Hello all and Happy Mothers Day! Here is the latest chapter, I hope you enjoy. Here also, are the final hints I am giving out for whodunit: It is NOT: Minako or Artemis. Decide who it is at your leisure. I write based on reviews, so read and review but be kind. Flames will be used as objects of scorn, derision and tittering. Don't flame me because then I have to acknowledge your existence and that just makes me irritated. Oh and to those who told me that I am copying Escaflowne and Evangelion: I have never seen those animes, I know nothing about those animes nor do I care to. With that out of the way: On with the story! Check out my websites and Harry Potter fics if you don't mind slash.

                I dedicate this chapter of Watch Me Shine to all Mothers out there!

                The face in the mirror smirked at her, as she closed her eyes in frustration, not even caring that she was naked. "I have just had the greatest experience of my life. Must you do this to me now? Can't I even savour the after effects of sex?"

            The face in the mirror stopped just short of an outright laugh. "Foolish girl, haven't you learned by now that Trials occur when they are meant to, not on your agenda? As it is, we had to delay this one until you were finished…copulating."

            Usagi's face drew in on itself, until a furious look was evident even to a unobservant person. "How dare you?"

            "I dare because of what you will become. I dare because of the trust and the responsibility that has been placed in your hands. Now is not the time to falter, to fail. Now is the time to stand tall and go forth."

            "I haven't been doing that?" Usagi arched an eyebrow.

            "Don't get bitchy at me. This is the milestone Trial, all ones following this will be much more difficult than the ones you have done already."

            "How can they get more difficult?" Usagi asked, incredulous.

            "I assure you they can and they will. If you are successful with this one, you will have completed half of your Trials." A pause. "Do you know why I was chosen?"

            Usagi smiled. "An easy question. You are the one possessing a mirror Michiru."

            Michiru nodded. "The mirror…shows many things. Things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass."1

            "Must I see this?" Usagi questioned, her voice wavering.

            "Yes." Michiru said simply, sealing the bathroom door behind Usagi, ensuring that they would not be interrupted.

            Haruka was oblivious to all things save the red haze of rage that coursed through her body. She ignored Michiru who was trying to calm her. "Spare me your endless barrage of platitudes Michi." She snapped. "He was warned several times, he knows the consequences of his actions but he chose to canoodle with her anyway. Now he will pay the piper." She shook her head in disgust. "He touched her Michi! Took her innocence from her!"

            "She wanted it." Michiru pointed out uselessly.

            "She is too young to know what she wants." Haruka said decisively. "I'll kill him!"

            "Usagi loves him, you can't kill him."

            "Maim him. Twist him. Bend him. Flip him." Haruka rattled off. "These are a few of my favourite things."

            "Don't you think you are taking this protective bodyguard thing too far?" Michiru inquired, knowing the answer.

            Haruka skidded to a halt and turned to look seriously at her lover. "Michiru, five times before she has put herself in danger or died and we either weren't there to protect her, or unable to. And now she has been cast from her so called friends, from her HOME, from everything and into a life she's not ready for, making decisions ten years too early at least. She needs guidance, she needs help – despite her sensible and mature decisions to this point, she is still only sixteen years old."

            Michiru nodded, understanding Haruka's protectiveness. "I know this."

            "Michi, you know me, perhaps better than anyone else alive. I can't stand by and let her be hurt, in any way. She's bright, and pure and innocent and I want to keep her that way for as long as possible. I don't want the light that shines on her face to go out, she is my hope Michi. She is the world's hope I can feel it. So Mamoru takes her virginity - that steals a little more of that precious innocence she has – along with being cast out and fighting for what is hers, for having to give up on her daughter, for having to find a home and job. Each thing she does takes a bit more of her innocence. I would not have her lose that part of herself for anything for it will be her purity that saves all of us. She has died for us, for our failures, for our sins so many times before. I have to protect her now, from herself and from the one who manipulated everything." Haruka explained quietly.

            Michiru placed a gentle hand on Haruka's shoulder. "I understand 'Ruka. Just don't dismember him, ok?"

            "I make no promises."

            The world swam into view as Hotaru opened her eyes and looked around. 'I'm at the Jinja.' She thought. 'Perfect, they trapped me just like I wanted to. Fools, you would think that they'd leave the one with the power of death alone, but stupidity seems to be catching.' She saw Minako standing guard. "Minako."

            Minako nodded to her coolly. "You are to be brought to account for the betrayal and abandonment of the True Leader and Queen."

            "Are you still spouting that?" Hotaru asked casually as she stretched her legs.

            "There is no way out, unless you use that dread power of yours." Minako informed her in a wistful tone. "You have to kill me first."

            Desperation? Yearning? What was that emotion that quavered in Minako's voice? What had been done to her, one who was once so vibrant, alive and amusing? Did she still spout sayings backwards? Did her eyes still light up at the sight of a cute man as she rubbed her hands and muttered 'Let the games begin'? No, Hotaru shook her head sadly. She has been beaten into submission. "That can be arranged. The scent of death is all around this place, tinged with new life."

