Author's Notes: I know it's been awhile, but I had some bad luck... my computer went down, permanently. So, anyway, I haven't gotten internet service back yet, but I'm using another computer to post a couple chapters(so you all don't forget me, okay?) and here's the next chapter of Unconditional Love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~---------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 23: Revelations...
~Aftermath of Battle~
"Phew." Sailor Moon says, brushing the back of her right wrist across her forehead, "I'm glad that's over."
Mars nods her head in agreement, "Me too." she says, breathing a puff of air.
Toramaru folds his arms and turns his head slightly to the right, looking up toward the sky.
"NOOOOOO!!!" Damia's voices shouts, gaining the attention of the senshi. "NO!" she shouts, dashing toward Toramaru, "It's your fault--It's all your fault!"
Toramaru lowers his head and turns it to look toward the advancing Damia. He unfolds his arms and grips the handle of his longsword in a reverse-grip with his right hand, his pinky finger through the ring. As Damia nears him, she swings a left punch at him which he ducks. He steps forward with his right foot and draws his sword, cutting a gash along the left side of her waist as he does. He turns and steps to the left with his right foot. He finishes turning, facing toward Damia's back, and crouches slightly. He brings his sword across, horizontally, and cuts along the backs of her knees... all in one fluid motion.
Damia drops to her knees, her head leaned forward, "Finish it..." she says, sadness lining her voice, "I've got... nothing left to live for, anyway... now."
Toramaru reverse-grips the handle of his sword with his left hand and releases it with his right. He quickly turns the sword upright(still in reverse-grip) and re-grips the handle with his right hand in a normal grip this time, releasing it with his left hand. He brings the blade up to the left side of Damia's neck, then swings it counterclockwise above his head, gripping the handle with his left hand in the process... as if he is going to decapitate the girl.
The senshi start to say something in protest, however, Toramaru stops himself. His stopping causes the senshi to breathe a sigh of relief, and he turns away from Damia. He twirls his sword one full spin around his finger and sheathes it. Then, He begins walking away.
"Are you denying me death?" questions Damia, still looking toward the ground.
Toramaru stops, lowers his head and closes his eyes, "I long ago vowed that never again shall my blade take another human life." he says, opening his eyes, "I only kill youma, now." he continues walking.
"Raika..." Damia says, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks, "I..." she drops down, bracing on her hands, "I love you, too..." her tears landing on the concrete below.
As Toramaru passes by Sailor Moon, he asks, "Can your crystal heal her?"
"I don't know if it can or not." she responds, unsure, "Hariel's powers are pretty strong."
"I think it should be able to undo his influence." Mars says, assuringly.
Moon nods and holds up her locket in her left hand, then passes her right hand infront of it. The crystal starts glowing and it does heal Damia... it removes her hatred, Hariel's dark influence, and even the wounds inflicted on her by Toramaru. She then passes out, falling forward onto the ground.
Just as everyone's ready to breathe a sigh of relief, they hear a crash and look toward its origin... the barrier. They see movement inside and, as the smoke starts to clear, they can make out Behemoth's large fist as it crashes again against the wall of the barrier.
"Impossible!!" Lightstar states, "There's no way that thing could've survived Raika's destruction! That blast would've destroyed a hundred youma!"
With a final punch, the barrier shatters like glass. The smoke dissipates completely and reveals Behemoth, apparently unscathed. The monster roars loudly.
"!?!?!?!?" all of the senshi gasp in disbelief.
'Raika gave her life to stop that thing...' Mars thinks, clenching her hands into fists and narrowing her eyes, 'I won't let anymore of my friends...' the Ifrit gauntlets materialize and begin flaming, 'I will not let anyone else sacrifice themselves!' the flames grow more intense and gain the others' attention.
Mars' fiery bow materializes in her left hand and she raises her left arm up toward Behemoth, her index-finger pointed at the beast. She brings her right hand up alongside her left and pulls it back, creating a flaming arrow.
"Do you really believe that'll work?" quesions Uranus.
