Chapter twenty-one:
Settling of Scores
Haruka shivered, despite the heat the sun gave her. Frowning, she lifted her gaze towards the sky. Her hand came up to shield the rays of the sun, but there was nothing to hint towards what she felt.
"Is something wrong love," the woman next to her asked.
Looking away from the bright blue sky, Haruka glanced down at the slender woman who stood next to her. They had been together all day so far and it was nearly evening. "No Michelle," she said at last. She moved her blue eyes towards the glass window her lover had stopped to look into.
"Something catch your eyes?" she asked, hoping to distract the woman.
Michelle gave her another quizzical look, her teal colored eyes telling her she knew something was up, but didn't ask again. Instead the shorter woman looked into the glass window.
A small smile formed on the tall woman's face, as she watched the woman she loved. Michelle had wanted her to take her shopping. And only for her, would she bare the long ours of mingling with humans.
The only human she cared for, pulled away from the window and turned around to look at her. Soft sea green hair fell in waves, touching her slender shoulders. "What do you think, Haruka?" she asked. She was always asking for her preference. Even for the simple things.
Haruka shook her head and finally looked at the item that had caught her partner's eyes. It was a simple but delicate looking hand mirror.
Closing her eyes briefly, Haruka had to wonder about the woman who stood a head shorter than herself. Haruka would never use a hand mirror, so she had no right to say if she liked it or not.
With a small sigh, she opened her eyes to look at the pale skinned woman she had fallen in love with by accident. She had never liked humans, found them repulsive more than most of the time.
They dirtied the planet with their filth and expect others to save it from themselves. She never went where human's flocked. Cities disgusted her. The litter, the homeless, and the pollution revolted her.
But during one of her many spats with her twin, had driven her out of the home she shared with her brothers. And reluctantly she had gone into the city seeking a drink of something strong. Instead, she found herself in another woman's arms.
Haruka smiled at the memory. "Lovely," she commented, referring to the mirror, even though she stared down at the woman dressed in a light rose colored dress.
Michelle had shown her that not every human was bad. Michelle had shown her the beauty of their world, just when she had thought it was all gone. Before she had met Michelle, she wanted nothing more than to find paradise.
But with Michelle, she had already found it.
"You think so," the younger woman asked, as she turned to look back at the well crafted mirror.
"Yes," Haruka agreed wholeheartedly. "Lets go in." Before, she had despised going to cities, going where humans and wolves dwelled. But if Michelle was waiting for her, she would go.
She wrapped an arm around her love's bare shoulders and lead her towards the shop's doors. Absently she stroked Michelle's shoulder blade, her fingers grazing across bare skin.
And despite the heat, she shivered again, as if someone had tossed a bucket of cold water on her. It sent a chill running down along her spine, causing her toes to curl.
Why do I feel like something horrible is going to happen, she wondered to herself, as Michelle picked up the hand mirror and showed it to her.
The reflection she saw, wasn't one of her own. No, instead she saw her brother's face.
----
Hige lifted his head, his brows drawing together. With a grunt he shuffled the weight that pressed into his back. Glancing over his shoulder, Hige eyed the others who followed him.
"Can you guys smell that?" he asked. He turned back and sniffed again, catching the same scent.
Toboe raced ahead of him with a howl. "Its Kiba!" he shouted, running. Hige grinned, and raced after the boy. Tsume followed quickly behind him. The three boys ran through the streets of the city seeking the scent that filled the air.
They were running down the sidewalk of one street, when the scent lifted higher than their heads. The group slid to a stop, their heads lifting as if searching.
"He's here, right Hige," Toboe asked hopefully. Hige couldn't tell if Kiba was still in the city, or if what he smelled was just a remnants of the white wolf's passing.
He didn't bother to check if anyone was watching before he leaped into the air. With great agility, he managed to land on the room. The other's followed his movements, landing on the roof next to him.
