Chapter 5: Time for Goodbye
By - DreamHeart
AN - 'A Fallen Rose' has under gone some revisons. I added some stuff and got rid of others to make it juicier. This chapter though only has some minor revisions, though. Tell me what you think.
DISCLAIMER - I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters BUT I do own the story! Remember plagerism is bad!
Raye was bustling about the castle seeing to the funeral arrangements when she was approached by Lita.
"Raye, could I have a word with you . . . in private, please?" Lita implored.
"Yea, I guess . . . just hold on a second. I need to check on the floral arrangements," Raye replied.
"This is important. It has to do with the funeral. It's about Endymion."
"Oh, all right. This better be important though . . . the full moon is tonight. Everything has to be just right for tonight," Raye huffed as she walked into an empty conference room. She sat down in a comfortable overstuffed chair at the head of the white marble table and motioned for Lita to sit down beside her. "Ok, we're alone now. So, shoot."
"Do you think that it is wise to allow Endymion to attend Rini's funeral? After all . . . he is her suspected murderer."
"Serenity wishes that he attends. She's in such a fragile state do you really think that it is wise to ignore her wishes?"
"No. But I do advise against it. The people will think that she is weak for allowing him to attend. Besides don't you think that the circumstances surrounding Rini's death are just a little too fishy? I think that it is an unnecessary risk to allow him to attend to both Serenity's safety and our own. Who's to say that he wouldn't kill one of us as well? "
"They will not. Endymion is Rini's father. He has a right to be present at her burial. It really doesn't matter what you or I think. And after yesterday do you really believe that he would harm Sere? Nothing has been proven yet. Keep that in mind, Lita. Now if you will excuse me, I have things to attend to." With this final statement Raye left Lita stunned speechless in the conference room.
Lita, I'm sorry that I was so harsh. I'm a bit skeptical about Endymion attending too, but I believe that it is Serenity's best interest that we allow him to be there. Raye mentally apologized as she walked along the castle's long hallways.
She stopped briefly to rub her hands over her face and then ran her hands shakily through her long raven black hair. Walking slowly over to a chair she contemplated, What if he is guilty? Then I am allowing him to be among innocent people who he has already brought so much grief to. But then again if he is innocent . . . then I am denying him the right to be at his daughter's funeral. It's a catch 22: you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. I wish there were some way to know . . .
Then something brilliant came to Raye. There was a way to know for sure. Why hadn't she thought of it before? A fire reading. It had never been wrong before and it would put her mind at ease about the funeral. So, Raye began to run in the direction of her chambers past the many marble pillars, glass doors, and crystal chandeliers that graced the palace hallways.
Once in her chambers, Raye once again closed her eyes as a ribbon of fire surrounded her. In a moment, Raye was in a billowy red and white kimono: her ceremonial attire.
Now that that's done, I can start the fire.
In the middle of Raye's chambers was a large hearth. Serenity had made sure that it was installed in all of the chambers, as a courtesy to the Royal family of Mars.
Raye walked towards the hearth. Her eyes blazed with a fire of their own. She sat beside the hearth, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Leaning over she blew into the hearth. Almost instantaneously a fire began. Smiling Raye got up and watched as the fire gathered strength.
What's the matter with me?! I've never been this nervous before a fire reading. But then again . . . I've never thought that one of my best friends could be a murderer either. I have to be calm. I have to be focused if this is going to work, Raye mused as she gazed onto the growing fire.
As the fire grew, however, Raye's fears began to fade away. Fire had always been a comfort to Raye. Its warmth had always been welcoming and appealing to her, ever since she was a child. To her the fire was not only a gift, but also a friend. Now it once again was able to burn away all the thoughts that clouded Raye's mind.
The flames began to beckon to her. It was ready to begin the reading.
As Raye settled down in front of the fire, she began to chant. After doing this for about five to ten minutes, she began to pray, "Great Fire, a horrible crime has occurred. It has left many of the people I hold dear in pain. Please show me who has caused their pain. The future of the universe is at stake. Great Fire, please show me."
The fire grew as she continued. The flames now licked the ceiling, though it did not scorch it. Shadows were forming amongst the flames. Five shadowy figures began to form from these shadows.
"Great Fire, show me. Show me Rini's murderer."
Four of the figures then faded back into the flames. The last however became clearer. Yet, Raye was still unsure of the murderer's identity. Thus, Raye began to chant once more.
Once the figure had faded back into the flames, she called to the fire, "Great Fire, who is Rini's murderer?"
The fire continued to grow until the entire room was bathed in light so bright that it rivaled that of the sun. And in that instant, Raye knew the murderer's identity. After this revelation, the fire died instantaneously.
"Now I know," Raye murmured to herself. "I must tell Serenity."
"I have always admired your skill of fire reading, Queen Raye," a voice called from the shadows.
From her place in front of the hearth, Raye began to turn . . . looking for the source of this voice. "Who's there?!" she cried.
"You know who I am, Raye. I knew it wouldn't be long before you asked the fire to confide in you. So, I waited and watched."
Raye's eyes filled with fear. "You killed Rini?"
"Very good."
"Why?"
"Ah. Even though I like to fulfill last requests, I'm afraid that I can't answer that one. But I assure you that it shall become clear to your friends later."
"What are you going to do to me?" Raye whispered, even though she knew the answer.
"Well, I can't have you running to tell the others my little secret. Now, can I? The only solution is to kill you. Time to say goodbye, Raye."
With that a beam of purple energy came barreling towards her. But Raye was not about to die without a fight. Before it hit her she yelled and filled the room with her fireballs. Yet they were unable to prevent the beam from ripping through her chest. And the Queen's once vibrant violet eyes . . . were now vacant.