Road To Discovery ~ Chapter 2 ~ Ouvre tes yeux
"...Naru?"
Echoes.
Murmurs.
Bleeps.
"Naru-san! Can you hear me?" Soft... Voice... I slowly opened my eyes, only to suddenly jerk my hands to block the intense light in my eyes. "Oh, sorry." Opening my eyes again, I notice the blazing light has gone to be replaced by a kind woman in blue. She smiles softly and asks the three simple words of caring, "Are you alright?" I slowly nod my head and try to get up from the comfy bed, only to get a head rush. Clutching my head in retaliation as I got up anyway, I stabled myself with a hand on the bedside table. I see that the main light was off, only the dim light of the bedside lamp formed shadows around me.
The kind lady turns the lights on again with a flick of her wrist and I see her properly. "Not again..." I mumbled as my eyes roll back and my head bangs against the pillow to be filled with instant images. Another girl of 14, she had kind eyes, but they were constantly stuck onto a textbook. She wanted to be... a doctor. Like her mother. She was a scholar, and an excellent swimmer... and looked so much like the kind lady...
Just as the images halted, I clutched my head again as the kind lady in the Senshi fuku gave me a drink to calm my nerves. Since she was in blue, I assumed she was Sailor Mercury as she turned away from me and I watched in curiosity for what she was doing. Holding the palms of her hands upwards, a small snowflake appeared a couple of inches above them and rotated. Soon the snowflake grew outwards until it appeared like a shimmering, frozen CD. Closing her hands the ice compacted into a ball and she wrapped it in cloth saying,
"You have a headache, I presume?" I nodded and grasped the ice, placing it onto my head gently. "Leave it on for about 5 minutes and then hold it away, you don't want a head freeze!" I smile weakly and nod. The door opened again and another Senshi, this time in purple entered the room. She had black hair cut to her chin, and purple eyes of age and innocence. "Hello Saturn, would you like some more work experience?" The Senshi nodded her head, and sat by my bed.
I could tell instantly that this girl was different to the other Senshi. She was much younger, and I could practically _feel_ her power radiating off of her as though it was rippling from her like a heat wave. She was obscure, which made me think immediately of Rei. Maybe they'd get along, well, unless their method of conversation was... none at all.
"I don't think a girl with a head ache will help you in medical practice, Saturn. Why don't you go into Ward B and tell me how Miyasaki-san is doing?" Saturn faintly smiled to Mercury and left saying, "Thanks, get well soon, Arbitrator."
...
Huh?
...
"You'll have to excuse Senshi Saturn, Naru-san." Mercury said, holding onto my arm as she guided me to my feet. "She has the ability to see a person beyond their exterior self. Obviously she saw yours, just as she sees us as our anterior selves." I cocked an eyebrow in confusion and hoped that all the Senshi didn't talk in gibberish. What was the point in talking, when your target audience didn't understand a word you say? "What was it that made you collapse, Naru-san?"
Should I tell her? I told Makoto... "I just get these memories." I say, staring at my hands. I glanced to my so-called-doctor and I could tell she wanted more from me. "...or so I think. I only seem to get them when I see you guys." Mercury smiled warmly to me as she guided me around the Palace.
"Anything else?"
I laughed nervously and wrung my fingers around each other. "Well..." I started. "There was _one_ vision that didn't fit with the others." I paused, unwilling to continue. This will _really_ get her to send me to the insane asylum. "But I think I was dreaming!" Mercury stopped and I followed suit. She looked at me sternly and her blue eyes flashed danger. I can feel myself cringing in fright; her eyes just turn into some kind of orbs filled with ice and strict rules.
"What was your dream?"
Damn.
"I...It...It was a city in the tree canopy of a jungle." I avoided gesturing the expanse of my dream with my hands. Don't really want to enforce their reason to think I'm crazy do I? "Erm...multicoloured flowers, huge trees, and...like I said, a city in the trees." Suddenly Mercury grasped my shoulders and pushed me through a pair of large and ornate doors and my gasp caught in my throat. "Oh My God..." I murmur in shock.
A huge area of pink and white startled me, and the dome ceiling glinted with crystal chandeliers. On the walls were numerous paintings of the Moon family and I saw the two legendary Outer Senshi standing between the doorways leading out of the room behind the throne. The large throne was made from crystal that glinted rainbows as the light shone through it. On the throne, leaning over a high table with plenty of paperwork to last a lifetime, was the very Neo-Queen Serenity. She wore her blonde hair done into the royal odangoes and wore the royal robes. Next to her and lending a helping hand was her husband, Endymion-sama and Small Lady sat on the throne, happily eating some ice cream while talking to her very own kitty advisor.
