Author's Note:
Yes, another fanfiction. As before, the disclaimers go as follows:
My email address is Guardian4@atlantic.net. If you want to email me about my story, please put fanfiction in the subject line. Sailor Moon was made by Naoko Tacheuchi, I don't own it.
Also, Rei and Mamoru never went out, k? And Kunzite and Zoisite are not lovers. I also used the relationship between the Shitennou from the manga, not the anime, which means they don't hate each other. I also use only the manga attacks for the Senshi. (Since in the Manga, Mars doesn't have Fire Soul and only talismans in the first season, I'm going to borrow a second season one, even though she doesn't have her Star Power transformation.)
Hidden Truths Chapter 2Jupiter body-slammed into Nephrite's back, shattering his concentration to miniscule pieces. The Senshi used the force of her hit and rolled to her feet in one fluid moment. Nephrite, growling deep in his throat, stood more slowly.
"That is the last time you interrupt me Senshi!" he yelled and held his palm toward her.
Jupiter dodged the deadly stars and called out a quick Supreme Thunder to distract him. It splashed off a strange shield she didn't know he had. Blinking, she barely had enough time to get out of the way of the next attack.
"I won't let you hurt any more people!"
He rolled his eyes. "Spare me."
She charged him and they grappled for twenty minutes before Nephrite decided to get her away from him; his power built quickly into a crescendo inside his body. He certainly would have killed her had not the voice inside himself that he was trying to avoid chose to erupt at that moment. He hesitated and that was all she needed.
Jupiter twirled and did a roundabout kick toward his neck. It sent him sprawling on the ground and she grinned in a satisfactory way. That is, she did until he jumped up faster than she knew he could and grabbed her throat.
"Like I said, this is the last time you interrupt me, Senshi," he whispered, saying the name like a curse.
With all the force he could muster, he kicked her hard in the stomach. She went flying backward and her head slammed into the post of a streetlamp. The force of it dented the metal post and she was snapped out cold faster than one could blink.
He thrust forward with a sword heading for her heart, mightily suppressing the insistent voice and strange feelings inside of him.
"Moon Frisbee!"
Hearing the dreaded voice, he jumped to the side to avoid the deadly tiara. Looking back, he saw she was alone, but looking angered to no end. He waited for the usual speech, but it never came. What did come was so completely out of her character that it caused him to pause and stare at her.
"How dare you touch my friend! For that you will pay dearly! Moon Twilight Flash!"
Nephrite threw his arm over his face and disappeared back to the Dark Kingdom. Moon, seeing he was gone, ran to her comatose friend in worry. A moment later, Mercury showed up behind her.
"Did you take care of your battle?" she asked.
The Water Senshi nodded. "He disappeared a few minutes ago. Let's help Mako-chan."
"Mercury-chan, what are we gonna do about school?" she whispered fearfully.
"We'll say she hit her head on the sink after slipping on the tile."
"And you think they'll BUY that?" asked Mars incredulously as she and Venus appeared, Mars leaning on Venus's shoulder.
Mercury looked sheepish, but shrugged. "What else can we say? She got a concussion because she's a Senshi and was fighting a Dark Kingdom Shitennou to save the Earth from being overrun by youma?"
"She has a point," came Venus's weak voice, none of her usual cheer since she was dead tired and hurting in every inch of her body.
In a few moments, Moon and Mercury had gotten back inside the building and into the bathroom. Mercury, using the added strength of being a Soldier, easily broke off part of the marble sink. They had just detransformed, not a moment too soon, when Usagi's teacher Haruna burst into the room. She let out a relieved breath when she saw the two girls were all right.
"We need to help Mako-chan," Usagi said quickly.
Haruna didn't even ask what happened to the girl; it was obvious she had hit her head. The two girls wanted to go with their friend, but their luck had run out. Classes resumed as normal, but no one was talking about schoolwork. It was all about the Senshi and who they had been fighting. Usagi and Ami were glad to leave when the bell rang. It was the one day that Usagi didn't have detention because the thoughts of the Soldiers had completely distracted Haruna from the incomplete homework.
Through the communicator, they were able to find out that Makoto was okay and conscious. Since Rei and Minako were there visiting, both Usagi and Ami agreed to go to the Shrine and update Luna and Artemis on what had happened during the day.
It was not much hours later when Ami's computer beeped a warning before the street ahead of them exploded as they walked to their respective homes. Apparently the Dark Kingdom had taken advantage of the fact that the strongest Senshi was put out of commission for a while.
Mars and Venus appeared as fast as they could get there and the battle was underway at last after the usual speeches had been said, though there was more anger in the Senshi's voices than normal.
Since Jupiter was not there, Sailor Moon attempted to fight against Nephrite. However, it was not long before she was pinned up against a wall. His hand on her throat, he said menacingly, "Give me the Ginzuishou." The other battles stopped as the Senshi watched in horror and the Kings with smug satisfaction.
"You'll never get it," said a voice from behind the brown haired general. His head whipped around and he immediately suppressed the feelings of happiness, seeing Jupiter was okay even if she was a trifle pale.
Sailor Moon's arm was behind her back and with a small bit of concentration, the moon wand was in her hand. Carefully, so as not to attract his attention, she moved it in front of her chest, pointing the Ginzuishou straight at his.
"Don't make a move, Senshi Jupiter, or your princess will die," Jadeite said smugly.
"Moon Healing…" Moon muttered, so low no one but herself heard.
"We'll get the Ginzuishou this time," gloated Kunzite.
