Chapter 12~
When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the very angels leave heaven and come sit in that house and sing for joy. --Brahma
What is that sound.
Serenity..
That divine melody.
Serenity..
"Yes?"
"I'm here."
"I knew that you would never leave me."
"I never will my daughter."
"Where am I mother?"
" Does that really matter Serenity? Open your eyes."
Usagi opened her eyes to see the form of her mother, Queen Serenity before her. The periphery of her vision was clouded, but Usagi didn't care. All she wanted to see was her mother. Serenity smiled at her daughter, her ageless face exactly the same as Usagi remembered it. The face very similar to the one that she would herself possess when she became Queen.
" You have begun to realise the full extent of your power. Normally you would not have begun on this path so soon, but the future cannot be planned can it? The recent events have forced you to use your abilities early. I am here with the message that you can do great things, but it is your choice to decide whether or not they will be deeds for good or evil. This is an important crossroads my daughter. You will be tempted. Do not forget your true nature. Do not use your power for hate."
" My power for hate? What do you mean mother?"
" Just remember Serenity. Remember your true self."
" Mother!"
Usagi watched helplessly as Queen Serenity began to waver out of focus. A sudden pain assailed her and she put her hands on her forehead.
" Dammit that hurts!" Usagi swore. Suddenly, she realised that she was awake and someplace dark and cold. Trying to remember what happened, Usagi focused on the darkness as her eyes began to adjust. Gradually she was able to make out the shadowed outlines of some type of cell. The walls extended away from her in a roughly semicircle fashion, illuminated by a faint light streaming in from a small barred window directly across from her. Wincing at the pain in her head, she gingerly tried to feel the back of her head, but found that her hands were chained to the floor in front of her.
' Just keeps getting better and better.' She thought wryly as she jingled the heavy chains. 'That asshole Imaldo must have stuck me in here after he knocked me out. I guess I should thank him that he didn't kill me, but somehow I don't think that I got off that lucky.'
The dark stain on the front of Usagi's dress caught her attention, bringing her mind sharply back to the events before her blackout. Amio. Usagi remembered the feeling of Amio dying in her arms and the shock when he began to breathe after she had healed him. It was an indescribable sensation, that kind of ultimate power seemed beyond the reach of a mortal being. Then again, was Usagi a mere mortal? It was a subject that Usagi had never dwelt on before with any seriousness. She never questioned the powers that she possessed, or the times where she had faced death and lived. She hardly thought twice about Crystal Tokyo since learning about its existence, especially more recently when she "abandoned" her future. Now it seemed she should have, because it was the kingdom she would build thousands of years in the future with her power. Just now she was gaining an inkling of the true meaning of her power. If she could bring people back to life, what did that mean?
Usagi decided to abandon these thoughts for the time being, and glanced around the cell trying to find the door. The more pressing matter at hand was the fate of the hostages. Who knows what happened to them when she was knocked out? She might have saved Amio just to have Imaldo kill him again, and probably more cruelly. Not to mention Luna, the Queen and the rest. Imaldo seemed like enough of a psycho to do just that, but Usagi hoped that he had some bizarre plan that included her and kept the rest alive.
' Well its time I got out of here. I'd better not stick around and wait for Imaldo to come back.' Usagi reasoned, testing the chains around her wrists once again. Normally she wouldn't be crazy enough to think that she would able to break the chains and escape, but Usagi had to admit she did not feel as she normally did. Something changed in her, starting when she had left Earth, culminating to the moment when she had revived Amio. The subconscious visit from her mother had only served to strengthen the feeling.
Ignoring the pain in her head, she endeavoured to shut out her surroundings and imagined the chains around her wrists falling off in her mind. A few moments passed with no change and Usagi began to feel discouraged. What if she really needed the Ginzuishou? What if she really did not have that kind of power? Usagi opened her eyes and sighed. Looking out the window she could see the glimmer of stars in the indigo sky. She must not have been out long because it was still night, and it did not seem like it was going to be dawn any time soon. 'Why do I always find myself in these situations?' She thought, 'No one else I know would find themselves on a faraway plant, chasing a lost love, and now in a dungeon because they had stumbled into a battlefield.' A single tear splashed on the dirty floor, followed by another. Usagi felt a wave of despair welling up inside, threatening to overpower her.
