Chapter 18

By MG

Don't own sm…

AN: This is where things really begin to take fold from here on end. You're going to start to understand things that you didn't before, more and more things will make sense because more and more I will tell you things that I only told you in part before.

Mamoru looked bitterly into the long mirrors of his closet door as he adjusted the tie around his neck. One would think that his previous night's passionate escapade with a woman that he was in love with, would put him in lightened spirits. Such a thought would have been true if he knew that she would even remember it. She would be back to her old ways as the bitch that everyone had come to know or love…and that was an overly rated sarcastic statement. He hated the fact that all she would ever see him as was a ticket to sex. He sighed when he heard her awakening behind him.

"Do you always fuck and go…Mamoru?" Fuck and go? Of course that would be the words she would use to call it, or course she would only remember the sex. She narrowed her eyes at him from behind before replying lazily. "That's all it was." He cursed in annoyance at what she had done.

"Haven't you ever heard of privacy?" She only laughed at him, annoying him further. "I have a business meeting to attend this morning." He paused. "My life is not centered around you."

"Oh?" He could just see her arching her brow at him in his mind. "I think it is."

"And what…prey tell, would make you believe that?" He lifted his suit jacket from it's folded over position on a chair nearby and began to place it on him when he suddenly felt hot. His head snapped towards her direction to see her licking her lips at him, her eyes beckoning him over. He closed his eyes attempting to ignore the call when she suddenly sent visions to him. He clenched his hands as he approached her, his attempts to ignore her desires futile. "Damn you." He cursed as he ripped both his shirt and coat off, crawling speedily on the bed before her.

"See…" She smiled as she looked up into his eyes. "You would stay here forever if I wanted-" He slammed his lips against hers, successfully causing her to lose thought. She slipped her arms around him, pulling him down towards her. They lay there for a while, kissing like their was no tomorrow before he finally released her. "Take off your pants." She licked bruised lips before looking up with alarm into passionate green and yellow eyes. It took her but a few seconds of looking them to see the images of the night before through them…she cursed as she saw something she had not wanted to see. She looked at him disgusted before reacting the only way she knew how.

She pulled her legs back and shoved him off her with her feet, causing him to land on the floor in the back of the room. He sat up disoriented before looking up at her from his position.

"What the fuck?"

"Don't come near me."

And then she was gone.

~*~

Nephrite wove the staff blindly in the heat of the day like a weaver would to a loom, his movements swift, his cuts accurate. With every breath, he forced himself to continue; with every bead of sweat he told himself that he was not tired. He could feel the sun beating down on his bare beck, burning his skin, but he pressed on.

With every breath, he hated her more, with every step; he thought of killing her, with every emotion, he waged a war. Forgiveness for what she had done to him was long in coming should the moment ever present itself. But that's what the oracle had spoken of, forgiveness. How could he forgive her for what she had done to him? How she had ruined his life, his marriage? He paused for a moment, as if listening to something in the wind, before removing his blindfold to let the sun and nature around him give him warmth. He looked far past the huge expanse of the valley and towards the dark forest beyond before bringing his staff to his side.

"I thought I said that I wanted to be alone?"

"Sometimes what we want, is not in our best interests." The grass rustled behind him as Malachite approached him slowly and turned about to face him.

"I do not remember asking you." He walked by him swiftly, and towards the forest trees.

"You did the right thing." He whispered. Nephrite paused in his steps for but a moment before continuing.

"Excuse me if I do not feel that your words hold the power of conviction." He resumed walking once more.

"I do not speak from a view of one whom believes they understand, but from one who knows from experience."

"Is that so?" He turned quickly towards him, his brown hair whipping about in the wind. "Well, my friend, forgive me if I do not believe that you would know what it is like to have to give up a woman just because of what you are…knowing that you can only watch her from afar…protect her little, because she can not stand the sight of you. You know noth-" Before he knew it his staff was taken from his hand and his body thrown to the ground. He looked up in time to see his own weapon pointed at his face.

"For your information…I am living in hell because I am forced to live until this is all over knowing fully well that I will not be able to be with my love or my child in the end." His hand clenched around the staff, his body stiff and solid. "So excuse me, if I attempt to hide this from the one I love so that she can be happy, excuse me, if I live in terror on my own so that she can have peace…you wouldn't know the meaning of suffering…suffering is when you wait over one thousand years to find someone and when you do she hates you for what you are---suffering is waiting for another hundreds of years hoping she will forgive you only to find that all knowing and powerful beings from above will not let you hold on to her even through her acceptance of what you are and her love for what you have become…PLEASE, in time, your love will come back to you because she loves you just as mine did…fortunately for you, you still have a chance...fortunately for you, you may still be alive." He moved his hand promptly before throwing the staff roughly to him. Nephrite could only stare at him open mouthed, before he could get out any of the words he wanted to say.