Mercury continued to make me march up to the throne, and we stopped below the table as I looked high up. "Serenity-chan!" Mercury called, and the queen peered over the edge.
"Ami-chan!" Serenity replied happily and her eyes landed on mine. For a second I thought she'd ask who I was, but she grinned and ran down of the steps. Startled, the woman jumped into my arms exclaiming, "Naru-chan! It's been ages!"
"Wha-?" I stuttered, completely taken by surprise. What _was_ this? I'm being _hugged_ by the queen! And she took me as a good friend! I released myself from the queen's arms, trying not to seem rude. "I...I don't know what you mean!"
Serenity's eyes became hollow. "You don't remember?"
"I...I might."
"Hm." The queen looked at me square-shouldered. "Ever since the freeze-over we thought it was best to leave you to get used to living once again as a normal girl." The queen paused, as though lost in her thoughts. I wonder what they were on about? "We've been waiting for you to remember by yourself, and I've missed you, my best friend."
I stared. What was this all about?! I stared pleadingly to Mercury as she left the large room with a small wave. Great. Now I'm alone with a deluded queen.
"Happy Birthday Naru-chan!" The woman exclaimed, and both the Outer Senshi approached with a present each. The one dressed in marine blue handed Serenity some kind of locket. The Senshi took a step back and smiled warmly to me. Serenity grinned as she handed it to me, "I'm sorry we didn't wrap it. Hope you'll like it!" I opened my palm and saw a silver round locket, with a sunflower inscribed into it. I hung it around my neck as it dangled to my chest and I noticed it sparkle. Picking it up again, I saw a small catch. Opening it, I saw an old picture, of me, I think, in Junior High uniform next to another girl with blonde hair done into odangoes. I looked up to Serenity as she smiled. "That was the year 1993. We had fun then, do you like it?"
I nodded dumbly. She beamed in return. "I...I...Thank you!"
The other Senshi, Uranus I think, winked at me, and handed something else to Serenity. With her hands covering it, she was about to put whatever it was around my wrist when the doors slammed open. A red-haired woman in an oriental style of dress, flanked by three other women, each in a strange, different kind of leather Senshi fuku rushed to my former best friend.
"Kakyuu-hime?" Serenity asked a little shocked. The queen stepped forward to the woman and they greeted, albeit a little tensely.
"I'm sorry Serenity-sama, I couldn't do anything!" The woman sobbed, bringing Serenity down to the polished floors and sobbing into her crystalline dress. Endymion, who noticed the commotion, stepped two at a time down the stairs with Small Lady clutching his hand.
"What's going on? Starlights? Kakyuu-hime?!"
"I'm sorry!" The woman yelped again as the queen tried to comfort her, glancing to Endymion for help. He nodded and stepped to the Starlights.
"As much as I appreciate you coming to visit, but-"The women clad in black leather held up their hands for him to stop his speech when the one with white hair and green eyes said,
"This isn't a social call." Her voice was calm yet lazy, and another of the three continued,
"Our planet received an attack, run by the man–with–no-name."
"Maker? Healer? Fighter? What happened?" Serenity asked from the floor. I explained as far as I could tell the problem and she blanched. I saw her blue eyes move to the Outer Senshi and they came up to me and started to take me out of the room.
"This is confidential." Uranus said. "Don't worry though."
"You'll find out about it soon anyway." Neptune finished. They smiled to me and re-entered the room, leaving in the huge halls of the Palace. What was I meant to do now? If I was going to find out about it soon, then why not now?! I sighed as I realised that I didn't even get the second present...This must be the weirdest but at the same time best present for my birthday.
I wandered through the spacious halls and came across the external structure of the Palace. Completely made of crystal so that you felt as though you were outside. I wonder what it'd be like while it was raining...I'd give anything to live in a place like this. But I'd probably get lost all the time. I sniggered to myself at the thought of the queen getting lost in her own accommodation. The halls were busy at least, so she would ask someone, but this hall wasn't... It was less taken care of too. No paintings, just dirtied white walls framed around myself and wooden doors were at my side. Suddenly one of them opened for the shock of my life.
"Toji?" I asked, my eyes widening as I saw him in the flesh, in the Palace. Dark blue eyes glinted in surprise and the small area of where you actually see his eyes widened a little.
"The...The one and only." He replied. I had to commend him for his smart attire, even though they seemed a little on the servant side. "What are ya doin' 'ere?" I giggled inwardly as that accent seemed familiar.
"I...I..." I stutter, completely at a loss for words. So I hit the question back at him. "What are _you_ doing here?"
"I...I live 'ere."