"You want the Ginzuishou," Moon said painfully through the unbreakable grip at her throat and Nephrite's gaze snapped to her. "Well, here it is!" His head jerked down at the crystal pointing straight at his heart, but he couldn't move away fast enough as she yelled, "ESCALATION!"
White light filled the street, much more than was the usual amount. It blinded everyone, including Sailor Moon, who besides Nephrite was the closest to the blast.
The Kings immediately disappeared, having come to the conclusion that they could not save their comrade right then. After a promise of redemption, they were gone. When the light was gone as well, the Senshi blinked and watched as Nephrite swayed on his feet. "Endymion…" he whispered. Then his eyes widened and flew back in his head. He was on the ground and out cold within seconds.
The Senshi cautiously approached him, bending over to get a better look. Sailor Moon nudged his foot with her boot. His eyes fluttered open and he saw a ring of blurry faces above him before he was out again. They all sighed, frustrated.
"What do we do now?" she asked.
"We can't just leave him here," Mercury said. "Not where everyone can find him. Plus we need to question him."
"All right girls, heave," said Jupiter, taking his shoulders and settling them against her chest, wrapping her arms around his upper body. Venus grabbed his feet and the rest grabbed other various parts.
"Watch your hands, get them off his ass!" the green Senshi snapped.
Her friends stared at her. A sweatdrop ran down her face as she wondered, Where the hell did that come from?
"Okay, you're welcome to grab it then," said Mars testily.
Venus took pity on her friend and said, "Mars, why don't we switch? You get the feet."
They did a quick switch, Venus getting Nephrite's side opposite of Mercury and Moon. They proceeded at a snail's pace until Venus groaned out, "Man, this guy needs to LOSE some WEIGHT."
Jupiter stopped abruptly and barked, "It's not weight, its muscles!"
Venus and Moon exchanged surprised glances. Mars asked slightly snappishly, "Jupiter, is there something you want to tell us?"
Jupiter blushed to the roots of her hair and their process of walking resumed in silence.
"Guys?" asked Moon in a strained voice. "I don't mean to interrupt or anything, but shouldn't we decide where to take Nephrite before going any further?"
They stopped.
"You know, for once Odango Atama has a point," said Mars.
They looked at Venus. She shook her head. "I can't. My mother checks every room, including the attic, every night. She'll find him."
They looked at Mars. "No way. I have no extra rooms at the moment. Besides, Ojii-chan is going through a major cleaning phase right now."
They looked at Mercury. She blushed. "Well, if it's absolutely necessary I could take him in I suppose. Mother is often at the hospital."
Mars shook her head. "I don't think that is such a good idea. I mean, what if he wakes up and is still a Dark Kingdom Shitennou, assuming he's changed. I don't want Mercury anywhere near him, no offense."
"None taken."
"By the way, Moon," she said, glaring at her leader, "next time you blast a Dark Kingdom Shitennou at point blank range, try not to get him unconscious or at least warn us so we can bring a stretcher or something!"
"I didn't know I needed to!"
"Anyway," Venus interrupted, "Usagi-chan, can you take him in?"
Moon shook her head. "No. If my dad found out I had a guy in my room, he wouldn't be a guy anymore. He'd be dead. The only place we could stash him would be in the small attic upstairs and I think my mom would think something's up if she saw five Sailor Soldiers carrying a heavily comatose stranger into my house."
They looked at Jupiter, who sighed. "All right, he'll stay at my place."
In silence they continued. When they finally reached Makoto's building, Moon let out a breath of relief. Jupiter heaved Nephrite up in her arms a little so she could open the building door.
"Now all we need is the elevaaaa…No way!" Moon cried.
Yes way. They looked toward the elevator doors to find it lined with yellow tape saying it was being renovated for safety.
"What a horrible author contrivance!" Venus yelled.
Author winks
"They've been working on it for nearly a week now," Jupiter explained as they headed for the stairs.
Mercury stopped. "Jupe-chan, how many stories is this building?" she asked in trepidation.
"35."
"And what level do you live on?"
"21."
"No way!" cried Venus again and proceeded to shed Usagi-like crocodile tears.
"Come on, he's getting heavier, let's move!" ordered Mars.
She had no sooner said that and began up the stairs when she tripped and landed with her face in Nephrite's knees. He moaned and the Senshi looked at him hopefully. He didn't wake up and they groaned, disappointed.
Venus moved to help Mars up and took her place at Nephrite's right side again. Up the stairs they went, grumbling all the way. They were gasping when they reached Makoto's apartment and the girl, in Senshi form and in no mood to fumble with the key, kicked backwards and the door burst open, nearly destroying the lock.
The dumped him unceremoniously on the couch. Jupiter went into the kitchen and came back with five cold sodas for them. They were all sweating and shaking. Moon had simply sat on the floor, not bothering with a chair. She didn't even have the energy to whine. Within a few minutes, the other Senshi had drunk their sodas and were out the door, having to get home since it was late night by the time they had gotten Nephrite into Makoto's apartment.
Jupiter hesitated for a moment before detransforming. She immediately headed for the shower to wash the sweat and tension off. As a precaution, she locked her bedroom door when she went to sleep.
Her alarm clock blared in her ear and she immediately realized that she was going to be late if she didn't hurry; she had slept through the first two alarms and had pushed the snooze button both times. She dashed about and when she had just grabbed her book bag, she looked back at the couch. Nephrite was still sleeping peacefully.
Makoto frowned. She would have to do something about him before she left. Her mouth falling into a thin line, she headed forward.
End Chapter 2