"I'm sor-"

"Save it."

~*~

Usagi looked towards the view of the skyline past the tall buildings, her mind in deep thought as she tapped her pen repeatedly against the palm of her hand. She pondered over whether or not she should kill Mamoru; she had postponed it long enough. Though he had been a fun ride while it lasted, in the end, she knew he would just get in the way...especially in light of what she discovered this morning. Besides, he had not come through on his part of the deal, and she had to kill him just like she did the men before him. Or did she? If she didn't, her people might think she was becoming soft. But so what if they did? She had the right to do what she wished with her life. She rubbed her temples with her fingertips, her thoughts interrupted by the sounds of the secretary's voice coming from the speaker on her desk.

"Ms. Tsukino, Prime Minister Gyuru is here to see you now."

"Send him in." She swiveled around in her chair to face the door, assuming the business like appearance when he entered.

"Tsukino Usagi." He smiled as he walked up to the desk and bowed. She stood up, nodding her head at him in a businesslike manner before continuing.

"Gyuru, please…" She put out her hand to point at the chair. "Sit down."

"Now, what matters need you discuss with me that be so pressing hmmm?"

"Oh, they are but trifling matters really, just that I need a favor of you…something you could do for me…on this date." She passed him a calendar, the date circled on it. He looked up at her.

"The day of-"

"Uh-uh-uh, Gyuru." She smiled. "The walls have ears…let's just keep this date between us shall we?"

"Certainly…now, what is it that you need?"

"What—do I—need...hmmm" She sighed as she stood up and circled the desk, only to lie back lazily in front of him. "Well, there is a small matter of this 'event' that is going to happen on that date, and I'd prefer it…if you could help to make sure no one is on the streets on that day."

"Oh?" He glanced quickly at the way in which her skirt rose up past mid-thigh when she breathed in. "What is going to happen?"

"Let's not deal with the simplistics of it…it's nothing really I assure you." She smiled. "In any matter, what I need, is for you, to declare martial law for 24 simple hours."

"Excuse me?" He stuttered.

"Oh you know what martial law is right?" She continued. "Well, it is my wish that everyone stay in their homes, anyone whom escapes be shot, no one comes in town, no one leaves town, blah, blah, blah…that sort of thing."

"It is not in my rights to do such a thing…I am sorry Usagi-san-"

"Come now Gyuru, from the bottom of your heart, are you certain there is nothing that you can do?"

"Of this I am certain."

"Well…I was hoping that you would say that." She smiled. "You're a happily married man, right, Prime Minister?" She inquired as she stood up and walked to the other side of her desk and opened a drawer.

"It is something I pride myself on…but I do not see what this has to do with anything?" She pulled out a brown envelope and threw it to him before lying back down in her chair and crossing her legs over her desk.

"Open it." She encouraged, her palms forming a triangular shape as she repeatedly tapped them against each other slowly. "Anyway, I'm glad that you do…because family is very important…very important." She watched as he opened the envelope and pulled out its contents, his eyes going wide. "What's the matter Gyuru…something catch your tongue…oh wait, let me guess, it was that woman in the bed with you, she caught your tongue didn't she ---but you know Gyuru, that doesn't look like your wife---" She sighed. "Tsk, tsk, tsk…are we being a hypocrite?" He flipped through the photos quickly, each one a detailed picture of his rendezvous of the night before.

"What the fuck?"

"What is with everyone and that phrase lately, is that the new saying…you know my escort said the same thing this morning…but he's on my hit list too…everyone on my hit list seems to say that one time or another." She smiled. "Maybe I should just coin that phrase the 'words of the damned'."

"What kind of joke is this? Are you with the mafia or something?" She laughed.