"Really? So do I!" I blurt. Lie lie lie liar liar liar! Why did I have to say that?!
"I've...er...never seen ya around."
"That's because I...only just came!" I was nervously laughing to myself. I just knew it. "Yesterday!" I can't believe I said that. Luckily common sense took over as I refrained from slapping myself. "And I went out partying with my friends last night to celebrate."
"Cool. Where do you come from?"
"Erm...England. I'm a princess." LIIIIAAAARRR!!!!! I wonder if he can read minds...? Nope, that's the easy way out.
"Really?" He says, and I take note that it drips with sarcasm.
"Hey! You think I'm lying?! What about you?"
"I'm from America. I'm a duke."
"A duke." He nods. "From America." He nods, albeit uneasily. "You do realise that they don't do dukes in America." I laughed in triumph and he gasped at his capture. "Come on, what are you doing here? For real." I could see his Adam's apple move at his gulp and he sighed in defeat.
"I'm an...assistant for Senshi Mars."
"I see." I replied, as he looked a little sour faced. Something was amiss, why was he dressed like a servant? Aren't assistants usually in suits? Oh well. "Hey! Don't put yourself down! Being an assistant of an important person is good! You have high status!" Now if only I could tell the truth...
"I suppose I'll hafta look up to ya now huh? You bein' a princess an' all..." He grumbled.
I laughed... to my dismay...shrilly, but inside it was nervousness as I replied, "Don't worry, you can be my friend!" I saw him wander off and I asked, "Where are you going?" I caught up to him, but he remained resolute to the corridor ahead of him. "Hey!" He whipped his face to mine and said,
"I'm doing my job." Whipping his face back in front of him, he continued, "I'm going to Mars' quarters to help. You should go to your own." I stopped in my tracks as he continued because of the harshness in his voice. What's up with him? Running after his speed walking, I noticed he was limping and I stated the answer he didn't want to hear.
"No." I could see him gritting his teeth; I have that effect on some people. "Besides, why are you limping?" He abruptly stopped and closed his eyes which I'm sure was his way to block out some thoughts. Snapping his eyes open, he replied,
"I have my reasons."
"Come on! Tell me!"
He turned to me and hissed, "Ya know I dun like your personali'y change."
"You're going to have to get used to it." I responded smugly, though I have no idea why, he was limping and I was prying. It's not good to pry. Oh well. "Tell me?" I give him my Bambi eyes and flutter my eyelashes. Unfortunately I didn't get the desired effect.
"You don't want to know."
"I do."
"No you don't." He stopped at a red coated door and held the doorknob for more time than was necessary and to my astonishment, it glowed. I suppose it was a replacement for the ol' card swish thing. He opened the door and bowed a little and a voice came from inside.
"Oh hi Toji-kun. Could you get to the bathroom? I had a shower but I spilled my conditioner. It's quite a mess, I'm sorry." He nodded again but said,
"No need to apologise." The voice in that room, it hit me. Long raven hair, religious chants, exotic eyes...a name.
Rei.
Unfortunately the door closed. I tried placing my hand on the doorknob, but I got a searing hot pang to welcome me. Damn. Guess I'll have to wait. Nowhere else to go. Don't even know _how_ to get out. I slid down to the marble floor and leaned against the door, knocking lazily on the door.
Funny, he's not an assistant. What kind of an assistant tidies their boss's quarters? I stared out into the sunshine through the walls and felt overwhelmingly good for some reason. Maybe it was the incense wafting through the door. I looked down at my hand and realised that it was red and sore. I prodded it, and the pain seared up my arm. Owy.
"Ah!" The door I was leaning on suddenly opened and I fell backward to the feet of a woman in red high heels. She glared down at me with violet exotic eyes. I held my head from the rush and bump from the floor saying my apologies.
"Osaka-san?" The woman asked. I quickly got to my feet and bowed respectfully. Erm, now how do I put that the almighty Senshi of Mars used to be an acquaintance a while ago? At least I think...
"Erm..." I twisted my fingers in nervousness. Taking a deep breathe, I continued, careful to keep my eyes off of hers. "Are you called Rei?" I stifled a snigger as I noticed her eyebrows shoot under her fringe. Uh oh. Dammit! Why do I have to be so naïve??? She's being _condescending_!
"What gives you the right to call me that?" Surprisingly, there was no malice in her tone, and I breathed a small sigh of relief. I didn't want to be on the receiving end of her magic. I laugh nervously and bow politely.
