AN: Here's the latest chapter of Destinies for those of u that have been waiting for it. Sorry for the late update. Writer's block has been a real pain.
A big thank u to all of u who have reviewed or messaged me. And a special thanks to my beta charliechaplin2 for all her help. (Ur the best, CC2"! ^-^)
Usual disclaimer applies.
11. Arrogance
"Tell me again whose bright idea this was?" Uranus growled through clenched teeth while she used her fist to slam against her opponent's face. Bones broke under her strength and the bandit cried out in pain. As he bent over to clutch as his bleeding nose, Uranus took the opportunity to aim a kick in his middle sending him soaring into the air. The sight of him flying ten feet above the ground made her give off a grim smile. She hoped she managed to at least crack a couple of ribs if not break them with that kick. That along with the broken nose might make the idiot think more carefully about changing career.
"Ask the idiot hopping around over there." Nephrite spoke to her right and blocked the attacks of his two opponents with his spear. With deft movements of his wrists he managed to hit aside the edge of an axe, knock away a hooked knife aiming for his throat and still point the head towards the blonde man in gray-blue uniform that was currently dodging a group of angry bandits by teleporting back and forth.
"Hey I heard that you know!" Jadeite called back as he appeared behind two bandits and knocked their heads together before teleporting away just as a sword came arching down where his head had just been. "How come whenever something goes wrong everyone points at me?"
"Because you're the only one arrogant enough to come up with hare-brained idea like this." Nephrite shot back. He pirouetted away from a pair of slashing swords and stabbed one of his attackers in the process. "Six against a hundred. Knew there would be a reason for the rest of us to regret him sleeping through his math lessons." He muttered under his breath.
"Need I remind you that this time it was somebody's toy that went wrong?"
"Hey I warned you the devise was not ready yet for such a grand test, and I specifically remember saying that a slight miscalculations might occur." Zoicite defended his creation like a proud father defending his child. He had teamed himself with Moon since they both favored missile weapons. Standing ground closer to the edge they were doing a great job of keeping the enemies cleared.
"Slight miscalculation?! I told you to take us near the bandit camp you teleported us right on top of them!" Jadeite pointed out with annoyance as he lashed out with his sword and took down a bandit.
He could not believe his bad luck. What had begun like a great idea had turned from bad to worse. A testing of Zoicite's newest invention, the radar, had somehow managed to locate the latest camp of the bandit groups that had been raiding the countryside lately. It had seemed like a good plan to send out a scouting team to gather information since they knew from previous experience that the bandits only stayed a few days at the camp before breaking up. It seemed like a convenient time to try out another one of Zoicite's invention. He had not counted on this!
Jadeite threw a glance towards Moon and Zoicite and was relieved to see that while outnumbered they were doing well. Zoicite did not really worry him, knowing full well that when it came to that guy, appearances were most deceiving. He was vicious and not afraid to use dirty methods to win, most probably he could teach the scum here a lesson or two, Jadeite thought with a grim smile remembering a particularly painful experience during training. Moon was a wholly different matter though. Despite the fact that she was an able fighter with powerful attacks, the woman had a tendency to always end up in trouble of some kind.
The sound was the only warning he got, pulling his attention back and swinging up with his sword Jadeite saved himself just in time from the edge of an axe which was arching towards him threatening to open his head. The sound of metal meeting metal made a loud ringing noise deafening the battle around them. While Jadeite had been successful enough to block the attack he was still not able deflate it completely. With their weapons locked a battle of strength took place.
Jadeite looked at his attacker and was slightly surprised that he had to tilt his head quite back to be able to see his face. Being six feet high he was considered quite tall and yet the man standing before him made Jadeite feel like a dwarf. Arms the size of a tree trunk protruded from shoulders twice as wide as Jadeite's. The lower part of his large face was mostly covered by black beard, the upper was completely clean-shaven, he did not even have eyebrows, much less hair. A large ugly scar started from the top of his head and ran like the sign of lightning down his left eye missing his lips by an inch to stop at his neck. It was the eyes however that caught Jadeite's attention. Those dark eyes were shining with a ferocious light much like an animal gone mad, and it sent cold chills along his spine.
Great, the big cahuna has decided to join in too. Can my luck get any worse? Jadeite thought sarcastically.
There was definitely no mistake who his opponent was. After all how many seven feet tall bald headed bandits with lightning scar could there be running around the countryside?
The battle around him forgotten, Jadeite tightened his grip on the hilt. The bandit leader was so determined to sink the edge of his axe into Jadeite that he could taste it in the air. While he was a strong man himself, the years of hard training as well as the extra strength given to him through his transformation, Jadeite could still feel the muscles in his arms straining under the force as they both fought to win in their weapon lock. Sweat beads gathered around his temple but he did not dare to loosen his hold. Yet from the pain screaming in his arm, he long gave out on using just one hand to hold his sword against the onslaught, Jadeite was not sure he would be able to stand forth much longer.
Damn, he needed to come up with something. At the moment all his concentration was focused on holding the axe at bay. It would not be a simple solution like teleporting himself into safety since considering Bear's strength time would be of a crucial issue here. To some it might seem like he took himself from one place to another within a blink of an eye but doing that still required a mental preparation on his part and the complete relaxation of his body during that millisecond. He doubted however that he could risk loosening his arms enough to concentrate. Bear's axe would cut him in two before he was able to teleport away. Unless…
A wild thought occurred to him. What if he tried that trick? He got the idea the other day after the training where he had suffered a severe and humiliating loss to Kunzite. He had never tried it before but it really should not be impossible considering that his powers were growing lately and had meant to do it the next time they trained but he supposed now was a good time as any to try to see if he can use more powers.
Like he did everything else once his mind was made up, Jadeite dove right into it. Before he could let himself think twice or consider the consequences he took a step backwards. The axe descended. It hit something in midair; the shield that Jadeite had created. White sparkle flew. Pain exploded in Jadeite's mind at the impact and he fought against the emotion and concentrated on his teleportation by fixing a mental image of himself in a different area and.
The world angled and turned. Spots appeared in front of Jadeite's eyes as his surroundings stopped moving in a vertigo way. Jadeite lashed out and only in the last second did he gather enough of his wits to twist his wrist so that he hilt instead of the blade hit against the back of the bandits head. The large man toppled like a tree to the ground. The sound he gave off was loud enough to stop the fighting as they all stared in shocked silence.
Jadeite hardly paid any attention however as he fell limply to the ground. Standing on all four he fought against the nausea, only barely registering Nephrite's shout. "Look out!"
Instinctively he rolled to the side. A burning pain lashed against his left arm before he was able to deflate the attack that would have given him serious if not fatal injury. Twisting his wrist he smoothly ran his sword through his attacker's heart. The man only had time to register surprise on his dark eyes before the light left them and he fell over Jadeite's sword.
Two swishing sounds were heard flying past Jadeite on each side of him and metal clanged to the ground as Zoicite's crystal and Moon's tiara disarmed the few men who had gathered their wits enough to think of resuming the battle.
"Alright drop your weapons or join your friends." Jadeite ordered with deadly calm seizing the opportunity of stunned silence. From behind him he could hear his friend moving into position to lend his threat strength. There was the distinctive crackling sound of energy that told him Uranus was gathering power in her hands and the aqua shimmering colors told him Neptune was doing the same. A hoof stamped impatiently as Taurus prepared to attack.
The remaining soldiers stared at their fallen leader, then at the man who was still impaled on Jadeite's sword, turning, they ran and scattered in all direction.
Jadeite swore and tried to run after them, only to remember the deadweight he had on him. "After them before they all escape!" He ordered as he put his boot on the dead man's chest and heaved with all his might.
His companion stared at each other and shrugging their shoulders started running after the fleeing bandits.
"Stay where you are!" Nephrite countermanded the only one who had not moved, except to un-summon his guardian.
They all stopped in their tracks and stared from one man to the other. Uranus was wearing a scowl on her face. She did not like to leave any loose strings and to watch thirty or more bandits roaming around the countryside was definitely too many. Neptune put a reassuring hand on her partner to calm her down; her eyes were however watching the two men steadily. Moon watched them with worry. Zoicite was the only one who found the humor in this situation and rolled his eyes while shaking his head with a grin on his youthful face.
Ignoring the dark scowl he was getting from Jadeite, Nephrite crouched beside the bandit leader and pulled out the metal cuffs; another of Zoicite's invention; and started restraining him.
"This is enemy territory and we don't know what's out there, we can be running into a trap. Be glad with what we got and let's just get out of here. We're lucky to even be alive." He did not look at Jadeite but the point was not missed. He started rummaging through the bandit's clothes in search of hidden weapons. He tried not to guess what the dark sticky thing he found in the man's pocket was. The odor coming from it did not speak highly of it.
Jadeite's fist clenched, the hard metal band of his sword cutting harshly into his palm. Because the man had made sense Jadeite was left with nothing to do but to swallow his pride. Slamming the sword back into his scabbard he took out his communicator.
"Headquarter this is Blue Two. We've just apprehended the bandit leader and some of his men in sector 42J3H. Send a squad down here to pick them up." He barked.
There was a static sound and then a voice said, "Uh ...Roger, sir." Jadeite ignored the surprise in the other man's voice and closed the communicator. "It shouldn't take more than an hour for the squad to come from the nearest garrison."
"I'll stay behind. You guys can teleport ahead back to the castle. I think Sir Cowen will be most eager to question this guy." Nephrite nudged the unconscious giant with his feet.
Jadeite looked at him with unreadable eyes but before he could open his mouth to tell his friend that they were all staying until backup came, Zoicite had already voiced his opinion. "That's insane. You can't stay here alone! What if those scum comes back with backup of their own? I'm staying too."
Uranus snorted. "As if you to pups can handle them all by yourself. Jade, you, Neptune and Moon head back and the three of us will hang back."
"But-" Moon objected.
"Don't worry. Besides His Highness and lord Kunzite should be returning anytime now. If they can't find any of us at the castle there will be hell to pay. I don't know about you but I'm not looking forward to eight hours of training in the Pit and that's most certainly where Kunzite will send us." Uranus winked.
"Very well, see you back at the castle." Jadeite told them curtly after a moment of silence. Walking ahead so that he stood to their main prisoner, Jadeite grabbed the small gadget Zoicite handed him and began to punch in the coordinates that would take them back to Zoicite's lab. When Moon and Neptune remained where they were, he arched one tawny brow at them and they started moving; Moon with hurried steps and Neptune with easy grace.
They disappeared in a flash of light.
"You should give him a break you know." Zoicite told this friend as they resumed tying up the rest of the prisoners, those few that were still alive anyway.
Nephrite grunted in response.
Refusing to take the hint, Zoicite continued to broach the subject though he made the effort to keep his voice low so that Uranus who was busy shuffling dead bodies on the other side could not hear. "Whether you like it or not he is the second-in-command and having you countermanding his orders like that in front of others undermines that position."
It was only a year ago that the four of them were promoted to their current ranks of Royal Generals. It gave them military authority that was only beneath that of Commander General which was the highest military officer of Earth. When Kunzite was announced first in command, it did not come as a surprise to them. Jadeite becoming the second however did, since Nephrite was more experienced than the younger man. They knew that politics was involved there since a lot of the High Lords would never approve of an earl taking orders from a mere Squire. Instead Nephrite was put as the third in command with Zoicite being the youngest and least skilled soldier became the fourth. Zoicite did not mind since he knew his skills were in his brains and not his brawn. How Nephrite felt however, was becoming more and more obvious lately.
"I wouldn't have had to if he only pulled his act together." Nephrite bit out and pushed the unconscious bandit he just tied up back on the ground. Zoicite winced at the impact.
"Jade might come off a bit eager sometimes but his heart is in the right place. And his ideas are sound; some just need to be worked out a bit." He tried to placate the annoyed warrior.
"That's just the problem though; they shouldn't have to be worked out. He's just too impulsive and too damned arrogant. He always thinks that things would work out for the best and acts without thinking. So far he's been lucky but I'm telling you one of these days his luck is going to run out and he'll get himself killed and us along with him."
Zoicite stopped what he was doing and grinned.
"What the hell are you looking like a jackass for?" Nephrite asked with annoyance.
"So you do care about him. I was starting to wonder about that with the constant disagreements between the two of you." Zoicite mused his green eyes dancing with merriment.
Nephrite flushed an angry red. "Shut up pony tail."
Zoicite's snorted. "That's coming from a guy who spends more time taking care of his hair than his sword."
He ducked at the fist that swung his way, his small frame lending agility to his movements. "Come now is that the best you could do?" He taunted. "Moon can give me a better workout than that." He barely had time to say that before he had to duck again this time it was not Nephrite's fist but his sword. There was distinctive sound that told him he was not quick enough. Eyes narrowing he growled, "Hey watched it. I just had it trimmed this week."
"Oh really? I think you missed a spot."
The sword came again. After ducking again, Zoicite looked up with a cold gleam in his green eyes. "Alright you asked for it." He put up his palm and energy started to gather and form.
Suddenly his eyes crossed as pain exploded in his head. Loosing his concentration the crystal forming in his hands dissolved and he put up his hand to his injured head. Through pain-filled vision he saw the stone that was the cause of his misery. It was the same size as his fist.
"Ouch, what the Hell was that for?!" Both men demanded with angry red faces of the woman in sailor outfit who was whistling an upbeat tune while she carried a bandit over one shoulder and one under the arm.
"The two of you looked like you could cool it off. Since Neptune is not around to dose you with water I thought I would do it my way." She told them good naturedly.
"And what is that? Opening up our brains?" Nephrite muttered angrily as he massaged his scalp.
Zoicite was doing the same too and when he saw the palm of his hand slightly tinged with blood he growled under his breath and lunged for the woman only to have his breath knocked out of him the second time as Nephrite grabbed hold of him.
"Easy there." The other man warned.
"Bite me." Zoicite snarled.
"Sorry you're not my type. But she might take you up on the offer if you insist." Nephrite whispered softly and tightened his grip on the younger and slenderer man. He grunted at a well aimed elbow. Damn, for a scrawny guy he really fought dirty. Still Zoicite was his friend and despite their differences he was not about to let the guy commit suicide. "Remember what she did to us the last time we took her up on the offer." He hissed.