"I'm flattered really, but I like to think of my affiliation as being a little more organized and secretive than the Mafia…smarter, if you may." She leaned back in the chair and turned towards the window. "Whereas everyone is afraid of the Mafia----the Mafia---is afraid of me..." She looked back towards him with hard eyes. "Now, this is how this will go, you do not do as ordered, I release the pictures, ruin your life, then I kill you; if you try and leave town, I release the pictures, publicly humiliate you…then I kill you. If you try to send your family away, I release the pictures, hunt them down and kill them in the worst way imaginable, frame you as their murderer, and then I kill you…slowly. If you do as asked, I let you live, let your family live, and…maybe I'll even send you some more whores on the side as a bonus…it all depends on you and what you believe to be your best options."

"You fucking bitch."

"Now, now, now Gyuru…mustn't use such colorful words…'especially' in front of the 'children'." He turned around at that to see his two little boys bound and gagged in the arms of Diamond. "Oh yes, you remember my associate Diamond correct?"

"Where's my wife, and my daughter Kakyuu?"

"You are such a whiner!" She rolled her eyes. "Where's my wife? Where's my daughter? Funny how they weren't even on your mind last night. So pathetic…but if you must know…your dutiful and loving wife is in the torture chamber."

"Bitch!"

"Just kidding, just kidding." She laughed, putting her hands up in defeat. "Really, I'm not that brutal…I think I'm quite nice actually." She paused. "Your wife is in a nice and safe room by herself…don't worry, she isn't hurt or anything…she's just strapped to a chair is all," he sighed with relief. "And watching your passionate sex exchange on a 96 inch screen TV…you know…people say TV isn't real…and even though I try and tell her that she could be imagining things…she doesn't seem to want to believe me when she sees you slipping your dick into that whore's pussy repeatedly, and the screams and grunts are hard to mask as well…now Gyuru, how many times can you scream I love you to a fucking prostitute?" She sighed. "I'm sorry that I had to do that…but she has to know what a cheating bastard you are. Now your daughter…I really don't know where she is…but I do believe Diamond has her stashed up somewhere in his humble abode…did you have fun last night?" She smiled as she looked to where Diamond stood.

"She was a rather—tasty—delight...very feisty."

"You fucking whore!" He watched as she moved in a blur, hitting him across the face hard enough to send him falling to the floor with a thud.

"Really, I'm already pissed off here…did you have to go and make me madder than I was before?" She sighed. "I'm pretty sure that bruise will heal quite nicely, and when it does, you're going to go on living as if this whole meeting never occurred, except that on the date we discussed, you will declare martial law as told…don't try and hold out on me, I have spies in your own home and know every move you make…so don't you dare try and play me for a fool."

~*~

It had been three days and he had yet to see her, three diminutive days and she made sure that he could neither find nor contact her. It was ironic considering that she was a well-known tycoon in the business world.

The question at hand was, what the hell had he done? She couldn't have possibly seen what he had been trying to hide for so long…could she? He had done so well and had been so careful around her but somehow, somehow, she knew. His plan had worked, she believed he loved her, now she would turn away from him…only thing is, it wasn't a lie, and turning away was no longer what he wanted. But what did he want? She wasn't exactly sugar and spice and everything nice. Were there possibilities for a relationship between them? He wished the bond between him and her affected emotions as well, but it didn't. He could be tied to her for a life time, and though she could never kill him, be with another man, or vice versa for him as well, she didn't have to physically be with him. But there was only so long you could without the want to quench those cardinal desires wasn't there? And then there was the fact that she still didn't know how to change on a full moon as well; she'd have to come to him then too.

Now he sounded desperate, or maybe very wanting? He hated to be in accordance with what he had dubbed the 'typical female', but he wanted her to want him for other reasons that just what he could do for her physically. He sighed as he rubbed his hands over his face haggardly. Was it really just a month ago that he was speaking of his acquired hate for women and their classic clinginess?

He lay back in his black leather lazyboy; his eyes riveted on the expanse of his green backyard. Because he had not chosen a mate in many years, every year he would select to wolves that he would allow to mate. Every spring their pups resided in his abode and would frolic and play around there. They played in the sunlight like there was no need to worry when their next meal would come because all of the wolves took care of them. It mattered not whom their birth parents were. He used to delight in going back there at times, getting live wild bait and teaching them to hunt amongst in the forested section of his land, heightening their carnal instincts.

He sighed. Now he did have a mate. The beginning of spring was almost here, and unless he was dead, she wouldn't be able to deny him. But knowing her, she would try to fight the heat, something no female in her right mind could resist. His previous mate Alyssa, she had been so submissive in their lovemaking; Usagi seemed to always want control, never giving more than was necessary, withdrawn. He dismissed his thoughts of the former; there was a new Alpha female now, despite the fact that he had no choice in the matter, he couldn't dwell too much on the past.