"Behemoth is seemingly invincible..." Mars says, "However, Damage its armor and it becomes as vulnerable as anyone else."
"Rei?" Sailor Moon says.
"Just watch." Mars says, aiming her arrow at a cracked area in the left side of Behemoth's chest, caused by Raika's explosion.
"Now!" she adds, "Mars Supreme Flame Sniper!" she releases her attack at Behemoth.
The arrow hits the damaged area of Behemoth's chest and lodges halfway in the beast's chest. Behemoth cries out in pain and the flaming arrow explodes, setting fire to his innards. Behemoth cries out again as he burns up, from inside-out.
Mars lowers her arms and the gauntlets disappear, "Now, It's over..." she says, then sighs slightly.
"Finally." agrees Moon. Mars looks at her and smiles.
"Are you leaving?" they hear Venus' voice ask and look to see Toramaru walking away.
He stops, "Here." he says, pitching an item over his shoulder which lands on the ground near the senshi... one of the control-bands, "You will need that to enter Hariel's dimension." "Beforehand, however," he adds, not turning around, "If any of you have friends or family, I suggest talking with them... resolve your issues, tell them about being senshi if you wish. But, most importantly... say goodbye." "For, Once we enter Hariel's dimension, we may never return."
He continues walking, "I shall be waiting when you are all prepared." he says, "And, You need not worry about having been seen. Everyone within a two-mile radius is in a deep sleep." he vanishes.
"What's with him?" questions Uranus.
"Hm. He isn't so much unlike the male tiger, from where he gets his name 'Toramaru'." Darkstar explains, "Shawn is somewhat like the tiger, who will share his meal with stray cubs, even if he doesn't know them."
"What's 'that' got to do with anything?" asks Uranus, in a slightly irritated voice.
"He lost something today. Yes, I believe it was about ten years ago..." Darkstar replies, "He met Raika and Damia, who were about 8-9 years old, in Korea. Shawn spent many years travelling the world to learn all forms of martial arts, he met them at the dojo where they all were trained together in the art of Tae Kwon Do. They looked up to him as an older brother, as he saw them as little sisters. Though he'll never shed a tear, fighting Damia and seeing Raika's death... it's saddened him."
~Hariel's Lair~
In the shadows, leaned against a wall, is a warrior with long silver hair and dressed in a near identical outfit to Toramaru's ninja-garb. His mask covers only the lower half of his face, from the bridge of his nose to the base of his neck(like Toramaru's). The primary difference in the outfits is his shinobigatana is positioned horizontally near the base of his waist. His arms are folded and his head is tilted slightly downward, 'What could you be thinking Toramaru?' he wonders 'Why would you allow your friends to walk into what you must know is a trap?'
"You! Ninja!" he hears Hariel's voice say and turns his gaze to the demon, "Prepare my generals!" Hariel orders.
The ninja nods and turns, sprinting off in a ninja-dash(my own idea: the ninja dashes with his left arm infront of him, index and middle fingers extended and thumb pointed to the right of his face).
"They are coming?" asks a voice from the darkness.
"Yes." replies Hariel.
"I look forward to feasting on their souls. Then, I shall purge this world of the human-filth that plagues it." the voice says.
"Yes. And, Endymion?" asks Hariel.
"His purpose is served. Kill him at your leisure."
"As you wish, master Soul Reaver..."
~Hospital~
"I'm sorry, guys." Ryoma says, "As much as I wish I could, I can't accompany you to Hariel's dimension."
"You're worried about Naomi, right?" asks Rei.
Ryoma nods, "I just... I can't leave her without knowing that she'll be alright."
"It's okay, Ryoma." Serena says, "We'll be fine. You stay with Naomi." she smiles at the crimson-haired girl.
"Thanks." responds Ryoma, managing to return the smile.
~Tsukino Residence/A short while later~
The doorbell rings and Ikuko answers the door, opening it to reveal Serena and Rei. "S-Serena?"
"Hi mom." Serena responds, "I've got something I need to talk to you about." "Can we come in?" she asks.
