Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Eternal
Book 3: Chapter 7 'Wisdom's Tears'
e-mail [kisaki@tds.net]
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Saturn screamed her name, "Usagi!"
"A person with your Pure Heart HAS to have it!" Clotho exclaimed, "Akuma! Get her Pure Heart!"
"Right." The Akuma pointed the claw at her. "Fire One!" It said. The claw hurtled out and embedded itself into her soul. Usagi wailed in pain, then collapsed. Her Pure Heart floated out of her body.
The Senshi screamed her name, begging for her to get up and fight. But she couldn't hear them. She was too far gone.
"Excuse me. The Heart Crystal belongs to me." A calm voice said.
Everyone glanced it the direction. A figure was perched on a branch not far away.
"Does it? Who says?!" Clotho argued.
The person leapt onto the ground and walked over. Everyone gasped. It was her - the mystery Senshi!
She wore short silvery hair shaped like Okugi's. While her eyes were a cold, heartless sapphire. Both skirt and collar were gray while her bows were a medium blue. The Tiara was set with a silver jewel. Likewise as with her circular brooch. Her boots contained the same color of blue as on the bows. The length reached halfway between the ankle and knee and was tightly fitted with flat heels. Her gloves were the opposite of the usual Uranus/ Neptune style. While the shape was the same, the color pattern had been switched. Where the white would be, blue had replaced it. And the three rings were colored white instead. Also to add, all the gloves' fingers, except the forefinger, had been removed for easier mobility. She wore a double pair of blue stud earrings that matched the plain blue neckband and a tight, black necklace-chain with a silver ring attached to it. A brown strap, wrapped loosely around her waist, held a strange gun along it.
"The nightmare may be forgotten but it is never truly gone... It still exists in my soul, waiting to awaken... I am the Senshi of Deception - Sailor Luna!" She said and summoned a bow into her hand.
"Sailor Luna?! Whatever! Get her too." Clotho ordered.
The Akuma lunged at Sailor Luna but she didn't move. It tossed clay balls at her. She jumped and attacked it from behind. An arrow struck it creating massive damage. Then she called her attack. "LUNAR NIGHTMARE SYNDROME!" The blast hit it hard, turning the Akuma into a small black stone. The stone fell to the ground and shattered into dust.
"Yeah! She's great!" Venus cheered.
"Don't be so sure yet." Warned Pluto.
"Your turn." Sailor Luna told Clotho and stalked in her direction.
"Wait! I...umm... Please! Stop! I ... I only did what he told me to do!" She stammered, backing up.
"No. You are Negafleet."
"Hey! People can change!" Mars protested. "Give her a chance!"
Sailor Luna turned around and knelt to her. "Once evil, always evil. No, I will not give her any mercy. I suggest you stay out of other peoples business or you may get hurt."
Mars was shocked. Not only by her words, but also by her expression. Or actually the lack of it. Her face was totally impassive. Her eyes were cruel and without compassion. It almost seemed like she wasn't feeling anything at all.
Sailor Luna got up and walked over to the Heart Crystal.
"Hey! Put that down! That's MINE!" Yelled Clotho.
"No longer." She responded and turned. Then fired another attack at her. "LUNAR NIGHTMARE SYNDROME!"
"Aaaaaaiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!!!!!" She wailed. Clotho screamed in agony as her body began to shred. In the last instant, she vanished to her base.
"Let's see..." She stared at it for a few moments then shrugged. "Nothing. Then I don't need it." She placed it on the ground and set her gun over the Pure Heart, ready to destroy it.
"Stop!" "You can't!" "What are you doing?!" The Senshi yelled to her.
"Destroying it."
"I don't think so!" Someone screamed. It was Jupiter! And Neptune was with her!
"You'll have to get through us first." Neptune growled.
"JUPITER OAK EVALUATION!"
"SUBMARINE VIOLIN TIDE!"
"Ack!" Sailor Luna had been caught off guard. The blast hurtled her into the ground sending her rolling.
