Wheee! New chapter. I've been working on this one off and on during spare
time in my classes, which is the reason it's delayed, not as delayed as
some of my other chapters though. Oh, and I have nothing against Hamasaki
Ayumi, except for the fact that I find her voice very obnoxious and
squeaky.
To anyone who is wondering – I have major writers block on ALLP, and haven't been able to start the next chapter of it yet. Sorry!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wounded Souls Never Heal – Chapter 5
. . . He could hear her cries ringing through the hidden park training grounds. "Usako. . ." the nickname came out in a rasp whisper as he dashed towards her anguished cries.
"Stop! You must not go there, my prince. For they shall attack you as well without a second thought." The interrupting voice spoke strongly, and he scowled at the dark haired figure that had appeared before him.
"Pluto, move, please. . ." he muttered hoarsely as he made a move to go around her. Only to find himself blocked by the Staff of Time.
"I cannot. . ." She said softly, "I am sorry." It came out as a sorrowed whisper, as if she too could feel the pain that rushed through the soul bond that connected the Prince and his Princess.
Insults floated into the glade, quieted by the trees but otherwise easy to hear, more sobs and begging in Usagi's broken voice. Then they heard a final shriek, and rushing footsteps as the four Inner Senshi made their escape.
A cry, perhaps in the far distance, echoed back to them after being distorted from bouncing tree to tree. 'Serenity. . .!'. . .
*
Chiba Mamoru groggily blinked his eyes open as his alarm clock signaled 6:30 am in the way it did best – by blasting whatever happened to be playing on the radio at that point in time. Heaven help the DJ who had decided to play Hamasaki Ayumi at this hour in the morning. Her high- pitched squealing voice wasn't the greatest thing to wake up to after a night of nightmarish dreams.
His hand his the off button on the clock as he got up and slowly made his way to the shower, leaving pajamas in a pile on the floor and turning the tap to a desirable temperature before stepping into the small space and letting the water flow over his body. The dreams had done one good thing today, by reminding him the damned Time Guardian had finally decided to inform him that Usagi was well enough to return home. However, he had also been given another warning of what could result in the Inner Senshi found him. Not that they didn't already know where he lived. Damn Setsuna to hell, if he hadn't known her as well as he did, he'd have thought she was infatuated with him.
Then there was the appearance of Queen Selenity, something that none of them had ever expected would happen. After all, it was well known among all societies of Senshi that the Moon Queen had sacrificed herself for the sake of her people. Yet somehow, miraculously, the Queen had been reincarnated, had managed to bring to life not only her soul, but her long destroyed body as well. All done without seeming to have touched the power of the Mystical Silver Crystal. Which, as he had heard from Setsuna, would have been quite impossible anyway.
Perhaps the Queen had come to help her daughter to relocate the Crystal? It was a possibility to be sure. By the way Setsuna had spoken, Usagi was in no shape to be locating anything, let alone something that had been taken by her newfound, mutinous enemies.
Shaking his head, Mamoru finally reached for soap. This was going to be an interesting day.
*
Usagi grumbled as she walked through the sliding glass, hospital doors and into the sunlight beyond. She quickly stole a glance at her mother, who was walking with her head held high and not showing any discomfort with the close proximity of the Outers bodies to theirs. Perhaps she was used to it, but it annoyed the hell out of Usagi.
For the arrangements were definitely not desirable for the two Royals. The Outers had them walking in a tight cross shape, Setsuna in the lead, with Usagi and her Queen mother walking on her right, and Haruka on her left. To the right of Selenity, stood Michiru, and coming up closely on their heels was Hotaru.
Usagi grumbled again, this time earning a reproving glare from her mother. "It is for your own good, Princess." The Queen replied lightly.
"But. . . But!" But Usagi couldn't actually find a valid argument as to why the Senshi shouldn't walk this close. It was for her protection after all and it wasn't as if she was claustrophobic or anything of the sort. That would have been an idea though, if it weren't for her mother's presence, and the knowledge that she would simply be carried against her will if this formation didn't work. It didn't help her at all that the Outer Senshi were far more over protective than the Inners ever had been. Though it could be good at times, at this moment it simply wasn't.
