Soul Eaters
-dew
I do not own Sailor Moon, nor do I pretend to.
Chapter 1. A Plan Is Formed.
**************************************************************************** *********
"Usagi!"
A small, blond headed girl turned over on her side with a soft groan.
"Usagi!"
Sharp pain. Usagi sat up suddenly in bed, knocking a furry object off of it. She looked down at
the source of her pain, which was on her arm, and eyed the three, suspicious looking, scratches she found
there.
"Luna." Began Usagi warningly, grabbing a pillow and aiming it at the furry thing that had
fallen off of the bed. Its two bright eyes glared at the girl and her pillow.
"Hey, that's not fair! I was just trying to be nice!"
"Nice?? Nice!! You scratched my arm, Luna!"
The pillow flew and missed the cat by several feet. Indignant, Luna jumped with feline grace up
on Usagi's night stand.
"Yes, nice, you ungrateful girl! You were crying out in your sleep. In fact, you were crying IN
your sleep! And here I was, just trying to wake you up, and this is the thanks I get?"
Usagi ignored the mutterings of the cat on her nightstand and after touching her cheeks, stared
dumbly at her fingers when she took them away and saw they were wet. She HAD been crying. But why?
While Luna jumped off of the nightstand, still complaining, Usagi tried in vain to remember the dream
that had distressed her so much. Flashes came back to her - nothing coherent though except for one word
that stood out clearly in her mind.
"Saeka?"
"What did you say, Usagi?"
Usagi turned to her cat who was standing in the middle of her room. "Oh. nothing, Luna. Say,
what time is it anyway?"
"WHAT TIME IS IT??? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT TIME IT IS!"
Usagi and Luna started at the noise and swung their heads in unison towards the door where
Usagi's mother stood, wielding a spatula like a samurai sword. She pointed that spatula at Usagi
accusingly." You're late, that's what time it is, you lazy girl! Why don't you ever get up on time?? Why
did the gods curse me with such a lazy, unmotivated girl?"
With a shriek, Usagi jumped out of bed and started changing in a flurry of clothes while her
mother continued lecturing disapprovingly and a cat with two knowing eyes watched Usagi with disdain.
"You know Usagi," began Luna as soon as Usagi's mother left the room,
"Your mother does have a poi-"
A well aimed pillow hit the cat square in the head.
*************************************************************************
"Hey! Usagi!"
Usagi looked up from her crinkled, pink lunch bag while sitting underneath her favorite shady
tree on the grass. The grass was cool and littered with orange and yellow leaves that the tree had released
in preparation for autumn. The breeze was light and a little chilly, but invigorating after a hot summer.
Usagi was in positively light spirits as she spotted two of her best friends coming out of the school
building to meet her for lunch.
Makoto and Ami made their way through seated students to join the waving Usagi at their
favorite lunch spot. Makoto took a deep breath of the crisp air and smiled. Autumn was her favorite
season, by far. It was a time of change, when the whole world was at the brink of hibernation, only to be
reborn again in all its glory. She shared a smile with Ami, and swung her lunch pail as she walked,
whistling. Students eyed her warily as she walked past. Makoto pretended to ignore them, to hold her
head up high and aloof, but she knew they watched her. After all this time attending school here, the
students were still frightened at the tall girl's loud and bawdy nature. She was an outcast. The only one
who truly accepted her was the blond underneath the tree, waving so energetically that she rose to her
knees in her enthusiasm, spilling her lunch upon the grass and dirt, and causing Makoto to laugh.
Ami shook her head, repressing a smile at the resulting wail that could be heard even from where
Makoto andAmi were at. As they walked leisurely to Usagi, they passed a small group of girls giggling
amongst themselves.
"See, Satoko? That's her! That's that supposed genius! Do you know she made top marks on a test
again?? I bet she cheated!"
Ami held her chin higher as they walked on, pretending she didn't hear their lowered voices as
she passed. It was true. She had made the top score on that Math test. She had also studied for the past
two weeks for that very same test night and day, except for the times she had to be out saving the world
from horrors those girls will never know. It wasn't just those whispering girls though, several people
around the campus pointed at her and accused her of cheating. Ami knew that jealousy was her worst
enemy, but that didn't ease the pain that still coursed through her every time she heard a stray comment
that was not meant for her ears. Looking at Usagi crying so forlornly in the grass made Ami smile,
though. Usagi never judged her like that - never looked at her with scorn or cruelty. Ami had vowed long
ago to protect the best friend she ever had, even before she had known that Usagi was her princess.