Jupiter snatched the Pure Heart. "You can't have it."
"Oh. It's yours now, eh?"
"No! It belongs to Usagi and only Usagi!" She screamed back. She twisted her hand and hit her hard.
Sailor Luna's eyes shifted for a quick second. For a moment, Jupiter thought she saw surprise and... huh? Respect? But as quickly as it came, it disappeared again. "No. YOU don't understand. If you think you can stop me, your wrong."
"Why do you have to DESTROY the Pure Hearts? Why can't you just put them back if you don't need it?" Asked Mercury.
"It's none of your concern. Stay out of my way if you want to continue living." She stood up and set an arrow upon her bow. Then pointed it at Jupiter. "Give me the Pure Heart."
"No." Jupiter drew it behind herself, protectively. "Usagi is my best friend. I'm not going to let you kill her."
"Fine. Have it you way, I warned you." Sailor Luna summoned her attack. She rotated twice while black and gray energy formed at the tip of the arrow forming a large sphere of power. She then released it. "LUNAR NIGHTMARE SYNDROME!"
Sailor Jupiter was flung backward and pushed into a tree. "I won't let you win!"
"Usagi?" Asked a weak Mamoru. He lifted her from the ground, placing her in his arms.
"STOP!" Screamed Pluto. Some how, she had gotten down from her hanging position and was limping over to the scene.
"What did you say?" Asked Sailor Luna.
"I said 'stop'. Please, give back her life."
To the others surprise, she obeyed. She pushed Jupiter out of her way and took the Heart Crystal.
"NO!" Jupiter wailed.
"Jupiter, It's OK. Trust me." Assured Pluto.
"Huh?"
Sailor Luna walked over to Usagi and knelt. Placing her hand out, the Pure Heart return within her. She got up again and looked at Pluto. "I won't do it again." She said. She jumped into the nearby bushes and disappeared.
"What happened?" Asked Neptune.
"A long time ago," Pluto explained. "I saved her life. The debt was never repaid. Basically what I told her was: in order to repay my debt, save Usagi's life instead of mine." She winced, looking away to where Sailor Luna had left. [Does this mean you really are the Senshi of Vision? Or perhaps... you're...] She closed her eyes for a moment. [Either way... you have her memories of the past... and the horrible burden she bore...]
* * * The Next Day...
"Are you sure you're alright?" Mamoru asked worriedly.
"I'm fine!" Usagi insisted. She munched on another pastry her mother gave her this afternoon after school.
"So, we have three enemies, huh?" Asked Minako.
"Yes." Haruka assured. "The first is the Negafleet. The second is Sailor Luna. The last is Okugi."
"Who's Okugi?" Makoto was completely clueless.
"Kokuou, Okugi. He's in his third year of high school, Hikawa Academy."
"Oh, okay."
"Okugi?! I know him!" Usagi gasped. "He's not evil!"
"Wrong! We heard him talking to Sage! He's on her side!" Haruka interrupted.
"But..."
All the Senshi continued to argue except Ami. No one noticed the inner grief she was facing. [I couldn't do it. I tried but I couldn't.] She remembered how she had lost when the Senshi had needed her most. How easy it had been for the Akuma to paralyze her.
The Akuma launched another two spheres. One hit Mars the other Sailor Moon.
[It's up to me.] Thought Mercury. [I need to find a weakness.] She pressed many buttons on her Mini Computer. [I must hurry...]
"Oh no you don't!" exclaimed Clotho, "Get her too!"
A clay ball wrapped around Mercury. She fell to the ground squirming to get free. "Let me go!"
[It's all my fault. If I hadn't been caught, Mamoru never would have had his Pure Heart taken!] Ami winced and crept outside. Tears streamed down the side of her face. [If I had been stronger... I could have helped Usagi, too!]
"Get rid of them too!" Clotho yelled.
"Yes." The Akuma responded and lunged at the Senshi. Many spheres hurtled out and pinned Mercury, Venus, and Mars into trees...
