Alicia Blade
I can't POSSIBLY convey how ecstatic I am over the warm reception of this story. I do hope it will continue to live up to your expectations! Please keep the reviews coming!
Answers to questions from some concerned reviewers:
Yes, I do realize that the Outers are slightly out of character, and I sincerely apologize, but... well, I stopped watching after R, so I've never seen anything with the Outers in it. So that's my excuse. I hope you big Outer fans can forgive my ignorance.
I'm thrilled that most of you are liking Emily so far, and even more thrilled that you feel you can relate to her. (Checks off that goal on the list of ideals for this story.) Once again, no, she really isn't me. Of course she has some of my personality traits, it couldn't be avoided, but no more than any original character would, I think. Well, I hope. But I am glad that you like her. If you begin to feel she's slipping into dangerous territory (such as Mary Sue-ism, which I tried very hard to avoid), let me know!
As always, a humongous thanks to my editor Stormlight! She's amaaaaazing.
...
Chapter Two: The Victims
...
Emily hadn't felt so nervous since she'd starred as Cinderella in her fifth grade class's school play, at which all the school, AND all their parents, had been invited to the opening performance. She thought she might pass out, which, she conceded, might actually help things along. She felt dizzy and light-headed and her palms were sweating, but she'd never fainted before in her life and she doubted today would be the first—despite what other people would think. She only hoped that her acting skills had kept up after all those years.
Suddenly, she saw him coming up the sidewalk toward the arcade and herself. Her breath caught in her throat. As a fictional character, a drawing, Mamoru had been handsome. Now, he was stunning. Emily was amazed that girls didn't stop and gawk as he walked by. His tall, lean frame sauntered along confidently. His ebony hair almost looked wet when the sun glimmered on it. His bone structure was immaculate, from his cheeks, chin, and collarbone down to his ankles. And his eyes—
Emily pulled in a sharp breath, no longer sure she wouldn't pass out for real. Watching the people walk by, she made a mental note not to look into those eyes until she was feeling a little more securely planted on the ground.
Forcing herself to take steady breaths, Emily stepped out from the small alleyway and began walking toward Mamoru. She did her best to act ill—wobbling a bit with every step, her hands gripping her head. When she saw his trousers come into her line of sight, she took in a deep breath, let out a dazed moan, threw one wrist to her forehead, and collapsed.
Just like the prince that he was, Mamoru was there in a heartbeat, supporting her around her shoulders.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep and beautiful and concerned.
Shaking—which was not part of the act—Emily looked up into his face, forgetting her mental note and realizing her mistake too late. Two stormy blue eyes bore into her, the thick eyelashes framing them in perfect, heavy, mysterious blackness.
"Oh my, you're gorgeous," she whispered, right before the world stopped spinning and melted away altogether.
...
"Is she alright?"
"She'll be fine. Stand back. Give her some room."
Emily groaned. For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, she woke up and opened her eyes to two strangers staring down on her. But this time, she knew why they looked so familiar.
"Here's some water. Drink," the blonde commanded, holding out a cup of ice water.
Sitting up, Emily found herself in a red leather booth. A familiar counter and rows of arcade machines filled the room. "Thanks," she said, accepting the water.
"No problem."
Emily looked at the arcade clerk and immediately found herself regretting the declination of Setsuna's offer to go on a date with him. Though he didn't have the smolderingly sexy allure that Mamoru did, he was far more handsome than any boy in her world. Well, except maybe Orlando Bloom, but come on. He was Legolas; it couldn't be helped.
"How do you feel?" asked Mamoru, sitting down opposite her as she quickly drank the glass of water.
"Better, thank you." Memories flooded her thoughts and she blushed at what she had told him before she'd fainted. It then deepened when it occurred to her that he must have carried her into the arcade. She silently cursed herself for sleeping through such a momentous occasion.
Mamoru smiled, not seeming to notice her reddening complexion. She was sure that had she been standing, the look would have knocked her knees out from beneath her. "Good, I figured you were just dehydrated."