There was one thing he couldn't understand though, if he hated her so much, if he felt so used and abused by her, why did he fall in love with her? Why did fate choose her of all people for him to single out? Psychologist theorize that when someone is abused, they identify with their attacker, try to impress them more, try not to anger them as much. Had that been what he had been doing? Was he just another insane case? Was he really in love or was he just fooling himself? If he were in love, then why? If he had no reason, it only meant one thing; he couldn't possibly love her.

"M'lord…the police are on the phone for you." His servant entered the room, a sleek black portable phone lying over an ivory lace edged sheet that covered the silver platter in his arms.

"Thank-you, Jerrid." He took the phone, eyeing it carefully as he brought it to his ear. "Yes, this is he." He listened for a moment while the man on the other line spoke. "Yes…yes, I can ID the body…I'll be down in a moment." He sighed as he put the phone back on the tray that his servant had brought him. "Jerrid, I want you to hold up the mansion for a while, let no one in or out without my command…I am trusting you…don't fuck up."

~*~

"Detective Umino." Mamoru grasped his hand.

"Chiba Mamoru." He replied. "Please, follow me." They walked through the halls of the hospital and towards the direction of the morgue.

"Why, if I may ask, is she in the hospital, and not a morgue's office?"

"We needed the forensics of this hospital to give us a hand with the body…we were having a very hard time identifying it." He continued. "A very hard time." He pushed through hard steel doors into the cold room beyond and walked across the room to a body that lie inside a black bag on the table. He paused for a moment to wash his hands carefully before placing on his gloves. "Are you ready?" Mamoru nodded his head before the man unzipped the bag all the way down the body. He looked at the disfigured flesh carefully, the red hair unmistakable. The stench was somewhat nauseating; he turned his head in disgust. He had wondered where she had disappeared to, not that he cared, it was one less thing he had to worry about.

"This is her… Beryl Narcticia." He paused. "What, if I may ask, happened to her?"

"She was imprisoned on charges of attempted first degree murder on Tsukino Usagi's life…about a week later she disappeared from prison without a trace, nowhere to be found." He zipped up the black bag, sealing her away. "The funny thing is there was no record of her ever being in the prison either, nothing but the memory of the guards could attest to the fact that she had been there…but the really odd thing, is that even her records that state she was even alive were gone…not just her either. While she was in here she wasted no time in telling who her accomplices were…I don't know if you know them, but both Emerald and Rubeus were found as well in different places with the same basic story…they're in drawers 051 and 052…their records erased."

"Almost as if they never existed." Mamoru murmured.

"Basically." He paused. "So, anyway, she shows up a month and a half later to date, her body in the river, with the severe bruises you saw here, perfectly cut puncture holes all over her body, no fingerprints on the culprits whatsoever…looks like whomever did this to her, tortured her slowly for quite a while before she actually died. Not a trace of blood in her body…she was beaten severely before the punctures were made, which is why her case is different from theirs."

"If they have no record of existence then why would anyone think to call me here, detective?" He looked up at the brooding man with careful eyes.

"Because, your address was carved into her back in particular like a postcard…whomever did this, wanted you to see it."

~*~

"So everything is in place, correct?" The sun was setting behind them, darkness covering the sky.

"Yes, Serenity." Sapphire replied.

"Good, then we reconvene on the date we discussed, tell everyone to disperse, do what they wish as they see fit, but lay low…I do not want any gang related attacks understand…everyone who is watching us and overseeing our race, should be made to believe that we are not a problem. Close down any clubs or hot spots. If anyone, and I mean ANYONE, makes reason for us to be focused on and singled out, death immediately to them, the long way."

"What of the lesser beings---such as the wolves?" Diamond inquired.

"Let them do as they wish, what do I care?"

"But-"

"No more questions, you're dismissed…I wish not to see you until we reconvene once again." She snapped. Sapphire stood, and walked towards the door without a word. Diamond chose rather to stay behind, a question on his mind that he had wished to settle.

"Your dog does not sleep by your bedside anymore…are you going to have him nudered?"

"Excuse me?"

"It's high time you take care of him Serenity, he hasn't done his intended job…shall I take care of this one myself?" She walked up to the window, looking at all the millions of lights from the buildings below.

"Why are we so eager, Diamond?"