"Don't do it!" wailed Mercury.
The Akuma pointed the claw at Usagi. "Fire One!" it said. The claw hurtled out and embedded itself into her soul. Usagi wailed in pain, then collapsed. Her Pure Heart floated out of her body...
"Why do you have to DESTROY the Pure Hearts? Why can't you just put them back if you don't need it?" asked Mercury.
"It's none of your concern. Stay out of my way if you want to continue living." Sailor Luna responded...
[All I'm good at is studying! If I was stronger... Usagi and Mamoru and Rei wouldn't have been through all that pain. It's all my fault!]
The Akuma revolved around and tossed two more spheres. One attached Mercury into the ground...
Rei couldn't stand it anymore and screamed again. She saw her Pure Heart float out just as she slipped into unconsciousness...
Her tears trickled off her cheeks and onto the ground. [It's all my fault... It's all my fault... It's all my fault... It's all my fault!] She moaned softly and stood up, walking down the stairs she called back to her friends, "I need to get going! See you tomorrow!" She raced down the steps before they could convince her otherwise. [Who next? Mother? Why do I even bother trying to fight if I can't protect them?]
"Ami! Wait! Where are you going?!" Wailed Usagi.
* * *
"Sir, It seems Clotho has failed. I, Lachesis, will take her place." Said the woman clad in a blue robe.
"You had better not fail me." Morpheus growled. "This is taking far too long. Take a stronger Akuma and get the Heart. Understand?"
"Yes, my lord." Lachesis bowed and disappeared from his presence. She knelt to the bed in which Clotho laid in. "Clotho... get better..."
* * *
Ami ran through the streets, crying. She turned left then right, not caring where she was going. Finally she grabbed a nearby stool and slumped into it. "I'm a failure... I'm useless!" She buried her head into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
A hand gently touched her shoulder. "Here. Take this." Said a masculine voice.
Ami glanced up and saw a plain handkerchief was held out for her. "Thank you..." She whispered. She quickly dried her eyes and glanced upward to look at the sympathetic person who had offered it.
A young boy slightly older than herself smiled. He wore short gray hair that was parted down the center, all strands cut to the same length at the base of the neck. His clothes were loose jean pants with a baggy T-shirt and jacket. "Feel better?" He asked, concerned.
Motoki smiled encouragingly to the boy before sneaking out of the room.
"A little. Thanks again." Ami managed to give a weak smile.
"Your welcome."
"Oh!" Ami gasped as she realized she was in the Crown Game Center.
"What's the problem? Can I help?" He ventured.
"I don't know if you can..."
"You don't know unless you try. I heard that sometimes it's easier to tell strangers your problems than a friend or relative." He pointed out.
"I guess..." Ami sighed, "All right. If it's some place moderately private." She agreed.
"Good. How about the park?"
"Okay."
The two strolled out of the arcade and walked along the sidewalk toward the nearby park.
"I KNEW I knew you somewhere!" He exclaimed suddenly. "You're Mizuno-san aren't you?"
"Yes..." She whispered.
"The famous mathematician and straight 'A' student! The one with a 300 IQ!" He stuck out a hand. "A pleasure!"
Ami politely shook it then blushed deeply. "I'm not THAT famous."
"Oh really? I beg to differ. I believe your mother is a doctor. Right?"
"Yes..."
[Oh. I get it. She's shy. Hmm... I think that maybe she's very sensitive, too.] He smiled warmly then his expression turned to surprise. "Stupid me! Here I am thinking about myself when I should be concerned about you! I'm really sorry, Mizuno-san!"
"It's all right. You were merely curious." She smiled. "And please, call me Ami."
"Sure, Ami. So..." He glanced at the sign as they entered the park. "What happened to make you cry like that?"
"I don't know where to start..." She sobered.
"The best place to start is at the center or beginning. Then you can slowly work your way out." He advised and smiled encouragingly.
