Sorry it's been awhile since I posted but, I've been EXTREMELY PEEVED at what ff.net has done, limiting writers' imaginations. I've also been trying to decide a way to get even and I think I've got it... after another couple of chapters, I'm gonna write a rather explicit chatper about Rei and Serena making love. Okay, Time for another part of this SM-fic! I changed the rating of this fic and finish it on ff.net. Then, I'm going to start over and re-post the entire story on mediaminer.org. I'm gonna see it to the end. Now, Let's get started...
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Part 18: Worries Won't Cease...
~Near a Construction-site/Next day~
Makoto, Chrystya, Ami, Michiru and Haruka are having an impromptu meeting... Makoto is leaning against a steel girder with her arms folded, Chrystya is checking something on Ami's mini-computer, Haruka and Michiru are sitting on a makeshift bench next to each other, holding hands.
"I still can't believe what Ryoma said." Michiru says.
"I know." agrees Haruka.
Recent Flashback/Same Day; Morning...
~Outside the Hospital~
"What?" questions Raika.
Ryoma nods, "Naomi is in a... psychic-induced coma." she says, turning away from the other girls and facing a wall, "I haven't any idea when she will wake up."
"But, She *will* wake up, right?" asks Serena.
Ryoma spins back around to face Serena and the others. "Of course she will!" the crimson-haired senshi responds, in a shout, causing the princess to cringe slightly. 'She *has* to...' adds Ryoma, in her mind.
"Calm down, Ryoma." Rei says, "Serena didn't mean anything."
"I know, Rei..." Ryoma replies to the raven-haired priestess, "I... I'm just worried about Naomi. I've only seen her like this, once before... and, she almost didn't wake up at all." she then addresses the odango-atama, "I'm sorry, Princess."
"It's okay." Serena replies, "We're all worried about her." she issues Ryoma a reassuring smile, "Everything will work out fime."
End Flashback...
~Construction-site~
"We have to find a way to stop Hariel and, whoever's working with him." Haruka states, "Before any more of us, wind up like Naomi."
Michiru nods, "We need a plan."
The other three agree.
"Shouldn't we be discussing this with Serena?" asks Makoto.
"Yeah." Chrystya says, looking up from Ami's computer, "But, Where is she? And, Rei?"
"Still at the hospital." Michiru replies, "They said they were going to stay near Naomi and Ryoma, in case more youma attack. Afterall, This time, We are dealing with an enemy that knows our true identities."
Ami nods, then turns toward Makoto, "Hey, Mako?" she asks, "Where's Shinya?"
"Well..." Makoto replies, sparing a glance toward Haruka then closing her eyes, "She doesn't want to be this near Haruka."
"That's fine by me." Haruka says, with a shrug of her shoulders, "I don't think I'm ready to talk to her yet, either."
"What's the story with you two, anyway?" Makoto asks, "I've been with Shinya since we were young girls. And, If I didn't know better, I say that it's like you're sisters, or something else."
"That's the point." Chrystya says, sitting down the Mercury mini-computer, "I just finished my search on the subject."
"What did you find?" asks Ami, moving closer to the other girl and looking at the computer-screen.
"According to this..." Chrystya starts, tapping more buttons, "Exactly three of the Celestial Senshi were related to three of the Sailor Senshi. To be precise... Naomi, Shinya and myself were related to Rei, Haruka and Michiru, respectively."
"Yes," Michiru says, "Naomi explained it to Ruka and I, shortly before we went to help Ryoma."
"Then, After helping Ryoma, that's when Naomi..." Chrystya says.
"... yeah." responds Haruka.
Makoto unfolds her arms and stands up from her leaning position against the girder. "I gotta get going." she says, "Shinya wants to go see the sunset."
"See ya, Mako." Chrystya says, as Makoto starts walking away. Makoto waves back over her shoulder.
~Hospital-Room~
Naomi is still unconscious, laying in the hospital-bed and Ryoma is slouched in a chair beside the bed, with her head down.