"Your servant takes pleasure in doing his master's bidding…you have always let me be the one to remove the genitalia before sending them to the chamber to be drained…is that your wish?"

"Not at this time." He licked his lips, attempting to find another angle at which to proceed.

"Why is he any different?" He inquired. "Had it been anyone else, you would have done it by now." He walked over to where she stood, attempting to control his anger.

"He could be an asset." She replied. "With him I have control over werewolves and vampires alike…two powerful forces will ensure victory."

"You do not need him to be in control…we…we could control them together." She turned around to look at him, her eyes a shining silver tint.

"Diamond…you need to end this obsession with me, it is unhealthy."

"I would give you everything."

"I have everything."

"I know that you do not have this." He leaned over, kissing her hard on the lips. She retracted quickly, slapping him across the face hard.

"Leave now before I kill you." He disappeared from the room in a blur; he knew that when she was in that mood, she wouldn't take no for an answer. When she felt what she thought was his presence entering the room once more, she spoke vehemently. "You seem to have a death wish."

"You wouldn't kill me if you tried." She snapped her head towards the voice almost immediately.

"I thought I told you not to come near me."

"You killed Beryl." He walked towards her nonchalantly, ignoring her words.

"What is it to you what I do with my free time?"

"Why?"

"Personally, she was a rather annoying bitch, I had to get rid of her."

"I think you're lying…there is another reason, what is it…did she know something that-" He paused mid-step.

"Get out."

"What's that smell?" He sniffed the air slowly, his face serious before focusing on her.

"I said get the fuck out."

"It's radiating from your body but it is not a scent of your own." He paused in thought, as if speculating. His hands clenched his at his sides so hard that droplets of blood began to fall to the floor, his body stiff and taught. Hard green and yellow eyes stared her down. "He touched you." His nostrils flared, his hair rising above his head as if being blown by a subtle wind. "I'll rip his fucking heart out."

~*~

Diamond watched the couple sitting in the dark recesses of the park, where light did not illuminate. He had not taken his drink for the night. This would be an easy kill. They were lying on the floor within an encircled camp area that was surrounded by tall trees. There was no one else for miles…no one to hear them scream. He smiled as he pulled back a branch and watched the man begin to slide the woman's dress over head. On second thought, perhaps he would kill the man, and then have the woman before killing her. He walked into the clearing and was about to approach them when he heard a twig snap behind him. He turned around to meet a hard fist in the face. He stumbled back, gathering his bearings before looking up at his attacker. He was met by another fist. The woman in the background screamed when she noticed them, pulling her clothes up to cover her body.

"Hey man, don't you know the meaning of privacy?" Mamoru looked at them with hard glowing eyes; just the look was piercing enough to make it known to them that their presence was not warranted. The man gulped before pulling the woman by the arms and leading her quickly away, not even bothering to pick up fallen clothes. Mamoru turned quickly in time to catch the fist that nearly hit his face, the back of his other hand clenching and coming out like a whip, snapping at the end with quaking power to strike Diamond in the ribs.

"You have no idea what the fuck you're dealing with." Diamond replied as he spun around, his leg extended so that his foot would kick at Mamoru's leg; Mamoru jumped. "But I'm glad that you did…now I have an excuse to kill you myself." He quickly brought his foot forward around in an arcing motion, using the bottom side, he came up against the rear heel of Mamoru's front foot, causing him to fall to the ground.

"I think it's quite the contrary." He replied, pushing himself backward up from the floor so that his feet hit Diamond's collarbone hard; he jerked back in response, spitting to the side in the process. "You touched something that doesn't belong to you."

"Oh, and to whom does it belong?" He slammed a kick into his midriff, sending Mamoru flying back. In a blur of movement Mamoru was standing before him once more.

"Me." He sent his foot towards Diamond's face; he caught it easily and flipped him over.

"Well I have news for you, dog." He attempted to slam his foot into Mamoru's back, but he moved, causing him to stamp the ground. "Your owner's going to kill you."

"I highly doubt it." Mamoru jumped to his feet, his body becoming heated and ready for intense battle.

"That's where you went wrong." In a blur of movement Diamond sent a series of punches and kicks towards him, too fast for him to counter or block. "She hates the sight of you…you disgust her." Blood dripped from Mamoru's lips, his body sore and aching…"Oh, and by the way." He smiled evilly, as he easily kicked Mamoru in the groin, causing him to fall over in pain. "Did she ever mention to you anything of 'our' past?" He stepped down hard on his chest, continuing his musing as Mamoru looked up at him with blazing eyes. "Oh, she failed to mention it?" He pounded down hard on his arm, satisfied when he heard the sound of it breaking in two. "She used to spread those legs without so much as a question, always screaming for more." He attempted to get up, his mind afire at the words he had spoken.