Ikuko looks back inside then back to the two girls and nods. She closes the door after they're both inside. Serena and Rei leave their shoes on the hardwood floor and step up on the carpeted area. After sitting down on the sofa, Ikuko asks, "So, What do you need to talk about?"
"Well..." Serena says, "Um, Could you get dad and Shingo? It's something I need all of you to hear."
"... alright." Ikuko responds, "Though I don't know how willing your father will be to talk to you."
"Please mom?" Serena asks again, "It's... really important."
Ikuko nods and goes to find Kenji and Shingo.
Rei notices Serena trembling slightly and takes the blonde odango-atama's right hand in her left, intwining their fingers. Serena turns her gaze to the ravenhaired priestess.
"Don't be so nervous, Serena." Rei says, bringing up her right hand and laying it along Serena's left cheek, "I'm right here with you." she gives the girl a reassuring smile.
Serena returns the smile, "Thanks Rei." she says, then leans closer to the other girl.
Rei meets her halfway, their lips pressing together in a tender kiss.
"Hahem!" Ikuko's voice interrupts the two girls.
"Oh!" Serena says, after she and Rei break their kiss, she looks toward Ikuko, "... sorry mom."
"That's... alright, I guess." Ikuko responds, "I just don't think you should do that infront of your father, though." she sits down on the second sofa, "Speaking of which, He and Shingo should be down in a few minutes." she says.
After a short while, Kenji and Shingo walk up to the corner of the sofa Ikuko's sitting on, opposite the side where the other sofa is. Shingo sits down on the sofa by Ikuko and Kenji scrutinizes Rei and Serena's hands, and intwined fingers, before sitting down in his chair and looking away from the two.
Serena takes a deep breath, but notices Kenji keeping his eyes averted, "Why won't you look at us, dad?" she asks.
"Isn't it obvious!" Kenji responds, looking toward the two, "Obvious that I don't wanna see my only daughter--"
"With another girl?" interrupts Rei, with a slightly annoyed look on her face.
"... Yes!" Replies Kenji, looking away again.
"Why?" Serena asks, "Does it change who I am, or make me a different person?" Kenji looks toward her, "Does my love for Rei make me any less your daughter!?" Kenji notices tears starting to fill his daughter's eyes.
"Rei and I love each other!" Serena says, her tears starting to escape her eyes, "Can't you just accept that, and be happy for me!?"
"... you're right, Serena..." Kenji relents with a sigh, "It won't be an easy thing to do, but... I'll try." He smiles and opens his arms. Serena stands and walks over to him.
Serena hugs her father and he hugs her. "I'm sorry, Serena." Kenji says, "You'll always be my little girl."
"Right." Serena agrees, smiling. The others smile and everyone shares a group-hug(This 'is' a Sailor Moon fic afterall. So, There 'has' to be some happy scenes, right?).
Afterward, Serena says, "Now, There's something else I want all of you to know." She nods to Rei, and the two walk away from the area with the furniture to a part of the room that's clear. Serena takes off her locket and holds it up in her left hand, then passes her right hand infront of it. Rei pulls out her henshin pen and holds it up.
"Moon Cosmic Power!!"
"Mars Crystal Power!!"
Both transform into their senshi personas. Of course, They have to explain everything: being senshi, the silver millennium, all of it. Afterward, They detransform.(Okay, okay, so I skipped the explanation. Were any of you really interested in hearing what you probably already know?).
"May I use the phone?" Rei asks Serena's parents. They agree and Rei goes to make her call.
"Why did you wait till now to tell us about being Sailor Moon?" Ikuko asks Serena.
"Well..." Serena replies, "We're not supposed to tell anyone, even our families. But... We have an important battle coming up pretty soon, and we were given the okay to tell our families and close friends."
During Serena's conversation...
"Hi, dad..." Rei says into the receiver.
"Rei?" her father's voice responds, "Is that you?"