He was glad to see that the warning helped to calm Zoicite down. Once he was sure the man could reign in his temper, Nephrite let him go.
"You're right this is not the time." Zoicite told him with a calm voice and turned his back on the woman. Then with an evil glint in his eyes he added, "Much better to wait and not get caught."
Nephrite choked recalling how vindictive his friend could be. "Just make sure I'm no where near her when you do."
"Hey, no worries. I owe you one."
"Don't mention it. Though had it been Jade I might not have bothered. Maybe she could have knocked some sense to him."
Zoicite shook his head. "I doubt it. She has a soft spot for the guy."
Nephrite snorted. "She and the rest of the female population on this planet."
"Now let's not exaggerate here." Zoicite told him with a sly grin. "I have on very good authority that it's a lie."
Nephrite made a mocking act of showing disgust. "Please must you always throw your conquest around like that? From the way the two of you hop around from one woman's bed to another I'm really wondering how the hell you can fit in training as well."
"It's all in the planning. If you want I can give you a few pointers."
Nephrite gave him a dirty look. He might not live like a monk but he did not believe that he was God's gift to the female population either.
"I'm really surprised Kunzite hadn't called you guys out on the carpet by now."
The younger man snorted. "Don't let the polite surface fool you. Our leader was no boy scout in his youth. I could tell you stories about him that would make Jade and me look like choir boys."
Despite berating himself that he was not a woman and this was certainly none of his business, Nephrite's interest was piqued. "Oh really?"
Knowing that he had him on the hook, Zoicite smiled. "Not today bro. Maybe another time over a game of dice?"
"No thanks. You cheat."
"Do not."
"Really? Then how come I always loose then?" Nephrite challenged.
"Coz your an unlucky son of a –"
"Don't even go there." The warning was said in a low voice and all the more potent. Zoicite swallowed the rest of the phrase he was going to use. It was not often he and Neph could bicker like this companionably; he kept of forgetting that Nephrite was not like his other buddies when it came to calling them names. Names that were used without heat behind them could not be applied to this guy. When it came to his parentage, Nephrite was very sensitive. It was a subject that was completely taboo.
Clearing his voice, Zoi said, "Anyway I'm not the only one you loose to. I haven't seen you win Jade so far."
"That guy relies on his luck not manipulated dices."
"True enough." Zoicite muttered under his breath. He had yet to win against the guy in a game.
"Trust me no man is ever that lucky. One of these days the guys luck is gonna run out and we're going to be standing there with our pants down." Nephrite told him over his shoulder as he stripped one of the bandits of his weapons.
Zoicite shuddered at that image. Naked women were one thing but he did not want to think of his friends without their clothes. "Are we back to that again?" Zoicite shook his head and started rummaging through the pockets of one of the corpse. A brass ring with a strange claw came up. Frowning Zoi threw it on the pile he had already gathered up for him to study in further detail once he got back to his lab.
"Honestly Neph, I really don't understand the antagonism you have towards him these days. You never used to question him like this, hell I even remember when we were younger you used to love his pranks. You even joined us."
Nephrite sighed and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Carrying deadweights around was sure more problematic than beating them senseless. "That's the problem, isn't it? We're not kids anymore. Jadeite has still problems to accept that truth. He's acting as the same juvenile teenager he was five years ago. Doesn't he understand that the elders will never take him serious this way? He will never advance any further than this. Nor will he get any respect."
Zoicite shrugged. "He doesn't need to do anything to prove himself. He's already second in command of the personal guards of the heir to Earth. Besides as the grandson of Grand Duke Randion he's got all the respect he could want."
"I'm talking about true respect, a soldier's respect. I refuse to believe that Jadeite could settle for something as cheap as respect because of his social position."
Zoicite made a non-comment sound. He understood Nephrite's feelings but he could not totally agree with him. It was easy for someone like Nephrite to scorn social position. He's spent all his life ignoring them and mostly done whatever he pleased. The only thing that he had craved was the respect of a soldier. To be proven a good soldier. But for Zoicite it was different. He was born into that society, with the only exception being that he was a scandal's child; he could never belong to it. He might not envy Jadeite's position as a soldier but he certainly envied the man his position in society, a position he could very well have had if only he had been born within wedlock.
Still Jadeite was his friend and one that had always been there for him despite Zoicite's past and loyalty insisted he defend his friend. "Hey don't give him such a hard time. There's more to him than just his easy going attitude. Unlike us, things have always come easy for him and that has made it unnecessary for him to worry. As long as that devil luck of his holds out we shouldn't worry."
"Oh yeah and what happens when it runs out? Pull up our pants and run for it?"
Zoicite winced.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In the great Terran Palace Jadeite was walking along the brightly lit old passage of the Prisoner's Den with a bright grin on his face. On the way, he was greeted by fellow soldiers who called out to him on a great job well done. For each time he received a hearty slap in the back he felt pride soar like euphoria around him, enveloping him in its warmth. Probably because he rarely got praised for any work in this area.
"You're really popular today." Usagi murmured softly beside him.
"Yeah seems like it." He did not bother to hide the pleasure in his voice nor in his eyes as more people came forward to greet him.
None paid attention to the slender squire beside him. He was often known as the pale shadow that accompanied the Prince and his four personal Guards. This suited Usagi quite well since, considering her deception, too much attention would not be good for her. Not that she had figured out yet how she could have miraculously pulled off this escapade for THREE WHOLE years with Jadeite, Nephrite and Zoicite being the only ones who knew of her secret, well part secret. All they knew so far is that she was really a girl dressed up as a guy and that she was from the Moon. They still did not know who she was.
As if a sixth sense told her, Usagi turned her head and was just able to catch a pair of young men turning around the corner heading towards them. Jadeite was not too busy that he could not hear her breath catch. He glanced at whatever it was that had caught her eyes.
The pair made an impressive sight. Both tall and broad-shouldered, one ruggedly handsome with long silver blonde hair and commanding air and the other sinfully gorgeous with his dark looks. The silver haired man was both taller and larger in built than his companion but there was no mistaking who it was that caught the attention with his regal presence. As the two men approached the soldiers along the hallways all straightened and quickly saluted to their liege.
The young in question took the whole greeting in stride. He flashed them a grin and called out to a few people by name. A small gesture which did not cost him much but that was appreciated a great deal by those greeted personally by him. He made it seem effortless but Jadeite knew personally the kind of harsh training his friend had gone through to learn that while growing up. All part of the protocol of being a prince and future king of Earth.
"Jade!" Endymion greeted as he reached them. "Heard the rumors even before we reached the palace gates. Nice work." He took Jadeite's hand in a firm grip and pounded him on the back in a friendly and familiar manner.
Jadeite winced slightly at the force, the muscles on his shoulders still aching from his one-on-one encounter with the giant. The pain did nothing to dim the pleasure he felt at the praise. "Thanks, Dare."
Endymion threw a glance at the slight blonde to Jadeite's left and said with less enthusiasm, "Travis."
Because he was standing quite close he could sense Usagi's body tense beside him and knowing from experience that temper would brew otherwise, he quickly diverted the attention. "So did the trip go well? You guys came back awfully quick."
"We were only supposed to keep a watch over the excavation. With the news of the capture of the bandit king Bear the need for our presence didn't seem that urgent anymore." Kunzite told him coolly as he joined them. He kept himself slightly behind Endymion, a barely noticeable act of respect for the younger man's position but one would never know from the way he carried himself. Though he nodded his head in greeting to the pair, both felt an invisible string pulling at them making them stand up straighter. "Where is the prisoner?" He asked softly.
Because those silver eyes, currently shrouded and unreadable, were focused on him, Jadeite felt the need to clear his throat before answering. "He's in the Pit." He was referring to the part of the dungeon which had the highest security and where they only held the most dangerous of criminals.
"Well then shall we take a look at him?" Kunzite suggested. "Highness?"
Endymion who had been wearing a slight look of puzzlement as he studied the scowling squire, quickly pulled his attention back to business and nodded his ascent and led the way.
Though Kunzite had only formed the invitation to Endymion the look he gave Jadeite and Usagi clearly told them without words that he wanted them to come as well. Seeing their dreams of hot food and rest smoke up into bliss both followed with less enthusiasm down the same hallway they just came from.
As he walked down to the heart of the prison quarters for the second time today, Jadeite did not feel as exalted as he did earlier. Partly because the greetings they had this time were not the same as with the presence of the prince as well as the stern looking lord Kunzite made the soldiers more alert and formal. But mostly because he was worried about his friend.
Jadeite kept throwing glances at Usagi who was walking beside him with a look that was mixture of pout and irritation. From the way his friend in front of him was holding himself, Jadeite knew that Endymion could very much feel those baby blues and he was trying extremely hard not to shift under that uncomfortable gaze.
It still amazed Jadeite to find his otherwise very sharp friend completely blind to the fact that his squire was in fact a girl in disguise. How a man who rarely missed anything could mistake someone like "Travis" for a guy was completely beyond Jadeite´s imagination. Especially considering how much time they spent together. Ok so he had been fooled for a few months too but he discovered the truth didn't he?
One thing was sure, despite all her protest of not wanting people to know the truth, Usagi was not happy that Endymion had not discovered it yet. Then again Jadeite could not exactly blame her considering how his friend treated her counterpart. Only a blind man could miss the sparks that flew between those two whenever they met on the battlefields as Endymion and Sailor Moon. It certainly did not speak in Endymion's favor that he turned completely indifferent to her the moment she turned back into wearing shirt and pants instead of tight-fitting top and short skirt. Though for himself Jadeite had to say he preferred the skirt to the pants.
Grinning slightly, Jadeite entered the cell where their prisoner was kept. The cell was considered one of the largest but with the two guards positioned in there along with the four of them it was crowded, especially since the man chained to the wall was nearly twice the size of them in width and towered above all of them.
"So this is the famous bandit leader." Endymion mused. "I see they weren't exaggerating about his size." He studied the man most carefully, appreciating the adjustments made by the guards to confine the prisoner. "I have to admit you impress me, Jade. I wouldn't think any of us could take him down single handedly. Kunzite here included."
Jadeite winked at him. "Well as you can see my talents are far more extensive than you guys give me credit for."
Endymion opened his mouth but whatever he was about to say Jadeite never found out since Kunzite beat him to it. "You were just damn lucky." He told him curtly standing beside the prisoner and examining him.
He did not see it but both Endymion and Usagi saw the pleasure leave his eyes at that tone of dismissal. "It had nothing to do with luck." He told the older man and those who knew him could hear the steel behind his voice. "He was just a clumsy giant who could not keep up. Having more brawn doesn't always mean one will come out the winner."
Kunzite ignored him. "Did you catch everyone?"
"No some of them got away. But Zoi and Neph are bringing in the rest."
"How many got away?"
By this time Jadeite jaw was clenched so tightly the muscles on his cheek started to twitch. Fearing he might say something that he would regret later on, Usagi quickly jumped to his help. "About forty got away, sir. But they won't pose any problem now that their leader's gone. The moment lord Jadeite defeated their leader they did not know how to act."
"Or they could just be putting up an act so they could get out of there safely and rally their forces."
"You think they're up to something?" Endymion asked with a frown. "Who would they follow? From all the reports we had, this Bear over here seems to be the one leading them. All those bandits groups could not even stand each other much less work together. Who is left with enough charisma to lead them?"
Kunzite looked at the unconscious giant, arms folded and one hand scratching his chin absently. "I don't know. But something doesn't make sense. Maybe I'm being paranoid but it seems awfully too easy."
"Trust me there was nothing easy about catching this guy. We were nearly overwhelmed there. If Sailor Moon, Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune had not been there I doubt we would have been as lucky." Jadeite told him.
"Wait, Sailor Moon was there?" At the mentioning of the woman that had haunted his thoughts awake as asleep Endymion's attention riveted back to Jadeite with intensity. "How come you never said anything about that? Where are they now? Did they stay behind with Zoi and Neph?"
Jadeite shook his head, making a thick blonde lock fall over his eyes. He pushed it back with an impatient gesture. "No, they helped me deliver the package," he pointed towards the wall. "And then they pulled their familiar disappearing act." Sensing Usagi's discomfort Jadeite quickly changed the subject. "As you can see there was nothing easy about that. It was a combination of power and tactic."
Finally Kunzite turned to face Jadeite. "Just post a few more guards in this cell and double the guards in this area. I don't want anything to happen before we have a chance of questioning our guest." It was the acknowledgement he made to Jadeite's words.
Jadeite gave him a disbelieving look. "You're not actually suggesting that they might come and rescue him? Come on we have the best security in the planet available here and the securities are even tighter with the celebration tonight. There's no way they can get in."
Kunzite gave him a withering look. "Just do as you're told." Turning to Endymion he said, "Highness, I was to remind you of the package that you needed to deliver to the Head Master. Considering the tight schedule today and Head Master's passion for his work, I suggest we go see him now."
Endymion still wearing the faraway look that he had worn ever since Sailor Moon was mentioned blinked and looked at the silver-haired general. For anyone else, Endymion seemed to contemplate over Kunzite's suggestion but for Jadeite who knew his friend well, knew that he was fighting the annoyance he felt and that in the end it was once again duty that won when he turned and left the cell. "I'll see you tonight, Jade." He nodded his head absently to Travis.
Kunzite did not cast them so much as a glance as he swept out of the room, the short cape he wore swirling majestically behind him.
Jadeite muttered a few choice words under his breath but he knew it had not been low enough when he saw Usagi shoot him a look of shock and color rose up her cheeks as the meaning dawned on her. It made him curse even more though this time mentally. Being so comfortable around her, Jadeite sometimes forgot that there were certain things he shouldn't bring up in her presence because of her total naivety.
Good thing Haruka was not with them or he would be sporting even more bruises on his body. She was far too protective of Usagi sometimes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Jade, you think it was wise to leave so little guards?" Usagi asked her friend after having striding quickly for fifteen minutes in silence. She figured it was enough time for him to cool off and safe for her to broach the subject again.
"I increased the guards didn't I?" Jadeite told her over his shoulder without slowing down.