"Liar." Diamond kicked him hard in the chin, not giving him a chance to move forward; he could feel blood spill from his lips. "She would beg for more, her legs clinging, her nails digging into my back, her body arching like it would break in two from the effort…oh yes, I know and remember that sweet body well." He crunched his other arm to the floor, smiling at the snapping sound; Mamoru clenched his teeth, his nerves alarm with a fiery sensation. "So inviting, so welcome, so warm, so…'tight'." He attempted to allow his mind to escape, his body becoming numb to the pain that Diamond was inflicting on him; he felt the pressure increase on his lungs as Diamond crunched his foot forcefully down on his chest once again. "She was only using you, you were only a temporary ticket, it was all planned." One rib broken, two, three…maybe even four, who cared…he closed his eyes, unbelieving that it would actually end, like this. "I satisfied her in every way, with me, she did not want for nothing…but you…you were just her chattels, her slave, her BITCH dog."

"So you believe." He coughed, his eyes ready to roll back any moment, his chest heavy.

"So I know!" He pressed down hard on his chest once more; he could feel his lungs filling with blood, fighting for a chance to heal themselves, a chance he knew would not come. He watched as Diamond lifted his foot high above his face. "And by the way DOG, I could have killed you long ago, I was just toying with you…torture is the best way to end life, wouldn't you say?" He shut his eyes from the outside world, ready for that final blow that would set his mind at peace.

It never came.

He heard voices in the background. He even heard the sound of a man scream. He wasn't sure if he were dreaming or not, but he could vaguely feel her presence, barely understand her angry words. But he was well enough to hear her say, 'My property, my rules'. Property. That's all he was to her, a piece of meat that she owned. Why didn't she just let him die? It would have been better, than to live knowing that she came to the rescue of nothing but her assets. She made no sense sometimes, she had intended to kill him anyway, so why not let Diamond complete the deed?

In the back of his mind, he suddenly understood the answer to the question that he had dwelt on earlier, funny how he should think on it now when death was a footstep away. It was simple, yet not, it was everything about her, yet nothing at all, it was all the time, yet one moment in time. It was being confused yet understanding perfectly. Just because, yet without logic…all these things were love his love for her---- timeless, and without reason, deep and abounding, sure and safe. And having satisfied himself with his new found understanding; he allowed sweet oblivion to swallow him whole…the recesses of his mind, to fade away.

~*~

Rei became alarmed as soon as she felt it. The presence of an unmistakable spirit overwhelmed her. She called to Jadeite in her mind from where she sat with Alex's mouth on her breast.

Jadeite, get up---she's here. He shot up from bed like a man on a mission, his face showing that of alarm. She watched as he scurried about, putting on his pants.

Will you be okay here alone?

Yes, go ahead, I'm fine…I have the necklace remember…I can take care of myself. He ran out of the room, almost bumping into Nephrite whom seemed to have been awoken for the same reason. When they came outside they met up with Malachite who was standing there firmly with Minako protectively behind him, Makoto, a little ways away. His eyes flared as he looked across the expanse of the lawn.

"What are you doing here?"

"Really uncle, I thought you would be happy to see your darling niece." Usagi smiled, holding the huge bundle in her arms closely to her body. "Miss me Nephrite?" She puckered her lips, sending a kiss his way. "You did tell her about us didn't you?" She continued, referring to Makoto, who recoiled back in disgust at her words. "Ahh…I see you have."

"You are not welcome here." Malachite bit. "And if you have come to take the girl then-"

"Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." She rolled her eyes. "Are you done yet? Cause I believe I have something here that I believe belongs to you, I think I'm done playing with it---catch." She threw the heavy bundle in the air and he caught it easily. He looked down for a split second at it, before looking back up at her.

"What is-" Where she had been standing moments before now only stood the moving wind and settling dust. He lifted the sheet from the top and almost gasped.

"What is it?" Jadeite quickly asked, stepping up to him.

"It's Endymion." He rasped.

~*~

"Is this-"

"The lord of the werewolves---as per the prophecy…yes, it is." Malachite replied, his mind more focused on his work, he knew that Mamoru was not out of the woods just yet.