"Yeah dad." she replies, "It's me. I just--"
"One moment, Rei." her father says, "All of you, get out! ... I don't care! This call is more important than the meeting!" Rei smiles a bit. "Now. What is it, Rei?"
"I wanna apologize." Rei replies, "... for what I said, the last time we talked. I--"
"No, Rei!" her father states, "I'm the one who should apologize. Your last call caught me by surprise. I know I haven't been there as a father, and... I can't claim to know what your life's been like. But, If you and this Serena are in love--"
"We are, dad!" Rei responds smiling, interrupting him, "It's so wonderful!"
"Then... As your father -though I haven't been a very good one- I support you." "And, I hope you and Serena are happy together."
"We are! Thank you dad." Rei says, smiling, "And, I haven't said this in a very long time... I love you. Goodbye..." she hangs up the phone.
~Makoto's House/Guest Room~
Later... "Ami!" Chrystya calls, sitting up and opening her eyes, "Where are you?" she reaches out infront of her with her right hand, "I-I can't see you!"
Ami takes hold of her outstretched hand and pulls it close to her face, laying it against her cheek, "Here I am." she says, "But, What's wrong with your eyes?"
Chrystya calms down and smiles when her fingers touch Ami's face. She then takes a breath, "I'm blind, Ami..."
"Why? H-how?"
"I... used my special power." Chrystya explains, "Which allows me to alter my eyesight... in this case, it allowed me to see in slow-motion. Unfortunately, afterward, I'm blind. I... I used it to find out the key-combination to open the portal to Hariel's dimension."
"You mean... You know how to use the control-band?" asks Ami.
"Yes." Chrystya replies, "Is... everyone here?"
"Uh huh." Ami says, "All but Rei and Serena. Rei said she needed to talk to Shawn about something, and Serena wanted to go with her."
"I see..." Chrystya says, pulling her hand back and laying it on the bed infront of her, "I need to talk to everyone who's here. To let them, and you, know how to use the control-band."
"Alright. I'll be right back."
Chrystya nods.
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To Be Continued...
Ramblings: Well, There's between 10 and 20 more chapters left. So, I hope there's still people out there reading this fic. And, I hope you're still enjoying it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~---------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 23: Revelations...
~Aftermath of Battle~
"Phew." Sailor Moon says, brushing the back of her right wrist across her forehead, "I'm glad that's over."
Mars nods her head in agreement, "Me too." she says, breathing a puff of air.
Toramaru folds his arms and turns his head slightly to the right, looking up toward the sky.
"NOOOOOO!!!" Damia's voices shouts, gaining the attention of the senshi. "NO!" she shouts, dashing toward Toramaru, "It's your fault--It's all your fault!"
Toramaru lowers his head and turns it to look toward the advancing Damia. He unfolds his arms and grips the handle of his longsword in a reverse-grip with his right hand, his pinky finger through the ring. As Damia nears him, she swings a left punch at him which he ducks. He steps forward with his right foot and draws his sword, cutting a gash along the left side of her waist as he does. He turns and steps to the left with his right foot. He finishes turning, facing toward Damia's back, and crouches slightly. He brings his sword across, horizontally, and cuts along the backs of her knees... all in one fluid motion.
Damia drops to her knees, her head leaned forward, "Finish it..." she says, sadness lining her voice, "I've got... nothing left to live for, anyway... now."
Toramaru reverse-grips the handle of his sword with his left hand and releases it with his right. He quickly turns the sword upright(still in reverse-grip) and re-grips the handle with his right hand in a normal grip this time, releasing it with his left hand. He brings the blade up to the left side of Damia's neck, then swings it counterclockwise above his head, gripping the handle with his left hand in the process... as if he is going to decapitate the girl.
The senshi start to say something in protest, however, Toramaru stops himself. His stopping causes the senshi to breathe a sigh of relief, and he turns away from Damia. He twirls his sword one full spin around his finger and sheathes it. Then, He begins walking away.
"Are you denying me death?" questions Damia, still looking toward the ground.