"Yes, but…." She had to stop and take a break as she half ran to keep up with the blonde general. "But Kunzite said double the guards. You only increased them by a third of the amount. He's not going to be happy when he finds out."
For the first time in a while now, Jadeite flashed her a smile. "Now that's where you're wrong. With the festivity going on tonight knowing Kunzite he's going to have his nose buried in too much business to pay much attention to the situation down at the Dungeon. You know how he loves to pay attention to details and the celebration tonight is one of the biggest events in decades. He will want everything to be perfect."
"Well I imagine it's coz king Galian and Queen Adrienne means very much to him. And it is their day." Usagi said recalling the way the otherwise hard faced general, softened in features whenever he talked to the royal couple.
"This day is far more important to him than to Endymion and he's supposed to be the son. Don't ask me why," Jadeite added when he saw the puzzled look her face. "I don't know. As far as I can remember Kunzite has been like that. He especially holds the king in great respect. That however does not extend to the rest of the population much. His former fiancée Cleo can attest to that. Kunzite is all duty and no fun, and he sometimes forgets that the simple thing like showing compassion to his fellow officers. If I was to increase the amount the way he suggested with the security we have tonight we would have to force the guards to take triple shifts. And they've already been on double for weeks since the preparation started. I for one am not going to drive them to the ground just because he's being overly cautious. Besides what could possibly go wrong? He's only one man and even if his buddies decides to rescue him they would have to scale the walls first and get past the thousands of guards posted outside before they could reach him. Trust me men like them are not that loyal that they would risk their lives like that."
Usagi had to admit he did have a point and there was no arguing with his logic. Then again there she never was able to. Tactics was never her strong field. She only followed her instincts in battle whenever she was not listening to the orders of her comrades.
They reached the Eastern castle gates. Because Jadeite was a well known face Usagi was saved from having to identify herself before she left unlike this morning when she entered. It was always a hellish experience and part of her was glad that once this celebration was over things would go back to normal and the security would lessen for her. She always feared that one of these days the guards would scrutinize her a bit too closely and her secret would come out. Then her life her would be over and she did not wish for that.
As the years passed her life back on Moon became more a faded memory. She missed her mother and her best friends but if she could have had the choice again she would still have left. It had begun like an escape of life but instead it had turned out to be a discovery of herself. Without a past and without her family and friends, she had learned to build a life for herself and Usagi truly believed she had grown in far more ways than she would ever have been able to had she stayed back at home. This place has taught her so much not just about Earth but life itself, things that she doubted she would have known had she stayed behind those safe marble walls of Luneir Castle.
Haruka's and Michiru's situation were one of them. Had someone told her before that two people of the same gender could actually have feelings that were not the sibling or friendship kind, Usagi would never have believed them. But her two friends were absolute proof of that being possible and looking at them together Usagi could not imagine herself having a relationship that was any less than what they shared with each other. Actually she would never settle for anything less. Which was why she did not understand how people could be so cruel that they were able to brand them to death for something as being in love with the wrong gender, especially if they were one's own daughter and sister and yet that was exactly what Haruka's and Michiru's family had done. Had those two not fled to Earth the only planet in this solar system not belonging to the Silver Alliance they would have been executed because of what they were, since a Royal decree made by one of the planets immediately came to affect in all.
Usagi vowed that one of these days she would find a way to help her friends. Not just because of all they had done for her, helping her keep her secret, saving her life and teaching her but also because they were her friends and she wanted them to be happy. Thinking about the unfairness of her friend's situation always made Usagi so angry and so sad at the same time, so she thought about something else.
Her mind immediately centered on the ball that was going to be held tonight and a pleased smile lit her face. She was so excited she could be bouncing on her feet if it were not for her disguise. A ball! She had not been to one of those in ages. For once in a long time she would be able to dress up again, she could wear a skirt and not a short one, but a full length skirt that trailed the floor. And she would meet Endymion again and not as Travis and not as Sailor Moon. Would he look at her the same way as he looked as Sailor Moon? As if no one else but her existed. Or would he look at her like she barely existed the way he always did Travis? Why oh why was that man so irritating? And why did she care what he did? There would be plenty of other young men at the ball. Probably more handsome and charming than him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In another part of the city another woman was thinking about the ball too though her eyes were trained on the street below her trying to watch a familiar figure appear. "I still can't believe that I let you guys talk me into this. It's insane! What if somebody recognizes her? We can't risk taking that chance." Haruka shook her head with exasperation.
"We've been through this before. The magic that is held in the locket she's wearing will keep her safe just like has for the past three years." Unbeknownst to Usagi the locket she wore around her neck was not just a family heirloom but magical in itself. It influenced people's mind subtly so that they did not pay too much attention to the wearer. A very important matter in keeping Usagi's secret. Of course even the locket had its flaws which Haruka was pointing out by saying, "Not entirely or have you forgotten the three musketeers?"
She was referring to the three young men whom also shared their secret of which the Usagi's pendant had not worked. It seems some people were less susceptive to magical influence and Jadeite, Nephrite and Zoicite were one of those. Actually it might still have worked on Jadeite far longer if it were not for the unexpected attack of the Spirit Demon while he, Alex and Travis had been on scouting mission which had led to the unfortunate and most embarrassing revelation. The discovery had not been such a bad deal for them, after the initial convincing and some knuckle cracking on Haruka's part, the three guys had turned out to be great support in keeping Usagi's secret. Zoicite's invention to deepen her voice was definitely a good thing as it would be hard to explain why Travis still had such a light voice at the age of "sixteen" which Michiru reminded her lover.
"Yeah yeah, so they are usually more help than hindrance. But you know tonight's different. She's not just going as a guy she's going as a girl. Even with a mask on her face and the invitation card scoured by Jadeite, it's still too risky, someone might get suspicious."
"Haruka there's going to be over three hundred people at the ball. She can easily blend in." Michiru told her absently without looking up from her needlework. She only had a few more hours left to do the finishing touches on Usagi's costume before they had to get ready. Needlework really was not that girl's favorite. She was supposed to have finished it last night. "Besides," she added finishing sewing the last fake pearl on the dress and looked up with a smile, "she's an eighteen year old girl. Let her have some fun. Don't you remember how it was when you were at her age?"
Just as expected Haruka made a low growling sound deep in her throat and looked over her shoulders, topaz eyes flashing indignantly. "You make me sound like I'm ancient." Seeing the answering smile on Michiru's face however quickly drained away the anger though not the annoyance.
"Then stop acting like one. She spends nearly all her time pretending to be a guy let her have a chance to be herself once in a while too. She's not like you, Haruka. She does not like to play cross-dresser."
"I'm not a cross-dresser. I just happen to prefer breeches to skirts. What's wrong with that?" Came the slightly sullen reply.
Because she knew that was not completely the truth, Michiru gave her a stern look. "Oh come now admit it you enjoy the charade, letting those ladies at the palace fawn all over you."
Recalling a special occasion where a certain snotty lady had practically thrown herself at her feet, Haruka felt her lips twitch in response. "Well maybe a little. Still you're asking for trouble when you encourage her to go to that ball or have you not noticed that a certain general is starting to develop feelings for her that are more than companionable?" She tried another tactic to get out of tonight's activity.
At that reference some of the merriment left Michiru's aqua eyes. "I'm not blind, Haruka when it comes to the love department. Actually from what I recall you were the one that had to be convinced otherwise." She added with a teasing tone, "Still you forget that the choice is hers. We can't keep her locked up and sheltered. Didn't we promise we wouldn't do that when we took her under our wing? She's lived a far too sheltered life, the same kind of life you and I had lived. We're not doing her any favors coddling her up like this. Let her experience things and make her own mistakes. She will grow that way."
"And what happens if she turns to him because of the prince's rejection? They're not suited for each other. Will you be able to live with that when they're both heartbroken? Especially knowing that we were partly responsible?" Haruka demanded and started prowling around the room.
She was referring to their own little deception in this whole mess. With the obvious growing attraction between Endymion and Sailor Moon, it became necessary for them to interfere to prevent anything from developing. That came in the form of the enchantment they had put on the prince; an enchantment that would prevent him from making the connection between Travis the squire and Sailor Moon the warrior.
Like always when she thought about that certain episode, guilt gnawed at Michiru's consciousness and regret rested heavily on her shoulders. Guilt because she knew she was deceiving a girl whom was her friend and whom she was starting to love like a sister. And regret because she knew if the choice had been hers she would not have done it.
Michiru did not claim to be an expert in the love area. Lord knows her love life was a complicated story itself. But she had always believed in following in her heart no matter where it led her and right now her heart was telling her that Endymion and Usagi belonged together even if their counterparts Endymion and Serenity might not be suited for each other politically. Still they were given their orders by the very woman whom they owed their lives to and if she wanted the couple separated then that was what Michiru would do. She would keep feeding the magical gem on Prince Endymion's royal insignia, the power that was required to keep him completely clueless about his squire and the woman he was most definitively in love with. Even if the effort killed her.
As if she had read her mind, Haruka stopped her prowling and looked at her with searching eyes. "How are you faring with the spell? You seemed awfully tired lately. I noticed during the battle that your attacks are not as powerful as they used to be."
Michiru smiled. "I'm fine. It's just requiring more and more energy to keep the spell working. Every time the prince turns into his other self the spell wears off. Somehow Magik Stone does not seem to work very well when he is powered up."
"You think there might be some truth in some of the stories about Earth's magic?" Haruka asked with a worried frown.
Michiru shrugged. "Who knows, a lot has been lost over the years. They're certainly showing more magic in the recent years than for centuries now. If ganged up they can certainly match us in power and that certainly says something."
This was of course true since both of them were considered extremely powerful in the standards of Mages. Not that they were truly considered Mages since mages are able to use their magic without hindrance while Haruka and Michiru in a smaller degree were only able to call on their powers when they changed to their Sailor forms. The fact that Earth who had lacked people with magic abilities for so long that they had to start relying on scientific technology to get by suddenly have five people that are that powerful was a mystery in itself.
"Maybe we should ask the queen for a stronger replacement." Haruka suggested.
"Shh." Michiru cast her a quelling look and hurriedly ran to the door. After checking and becoming reassured that nobody was listening to them she said quietly as she closed the door again, "You know better than to mention her. It's too dangerous even if we're in our own house."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. So my tongue slipped." The blonde made a dismissive wave with her hand. "But back to the point. You think it's gonna be needed?"
For a moment there Michiru's eyes went unfocused as if she was sensing out the Magic Stone that she was linked through with the help of Queen Selenity's magic. "The power is getting weaker and the more he uses his powers the further it weakens. But I'm not really sure if it's possible for us to get anything stronger. I know it required a lot of magic and some extra help to create the current one."
She was referring to the use of Ginzuishou, the Silver Imperial Crystal and the single most powerful magical artifact in their galaxy. This meant that there might not be something stronger to prevent the mind block.
Haruka shook her head in resignation. "And you still encourage her to go to the damn ball tonight? Tell me, do you feel that there's not enough excitement in our lives? You do realize that this is the only planet left in this galaxy that we can live in, a bounty is sort of hanging over our heads in the others."
Michiru gave a lopsided smile that did not quite reach her eyes. She never regretted choosing love instead of duty but she would be lying if she did not admit that it hurt to think about the price they paid for it. Just like Haruka, she cherished what they had today. The life they built. The home they had. The friends they made. And she was insane to throw it all away, which was exactly what she might be risking by encouraging Usagi to go to a ball. But something deep within her told her that it was necessary. So all she said was.
"Trust me, Haruka I know what I'm doing."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hours later Usagi watched the looming palace with large sparkling eyes. "Wow. The palace looks so different." She breathed as she leant out of the carriage window.
"Yes, yes and there's plenty more inside. So get in here before you break your neck by falling out of the window." Haruka admonished and pulled at the back of her skirt to draw her back inside.
Because it was a choice of either come inside or have her dress ruined, Usagi chose the first though she could not help to mutter under her breath. "Spoil sport."
"I heard that." Haruka told her crossing her arms over her chest. "Just so that you know I could always ask the driver to turn around. From what I recall there's a nice race going on in Hell's Hill that I would much rather attend then playing dress up."
Usagi gave an unlady like snort that made Michiru wince. "What dress up? You look the same as you always do except that you're wearing a mask."
"I'm going as a highway robber. In case you didn't notice they're not exactly rolling in gold."
"You're just too lazy to use your imagination."
"Why bother? They won't know who I am anyhow. That's the whole point of a masquerade isn't it? Besides if the party is a real success there will be enough alcohol floating around people won't care what you wear."
Usagi opened her mouth and was just about to argue that it certainly was not the case but a restraining hand on her arm halted her. "Just let her be, Usagi. She's in her argumentative mood and you know if you continue she'll only make it worse for you." Michiru told her gently.
Casting a look at the blonde woman opposite her, and seeing one tawny brow arch challenging, Usagi closed her mouth with an audible click. Michiru was right. When Haruka was in this kind of mood there was no arguing with her. It was her way of getting back at them they had dragged her off from her favorite sport of horseracing. Instead she had to settle for her second favorite and that was teasing Usagi.
The carriage came to a stop and the door opened. Instead of the wizened face of their driver however, a grinning Jadeite was greeting them. All three at them stared.
"What the hell is it that you're wearing?" Haruka demanded before the blonde general could say anything.
"What you don't like it?" Jadeite asked innocently but there was no mistaking the devilish glint on his blue eyes.
The scarlet costume that he wore covered him from toe to neck. It seemed to be a one piece despite the appearance of boots, baggy shorts that closely resembled balloons that covered his thighs, shirt and vest to cover his torso. Satin covered his legs from where the shorts ended to where his half boots started like a second skin and his hands and fingers from where his sleeves ended. The lights from the torches above made the dozens of rubies sewn on his chest glint with fiery light. He wore a rather large hat that covered his blonde hair, two large white feathers swept downwards to rest against his shoulders. Some kind of mask was resting against his throat.
"You look…." Michiru said only to find that she was at lost for words so she waved her hand weakly in the air.
"You look like a clown." Haruka told him bluntly.
The brusque reply and the comic look on Jadeite's face was too much and Usagi started to giggle though she tried to muffle it; it only made it worse as it looked like she was having a fit.