"Kiba!" Toboe cried with relief. The boy who had been speaking with three women turned. Unlike Toboe, Kiba hardly expressed what he felt. All that he showed, was a small smile.
"Hey," he said quietly, his eyes softening for a brief moment, before they darkened. "They're here," he added. "Can you tell?"
Hige didn't pause to think of who the white wolf meant. "Yes," he said, gently laying his burden on the roof. "I could smell the flowers as soon as she arrived."
Toboe nodded, his eyes betraying the worry he felt. "Serena's here too," he said, his voice thick with grief. "Do you think she's there." the small boy pointed towards the castle.
"Kiba, is this your pack," a feminine voice asked from behind Kiba.
The white wolf turned to look behind him.
Hige got his first good look at the three women. Wolves, he thought in wonder. He was surprised. There were so very few females left.
The tallest woman looked at him, her dark lips lifting into a small smile. Kiba looked at them, his blue eyes taking their time to look at the three of them.
Toboe grinned, stepping forward. "Of course we are," he said, answering the question for the white wolf.
Nodding, Hige added his agreement. They were a pack, an odd one, but they were one. The real surprise, was when Tsume shook his head with a chuckle. "If you must know," he said with amusement, his amber eyes flashing. "We're friends."
Both Hige and Toboe turned to the older wolf, surprise written on their faces. "Do you mean that," Toboe asked, sounding hopeful.
The silver haired man nodded, his smile small and hesitant.
Kiba nodded, and turned to the women. "We need to get moving. Serena and Cheza are in that castle."
The shorter girl nodded, her expression filled with worry. "Lets rescue them," she said. The one in the middle flipped her hair off her shoulder. "And repay a friend," she said hotly, violet eyes flashing. The oldest nodded. "Mars and Saturn are right," she said softly. "Lead the way Kiba."
Hige looked at the white wolf then. Kiba was staring at the castle with a troubled look on his face. "Are we ready," he asked.
Collective of yeses answered him. "All right then, lets go."
Kiba leaped from the roof, landing on the building next to the one they were on. As the others chased after the white wolf, Hige picked Blue back up.
He was the last one to make the jump, landing gracefully on the next building. He ran, joining the others as they leaped to another roof.
Their destination… Jagara's castle.
----
Serena never felt so compelled to move more, than she did at that moment. What's wrong, she wondered.
Before she could act, her ears were filled with a sharp whistling sound. Next to her, Jadeite cried out, his eyes widening. Alarmed, Serena turned to him and she felt her stomach lurch in disgust.
Tears watered her vision, but it didn't cloud it from the dagger that was embedded in the young man's back. "Jadeite," she whispered hoarsely. Emotions jumbled within her, making it hard for her to think clearly.
What happened, she wondered meekly, wishing that she had acted when she could have.
The blond haired Noble staggered forward. With a cry, Serena grabbed him, her arms circling around him to hold him up. His weight fell on her all at once, his legs unable to hold himself up. "Jadeite, no," she pleaded tearfully.
He looked at her sadly, his eyes glazed with tears. When he opened his mouth to speak, blood trickled over his bottom lip. A choked sob escaped her, as her knees buckled from the extra weight. She fell to the floor, the young Noble landing on her.
Instead of shoving the burden that pressed down on her, she tightened her hold around his waist. His body was heavy, making it hard for her to breath, but she couldn't find the strength to let him go.
From over his shoulder, she could see the handle of the dagger. Who, she asked herself darkly, feeling a murderous rage well up inside her.
A laugh echoed through the spacious room, the voice sounding familiar.
With a grunt, Serena gently eased the man from her. With great care, she slipped out from beneath him. There was nothing she could do for him.
Serena climbed to her feet, her lips forming a frown. The figure who stood near the doors, was dressed in armor, a helmet covering her features.
"Jagara," she hissed, her eyes narrowing in hatred.
The woman laughed aloud, her voice echoing around the room. She moved forward, her steps light and slow, as if she was in no hurry to reach Serena.
Fists clenching, Serena struggled to keep herself from screaming with frustration.