She looked up, surprised by his strange words. "You have a point..." She took a deep breath and began. "Rei, my friend, had recently been attacked by a strange monster. When I tried to help, it caught me. I couldn't break free. I... I tried but I couldn't! Mamoru had been targeted too. And still, I couldn't help! Then my best friend... my only REAL friend... she got caught too..." Ami whimpered then started to cry. " They almost... KILLED her! And... every time, I couldn't... I couldn't do... a single thing! I was useless! I can't fight! Or do anything like the others! All I can do is form plans and calculate stuff..." By the end of her explanation, she had broken down and started weeping. She was crying so hard, she could barely breathe.
He put a comforting arm around her. "You should settle down before you hyperventilate." He murmured and drew her closer to him, "Don't cry... Please Ami... Don't cry..."
"I... can't..." She sobbed.
"It's alright..." He lured her into a bench. "Shhh... don't worry... It'll be OK..." He crooned, stroking her hair. [Poor thing... She's been holding it all in....] He sofly spoke to her. "I understand... Let it out... you can't keep emotions locked up forever..."
* * *
"Ami! Wait! Where are you going?!" Wailed Usagi.
"What happened?" Asked the others, just arriving at the scene.
"She was crying! And I don't know WHY! She ran off before I could ask!"
"We've got to go find her!" Exclaimed Makoto.
"Let's split up into pairs. We'll meet back here in an hour." Mamoru ordered.
"Right!" The rest agreed.
* * *
Except for the soft cries of Ami and the rustling leaves, all was quiet. His soft murmurs lulled her into a soothing silence. Finally, Ami glanced upward, looking into his stormy-blue eyes. To her, they seemed to go on forever... "Thank you..." She whispered.
"Any time." He responded then smiled.
"See? I'm useless! I can't do anything right!"
"Not true!" He argued. "Your friends may have the brawn's, but you have the brains. Instead of trying to fight next time, why don't you try thinking? Not being able to land punches doesn't mean you can't fight, it just means you use different techniques. Instead of using fists to fight, you use brains. It is obvious wisdom is your element. Use it. Sometimes fighting physically hurts more than helps. Ever think about that?"
"I guess not..." Ami was once again surprised by his words. "But you're right. I was so caught up in what I couldn't do and all the details, I forgot to step back and look at the big picture - the things that I was good at and what was really important."
He nodded encouragingly. "Right! The most important thing is that you make the effort - not whether you win or loose."
"I guess..."
"No. Don't guess - know." He persisted, then rose from the bench.
She stood up straight and took on a determined look. "Right!" She smiled and hugged him. "Thank you very much...Oh!" Ami broke away, surprised. "I don't know you name!"
He laughed. "It's..."
* * *
"Akuma! Find this person!" Ordered Lachesis. She pointed to a picture of a short blue-haired teenager with an IQ of 300 - Ami Mizuno.
Th Akuma glanced around and caught a glimpse of her with two former targets.
"Good."
* * *
"AMI!" Called a voice from behind. Ami turned around to see Usagi and Mamoru running in her direction.
"Usagi! Mamoru!" She yelled and waved excitedly.
The pair met Ami halfway.
"You were crying..." Usagi noticed.
"I'm better now. Really!" Ami insisted then turned. "Hey, sir... Oh! Where are you going?! Wait!" The boy was walking in the other direction. "I never got your name! WAIT!" Breathless, she finally caught up to him. "Please... your... name..." She heaved.
He turned around and smiled. "Okugi Kokuou." Turning again, he walked down the sidewalk. Soft pink petals swirled around him as he disappeared into the darkening street.
Ami was shocked. [Okugi... no way... He's the guy from Hikawa... Maybe the Outers were mistaken... Maybe he isn't so bad after all...]
"Ami? Are you OK?" Asked Usagi, worried.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Ami glanced back. [Okugi, what are you hiding?] She looked back at them. [Please... PLEASE be on our side.] She sighed. "Just fine. Really!"
