see Mako-chan," Minako said calmly, Ami nodded lightly.
"How's she doing?"
"She sits in her apartment staring at all her pictures of Usagi…" Minako looked away. Even though she knew Usagi was still alive, it hurt to think of her dead.
Ami nodded, "I think I'll go see her then…" she rushed off down the hall to her apartment.
"Minako-chan?" Yaten asked, his hand grasping hers lightly. He noticed a few glittering drops of water on her face.
"It's still hard to think about her… even though I know she's alive…" Minako whispered. Yaten kissed her cheeks, then kissed her lips softly.
"It'll be okay. We'll get her back, Minako-chan. I promise," He held her for a while, before the two of them went into his apartment.
"Hey, Michiru-san," Seiya said as he walked into her apartment. She looked up from her book and smiled at him.
"Seiya, How've you been?" She closed the book as he sat down across from her.
"I've been doing pretty well," He shrugged.
"Are you here to see Haruka? Because-"
"Actually, I wanted to see you, Michiru…" Seiya blushed, looking away. He needed some one to talk to, some one whom he could confess his thoughts about Usagi.
"Well, what is it, Seiya? You know you can tell me anything," She smiled very comfortingly at the man across from her. He smiled back, feeling his heart go lighter. Everything was going to be alright.
"Michiru… I nee-"
He was cut off quickly and before he knew it some one had broken down the door. A beautiful woman with mahogany hair, blazing yellow eyes, and one hell of a temper.
"You blasted son of a bitch! Do you know exactly how long it took me to find you!?"
Kaoraan.
She stepped forward into the apartment, her hands on her hips, which were cocked to the side. She stared at him and smiled malevolently. "…But," She said softly, her voice tainted like a disease, "I found you."
Seiya jumped up, his body snapping into battle form. Michiru gasped as he took a step infront of her, growling at the woman. She didn't know what was going on! Who was this woman? And what did she want with Seiya!?
"Seiya! What is this!?" Michiru yelped, her eyes going wide in fright. He just glared at the woman, his body slightly hunched and his muscles tense.
"Kaoraan, your dirt's with me, not her… leave her be…" Seiya glared.
Kaoraan just sneered, crossing her arms over her chest, "Actually, my 'dirt' is with both of you. Isn't that right, Neptune." She looked at the sea-haired woman and laughed heartily as Seiya's mouth dropped.
"Wha…?" He asked, not really believing what this woman was saying. It couldn't be true! Michiru was… well, she was Michiru. She couldn't be a Sailor Senshi! It wasn't possible. He stared at Michiru, who was holding a look of great confusion. Then he looked at Kaoraan at the door, who just sneered at him.
"Hard to believe isn't it? Your sweet … thing… is your next senshi. I almost didn't believe it either… but now I think it's rather funny…"
"I… No! This is wrong! It's all wrong!" Seiya growled, glaring at Kaoraan. She just shrugged and tossed her hair over her shoulders.
"Oh, You heard me… and I plan to finish you both off… that way my master will be very pleased with me…" She chuckled evilly, putting a finger to her lips, in an almost thoughtful manner. "Now… which one first… I wonder…" She laughed some more.
Seiya couldn't take any more, he raised one hand into the air and began to shout:
"Fighter Star- UFF!!"
Kaoraan had caught him quickly and harshly in the stomach before he could finish. She glared as she stood over him. "You think you can out whit me, Baka? You sure as hell can't out-gun me!" She flicked one finger and bolts of pure power came down upon him, zapping him of his energy.
He dropped from his doubled up position, to falling to the floor. His body was in so much pain at once, he almost felt as though he were going to pass out! His henshin microphone had fallen to the floor, where it could no longer be reached by him. Kaoraan stepped on it, laughing, then kicked Seiya in the side fully, hearing a rib crack. He groaned in pain, trying to grasp at his side as she laughed and kicked him again. This was too much fun!
"Kaoraan!" A firm voice said from behind her. She turned quickly, her eyes wide and her aura suddenly filled with fear, and quickly stood at attention. There stood a silver-haired man, dressing in robes of blue, he looked at the frighten sea-haired girl, knowing who she was. Then at Seiya, doubled up on the floor, then at Kaoraan. He nodded his head lightly at her.
"Sir!" She saluted him by crossing her right arm over her chest and bowing deeply.