"My name is Emily," she said and held out her hand.
"Mamoru." They shook. "And this is Motoki." She smiled at the blonde, who had sat beside her, and shook his hand as well.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"You too, Emily," said Motoki. "That's a pretty name. Are you American?"
"Yes, but don't hold it against me. I'm not old enough to vote."
They both laughed.
"Well, since you seem to be doing alright, I'd better get back to work. Call if you need anything." Motoki walked away, leaving her alone with her very own anime idol. She gulped nervously.
"So, why are you in Japan?" Mamoru asked, picking up a coffee mug that Emily hadn't noticed before.
"Oh, well, you know... sight-seeing... business..."
"For how long?"
"As long as it takes."
He blinked.
"To see all the sights!" she giggled, swirling the ice in her cup around with a straw. "Have you lived here all your life?"
"As long as I can remember."
Emily frowned at the hidden meaning of his words, though his expression showed no sign that he was thinking of his tragic childhood.
"What do you do?"
"Go to college," he answered. "Sit here and drink coffee." He smiled crookedly, sending Emily's heart thudding against her ribs.
"Oh, what are you studying?"
"Medicine."
"Ah, I'm not surprised. You act like a doctor. You seem like the type that likes to help people."
He looked away uncomfortably. "Don't get the wrong idea about me. Girls fainting on the sidewalk is a pretty rare occurrence around here. You may have just caught me on a good day."
She smiled at his modesty.
"So what do you do, Emily-chan?"
"Oh, I'm a professional matchmaker."
He quirked an eyebrow.
"Really, it's true. Do you have a girl you'd like to hook up with? I can help. I won't give up until love and happiness have come to the heart of every person I know."
Blinking, Mamoru set his cup down. "I see. And does it pay well?" he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
She shrugged. "I get to eat a lot of wedding cake."
His laughter rang from his lips and the sound made her tremble deliciously. She began a slow mental chant of hands off, hands off, hands off…
"So, is there a girl I could help you out with? Anyone at all? Free of charge, of course. It'll be my thanks for helping me out there on the sidewalk. I promise, I'm really quite good at what I do," she continued with false confidence.
"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'm okay."
"Oh, of course, you probably have a girlfriend already."
"No. And I rather like it that way."
"Really? There's no one at all that you're even the slightest bit interested in? No girl that gets under your skin, sends your head spinning, makes you weak in the knees? Someone you can't get out of your head? Someone who drives you crazy, and you can't seem to figure out why?"
Emily watched hopefully as Mamoru frowned, his brows knitting together, and he slowly leaned back. His eyes watched her speculatively, but she saw no sign of recognition, no hidden clue in his expression that told her he was lying when he responded with a drawn out and nervous-sounding "No."
"Oh." Her face fell, but she tried to cover it up with innocent laughter. "Well, don't worry. I'll find you someone."
He cleared his throat uneasily. "Oh, good."
"Gee, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to blabber so much. You must think I'm crazy. I always get this way when I meet new people. Give me a couple days and I promise I'll calm down."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Mamoru joked.
Emily smiled, feeling some of the tension leave her shoulders with his friendly teasing. Sighing, she cursed true love beneath her breath.
"Well, I should get going," she said, scooting toward the edge of the booth. "But... hey, I really would like to repay you somehow. Perhaps I can treat you and Motoki to coffee sometime?"
"You don't have to. We were just doing our duty as gentlemen."
"I'd say. But, well, actually, I have an ulterior motive."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, you see, I don't know how long I'm going to be in Tokyo, and I don't know anybody in town. It'd be really great to have some people to hang out with."
He shrugged. "You can always find Motoki here, and usually me, too, since classes just got out for summer term. Feel free to stop in anytime and say hello."