Usagi's wail had eased into sniffling and she was picking up a piece of sushi, eyeing the pieces of
dirt that had clung to its surface, by the time Ami and Makoto reached her. Deciding it wasn't worth
saving, Usagi tossed the sushi into her lunch bag in disgust. Makoto grinned, and as Ami seated herself
beside Usagi, held out an extra bag to Usagi, who promptly opened it and squealed with delight.
"Oh Mako! You are the best! How did you know to bring extra food for me today??"
Makoto grinned and watched Usagi tear into the food she had packed just for such an occasion.
"Lucky guess."
Usagi paused in the act of chewing to turn her attention to Ami.
"Congratulations on acing that Math test, Ami," she said with genuine feeling, through a mouth
full of rice.
Ami, remembering those girls they had passed before joining Usagi, dismissed her compliment
with a delicate shrug of her shoulders. "It was nothing. Hey, you two. Did you happen to read the
newspaper this morning?"
Makoto and Usagi both stared at Ami.
"Ami," giggled Usagi, "like anyone under the age of thirty reads the newspaper!"
Ami took a carefully folded newspaper out of her school bag and unfolded it, pointing at the
headline to draw the other's attention.
TWO GIRLS FOUND MURDERED IN ALLEY IN OUTSKIRTS OF TOKYO LAST NIGHT
Usagi swallowed the rice ball in her mouth hard and took the newspaper from Ami. Makoto
leaned over Usagi's shoulder to scan the article.
"That's horrible," whispered Makoto. "That's the fourth murder in three days!"
"Fifth, actually," said Ami solemnly.
"You don't think this has anything to do with some new enemies, do you, Ami?" asked Makoto.
Ami glanced down at Usagi, whose head was bent low over the paper, reading.
"I don't know," the short haired girl admitted, "but I think it's definitely something we need to
look into. Do you agree, Usagi?"
Usagi stared at the newspaper.
"Saeka," she read out softly to herself from the article.
"Usagi?"
"What? Ami? Oh. Um, yeah. I think we need to look into this too. I'll contact everyone for a
meeting tonight at the temple."
"Are you ok, Usagi?" asked Ami as she placed a hand on the blond girl's shoulder. "You look
pale all of a sudden."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Look you guys, I need to get back and do some extra work for being late this
morning. I'll catch you two later tonight."
**************************************************************************** *******
Later that night...
The scouts had assembled on the floor around a low, rectangular table laden with tea cups and
pastries. Rei, the temple priestess, paced back and forth furiously in front of the sliding door while
Minako, with Artemis in her lap, Makoto, and Ami, calmly sat drinking green tea
"Where is she?!" burst out Rei, gesturing dramatically at her watch. "She's late! She's always
late! How can that girl always be late?! I'M never that late! When I have a pressing obligation, I make
sure to keep it!"
Minako drained her teacup and politely asked Ami to pour her more, ignoring Rei's frantic
outbursts.
"Makoto, these pastries are delicious. Would you mind giving my mother the recipe?" inquired
Ami as Rei all but tore off her watch.
"How can you people sit there and chit chat while that girl is twenty minutes late!" Rei asked,
glaring at each of them in turn.
"Now, Rei," began Makoto serenely. "You aren't worried, are you? Besides, you know Usagi is
always late." Makoto turned her attention back to Ami. "Of course I don't mind giving your mother the
recipe, Ami. Do you have a piece of paper?"
Rei let out a frustrated cry and all but jumped as the door slid back quickly, revealing a
breathless Usagi.
"Hi everyone! Sorry I'm late I was just-"
"You were JUST twenty minutes late," interrupted Rei.
Usagi stepped into the room, followed by a panting Luna.
"OOhh!" cried Usagi. "Are those pastries?!"
Rei sat herself down with a huff by Ami, who obligingly patted her hand and poured her some
tea. Minako put down her cup and looked at Usagi. "Hey. Where's Mamoru?"