"I'm terribly sorry Sailor Mars, I didn't mean to sound rude." With every word, I bent a little lower for further respects, surprising myself that my nose was at my knees. When did I become so flexible? Pushing that thought aside, I frowned as I heard the Senshi burst into laughter. Snapping up, I gave the Senshi a piece of my mind. "When did I become a comedy act?!" I pointed a finger to her threateningly, to which I was _definitely_ not supposed to, and continued, "If you want to be anything but civil then you can shove your fire arrow right up your ass!" That didn't go _quite_ the way it was supposed to go. Urgh. I'm such a hypocrite. When did _I_ become anything but civil? I laid my head in my hand in self-shame. I had told off a _Senshi_. Right now, I'm probably gonna be fried, dragged through the grounds and fed to the sharks. Clever ol' me.
I'm such an ass.
Wah! I jumped a little as the woman took my wrist and dragged me instead into her quarters decorated in flames and red tapestry. This was _not_ what I was expecting. Anything but being dragged into her quarters. Mars pushed me into her plush red couch and walked to the mirror, and tamed her flowing raven hair. She looked up and eyed me through the mirror.
"I'm sure you're thinking right now that you should be punished?" I nodded dumbly. Woo hoo! I'm not such an ass! "No, you're right. You _are_ a fool." Telepathic? Scary. Better not think of anything offensive... How hard is that?! "But we're not here to punish civilians. We protect them. So, what do we have to protect you from?" She paused and I stared. She turned and stared back at me. "For a long time now we have had a crisis in the code name LCL department of ensuring that those returning to separate entities do not remember what actually happened. The person, who controls where the people go and erases the memories, is growing tired. She needs a successor to take over her position and let her rest in peace. When she saw you, she knew that she'd have to keep an eye on you. To ensure that you wouldn't return in your sleep. I'm sure you've had dreams, visions maybe of that world. Haven't you?" I distinctly heard nothing from the bathroom, and I turned my head that ways. Understanding my worry, Mars yelled, "Toji-kun! Get on with your work!"
"Yes ma'am!" Came the reply and the clamour of dusting and cleaning returned.
She turned back at me, expecting an answer. I nodded, and stared into my lap. Why do I have to be such an idiot. An outburst – embarrassment – outburst – embarrassment – outburst... but I always finish with being embarrassed. Suddenly I found myself looking into the eyes of Mars, as she leant down and stared sympathetically.
"What was your vision?"
"A city in the trees..." I mumbled, but Mars must've heard, since she got up from kneeling in front of me and nodded in satisfaction.
"Okay, have you met Serenity yet?" I nodded, my voice box refusing to vibrate. "Good, let's go see your guides." She gestured for me to follow, but I glanced nervously to the bathroom, where I saw part of an eye in the crack of the door. I smiled a little, and I caught up to Mars, noticing her red high heels. Ouch. She has to battle in those?! What happens if she's standing on a grill? I hate to think. Then again, she's probably used to it by now.
"Um, if you don't mind me asking," I started, "Why do I need guides?" She didn't look at me, but she smiled enigmatically. I resisted the urge to tear at my hair. Nothing is more frustrating than having to be in the dark on matters concerning yourself! This entire Palace is full of Ayanamis! HEEEELLLP!!! Instead of venting out my confusion, I grunted and kept my evil eye to the marble floor, half expecting the patterns to form into a face sticking its tongue out.
"Rei-chan!" someone yelled behind us, and we turned to face a blonde smiling brightly. "Hi Naru-san!" I couldn't help but smile. Rei looked down to me and said,
"I guess you were right that my name is Rei."
"I have another friend called Rei. Your personalities are rather different though."
I scowled inside as I saw her smirk in knowledge. "I'm sure."
"You know her?"
"You could say that." Mars replied, smiling to herself smugly. Where has my sudden temper come from? This Palace? I never used to be on such a short fuse. What is wrong with me? Okay, breathe girl, breathe. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Regain. Your. Cool.
"Are you taking her to meet those three?" Venus asked Mars, who nodded. "Great." Venus opened what I assumed was a communicator and said through it, "Mars and I are taking the Arbitrator to the exit, where she'll meet Ikari, Soryu, Ayanami and Katsuragi. You guys wanna join?" She closed the watch and beamed to me. O...kay. Ayanami, Ikari and Soryu??? Why am I going to see them? Is this what they do during their absence? And who the hell was Katsuragi? Am I going to find out?
Maybe.
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This chapter's a lil' on the short side, but I hope you enjoy nehow! I noticed there aren't many evangelion/sailor moon crossovers on the sailor moon crossovers section. Quite surprised really. I mean, what was there before Harry Potter?
Oh well, I guess I'm supplying you readers with a little variety! Which I HOPE YOU'LL BE THANKFUL!!! Neway, I'll stop my rant, and please REVIEW!!! [;P)
Juni Juni
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"...Naru?"