            "Rei is pregnant."

            Hotaru nodded, a smile playing on her features. This was news she could use to her advantage, news that changed her original plans.  "Very well Minako, I will grant your wish."

            "What wish?"

            "Death."

            Makoto knelt before Rei and Chibi Usa, ignoring Luna who was scolding her, focusing on Rei. "You fool, you pure useless girl! You waste of a Senshi…" Luna railed, not seeing that Makoto had tuned her out.

            "Enough Luna." Rei said abruptly. "Leave us."

            "Yea, leave us!" Chibi Usa echoed.

            "I meant you too." Rei said pointedly. "She is my friend and soldier, not yours."

            "She is my servant!"

            "Get out of here!" Rei pointed to the door.

            Chibi Usa sneered. "I leave because I want to. I know when I'm not welcome."

            "That could be anywhere." Rei replied as she turned her back on them, casting a charm around the room to dissuade eavesdroppers.  The room was empty, save the two of them and Makoto trembled, knowing what was coming next. "Makoto, you didn't fight Usagi as I ordered you to, you went after Haruka. A foolish pursuit but since you have been competing with her from the start, a bit of forgiveness on my part will not go to waste." She sighed. "You lied to me Mako-chan. You lied to me, your friend, and your leader. How could you?"

            Makoto didn't reply. How could she? Rei was her friend…or she had been, before she allowed her mind to be consumed by her darkest secrets and desires. She had changed so swiftly, so suddenly. She went from coveting the leadership of the Senshi to taking it by force. Makoto remembered well when Rei had kept Usagi's crescent wand from her, almost content to let her choke to death by Kunzite's hands. She remembered Rei slapping Usagi more times that she deserved, for pleasure. Was friendship like this - so using and hurtful? Makoto was not big on friendship, had never really had them to begin with. Her friendship with Usagi was soothing, calm, and peaceful. Usagi never asked, never demanded, never pushed. She was there and that was all. Rei was not like that. Tears welled up in her eyes, she hated this, HATED it with an intense and burning passion. Why couldn't they turn back time? Why did all this have to happen? Why was she stuck in the middle, so caught up in the memory of a friendship that no longer existed? She was a servant, a slave and knew it well. Rei invaded her thoughts, her dreams, and her private sanctuary. There was no future here and she knew what she had to do. "I'm sorry Rei." She said mournfully. "I'm so, so sorry."

            Rei almost felt pity for the wretch on the floor. "Oh Makoto…" was all she got out before a knife thrust to her throat took the wind out of her. A palm heel strike to the bridge of her nose made her eyes water, blinding her. An elbow to her ribs as she was flipped to the floor stunned her and a punch to her floating rib (and breaking it) caused her to curl up defensively to protect her baby and crippled her. Lying in a ball of pain on the floor, Makoto shook her head at Rei.

            "I'm sorry Rei." Makoto whispered. "But I can't take anymore. This is wrong, it has always been wrong and you, you will not defeat Usagi. I was wrong to vote her out, I was wrong to stay with you, and I was wrong to believe in you. If Usagi will have me, I am her vessel, if not, I am a mercenary." She let out a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off her. "You will not invade and rape my mind again Rei, for the next time you do I will surely kill you."

            "Look into the mirror." Michiru urged.

            Usagi reluctantly raised her eyes to the mirror, as Michiru's face swam before her and changed. Distorted itself, and became Usagi…but different. A sneer was on her face, a superior smirk and a confidence that Usagi did not have. Her clothing was dark and tight, her demeanour arrogant. "Bring it in." she commanded in a voice Usagi would never use.

            The guards slapped their chests in acknowledgement as they drug in a person who put up a hell of a fight. Throwing them in a heap at Usagi's feet, they stood nearby. "Leave us." She ordered. "No matter what you hear in here, you are not to come in or intervene."

            "As you command Mistress." The voice was Setsuna's!

            "Chiba Mamoru." Usagi drawled, heading for the wall. "You are guilty of two timing, of seeing another woman, of protecting your child and of leading a rebellion against me."

            Mamoru raised his head, bloody and battered though he was, defiance shone in his eyes. "I would do it again. The people deserve to be free you witch! To have free control over their minds, to be free to do and say whatever they want!"

            "You think so." It was a statement. She pulled an item off the wall and ran it through her fingers, seeing his eyes widen in recognition and fear. "I am the Moon Princess."

            "Dark Moon perhaps." He spat.

            "Without me this Galaxy would be dead or dying."

            "Is life in bondage any better than death?"

            "I hear no complaints."

            "If the people do not speak, it is because they are afraid!"

            Usagi only smiled sardonically and opened a door, yanking out a person who had been shoved in there and was trembling in fear and filth. "Don't hurt me anymore!" she wailed.

            Usagi knelt and lifted the chin so that the eyes met hers. "So proud. Feisty. I like that." She said softly. "Look at her Mamoru. Was she worth it – my Prince?"