Usagi swallowed down her bite of pastry and gave a dramatic sigh.
"He's in southern Japan attending some kinda smart workshop thing."
"Already?" asked Makoto. "When did he leave?"
"Last night," sighed Usagi again, and frowned. "He wont be back for a week! . I already miss
him more than I can bear!"
"Cheer up, Usagi!" Minako said, clapping her hands together with a bright smile. "Absence makes the heart grow longer!"
The group groaned at Minako's blunder.
"Actually, Minako," Ami said, " I believe the phrase is 'absence makes the heart grow fond-'...
Oh never mind."
Artemis cleared his throat, interrupting. "Ok. Now that we are all here, let's get down to business.
There are murders happening all over Tokyo, way more than usual. Ami? Did you find out anything from
the doctors at the hospital that looked at the bodies?"
"Not much, unfortunately. Not only were they not willing to talk about it in depth, being that the
murders are under investigation by the police, there is also not much to be known. But, I did learn that
each murder was done in a violent, sudden way. There was no torture involved. Also, no money or items
were reported stolen or missing from any of the bodies."
The group sat silent for a few moments, thinking their own private thoughts until Minako spoke
up. "So, there seems to be no motive in any of the deaths."
"It's strange," said Artemis quietly. " Surely no monster we've encountered has ever killed a
victim so violently, or even purposely killed a victim at all. Every one we've seen so far just drained the
energy from their victims, and if they died from it, so be it. But never have any of them simply killed for
no apparent reason."
"It has to be a human," declared Luna from her place beside Artemis.
Usagi put down the muffin she was eating. "No human would do such a thing," she whispered
softly.
"Don't be such an innocent, Usagi," said Rei. "You have to face the facts. There really ARE evil
souls that lurk in the hearts of some men, like it or not."
Ami cleared her throat. "Well, actually you guys, I didn't tell you all of what the doctors said to
me about the murders. You see, it is highly unlikely that it was a human being who committed these
murders...On one of the victims, one of the girls they found last night...Her skull was crushed by
immense pressure applied to either side of the head. A man found a few days ago was torn in half. Other
evidence indicate that this murderer traveled on foot and alone, due to tracks in the dust found three days
ago with the two sisters whose bodies were found in that abandoned warehouse. There is no probable way
that a human being, acting alone, could carry any weapon that would inflict the amount of damage as was
found on the bodies. Such a weapon would slow the person down too much to be useful, and no weapons
were found near the bodies. So, in my opinion, whatever this creature is, it shows inhuman strength and
power."
The matter of fact tone of Ami's voice made the horror all to real to the young girls sitting around
the table. They sat quietly, looking at each other with pale, stricken faces. Usagi was crying softly.
"I think," Minako's voice was weak and strangled. She cleared her throat and began again. "I
think Rei should do a fire reading on this...creature, whatever it may be. Until then, I think it's safe to
assume we have another monster on our hands and we should all keep a sharp look out."
"I'll make a map and pinpoint the locations and times of each of the murders," said Ami. "Maybe
we can find a pattern to all of this."
"Minako and I will keep a patrol going of the city whenever we can," said Makoto, looking to
Minako for agreement, who immediately nodded.
"Artemis and I will see what we can dig up on the victims and the people they associated with,"
piped up Luna.
Rei clapped her hands together. "Good. Now we all have our assignments. We'll meet back here
tomorrow evening to discuss our findings."
"Wait," inserted Usagi, wiping her tears with the back of her hands. "What am I supposed to do?"
The other girls looked at each other, sharing the same thoughts. Usagi wasn't ready for patrolling
the streets. What if she came upon a dead body? What if she came upon something worse?
"Um," Artemis squinted, thinking. "Usagi...Why don't you... Um... Why don't you talk to the
students at school to see if they heard or seen anything out of the ordinary lately."
Usagi sat up straighter, finally feeling useful. "Ok Artemis!"
"Ok, so it has been decided. We meet back here tomorrow at the same time." Artemis paused and
eyed each girl. "And everyone... Be careful."
**************************************************************************** *********
-Constructive criticisms welcome (hint: please send them! Of course, along with ANY compliments.;) )
-dew
dew_drop@myself.com
I do not own Sailor Moon, nor do I pretend to.