"... Ryoma?" Serena says, from the door-way, "Do you mind if I come in?" her voice a bit worried that the crimson-haired woman might yell at her, again.
"Serena?" Ryoma responds, lifting her head to give the princess her attention, "Sure."
Serena steps into the room and closes the door, "Any change?" she asks.
Ryoma returns her gaze to the floor, then slowly shakes her head, "I've never felt so... powerless." she says, in an almost whisper. She holds back tears that threaten to fill her crimson-eyes, just as she has done since her parents died. Then, A hand touches her right shoulder and she raises her head to look up at Serena standing next to her with her left hand on her shoulder.
"She'll be okay." says the odango-headed princess.
"Huh?"
"The two of you are bound by love." Serena explains, "And, Nothing can break that. It'll always bring you together."
Ryoma manages a weak smile, "Thanks, Serena." she says, "I think I feel a little better. Where's Rei?"
"She went out for some fresh air." Serena replies, "I told her that I'd join her, after I came to check on you and Naomi. You gonna be okay?"
Ryoma nods, "I'm fine. 'Sides, I don't need a babysitter." she manages a small laugh.
"Okay." Serena says, smiling, "Well, I'm gonna go find Rei, then." and with that, she exits the room.
After Serena's gone, Ryoma feels tears roll down her cheeks... "I miss you, Naomi." she whispers, "Please, Come back to me, soon."
~Alleyway/Between Hospital and Another Building~
Rei is in the alley, leaned with her right hand against the side of the other building(not the hospital). She looks down into a puddle of water(obviously formed from the rain, the previous night).
'Huh!?' Rei thinks, noticing something about her eyes' reflection. But, before it shows, she closes her eyes and adds in her mind, 'No!'
"Rei?" Serena's voice comes from around the corner, "Are you around here?" the blonde princess steps around into the alley and sees Rei, leaned against the wall.
"Rei!" Serena says, as she runs up to the raven-haired girl, "What's wrong? Are you alright?" she asks, concerned.
"... yeah, I'm okay, Serena." the priestess replies, keeping her head down and her eyes closed, "I'm fine."
Serena leans around to see her love's face and, after a moment looking at Rei... her tightly closed eyes, the beads of sweat on her face, the obvious displeasure at *something*, and the expression of being somewhat... *afraid*(!?)... 'Rei isn't afraid of anything!' Serena states to herself 'Something's really bothering her! But, What...?'
Serena places her right hand on Rei's left shoulder, "Tell me what's wrong, Rei." she says, "Please?"
"I told you..." Rei says, somewhat harshly, knocking the other girl's hand from her shoulder with her left hand, "I'm fine!"
Serena backs away a step, "No, Something's really wrong." Serena says, "Please, Rei. I love you, and I'm worried about you. What is it?"
Rei removes her right hand from the wall, "You wanna know?" she asks, still not raising her head or opening her eyes. She reaches back and grabs the princess' right forearm with her left hand.
"What? Rei?" asks Serena, as the priestess' grip tightens.
Rei pulls Serena to the wall, as she turns around and pins the girl against the wall. Still holding the princess' right arm with her left hand and using her right hand to pin Serena's left arm to the wall. The raven-haired priestess holds her face very close to Serena's, with her eyes still shut tightly.
"R-Rei...?"
"You wanted to know what's wrong, right?" Rei says, touching her nose to Serena's. She snaps her eyes open, "Then, Look!"
Serena gasps upon seeing a pair of onyx eyes looking back at her, instead of those beautiful amethyst orbs of Rei's... or even, the slightly darker tanzinite ones that she has seen twice. She gulps.
"Do they frighten you, Serena?" asks Rei, loosening her grip on Serena's wrists.
"Because..." Rei adds, lowering her head and closing her eyes, "They do me."
Rei releases Serena's wrists, backs up against the opposite wall and slides down it to a sitting position. She pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them. Serena's expression turns from one of shock to one of sadness. 'That's what she's been keeping from me.' Serena deduced.
"Every time I've looked into a mirror and... seen these empty eyes looking back at me..." Rei continues, her head tucked against knees, "They scare me to death..." her words trail off.