' No!' She thought, ' I can't start feeling sorry for myself. It was my decision to find Seiya no matter what the consequences. I don't care how many times I have to remind myself of that fact, if it will keep me from losing my way. That reminds me, Seiya! Where the hell is he anyway?' Usagi frowned irritably, her eyes on the small window across from her. 'When I get out of here I am going to kick his ass. Some Seishi he is. I'm locked up in here and who knows where his Princess is?'
Usagi put her wrists in front of her, looking at the links of metal intently. ' I have to get out of here. I know that I can do it, so I'm not going to give up so easily.'
Closing her eyes once again, Usagi stilled her mind and began anew to focus her energy on breaking the chains that bound her. Almost immediately she began to feel that electrical surge along her spine, and her surprise at the still new feeling almost made her loose her concentration. Feeling the build-up inside her she focused all her power on a single thought, break. Abruptly, she felt the weight on her wrists subside and opened her eyes to see the last of the links falling to the ground. Jumping up triumphantly, Usagi had to place her hand of the slippery stone wall to steady herself as a wave of dizziness washed over her.
'I knew I could do it!' Usagi thought excitedly, when the nausea had passed "Score one for the good guys!' Straightening she saw the window was large enough for her to pass through, but it was a good four feet above her head. Testing the stone walls, Usagi concluded that they were much too slippery to try to scale.
'Well, the process of elimination leaves the door.' Usagi reflected, turning away from the window examining the door critically. 'Hopefully Seiya has gathered some help by now and I can meet up with them before I encounter any of Imaldo's men.'
" Usagi!"
The sound of her name made Usagi start, a little yelp escaping her lips. She whirled around to see two sapphire eye peering at her from the darkness outside her window.
" Seiya?"
" Usagi! You scared me half to death woman! I managed to get some help, but it looks like you didn't listen to me and got yourself in trouble. What should I have expected though?" Seiya said wryly, his smile gleaming brightly in the darkness.
" Hey! I wouldn't have got caught if that maniac hadn't begun to shoot innocent people. What should I have done let them die?" Usagi demanded angrily stung by Seiya's words.
" Of course not Usagi! I know that you could never do that, nor would I expect you too!" Seiya hissed back. Pausing, he took in the scene with Usagi's blood soaked clothing and the links of chains bunched around her feet. " I saw what Imaldo did to your friend." He said quietly, averting his eyes from her intense gaze. "I didn't hear what he said I was too far away, but I did see the look on Imaldo's face when you brought him back to life. It wasn't him but one of his lackeys that cracked you across the back of the head. You scared them all shitless. Once you were taken care of they had a talk and they bundled you in here and left the rest of the group under guard in the ballroom. I don't think they quite know what to do with you." He fell silent, looking at Usagi as if he didn't know quite what to do with her either.
Usagi was silent as she mulled over what Seiya said, but was not too distracted to see the expression on his face. While greatly relieved that Amio, Luna and the rest were safe for the time being Seiya's silent uncertainty hurt her more than any physical blow could have. " No, I guess Imaldo didn't know what he was dealing with eh?" She said trying desperately to be aloof. " Well, they weren't the only ones who were shocked. I didn't know that I had it in me either."
" I knew you had it in you Usagi."
Usagi looked up to see the love and admiration pouring from his blue eyes, his guarded expression a faded memory. A tender feeling washed over Usagi like a wave, warming her from head to toe. If she ever had any doubts to Seiya's feelings for her, they were silenced by the look in his eyes now. " If you're not careful you're going to have me going all sappy on you ya dolt." She replied laughing, surreptitiously wiping the tears from her eyes.
" Yeah, the Champion of Love and Justice having feelings. That's a scary thought."
" Okay smart-ass, just get me out of here."
Seiya deep laughter resonated in her cell as he jumped back from the window; easily avoiding a half-hearted punch from Usagi aimed at the window. " Okay, stand back."
Usagi moved as far as she could from the window, watching expectantly. Listening, she could hear a muffled incantation coming from outside, followed by a long pause. Suddenly there was a loud cracking sound and a large chunk of the wall, with the window still attached crumbled into dust. Peering through the settling powder Usagi could make out Seiya surrounded by more shadowed forms that she reasoned were other Seishi. Seiya had his hand outstretched toward the window, his brow furrowed in concentration.