"It's not like they're going to ambush us or something. . . They're not stupid." Usagi muttered, hoping that whoever heard would do something about moving slightly to give her more room.
"You don't know that," Haruka replied.
"We must be constantly on guard, lest there be unwanted consequences." The serious tone in Michiru's voice made Usagi shudder. In a way, it was better that they did this. For Usagi's fears of being attacked again were still high, and she could still feel the lashings of their attacks on her skin. In the night the memories replayed within her mind, placing her back in the glade, back in the rain, and replacing the injuries on her body. She had woken up crying again and again, though it seemed that some evil in her subconscious had timed it, for there was never anyone in her room when she awoke. Never anyone there to quell her fears of being hurt again.
Perhaps it had simply been her environment, and it would be better once she was back in her own bed. Something made her doubt it. With her Senshi constantly there at the hospital, Usagi had felt safe, knowing that they would be more than capable of fighting off anyone who dared try and hurt her again. When her mother appeared, that sense of safety had increased, her mother's gentle yet powerful aura had always calmed her in her past life. Yet now that she was going home, her fears had returned and seemed to have increased.
Why then, was she complaining about the walking arrangements? Simple. One, they had just passed her favourite doughnut shop as well as the Crown Arcade. Two, when she was in the hospital bed they were never this close to her, and the third reason? Hotaru kept nearly stepping on her heels.
So, as uncomfortable as she was, Usagi kept walking. In an odd way, this simple annoyance was soothing to her injured soul. It kept in tact the knowledge that there would always be people there for her, whether they were acting as friends or pride bound guardians. In her case, the Outer Senshi were both, and it comforted her to know this.
*
Yet somewhere else, one person was not comforted at all. She was quite the opposite. She simply sat in the same position she had been in for the weeks since Usagi's attack. Staring at the wall of her bedroom, where a long sword hung, surrounded by a golden chain of hearts. Something within was tormenting her, telling her to leave to room and obey, but something only slightly stronger, fought it back. Barely. As so, the blond haired, blue-eyed teenager remained seated on her bed, staring at the sword, as if in a trance.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yay! I finished another chapter! Although they seem to be getting shorter, I promise that as I allow myself to reveal more information, the chapters will get much longer. Or at least a bit longer. . .
Reviewers are forever loved.
To anyone who is wondering – I have major writers block on ALLP, and haven't been able to start the next chapter of it yet. Sorry!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wounded Souls Never Heal – Chapter 5
. . . He could hear her cries ringing through the hidden park training grounds. "Usako. . ." the nickname came out in a rasp whisper as he dashed towards her anguished cries.
"Stop! You must not go there, my prince. For they shall attack you as well without a second thought." The interrupting voice spoke strongly, and he scowled at the dark haired figure that had appeared before him.
"Pluto, move, please. . ." he muttered hoarsely as he made a move to go around her. Only to find himself blocked by the Staff of Time.
"I cannot. . ." She said softly, "I am sorry." It came out as a sorrowed whisper, as if she too could feel the pain that rushed through the soul bond that connected the Prince and his Princess.
Insults floated into the glade, quieted by the trees but otherwise easy to hear, more sobs and begging in Usagi's broken voice. Then they heard a final shriek, and rushing footsteps as the four Inner Senshi made their escape.
A cry, perhaps in the far distance, echoed back to them after being distorted from bouncing tree to tree. 'Serenity. . .!'. . .
*
Chiba Mamoru groggily blinked his eyes open as his alarm clock signaled 6:30 am in the way it did best – by blasting whatever happened to be playing on the radio at that point in time. Heaven help the DJ who had decided to play Hamasaki Ayumi at this hour in the morning. Her high- pitched squealing voice wasn't the greatest thing to wake up to after a night of nightmarish dreams.
His hand his the off button on the clock as he got up and slowly made his way to the shower, leaving pajamas in a pile on the floor and turning the tap to a desirable temperature before stepping into the small space and letting the water flow over his body. The dreams had done one good thing today, by reminding him the damned Time Guardian had finally decided to inform him that Usagi was well enough to return home. However, he had also been given another warning of what could result in the Inner Senshi found him. Not that they didn't already know where he lived. Damn Setsuna to hell, if he hadn't known her as well as he did, he'd have thought she was infatuated with him.