Jadeite shook his head and made a tsking sound. "That just shows how little imagination you guys have. Trust me there's going to be people even more flamboyant than me inside there. And for your information I'm not a clown I'm supposed to be Lord Flamerick. He was very well known for his taste in the fine things of life, food, women, arts – "
"All except for clothes." Haruka cut in.
"Country bumpkins." Jadeite shook his head. "Alas child I hope tonight will bring some enlightenment to your oh so narrow view of life."
He extended a hand to Michiru who was the closest and helped her down from the carriage. "A mermaid. How fitting." He mused and winked at her. Then turning he helped Usagi down though he did not release her hands immediately. Studying her from head to foot taking in the simple cut of her dress and the gossamer like fabrics on her, he smiled. "Ah lovely Elaine you have decided to join us mortals for this festive gathering tonight. We are truly honored by your presence." He let go of one of her hands and fell down to one knee. "Please let me be your humble servant tonight and allow me to show you the sinful beauties of our Earth so that you shall be tempted to stay with us forever and never return to your bode of the Shadow realms."
Usagi gave off a musical laughter delighted that her costume had been recognized. She was not very familiar with the mythologies of Earth but ever since Nephrite had told her about the legendary Elaine, daughter of Arath of the Underworld and Krystina the Sprite, Usagi had felt herself drawn to her story.
Elaine was a half mortal who lived with her father in the Underworld. Because she was half mortal, rules forbade any of the dead spirits to make contact with her and thus she had lived a very lonely life. On her eighteenth birthday, Elaine sneaked out of her father's ever watchful eyes and up to the mortal world. She was immediately struck by the rich beauty of life itself on the mortal world compared to the death in the Underworld. Soon she met a mortal man a wizard of high power whom fell in love with her beauty. He promised to show her more life if she would come with him. And lured by his sweet promises Elaine freed herself from her prison at her father's home and disappeared into the mortal world with a smile on her face.
Haruka made a rude noise. "I'm surprised you read, peacock." She commented.
Unfazed by her rudeness, Jadeite flashed her a grin that turned his already handsome face even better looking if that was possible. Watching him Usagi felt her heart skip a beat. Fortunately for her his eyes were trained on Haruka and the deadly force of his charm were being worked on the taller woman. "Contrary to general belief, I do have my moments when I pick up a book. A gentleman rogue as yourself should appreciate that I'm sure."
Michiru rolled her eyes heavenward. "You two can argue for all your worth out here. But there's a party inside that I would like to attend so we'll just leave you to it." She took Usagi's arm and led her away.
Left without their lady of the night both blondes looked at each other and started running after them. Not that it stopped them from arguing with each other and sharing taunts as they walked from the entrance at the Rose Garden towards the ball room where the festivity was.
The walk was a bit longer than if they had taken the main entrance but no doubt they would still reach it faster since they would not need follow the protocols. With his position and along with his connections with the right people, Jadeite had planned and arranged their entrance to the ball.
The entrance at the Rose Garden was all the way to the other side of the palace and since this part was mostly used for educational purpose it was quite empty except for a few guards by the corners. The four of them walked along the stone hallways, with festive moods.
"Come on you guys. Can't you walk a bit faster." Usagi demanded as she walked a few feet ahead of them. She was holding her skirt with both hands and looked nearly ready jump.
"Easy squirt. What's the hurry?" Haruka asked her.
"Because the party already started. Can't you hear the music?" Usagi tilted her head slightly to the side to make her point and indeed if they strained their hearing a bit music was floating in the air.
Because she looked like a child ready for her own birthday party, Jadeite smiled. "Don't worry, Usa. The party just started the real fun won't kick in until later. Trust me most people haven't arrived yet. You're not missing much."
"That's not the point. I want to eat."
The moment she said the words her three friends could feel their lips pulling at them and they fought bravely not to laugh.
"You want to eat?" Jadeite had to admit he should get points for keeping his voice steady even as he felt his chest tickle as he forced the laughter down. Out of pure affection for the girl he stomped on it at bit more just to be sure it stayed down.
"Uhuh." Usagi nodded her head making the blonde ringlets that fell from the top of head bounce. "I haven't eaten anything since midday. I'm so hungry now I could eat a horse."
"Well I doubt there will be one on the menu tonight." Haruka observed.
Usagi gave her a withering look. "Will you just hurry up a bit?" She demanded over her shoulder while she more or less ran around a corner and –
"Ouch!" Two people cried out at the same time.
"Usagi!" Three voices called out and ran after her only to come to a skidding halt at the scene in front of them.
The blonde girl was sitting on her back shaking her head furiously to clear her head. Close to her they could see a small man with thinning hair wearing the familiar gray robe that identified him as one of the Masters, an honorary title given to those enlightened men at the palace that worked as a combination of teacher and scientist. Men wearing those titles were given extreme respect since Earth depended on the discoveries of these men in the matter of economy, defense as well as culture. Since these men knew their worth it was also not wise to cross them in any way unless you had powerful people behind you.
"Master Arief! Are you alright?" Jadeite recognized his old teacher and mentally sighed in relief as he helped the older man up. Had it been someone else Usagi was sure to be in big trouble by now. Master Arief was however more interested in his books than in his positions and he proved that by saying.
"Yes, good Lord yes. Now where did my scroll go?"
"You mean this Master?" Michiru inquired gently and handed him a cylinder scroll. Jadeite cast a curious look at the thing, it was made of bronze and quite faded to add a lot older than what the Master usually went around with. There was some kind of inscriptions on the scroll too, one looked like a serpent.
"Ah yes thank you my dear." Arief's eyes lit up like a child.
"Ouch, ouch ouch." The sound of Usagi's voice made them turn their head.
"Are you alright, child?" The master asked with concern as he studied the girl with curiosity.
Blushing to the hair root, Usagi nodded her head. Even as she tried not to rub at her sore backside. Beside her Haruka was grinning like a fool.
"Ah that's good, dear. That's good."
"On behalf on my friend, I would like to apologize. She's a bit accident prone. I can assure you it was not intentional." Jadeite explained.
Usagi made an angry noise at being described at accident prone but that noise became a slight yelp as Haruka intentionally stepped on her foot. Fortunately for her, Arief did not notice instead he waved a dismissive hand at Jadeite, "No need lad. No harm done. I was partly to blame too since I was so excited to get to my destination I did not watch were I was going as well."
For the first time Jadeite noticed that the man wore his usual woolen robe instead of the customary silken one worn for formal sessions. "You are not attending the ball, master?"
"Nay lad. Such gatherings are beyond what these old bones of mine can take. I prefer the gentle company of my studies and leave all the festivity to you youngsters. Mind you watch yourself with this one, young lady." He told Usagi with a smile. "He has a way with the ladies he does."
Usagi bit her lips to keep herself from laughing watching Jadeite shuffle his feet like a schoolboy. She's been around the Generals enough as Travis to have spent company with Arief too and knew he meant no harm in that. Actually she really liked the older man since unlike his brethren's he never came off as aloof or snobbish. "I will."
"Ah that's good." Then he stopped and peered more closely at her. "Have we met before, young lady? You look kind of familiar."
Alarm bells immediately went off in their heads and three people started to talk at once in an effort to distract him but it was Michiru who saved the situation. "Who's there?" She demanded softly.
Four pair of eyes turned towards the direction she was looking at. In the dim light a silhouette was visible to them but they could not make out much. Usagi's hand immediately went into the hidden pocket in her skirt where her henshin was and from the corner of her eyes she could see that Michiru already had her hand in her pocket too. Jadeite the only one carrying a weapon moved in front of them like a shield ready to buy them time to change if they had to.
Slowly the person moved. They all tensed well all except from Arief who only looked curious. Light fell on the person and they all sagged in relief at the sight of the slender girl in her night robes. Her black hair only reached her to the shoulders it was starkly enhanced by the white robe she wore. Her skin was naturally pale but it looked even whiter tonight due to fear as she looked at them with apprehensive purple eyes.
"Hotaru, what are you doing up?" Jadeite asked gently recognizing the girl as the daughter of Master Tomoe.
"I…" The girl blushed and stared at the floor. She was not used to so much attention and having the undivided attention of five people on her especially strangers was too much for her.
Sensing her discomfort, Jadeite gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry I'm not going to tell on you if Nanny Rita asks." Rita was the personal nanny of princess Terra and because Hotaru was a close friend of the princess and due to her frail health, Rita had been assigned to look after Hotaru as well. The lady was a dragon who kept a watchful on her charges.
Hotaru blushed and curtsied. "Thank you, my lord."
Jadeite waved a dismissive hand at her. "Please do as Terra and call me Jade. I get enough my lords from my valet to last me a lifetime." Then with a grin he added, "Are you sure you don't want to join us tonight? We can just put a mask on your face. Terra's going to be there?"
"No, father told me it would be better for me to rest." They could hear the wistful tone in her voice that she wanted to go badly and caught at their heart.
"Don't worry, there will be other opportunities." Michiru told her gently and gave her an encouraging smile. "You should go back to your quarters though. The night is a bit chilly and its easy to catch cold dressed as you are."
"I will thank you." She hesitated for a moment then turning back to Jadeite she said, "I hope you enjoy yourself, Jade. Please save a dance for Terra if you can. She's been looking forward to dance tonight but she fears nobody will ask her."
Jadeite winked at her. "You wish is my command." He gave her a flourish bow. "Don't worry I'll even get my friend over here to ask her up." He pointed at Haruka.
"Who said I was dancing?" Haruka scowled.
"Oh come on don't be a spoilsport. Who knows you might even enjoy it."
"No way. Its bad enough that I was dragged here this evening and now I have to dance too?"
"Here we go again." Michiru muttered under her breath. She knew very well that Haruka loved to dance and was only being uncooperative because she wanted to rile Jadeite. Giving the master and girl an apologetic smile she said, "If you'll excuse us, I think we'd better be going."
Arief winked at her in reply.
Michiru caught Usagi's eyes and together they dragged off the debating pair.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Arief watched the disappearing couples with a fond smile on his face. Ah to be young again, he mused. Memories of his own youth came floating to surface, warming him with their gentle embrace. As he heard their laughter being carried along the hallway down to him, Arief played with the thought of joining them but he decided against it. His aching joints reminded him that he was no longer a youth and he would not be able to keep up with them.
Shaking his head he turned to head back to the library only to give a start when he saw the slight girl standing before him. He had completely forgotten about her. The girl coughed slightly.
Arief felt his heart move with pity. He could see the longing in her eyes that she would have loved to join her friends. Poor child it could not be easy being saddled with a frail health at her tender age having to miss out on so many things in life just because your body could not handle it.
"Don't worry child. You are young so there will be plenty more. Who knows our prince is coming of an age where he might be choosing a bride of his own. Now that I guarantee will be a party like you've never seen before. Earth's monarchs put much weight on weddings, you know."
Recognizing the kindness he was showing her, Hotaru smiled in reply. "Please don't let me keep you from your business, master Arief."
Arief waved a dismissive hand. "These bones might be old but here," He pointed at his head. "I can guarantee you here it's still as sharp as when I was twenty I tell you. Nay child you're not holding me up. I was just on my way back to the Old Library. I wanted to check out something."
"Does it have anything to do with the old Script they found at the Excavation?" Hotaru tilted her head slightly to the side.
Arief blinked and his face lit up with joy. "Why yes! How did you know about that?"
"I heard some of the masters discuss it the other day in papa's study. They're all very excited about the Excavation." She did not mention the fact that some of them thought Arief was a batty old man who seemed so engrossed in a group of scripts when there were far more interesting artifacts there to study; somehow feeling that it would be unkind. Having been ridiculed by people for her frail health, Hotaru knew how much a thoughtless word could hurt.
"Yes, the Excavation was indeed a truly remarkable find. A very good thing young Jadeite and his friends managed to catch the leader. Now maybe the digging can continue smoothly and we can find out even more about our history. You know that these treasures might date as far back as King Mileon's time? Why that's like four thousand years back!"
Hotaru blinked. "Truly?" She knew the Excavation was old but she never realized it dated back that far. No wonder the historians were all so excited. This was among the farthest back they had ever gone in history.
"Yes, the script that I'm working on are written in a language that closely resembles the symbols used in Teneese Tongue which is was the official language of the Simmen's period, that is the period after Mileon and -"
He broke off abruptly, stared at Hotaru's blank face and laughed ruefully while shaking his head "Look at me going on and on. You have to excuse me child I tend to get excited about my work I keep on forgetting that people might not share the same knowledge or passion for that matter as me. Do not worry, we shall go through all that in your history lesson but not tonight. It time for you to sleep." He patted her gently on the shoulder.
Blushing slightly at her lack of knowledge, Hotaru curtsied and murmured softly, "I look forward to that day."
To Arief's surprise he could hear that it was not just a phrase but that she genuinely meant it. Pleasure spread across his chest. Ah yes another promising youth with thirst for knowledge. Not many of his colleagues liked being teachers but to Arief it was a pleasure in itself because finding students like these and tutoring them was what made it all worth while.
He suspected that just like her father was a promising scientist, young lady Hotaru will go far one day in the scholarly fields.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As Arief went about his business several floors beneath him in the dark dungeons of the palace, mist was slowly starting to gather in the hallways. It came slowly and none of the guards standing or patrolling noticed it at first because the dungeon was always slightly chilly. Soon though one by one the guards' lids fell heavily down over their eyes and their minds went blank.
Nobody was aware of the person that walked silently down the hallways and past the drugged guards. The person stopped in front of the barred cell at the very heart of the dungeon. He searched the bodies of the nearest guards for the key that would unlock the cell.
Once he was safely inside his eyes immediately lit on the large man that was being confined by heavy bands of steel against the wall. He did not pay heed to the four unconscious bodies on the floor. Stepping over one of them he took out something from his pocket and unscrewing the cork he waved the flask underneath the man's nose.
The giant man woke up with a grunt and grimaced. His dark eyes were unfocused at first once they fastened on his rescuer he immediately gave off a feral grin.
"I see ye finally decided to show up." He said. He did not bother to keep his voice low and the sound of his booming voice echoed against the stark walls.