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Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Eternal
Book 3: Chapter 7 'Wisdom's Tears'
e-mail [kisaki@tds.net]
Book 3: Chapter 7 'Wisdom's Tears'
e-mail [kisaki@tds.net]
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Saturn screamed her name, "Usagi!"
"A person with your Pure Heart HAS to have it!" Clotho exclaimed, "Akuma! Get her Pure Heart!"
"Right." The Akuma pointed the claw at her. "Fire One!" It said. The claw hurtled out and embedded itself into her soul. Usagi wailed in pain, then collapsed. Her Pure Heart floated out of her body.
The Senshi screamed her name, begging for her to get up and fight. But she couldn't hear them. She was too far gone.
"Excuse me. The Heart Crystal belongs to me." A calm voice said.
Everyone glanced it the direction. A figure was perched on a branch not far away.
"Does it? Who says?!" Clotho argued.
The person leapt onto the ground and walked over. Everyone gasped. It was her - the mystery Senshi!
She wore short silvery hair shaped like Okugi's. While her eyes were a cold, heartless sapphire. Both skirt and collar were gray while her bows were a medium blue. The Tiara was set with a silver jewel. Likewise as with her circular brooch. Her boots contained the same color of blue as on the bows. The length reached halfway between the ankle and knee and was tightly fitted with flat heels. Her gloves were the opposite of the usual Uranus/ Neptune style. While the shape was the same, the color pattern had been switched. Where the white would be, blue had replaced it. And the three rings were colored white instead. Also to add, all the gloves' fingers, except the forefinger, had been removed for easier mobility. She wore a double pair of blue stud earrings that matched the plain blue neckband and a tight, black necklace-chain with a silver ring attached to it. A brown strap, wrapped loosely around her waist, held a strange gun along it.
"The nightmare may be forgotten but it is never truly gone... It still exists in my soul, waiting to awaken... I am the Senshi of Deception - Sailor Luna!" She said and summoned a bow into her hand.
"Sailor Luna?! Whatever! Get her too." Clotho ordered.
The Akuma lunged at Sailor Luna but she didn't move. It tossed clay balls at her. She jumped and attacked it from behind. An arrow struck it creating massive damage. Then she called her attack. "LUNAR NIGHTMARE SYNDROME!" The blast hit it hard, turning the Akuma into a small black stone. The stone fell to the ground and shattered into dust.
"Yeah! She's great!" Venus cheered.
"Don't be so sure yet." Warned Pluto.
"Your turn." Sailor Luna told Clotho and stalked in her direction.
"Wait! I...umm... Please! Stop! I ... I only did what he told me to do!" She stammered, backing up.
"No. You are Negafleet."
"Hey! People can change!" Mars protested. "Give her a chance!"
Sailor Luna turned around and knelt to her. "Once evil, always evil. No, I will not give her any mercy. I suggest you stay out of other peoples business or you may get hurt."
Mars was shocked. Not only by her words, but also by her expression. Or actually the lack of it. Her face was totally impassive. Her eyes were cruel and without compassion. It almost seemed like she wasn't feeling anything at all.
Sailor Luna got up and walked over to the Heart Crystal.
"Hey! Put that down! That's MINE!" Yelled Clotho.
"No longer." She responded and turned. Then fired another attack at her. "LUNAR NIGHTMARE SYNDROME!"
"Aaaaaaiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!!!!!" She wailed. Clotho screamed in agony as her body began to shred. In the last instant, she vanished to her base.
"Let's see..." She stared at it for a few moments then shrugged. "Nothing. Then I don't need it." She placed it on the ground and set her gun over the Pure Heart, ready to destroy it.
"Stop!" "You can't!" "What are you doing?!" The Senshi yelled to her.
"Destroying it."
"I don't think so!" Someone screamed. It was Jupiter! And Neptune was with her!
"You'll have to get through us first." Neptune growled.
"JUPITER OAK EVALUATION!"
"SUBMARINE VIOLIN TIDE!"
"Ack!" Sailor Luna had been caught off guard. The blast hurtled her into the ground sending her rolling.