            "What did you to her?" he demanded, fighting the restraints that held his hands.

            "I only gave her what she deserved." Usagi replied. "Hino Rei, you are found guilty of touching Royal property and you will now watch him be punished."

            Rei's eyes focused on the item in Usagi's hands and shook her head. "No!"

            Dark as sin, oiled and coiled around itself, a metal core surrounded by braided leather, all one piece. As beautiful as it was deadly, Usagi's whip was well known throughout Crystal Tokyo. She pulled her hand back and struck Mamoru once. He flinched but did not cry out. "You make no outcry Chiba." She commented. "You hold your tongue almost as well as I hold my temper."

            "I will not give you the satisfaction." He ground out through gritted teeth.

            "They all say that in the beginning." Usagi confided. "Seiya."

            Seiya appeared from behind her throne. "My love?"

            "Make sure that Rei gets an unobstructed view." She ordered.

            "Done my love."

            Usagi drew in a breath and struck him again, and again, in a repeated rhythm until he was a bloody mass on the floor. "Minako!" she called.

            Minako didn't even look at the floor. "My Queen?"

            "Bring the child in, and get that" she looked at the body with disgust. "out of here."

            Rei's heartbreaking screams would have tormented Usagi's soul…if she had any soul left.

            Haruka dragged in Chibi Usa and threw her at Usagi's feet. "Now child, you will pay for living. You are a failure and a disappointment to me as a daughter. Here now, is the reward you so richly deserve." Usagi's lips drew back from her teeth in a feral snarl. "Seiya, shut Rei up."

            "Of course." Seiya said smoothly, smashing his hand over Rei's mouth, breaking some teeth.

            Turning to face her daughter, Usagi lifted her whip again.

            "NO! NO! NO!" Usagi screamed, pounding on the mirror. "That is not me! What is that?"

            Michiru's face reappeared. "These are the thoughts that go through your head. This is what you want to do to Rei, what you want to do to Chibi Usa, what you want to do to Mamoru – your beloved. This is you as evil, this is what you are capable of if you let yourself."

            Usagi trembled. "I could never be that terrible."

            "Really?" Michiru arched an eyebrow. "Why then Usagi, do you think of it every time you think of Rei or Chibi Usa?"

            "They are just random thoughts! Not actions!"

            "In your case, they are the same."

            "No." Usagi shook her head, frantic. "That is not me. I have the best of intentions."

            Michiru turned to allow a face to join hers. Minako sneered at Usagi. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions Tsukino. Do you think you can get off the path?"

            Haruka angrily beat her fists against the barrier Usagi had erected to keep people out. "Michiru, get me in there."

            Michiru sighed. "I can't get in. No one can until Usagi removes the spell."

            Haruka sat on the floor, fuming at being outwitted. "I am SO going to hurt them."

            Motoki and Unazuki were stifling giggles as they remained silent and laid their bets.

            "I am not on the road to hell."

            "Look." Minako pointed. Ghostly forms filled the sky, blazing with red fire, blacker than night. "These are the souls of all those you have killed. They are the devil's spawn now."

            "I did not do that."

            "She did." Michiru pointed to the evil Usagi. "She listened to her dreams."

            "With them you will be." Minako nodded. "Unless you change your ways. You are evil at the core."

            "I am not like that!"

            "Why then, do you think such black thoughts?" Minako questioned. "Only when you let go of all your illusions, all your beliefs and all that you are clinging to will you be truly free. You are tormented by sins you haven't even committed. What does that speak about you?"

            Usagi closed her eyes, haunted…and thrilled at the sight and thought of her whipping Chibi Usa and Rei. Of torturing them and making them pay. What kind of creature was she when she could not move past this vice? "They deserve it." She said grimly. "And I stand by my choice, and my thoughts. If I am pure in thought, word, and deed, what naïveté will there be for my enemies to exploit? You cannot have light without darkness, nor darkness without light. I have darkness within me, I accept it and I understand it. It will not get out, it will not break free. This is who I am, and this is my sin."

            Michiru and Minako nodded. "Indeed, no one can be as pure and innocent as you are required to be. What will you do about it?"

            "Keep my thoughts to myself. I will not go mad with power like that, though my dangerous side wants to. I will not join the ghostly horde bound for hell. I have my darkness, I have my temper. I know this and accept it – as the Powers That Be should as well."

            Minako and Michiru exchanged a glance. "You have passed the 6th and 7th Trials. Congratulations…dark one."

            Usagi didn't move even after her face returned to the mirror, savouring the sight of her giving Rei and Chibi Usa what for, and paying them back every lash of pain they had ever dealt  her.

            So that is it! I use a direct quote out of Lord of the Rings here and I am acknowledging that here and now because it fit and because I don't want people screaming plagiarism. I do not own Lord of the Rings, am not affiliated with it any way, and only borrowed the phrase. So that is it for this week! Only four Trials to go…and to all you Seiya lovers out there, he's not out of the running yet!

À bientôt!