"How could she be so heartless?" Nephrite continued as Malachite both cleaned and bandaged his wounds after assessing him and the damage done to his body.

"She's out of control." He replied. "I knew I should have told him to stay away from her."

"What do you mean?"

"Just like all men before him, he became obsessed…not that he could really help it anymore, she became a part of him after she became part werewolf, now she is the only mate he could ever be with."

"How sad for him." Rei paused. "But I don't understand…" She spoke softly as she looked upon where Mamoru lay, breathing lightly. "Why did she just leave, are we all too strong for her? I mean, couldn't she have killed us?"

"She's playing it safe…she needs to lay down low until it's time for whatever she's planning to go down…that means that she doesn't bring any attention to our race." He sighed. "But that is not what troubles me…"

"Then what does?" Nephrite inquired.

"The fact that she has known where we are all this time yet has done nothing scares me…she may be playing it safe now, but she could have done away with us before, why didn't she…this unexpected visit also means that that whole thing with Nephrite was planned. She intended to do it all along…if that's so, why not continue…something just doesn't seem right…and it has something to do with that damned prophecy."

~*~

For a week and a half Mamoru lay in a deep sleep in a small dark room where Malachite had placed him, a week since Usagi practically dropped him at their doorstep. What puzzled Malachite more now than ever, was the fact that he was near death, and yet she brought him over to him. Why would she do that? The only reason for this action would be in order to save his life, but why in the world would she want to save his life? He sighed, lifting the cool clean wet rag and placing it over his forehead; at least Mamoru was getting better. It was probably his regenerative properties, which all werewolves possessed, that allowed him to heal so quickly. He would probably awaken any day now. Perhaps then he could learn the truth of exactly what happened to him. He stood up and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

The wind blew through an open window as Usagi sat down silently in a chair next to his bed. "You are such a fucking idiot." She whispered, knowing that she would get no answer, just as she had before. Unbeknownst to the occupants of the house, she had been visiting him at night on a daily basis, attempting to figure out what she would do with him. The stupidity of his actions that night angered her for some reason she could not decipher, but yet, over the days, something had changed. Something she was slowly coming to terms with. "What had ever possessed you to go after Diamond? He could have easily killed you if I had not come." She crossed her arms, and rocked back in the chair, looking out towards the window. "Say something stupid and righteous just like the stubborn ass that you are…really Mamoru, your cockiness never ceases to amaze me." She paused. "Always so easily angered when a man touched me…I know that's why you did it…just wanted to own me…well, you can't…You don't fucking own me you bastard. No one does….I don't need anyone and least of all I didn't need you…" She stood up to pace, her hand coming through her hair in a frustrated manner before sitting back down again "You got weak you know…falling in love…how dare you?" She stared down his prone figure with admonishing eyes, her words coming out in soft harsh tones as her eyes trailed over his body before sliding back the sheet to reveal his nude figure; she shut her eyes in remembrance. "We had---a-a few good times…better than most men I've ever been with. Damnit, all right----better than almost all…no" She corrected softly, yet somewhat bitterly. "Better than even him…and that's a compliment considering…" She heaved out a breath of air, as if she had finally come to the conclusion of something vast. "I've decided that…" She opened her eyes to focus on her hands that now rubbed against each other between her thighs. "We have to end this…I'm becoming too soft…Yes, 'I' killed Beryl…and if Alyssa whoever had been alive…I'd have killed her too." She sighed once more, as she raised her lids, her eyes focused on one particular part of his anatomy. She looked at the scar on his ankle, barely visible, but clearly there. S&R. She shook her head back and forth in disbelief. No…no fucking way. Not now damnit…no, not now. Damn you. She stood up, reaching over to trace the letters, drawing back her hand as if burnt. "I hate you for what you did to me, for what you do to me…so confused, I don't know what to think sometimes." Why now? Why the fuck did you have to show up now? If this never happened, I would never have to even think about you again after today, I would leave you forever…you ruined everything! You ruined my life! Endymion! Damnit, why couldn't it just be a coincidence? "It's just my luck---" She murmured. "That you'd make me fall in love with you twice." Her words were hoarse, scarcely leaving her lips. He gasped for breath, his eyes flying open; he attempted to rise, but felt to drained to move.

"Usagi." He managed.

"Richard."

And as if she were nothing more than a dream, she disappeared into the distant moonlight.