Jupiter snatched the Pure Heart. "You can't have it."
"Oh. It's yours now, eh?"
"No! It belongs to Usagi and only Usagi!" She screamed back. She twisted her hand and hit her hard.
Sailor Luna's eyes shifted for a quick second. For a moment, Jupiter thought she saw surprise and... huh? Respect? But as quickly as it came, it disappeared again. "No. YOU don't understand. If you think you can stop me, your wrong."
"Why do you have to DESTROY the Pure Hearts? Why can't you just put them back if you don't need it?" Asked Mercury.
"It's none of your concern. Stay out of my way if you want to continue living." She stood up and set an arrow upon her bow. Then pointed it at Jupiter. "Give me the Pure Heart."
"No." Jupiter drew it behind herself, protectively. "Usagi is my best friend. I'm not going to let you kill her."
"Fine. Have it you way, I warned you." Sailor Luna summoned her attack. She rotated twice while black and gray energy formed at the tip of the arrow forming a large sphere of power. She then released it. "LUNAR NIGHTMARE SYNDROME!"
Sailor Jupiter was flung backward and pushed into a tree. "I won't let you win!"
"Usagi?" Asked a weak Mamoru. He lifted her from the ground, placing her in his arms.
"STOP!" Screamed Pluto. Some how, she had gotten down from her hanging position and was limping over to the scene.
"What did you say?" Asked Sailor Luna.
"I said 'stop'. Please, give back her life."
To the others surprise, she obeyed. She pushed Jupiter out of her way and took the Heart Crystal.
"NO!" Jupiter wailed.
"Jupiter, It's OK. Trust me." Assured Pluto.
"Huh?"
Sailor Luna walked over to Usagi and knelt. Placing her hand out, the Pure Heart return within her. She got up again and looked at Pluto. "I won't do it again." She said. She jumped into the nearby bushes and disappeared.
"What happened?" Asked Neptune.
"A long time ago," Pluto explained. "I saved her life. The debt was never repaid. Basically what I told her was: in order to repay my debt, save Usagi's life instead of mine." She winced, looking away to where Sailor Luna had left. [Does this mean you really are the Senshi of Vision? Or perhaps... you're...] She closed her eyes for a moment. [Either way... you have her memories of the past... and the horrible burden she bore...]
* * * The Next Day...
"Are you sure you're alright?" Mamoru asked worriedly.
"I'm fine!" Usagi insisted. She munched on another pastry her mother gave her this afternoon after school.
"So, we have three enemies, huh?" Asked Minako.
"Yes." Haruka assured. "The first is the Negafleet. The second is Sailor Luna. The last is Okugi."
"Who's Okugi?" Makoto was completely clueless.
"Kokuou, Okugi. He's in his third year of high school, Hikawa Academy."
"Oh, okay."
"Okugi?! I know him!" Usagi gasped. "He's not evil!"
"Wrong! We heard him talking to Sage! He's on her side!" Haruka interrupted.
"But..."
All the Senshi continued to argue except Ami. No one noticed the inner grief she was facing. [I couldn't do it. I tried but I couldn't.] She remembered how she had lost when the Senshi had needed her most. How easy it had been for the Akuma to paralyze her.
The Akuma launched another two spheres. One hit Mars the other Sailor Moon.
[It's up to me.] Thought Mercury. [I need to find a weakness.] She pressed many buttons on her Mini Computer. [I must hurry...]
"Oh no you don't!" exclaimed Clotho, "Get her too!"
A clay ball wrapped around Mercury. She fell to the ground squirming to get free. "Let me go!"
[It's all my fault. If I hadn't been caught, Mamoru never would have had his Pure Heart taken!] Ami winced and crept outside. Tears streamed down the side of her face. [If I had been stronger... I could have helped Usagi, too!]
"Get rid of them too!" Clotho yelled.
"Yes." The Akuma responded and lunged at the Senshi. Many spheres hurtled out and pinned Mercury, Venus, and Mars into trees...