She smiled, knowing it was as close to an invitation for companionship that she was going to get out of him. "I will. Thanks again. I'll see you around!" She waved to Motoki before heading quickly for the door. Outside, she found a sturdy brick wall and leaned her weight against it. Sighing, she stared up at the sky and muttered longingly, "Oh. My. God. He's gorgeous!"
...
The next day, Emily found herself hiding in the same alleyway again, waiting for a different target. Setsuna had provided her with a detailed list of Mamoru and Usagi's daily schedules and she planned to use them to her full advantage. And yesterday had gone surprisingly well, after all. She'd befriended both Mamoru and Motoki and withdrawn some precious information from her prey, er, new friend. With a gentle push, she had set her little snowball of matchmaking mischief in motion.
"Aah, heavenly alliteration," she thought, her thoughts wandering.
And now she was off to meet Usagi, and she of course thought that this would be the easier of the two. Usagi, after all, would be friends with anybody who wanted to be friends with her. Easy as cake. Or was it pie? She shook her head.
"Stupid clichés."
As she waited, Emily noticed a commotion from inside the arcade as the doors slid open. She watched curiously as a grungy looking boy, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and baseball cap, walked out of the game center, a backpack overflowing in plush toys slung over one shoulder.
"He's incredible!" she heard a kid say, watching the teen in awe.
"Yeah, he got every toy he aimed for!" someone else exclaimed as the boy disappeared along Tokyo's crowded sidewalks.
Emily shook her head, reaching for the cell phone that the Outers had supplied her with. "Crane Master Joe," she mumbled beneath her breath. "Well I'll be darned."
"Moshi moshi," she heard Michiru answer the phone.
"Hey, it's Emily. I just thought you might be interested that a Rainbow Crystal carrier just left the arcade, headed due north."
"We've got it covered. Thanks. Any sign of Usagi?"
"No, not... oh! Wait! There she is. Gotta go!" She snapped the phone shut and dropped it back into her pocket, inhaling a deep breath to calm her nerves.
A flying ball of blonde energy suddenly emerged in the crowd, skipping happily toward the arcade, and Emily grinned. She was so adorable! Knowing that Mamoru was already inside the arcade, she only hoped that she would have a chance to talk to the girl alone before he interrupted and said or did anything stupid. And if all went well, she'd have Usagi spilling her deepest secrets to her by sundown.
When Usagi was close enough, Emily took a deep breath and lunged herself into the girl's path, bracing for impact.
They had equal squeals, Emily's only half-faked, as they both tumbled to the ground.
"Oof," Emily muttered, gingerly rubbing her behind. "Gee, I'm sorry."
She looked up at Usagi, who had a very similar reaction, smiled back, and apologized as well. Standing, Emily went to offer the girl a hand, but Usagi was already on her feet. "Are you alright?" Usagi asked worriedly.
"Fine. Are you?"
"Oh, yeah. I actually do this all the time. It hurts for awhile, but you get used to it."
Emily laughed, watching Usagi's face squint up in remembrance of the first few times she'd crashed into someone and ended up on the pavement.
"My name is Usagi." She held out her hand.
Emily's smile widened. This was far too easy. "Emily," she said and they shook. "Where were you headed to so fast?"
"Right here, actually. The Crown Arcade."
"Really? Me too!"
"Yeah?" They slowly started meandering toward the doors.
"Uh-huh, I met a couple of really sweet guys here yesterday and was hoping they'd be around. I'm visiting Tokyo for the first time and don't know a lot of people, so I figured any friends I make are a good thing."
"Oh!" Usagi squealed delightedly. "I'll introduce you to my friends! They're so sweet; you'll love them! Well, maybe sweet isn't the best word to describe Rei-chan, but her heart is in the right place. And you'll for sure love Ami-chan! I'm going to meet them right now!"
Emily giggled, her heart speeding up in sudden excitement, partly because Usagi's enthusiasm was contagious, but mostly because it was dawning on her that SHE was going to hang out with Sailor Scouts. She nearly did a jig in her glee, but managed to refrain. "That's awesome! I'd love to meet them!"