" Wow, that was pretty impressive." Usagi remarked, climbing gingerly over the broken stones.
" You're not the only one who has had changes in the last five years." Seiya replied, smiling jauntily. Taking her hand, they began moving quickly into the surrounding darkness; followed closely by his silhouetted companions. " Imaldo will probably be back soon, and won't be too pleased that you escaped I'm sure. " Seiya said seriously, all pretence at humour gone. " It's probably best that we be in a position to stop him before he takes out his frustrations on the hostages."
" Agreed. It's too bad that I don't have my transformation broach."
" Do you really think you'll need it?" Seiya asked, giving her a sidelong look as they ducked under a tree branch, releasing her hand in order to swat leaves away from her face. " From all that I've seen, you are more than capable of using your powers without becoming Sailor Moon anymore."
Usagi was struck speechless for a few minutes, surprised by his candour. Even though there had been ample evidence tonight that she was able to use her powers without actually 'transforming' into Sailor Moon, she was unsure of the reliability of these new powers.
" I don't know if I am really able to use my powers without becoming Sailor Moon." She replied, glancing at his shadowed profile, " but I do know that I don't want to risk any lives on the assumption that I have all my powers."
Seiya mulled over Usagi's situation, his tall form moving with seeming effortlessness through the dense foliage. Usagi tried to keep his pace, but her constrictive garments were not really conducive to any kind of silent or swift movement; especially through this rough terrain. Not to mention the iridescent material of her dress bloodstained though it was, shone like a lantern in the darkness. She stood out like a sore thumb compared to the other Seishi. A sudden thought struck her, causing her to stop as she mulled it over. No, it couldn't work; but maybe, maybe it would. It might just be the edge that they needed.
" Seiya! I have an idea."
Usagi's outburst almost caused the raven-haired Seishi to smack into another low-hanging branch. Usagi could sense the other Seishi pausing around her, waiting. Seiya jogged back the few paces that separated them since Usagi had stopped walking, a question in his blue eyes. " What is it Usagi?"
" Call the other Seishi closer. I think I have a way that we might be able to save the hostages without putting them or ourselves in too much danger."
Despite the curious expression on his face, Seiya obeyed her command and called the hidden Seishi in a mixture of languages. Silently, they materialised from the shadows until a dozen or so of the galaxy's most powerful warriors gathered in a rough semicircle around Usagi. Usagi recognised many from the ball, and even saw one of Kakyuu's younger Seishi in the group. Usagi wanted to ask where his companion had gone, but the sombre expression on the young Seishi's face put an end to Usagi's questioning in advance. However, her focus soon shifted to the last member to join the group, his jade eyes boring into her as if he could read her very soul. Yaten had not changed much, like Seiya or Kakyuu in the years since their last meeting. A slender hand was poised on his hip in an air of haughty indifferentness, and the smirk that graced his lips was all too familiar.
" Yaten."
" Nice to see you Usagi. I should have known that you would come across half the galaxy to chase down Seiya one of these days." He replied with a mixture of humour and spite, flipping his silver ponytail over his shoulder. " I'm just surprised it took you so long."
" I'm so glad to see you Yaten." The sincerity in her voice was so strong that it brought a slight flicker though his emerald eyes. Slowly, almost unconsciously the snide grin slipped into one of his rare smiles. " I'm very glad to see you too Usagi." He replied with uncharacteristic sentimentality. Breaking her gaze, he looked away quickly as if self- conscious of the betrayal of his feelings.
" What was your idea Usagi." Seiya questioned with a quick glance at Yaten, bringing the groups focus back to the task at hand.
" Well, for starters we all know that Imaldo wanted me for something once he found out I was here. It was enough that he took his mind of the murder of his sister for a little while. " Usagi paused catching her breath, but was heartened as she saw the Seishi listening with rapt faces. " I propose that we give him what he wants. I'll surrender willingly and distract him while you guys move into position to take him and his followers down quickly and with the least threat to the hostages."
A murmur of agreement passed though the assembled Seishi, but Seiya watched Usagi silently, waiting until the noise subsided. " Are you sure you want to do this Usagi?" He asked, arching a slender eyebrow, " All we know about Imaldo is that he is unpredictable. What's to say that he doesn't just kill you at first sight?"