Serena hears the raven-haired girl begin to cry and takes a small step forward, reaching out slightly with her right hand. But, She retracts her hand when she hears Rei continue talking.
"I've learned..." she says, "I've learned that there is something deep within me. Something besides the demon-power that I've displayed." she takes a short pause, then finishes, "Something that... I don't understand and, don't know how to control..." again her words trailing off.
Serena walks up to Rei, kneels down infront of her and places her hands on the girl's shoulders.
"Rei." the blonde princess says, "This isn't like you."
"A long time ago," Rei says, "A priest, my grandpa's brother, my great uncle, said that it was a demon... that *I* was a demon... grandpa told me that he was a fool and to not think anymore of what he said but now..."
"Rei...--"
"What if he was right?" Rei says, "What if I *am* a demon, like those youma..." she pulls her knees closer to herself and tightens her arms around them, "Then, That makes me no better than they are..."
Serena takes her right hand off Rei's left shoulder and places the index and middle fingers under the raven-haired girl's chin.
Serena raises Rei's face to meet her own. However, Rei's eyes are still closed, tears rolling down the sides of her face from the corners of those closed eyes.
"Open your eyes, Rei." Serena responds, "And look at me."
Rei opens her (onyx) eyes and meets Serena's ocean-blue ones, "How..." she asks, crying, "How can you love a monster?"
Serena looks into Rei's tear-filled black eyes, "You're not a monster, Rei. Nor, Are your eyes empty." she says, as she moves her face closer, looking deeper into the priestess' eyes, "In them, I still see what I have always seen. I see the person you really are, the person who I am in-love with. They're the same eyes, their color doesn't change anything, especially how I feel about you."
"Are you sure?" asks Rei, still sniffling.
"Does this answer your question?" responds the princess.
Serena draws the priestess' lips to her own, in a gentle kiss. Rei tentatively but, gladly returns the un-demanding kiss, wrapping her arms around the other girl and momentarily closing her eyes. After breaking the kiss, Rei re-opens her eyes and, once again, they're lavender.
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To Be Continued...
Ramblings: I would like to get at least 4 reviews for each chapter from here on, to encourage me that people are still reading this fic. Okay? Well, That's it for now. 4 reviews and I'll post the next one, ya know.
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Part 18: Worries Won't Cease...
~Near a Construction-site/Next day~
Makoto, Chrystya, Ami, Michiru and Haruka are having an impromptu meeting... Makoto is leaning against a steel girder with her arms folded, Chrystya is checking something on Ami's mini-computer, Haruka and Michiru are sitting on a makeshift bench next to each other, holding hands.
"I still can't believe what Ryoma said." Michiru says.
"I know." agrees Haruka.
Recent Flashback/Same Day; Morning...
~Outside the Hospital~
"What?" questions Raika.
Ryoma nods, "Naomi is in a... psychic-induced coma." she says, turning away from the other girls and facing a wall, "I haven't any idea when she will wake up."
"But, She *will* wake up, right?" asks Serena.
Ryoma spins back around to face Serena and the others. "Of course she will!" the crimson-haired senshi responds, in a shout, causing the princess to cringe slightly. 'She *has* to...' adds Ryoma, in her mind.
"Calm down, Ryoma." Rei says, "Serena didn't mean anything."
"I know, Rei..." Ryoma replies to the raven-haired priestess, "I... I'm just worried about Naomi. I've only seen her like this, once before... and, she almost didn't wake up at all." she then addresses the odango-atama, "I'm sorry, Princess."
"It's okay." Serena replies, "We're all worried about her." she issues Ryoma a reassuring smile, "Everything will work out fime."
End Flashback...
~Construction-site~
"We have to find a way to stop Hariel and, whoever's working with him." Haruka states, "Before any more of us, wind up like Naomi."
Michiru nods, "We need a plan."
The other three agree.
"Shouldn't we be discussing this with Serena?" asks Makoto.
"Yeah." Chrystya says, looking up from Ami's computer, "But, Where is she? And, Rei?"