"I told you I would, didn't I?" His rescuer told him smoothly with a muffled voice due to the mask he was wearing over his face. Partly to hide himself and partly to keep him safe from inhaling the drugs he had smoked on the guards. "Now if you would hold still I'll see which of these keys fits those locks of yours."
"That won't be necessary, Master." Bear told him and with a heavy yank the chains fell off him crashing loudly to the floor. The man who had taken several steps back in the procedure gulped as he stared at Bear.
"Well I kept my end up the bargain. You are free now. Just remember to keep yours." He told him and swept out the room.
"Not so fast." A heavy hand fell on his shoulder and he wince at the pain. From behind him Bear gave a satisfied smile. He knew he could crush the man's bones if he wanted to but giving them these small warning was much more satisfying. "Are ye forgetting something?"
The man dug out something from robe and handed to Bear. "The portal stones have been set out on the places you requested. Your men should be in position by now. The map should show you the way to your destination. Remember the highest floor is off limits."
Bear took the map the man offered and made a mocking gesture of salute. "Pleasure doing business with ye, Master. I hope we get more opportunities in the future." With those parting words he strode out the cell, making sure to step on the unconscious guard on the floor. The other man felt repulsion as he heard the distinctive sound of crushing bones and he knew with certainty that the neck was broken.
He stood there watching in the silence waiting for the other man the dungeon knowing deep in his heart that he had to move as well before the drug he had used wore off. And yet he was unable to move and soon he realized there was no need since there would not be any one alive to witness his betrayal.
Outside he could hear Bear being joined by his men as they went to work.
"Spirits help me. What have I done?" The man moaned.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Safely hidden behind her mask, Usagi watched the festivity around her with a dull gaze. Her earlier high spirit was gone and left was only a disillusioned heart.
She watched the dancing couple breeze by her, the man in his sea captain clothes and the woman in her fairy dress. The woman leant forward and whispered something into his ear and the man gave her a secretive smile. Unlike the other guests he wore no mask over his face, not that it would have mattered even if he did because Usagi doubted that anybody would mistake him, not with that grand entrance he made together with his parents. This might be the party to celebrate the union of the royal monarchs thirty years ago but the prince was the one getting most of the attention.
At the moment nearly half of the eyes in the room were glued to him. The fact that most of those eyes belonged to women did not make Usagi feel any better. Just who was she trying to fool? Why had she thought that tonight would be any different than any time? Just because she was wearing a dress? She was still disguised and in this mist of these flashing beauties she was nothing but a pale shadow. How did she think she would be able to catch his interest?
Jadeite had indeed not been joking when he said that his costume was nothing compared to what others would wear. There had been people dressed even more flamboyant than him with a combination of colors that actually hurt to look upon. Some women were even dressed in ways that made Usagi blush, though they were quite a success among the males.
"Hey squirt. What's with the long face?" A familiar dark voice asked from behind her.
Usagi turned and met the dancing dark eyes of Nephrite. He was dressed like a ranger with forest garb, a green pointed hat and matching cloak. The only thing that did not fit with his image was his long curly dark hair that he had left to fall loosely along his back.
For the first time in a while now, Usagi felt a smile dance across her lips that was not forced. "Neph. I thought you weren't joining us."
Nephrite made a face. "So did I but Kunzite left his," he plucked at his costume "in my quarters along with a letter that said 'this tonight or the Pit tomorrow.' "
"Considering it's you, I doubt that is enough to sway your mind. You hate these kind of gatherings." Usagi pointed out with a skeptic look.
Nephrite flashed her one of his rare smiles. It made his dark eyes wink like stars. Usagi felt her breath catch at the sight of him. She kept on forgetting just how devilishly handsome Endymion's four guards were. That's because you're too busy watching his royal arrogant highness to see much else. A small voice told her tartly. That is not true! Usagi told the voice indignantly. Oh really then why are you back looking at him?
It was humiliating to realize that it was exactly what she was doing. And in doing that she realized she also missed out on what Nephrite just said to which she had to ask again.
"I said it was a combination of Kunzite and the stars. They seemed to think it was an event not to be missed." The Stargazer told her. Seeing where her eyes were drifting to, Nephrite felt a smile tug at his lips. Since he was stuck in this ball he might as well make the most of it. "Care to grace me with a dance?" He asked.
Usagi blinked. She did not even know Nephrite knew how to dance. Nephrite however seemed to misunderstand her. "You do know how to dance don't you?" He asked with a frown.
"Oh yes but I-" She caught herself and a blush crept up her face.
Reading her honest face like an open book, Nephrite chuckled. "You thought I didn't know how? Don't worry I might not like to attend these social functions but I do know how to behave in them. Since the four of us will accompany Endymion in every social as well as political function he will ever have, it was considered part of our training." Nephrite said the last in a tone that clearly said he thought it was a total waste of time.
"Well whatever it was that made you come. I'm glad you did." She told him with a smile as she took his offered hand and let him lead her to the dance floor.
Together they glided across the marble floor in tune with the festive tone. Usagi quickly discovered that Nephrite was an excellent dancer. Actually he was far better than Usagi's own dance teacher back home. As he lead her across the dance floor, Usagi found that she did not have to be self conscious at all and rehearse in her head which foot to put where and when. Everything came naturally and she felt like a swan gliding across the ballroom. Usagi laughed, Goddess she wished the girls could see her now. They would not be able to believe their eyes.
At the thought of her four friends some of Usagi's bright mood disappeared to be replaced by a dull pain. She wondered how they were doing. Aside from the news of the Saturn civil war breaking out, information outside of Earth had been very scarce for her. She knew that this solitude was self imposed all she had to do was to swallow her pride and return home. Somehow she knew that all she had to do was send out a thought to her mother and she would hear her no matter the distance and send for her immediately. But the problem was it was not just about the fight with her mother anymore.
Usagi glanced at man that had changed things for her the past few years. Despite his rude ways, Usagi knew that without him she would never have come as far as she had for the past few years. He might be hard towards Travis but in his own way he looked after the boy too and allowed him to grow the way Usagi knew she would never have been able to do had she stayed on Moon.
Nephrite studied the slender woman in front of him and seeing the sadness in his eyes as she followed his liege with her cerulean eyes, he felt a twist in his heart. The longing in them stirred him as he envied his friend's luck. Briefly he wondered if he would ever experience the kind of luck to have a woman look at him the way Usagi did Endymion. He doubted it. Not when even his own mother did not love him. Like always with the thought of the woman who had given birth and abandoned him, Nephrite felt his mood start to darken and he quickly shook them away and tried to think of something else.
Suddenly an idea formed in his head and without much thought, Nephrite steered Usagi closer to Endymion. He felt Usagi stiffen slightly in his arms and hid a smile. He pretended ignorance and then waited for the right moment when Endymion swung his partner. Then swiftly and smoothly Nephrite moved into action and took the woman's hand even as he swung Usagi into his liege's direction.
"Ah Lady Penelope just the beauty I was looking for." He greeted. "You don't mind do you Endy?" He asked over his shoulder even as he turned a deaf ear towards the protesting lady in his arms and steered her away.
Since he had been suffering from tramped feet ever since the dance started with the lady in question, Endymion murmured softly, "Not at all my friend. By all means." He gathered Nephrite's partner in his arms and twirled her in the opposite direction.
From across the room, Jadeite standing at the edge of the dance floor saw the exchange between the couples and the way Usagi's eyes lit up as she stared up at Endymion caused a slight tug in the area near his heart. Unconsciously he clenched the hand that held the crystal flute.
"Jadeite." Celeste, the Duchess of Randion called out to her grandson.
Tearing his eyes away from the dancing couple, Jadeite looked down at the tiny but formidable woman and gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry, grandma."
Celeste shook her head. "You remind me so much of your grandfather at his age. Never one moment of peace, always wandering eyes."
Jadeite grinned. "Well I must have gotten it somewhere. Father is much too serious and boring."
Celeste gave him a reproving look. "Now, Jadeite. I won't have you talking badly of your father." Though secretly she could not have agreed more. Elrond was probably the most proper and boring man on this planet. He wouldn't recognize fun if it spit him in the eye. Still there was no need for the scamp to know that. He was far too sure of himself already and far too flighty.
"You could take after your father a bit and think about settling down. Why at your age he was already married with two children."
Jadeite turned away slightly and pretended to take sip of his drink while he listened halfheartedly to her speech on the advantages of marriage. Here they go again, so much for disguising himself so that his grandmother wouldn't be able to find him. Despite her formidable age of three and sixty, Celeste still had very sharp eyes and strong mind. At the moment unfortunately for him, she had decided to fix that mind on convincing him to settle down. From across the room he caught the eyes of one of his sisters and pleaded silently with her to come and save him. The traitor took one look at his pained expression and the determined set of their grandmother's face and winked before disappearing into the dance floor.
"-and you're not listening to one word of what I'm saying, are you?" Celeste demanded with a sniff.
Jadeite turned back to her and flashed her one of his most devastating smiles taking one fragile hand between his. It was the fragility in them that made him speak his mind instead of coating it up with excuses the way he did his parents. "I'm too young to settle down yet, grandma. I have still too much wild oats to sow."
The elderly woman gave a loud harrumph that made several people turn in scandalized shock. One look at the powerful lady though they quickly turned the other way again. "From what I hear young man, you will soon be able to harvest your own field. It's time to stop planting everywhere and settle down with just one patch."
Jadeite made a pained expression at that metaphor. He liked his grandparents a lot, in fact he was probably closer to them than he was to his own parents but he drew the line at talking about sex with his grandmother. He lifted the glass in his hand and tried to drown the liqueur only to find that it was empty. Damn he was thirsty. Maybe he shouldn't have chosen this costume. It sure was hot wearing it.
Celeste watched her grandson squirm with discomfort and secretly smiled with delight. Oh how she loved to shock the youngsters. That should make them think twice about her nearing her dotage. Just because she was turning older did not mean her mind was slipping as well. Oh no, Celeste once princess of Earth and now Duchess of Randion was still pretty much on top of things. Actually she knew far more than people gave her credit for. Despite public knowledge, the formidable Duke of Randion's network of intelligence was actually hers.
Celeste suspected with a wry smile that if her grandson realized just how much she really knew about his escapades, he might in fact think hard about turning celibate. Oh the scamp was inventive and he did give her people a hard time in following him but he still had a lot to go before he could elude her people.
Of all her grandchildren, Celeste had to admit that Jadeite held a special place in her heart. He reminded her so much of herself when she was young. The boldness, the arrogance and the thirst for adventure. He also had a lot of Jamie in him, the fairness and loyalty. She still remembered the hell raising boy that he was. God she missed having small children around with an eye for trouble. His sister's children were so well behaved they became unnatural. Now Jadeite she knew, would not disappoint her. He will fill her halls with laughing mischievous children and running servants. If only he could find a mate to settle down with.
Her blue eyes, sharp and intelligent focused on the blonde girl dancing with her nephew and a calculated look came upon them. So this was the latest girl that had caught her grandson's fancy. Good bearing and bone structure but then again Celeste would not have expected anything less for the girl, considering her lineage. Oh she was not a hundred percent sure of the girl's identity since it had been too quiet on the other part. She did not know why the girl came here and what the whole silence was about, but as long as the girl did not pose a threat to them Celeste would keep her silence and protect the girl in her own way all to keep the peace between Earth and the Silver Alliance intact.
Celeste had to admit an alliance in the form of a marriage would no doubt benefit the two parts but she secretly hoped it would not be one involving Jadeite. Whatever he might think, the girl was not for him. She was too soft and would never be able to challenge him the way he needed to be. He needed someone that was just as headstrong as him and maybe even temperamental. Celeste always did like a good shouting match. It sure had made some interesting moments for her and Jamie. She much preferred that than the icy coldness to which her son and his wife preferred.
A movement caught her eyes and she looked towards the solitary man by the wall. He wore a brown monk's robe, his long curly blonde hair tied back at the nape. He kept himself apart from others, the arrogant smile on his face clearly showing his boredom at the whole charade going on around him. He could not hide the loneliness he felt in those beautiful green eyes of his, at least not to someone of Celeste's caliber and her heart went out to the lonely boy with the sad past.
Young women, debutantes mostly gave him long sighing looks only to have worried mothers draw them away with a hissing warning. Older women gave him calculated looks, their experienced eyes taking in the muscular and slender frame underneath the robe. One woman bolder than the others came forward and spoke something to him. They were too far away for Celeste to catch what they were saying but there was no mistaken the way the woman's lingering touch what she meant.
Celeste's lips narrowed with disapproval. She knew the woman and her preferences for young men. More she knew of her rather seedy taste in certain aspects of bedroom activity, the kind that did not suit the young man.
"Jadeite. If you won't grant your elderly grandma a child to bounce on her knees at least do me a favor and save your young friend over there from the lady Craven's amorous attention." Celeste murmured to her grandson.
Jadeite spotted Zoicite immediately. His blue eyes quickly scanned the room. "No problem if you can assist me in drawing Uncle Erland's attention away from him as well."
Despite being in the other room as far away from the young man as he could get, Erland the Grand Duke of Cresthaven was looking at Zoicite with a mixture of contempt and hatred. Celeste inwardly sighed at her brother-in-laws stubbornness and unforgiving nature. Why could he just not forget the past and let some joy back into his life? To blame the child for something that the parent did was pure idiocy
"Leave your uncle to me and just rescue the boy before Lady Craven eats him alive." She murmured and set out to do her task.
"He seems a bit tipsy so you might want to keep him away from Kunzite as well." Jadeite told her over his shoulder before he moved away with a flashing smile.
Celeste secretly groaned. A drunken Erland, great that's just what she needed. Instinctively she looked towards the staircase and the tall silver haired man in a maroon evening suit. Their closeness made it unnecessarily for her to call out to him He turned his face and looked at her, sensing her need. She nodded towards his brother and he nodded his head in understanding, immediately excusing himself from his friends to fill out his family obligations.
In the meantime, completely unaware of the potential scene caused by his relatives, Endymion was dancing with the mysterious girl dressed as Elaine of the Underworld. Despite his best efforts he had not been able to coax a real name out of her and yet for the strangest reasons he was sure he knew her. From the moment he held her in his arms, he felt like he stepped into a dream. The buzzing sounds of conversation and laughter lowered and the light surrounding them seemed to brighten cloaking their surroundings and the people, until all that was left was the two of them, the hundreds of candles lighting the room and the spellbinding ancient folk music of his people.