" Nothing would stop him from killing me at first sight Seiya, but lets face it! I'm really in no condition to go with you. Look at me, " She said, spreading her arms over her ruined dress. " Anyone can see me coming from a mile away, and I was having trouble keeping up with you just leaving the dungeon. Besides, you said yourself that Imaldo was scared when he saw me heal Amio. Maybe that fear will give me an edge. I don't know, but what I do know is that if I stay with you I will most likely put the Seishi in danger, and if I face Imaldo we just might buy us enough time to have a chance of saving the hostages lives."
The other Seishi watched Seiya and Usagi gaze at each other intently, as if each was pleading their case with their eyes. Closing his eyes briefly, Seiya nodded as an exited murmur passed though the Seishi. " I can't say that I like this idea, but unfortunately it's the best one we've got. Yaten, " he said, turning to the silver-haired Seishi, " You take everyone to the edge of the ballroom and wait for me there. Don't do anything until I get there, unless Imaldo does something stupid. Understand?"
" Yeah, yeah." The shorter man said dissmissively, waiving a shapely hand over his shoulder as he walked away. " We'll wait for you, but don't take your sweet-ass time okay? Oh and Usagi, " he said pausing, glancing at her over his shoulder, " Take care of yourself."
" I will Yaten, " She replied, smiling despite her apprehension. " You too."
With a wink, Yaten disappeared into the darkness followed by the other Seishi until Seiya and Usagi were alone. Both stood somewhat uncomfortably, unsure what to say to each other.
" Seiya."
" Usagi."
Both spoke at the same time, and Usagi giggled despite herself. Looking at Seiya in the darkness, a dull ache resonated in her chest. He was so beautiful; it was almost beyond words to describe it. While she was now sure of his feelings for her, there were many unanswered questions. What would happen now, would she return to her world alone; would he even want to go with her? Unfortunately those questions had to be put aside for the moment.
" Before you say anything I'll be fine." Usagi said before Seiya could speak again, tears pricking her eyes. " I have to do something, I can't let him kill anymore people."
Usagi's voice broke as she stifled a sob. Embarrassed by her emotion, she turned away but stiffened as she felt Seiya's arms slide around her body. Leaning into his warmth despite herself, she succumbed into a fit of silent sobs. Seiya held her silently, for which she was grateful. If he had tried to comfort her, she would have broken down completely. As it was, he supported her wordlessly, letting her release the pent up frustration and anger that had been building since the coup began. After a few moments Seiya felt Usagi's body relax, and he knew that she was ready to leave.
"Ready?" He asked, resting his chin on her shoulder. His hot breath dancing along her cheek sent a sensuous tremor up Usagi's spine. Cocking her head to the side, she looked through the corner of her eye until her gaze met Seiya's.
" Yes, I'm ready."
Turning her shoulders until she faced him Seiya leaned in close, pressing her body against his in a crushing embrace. " Just so you know, " He murmured against her cheek, his fingers tightening slightly on her shoulders, " If he so much as thinks of harming you I'll rip him apart with my bare hands."
Surprised Usagi raised her eyes to his, but found no humour in their sapphire depths. Opening her mouth so answer she was silenced by his kiss; more passionate and perhaps more desperate than before. Closing her eyes, she let her mind be swept away with the sensations of his lips on hers; his hands on her body.
~~@@@@~~
Usagi moved slowly toward the ballroom, shivering in her thin gown; not knowing from fear or anticipation. Around her she could sense the gathered Seishi even though she could not see them, and was bolstered by their presence. As it was if she was trying to avoid capture she would have been caught immediately. Instead she was able to almost reach the destroyed doors of the ballroom before two of Imaldo's henchmen converged on her with their pistols drawn.
Usagi stood her ground, looking both squarely in the face. She noticed with satisfaction that they both seemed uneasy and one of the guard's hands shook slightly. " I guess you know who I am." Usagi said, surprised at the steadiness of her voice. " I've escaped the dungeon and have come to speak to Imaldo. Take me to him."
The two guards looked at each other in silence for what seemed like an agonising amount of time. Finally one of the guards looked at Usagi and nodded, motioning with his pistol to follow the other guard to was already moving toward the ballroom. With a last look behind her at the hidden warriors and her true love, she squared her shoulders and entered the ballroom.