"Oh! Except..." Usagi flushed. "Um... you see, we're kind of supposed to be having this meeting, just the three of us... You see, we're in this, um... secret organization, and..."
Emily grinned. Sailor Scouts meeting. "Don't worry, I'm sure it's important."
The glass doors slid open, welcoming them into the arcade. Having been unconscious the first time she'd entered, this time sent giddy chills through her. She was sure that it was cooler than walking into the Queen's royal chambers.
"I know!" Usagi said suddenly, clasping her hands in front of her chest. "Let's go shopping later!"
Emily gasped happily. Shopping in Tokyo! With Sailor Scouts! "Oh, yes, that sounds splendid!"
"There you are, baka-brain!" a black-haired girl said, walking toward them and scowling. A shorter girl with blue hair followed behind her. Emily was amazed at how normal strangely-colored hair seemed in this world. "You're late again!" Rei scolded, her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry, Rei-chan! Really, I was going to be on time, but then I ran into Emily here, and we just got to talking. Gomen nasai." She bowed apologetically as Rei rolled her eyes.
"Hi, I'm Emily," she chirped up, hoping to draw Rei's anger away from the poor girl. After all, Emily consented, it was her fault, not Usagi's, that she was late.
Ami smiled first. "Hello. My name is Ami. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Rei looked at her suspiciously for a moment and Emily could feel her own smile begin to fizzle out. Weakly, she gestured toward Usagi. "It's the truth. I'm afraid I did make her late."
Finally, Rei rolled her eyes and smiled. "No, trust me, she would have found a way with or without your help. My name's Rei."
Usagi, feeling that Rei's temper had ebbed, raised her eyes, smiling. "We're going downtown later, do you guys want to come?"
"Maybe we can get ice cream, too?" suggested Emily, knowing it would seal the deal, at least with Usagi.
Rei shrugged. "Maybe. But right now we have a lot to do and need to get going, especially since somebody was late again."
"Yeah, yeah, hold your horses," Usagi whined as Rei grabbed her by the elbow. She pulled away and dug through her book bag, emerging with pen and paper. "Here's my phone number," she said, scribbling, "and here's Rei's. That's where we'll be. Maybe give us a call in a couple hours?"
"I sure will. It was great meeting all of you!" Emily took the paper and slid it into her pocket, waving as the three girls rushed out of the arcade. Ami waved back, but Rei was too busy scolding Usagi, and Usagi was too busy looking ashamed. When they were out of sight, Emily turned around, smiling proudly. She immediately saw Mamoru in a corner booth, book in hand. Though he quickly looked away, pretending to be disinterested, Emily noted that he'd been watching them.
"Oh, Mamoru-san!" Emily squealed, walking over to his booth. Mamoru looked up as she approached and nodded a greeting. "I just met SUCH a sweet girl!" she exclaimed, sitting across from him.
"I noticed."
"You saw us? You should have come and said hello. I could have introduced you. She's super cute."
Mamoru shook his head. "Actually, we've met."
"Oh! So you know then! I am absolutely amazed at how sweet people are here in Japan. First you and Motoki, and now Usagi-chan. That is her name, right?"
He grunted that it was.
"I feel like I'm making friends everywhere I go. She asked if I wanted to go shopping and get ice cream later. Would you like to come with us?"
"God no. Thanks anyway," Mamoru said forcefully, taking another gulp of coffee. His eyes were still on the book.
"Well, not to go shopping, of course, I wouldn't subject you to THAT kind of torture. But dessert? I'll invite Motoki, too!"
Finally, Mamoru set down the book and looked up as if he was thinking hard about something. "Let's see . . . spend an evening listening to Odango Atama's whining and annoying gibberish and watch her slurp down three times her bodyweight in ice cream? Gee, sounds like a party." His sarcastic smile faded. "Think I'll pass. You have fun, though."
Emily blinked. "You really don't like her?" she asked, remembering the conversation she'd had with the Outer Scouts the night they had brought her here.