Endymion looked down at the slip of a girl; no he corrected the woman in his arms. She might be slender and short but his could very much feel that it was not a girl but a woman he held in his arms. A woman who for a strange reason he was drawn to like a moth to a flame.
"Tell me, my fair Lady. Are you for real? Or have you only come to enchant me with your mysterious presence only to disappear once the night is over like the mysterious creature you represent tonight?" He asked softly.
The woman looked up at him her soft pink lips widening into a gentle smile. "I am as real as you want me to be, my Lord." She replied to him her voice like a soft caress from a rose's petal and stirring his blood. Unconsciously Endymion tightened his hold around her tiny waist and pulled her closer to his hard frame. He heard her let out a small gasp of surprise but she did not protest at the inappropriate closeness their bodies made as they danced.
The music ended and they stopped but neither pulled back as they looked into each others eyes. Endymion looked down at those cerulean blue eyes of hers and tried to penetrate the white silver mask covering her face. What was it that those eyes tried to tell him? What was it that he was missing?
Caught in his own thoughts and the turbulent emotions the mysterious Elaine seemed to awaken in him, Endymion paid no heed to the people around him, indeed he did not even notice them as they tried to gain his attention. Instead the moment the orchestra strung up the tune for the next song, Endymion moved his partner into another dance and said, "Then stay by my side for this entire evening. For I shall not let you go until I find out who you are."
"Thou hath only to say my name and I would not only stay for tonight but for all eternity, my Lord." She whispered to him, her eyes suddenly looking very ancient. The words shook him to his very foundation and the archaic speech seemed to touch a deep part of him and awakened something. A warm not unfamiliar feeling enveloped his body, at the back of his mind a shimmering blanket seemed to slowly lift. He stared at her, unaware that he had stopped dancing. His partner seemed to look up at him with expectant eyes as she held her breath and waited.
Suddenly a loud fanfare blasted the air announcing the arrival of highly important guest. Both of them blinked as if awakening form a spell and jumped apart. None noticed though since most were caught by surprise at the fanfare also and all eyes turned towards the wide marble staircase that led down to the ballroom.
The Lord Chancellor Brighton, stepped forward onto the small island where the steps started and cleared his throat. His face was flushed and there was an excited air around him as he bowed towards their Royal Majesties and said, "Your Royal Majesties, our esteemed guests. It is with a great honor I present to you Her Royal Highness Princess Minako of Venus, the Ambassador of Moon."
There was a shocked a silence as the whole room absorbed the astonishing news. Fortunately the silence was quickly covered with the welcoming fanfare that accompanied the young woman that appeared beside the Chancellor. With the appearance of the girl, the room started to stir as everyone tried to crane their heads to take a closer look at the Ambassador because it was surely breaking news; no official Royal visitor from the Moon has graced the halls of the Royal Terran Palace for centuries. Even the Treaty had been signed on an asteroid field set apart from either Kingdoms.
The woman created quite a stir as she glided down the stairs towards them with the Chancellor. She wore a white dress that left her arms bare, a short cloak resting against her slender shoulder held together by a brooch of pure topaz. The skirt was hacked off in mid thigh showing off long slender legs. The dainty feet were covered in golden sandals with wide belt that crossed and wrapped around well shaped calves. A belt of woven gold with glittering topaz which enhanced the tiny waist and full chest. A matching hairpiece decorated her head, holding back the sides of her waist long golden blonde hair. Two tiny gold earrings winked at her ears but it was her eyes, those rich blue hues that shone the brightest. Large, fringed with long blonde lashes they danced with a mischievous light, they held a sparkle of life which lifted many spirits as they gazed upon them.
If ever there was a vision of a sprite, this woman was surely that in her white dress made of the finest linen in the galaxy, floating down the stairs with her cloak billowing behind her like wings.
The ambassador stopped in front of the royal couple and made a deep graceful curtsy. "Your Majesties, I apologize for my tardiness in arriving to your celebration. I bring to you this gift from Her Majesty Queen Selenity. It is the Harp of Aphrodite. She hopes the music it brings will do justice to the love and devotion the two of you have shown to our galaxy."
King Galian accepted the golden harp that the ambassador was offering with both hands. "Please give our sincerest gratitude to your aunt the Queen. She honors us with the presence of two of her kingdoms treasures tonight."
"Oh I'm sure my aunt has a few chosen words to describe me but treasure would not be one of them." The ambassador told the couple with a wink.
The royal couple looked at the blonde woman with a startled expression over the sudden breach of protocol but then both started laughing. King Galian went even as far as throwing his head back and roaring with laughter. The laughter seemed to have worked as silent message and suddenly the ballroom started stirring with life and the sound of buzzing conversation took place even as the orchestra struck their first note.
Knowing that their latest guest was an important persona that required his presence, Endymion prepared to do his duty as the crown prince. Still he was reluctant to leave his mysterious dancing partner and for a moment there he contemplated the thought of introducing her to his parents. What would she think of that? Would the very thought of meeting them frighten her? He knew some young ladies were intimated by the mere presence of his parents. Or would it affect her in a different way? So far he was sure the lady had been interested in him as person and not by his title but would introduction of his parents change that and let her see the prince instead of the man like so many others did?
He glanced down at the girl and was startled to see a group of eager looking ladies looking up at him hoping to snag the next dance with him. Elaine was not one of them. In fact she was no where near.
Endymion cast a frantic look across the room, his eyes quickly scanning the rows of heads for the familiar pale blonde head. Something made him look towards the sliding doors leading to the terrace and the garden outside and he managed to catch a small figure in white disappear between the sliding doors and get swallowed by the night.
Nonplussed at odd behavior but unwilling to just let her disappear out of his life, Endymion did not hesitate to move after her. He heard his mother call him, but ignored her for the first time in his life. Instead he hurried his steps and went after the mysterious enchantress; something in his guts telling him that if let her go now he might never see her again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Usagi was running blindly through the stone pavement of the Royal Garden, unmindful of her steps or destination. All she knew was that she needed to leave the ballroom as far behind her as she could before the building emotion inside her that exploded. Her chest burned with pain. In the end she had to stop and take deep heaving gulps of breath.
Tears stung her eyes. Usagi squeezed her eyes shut.
Goddess, Mina was here. Mina. Sweet, lovely, joyous Mina. At first she had thought her ears had been deceiving her when she heard the Chancellor's announcement but then she had appeared; a vision of golden beauty as Aphrodite the Goddess of Love herself.
Watching her childhood friend as she glided down those stairs, so confident and graceful as she bound the people in the room under her spell, Usagi had felt a tremendous joy fill her being. The emotions had kept on building in force that she knew she could not keep them at bay. She could not hide them any longer and so she had to leave. She had to run before her feelings betrayed her. She had to flee before the sight of Mina changed her resolve and she abandoned everything to return home with her. Because seeing her best friend again only made her realize just how much she had missed her over the years. Her and Ami, Mako, Rei, her mother, Luna, Artemis, everyone at the castle, her room, the garden, the lake.
Feeling of homesickness washed over her, emotional waves each larger and heavier with each moment. She had managed to block the emotions out for years by not thinking about anything or anyone that could relate to home but tonight she could not avoid it. The burning ache in Usagi's chest increased and she felt the chill to her very bones. A foreboding sense of warning seemed to hover over her like a dark blanket. Usagi looked up at the sky towards the moon that shone brightly against the velvet blackness. What was this feeling she had? Was it just her homesickness or was it something more? Was there something out there that threatened her family and friends?
Even if there was Usagi would not know about that, having been gone for so long. Mina's presence tonight only reminded her how much she had forsaken her own duties as a princess. She had forsaken her family, her friends, her home and her duties. And all for what? A man who could not even at this point recognize her for who she was? He saw different pieces of her but he could never fit them all together and see beyond the facade to the real her underneath them all. Was he really that superficial?
As if her thoughts had suddenly conjured him up, a voice suddenly said. "There you are."
Usagi gave a start and whirled around and as expected he came running towards her.
"Why did you take off like that?" Endymion asked her. "I was just about to –" he a halted in mid-sentence and his sapphire eyes sharpened. "You've been crying. What happened? Did someone hurt you?" He studied for, looking for outward injury and found nothing.
"No nothing happened. I'm fine." Usagi told him briskly and her voice a bit unsteady due to the anger she felt in realizing that she had indeed been crying.
"Don't lie to me." Endymion told her softly but there was no mistaken the temper in his eyes. "Look at you. You are not fine at all."
In fact she was shaking like leaf. He quickly shed his vest and put it around her shoulders; while sleeveless the thick fabric still offered a semblance of warmth. His hand brushed her body briefly and she trembled as her body reacted to his touch.
They eyes met and captured. Time stood still.
Usagi watched with a pounding heart as Endymion's face moved closer to hers. It was just like in her dreams except that this was no dream. This was real, Endymion was about to kiss her. The very man that she had fallen in love with, the prince of her dreams.
His handsome face descended on hers. Unconsciously she tilted her head upwards and their lips touched. The kiss was sweet. Usagi felt like she was floating in a dream state. He tasted of wine and something darker, something far more intoxicating than alcohol. Music played in her head, a hauntingly beautiful tune that was both sad and familiar somehow and her body hummed with life. She lifted her hand and touched his face even as he gathered her closer to him. Her soft curves melded with his hard frame. She felt the tip of his tongue touch her closed lips, probing slightly. Instinctively she parted her lips. He immediately angle his head and dove in. All coherent thoughts left her head as emotions exploded within her. Their tongues met and mated in harmony with the burning fires throbbing in their veins.
The sudden touch of his hand on her breast however immediately jerked her back to reality with a stunning shock. Her body stiffening in response, Usagi's eyes which had somehow closed during the heated kiss shot open. With her senses coming back to reality, so did her sensibility. What the hell was she doing? She was about to let him…Heat rose up Usagi's cheeks as she could not even finish the thought in her mind.
"Let go of me." She demanded even as she shoved Endymion away from her with all her might.
His mind still dazed from passion, he never saw the hand coming but the ringing in his head and the pain across his left cheek had a quick way of awakening him.
"Ouch. What was that for?" He demanded and glared at the woman.
"That's for not keeping your hands to yourself!" She told him smartly her blue eyes hot and feverish.
Seeing the accusation in her eyes as well as hearing them in her tone Endymion felt his own temper prick. "Excuse me, but I seemed to recall I wasn't the only one doing the kissing part."
Usagi thought her face might burn off but anger gave her courage. "Oh that is so typical male answer. Blame on the girl and get her to feel guilty. After all she's not experienced enough to know the difference. All you have to do is seduce her with a starting kiss right? Tell me if I hadn't stopped you, would you have stopped then?"
Because Endymion was not in fact sure if he would have stopped himself in time, he felt heat rise up his own face. She was right. Never in his life had he ever been so engulfed with passion that he completely forgot who and where he was and on the complete verge of taking a woman right there in the open without any sense of propriety or decorum.
Usagi waited for him to deny her accusations but when he only looked at her with stony silence, pain slashed at her like knifes. So that was all she was to him? A fling? A moment of passion? Why did he not deny her accusations? Had she truly been so wrong about him? About the connection they had? Was he nothing but a womanizing prince after all?
Hurt beyond words, at having her dreams crumble around her feet Usagi gathered up her skirts and ran. Tears steamed down her cheeks leaving a hot scalding path against icy cold skin. She heard him call after her, another name another disguise never her real name and she ignored him.
She did not get very far before he caught up to her by grabbing hold of her arm.
"Let me go!" Usagi tried to yank her hand away from his grasp but it was like shaking of a manacle.
"No dammit! Not until you hear me out."
"What is there to hear? I've heard everything I need to hear. I've seen everything I need to see. I know everything there is to know about you!" She yelled at him.
"But I don't know anything about you." He grabbed hold of her other hand, the one she tried to punch him with. "I feel like I know you. Like I should know who you are and yet I don't."
She gave a bitter laughter. "Well that's obvious isn't it? You never tried. All I've been is a little nobody, one whom you never bothered to try to look deeper."
"Stop talking in riddles and tell me who you are." Endymion demanded of her finally loosing his patience. He felt feverish. There was a pounding headache starting at the sides of his head. The way she spoke. The way she acted. The way she looked even with the mask on. They all seemed somehow familiar to him. Yet even as he searched his memories he could not get behind that foggy barrier and grasp the right ones. His chest seemed to hurt.
As the couple glared at each other each fighting their own drowning emotions neither noticed the Royal Insignia on Endymion's chest glowing. But they were not able to ignore the sudden explosion as shards of colored glass started to rain down on them.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In the Library things were a lot quieter. With the heavy door closed, Arief had shut out the sounds from outside world. Not that he would have been able to notice much, as engrossed as he was in his research.
Unlike the King's Library, the Library was but a small shadow in comparison. The books here were mainly for the uses of the Masters as they worked with their researches. It was not quite as extensive but it suited Arief's needs for the moment.
Despite his title Arief was a man of simple breeding. His father had been the teacher in the tiny village that had been their home. While his position as a Master gave him more than he could ever hope for, Arief's taste had never changed and he always preferred having it simple around him. Working in the grand surrounding of the King's Library would have made it impossible for him to concentrate.
The light from the thick candle he lit flickered and danced across the worn out parchment he had rolled out in front of him. The place was quiet the only sound being heard was the rustling of pages as Arief looked up words on thick volumes of dictionaries he had spread out on the table.
Never in his life had he been more excited by his work as he was tonight. The further he studied it the more he came to realize the importance of the scroll. It was fast turning into a historical treasure one that might be oldest one they had ever discovered. The language written in the faded skin, yes it was made of skin, Arief was sure of that. But what kind he did not know because he could not imagine anything being able to hold for this long, at least eight centuries.
Excitement soared inside him, the feeling more of an aphrodisiac than any wine he had ever drunk. Arief leaned over the parchment and squinted with his eyes as he tried to make out the sign that had halfway faded from the parchment. He wrote down the sign carefully on the piece of paper near him and looked up on the books for any signs that were close enough in combination.