Chapter 1. A Plan Is Formed.
**************************************************************************** *********
"Usagi!"
A small, blond headed girl turned over on her side with a soft groan.
"Usagi!"
Sharp pain. Usagi sat up suddenly in bed, knocking a furry object off of it. She looked down at
the source of her pain, which was on her arm, and eyed the three, suspicious looking, scratches she found
there.
"Luna." Began Usagi warningly, grabbing a pillow and aiming it at the furry thing that had
fallen off of the bed. Its two bright eyes glared at the girl and her pillow.
"Hey, that's not fair! I was just trying to be nice!"
"Nice?? Nice!! You scratched my arm, Luna!"
The pillow flew and missed the cat by several feet. Indignant, Luna jumped with feline grace up
on Usagi's night stand.
"Yes, nice, you ungrateful girl! You were crying out in your sleep. In fact, you were crying IN
your sleep! And here I was, just trying to wake you up, and this is the thanks I get?"
Usagi ignored the mutterings of the cat on her nightstand and after touching her cheeks, stared
dumbly at her fingers when she took them away and saw they were wet. She HAD been crying. But why?
While Luna jumped off of the nightstand, still complaining, Usagi tried in vain to remember the dream
that had distressed her so much. Flashes came back to her - nothing coherent though except for one word
that stood out clearly in her mind.
"Saeka?"
"What did you say, Usagi?"
Usagi turned to her cat who was standing in the middle of her room. "Oh. nothing, Luna. Say,
what time is it anyway?"
"WHAT TIME IS IT??? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT TIME IT IS!"
Usagi and Luna started at the noise and swung their heads in unison towards the door where
Usagi's mother stood, wielding a spatula like a samurai sword. She pointed that spatula at Usagi
accusingly." You're late, that's what time it is, you lazy girl! Why don't you ever get up on time?? Why
did the gods curse me with such a lazy, unmotivated girl?"
With a shriek, Usagi jumped out of bed and started changing in a flurry of clothes while her
mother continued lecturing disapprovingly and a cat with two knowing eyes watched Usagi with disdain.
"You know Usagi," began Luna as soon as Usagi's mother left the room,
"Your mother does have a poi-"
A well aimed pillow hit the cat square in the head.
*************************************************************************
"Hey! Usagi!"
Usagi looked up from her crinkled, pink lunch bag while sitting underneath her favorite shady
tree on the grass. The grass was cool and littered with orange and yellow leaves that the tree had released
in preparation for autumn. The breeze was light and a little chilly, but invigorating after a hot summer.
Usagi was in positively light spirits as she spotted two of her best friends coming out of the school
building to meet her for lunch.
Makoto and Ami made their way through seated students to join the waving Usagi at their
favorite lunch spot. Makoto took a deep breath of the crisp air and smiled. Autumn was her favorite
season, by far. It was a time of change, when the whole world was at the brink of hibernation, only to be
reborn again in all its glory. She shared a smile with Ami, and swung her lunch pail as she walked,
whistling. Students eyed her warily as she walked past. Makoto pretended to ignore them, to hold her
head up high and aloof, but she knew they watched her. After all this time attending school here, the
students were still frightened at the tall girl's loud and bawdy nature. She was an outcast. The only one
who truly accepted her was the blond underneath the tree, waving so energetically that she rose to her
knees in her enthusiasm, spilling her lunch upon the grass and dirt, and causing Makoto to laugh.
Ami shook her head, repressing a smile at the resulting wail that could be heard even from where
Makoto andAmi were at. As they walked leisurely to Usagi, they passed a small group of girls giggling
amongst themselves.
"See, Satoko? That's her! That's that supposed genius! Do you know she made top marks on a test
again?? I bet she cheated!"
Ami held her chin higher as they walked on, pretending she didn't hear their lowered voices as
she passed. It was true. She had made the top score on that Math test. She had also studied for the past
two weeks for that very same test night and day, except for the times she had to be out saving the world
from horrors those girls will never know. It wasn't just those whispering girls though, several people
around the campus pointed at her and accused her of cheating. Ami knew that jealousy was her worst
enemy, but that didn't ease the pain that still coursed through her every time she heard a stray comment
that was not meant for her ears. Looking at Usagi crying so forlornly in the grass made Ami smile,
though. Usagi never judged her like that - never looked at her with scorn or cruelty. Ami had vowed long
ago to protect the best friend she ever had, even before she had known that Usagi was her princess.