Toramaru stops, lowers his head and closes his eyes, "I long ago vowed that never again shall my blade take another human life." he says, opening his eyes, "I only kill youma, now." he continues walking.
"Raika..." Damia says, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks, "I..." she drops down, bracing on her hands, "I love you, too..." her tears landing on the concrete below.
As Toramaru passes by Sailor Moon, he asks, "Can your crystal heal her?"
"I don't know if it can or not." she responds, unsure, "Hariel's powers are pretty strong."
"I think it should be able to undo his influence." Mars says, assuringly.
Moon nods and holds up her locket in her left hand, then passes her right hand infront of it. The crystal starts glowing and it does heal Damia... it removes her hatred, Hariel's dark influence, and even the wounds inflicted on her by Toramaru. She then passes out, falling forward onto the ground.
Just as everyone's ready to breathe a sigh of relief, they hear a crash and look toward its origin... the barrier. They see movement inside and, as the smoke starts to clear, they can make out Behemoth's large fist as it crashes again against the wall of the barrier.
"Impossible!!" Lightstar states, "There's no way that thing could've survived Raika's destruction! That blast would've destroyed a hundred youma!"
With a final punch, the barrier shatters like glass. The smoke dissipates completely and reveals Behemoth, apparently unscathed. The monster roars loudly.
"!?!?!?!?" all of the senshi gasp in disbelief.
'Raika gave her life to stop that thing...' Mars thinks, clenching her hands into fists and narrowing her eyes, 'I won't let anymore of my friends...' the Ifrit gauntlets materialize and begin flaming, 'I will not let anyone else sacrifice themselves!' the flames grow more intense and gain the others' attention.
Mars' fiery bow materializes in her left hand and she raises her left arm up toward Behemoth, her index-finger pointed at the beast. She brings her right hand up alongside her left and pulls it back, creating a flaming arrow.
"Do you really believe that'll work?" quesions Uranus.
"Behemoth is seemingly invincible..." Mars says, "However, Damage its armor and it becomes as vulnerable as anyone else."
"Rei?" Sailor Moon says.
"Just watch." Mars says, aiming her arrow at a cracked area in the left side of Behemoth's chest, caused by Raika's explosion.
"Now!" she adds, "Mars Supreme Flame Sniper!" she releases her attack at Behemoth.
The arrow hits the damaged area of Behemoth's chest and lodges halfway in the beast's chest. Behemoth cries out in pain and the flaming arrow explodes, setting fire to his innards. Behemoth cries out again as he burns up, from inside-out.
Mars lowers her arms and the gauntlets disappear, "Now, It's over..." she says, then sighs slightly.
"Finally." agrees Moon. Mars looks at her and smiles.
"Are you leaving?" they hear Venus' voice ask and look to see Toramaru walking away.
He stops, "Here." he says, pitching an item over his shoulder which lands on the ground near the senshi... one of the control-bands, "You will need that to enter Hariel's dimension." "Beforehand, however," he adds, not turning around, "If any of you have friends or family, I suggest talking with them... resolve your issues, tell them about being senshi if you wish. But, most importantly... say goodbye." "For, Once we enter Hariel's dimension, we may never return."
He continues walking, "I shall be waiting when you are all prepared." he says, "And, You need not worry about having been seen. Everyone within a two-mile radius is in a deep sleep." he vanishes.
"What's with him?" questions Uranus.
"Hm. He isn't so much unlike the male tiger, from where he gets his name 'Toramaru'." Darkstar explains, "Shawn is somewhat like the tiger, who will share his meal with stray cubs, even if he doesn't know them."
"What's 'that' got to do with anything?" asks Uranus, in a slightly irritated voice.
"He lost something today. Yes, I believe it was about ten years ago..." Darkstar replies, "He met Raika and Damia, who were about 8-9 years old, in Korea. Shawn spent many years travelling the world to learn all forms of martial arts, he met them at the dojo where they all were trained together in the art of Tae Kwon Do. They looked up to him as an older brother, as he saw them as little sisters. Though he'll never shed a tear, fighting Damia and seeing Raika's death... it's saddened him."