"What's to like?"
"Don't you think she's pretty?"
"I find it hard to be attracted to someone with so many annoying traits. Besides, what do looks matter?"
"Well, she was very kind to me."
"Kindness is about all she has going for her."
"Sometimes that's enough."
He snorted, downing the coffee. "Why are you defending her, anyway? You just met."
Emily shrugged. "I would defend you to somebody, and we practically just met. Call it female intuition."
"You call it intuition, I'll call it naiveté. Look, Usagi is . . . yeah, she's a pretty sweet girl. But she's also irresponsible, lazy, dumb, and selfish."
"Selfish?"
He hesitated. "Alright, bad word choice. More... self-centered and vain, I guess."
Emily shook her head. "Come now, she must have some good qualities!"
"I thought we covered it already."
"Fine, Mr. Skeptical," Emily ordered a milkshake, searching out another path of conversation. "So . . .what DO you look for in a girl, anyway?"
"What do you care?"
"Pure curiosity. You just seem so... hard to please."
He shrugged. "Never thought about it much."
"Well, think about it. I want to know."
Rolling his eyes, he muttered, "Someone who isn't always asking stupid psyche questions and doesn't pry into the personal business of someone she just met."
Emily giggled awkwardly. "Well, it's a good thing I'm not applying for the position."
He snorted and slid a paper marker between the pages of his book.
"I bet you're the kind of guy who likes his girls chipper and optimistic. Who's fun to spend time with and always excited about stuff. Who appreciates the little things in life just as much as the big things. Who wholly devotes herself to the people she cares for and is quick to love and trust others."
He said nothing, but raised an eyebrow in a "you must be kidding" fashion.
But after a momentary pause, she plowed on anyway, "And even if I did just meet her, that kind of sounds like Usagi-chan, doesn't it?"
"Can we stop talking about Odango? Just thinking about her gives me a headache."
"Fine, fine," Emily said, grinning. At least he hadn't denied it. "Just one more thing. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if she has a crush on you."
He burst into laughter, drawing the attention from nearby patrons.
"No, I'm serious! A smart, sweet, gorgeous guy like you... she's probably so nervous when you're around that her worst characteristics come out. You probably don't know the real her at all."
His laughter abruptly died to a soft chuckle. "Listen, Emily. No offense, but you haven't a clue what you're talking about. You don't know anything about Usagi. And you don't know anything about me. Just like we barely know anything about you."
"Here, here," she said, holding her glass up in a mock toast before finishing the dessert.
"Look, I have to go. Have fun shopping with the mall twit."
"Sure will. Do you want me to tell Usagi-chan you said hello?"
"No. I don't want you talking about me, either."
"Oh, Mamoru, darling, why would we talk about a boring guy like you?"
...
"So I heard that you know my friend, Mamoru-san!"
Usagi blanched, nearly choking on her cherry. "Mamoru? YOU know Mamoru-baka?"
"Yeah, well, we actually just met a couple days ago, but yeah."
"Oh, I'm so sorry one of your first impressions of the Japanese had to be HIM," Usagi said sourly.
Emily blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean he's only the biggest arrogant, rude, heartless jerk in this country."
"Oh. Well... he's been very nice to me."
Rei laughed. "You see, Emily, what Usagi forgot to mention is that Mamoru-san is only an arrogant, rude, heartless jerk to HER. He's actually a really cool guy, otherwise."
"And very intelligent," Ami added.
"Gah, whose side are you guys ON?" Usagi wailed. "I don't know how anyone can stand that creep!"
Emily couldn't help but smile at Usagi's adorable pout. "But that doesn't make any sense. Why would he only act that way around you? He seemed a perfect gentleman when I saw him."
Usagi glared and crossed her arms. "Yeah, right. I bet that man doesn't even know the meaning of chivalry."
"He was pretty chivalrous to me."
"What happened?" asked Rei.
