Hey minna! Thanks Hoshimare for reviewing. You know where to find the disclaimer!!
Hyoga sincerely doubted that he had ever felt as horrified as he did then, at that moment when the two women spilled out of the portal, into the lawn on the estate where Sailor Mercury's computer has pinpointed a gathering of energy.
"Min...Minako?" Sailor Moon hesitantly asked, peering at Minako. She merely stared back with a disturbingly emotionless expression.
"I know no Minako," she replied, her voice mimicking her expression. The heeled sandals made a click on the cement as she drew nearer to their small group, the fine material of her tunic rustling. "I am Akigara of the Soul Eaters." She drew her hand back, and a small ball of light formed. Hyoga's stomach dropped...she wouldn't!
"Minako...what are you doing?" Sailor Moon half demanded, half pleaded. Sailor Mercury tugged half-heartedly at Sailor Moon's arm.
"That's not Minako, Usagi...Usagi, get moving!" Mercury murmured, but the girl stayed put, staring at her friend. She shot them a disdainful look, and threw her hand forward, the energy leaving it with a crackle. Hyoga, however, was already in motion. Throwing both arms around their waists, he pulled them down to the ground, while Minako's attack soared over their heads.
"Why are you making this so difficult?" Hyoga winced; that voice was all her. But the eyes...no way in hell those eyes belonged to Minako. "All I want is one soul. Give me one soul, and I will be on my way."
"Why do you need the soul?!" Hyoga demanded, rising, and pulling a defensive stance. She shrugged, and smiled. Hyoga felt repulsed; she looked like a doll with her empty eyes, and bland smile.
"Because," she waved her hand. "Mistress wants one."
"Who is Mistress?" Mercury inquired. Minako shrugged, and raised a hand to run it through her hair.
"Mistress is. But...enough talk. Which one of you wants to make the sacrifice?" Sailor Moon touched the locket at her chest, the other hand reaching out.
"Minako, it doesn't need to be like this. I can heal you, just like I healed Mamoru...just like I healed everyone who needed it."
"Who said I needed to be healed?" Her face twisted in anger. "Who said I don't like this? Who said I don't like never being sad or angry or bitter. Who said?"
"And never feel anything again? Never feel happy or content? Is that what you want?!" Hyoga snapped, his temper slipping. She shrugged lightly, and ran her fingers through her hair.
"It's a small price to pay." Her eyes lit up as she gazed steadily at Hyoga, searching his face. "You have felt much pain in your life...haven't you?" she asked gently, cocking her head. "You know...losing your soul would mean that you wouldn't feel it anymore."
"Feel what?" he asked in a low voice. Akigara stepped closer, her dead eyes still fixed on his.
"The anger...the bitterness...the loss. And it all can be gone in a moment." Hyoga scowled and stepped backwards. He felt slightly relieved when he noticed that the two sailor senshi that had been with him had backed off, letting him deal with it. It would be a lot easier without them getting in the way.
"That is part of being human. And that is the price we pay to feel happy, and joyous. We also have to feel sad and angry." The small smile slipped off her face, and she watched him with a stricken look on her face.
"Joyful...I forgot...I forgot what that was," she murmured, staring down at her hands. "I forget how it is to be happy...I forget how it felt to love...oh, God, I forget all of it..." with her broken whisper, she let out a choked sob, and turned her back to Hyoga, falling to her knees.
"We called the others," Mercury murmured into his ear. "They should get here soon." His eyes stayed fixed on Akigara's trembling form.
"She really wants to come back," he muttered. "This isn't an act. Look at her!" Sailor Mercury frowned.
"I don't know. But we need to be extremely careful. There is always a chance..." Sailor Moon sighed and looked at Mercury wistfully.
"Oh, Ami...you don't think that she's faking, do you?"
"Hyoga? Hyoga, what are you doing?!" The blue-haired senshi's shouts went unheeded as Hyoga approached Minako, still sobbing on the ground. He lightly touched her shoulder.
"Minako...we want to help you," he said softly. "Remember, Kihou? You wanted to be a star?" A choked giggle escaped from her.
"I forgot...how silly of me." Hyoga felt as though tons of bricks had been lifted from his shoulders. Was she really back? The blonde straightened and slowly turned around to face Hyoga.
"Minako, I..." but he trailed off as her face came into view. Tears were still damp on her cheeks, and her mouth was twisted in a tiny frown, but her eyes were still empty. She reached out for him.
"Help me, Hyoga?" she smiled tentatively, and dismissing the chills creeping up his spine, he took her hand. Her smile widened. "Thank you."
And he felt it plunge into his chest. Groping, her hand seized upon something within him...and then he felt it leave his body. The world faded around his eyes as he fell backwards onto the grass.
"Kihou..."