When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the very angels leave heaven and come sit in that house and sing for joy. --Brahma
What is that sound.
Serenity..
That divine melody.
Serenity..
"Yes?"
"I'm here."
"I knew that you would never leave me."
"I never will my daughter."
"Where am I mother?"
" Does that really matter Serenity? Open your eyes."
Usagi opened her eyes to see the form of her mother, Queen Serenity before her. The periphery of her vision was clouded, but Usagi didn't care. All she wanted to see was her mother. Serenity smiled at her daughter, her ageless face exactly the same as Usagi remembered it. The face very similar to the one that she would herself possess when she became Queen.
" You have begun to realise the full extent of your power. Normally you would not have begun on this path so soon, but the future cannot be planned can it? The recent events have forced you to use your abilities early. I am here with the message that you can do great things, but it is your choice to decide whether or not they will be deeds for good or evil. This is an important crossroads my daughter. You will be tempted. Do not forget your true nature. Do not use your power for hate."
" My power for hate? What do you mean mother?"
" Just remember Serenity. Remember your true self."
" Mother!"
Usagi watched helplessly as Queen Serenity began to waver out of focus. A sudden pain assailed her and she put her hands on her forehead.
" Dammit that hurts!" Usagi swore. Suddenly, she realised that she was awake and someplace dark and cold. Trying to remember what happened, Usagi focused on the darkness as her eyes began to adjust. Gradually she was able to make out the shadowed outlines of some type of cell. The walls extended away from her in a roughly semicircle fashion, illuminated by a faint light streaming in from a small barred window directly across from her. Wincing at the pain in her head, she gingerly tried to feel the back of her head, but found that her hands were chained to the floor in front of her.
' Just keeps getting better and better.' She thought wryly as she jingled the heavy chains. 'That asshole Imaldo must have stuck me in here after he knocked me out. I guess I should thank him that he didn't kill me, but somehow I don't think that I got off that lucky.'
The dark stain on the front of Usagi's dress caught her attention, bringing her mind sharply back to the events before her blackout. Amio. Usagi remembered the feeling of Amio dying in her arms and the shock when he began to breathe after she had healed him. It was an indescribable sensation, that kind of ultimate power seemed beyond the reach of a mortal being. Then again, was Usagi a mere mortal? It was a subject that Usagi had never dwelt on before with any seriousness. She never questioned the powers that she possessed, or the times where she had faced death and lived. She hardly thought twice about Crystal Tokyo since learning about its existence, especially more recently when she "abandoned" her future. Now it seemed she should have, because it was the kingdom she would build thousands of years in the future with her power. Just now she was gaining an inkling of the true meaning of her power. If she could bring people back to life, what did that mean?
Usagi decided to abandon these thoughts for the time being, and glanced around the cell trying to find the door. The more pressing matter at hand was the fate of the hostages. Who knows what happened to them when she was knocked out? She might have saved Amio just to have Imaldo kill him again, and probably more cruelly. Not to mention Luna, the Queen and the rest. Imaldo seemed like enough of a psycho to do just that, but Usagi hoped that he had some bizarre plan that included her and kept the rest alive.
' Well its time I got out of here. I'd better not stick around and wait for Imaldo to come back.' Usagi reasoned, testing the chains around her wrists once again. Normally she wouldn't be crazy enough to think that she would able to break the chains and escape, but Usagi had to admit she did not feel as she normally did. Something changed in her, starting when she had left Earth, culminating to the moment when she had revived Amio. The subconscious visit from her mother had only served to strengthen the feeling.
Ignoring the pain in her head, she endeavoured to shut out her surroundings and imagined the chains around her wrists falling off in her mind. A few moments passed with no change and Usagi began to feel discouraged. What if she really needed the Ginzuishou? What if she really did not have that kind of power? Usagi opened her eyes and sighed. Looking out the window she could see the glimmer of stars in the indigo sky. She must not have been out long because it was still night, and it did not seem like it was going to be dawn any time soon. 'Why do I always find myself in these situations?' She thought, 'No one else I know would find themselves on a faraway plant, chasing a lost love, and now in a dungeon because they had stumbled into a battlefield.' A single tear splashed on the dirty floor, followed by another. Usagi felt a wave of despair welling up inside, threatening to overpower her.