"Well, I wasn't feeling well—I think it was the heat—and passed out in the middle of the sidewalk. He caught me and took me to the arcade. Then he and Motoki-san took care of me until I was feeling better."
"Aw, how sweet! See, Usagi, how can you call him heartless after that?"
She rolled her eyes at the priestess. "Easily, knowing that, had it been me, he would have left me there to my misery."
"Wow, whatever he's done to you must be really bad."
"Oh, he's the worst! He's always making fun of my hair and my grades. He teases me about being ungraceful and loud and he calls me Odango Atama!" She sniffed angrily, sinking into the bench.
"What does 'Odango Atama' mean?" Emily asked innocently.
"Dumpling Head," Rei answered with a snicker. Usagi responded with a smack on her arm.
"Oh, that's adorable!" Emily said, clasping her hands together dreamily.
Usagi eyed her warily. "I fail to see how that is adorable in any way."
"Don't you see? You're the only girl he teases; he has a cute pet name for you. He obviously has a crush on you!"
Immediately, three teenage girls fell into fits of laughter.
"Mamoru... like Usagi?" Rei gasped. "That's the funniest thing I've heard all day!"
"Absolutely absurd!" added Ami, holding her stomach.
"I can't believe you could even suggest such a thing!" choked Usagi, laughing tears forming in her eyes.
Emily grinned secretively, leaned back, and waited for the laughter to ebb. Finally, she announced, "I'm quite serious, Usagi-chan. It makes perfect sense. Why else would you be the only girl to receive this 'special' treatment? He's probably so sprung on you that he can't think of anything else to say when you're around, so he teases you instead. Or maybe he's so terrified of rejection, he has to say mean things so you won't guess his true feelings."
Usagi rolled her eyes again. "You obviously don't know that baka very well. Why on Earth would the smooth, sophisticated Mamoru EVER like me?"
"Why wouldn't he?" Emily gasped. "You're drop-dead gorgeous, for one. Not to mention sweet, charming, fun to be with, cheerful, loving..."
"Oh, stop, stop!" wailed Rei through another fit of laughter. "You're killing me!"
Emily smirked. "What if I'm right, Usagi-chan?"
"You're not! It's... ballistic!"
"But what if I AM?"
Usagi looked away, frowning out the window. "Well, that's just too bad for him then! The mere thought of that jerk liking me makes me nauseous!"
"You wouldn't be flattered? Just a little? Come on, he's only THE most handsome man in the world! And even you called him smooth and sophisticated."
"If you think so highly of him, why don't YOU go out with him?"
Emily smirked and leaned back, refusing to let her imagination run away with such a blissful suggestion. "Because I honestly don't think I'd be any competition for his Odango Atama."
Usagi only glowered and scooped up the remains of her sundae.
"May I ask . . ." Emily began hesitantly, trying her best to act nonchalant. Usagi raised her eyebrows at her questioningly. "You said he teases you about your grades. What—what's wrong with them?"
Usagi sighed sadly, and though Emily hated the thought of hurting or insulting her, she was glad the question hadn't further ignited her anger. "I'm horrible at school," she said.
"Understatement," Rei corrected beneath her breath, to which Usagi promptly stuck her tongue out.
"She's actually quite smart," Ami pointed out. "She only has difficulty applying herself to her schoolwork."
"You don't understand, Ami-chan. It comes so naturally to you."
"Yes, but perhaps if you spent a bit more time with books and a bit less time with arcade games..." Rei began.
"I have an idea!" Emily interrupted just as Usagi's face was turning red with anger. "Why don't I tutor you?"
"I've tried that," Ami said quietly, alluding that her efforts had failed miserably.
"Well, sometimes you just need the right teacher. Perhaps it didn't work because you're too smart to understand her learning style. You're too different."
"I don't know," said Usagi uncomfortably. "The thought of spending time on schoolwork outside of school makes me feel even sicker than the thought of Mamoru liking me." She paused and looked up ponderously. "Actually, no, it doesn't."