"Don't do it!" wailed Mercury.
The Akuma pointed the claw at Usagi. "Fire One!" it said. The claw hurtled out and embedded itself into her soul. Usagi wailed in pain, then collapsed. Her Pure Heart floated out of her body...
"Why do you have to DESTROY the Pure Hearts? Why can't you just put them back if you don't need it?" asked Mercury.
"It's none of your concern. Stay out of my way if you want to continue living." Sailor Luna responded...
[All I'm good at is studying! If I was stronger... Usagi and Mamoru and Rei wouldn't have been through all that pain. It's all my fault!]
The Akuma revolved around and tossed two more spheres. One attached Mercury into the ground...
Rei couldn't stand it anymore and screamed again. She saw her Pure Heart float out just as she slipped into unconsciousness...
Her tears trickled off her cheeks and onto the ground. [It's all my fault... It's all my fault... It's all my fault... It's all my fault!] She moaned softly and stood up, walking down the stairs she called back to her friends, "I need to get going! See you tomorrow!" She raced down the steps before they could convince her otherwise. [Who next? Mother? Why do I even bother trying to fight if I can't protect them?]
"Ami! Wait! Where are you going?!" Wailed Usagi.
* * *
"Sir, It seems Clotho has failed. I, Lachesis, will take her place." Said the woman clad in a blue robe.
"You had better not fail me." Morpheus growled. "This is taking far too long. Take a stronger Akuma and get the Heart. Understand?"
"Yes, my lord." Lachesis bowed and disappeared from his presence. She knelt to the bed in which Clotho laid in. "Clotho... get better..."
* * *
Ami ran through the streets, crying. She turned left then right, not caring where she was going. Finally she grabbed a nearby stool and slumped into it. "I'm a failure... I'm useless!" She buried her head into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
A hand gently touched her shoulder. "Here. Take this." Said a masculine voice.
Ami glanced up and saw a plain handkerchief was held out for her. "Thank you..." She whispered. She quickly dried her eyes and glanced upward to look at the sympathetic person who had offered it.
A young boy slightly older than herself smiled. He wore short gray hair that was parted down the center, all strands cut to the same length at the base of the neck. His clothes were loose jean pants with a baggy T-shirt and jacket. "Feel better?" He asked, concerned.
Motoki smiled encouragingly to the boy before sneaking out of the room.
"A little. Thanks again." Ami managed to give a weak smile.
"Your welcome."
"Oh!" Ami gasped as she realized she was in the Crown Game Center.
"What's the problem? Can I help?" He ventured.
"I don't know if you can..."
"You don't know unless you try. I heard that sometimes it's easier to tell strangers your problems than a friend or relative." He pointed out.
"I guess..." Ami sighed, "All right. If it's some place moderately private." She agreed.
"Good. How about the park?"
"Okay."
The two strolled out of the arcade and walked along the sidewalk toward the nearby park.
"I KNEW I knew you somewhere!" He exclaimed suddenly. "You're Mizuno-san aren't you?"
"Yes..." She whispered.
"The famous mathematician and straight 'A' student! The one with a 300 IQ!" He stuck out a hand. "A pleasure!"
Ami politely shook it then blushed deeply. "I'm not THAT famous."
"Oh really? I beg to differ. I believe your mother is a doctor. Right?"
"Yes..."
[Oh. I get it. She's shy. Hmm... I think that maybe she's very sensitive, too.] He smiled warmly then his expression turned to surprise. "Stupid me! Here I am thinking about myself when I should be concerned about you! I'm really sorry, Mizuno-san!"
"It's all right. You were merely curious." She smiled. "And please, call me Ami."
"Sure, Ami. So..." He glanced at the sign as they entered the park. "What happened to make you cry like that?"
"I don't know where to start..." She sobered.
"The best place to start is at the center or beginning. Then you can slowly work your way out." He advised and smiled encouragingly.