' No!' She thought, ' I can't start feeling sorry for myself. It was my decision to find Seiya no matter what the consequences. I don't care how many times I have to remind myself of that fact, if it will keep me from losing my way. That reminds me, Seiya! Where the hell is he anyway?' Usagi frowned irritably, her eyes on the small window across from her. 'When I get out of here I am going to kick his ass. Some Seishi he is. I'm locked up in here and who knows where his Princess is?'
Usagi put her wrists in front of her, looking at the links of metal intently. ' I have to get out of here. I know that I can do it, so I'm not going to give up so easily.'
Closing her eyes once again, Usagi stilled her mind and began anew to focus her energy on breaking the chains that bound her. Almost immediately she began to feel that electrical surge along her spine, and her surprise at the still new feeling almost made her loose her concentration. Feeling the build-up inside her she focused all her power on a single thought, break. Abruptly, she felt the weight on her wrists subside and opened her eyes to see the last of the links falling to the ground. Jumping up triumphantly, Usagi had to place her hand of the slippery stone wall to steady herself as a wave of dizziness washed over her.
'I knew I could do it!' Usagi thought excitedly, when the nausea had passed "Score one for the good guys!' Straightening she saw the window was large enough for her to pass through, but it was a good four feet above her head. Testing the stone walls, Usagi concluded that they were much too slippery to try to scale.
'Well, the process of elimination leaves the door.' Usagi reflected, turning away from the window examining the door critically. 'Hopefully Seiya has gathered some help by now and I can meet up with them before I encounter any of Imaldo's men.'
" Usagi!"
The sound of her name made Usagi start, a little yelp escaping her lips. She whirled around to see two sapphire eye peering at her from the darkness outside her window.
" Seiya?"
" Usagi! You scared me half to death woman! I managed to get some help, but it looks like you didn't listen to me and got yourself in trouble. What should I have expected though?" Seiya said wryly, his smile gleaming brightly in the darkness.
" Hey! I wouldn't have got caught if that maniac hadn't begun to shoot innocent people. What should I have done let them die?" Usagi demanded angrily stung by Seiya's words.
" Of course not Usagi! I know that you could never do that, nor would I expect you too!" Seiya hissed back. Pausing, he took in the scene with Usagi's blood soaked clothing and the links of chains bunched around her feet. " I saw what Imaldo did to your friend." He said quietly, averting his eyes from her intense gaze. "I didn't hear what he said I was too far away, but I did see the look on Imaldo's face when you brought him back to life. It wasn't him but one of his lackeys that cracked you across the back of the head. You scared them all shitless. Once you were taken care of they had a talk and they bundled you in here and left the rest of the group under guard in the ballroom. I don't think they quite know what to do with you." He fell silent, looking at Usagi as if he didn't know quite what to do with her either.
Usagi was silent as she mulled over what Seiya said, but was not too distracted to see the expression on his face. While greatly relieved that Amio, Luna and the rest were safe for the time being Seiya's silent uncertainty hurt her more than any physical blow could have. " No, I guess Imaldo didn't know what he was dealing with eh?" She said trying desperately to be aloof. " Well, they weren't the only ones who were shocked. I didn't know that I had it in me either."
" I knew you had it in you Usagi."
Usagi looked up to see the love and admiration pouring from his blue eyes, his guarded expression a faded memory. A tender feeling washed over Usagi like a wave, warming her from head to toe. If she ever had any doubts to Seiya's feelings for her, they were silenced by the look in his eyes now. " If you're not careful you're going to have me going all sappy on you ya dolt." She replied laughing, surreptitiously wiping the tears from her eyes.
" Yeah, the Champion of Love and Justice having feelings. That's a scary thought."
" Okay smart-ass, just get me out of here."
Seiya deep laughter resonated in her cell as he jumped back from the window; easily avoiding a half-hearted punch from Usagi aimed at the window. " Okay, stand back."
Usagi moved as far as she could from the window, watching expectantly. Listening, she could hear a muffled incantation coming from outside, followed by a long pause. Suddenly there was a loud cracking sound and a large chunk of the wall, with the window still attached crumbled into dust. Peering through the settling powder Usagi could make out Seiya surrounded by more shadowed forms that she reasoned were other Seishi. Seiya had his hand outstretched toward the window, his brow furrowed in concentration.