Xavier took a step forward, his eyes locking with Seiya's. Seiya was the key to end his anger… Seiya was his revenge…
Seiya looked up at him, grasping his side. He knew who this man was, it was Xavier… and he had Usagi. He looked towards his henshin microphone, biting his lip. Xavier bend down and grasped Seiya's chin harshly.
"I think I may just have to finish you off myself…" He sneered, "And maybe a little torture that could make you … think." He straightened up, looking commandingly at Kaoraan by the door.
"Do not kill this one, General. I think I'd like to kill him myself…" He paused for a moment, looking back at Michiru, "Yes. You may finish that one though…" He pointed nonchalantly at her, who stood frozen with fear at him. "Have fun, General…"
"WE MUST GO!" Rei had burst through the door to Mamoru and Yaten's apartment. There on the couch, sat a sleeping Minako and Yaten.
"GET UP YOU LAZY GITS!!!" She yelled, slapping them both. They both awoke with a start, Yaten jumping to his feet in instinct, while rubbing his sore cheek. Minako looked up at the raven-haired woman. Minako really wasn't fond of her… but she did what she said anyway. Suddenly, Mamoru burst into the living room, along with Setsuna close behind him. Rei turned to them both, speaking urgently to them.
"Seiya is going to be taken away and Neptune is in trouble! Xavier and his blasted general are here! They're attacking Neptune!"
"But… we haven't awoken Neptune yet…" Yaten looked confused, but Setsuna looked like the world was going to end. Her eyes were wide and her face was white.
"Damnit! Henshin yo! If we don't save Neptune, then the Princess will never be woken!" Setsuna shielded her eyes from the lights of their transformations, they nearly blinded her. When they were finished she quickly barked out orders before all of them ran into the streets.
"Let's go! Rei, go get Taiki and phone Hotaru and Haruka! I have a feeling this is going to be troublesome…" The other senshi nodded and ran out the building as Rei ran to the phone.
'Seiya…' Rei thought, tears in her eyes. 'I need you… don't go…'
"Well…" Xavier bent down and picked Seiya up by his neck, his feet dangling above the ground. "You seem to be in a strange predicament, don't you? No henshin microphone, your friend is in peril, and none of your senshi are here to save you. I could kill you now. It would be quick, it would be painless… but it would be absolutely no fun." He chuckled evilly, then sneered at them.
Seiya couldn't reply, no matter how much he wanted to. He just tried to glare at Xavier, his whole soul was filled with a passionate hatred for him.
"Drop HIM! WORLD SHAKING!"
BOOM!
Seiya fell to the ground, rolled several times, then came to a halt, gasping for air. He looked to the door, where Haruka stood her arms out and ready for battle.
"Step away from Michiru and Seiya…" She growled, her body more then ready to fight. They had messed with the two things that could make Haruka really mad. And you never ever wanted to see Haruka really mad.
"Haruka…" Seiya wheezed out, "Michiru… She's Neptune… don't let them hurt her!"
"She's who!?" Okay, well… this was kind of a bad time to tell her this. Haruka let her guard down, staring at Michiru, who stared at Haruka with fear, surprise, and anger.
"General!" Xavier yelled out, taking back Haruka's attention, and before grabbing Seiya, "Finish them off!" Then in a flash of blue light, he was gone, having taken Seiya with him.
"Seiya!!" Haruka yelled, then turned back to Kaoraan, "Okay… that's it, bitch. You want a fight? You've got one! Come and get me!"
"With Pleasure….. AH! What the!?"
Several more Senshi had burst through the door.
"I'm not wasting my precious energy on lousy senshi!" She sneered coldly, "Why don't you ban together and start your futile search for your friend!?" She then left quickly in a flash of red light.
"Damnit! FIGHT ME!?" Haruka pounded her fist into the wall and looked up at the ceiling. The other Senshi stared at her, then at the spot where Seiya had been laying. This was a difficult loss for them….
Michiru just stood frozen in shock, on the far side of the room, staring at the eight senshi across from her. "Um… I…." She couldn't find words. They each looked up at her, tears in their eyes… even Haruka.
Xavier looked at Usagi as she stood up as he entered the room. "Hello, my little flower," He said, taking a seat across from her.
"Hello, Xavier…" She forced a smile. There was something odd about him today… it was almost as If Xavier could be the happiest man alive… and that just didn't seem quite right for him.
"You seem to be in a good mood today," She commented, setting her book to the side. Xavier smiled. It was a cold smile that made shivers run down Usagi's spine.