Echoes.
Murmurs.
Bleeps.
"Naru-san! Can you hear me?" Soft... Voice... I slowly opened my eyes, only to suddenly jerk my hands to block the intense light in my eyes. "Oh, sorry." Opening my eyes again, I notice the blazing light has gone to be replaced by a kind woman in blue. She smiles softly and asks the three simple words of caring, "Are you alright?" I slowly nod my head and try to get up from the comfy bed, only to get a head rush. Clutching my head in retaliation as I got up anyway, I stabled myself with a hand on the bedside table. I see that the main light was off, only the dim light of the bedside lamp formed shadows around me.
The kind lady turns the lights on again with a flick of her wrist and I see her properly. "Not again..." I mumbled as my eyes roll back and my head bangs against the pillow to be filled with instant images. Another girl of 14, she had kind eyes, but they were constantly stuck onto a textbook. She wanted to be... a doctor. Like her mother. She was a scholar, and an excellent swimmer... and looked so much like the kind lady...
Just as the images halted, I clutched my head again as the kind lady in the Senshi fuku gave me a drink to calm my nerves. Since she was in blue, I assumed she was Sailor Mercury as she turned away from me and I watched in curiosity for what she was doing. Holding the palms of her hands upwards, a small snowflake appeared a couple of inches above them and rotated. Soon the snowflake grew outwards until it appeared like a shimmering, frozen CD. Closing her hands the ice compacted into a ball and she wrapped it in cloth saying,
"You have a headache, I presume?" I nodded and grasped the ice, placing it onto my head gently. "Leave it on for about 5 minutes and then hold it away, you don't want a head freeze!" I smile weakly and nod. The door opened again and another Senshi, this time in purple entered the room. She had black hair cut to her chin, and purple eyes of age and innocence. "Hello Saturn, would you like some more work experience?" The Senshi nodded her head, and sat by my bed.
I could tell instantly that this girl was different to the other Senshi. She was much younger, and I could practically _feel_ her power radiating off of her as though it was rippling from her like a heat wave. She was obscure, which made me think immediately of Rei. Maybe they'd get along, well, unless their method of conversation was... none at all.
"I don't think a girl with a head ache will help you in medical practice, Saturn. Why don't you go into Ward B and tell me how Miyasaki-san is doing?" Saturn faintly smiled to Mercury and left saying, "Thanks, get well soon, Arbitrator."
...
Huh?
...
"You'll have to excuse Senshi Saturn, Naru-san." Mercury said, holding onto my arm as she guided me to my feet. "She has the ability to see a person beyond their exterior self. Obviously she saw yours, just as she sees us as our anterior selves." I cocked an eyebrow in confusion and hoped that all the Senshi didn't talk in gibberish. What was the point in talking, when your target audience didn't understand a word you say? "What was it that made you collapse, Naru-san?"
Should I tell her? I told Makoto... "I just get these memories." I say, staring at my hands. I glanced to my so-called-doctor and I could tell she wanted more from me. "...or so I think. I only seem to get them when I see you guys." Mercury smiled warmly to me as she guided me around the Palace.
"Anything else?"
I laughed nervously and wrung my fingers around each other. "Well..." I started. "There was _one_ vision that didn't fit with the others." I paused, unwilling to continue. This will _really_ get her to send me to the insane asylum. "But I think I was dreaming!" Mercury stopped and I followed suit. She looked at me sternly and her blue eyes flashed danger. I can feel myself cringing in fright; her eyes just turn into some kind of orbs filled with ice and strict rules.
"What was your dream?"
Damn.
"I...It...It was a city in the tree canopy of a jungle." I avoided gesturing the expanse of my dream with my hands. Don't really want to enforce their reason to think I'm crazy do I? "Erm...multicoloured flowers, huge trees, and...like I said, a city in the trees." Suddenly Mercury grasped my shoulders and pushed me through a pair of large and ornate doors and my gasp caught in my throat. "Oh My God..." I murmur in shock.
A huge area of pink and white startled me, and the dome ceiling glinted with crystal chandeliers. On the walls were numerous paintings of the Moon family and I saw the two legendary Outer Senshi standing between the doorways leading out of the room behind the throne. The large throne was made from crystal that glinted rainbows as the light shone through it. On the throne, leaning over a high table with plenty of paperwork to last a lifetime, was the very Neo-Queen Serenity. She wore her blonde hair done into the royal odangoes and wore the royal robes. Next to her and lending a helping hand was her husband, Endymion-sama and Small Lady sat on the throne, happily eating some ice cream while talking to her very own kitty advisor.
