Much love!
rosa lunae
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Kooin Ya no GotoshiChapter Six: The Makings of a Plan
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When the group of warriors from the future arrived at their destination, a sigh of relief escaped Setsuna's lips, as the opening through time faded away.
"Ah. This timeline is pure. Usagi is still alive."
Endymion began walking forward, though he had no idea where to go. "How much time to we have? Where do we find her? Do we just go get her, stay with her still tomorrow, what do we do?"
Setsuna lifted a palm for silence. The others stopped and waited. Groaning loudly, Mamoru returned to the group. She almost smiled; the loud groan and annoyed stalk reminded her of his teenage days as Tuxedo Kamen. But she pushed the memory away and focused. Time was of the essence.
"We can't do anything huge without messing up the timeline even more. We cannot stop her from being killed ourselves. Our job is to make sure Usagi has a chance to defend herself. We all know if she'd been given that chance, she would not have died. After that happens, then we worry about catching the killer."
Mamoru ground his teeth together in frustration. "WHY?"
Setsuna rolled her eyes. "Listen, Mamoru-san, we all want a piece of the SOB, too. God knows who it was. But we'll be there to find out. First we have to make sure that Usagi doesn't go to sleep. And I'm open to suggestions."
Endymion was too flustered and near-panicked to think clearly. And the Senshi were all itching for battle. Even the Shitennou were restless. But luckily, in her time to shine, Ami stepped forward.
"Mamoru, you say that you think someone tricked her into thinking that you'd be coming to visit her during the night. Obviously, to do this, our killer would have to be disguised as you. Now, this will take some very careful maneuvering, but we have to track down the Usagi of this period and tail her. When we see 'you' approach her and offer a truce through a night meeting, we know we're at the brink of the change. So, you use your powers to look just like the younger you, and after he's gone, you catch up to her and ask her to stay up and wait.
"Most likely, when 'you' don't show up after a few hours, Usagi cries herself to sleep, thinking you played with her mind. She'd be emotional enough at that age and that time to think this way. So she goes to sleep. If she actually hears you say that with a genuine plea for her to wait up, I've no doubt that she'll do it. Knowledge is key. If she knew to stay up as late as possible and wait, she would. That way, she'd catch the guy trying to kill her and blow him out of the water."
Endymion rubbed his hands together eagerly. "You know Ami, I understood maybe half of what you just said, but that last part sounds good. You think she'll attack him even though he'll be disguised as me?"
Ami nodded, grinning as the plausibility of her plan unrolled. "Of course. If she woke up, she'd not only catch him in the act, but she'd be able to detect the difference in persona signatures."
He stared blankly.
Ami looked flustered. "Oh… right. I mean, she'd sense that it wasn't you."
Haruka grinned, smacking her hands together and then rubbing them eagerly, almost like Endymion had done. "Well, seems like we're getting a plan. But we're not just going to sit around and hope she stays awake, right?"
Endymion answered before Ami could. "Oh… no. No way. We make sure she blows him away, then we catch him and find out who it is."
Setsuna shook her head. "Hopefully we can just let her kill him. Safer for the timeline. Okay. Today is a weekday. Right now, Usagi's at school. The perpetrator probably approached her after school." She glanced at the sun. "It's about 9:00."
She nodded at Rei and Jadeite and Ami and Zoisite. "I want you guys to find Usagi. Follow her. Stay close. If anyone looking like Mamoru approaches her, contact us immediately. Go."
The four of them left quickly, separating into couples. Two went to the school, two towards her home, in case she stayed home.
Setsuna turned to the remaining. She sent a frowning Kunzite and Minako to the Crown, and Makoto and Nephrite to the park. Sometimes Usagi would sneak away to eat lunch at either place.
Endymion and the Outers remained, and he was getting very antsy. But before Setsuna could issue any other instructions, Kunzite came running back, Minako trailing worriedly behind.
"Mamoru, I can't hold this in any longer. It's been bugging me ever since we found Motoki's journal. We were at the crown, and we went into the Control Room, and some memory was triggered and I knew we were missing something, but I just can't REACH it!"
Endymion's eyes widened in concern, but before he could say anything, the special communicator hidden under his sleeve went off. His eyes darkened.
"That's Naru."
He looked around, then put his wrist to his mouth, his eyes alive with urgency.