"I am… I have caught a rouge guard… he had been passing information to my enemy…" He folded his hands neatly in his lap.
"Who is your enemy?" Usagi questioned. He lived in utter luxury and void of worry, who exactly could he be enemies with?
"Just an old rival…" Xavier leaned back in his chair.
"Oh…" Usagi looked into his blue eyes.
"Anyway… I was wondering if you wanted to come and see his torture…"
Usagi's eyes wen t wide. Torture? He couldn't be serious! That was SO barbaric! She didn't say that though, lest she upset him. "Um… no… I'm not feeling very well…"
Xavier looked at her strangely, "Is your fever coming back?"
Usagi lied quickly, "I don't know… it might be…"
Xavier nodded once in comprehension, "Ah. Well, then you should rest…" He stood up, bowing lightly to the beautiful blonde. "I'll come and see you tomorrow…" With that he quickly exited the room.
'Something is not right….' Usagi thought, getting to her feet. She poked her head out of the room just in time to see Xavier hurry around a corner. 'I better follow him… whatever this is can't be good…'
She quickly and silently stepped from the room into the hall, and followed the same direction of Xavier, making sure she stayed out of sight. Before she knew it, she came to an elaborately carved door, that was open just enough to let sound come through. She knew this room… it was Xavier's drawing room… where he and that… Kaoraan woman always talked. Huh…
She took a deep breath, silently pressed her ear against the crack in the doors, and listened.
"…It's a shame we don't have a better torture chamber… or a dungeon… otherwise this would be much more fun." That was Xavier's voice! Usagi listened more intently.
"Yes… but watching his 'Beloved' in immense pain would be torture enough for him." Who was that? Wait… wasn't it his General… Kaoraan?
"Don't touch Usagi. She's mine. If you touch her general…" Xavier was stern with his words, but Usagi was frightened… did they want to kill her? But… why? Usagi felt a deep fear cross over her… why?
"But what about Seiya?" Kaoraan seemed in distress.
"Oh don't worry, we'll find a creative enough way to get rid of Seiya…"
Usagi's fear was quickly replaced with shock. Seiya!? Seiya was … here? She had to find him! She HAD to! If she found him…. Maybe they could get out! Or… at the least… she would be with him…
Usagi ran away from the door and down the halls…. Where? Where could that sad excuse for a man put Seiya? He had to be hidden… but where!? Oh where could he… ah-ha! There. Xavier must think Usagi to be very stupid…. Because guarding a door were four guards…. Usagi approached them and they stared her down evilly.
Usagi didn't even bother, she quickly rushed off to her room. She had another idea….
Usagi moved back a tapestry in her quarters, revealing an almost ordinary looking piece of wall… ordinary, save for the golden handle. This was the hidden servants' passageways. It connected every room in the castle, so the maids weren't to be seen… nor Usagi.
She turned the handle and pushed the door open firmly, looking down the dark corridor. Usagi grabbed a candle stick and pushed herself into the devouring darkness. If she was right… Seiya's room would be- AH! Staircase!
Usagi slipped down it, onto the level below and through the dimly lighted corridor for another five minutes. Then… there was a door. Usagi turned the handle slowly pulling the door toward her, and looking at the backside of a tapestry. She pushed the tapestry aside and gasped at what she saw in the dimly lit room
There, lay a lumpy figure on the bed. Groaning in pain. Dark hair was plastered against a muscular body, and blood was evident on the sheet of the bed and skin of the person.
"Seiya…" Usagi wanted to cry. She stood there watching the man before she stepped forward, almost silently.
The man sat up in a flash, his body ready to fight, "Come and get me Ba-… Usagi…?" He stared at the young blonde, clothed in a pale orange gown. She looked more radiant then ever… like an angel…
"Usagi?" he questioned again.
At this Usagi began to cry, she nodded and ran forward, jumping onto his bed and into his arms. Dried blood caked his body and the sheets, but Usagi didn't care. She just sat there and cried, happier then anything that he was here… and he was alive.
"Seiya… it's you!" She whispered, holding him close.
"Oh, Usagi… Usagi…" He stroked her hair, feeling it's softness in his hands. He pulled away slowly, looking her up and down, then he forced a smile.
"You look beautiful…. At least it's good to know he's treating you properly…" Seiya said, brushing his hands over her shoulders.