"Still at the hospital." Michiru replies, "They said they were going to stay near Naomi and Ryoma, in case more youma attack. Afterall, This time, We are dealing with an enemy that knows our true identities."
Ami nods, then turns toward Makoto, "Hey, Mako?" she asks, "Where's Shinya?"
"Well..." Makoto replies, sparing a glance toward Haruka then closing her eyes, "She doesn't want to be this near Haruka."
"That's fine by me." Haruka says, with a shrug of her shoulders, "I don't think I'm ready to talk to her yet, either."
"What's the story with you two, anyway?" Makoto asks, "I've been with Shinya since we were young girls. And, If I didn't know better, I say that it's like you're sisters, or something else."
"That's the point." Chrystya says, sitting down the Mercury mini-computer, "I just finished my search on the subject."
"What did you find?" asks Ami, moving closer to the other girl and looking at the computer-screen.
"According to this..." Chrystya starts, tapping more buttons, "Exactly three of the Celestial Senshi were related to three of the Sailor Senshi. To be precise... Naomi, Shinya and myself were related to Rei, Haruka and Michiru, respectively."
"Yes," Michiru says, "Naomi explained it to Ruka and I, shortly before we went to help Ryoma."
"Then, After helping Ryoma, that's when Naomi..." Chrystya says.
"... yeah." responds Haruka.
Makoto unfolds her arms and stands up from her leaning position against the girder. "I gotta get going." she says, "Shinya wants to go see the sunset."
"See ya, Mako." Chrystya says, as Makoto starts walking away. Makoto waves back over her shoulder.
~Hospital-Room~
Naomi is still unconscious, laying in the hospital-bed and Ryoma is slouched in a chair beside the bed, with her head down.
"... Ryoma?" Serena says, from the door-way, "Do you mind if I come in?" her voice a bit worried that the crimson-haired woman might yell at her, again.
"Serena?" Ryoma responds, lifting her head to give the princess her attention, "Sure."
Serena steps into the room and closes the door, "Any change?" she asks.
Ryoma returns her gaze to the floor, then slowly shakes her head, "I've never felt so... powerless." she says, in an almost whisper. She holds back tears that threaten to fill her crimson-eyes, just as she has done since her parents died. Then, A hand touches her right shoulder and she raises her head to look up at Serena standing next to her with her left hand on her shoulder.
"She'll be okay." says the odango-headed princess.
"Huh?"
"The two of you are bound by love." Serena explains, "And, Nothing can break that. It'll always bring you together."
Ryoma manages a weak smile, "Thanks, Serena." she says, "I think I feel a little better. Where's Rei?"
"She went out for some fresh air." Serena replies, "I told her that I'd join her, after I came to check on you and Naomi. You gonna be okay?"
Ryoma nods, "I'm fine. 'Sides, I don't need a babysitter." she manages a small laugh.
"Okay." Serena says, smiling, "Well, I'm gonna go find Rei, then." and with that, she exits the room.
After Serena's gone, Ryoma feels tears roll down her cheeks... "I miss you, Naomi." she whispers, "Please, Come back to me, soon."
~Alleyway/Between Hospital and Another Building~
Rei is in the alley, leaned with her right hand against the side of the other building(not the hospital). She looks down into a puddle of water(obviously formed from the rain, the previous night).
'Huh!?' Rei thinks, noticing something about her eyes' reflection. But, before it shows, she closes her eyes and adds in her mind, 'No!'
"Rei?" Serena's voice comes from around the corner, "Are you around here?" the blonde princess steps around into the alley and sees Rei, leaned against the wall.
"Rei!" Serena says, as she runs up to the raven-haired girl, "What's wrong? Are you alright?" she asks, concerned.
"... yeah, I'm okay, Serena." the priestess replies, keeping her head down and her eyes closed, "I'm fine."
Serena leans around to see her love's face and, after a moment looking at Rei... her tightly closed eyes, the beads of sweat on her face, the obvious displeasure at *something*, and the expression of being somewhat... *afraid*(!?)... 'Rei isn't afraid of anything!' Serena states to herself 'Something's really bothering her! But, What...?'