Mercury continued to make me march up to the throne, and we stopped below the table as I looked high up. "Serenity-chan!" Mercury called, and the queen peered over the edge.
"Ami-chan!" Serenity replied happily and her eyes landed on mine. For a second I thought she'd ask who I was, but she grinned and ran down of the steps. Startled, the woman jumped into my arms exclaiming, "Naru-chan! It's been ages!"
"Wha-?" I stuttered, completely taken by surprise. What _was_ this? I'm being _hugged_ by the queen! And she took me as a good friend! I released myself from the queen's arms, trying not to seem rude. "I...I don't know what you mean!"
Serenity's eyes became hollow. "You don't remember?"
"I...I might."
"Hm." The queen looked at me square-shouldered. "Ever since the freeze-over we thought it was best to leave you to get used to living once again as a normal girl." The queen paused, as though lost in her thoughts. I wonder what they were on about? "We've been waiting for you to remember by yourself, and I've missed you, my best friend."
I stared. What was this all about?! I stared pleadingly to Mercury as she left the large room with a small wave. Great. Now I'm alone with a deluded queen.
"Happy Birthday Naru-chan!" The woman exclaimed, and both the Outer Senshi approached with a present each. The one dressed in marine blue handed Serenity some kind of locket. The Senshi took a step back and smiled warmly to me. Serenity grinned as she handed it to me, "I'm sorry we didn't wrap it. Hope you'll like it!" I opened my palm and saw a silver round locket, with a sunflower inscribed into it. I hung it around my neck as it dangled to my chest and I noticed it sparkle. Picking it up again, I saw a small catch. Opening it, I saw an old picture, of me, I think, in Junior High uniform next to another girl with blonde hair done into odangoes. I looked up to Serenity as she smiled. "That was the year 1993. We had fun then, do you like it?"
I nodded dumbly. She beamed in return. "I...I...Thank you!"
The other Senshi, Uranus I think, winked at me, and handed something else to Serenity. With her hands covering it, she was about to put whatever it was around my wrist when the doors slammed open. A red-haired woman in an oriental style of dress, flanked by three other women, each in a strange, different kind of leather Senshi fuku rushed to my former best friend.
"Kakyuu-hime?" Serenity asked a little shocked. The queen stepped forward to the woman and they greeted, albeit a little tensely.
"I'm sorry Serenity-sama, I couldn't do anything!" The woman sobbed, bringing Serenity down to the polished floors and sobbing into her crystalline dress. Endymion, who noticed the commotion, stepped two at a time down the stairs with Small Lady clutching his hand.
"What's going on? Starlights? Kakyuu-hime?!"
"I'm sorry!" The woman yelped again as the queen tried to comfort her, glancing to Endymion for help. He nodded and stepped to the Starlights.
"As much as I appreciate you coming to visit, but-"The women clad in black leather held up their hands for him to stop his speech when the one with white hair and green eyes said,
"This isn't a social call." Her voice was calm yet lazy, and another of the three continued,
"Our planet received an attack, run by the man–with–no-name."
"Maker? Healer? Fighter? What happened?" Serenity asked from the floor. I explained as far as I could tell the problem and she blanched. I saw her blue eyes move to the Outer Senshi and they came up to me and started to take me out of the room.
"This is confidential." Uranus said. "Don't worry though."
"You'll find out about it soon anyway." Neptune finished. They smiled to me and re-entered the room, leaving in the huge halls of the Palace. What was I meant to do now? If I was going to find out about it soon, then why not now?! I sighed as I realised that I didn't even get the second present...This must be the weirdest but at the same time best present for my birthday.
I wandered through the spacious halls and came across the external structure of the Palace. Completely made of crystal so that you felt as though you were outside. I wonder what it'd be like while it was raining...I'd give anything to live in a place like this. But I'd probably get lost all the time. I sniggered to myself at the thought of the queen getting lost in her own accommodation. The halls were busy at least, so she would ask someone, but this hall wasn't... It was less taken care of too. No paintings, just dirtied white walls framed around myself and wooden doors were at my side. Suddenly one of them opened for the shock of my life.
"Toji?" I asked, my eyes widening as I saw him in the flesh, in the Palace. Dark blue eyes glinted in surprise and the small area of where you actually see his eyes widened a little.
"The...The one and only." He replied. I had to commend him for his smart attire, even though they seemed a little on the servant side. "What are ya doin' 'ere?" I giggled inwardly as that accent seemed familiar.
"I...I..." I stutter, completely at a loss for words. So I hit the question back at him. "What are _you_ doing here?"
"I...I live 'ere."
"Really? So do I!" I blurt. Lie lie lie liar liar liar! Why did I have to say that?!