~Hariel's Lair~
In the shadows, leaned against a wall, is a warrior with long silver hair and dressed in a near identical outfit to Toramaru's ninja-garb. His mask covers only the lower half of his face, from the bridge of his nose to the base of his neck(like Toramaru's). The primary difference in the outfits is his shinobigatana is positioned horizontally near the base of his waist. His arms are folded and his head is tilted slightly downward, 'What could you be thinking Toramaru?' he wonders 'Why would you allow your friends to walk into what you must know is a trap?'
"You! Ninja!" he hears Hariel's voice say and turns his gaze to the demon, "Prepare my generals!" Hariel orders.
The ninja nods and turns, sprinting off in a ninja-dash(my own idea: the ninja dashes with his left arm infront of him, index and middle fingers extended and thumb pointed to the right of his face).
"They are coming?" asks a voice from the darkness.
"Yes." replies Hariel.
"I look forward to feasting on their souls. Then, I shall purge this world of the human-filth that plagues it." the voice says.
"Yes. And, Endymion?" asks Hariel.
"His purpose is served. Kill him at your leisure."
"As you wish, master Soul Reaver..."
~Hospital~
"I'm sorry, guys." Ryoma says, "As much as I wish I could, I can't accompany you to Hariel's dimension."
"You're worried about Naomi, right?" asks Rei.
Ryoma nods, "I just... I can't leave her without knowing that she'll be alright."
"It's okay, Ryoma." Serena says, "We'll be fine. You stay with Naomi." she smiles at the crimson-haired girl.
"Thanks." responds Ryoma, managing to return the smile.
~Tsukino Residence/A short while later~
The doorbell rings and Ikuko answers the door, opening it to reveal Serena and Rei. "S-Serena?"
"Hi mom." Serena responds, "I've got something I need to talk to you about." "Can we come in?" she asks.
Ikuko looks back inside then back to the two girls and nods. She closes the door after they're both inside. Serena and Rei leave their shoes on the hardwood floor and step up on the carpeted area. After sitting down on the sofa, Ikuko asks, "So, What do you need to talk about?"
"Well..." Serena says, "Um, Could you get dad and Shingo? It's something I need all of you to hear."
"... alright." Ikuko responds, "Though I don't know how willing your father will be to talk to you."
"Please mom?" Serena asks again, "It's... really important."
Ikuko nods and goes to find Kenji and Shingo.
Rei notices Serena trembling slightly and takes the blonde odango-atama's right hand in her left, intwining their fingers. Serena turns her gaze to the ravenhaired priestess.
"Don't be so nervous, Serena." Rei says, bringing up her right hand and laying it along Serena's left cheek, "I'm right here with you." she gives the girl a reassuring smile.
Serena returns the smile, "Thanks Rei." she says, then leans closer to the other girl.
Rei meets her halfway, their lips pressing together in a tender kiss.
"Hahem!" Ikuko's voice interrupts the two girls.
"Oh!" Serena says, after she and Rei break their kiss, she looks toward Ikuko, "... sorry mom."
"That's... alright, I guess." Ikuko responds, "I just don't think you should do that infront of your father, though." she sits down on the second sofa, "Speaking of which, He and Shingo should be down in a few minutes." she says.
After a short while, Kenji and Shingo walk up to the corner of the sofa Ikuko's sitting on, opposite the side where the other sofa is. Shingo sits down on the sofa by Ikuko and Kenji scrutinizes Rei and Serena's hands, and intwined fingers, before sitting down in his chair and looking away from the two.
Serena takes a deep breath, but notices Kenji keeping his eyes averted, "Why won't you look at us, dad?" she asks.
"Isn't it obvious!" Kenji responds, looking toward the two, "Obvious that I don't wanna see my only daughter--"
"With another girl?" interrupts Rei, with a slightly annoyed look on her face.
"... Yes!" Replies Kenji, looking away again.