" Wow, that was pretty impressive." Usagi remarked, climbing gingerly over the broken stones.
" You're not the only one who has had changes in the last five years." Seiya replied, smiling jauntily. Taking her hand, they began moving quickly into the surrounding darkness; followed closely by his silhouetted companions. " Imaldo will probably be back soon, and won't be too pleased that you escaped I'm sure. " Seiya said seriously, all pretence at humour gone. " It's probably best that we be in a position to stop him before he takes out his frustrations on the hostages."
" Agreed. It's too bad that I don't have my transformation broach."
" Do you really think you'll need it?" Seiya asked, giving her a sidelong look as they ducked under a tree branch, releasing her hand in order to swat leaves away from her face. " From all that I've seen, you are more than capable of using your powers without becoming Sailor Moon anymore."
Usagi was struck speechless for a few minutes, surprised by his candour. Even though there had been ample evidence tonight that she was able to use her powers without actually 'transforming' into Sailor Moon, she was unsure of the reliability of these new powers.
" I don't know if I am really able to use my powers without becoming Sailor Moon." She replied, glancing at his shadowed profile, " but I do know that I don't want to risk any lives on the assumption that I have all my powers."
Seiya mulled over Usagi's situation, his tall form moving with seeming effortlessness through the dense foliage. Usagi tried to keep his pace, but her constrictive garments were not really conducive to any kind of silent or swift movement; especially through this rough terrain. Not to mention the iridescent material of her dress bloodstained though it was, shone like a lantern in the darkness. She stood out like a sore thumb compared to the other Seishi. A sudden thought struck her, causing her to stop as she mulled it over. No, it couldn't work; but maybe, maybe it would. It might just be the edge that they needed.
" Seiya! I have an idea."
Usagi's outburst almost caused the raven-haired Seishi to smack into another low-hanging branch. Usagi could sense the other Seishi pausing around her, waiting. Seiya jogged back the few paces that separated them since Usagi had stopped walking, a question in his blue eyes. " What is it Usagi?"
" Call the other Seishi closer. I think I have a way that we might be able to save the hostages without putting them or ourselves in too much danger."
Despite the curious expression on his face, Seiya obeyed her command and called the hidden Seishi in a mixture of languages. Silently, they materialised from the shadows until a dozen or so of the galaxy's most powerful warriors gathered in a rough semicircle around Usagi. Usagi recognised many from the ball, and even saw one of Kakyuu's younger Seishi in the group. Usagi wanted to ask where his companion had gone, but the sombre expression on the young Seishi's face put an end to Usagi's questioning in advance. However, her focus soon shifted to the last member to join the group, his jade eyes boring into her as if he could read her very soul. Yaten had not changed much, like Seiya or Kakyuu in the years since their last meeting. A slender hand was poised on his hip in an air of haughty indifferentness, and the smirk that graced his lips was all too familiar.
" Yaten."
" Nice to see you Usagi. I should have known that you would come across half the galaxy to chase down Seiya one of these days." He replied with a mixture of humour and spite, flipping his silver ponytail over his shoulder. " I'm just surprised it took you so long."
" I'm so glad to see you Yaten." The sincerity in her voice was so strong that it brought a slight flicker though his emerald eyes. Slowly, almost unconsciously the snide grin slipped into one of his rare smiles. " I'm very glad to see you too Usagi." He replied with uncharacteristic sentimentality. Breaking her gaze, he looked away quickly as if self- conscious of the betrayal of his feelings.
" What was your idea Usagi." Seiya questioned with a quick glance at Yaten, bringing the groups focus back to the task at hand.
" Well, for starters we all know that Imaldo wanted me for something once he found out I was here. It was enough that he took his mind of the murder of his sister for a little while. " Usagi paused catching her breath, but was heartened as she saw the Seishi listening with rapt faces. " I propose that we give him what he wants. I'll surrender willingly and distract him while you guys move into position to take him and his followers down quickly and with the least threat to the hostages."
A murmur of agreement passed though the assembled Seishi, but Seiya watched Usagi silently, waiting until the noise subsided. " Are you sure you want to do this Usagi?" He asked, arching a slender eyebrow, " All we know about Imaldo is that he is unpredictable. What's to say that he doesn't just kill you at first sight?"