"I've...er...never seen ya around."
"That's because I...only just came!" I was nervously laughing to myself. I just knew it. "Yesterday!" I can't believe I said that. Luckily common sense took over as I refrained from slapping myself. "And I went out partying with my friends last night to celebrate."
"Cool. Where do you come from?"
"Erm...England. I'm a princess." LIIIIAAAARRR!!!!! I wonder if he can read minds...? Nope, that's the easy way out.
"Really?" He says, and I take note that it drips with sarcasm.
"Hey! You think I'm lying?! What about you?"
"I'm from America. I'm a duke."
"A duke." He nods. "From America." He nods, albeit uneasily. "You do realise that they don't do dukes in America." I laughed in triumph and he gasped at his capture. "Come on, what are you doing here? For real." I could see his Adam's apple move at his gulp and he sighed in defeat.
"I'm an...assistant for Senshi Mars."
"I see." I replied, as he looked a little sour faced. Something was amiss, why was he dressed like a servant? Aren't assistants usually in suits? Oh well. "Hey! Don't put yourself down! Being an assistant of an important person is good! You have high status!" Now if only I could tell the truth...
"I suppose I'll hafta look up to ya now huh? You bein' a princess an' all..." He grumbled.
I laughed... to my dismay...shrilly, but inside it was nervousness as I replied, "Don't worry, you can be my friend!" I saw him wander off and I asked, "Where are you going?" I caught up to him, but he remained resolute to the corridor ahead of him. "Hey!" He whipped his face to mine and said,
"I'm doing my job." Whipping his face back in front of him, he continued, "I'm going to Mars' quarters to help. You should go to your own." I stopped in my tracks as he continued because of the harshness in his voice. What's up with him? Running after his speed walking, I noticed he was limping and I stated the answer he didn't want to hear.
"No." I could see him gritting his teeth; I have that effect on some people. "Besides, why are you limping?" He abruptly stopped and closed his eyes which I'm sure was his way to block out some thoughts. Snapping his eyes open, he replied,
"I have my reasons."
"Come on! Tell me!"
He turned to me and hissed, "Ya know I dun like your personali'y change."
"You're going to have to get used to it." I responded smugly, though I have no idea why, he was limping and I was prying. It's not good to pry. Oh well. "Tell me?" I give him my Bambi eyes and flutter my eyelashes. Unfortunately I didn't get the desired effect.
"You don't want to know."
"I do."
"No you don't." He stopped at a red coated door and held the doorknob for more time than was necessary and to my astonishment, it glowed. I suppose it was a replacement for the ol' card swish thing. He opened the door and bowed a little and a voice came from inside.
"Oh hi Toji-kun. Could you get to the bathroom? I had a shower but I spilled my conditioner. It's quite a mess, I'm sorry." He nodded again but said,
"No need to apologise." The voice in that room, it hit me. Long raven hair, religious chants, exotic eyes...a name.
Rei.
Unfortunately the door closed. I tried placing my hand on the doorknob, but I got a searing hot pang to welcome me. Damn. Guess I'll have to wait. Nowhere else to go. Don't even know _how_ to get out. I slid down to the marble floor and leaned against the door, knocking lazily on the door.
Funny, he's not an assistant. What kind of an assistant tidies their boss's quarters? I stared out into the sunshine through the walls and felt overwhelmingly good for some reason. Maybe it was the incense wafting through the door. I looked down at my hand and realised that it was red and sore. I prodded it, and the pain seared up my arm. Owy.
"Ah!" The door I was leaning on suddenly opened and I fell backward to the feet of a woman in red high heels. She glared down at me with violet exotic eyes. I held my head from the rush and bump from the floor saying my apologies.
"Osaka-san?" The woman asked. I quickly got to my feet and bowed respectfully. Erm, now how do I put that the almighty Senshi of Mars used to be an acquaintance a while ago? At least I think...
"Erm..." I twisted my fingers in nervousness. Taking a deep breathe, I continued, careful to keep my eyes off of hers. "Are you called Rei?" I stifled a snigger as I noticed her eyebrows shoot under her fringe. Uh oh. Dammit! Why do I have to be so naïve??? She's being _condescending_!
"What gives you the right to call me that?" Surprisingly, there was no malice in her tone, and I breathed a small sigh of relief. I didn't want to be on the receiving end of her magic. I laugh nervously and bow politely.