"What are you doing here?" Usagi quickly avoided the subject as her cheeks flamed up, "What does Xavier want with you?"
"He wants to kill me," Seiya hissed suddenly, looking away from her. Usagi blinked, her eyes filled with fear for him
"But… why?"
"Because…" He said it as if it were the only reason Xavier had brought him here. She didn't need to know that he was Fighter… quite yet… of her past… that would hopefully be taken care of by the senshi…
Usagi looked confused. He hadn't answered her question, but she knew better then to press the issue. Seiya touched her hand, making Usagi face him. Then he said very suddenly and firmly:
"You shouldn't be here, go."
Usagi was stunned at his forwardness, "What?"
"Go. Usagi, if you get caught I'll never forgive myself."
"But… I don't want to go!" She felt the hot tears quickly come to her eyes, "Seiya, you're the only person I've wanted to see since I've been kidnapped! Please… don't make me go."
Seiya felt his heart wrench at her words. "Usagi…" He whispered, then leaned forward and kissed her tears. It felt good to feel his lips against her skin, it was almost like he were free.
"Usagi, be careful… Xavier is a dangerous man…" Seiya whispered firmly.
"I know…" Usagi looked sheepish, "Why haven't they bandaged you?" she asked, taking one of his hands softly, feeling the gashes and swollen fingers in her own delicate, untouched hands.
Seiya smiled lightly. She was so naïve… "They want me dead, Usagi."
"I'll do it then…" She whispered, touching one of his wounds on his arm lightly, "Next time I come."
"Usagi, you can't. Then Xavier will know you've been here. You can't come here any more…" Seiya said, this time in a no-nonsense tone. He didn't want Usagi to be in any danger, he'd kill himself before he let any harm come to Usagi.
She suddenly looked very angry, pressing her lips together in a firm lines and narrowing her eyes at him. Seiya had only seen her like this once before, and it frightened him, "And who's going to stop me?" she growled.
Seiya swallowed hard. With that look on her face, he sure as hell didn't want to stop her from doing anything.
"Thought so," She said after the silence. "Seiya… I-"
"Shh!" He whispered then listened.
"… Let me see him."
"Hide, Usagi!" He pushed her off the bed and under it, then quickly lied down, moaning in pain again.
"So, Seiya… are you comfortable?" Said a sly and evil voice. Usagi watched silver boots on the stone floor from her position under the bed.
Seiya glared at him, saying nothing. He wanted to yell, he wanted to spit in his face… but he just sat there feeling the worst case of contempt run over him.
"If you're good, I might just bring Serenity in for your next torture session. How would that make you feel?" He laughed evilly, watching the horror on Seiya's face… but there was always the silence.
"Well then, I guess we'll see you tomorrow morning!"
The sound of retreating footsteps and a closing door, made Usagi pop out from under the bed. She crawled up to be with Seiya again, feeling the tears.
"No!" She cried, "I don't want them to hurt you!"
"Sh! Usagi… you've got to be calm… I'm okay. I'm a big tough man, remember?" He stroked her cheek, trying to smile
Usagi leaned forward and cried into his bloody shirt. Seiya held her close for a moment, then pulled her away. "Everything is going to be alright, Usagi."
"I don't want to see you hurt Seiya…. I- I-"
"It's okay," Seiya placed his finger-tips on her lips, quieting her. "You've got to go now, Usagi. You're going to be caught."
Usagi nodded forcefully, a few more tears running down her cheeks. "I'll try to see you again, I promise."
"Don't," Seiya said firmly, "I want you to be safe."
"I don't care what happens to me!"
Seiya looked firmly at her, "Well I care what happens to you, and you must go now… I don't want you to be hurt… or in any danger."
"Seiya, I-" Usagi began her protest.
"Go!" He said firmly. She blinked and rose from his bed.
"Seiya… I just…"
Seiya cupped her cheek, "You'll be safer once you leave… I care about you Usagi…"
She nodded slowly, letting more tears into freedom. "I guess I should go now…" Usagi whispered.
"Keep out of Xavier's way, Usagi…" Seiya said as once last warning.
Usagi felt the hot tears run down her face, "Just as long as you do too…" She quickly went to the door and snuck out of his room. Seiya watched her go with a heavy heart… She had need to see him… to be with him, and now he doubted he would live to the end of the week.
'But at least I got to see her…' he thought, watching the door, 'Maybe one last time.'