She looked up, surprised by his strange words. "You have a point..." She took a deep breath and began. "Rei, my friend, had recently been attacked by a strange monster. When I tried to help, it caught me. I couldn't break free. I... I tried but I couldn't! Mamoru had been targeted too. And still, I couldn't help! Then my best friend... my only REAL friend... she got caught too..." Ami whimpered then started to cry. " They almost... KILLED her! And... every time, I couldn't... I couldn't do... a single thing! I was useless! I can't fight! Or do anything like the others! All I can do is form plans and calculate stuff..." By the end of her explanation, she had broken down and started weeping. She was crying so hard, she could barely breathe.
He put a comforting arm around her. "You should settle down before you hyperventilate." He murmured and drew her closer to him, "Don't cry... Please Ami... Don't cry..."
"I... can't..." She sobbed.
"It's alright..." He lured her into a bench. "Shhh... don't worry... It'll be OK..." He crooned, stroking her hair. [Poor thing... She's been holding it all in....] He sofly spoke to her. "I understand... Let it out... you can't keep emotions locked up forever..."
* * *
"Ami! Wait! Where are you going?!" Wailed Usagi.
"What happened?" Asked the others, just arriving at the scene.
"She was crying! And I don't know WHY! She ran off before I could ask!"
"We've got to go find her!" Exclaimed Makoto.
"Let's split up into pairs. We'll meet back here in an hour." Mamoru ordered.
"Right!" The rest agreed.
* * *
Except for the soft cries of Ami and the rustling leaves, all was quiet. His soft murmurs lulled her into a soothing silence. Finally, Ami glanced upward, looking into his stormy-blue eyes. To her, they seemed to go on forever... "Thank you..." She whispered.
"Any time." He responded then smiled.
"See? I'm useless! I can't do anything right!"
"Not true!" He argued. "Your friends may have the brawn's, but you have the brains. Instead of trying to fight next time, why don't you try thinking? Not being able to land punches doesn't mean you can't fight, it just means you use different techniques. Instead of using fists to fight, you use brains. It is obvious wisdom is your element. Use it. Sometimes fighting physically hurts more than helps. Ever think about that?"
"I guess not..." Ami was once again surprised by his words. "But you're right. I was so caught up in what I couldn't do and all the details, I forgot to step back and look at the big picture - the things that I was good at and what was really important."
He nodded encouragingly. "Right! The most important thing is that you make the effort - not whether you win or loose."
"I guess..."
"No. Don't guess - know." He persisted, then rose from the bench.
She stood up straight and took on a determined look. "Right!" She smiled and hugged him. "Thank you very much...Oh!" Ami broke away, surprised. "I don't know you name!"
He laughed. "It's..."
* * *
"Akuma! Find this person!" Ordered Lachesis. She pointed to a picture of a short blue-haired teenager with an IQ of 300 - Ami Mizuno.
Th Akuma glanced around and caught a glimpse of her with two former targets.
"Good."
* * *
"AMI!" Called a voice from behind. Ami turned around to see Usagi and Mamoru running in her direction.
"Usagi! Mamoru!" She yelled and waved excitedly.
The pair met Ami halfway.
"You were crying..." Usagi noticed.
"I'm better now. Really!" Ami insisted then turned. "Hey, sir... Oh! Where are you going?! Wait!" The boy was walking in the other direction. "I never got your name! WAIT!" Breathless, she finally caught up to him. "Please... your... name..." She heaved.
He turned around and smiled. "Okugi Kokuou." Turning again, he walked down the sidewalk. Soft pink petals swirled around him as he disappeared into the darkening street.
Ami was shocked. [Okugi... no way... He's the guy from Hikawa... Maybe the Outers were mistaken... Maybe he isn't so bad after all...]
"Ami? Are you OK?" Asked Usagi, worried.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Ami glanced back. [Okugi, what are you hiding?] She looked back at them. [Please... PLEASE be on our side.] She sighed. "Just fine. Really!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Eternal
Book 3: Chapter 7 'Wisdom's Tears'
e-mail [kisaki@tds.net]