"The little traitor deserved to die," Jagara said to her. "He didn't bother to tell me he had you here."
Absently, Jagara fingered the sword she wore at her hip. "Like him, his siblings will follow," she said casually, dark lips forming a sinister smile. "No one defies me."
Serena fought to keep up the glare, but her expression wobbled as she thought of Jadeite. He wasn't a bad person and yet he was killed so heartlessly.
Jagara then withdrew her sword. "You are such a pain," she said coldly. "This world would just be better off without your kind."
She drew in a startled gasp, when Jagara lunged forward, bringing her sword down in an arch. With a muffled cry, Serena dove out of the way, narrowly missing being hit.
Serena didn't have a moment to catch her breath. As soon as she hit the floor, she rolled to her hands and knees and scrambled forward. The sharp clang of the sword hitting the floor had Serena leaping to her feet.
Spinning around, the blonde threw up her hands, as Jagara sliced the sharp blade at her.
The other woman cried out, as the sword slammed into the thin sheet of Serena's shield. The force of the blow repelled and knocked the older woman off her feet. Jagara landed several feet away, her sword still clutched tightly in her hand.
"You bitch," the woman cursed. Jagara struggled to her feet, her knees shaking slightly. "You've learned how to use your powers."
Serena lowered her arms and she stared at the other woman. "Kunzite said I was protected by a law," she said carefully, her eyes watching the other woman.
Jagara adjusted her grip on the sword. "You are," she said.
"It seems you have lost your mind," another voice filled in. Startled, both women looked towards the doors. A man dressed in black robes stood there.
Shaking her head, Serena asked, "Darcia?" What was he doing here?
"Jagara had Oakum killed," he said as he slowly entered the room. "But since she had her men kill him, she went unpunished."
"Oakum," the blonde asked, remembering the name from her mother's stories. "He was the Noble who killed my father?"
Darcia nodded, but instead of speaking to her, he turned towards Jagara. "You killed Jadeite," he said quietly. "You're going to make a lot of enemies."
Serena shook her head again, confused by the man's sudden appearance, and that he wasn't doing anything. Wouldn't it have been smart to call the police, she thought in annoyance.
But it was clear the man hadn't even bothered to call for help.
Jagara scowled at the other Noble. "You stay out of this Darcia," she sneered. "Or you'll be in the way of what I seek."
Serena shivered at those words. Darcia had said nearly the same thing. She was in his way, just as she was in Jagara's way.
Without warning, the women turned and rushed her. Serena jerked with surprise, but managed at the last second to dive out of the way. She landed in a pile of broken class.
She whimpered when the fragments sliced her skin, several small ones sticking. Wincing, Serena managed to roll to her hands and knees. Her right hand closed around a rather large piece of broken glass. The sharp edges bit into her palm drawing blood.
Serena drew in a sharp breath, tears filling her eyes at the pain all her knew cuts made. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to get to her feet. Carefully she turned, taking care to avoid cutting her feet.
Jagara lunged for her again, but this time, Serena ducked away from the arch of the blade and swung her arms forward.
Jagara gasped, when Serena landed two hits on her. "Y-you," she stammered, as she stumbled back, her hand dropping the sword. It clattered to the floor, the sound echoing in the large room.
With her chest rising and falling in an unsteady rhythm, Serena eyed the woman who stood only a foot away from her. A tapping sound, drew her gaze down though. Slowly, Serena lowered her eyes to where the woman clutched her middle.
Red blossomed from Jagara's middle. As hard as the woman clutched her belly, it did nothing to hide the blood that flowed from the gash Serena had made.
Reluctantly, Jagara lifted her hands, hidden eyes staring at the blood that covered her hands. "I cant believe-" she murmured, but was cut off when a drop of blood dripped from her chin to land in the pool she cupped in her hands.
Jagara's hands shook as she lifted them towards her helmet. She wrenched the golden helm from her head.