Serena places her right hand on Rei's left shoulder, "Tell me what's wrong, Rei." she says, "Please?"
"I told you..." Rei says, somewhat harshly, knocking the other girl's hand from her shoulder with her left hand, "I'm fine!"
Serena backs away a step, "No, Something's really wrong." Serena says, "Please, Rei. I love you, and I'm worried about you. What is it?"
Rei removes her right hand from the wall, "You wanna know?" she asks, still not raising her head or opening her eyes. She reaches back and grabs the princess' right forearm with her left hand.
"What? Rei?" asks Serena, as the priestess' grip tightens.
Rei pulls Serena to the wall, as she turns around and pins the girl against the wall. Still holding the princess' right arm with her left hand and using her right hand to pin Serena's left arm to the wall. The raven-haired priestess holds her face very close to Serena's, with her eyes still shut tightly.
"R-Rei...?"
"You wanted to know what's wrong, right?" Rei says, touching her nose to Serena's. She snaps her eyes open, "Then, Look!"
Serena gasps upon seeing a pair of onyx eyes looking back at her, instead of those beautiful amethyst orbs of Rei's... or even, the slightly darker tanzinite ones that she has seen twice. She gulps.
"Do they frighten you, Serena?" asks Rei, loosening her grip on Serena's wrists.
"Because..." Rei adds, lowering her head and closing her eyes, "They do me."
Rei releases Serena's wrists, backs up against the opposite wall and slides down it to a sitting position. She pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them. Serena's expression turns from one of shock to one of sadness. 'That's what she's been keeping from me.' Serena deduced.
"Every time I've looked into a mirror and... seen these empty eyes looking back at me..." Rei continues, her head tucked against knees, "They scare me to death..." her words trail off.
Serena hears the raven-haired girl begin to cry and takes a small step forward, reaching out slightly with her right hand. But, She retracts her hand when she hears Rei continue talking.
"I've learned..." she says, "I've learned that there is something deep within me. Something besides the demon-power that I've displayed." she takes a short pause, then finishes, "Something that... I don't understand and, don't know how to control..." again her words trailing off.
Serena walks up to Rei, kneels down infront of her and places her hands on the girl's shoulders.
"Rei." the blonde princess says, "This isn't like you."
"A long time ago," Rei says, "A priest, my grandpa's brother, my great uncle, said that it was a demon... that *I* was a demon... grandpa told me that he was a fool and to not think anymore of what he said but now..."
"Rei...--"
"What if he was right?" Rei says, "What if I *am* a demon, like those youma..." she pulls her knees closer to herself and tightens her arms around them, "Then, That makes me no better than they are..."
Serena takes her right hand off Rei's left shoulder and places the index and middle fingers under the raven-haired girl's chin.
Serena raises Rei's face to meet her own. However, Rei's eyes are still closed, tears rolling down the sides of her face from the corners of those closed eyes.
"Open your eyes, Rei." Serena responds, "And look at me."
Rei opens her (onyx) eyes and meets Serena's ocean-blue ones, "How..." she asks, crying, "How can you love a monster?"
Serena looks into Rei's tear-filled black eyes, "You're not a monster, Rei. Nor, Are your eyes empty." she says, as she moves her face closer, looking deeper into the priestess' eyes, "In them, I still see what I have always seen. I see the person you really are, the person who I am in-love with. They're the same eyes, their color doesn't change anything, especially how I feel about you."
"Are you sure?" asks Rei, still sniffling.
"Does this answer your question?" responds the princess.
Serena draws the priestess' lips to her own, in a gentle kiss. Rei tentatively but, gladly returns the un-demanding kiss, wrapping her arms around the other girl and momentarily closing her eyes. After breaking the kiss, Rei re-opens her eyes and, once again, they're lavender.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------------------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Be Continued...
Ramblings: I would like to get at least 4 reviews for each chapter from here on, to encourage me that people are still reading this fic. Okay? Well, That's it for now. 4 reviews and I'll post the next one, ya know.