Then there was the appearance of Queen Selenity, something that none of them had ever expected would happen. After all, it was well known among all societies of Senshi that the Moon Queen had sacrificed herself for the sake of her people. Yet somehow, miraculously, the Queen had been reincarnated, had managed to bring to life not only her soul, but her long destroyed body as well. All done without seeming to have touched the power of the Mystical Silver Crystal. Which, as he had heard from Setsuna, would have been quite impossible anyway.
Perhaps the Queen had come to help her daughter to relocate the Crystal? It was a possibility to be sure. By the way Setsuna had spoken, Usagi was in no shape to be locating anything, let alone something that had been taken by her newfound, mutinous enemies.
Shaking his head, Mamoru finally reached for soap. This was going to be an interesting day.
*
Usagi grumbled as she walked through the sliding glass, hospital doors and into the sunlight beyond. She quickly stole a glance at her mother, who was walking with her head held high and not showing any discomfort with the close proximity of the Outers bodies to theirs. Perhaps she was used to it, but it annoyed the hell out of Usagi.
For the arrangements were definitely not desirable for the two Royals. The Outers had them walking in a tight cross shape, Setsuna in the lead, with Usagi and her Queen mother walking on her right, and Haruka on her left. To the right of Selenity, stood Michiru, and coming up closely on their heels was Hotaru.
Usagi grumbled again, this time earning a reproving glare from her mother. "It is for your own good, Princess." The Queen replied lightly.
"But. . . But!" But Usagi couldn't actually find a valid argument as to why the Senshi shouldn't walk this close. It was for her protection after all and it wasn't as if she was claustrophobic or anything of the sort. That would have been an idea though, if it weren't for her mother's presence, and the knowledge that she would simply be carried against her will if this formation didn't work. It didn't help her at all that the Outer Senshi were far more over protective than the Inners ever had been. Though it could be good at times, at this moment it simply wasn't.
"It's not like they're going to ambush us or something. . . They're not stupid." Usagi muttered, hoping that whoever heard would do something about moving slightly to give her more room.
"You don't know that," Haruka replied.
"We must be constantly on guard, lest there be unwanted consequences." The serious tone in Michiru's voice made Usagi shudder. In a way, it was better that they did this. For Usagi's fears of being attacked again were still high, and she could still feel the lashings of their attacks on her skin. In the night the memories replayed within her mind, placing her back in the glade, back in the rain, and replacing the injuries on her body. She had woken up crying again and again, though it seemed that some evil in her subconscious had timed it, for there was never anyone in her room when she awoke. Never anyone there to quell her fears of being hurt again.
Perhaps it had simply been her environment, and it would be better once she was back in her own bed. Something made her doubt it. With her Senshi constantly there at the hospital, Usagi had felt safe, knowing that they would be more than capable of fighting off anyone who dared try and hurt her again. When her mother appeared, that sense of safety had increased, her mother's gentle yet powerful aura had always calmed her in her past life. Yet now that she was going home, her fears had returned and seemed to have increased.
Why then, was she complaining about the walking arrangements? Simple. One, they had just passed her favourite doughnut shop as well as the Crown Arcade. Two, when she was in the hospital bed they were never this close to her, and the third reason? Hotaru kept nearly stepping on her heels.
So, as uncomfortable as she was, Usagi kept walking. In an odd way, this simple annoyance was soothing to her injured soul. It kept in tact the knowledge that there would always be people there for her, whether they were acting as friends or pride bound guardians. In her case, the Outer Senshi were both, and it comforted her to know this.
*
Yet somewhere else, one person was not comforted at all. She was quite the opposite. She simply sat in the same position she had been in for the weeks since Usagi's attack. Staring at the wall of her bedroom, where a long sword hung, surrounded by a golden chain of hearts. Something within was tormenting her, telling her to leave to room and obey, but something only slightly stronger, fought it back. Barely. As so, the blond haired, blue-eyed teenager remained seated on her bed, staring at the sword, as if in a trance.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yay! I finished another chapter! Although they seem to be getting shorter, I promise that as I allow myself to reveal more information, the chapters will get much longer. Or at least a bit longer. . .
Reviewers are forever loved.