"We're here, Naru-chan. What's wrong? How is Usagi?"
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Back at the palace, Naru was becoming increasingly worried about the Queen. She was struggling violently against the bonds, and Naru had to tighten them through her tears. She feared the Queen would hurt herself.
And for hours, she'd been moaning about "Crown…the trap…! Motoki!" in between her shrieks of "kooin ya no gotoshi!" And Naru knew that if she was screaming about some trap at the Crown, she must be trying to warn them.
She stepped away from Neo-Queen Serenity so Endymion wouldn't have to hear her screams.
"Sir, the Queen keeps repeating a phrase over and over in her sleep about a trap. She says "Crown… the trap…Motoki!" I think she might be trying to warn you about something."
Endymion looked at Setsuna before answering, but Setsuna looked nonplussed.
"Thank you, Naru, I think what you've told us is very significant. What else has she been saying?" His voice trembled slightly.
Naru sighed. "The same thing she said when she first fell ill. Kooin ya no gotoshi."
"Thank you, Naru. Take care of her, okay?"
"Nothing else, sir. Be careful."
Endymion severed the connection, then cursed loudly. "Time flies. What is she trying to say to us? I know she's trying to help us. But what could she be talking about? A trap at the Crown? Motoki? Motoki was long gone in that last timeline. And there was no trap."
"Could she warning us about this timeline?" Hotaru wondered.
Kunzite's eyes suddenly dawned with realization. "No. Setsuna! What day is it?"
She told him, curious as to what he was on to.
Haruka rolled her eyes. "Spit it out, Kunz."
He spoke quickly, excitedly. "Then one week ago yesterday, in this timeline, was the day Motoki found the Control Room and Usagi revealed herself to him! Three days later, Mamoru broke up with her."
Minako looked at her husband curiously. "And that has what to do with a trap?"
The light of realization in his eyes shone like his silver hair. "She's not talking about a trap. She didn't finish her sentence. She's talking about the trap DOOR. When Motoki fell into the Control Room, he left the trap door open! And he was so stunned to see us, he never closed it. No one did. That means someone could have seen Usagi reveal her identity!"
"Well, who did you guys fight that day?" Michiru asked urgently.
Endymion's eyes darkened, stark against his white face. "Esmeraude. We fought Esmeraude. Almost minutes after she told Motoki everything, Esmeraude and her youma attacked outside the Crown. She must have overheard." He shook his head, furiously. "I always knew that witch was trouble."
Haruka cocked an eyebrow. "Well, that's all great, but I wish I knew what you guys were talking about. Plus, that doesn't explain how she could use the knowledge a second time around, does it Setsuna?"
Setsuna's eyes were knit with confusion. "No. If in the past she had overheard Usagi's identity, why not just tell Demando? Wiseman? You know, her superiors?"
Minako laughed bitterly. "Esmeraude had authority problems, remember? Plus, she was in love with Demando. If she had handed over Usagi's identity as Sailor Moon, he'd have an all access pass to his little crush. That would have infuriated her. She'd never do that."
Michiru nodded. "Plus, our evidence shows that our killer came from our time and went to the past."
"And Esmeraude is dead. She died when Wiseman turned her into a dragon and she tried to destroy the palace." Endymion stated bluntly. "This is insane. Who the hell killed my wife!"
Haruka looked skeptical. "So we have a perp. Only, she'd never give away Usagi's identity, and she can't come back here to the past because she'd dead. I think that would stump even Ami if she was here."
Endymion's communicator beeped again.
"Yeah?"
"Hey, Mamoru. Ami here."
Haruka laughed harshly.
"Usagi has snuck out of school. We're tailing her, and it looks like she's heading to the park. She doesn't look… happy. Tell Makoto and Nephrite to look out for her."
Endymion raised his eyebrows. "How did you know that's where they went?" He couldn't help asking.
A tight, stressed smile leaked over the intercom. "I'm the Senshi of Wisdom. I just know."
Ami's attempt at humor fell on deaf ears. "I don't doubt it, Ames. Okay. Contact the others. I'll contact Makoto."
"Copy. Keep your head, Mamoru."
Setsuna looked at him somberly, her admonition, silent. "Let's go."
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Naru sighed as she returned to the master suite. Just the lack of her Queen's true presence sucked her energy.