Serena stared at the woman, who had finally revealed herself. Blood red hair that fell to her hips in length matched the blood that marred her cheek. Another gash Serena had managed to get.
Amber eyes lifted from her hands to look at Serena. Confusion and surprise was all that the young blonde could see. Jagara shook her head, her eyes narrowing with hate. "You cut my face," she hissed with rage.
Stumbling back, Serena winced when her foot stepped down on a sharp piece of glass. She made the mistake by looking down. Her jaw clenched at the pain as she lifted her foot.
"Well done Serena," Darcia said, startling her from her inspection of her own health.
Serena lifted her eyes, her movements slow, and feeble. She was barely able to draw in a breath to scream, before the man moved. Like that time in his castle, his movements blurred.
Darcia bolted forward, his hand swooping down to grab the fallen sword. In one swift jab he rammed the tip of the sword through Jagara's stomach.
"No!" Serena screamed, her eyes widening in her shock.
"That's for killing Harmona," Darcia spat, wrenching the sword from the woman's middle.
Jagara's mouth opened, but all she managed to do was gurgle the blood that had already collected. The woman's eyes glazed over, as she fell to her knees. She hardly wavered before she fell forward, landing in a pool of her own blood.
"Oh my god," Serena whispered. "How could you?"
"You should be happy," he replied. "I helped you didn't I? Now you can go back to your life."
Serena shook her head, tears spilling from her eyes as she stared at Jagara's form. "No more Nobles, no more wolves and no more Flower Maiden," he finished.
Frowning Serena lifted her eyes. She'd spent nearly two months in the company of wolves, and Nobles. She'd also spent a considerable amount of time with Cheza. No more wolves, she wondered softly. Kiba…
No more Flower Maiden, she echoed the man's words. Cheza
…
If she had never met Kiba, she wouldn't be here. She learned that long ago, but it never stopped her from looking for him. Never stopped her from protecting Cheza, or brining Blue along.
Serena looked back at the Flower Maiden. The girl's eyes were still closed and she hung from the chains that wrapped around her wrists. I can't leave her like this, Serena thought fiercely. I can't leave her with a life like the one she has.
Turning, Serena directed her gaze towards Darcia. But the man was already moving. "No one will ever find paradise," he said savagely. He lifted his sword as he moved.
The man's body blurred, his movements unreadable, like the times before. But unlike those times, Serena acted upon the urge to move.
This time she didn't hesitate.
"I wont let you hurt her," she growled, lunging forward. Her arm swiped out in a curve, the glass cutting through the man's robes and hitting skin.
Darcia faulted, his hand releasing the sword.
With wide eyes, he looked down at his middle, only to find Serena's shard of glass embedded deep in his stomach. "It's my duty to protect her," Serena said, even though she was crying. "I cant let you, or anyone else hurt her anymore."
The Noble stumbled backwards, before he fell hard onto his rear. One blue eye and one gold stared at her in surprise. Like Jagara he was surprised to find that she had attacked him.
Drawing in a shaky breath, Serena crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm sorry," she whispered, feeling sick to her stomach. Twice she had hurt another being.
Biting down hard on her bottom lip, she turned away from the injured man. Slowly she stepped over the glass, her body numb with pain. She reached Cheza after a few clumsy steps.
A control panel that was in front of the chained girl, had Serena searching for a way to release her. She found a button and pressed it carefully. The chains released her, and the Flower Maiden fell forward.
Moving forward, Serena managed to break her fall, but the weight drug her to the ground. "Its okay Cheza," she said, trying to coax the girl awake.
Red eyes opened, revealing a sad expression. "Serena," the girl whispered. "Serena protected this one?"
Serena nodded her head, letting the girl pull away to stand. Grudgingly, the blonde climbed to her feet as well. "Lets go home," Serena said with a faint smile.
Taking Cheza's hand in hers, Serena pulled the girl towards the doors. They had to pass Jadeite, Darcia and Jagara to get there. But all three were gone, leaving only Cheza and herself alone.