"Could it be Heaven? Its close enough but I've never seen it written like that before." Arief muttered under his breath.
Pulling out another piece of paper, Arief read loudly the translation he had thought he had so far been able to make. " against the Ancient One, an evil…………….….. time. They…………… …………………………..Eternal Ones, to summon .…………………………………………… the Shitennous, the Four Kings of Heaven, …."
Arief wondered if this was another tale of the battle between the Lord of Heaven and the Devil of Hell. Surely the Ancient One, the evil that it referred to must be the Devil? Though he had to admit he had never heard of that reference before. It seemed very archaic, which excited him even the more.
But who were the Four Kings of Heaven? These Shitennous? Strange words. Maybe he translated it wrong.
Arief peered back at the old parchment studying the character. Maybe it was not a word as he thought. Maybe it was the drawing of something. The ancient signs were actually only modernized ways of what used to be paintings. And from the way these characters were written they could in truth be as much painting as written signs. It was just too bad there was a large part that had faded away. He studied the corner with a sign. He could see something there but it was too light to make out what it was. He leant closer and squinted with his eyes and frowned.
Strange he could almost swear that he could see drawings of animals there. A serpent? A bird? A four-legged animal of some sort and –
BANG!
The door to the Library burst open with such force it crashed against the wall and bounced. A gust of wind carried across the room, extinguishing the candle on the desk and scattering Arief's notes to the floor.
With the light suddenly gone, Arief squinted with his eyes in the darkness trying to see who the rude person was that had interrupted him. All he could make out was that the person was rather large in built. He filled the double doorway with his impressive frame.
"Ah there ye are old man. I've been looking for ye. Now be a good chap and hand me that thing." A deep rumbling voice said.
Something about the man made warning bells ring in his mind and without hesitation, Arief called out, "Guards!"
His uninvited guest made a tsking sound and stepped in to the room. "Sorry to disappoint ye but there's no one around to help ye."
As he came closer, Arief hurriedly took the parchment from the desk and rolled it up. Before he could put the thing back in its protective scroll a large hand seized hold of his hand and wrenched parchment from his fingers. He cried out in pain seeing the precious piece render in several places at the ungentle handling.
"Careful with that. That is a priceless treasure." He yelled at his attacker.
The large man felt a moment of surprise and admiration for the tiny old man as he watched the fierceness in his eyes. He knew for a fact that this man was a scholar who knew nothing of fighting and for a little nobody like that to challenge him; it had to be the first time. It was really a pity he had to end his life but orders were orders.
Arief looked at his attacker's eyes and he read the intention in them clearly. Dread slid down his back like a cold knife and he felt bile rising up his throat. He opened his mouth and he felt a giant hand clamp over his throat. There was an excruciating pain and then nothing.
Bear looked down at the limp form he was holding by the throat and shook his head in pity. Snapped like a twig the man's larynx. He did not even get the chance to feel any satisfaction. He looked down at the piece of old paper in his hand and shook his head. All of this for such a crummy thing. His boss sure had strange tastes.
As if his thought had summoned him, Bear suddenly felt the presence in his mind and it was impatience. Bear looked behind him at the halls that were crawling with soldiers, men trained to fight and who could appreciate the bloodlust and beauty of violence and sighed.
He lifted the limp form of the scholar and threw it against the large colored window.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Glass shattered and rained down over them. Usagi cried out even as she felt a hard body throw itself at her. She realized immediately that Endymion was shielding her with his body against the raining shards of glass. Something landed with a loud thud not far from them but Usagi barely noticed as Endymion shifted his body at that time and looked down on her with worried eyes. "Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.
Wordlessly Usagi nodded her head.
Something had landed not far from them. Something large and heavy. With a warrior's instinct Endymion quickly rolled up to his feet dragging Usagi with him.
"Well what we have here? Did I interrupt to lovebirds?" A dark rumbling voice like thunder spoke up.
Before Usagi react fast enough to turn towards the voice, Endymion was already in front of her shielding her with his body. He held out a hand keeping her behind him even as the other went to the sword resting against his hip.
"How did you get out?" Hearing the tone of voice, Usagi knew it was the royal persona speaking again.
The man did not answer but he must have made some kind of gesture or face because Usagi could feel Endymion's body tensing in response. Frustration took her. She wanted to know who the newcomer was her gallant prince's wide back was blocking her view. She shifted to get a better view, trying to stand on her tiptoes only to stumble slightly as she stepped on something.
Looking over her shoulder she looked at the heap wrapped in dark wool. The light shifted and her eyes widened as she realized that the heap was a human form. Moonlight shone against a very familiar white face. His head was bent in a strange angle and numerous cut and bruises covered his skin. Usagi did not need to see the angle to know that he was dead, the empty eyes spoke volumes.
Terror clawed up her chest and before she knew it she let out a scream. A cry of distress as well as pain at the sight of the dead Master.
Distracted by her cries, Endymion pulled out his sword in seconds and whirled around pushing her aside. He also recognized the Master and storm clouds gathered in his eyes. "You'll pay for this." He growled then lower under his breath he hissed. "Run and call the guards."
Endymion ran and lunged towards Bear, the bandit leader they had caught earlier. The giant looked at the charging man as if he was a pesky mosquito and waited. Then at the last moment when Endymion swung his sword, he moved with unbelievable agility and sidesteped. As Endymion moved past, he lashed with his large arm. Endymion jumped to the side, his agility saving his life. Bear's fist caught the side of his head and he pain exploded there. He flew in the air landing five feet away.
"Endymion!" Usagi cried out and ran to his side. He moved to stand up, his ear still ringing and his sight still clouded.
"Get out of here." He told her.
"Not without you." She told him firmly. Even as the bandit chuckled evilly. "No need send the lovely wench away. I'll send ye both to hell."
Endymion gritted his teeth against the pain and closed his eyes. He concentrated ignoring the man's taunting words. Somehow he had to keep her safe. Energy flowed into him, rejuvenating and empowering him. He heard a twin gasp.
Opening his eyes once again he managed to just catch Bear's surprised look before it was replaced with a smile. "Well I be damned. Ye surprised me boy."
"Glad to be of assistance. Wouldn't want you to be disappointed when I send you back to the dungeons." Endymion told him and rose to his feet. He brushed the dust from his immaculate spotless black uniform. He shifted his sword to get a better grip. Eerie purple light surrounded the sword, the ancient magic that followed the Royal family of Terra responding to his power up.
"Leave." Endymion told his companion and ran at his opponent. They met and clashed. The metal of their weapons crackling and sparkling with each swipe.
Usagi looked at the fighting duo and knew in her heart that there Endymion was no match for the bandit. He was a lot more powerful than he seemed earlier today. If was it was just brute strength, Endymion might still have had a chance because of his agility and smaller frame. Unfortunately the man was also very fast for someone of his size, several times Endymion just barely shifted in time to take a blow that could have become deadly if taken in full force. He might have had a chance if he used his powers and conjured the roses but he would not. She knew that in his heart. He only used those for monsters and whatever Bear was he was still a human being and the honorable streak within Endymion prevented him from using what he considered to be an unfair method on his opponent.
As Endymion staggered once again from a blow her heart steeled and her mind made. She touched the brooch that she kept in the hidden pocket of her skirt and cried, "Moon Prism Power makeup!" Light flashed around her and she was in her Sailor Moon outfit.
"Well well well. Ye kids just keep on surprising me." Bear mused as he looked at the girl in the skimpy outfit, clearly recognizing her as one of the kids that had trashed his hideout earlier today. "I'm going to enjoy beating ye up. Especially ye little girl." He nodded towards Moon.
Moon tried not to swallow too visibly but somehow the threat did nothing to ease her mind. Those hands of his really looked like rocks. "I'm Sailor Moon. Defender of love and justice. And for that horrible deed just you did to that poor man I shall punish you." She pointed at the crumpled body of Arief.
Bear blinked. "What shit are ye sprouting girl? Talk like a normal human."
At that that Endymion took his chance to attack. Bear hissed as his sword cut a deep gash on his shoulder. Growling under his breath he swung out with his arm. Their weapons locked but only briefly with his immense strength Bear pushed and Endymion staggered against the force. As he tried to gain his balance, he did not have enough time to dodge the smashing fist that came. It connected with his middle and knocked his breath. He felt the searing pain and coughed. Blood splattered the ground even as he landed, bounced and rolled on the ground.
"I'll rip ye neck off ye scrawny head." Bear promised and took a step forward. Something hit him, a glancing blow that stung more than hurt. He followed the golden disc and watched it fly back to its owner's hand. It was a tiara.
"Stay away from him, creep." Moon ordered her eyes hot.
Bear touched his bare arm and felt the wetness. He lifted the finger to his lips tasting the salty flavor of his own blood. "Yer no match for me, girl. Not with that toy of yers."
"Oh yeah how about us then?" A new voice asked.
Startled Moon whirled around and a beatific smile lit her face as she saw her friends all lined up together above the steps looking down on them and best of all they were powered up. Kunzite was in the middle his broad sword shining in the night. He was flanked by Nephrite and Zoicite on one side and Jadeite, Uranus and Neptune on the other. The latter two were not carrying any weapons but Uranus had an energy bolt in her hand that crackled dangerously enough. She arched a brow at Bear challengingly daring him to answer the question she had thrown at him.
"Well, care to take on all of us?" Zoicite asked icily. He lifted his hand and a crystal shard formed in his palm.
The group ran up to Sailor Moon who was helping Endymion up.
"Are you all right, my Lord?" Kunzite asked his liege his eyes never leaving Bear as the bandit slowly backed away from them.
"Yeah." He grunted in pain revealing that he had lied. Neptune fell down on her knees and gently touched his middle. He hissed.
"He most probably has a few broken ribs. It might not be wise to move him." She murmured.
"Zoicite take a look." Kunzite ordered.
The younger man kept his eyes on Bear of a while clearly reluctant to give up the fight but since he was the one with the most medical skills he sighed and let the crystal vaporize and moved to take over the place Neptune vacated.
"Give it up, Bear. You're outnumbered." Kunzite told the bandit calmly. "Even a man like you has to realize when he's outnumbered."
Bear looked at them for a while as if contemplating the offer and then he smiled. It was not a reassuring smile. "I think not." He told them and moved swiftly.
The warriors tensed but Jadeite with the sharpest eyes followed his movement and shouted. "Look out! He's going to throw something."
"Cover your eyes and hold your breath!" Kunzite barked as they dove to the ground.
An explosion was heard and then a fierce scream, something guttural and piercing nearly shattering their eardrums. Moon held her hands against her ears and whimpered at the pain. Beside her she felt Endymion shift. Fearing for his safety she took a risk and peered through slightly opened lids.
The sight made her gasp and bulge her eyes in horror, the creature was out of a nightmare. A black thing, darker than night, it reminded her of a shadow as it shifted in shape. Yet it had the movement and substance that reminded Moon of slime. The only color it had was the yellow circle at the top that must've been the eye. The mouth was a jagged hole from which smoke came out. It had neither arms nor legs.
The creature screamed again and suddenly arms started to grow from it its body, well maybe not arms as much as limbs maybe? She had no word to describe it. Unconsciously her hand tightened on the tiara; the gold winked. The movement seemed to catch the creature's attention as the yellow eye zoomed in on her. One slimy limb reached for her. Without a thought Moon threw the tiara. The weapon touched the creature and smoke sizzled like acid burning and the limbs started to melt. The creature cried out. Moon took a relieved sigh of relief but it was short lived when to her horror three more limbs started to grow from the creature's body.
"Shit!"
"Look out!"
"There's more!"
Chaos erupted as everybody moved into action. Kunzite went into melee immediately his giant sword chopping off two limbs with one swipe. But the stump quickly grew out new ones. Nephrite took up a defensive position in front of Endymion and tried using his spear to smash the attacking limbs. Zoicite used his crystals to nail more to the ground where it permitted. Jadeite backed Kunzite while the larger man took on a more aggressive stand, combining his sword with his shields. Neptune used her agility to dodge in between and threw her attacks at him. It did not seem to work though it made the ground more slippery. Uranus did the same with better results.
"Argh dammit! How many arms can a creature like this have? We've chopped enough to make a woodsman envious!" Jadeite snarled and threw himself to the side just as a sharp limb came at him threatening to skewer him like a stake. Nephrite was the first to discover that the so called harmless slimy limbs could in fact turn sharp as well; Jadeite rolled on the ground and came nimbly to his feet.
"That's because they keep returning to the body." Neptune told him and pointed at one of the limbs that Kunzite had chopped off. Indeed it was slithering back to the main body and reattaching itself.
Jadeite grunted and smacked aside another two with the flat side of his sword. Then using another flying limb as leverage, stepped on it and jumped higher, flying against the creature. His blue eyes narrowing as he came closer to the main body. Suddenly two more limbs came flying out. Jadeite swung with his sword and looped them off and shifted his wrist enough to slash a gash against the main body. Green slimy substance dripped from the wound. Half a dozen sharp projectiles came from all directions. He teleported right before they stabbed the place he was in from all sides.
"Well we're going to have to figure out something. We can't go on like this the whole night." Nephrite pointed out and deftly turned his wrist and swung out with his weapon and hit aside another one. A dozen or more flew against him like missiles. Grabbing the spear with both hands he lowered the weapon to the ground and quickly stepped on the butt, breaking a third of the spear. Then holding the short weapon he started moving his hand hands so fast it looked like he was holding a large rounded shield in front of him.
"Fire might work since he doesn't seem affected by my attacks." Neptune pointed out.
"Who's gonna run for that? We've all got our hands full." Jadeite shouted from the other end and let out a hiss of pain when he wasn't quick enough to dodge.
"Where the hell are the guards?" Nephrite demanded feeling his strength ebb from him. Of them all he had been the one to take on most injuries as he was the main shield to protect the injured Endymion. He sported numerous cuts on his body which were starting to give him a burning sensation, leading him to believe that there might be another substance in the creature's blood.
"They're busy or haven't you noticed we're not the only ones with problems?" Kunzite called out from the mist of limbs. The man was insane. He lectured Jadeite on being reckless and yet he was standing closest to the main body of them all with the creatures long flying arms around him. Yet he managed to hold his own, having an eerie accuracy of attacking just the right place at the right time with his sword as well as the dark energy bolt he threw.