" Nothing would stop him from killing me at first sight Seiya, but lets face it! I'm really in no condition to go with you. Look at me, " She said, spreading her arms over her ruined dress. " Anyone can see me coming from a mile away, and I was having trouble keeping up with you just leaving the dungeon. Besides, you said yourself that Imaldo was scared when he saw me heal Amio. Maybe that fear will give me an edge. I don't know, but what I do know is that if I stay with you I will most likely put the Seishi in danger, and if I face Imaldo we just might buy us enough time to have a chance of saving the hostages lives."
The other Seishi watched Seiya and Usagi gaze at each other intently, as if each was pleading their case with their eyes. Closing his eyes briefly, Seiya nodded as an exited murmur passed though the Seishi. " I can't say that I like this idea, but unfortunately it's the best one we've got. Yaten, " he said, turning to the silver-haired Seishi, " You take everyone to the edge of the ballroom and wait for me there. Don't do anything until I get there, unless Imaldo does something stupid. Understand?"
" Yeah, yeah." The shorter man said dissmissively, waiving a shapely hand over his shoulder as he walked away. " We'll wait for you, but don't take your sweet-ass time okay? Oh and Usagi, " he said pausing, glancing at her over his shoulder, " Take care of yourself."
" I will Yaten, " She replied, smiling despite her apprehension. " You too."
With a wink, Yaten disappeared into the darkness followed by the other Seishi until Seiya and Usagi were alone. Both stood somewhat uncomfortably, unsure what to say to each other.
" Seiya."
" Usagi."
Both spoke at the same time, and Usagi giggled despite herself. Looking at Seiya in the darkness, a dull ache resonated in her chest. He was so beautiful; it was almost beyond words to describe it. While she was now sure of his feelings for her, there were many unanswered questions. What would happen now, would she return to her world alone; would he even want to go with her? Unfortunately those questions had to be put aside for the moment.
" Before you say anything I'll be fine." Usagi said before Seiya could speak again, tears pricking her eyes. " I have to do something, I can't let him kill anymore people."
Usagi's voice broke as she stifled a sob. Embarrassed by her emotion, she turned away but stiffened as she felt Seiya's arms slide around her body. Leaning into his warmth despite herself, she succumbed into a fit of silent sobs. Seiya held her silently, for which she was grateful. If he had tried to comfort her, she would have broken down completely. As it was, he supported her wordlessly, letting her release the pent up frustration and anger that had been building since the coup began. After a few moments Seiya felt Usagi's body relax, and he knew that she was ready to leave.
"Ready?" He asked, resting his chin on her shoulder. His hot breath dancing along her cheek sent a sensuous tremor up Usagi's spine. Cocking her head to the side, she looked through the corner of her eye until her gaze met Seiya's.
" Yes, I'm ready."
Turning her shoulders until she faced him Seiya leaned in close, pressing her body against his in a crushing embrace. " Just so you know, " He murmured against her cheek, his fingers tightening slightly on her shoulders, " If he so much as thinks of harming you I'll rip him apart with my bare hands."
Surprised Usagi raised her eyes to his, but found no humour in their sapphire depths. Opening her mouth so answer she was silenced by his kiss; more passionate and perhaps more desperate than before. Closing her eyes, she let her mind be swept away with the sensations of his lips on hers; his hands on her body.
~~@@@@~~
Usagi moved slowly toward the ballroom, shivering in her thin gown; not knowing from fear or anticipation. Around her she could sense the gathered Seishi even though she could not see them, and was bolstered by their presence. As it was if she was trying to avoid capture she would have been caught immediately. Instead she was able to almost reach the destroyed doors of the ballroom before two of Imaldo's henchmen converged on her with their pistols drawn.
Usagi stood her ground, looking both squarely in the face. She noticed with satisfaction that they both seemed uneasy and one of the guard's hands shook slightly. " I guess you know who I am." Usagi said, surprised at the steadiness of her voice. " I've escaped the dungeon and have come to speak to Imaldo. Take me to him."
The two guards looked at each other in silence for what seemed like an agonising amount of time. Finally one of the guards looked at Usagi and nodded, motioning with his pistol to follow the other guard to was already moving toward the ballroom. With a last look behind her at the hidden warriors and her true love, she squared her shoulders and entered the ballroom.