Emily plowed on. "We could do it at the arcade. That way we can order lunch, study, and watch the cute boys all at the same time!"
A hint of a twinkle appeared in Usagi's eyes. "On second thought... I think I might like your teaching style after all."
"Great! So I'll see you there after school tomorrow. Bring everything you need, and I'll supply the snacks." Standing, she added beneath her breath, "And the cute boys."
...
Joe took the shortcut home, like usual, his stuffed backpack slung over one shoulder, hair and limbs of small plush dolls sticking out of the top. Turning down a familiar alleyway, he heard a gentle thud and turned to pick up the Goku toy that had fallen out.
"Why is it always the Dragon Ball characters?" he mumbled, shoving it back into his pack. As soon as he stood, a dark figure looming above him made him stumble backward fearfully. His hand let go off the doll to clutch at the material over his heart, the backpack landing on the pavement and spilling the toys into the shadows. "Jesus, you scared me!" Joe yelled, his fear diminishing as the figure stepped out of the shadows.
She was a young girl, eleven, maybe twelve, with cropped black hair and a short skirt. The tall scythe that had made Joe initially think he was meeting the Grim Reaper looked more like leftovers from a Halloween costume when held by the child.
Joe smirked and stooped down to pick up his bag. "Nice costume. Your colors are a little off, though."
"Crane Master Joe," the girl said in an eerily hollow voice that gave him chills and a recurring image of the Reaper.
He collected himself. "Oh, you want a doll, kid?" Rolling his eyes, he started digging through the pack. "Here, I'll see if I can find Sailormoon for you. You obviously have a thing for her."
"Do you have Sailorsaturn?"
Raising his eyes, Joe noticed that the girl had come a step closer, her purple boots mysteriously silent on the concrete.
"Sailor Who? I think you have your planets confused."
A hint of a wry smile crossed the girl's lips—the first emotion he'd seen on her—and the look urged Joe to stand and take a few steps back. He mentally cursed himself for being scared of—no, nervous around—some adolescent superhero reject.
"I think you're wrong, Crane Master Joe. And I think you're about to find out why." As the girl lifted her palm toward him, Joe felt a sharp pain ripple through his chest. Again, his bag fell as both hands reached up to cover his searing chest. Bile rose up in his mouth as he realized to his horror that there was a gaping hole in the flesh over his sternum. Choking, Joe fell to his knees and could only watch as a glowing red stone emerged from the cavity and floated into the awaiting hand of his assailant.
Joe's nausea was suddenly replaced by strength coursing through his veins. His muscles stretched, his blood throbbed beneath his skin as he felt himself growing, expanding, strengthening.
"Not so fast!" Sailorsaturn said, holding out the stone. It glowed even brighter, filling the alley with crimson light. "Youma, you belong to me now!"
The feelings of power were suddenly wrenched away, as though someone were tearing Joe's very soul apart. He screamed in anguish and collapsed. His scream split in two—one dying on Joe's lips as he fell silent and spent to the ground, and the other echoing on hazy red streams of energy as they deserted Joe's body and were sucked into the crystal.
The alley fell suddenly silent, the crystal flickering from red to black to red again. Joe continued to pant, his head between his knees.
He heard the scuffle of the girl's boots before him, but dared not raise his eyes to meet hers.
"My apologies," she said sympathetically in her resonating voice. "To fight the monster without the Moon Wand while it was still trapped in your body would have been the death of you. But it is gone now. You are human once again."
As Sailorsaturn turned to leave, Rainbow Crystal in hand, a splotch of green on the pavement caught her eye. She gasped. "A Syaoran Li doll? Ooh, I love him! Can I have it?" she squealed.
Joe could only groan, which Saturn took as a yes, and she scooped the doll up, cradling it against her chest. "Thanks, Joe!"
When Joe found the strength to look up a moment later, he and his bag of toys were alone in the alley.
...
xoxo
Alicia