"Why?" Serena asks, "Does it change who I am, or make me a different person?" Kenji looks toward her, "Does my love for Rei make me any less your daughter!?" Kenji notices tears starting to fill his daughter's eyes.
"Rei and I love each other!" Serena says, her tears starting to escape her eyes, "Can't you just accept that, and be happy for me!?"
"... you're right, Serena..." Kenji relents with a sigh, "It won't be an easy thing to do, but... I'll try." He smiles and opens his arms. Serena stands and walks over to him.
Serena hugs her father and he hugs her. "I'm sorry, Serena." Kenji says, "You'll always be my little girl."
"Right." Serena agrees, smiling. The others smile and everyone shares a group-hug(This 'is' a Sailor Moon fic afterall. So, There 'has' to be some happy scenes, right?).
Afterward, Serena says, "Now, There's something else I want all of you to know." She nods to Rei, and the two walk away from the area with the furniture to a part of the room that's clear. Serena takes off her locket and holds it up in her left hand, then passes her right hand infront of it. Rei pulls out her henshin pen and holds it up.
"Moon Cosmic Power!!"
"Mars Crystal Power!!"
Both transform into their senshi personas. Of course, They have to explain everything: being senshi, the silver millennium, all of it. Afterward, They detransform.(Okay, okay, so I skipped the explanation. Were any of you really interested in hearing what you probably already know?).
"May I use the phone?" Rei asks Serena's parents. They agree and Rei goes to make her call.
"Why did you wait till now to tell us about being Sailor Moon?" Ikuko asks Serena.
"Well..." Serena replies, "We're not supposed to tell anyone, even our families. But... We have an important battle coming up pretty soon, and we were given the okay to tell our families and close friends."
During Serena's conversation...
"Hi, dad..." Rei says into the receiver.
"Rei?" her father's voice responds, "Is that you?"
"Yeah dad." she replies, "It's me. I just--"
"One moment, Rei." her father says, "All of you, get out! ... I don't care! This call is more important than the meeting!" Rei smiles a bit. "Now. What is it, Rei?"
"I wanna apologize." Rei replies, "... for what I said, the last time we talked. I--"
"No, Rei!" her father states, "I'm the one who should apologize. Your last call caught me by surprise. I know I haven't been there as a father, and... I can't claim to know what your life's been like. But, If you and this Serena are in love--"
"We are, dad!" Rei responds smiling, interrupting him, "It's so wonderful!"
"Then... As your father -though I haven't been a very good one- I support you." "And, I hope you and Serena are happy together."
"We are! Thank you dad." Rei says, smiling, "And, I haven't said this in a very long time... I love you. Goodbye..." she hangs up the phone.
~Makoto's House/Guest Room~
Later... "Ami!" Chrystya calls, sitting up and opening her eyes, "Where are you?" she reaches out infront of her with her right hand, "I-I can't see you!"
Ami takes hold of her outstretched hand and pulls it close to her face, laying it against her cheek, "Here I am." she says, "But, What's wrong with your eyes?"
Chrystya calms down and smiles when her fingers touch Ami's face. She then takes a breath, "I'm blind, Ami..."
"Why? H-how?"
"I... used my special power." Chrystya explains, "Which allows me to alter my eyesight... in this case, it allowed me to see in slow-motion. Unfortunately, afterward, I'm blind. I... I used it to find out the key-combination to open the portal to Hariel's dimension."
"You mean... You know how to use the control-band?" asks Ami.
"Yes." Chrystya replies, "Is... everyone here?"
"Uh huh." Ami says, "All but Rei and Serena. Rei said she needed to talk to Shawn about something, and Serena wanted to go with her."
"I see..." Chrystya says, pulling her hand back and laying it on the bed infront of her, "I need to talk to everyone who's here. To let them, and you, know how to use the control-band."
"Alright. I'll be right back."
Chrystya nods.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Be Continued...
Ramblings: Well, There's between 10 and 20 more chapters left. So, I hope there's still people out there reading this fic. And, I hope you're still enjoying it.