"I'm terribly sorry Sailor Mars, I didn't mean to sound rude." With every word, I bent a little lower for further respects, surprising myself that my nose was at my knees. When did I become so flexible? Pushing that thought aside, I frowned as I heard the Senshi burst into laughter. Snapping up, I gave the Senshi a piece of my mind. "When did I become a comedy act?!" I pointed a finger to her threateningly, to which I was _definitely_ not supposed to, and continued, "If you want to be anything but civil then you can shove your fire arrow right up your ass!" That didn't go _quite_ the way it was supposed to go. Urgh. I'm such a hypocrite. When did _I_ become anything but civil? I laid my head in my hand in self-shame. I had told off a _Senshi_. Right now, I'm probably gonna be fried, dragged through the grounds and fed to the sharks. Clever ol' me.
I'm such an ass.
Wah! I jumped a little as the woman took my wrist and dragged me instead into her quarters decorated in flames and red tapestry. This was _not_ what I was expecting. Anything but being dragged into her quarters. Mars pushed me into her plush red couch and walked to the mirror, and tamed her flowing raven hair. She looked up and eyed me through the mirror.
"I'm sure you're thinking right now that you should be punished?" I nodded dumbly. Woo hoo! I'm not such an ass! "No, you're right. You _are_ a fool." Telepathic? Scary. Better not think of anything offensive... How hard is that?! "But we're not here to punish civilians. We protect them. So, what do we have to protect you from?" She paused and I stared. She turned and stared back at me. "For a long time now we have had a crisis in the code name LCL department of ensuring that those returning to separate entities do not remember what actually happened. The person, who controls where the people go and erases the memories, is growing tired. She needs a successor to take over her position and let her rest in peace. When she saw you, she knew that she'd have to keep an eye on you. To ensure that you wouldn't return in your sleep. I'm sure you've had dreams, visions maybe of that world. Haven't you?" I distinctly heard nothing from the bathroom, and I turned my head that ways. Understanding my worry, Mars yelled, "Toji-kun! Get on with your work!"
"Yes ma'am!" Came the reply and the clamour of dusting and cleaning returned.
She turned back at me, expecting an answer. I nodded, and stared into my lap. Why do I have to be such an idiot. An outburst – embarrassment – outburst – embarrassment – outburst... but I always finish with being embarrassed. Suddenly I found myself looking into the eyes of Mars, as she leant down and stared sympathetically.
"What was your vision?"
"A city in the trees..." I mumbled, but Mars must've heard, since she got up from kneeling in front of me and nodded in satisfaction.
"Okay, have you met Serenity yet?" I nodded, my voice box refusing to vibrate. "Good, let's go see your guides." She gestured for me to follow, but I glanced nervously to the bathroom, where I saw part of an eye in the crack of the door. I smiled a little, and I caught up to Mars, noticing her red high heels. Ouch. She has to battle in those?! What happens if she's standing on a grill? I hate to think. Then again, she's probably used to it by now.
"Um, if you don't mind me asking," I started, "Why do I need guides?" She didn't look at me, but she smiled enigmatically. I resisted the urge to tear at my hair. Nothing is more frustrating than having to be in the dark on matters concerning yourself! This entire Palace is full of Ayanamis! HEEEELLLP!!! Instead of venting out my confusion, I grunted and kept my evil eye to the marble floor, half expecting the patterns to form into a face sticking its tongue out.
"Rei-chan!" someone yelled behind us, and we turned to face a blonde smiling brightly. "Hi Naru-san!" I couldn't help but smile. Rei looked down to me and said,
"I guess you were right that my name is Rei."
"I have another friend called Rei. Your personalities are rather different though."
I scowled inside as I saw her smirk in knowledge. "I'm sure."
"You know her?"
"You could say that." Mars replied, smiling to herself smugly. Where has my sudden temper come from? This Palace? I never used to be on such a short fuse. What is wrong with me? Okay, breathe girl, breathe. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Regain. Your. Cool.
"Are you taking her to meet those three?" Venus asked Mars, who nodded. "Great." Venus opened what I assumed was a communicator and said through it, "Mars and I are taking the Arbitrator to the exit, where she'll meet Ikari, Soryu, Ayanami and Katsuragi. You guys wanna join?" She closed the watch and beamed to me. O...kay. Ayanami, Ikari and Soryu??? Why am I going to see them? Is this what they do during their absence? And who the hell was Katsuragi? Am I going to find out?
Maybe.
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This chapter's a lil' on the short side, but I hope you enjoy nehow! I noticed there aren't many evangelion/sailor moon crossovers on the sailor moon crossovers section. Quite surprised really. I mean, what was there before Harry Potter?
Oh well, I guess I'm supplying you readers with a little variety! Which I HOPE YOU'LL BE THANKFUL!!! Neway, I'll stop my rant, and please REVIEW!!! [;P)
Juni Juni
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