For the first time though Nephrite took his attention a bit farther and realized that the sounds of battle was not just coming from their part but everywhere. What the hell happened?
"Well Nephrite is right, we have to do something." Endymion said faintly, pain clearly clouding his voice. Despite Nephrite's best effort he had not been able to deflect all attacks and Endymion had been forced to take up battle too and with his injured side it was clear that each movement caused him immense pain. "So far it seems most susceptible to Moon's and my attacks. With Kunzite and Zoicite being second and Uranus last. How about we focus our attacks with the help of these three groups?"
"A most astute observation." Kunzite commended. "I was just about to suggest the same thing. The creature's main body will be the target. Neptune and Nephrite will be the ones that draw the limbs out. Uranus and Zoicite can team up and attack from one side and I'll do the other. We take the bottom half. Since the two of you have the long ranged attacks you can take the upper half. Jadeite you will protect them. Create a shield around the three of you if you have to. Alright any questions?" There was none. "Then move to position!"
Nephrite charged to the side. Jadeite jumped backwards and disappeared appearing in the spot Nephrite left behind. Zoicite nimbly jumped and somersaulted between the attacking limbs to get closer to Uranus even as she did the same. Moon and Endymion took a closer step to Jadeite and lifted their hands together. Her tiara flew from her hand at the same time as a red rose flew from his. They came together in the air and spun one above the other towards the creature's head.
The creatures seemed to have read their intent and flared out with another limb. Moon's tiara and Endymion's rose cut through the limb smoothly but the touch managed to deflect their motion so that instead of hitting the creature straight in the head the two weapons connected to the side. There was an explosion, a blinding flash of pure white light from the impact. The creature roared. The roar became quickly a screech as Uranus, Zoicite and Kunzite launched their attacks from below.
They held their breath and hope soared. Their good spirits did not last long though, when the light diminished the creature was still there.
"Uh oh. I think it's mad now." Jadeite pointed out and took a firmer hold on his sword as he braced himself for the counterattack.
That was an understatement. The creature let out a screech that nearly punctured their eardrums. The force enough to send several of them down on their knees.
"Watch it!" Kunzite's warning just came in time as the creature suddenly launched all its attacks at once. The flaring limbs shot towards them like arrows.
Moon only had time to brace herself and catch her tiara as it came back before the force of the attack connected with Jadeite's shield with enough power to send them all flying through the air. She barely heard the grunt Jadeite made before he disappeared into the thick bushes before the world went tumbling on her. She landed on the hard ground with enough force to bounce, grunting at the pain and tried to roll to her feet. She sensed more then saw a danger coming towards her and instinctively she threw her tiara towards it. As her eyesight came back to her she saw her tiara destroy two of the creature's black limbs coming towards her but the third one it missed. She tried to dodge and felt the pain as the razor sharp side cut at her waist then before she could take her tiara as it came flying back towards her the limb recoiled and snapped around her waist. She let out a gasp of pain and surprise as she felt herself being lifted through the air.
"Sailor Moon!" Endymion cried out and made a grab for her.
She felt something snap against her throat and saw her gold locket in his fist. She tried to squirm and cried out in pain. It was like being ensnarled with a bendable blade and slowly being cut open. Tears filled her eyes.
"Sailor Moon!" She heard Jadeite call out to her somewhere behind but she could not see him nor Endymion through the tears blinding her eyes. All around her she heard the sounds of fighting and the flashes of explosions.
"Damn, he's too fast I can't reach her." Uranus shouted.
"Don't move or you'll be cut into two." Kunzite warned her.
"Hold on Sailor Moon. We'll get you out somehow." Neptune called to her.
Through pain filled mind Moon heard Nephrite swear viscously as he hacked his way forward. Zoicite called out a warning to him. There were more shuffles and movement.
Her body was becoming numb. She could barely see straight. They became blurry visions, the sounds became more and more distant but she could still hear them working hard, taking risks trying to save her and backing each other up.
Everyone, they were doing their best. Putting their own lives at risk to save her, her comrades, her friends.
She was becoming weaker. Her eyes wanted to shut close. She stared at the creature's eyes as she seemed to float towards it. Its mouth seemed so big. She never noticed it had a mouth. So blood red too. Then again it must have to have let out such a piercing cry. Was she going to be eaten up? She did not like the idea much but she guessed she did not have much of a choice.
She wished she had had the courage to tell Endymion the truth about herself. She wanted to see her best friends again one last time and her mother.
I'm sorry everyone. I guess this is the end. She thought closing her eyes and resigned herself to her fate.
"NO!!!!!" A strong voice shouted, startling her enough to snap her eyes open again.
"Endymion, no!" Kunzite shouted.
Moon could not see but suddenly she was free again and she fell, right into strong warm, comforting arms. Her arms instinctively wrapped herself around her rescuer's neck. She blinked and looked up at Endymion's face, so close to her own.
His dark blue eyes were concerned. "Are you alright?" He asked her worriedly.
She looked at him then at their surrounding and then back at him with confused eyes. "How?" She asked.
He gave her a lopsided smile. "No idea. As long as we are floating lets not worry about that now. How about we finish this creature off? Feel up to that?" He asked and handed her the tiara.
She took the golden circlet from his hand and nodded her head in affirmation. He shifted her in his arms so that he was only holding her with one arm and together they threw their weapons at the creature. The tiara and the rose pierced the creature straight in the eye. It stilled and then let out a piercing soul shattering scream. A light appeared between at the center of the eye, it grew, expanded and then it exploded.
The seven young people turned around and covered their eyes holding up a hand expecting body parts to fall on them only to blink and stare when nothing happened. Looking around they saw no signs of the creature, the only thing that was left was an eerie silence.
Moon and Endymion slowly floated down. The moment their feet touched the ground both staggered as pain crashed down on their wounded body. Supporting hands came from all places.
"That was quite a stunt you pulled." Kunzite told his prince as he gently lowered the younger man to the ground. "You could have been killed." His tone said that while he was not happy about Endymion's actions he was glad he was okay.
Endymion grinned weakly. "No problem I knew you guys would back me up. Right, Jadeite?" He asked over his shoulder at the blonde general who was lying on the ground panting like he had run for his life.
Peering up with a weak smile of his own, Jadeite said. "Yeah. Just don't do that again. At least not when I'm around. I nearly pissed myself when you went charging in like that and it came attacking you on all fronts. You could have been skewered like a pig."
Kunzite made a face at that analogy. His heart had nearly stopped at that time. He feared it might have if Jadeite's shield had not come up in the nick of time to surround Endymion. This improvement of his skills could not have had a better timing. Nor could Endymion's new skill of levitating himself.
They would have to figure it out later, now they had more pressing matters at hand. "Nephrite, Jadeite see if you can find out what happened to the rest of the castle. Zoicite –"
"I'm already on it." Zoicite said interrupting him.
"Good. I'll expect a report in the Briefing Room in one hour." Kunzite told them and lifted Endymion to his feet with one arm thrown over his neck as support.
"Sailor Moon." Endymion whispered. Sweat plastered his head and his eyes were glazed with pain.
"Don't worry. We'll take care of her." Neptune told him softly. Uranus lifted the girl into her arms. She had lost consciousness. Blood was still steadily soaking her white suit.
"Let me know of you need anything." Endymion told the girls. They nodded and sharing a look they took a leaping jump and disappeared into the night.
Endymion watched them go, unconsciously touching the locket in his hand its chain still wrapped around his wrist. As Kunzite helped him back to the castle Endymion stared at the locket. Strange, it looked familiar somehow, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
As they walked, with Kunzite more or less carrying the slenderer man, the platinum haired general watched his liege with a mental shaking of his head. His intuition told him that Endymion was slowly starting to uncover the truth that most of them already knew. This locket was the same as the one Travis the squire carried. He wondered how Endymion would take the news. That the woman he was in love with and the squire he always squabbled with were both the same person.
Back at the battlefield, Jadeite was staring gloomily at the remains of Master Arief. He had been about to run off with Nephrite to do Kunzite's bidding when his eyes had caught hold of the dead mutilated body of the master and had stopped in his tracks.
His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides. There was a hard knot in his guts accompanied by a choking sensation in his chest. He felt rage like a roaring inferno building inside him and he wanted to smash something, anything.
Zoicite looked up from his work of scanning the place where the main body of the creature had been to look at his friend. Sighing he pocketed his scanner and went over to put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey pull yourself together man. There's nothing to be done for him. All we can do now is find out what happened."
"We both know what happened. Bear broke out of his the dungeon and Master Arief ended up as road kill." Jadeite told him darkly.
Personally Zoicite thought there must've been more behind what but he knew that Jadeite was not in the humor to listen. So he kept quiet.
"It's my fault you know? Kunzite told me to double the guards. I wouldn't heed his warnings. I was too arrogant. I thought he was defeated. I defeated him. There was no way he could escape. God, I killed him. I killed them all with my damn arrogance." Jadeite closed his eyes in defeat, the torment evident in his voice.
Clearly worried about Jadeite's state of mind, Zoicite grabbed hold of the man's arm and pulled him away. "Come on. I've got enough information here to make a theory of what happened just now to satisfy Kunzite. Let's see if we can find out more at the dungeons. There's no sense beating ourselves with guilt until we find out more about what exactly happened. Obviously there had been a breach of security of some kind. I refuse to believe that Bear could have gotten himself out of his cell without help from outside."
A lot of things did not make sense here and Zoicite was going to go to the bottom of this even if it was the last thing he did. He cast a look over his shoulder as he dragged his cousin away and his heart hardened with resolve.
Somebody was going to pay for this.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Safely hidden behind the tall bushes, Mina watched the two men with pursed lips. It was a clear indication that she was thinking deeply about something. Her thoughts were however interrupted when a small voice said from below her left side.
"Mina, why didn't you go out there and help?"
Mina turned her head to gaze down at the white cat with the half moon crescent on his forehead and beamed a smile at him.
"There was no need they managed quite well on their own."
"Yes but there had been a moment there when that was not so clear. If the prince hadn't charged in to rescue her like that, she could have been killed." Artemis leaned his head sideways looking up at her curiously. "Didn't you feel anything when she nearly became that creature's supper?"
Despite the innocent way Artemis phrased the question, Mina knew there was nothing innocent about his inquiry. She knew him too well.
For the last few years Artemis had been her constant companion. At first Mina had resented the watchdog; well in his case maybe watch-cat, knowing that it was due to the fiasco with the Saturn war. But over time Mina had grown to appreciate his companionship and even be grateful for it, especially during her time of need when none of her best friends could be there for her. The two of them changed from being mentor and student into just friends. In many ways Artemis knew Mina better than anyone else. The same way that she knew him better than most even Luna she would wager.
"If you mean fear for her life, yes Artemis. But both you and Luna have taught me better than to let my emotions rule in a battle. Besides the queen specifically told me not to use my powers here."
From the frown Artemis gave her, Mina knew that he was not totally convinced about her words but she only gave him a wide eyed innocent look which told him that was the only answer he was going to get from her. In the end he gave up and started muttering under his breath. Despite her sharp hearing Mina was not able to catch the words, the only definable one was Luna, which explained several things to her also.
So Artemis had been sent to spy on her. She had wondered why they had insisted the feline to accompany her to Earth when they had been conscious of never letting the cats near Earthlings before. Was this a test to see whether Mina would follow her order or follow her heart like she and the others did three years ago? Or were they trying to find out something else? Well it was worth looking into later, knowing Artemis he would no doubt let more slip if she prodded him in the right way.
At the moment she would concentrate on the things she did have information on, such as what she had seen tonight. The existence of the two senshis had explained a lot of things to her. Mina wondered if Usagi was aware of the fact that she had been under her mother's watch the whole time, even while she had been away from home. No wonder Mina's aunt could sit so quietly and at ease for the past three years, she had two other senshis looking out for her. Uranus and Neptune, air and sea elements. They certainly showed great powers, especially the blonde one. She had never seen a person controlling the air elements, using her powers quite the same way as Uranus had done. It was quite impressive.
The four guardians of the prince had been another surprise. She had heard rumors that Earth had their own versions of guardians the same as the planets of the Silver Alliance, but nothing compared to seeing it with her own eyes. Mina had to admit she was intrigued. Not just with their powers, which were quite mysterious since they did not seem to control any elements as far as she could see; with the exception of Zoicite and his throwing crystals. No she was far more interested in the men wielding that power. Training under her aunt's supervision had taught her that usually it was not the power rather the people using them that were of interest. Powers and titles could be stripped away but what was inside a person the package they carried, that formed them: their backgrounds, their experience, their personalities and mind; that was where the secret lay and with the right combination and incentive, power and titles could be gained too. If one can understand the person, one had the weapon to deal with him or her too. With powers like theirs, these four men were a force that was to be reckoned with and watched over most carefully.
Still the most astounding revelation tonight had been the growing affections between her cousin and the crown prince of Earth. Actually growing affection was too mild; those two were already in love. Mina knew her cousin well enough to read her and from the way the prince had risked everything to save Usagi, Mina knew he felt the same way though neither seemed to be willing to confess. While it warmed her heart to see her cousin that happy, the part of her that was a leader also saw the complications and the political effects this would cause and she was not thrilled at all.
Mina glanced at the ground where the creature had stood and wrinkled her nose in distaste of the situation. For someone to be able to summon a dark creature like that strong magic was at work. She knew only a handful of people in their galaxy with that kind of power and so far her intelligence had not informed her that they were eyeing Earth. So the question was, had something changed to make them see Earth in a different light or was there a new player in the game? The fact that the man had looks and even the same name as one of the men involved in Mako's parents murder did not sit well with her. She made a mental note to set her people out to sniff around this attack. Her instincts told her that this was too much of a coincidence.
One thing was sure, this trip had given her much more information that she had anticipated and much to ponder about too. She wondered if Rei and the others had better luck with their tasks.
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AN: Ok so the chapter became ALOT longer than I had first planned out. I still hope it was worth the wait for u all. =)
Please drop a review or email. I would really like to know what parts u like and what parts u don't as it would help me to write better.
// Fenix