Usagi's wail had eased into sniffling and she was picking up a piece of sushi, eyeing the pieces of
dirt that had clung to its surface, by the time Ami and Makoto reached her. Deciding it wasn't worth
saving, Usagi tossed the sushi into her lunch bag in disgust. Makoto grinned, and as Ami seated herself
beside Usagi, held out an extra bag to Usagi, who promptly opened it and squealed with delight.
"Oh Mako! You are the best! How did you know to bring extra food for me today??"
Makoto grinned and watched Usagi tear into the food she had packed just for such an occasion.
"Lucky guess."
Usagi paused in the act of chewing to turn her attention to Ami.
"Congratulations on acing that Math test, Ami," she said with genuine feeling, through a mouth
full of rice.
Ami, remembering those girls they had passed before joining Usagi, dismissed her compliment
with a delicate shrug of her shoulders. "It was nothing. Hey, you two. Did you happen to read the
newspaper this morning?"
Makoto and Usagi both stared at Ami.
"Ami," giggled Usagi, "like anyone under the age of thirty reads the newspaper!"
Ami took a carefully folded newspaper out of her school bag and unfolded it, pointing at the
headline to draw the other's attention.
TWO GIRLS FOUND MURDERED IN ALLEY IN OUTSKIRTS OF TOKYO LAST NIGHT
Usagi swallowed the rice ball in her mouth hard and took the newspaper from Ami. Makoto
leaned over Usagi's shoulder to scan the article.
"That's horrible," whispered Makoto. "That's the fourth murder in three days!"
"Fifth, actually," said Ami solemnly.
"You don't think this has anything to do with some new enemies, do you, Ami?" asked Makoto.
Ami glanced down at Usagi, whose head was bent low over the paper, reading.
"I don't know," the short haired girl admitted, "but I think it's definitely something we need to
look into. Do you agree, Usagi?"
Usagi stared at the newspaper.
"Saeka," she read out softly to herself from the article.
"Usagi?"
"What? Ami? Oh. Um, yeah. I think we need to look into this too. I'll contact everyone for a
meeting tonight at the temple."
"Are you ok, Usagi?" asked Ami as she placed a hand on the blond girl's shoulder. "You look
pale all of a sudden."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Look you guys, I need to get back and do some extra work for being late this
morning. I'll catch you two later tonight."
**************************************************************************** *******
Later that night...
The scouts had assembled on the floor around a low, rectangular table laden with tea cups and
pastries. Rei, the temple priestess, paced back and forth furiously in front of the sliding door while
Minako, with Artemis in her lap, Makoto, and Ami, calmly sat drinking green tea
"Where is she?!" burst out Rei, gesturing dramatically at her watch. "She's late! She's always
late! How can that girl always be late?! I'M never that late! When I have a pressing obligation, I make
sure to keep it!"
Minako drained her teacup and politely asked Ami to pour her more, ignoring Rei's frantic
outbursts.
"Makoto, these pastries are delicious. Would you mind giving my mother the recipe?" inquired
Ami as Rei all but tore off her watch.
"How can you people sit there and chit chat while that girl is twenty minutes late!" Rei asked,
glaring at each of them in turn.
"Now, Rei," began Makoto serenely. "You aren't worried, are you? Besides, you know Usagi is
always late." Makoto turned her attention back to Ami. "Of course I don't mind giving your mother the
recipe, Ami. Do you have a piece of paper?"
Rei let out a frustrated cry and all but jumped as the door slid back quickly, revealing a
breathless Usagi.
"Hi everyone! Sorry I'm late I was just-"
"You were JUST twenty minutes late," interrupted Rei.
Usagi stepped into the room, followed by a panting Luna.
"OOhh!" cried Usagi. "Are those pastries?!"
Rei sat herself down with a huff by Ami, who obligingly patted her hand and poured her some
tea. Minako put down her cup and looked at Usagi. "Hey. Where's Mamoru?"
Usagi swallowed down her bite of pastry and gave a dramatic sigh.
"He's in southern Japan attending some kinda smart workshop thing."
"Already?" asked Makoto. "When did he leave?"
"Last night," sighed Usagi again, and frowned. "He wont be back for a week! . I already miss
him more than I can bear!"
"Cheer up, Usagi!" Minako said, clapping her hands together with a bright smile. "Absence makes the heart grow longer!"
The group groaned at Minako's blunder.
"Actually, Minako," Ami said, " I believe the phrase is 'absence makes the heart grow fond-'...
Oh never mind."
Artemis cleared his throat, interrupting. "Ok. Now that we are all here, let's get down to business.
There are murders happening all over Tokyo, way more than usual. Ami? Did you find out anything from
the doctors at the hospital that looked at the bodies?"
"Not much, unfortunately. Not only were they not willing to talk about it in depth, being that the
murders are under investigation by the police, there is also not much to be known. But, I did learn that
each murder was done in a violent, sudden way. There was no torture involved. Also, no money or items
were reported stolen or missing from any of the bodies."
The group sat silent for a few moments, thinking their own private thoughts until Minako spoke
up. "So, there seems to be no motive in any of the deaths."
"It's strange," said Artemis quietly. " Surely no monster we've encountered has ever killed a
victim so violently, or even purposely killed a victim at all. Every one we've seen so far just drained the
energy from their victims, and if they died from it, so be it. But never have any of them simply killed for
no apparent reason."
"It has to be a human," declared Luna from her place beside Artemis.
Usagi put down the muffin she was eating. "No human would do such a thing," she whispered
softly.
"Don't be such an innocent, Usagi," said Rei. "You have to face the facts. There really ARE evil
souls that lurk in the hearts of some men, like it or not."
Ami cleared her throat. "Well, actually you guys, I didn't tell you all of what the doctors said to
me about the murders. You see, it is highly unlikely that it was a human being who committed these
murders...On one of the victims, one of the girls they found last night...Her skull was crushed by
immense pressure applied to either side of the head. A man found a few days ago was torn in half. Other
evidence indicate that this murderer traveled on foot and alone, due to tracks in the dust found three days
ago with the two sisters whose bodies were found in that abandoned warehouse. There is no probable way
that a human being, acting alone, could carry any weapon that would inflict the amount of damage as was
found on the bodies. Such a weapon would slow the person down too much to be useful, and no weapons
were found near the bodies. So, in my opinion, whatever this creature is, it shows inhuman strength and
power."
The matter of fact tone of Ami's voice made the horror all to real to the young girls sitting around
the table. They sat quietly, looking at each other with pale, stricken faces. Usagi was crying softly.
"I think," Minako's voice was weak and strangled. She cleared her throat and began again. "I
think Rei should do a fire reading on this...creature, whatever it may be. Until then, I think it's safe to
assume we have another monster on our hands and we should all keep a sharp look out."
"I'll make a map and pinpoint the locations and times of each of the murders," said Ami. "Maybe
we can find a pattern to all of this."
"Minako and I will keep a patrol going of the city whenever we can," said Makoto, looking to
Minako for agreement, who immediately nodded.
"Artemis and I will see what we can dig up on the victims and the people they associated with,"
piped up Luna.
Rei clapped her hands together. "Good. Now we all have our assignments. We'll meet back here
tomorrow evening to discuss our findings."
"Wait," inserted Usagi, wiping her tears with the back of her hands. "What am I supposed to do?"
The other girls looked at each other, sharing the same thoughts. Usagi wasn't ready for patrolling
the streets. What if she came upon a dead body? What if she came upon something worse?
"Um," Artemis squinted, thinking. "Usagi...Why don't you... Um... Why don't you talk to the
students at school to see if they heard or seen anything out of the ordinary lately."
Usagi sat up straighter, finally feeling useful. "Ok Artemis!"
"Ok, so it has been decided. We meet back here tomorrow at the same time." Artemis paused and
eyed each girl. "And everyone... Be careful."
**************************************************************************** *********
-Constructive criticisms welcome (hint: please send them! Of course, along with ANY compliments.;) )
-dew
dew_drop@myself.com