As her hand touched the crystal knob on the oak door, a piercing scream stabbed her ears. Naru threw the door open, and her stomach turned over at the sight before her.
Serenity had struggled so hard, she'd pulled her shoulder out of socket. And now she wasn't moving at all.
Naru calmed herself. She quickly studied the injury, and since Ami wasn't here, she'd have to help Serenity herself. She'd seen Ami do this to a soldier once, all on her own, and Ami was tiny. So, Naru placed one hand behind Serenity's dislocated shoulder, and one on her collar pone, and applied pressure, and the joint popped back in with a sickening pop!
The Queen didn't even twitch. A soft sigh escaped her white lips.
"Oh, no…" Naru whispered through her tears. "The first day has passed…Her decline has begun…"
She rushed to get ice, and returned within a minute. The Queen's pallor had deepened, and she was breathing slowly, as if a weight sat on her chest.
Naru arranged ice packs around Serenity's shoulder, hoping she couldn't feel the pain. Then she knelt and took the Queen's small hand in her own. It was freezing.
"Hold on, Usagi-chan…" she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "Hold on!"
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Everyone met up in the shadows of the trees behind the park bench where Usagi was crying quietly.
Endymion cursed himself. God-forsaken dreams. It hurt then, and it hurt now. And now, because of his stupidity, Usagi was emotionally vulnerable enough to fall for a petty trick and get killed.
Serenity had moaned in her delirium that he had killed her. He thought she was referring to the disguise of the murderer. Now he knew she was right; his actions had killed her-first, emotionally and now, physically. He might as well have pulled the damn trigger.
According to Kunzite, the wounds must be fresh. Only five days ago, his past self had followed in his fateful footsteps and severed his relationship with Usagi. At least he'd tried. It was impossible.
Endymion turned to Setsuna, whispering. "Let's just forget about understanding Esmeraude for a minute. Whoever the killer is, then I'd bet he shows up disguised as me here. Esmeraude has Usagi's identity, she'll use it somehow. She can track Usagi. So she knows she's alone in the park. She's crying. It's only been five days. The timing is perfect. Kami."
Setsuna nodded. "Get ready, Mamoru. This part of the mission is key. When you see what he's wearing, you make yourself look just like him. Approach Usagi from the direction he left, tell her to stay up late. Follow your instincts, Mamoru. Just make sure that Usagi does not go to sleep."
"Got it."
Endymion's heart burned at seeing his wife's past self. He longed to approach her, touch her hair, cheeks, to be sure she was real, and not dying in their bed at the palace. Even if she was years younger, years more immature, years more emotional and clumsy and flaky, that was his wife. A deep longing filled him, and he knew it wouldn't be quenched until he had Serenity back in his arms again, smiling into his eyes.
They didn't have to wait long. A man who looked like Mamoru approached, sporting the hideous green blazer that Usagi had stolen from him and hidden, claiming it was for his own good.
Endymion's eyes narrowed, flashing dangerously. It certainly wasn't his past self—he could sense it. Plus the man looked like him, but he was physically smaller. Yes, it could be Esmeraude under that façade…
The fake Mamoru approached Usagi slowly, then touched her shoulder from behind. Endymion felt fire rush up his face in rage, but Setsuna tightened her grip on his arm, her nails digging into his fingers. He took a deep breath, and buried his rage. For now.
"Usagi," he said quietly. "What are you doing here?"
Usagi's eyes dug out Endymion's heart all over again. "I…I left school. I didn't… feel well."
"Oh."
He's a fake, Usako! Endymion's mind screamed as he watched the scene unfold. Even when we were separated I would have asked if you were okay!
"Well, Usagi, I've been thinking lately… and I think we need to talk."
When Usagi's eyes lit up with blind hope, Endymion felt the anger rise again. On his right, he heard Haruka hiss a foul word.
"Do you think you could leave your window open tonight? As soon as I get off work, I want to come by and talk in private."
Pride filled Endymion when Usagi looked hesitant, even in the emotionally vulnerable state she was in. "Why can't we just talk now, Mamoru?"
Just the name Mamoru said she was suspicious, Mamoru noticed. Even when we were separated she called me Mamo-chan most times…
The fake Mamoru paused for a moment. "I am on my way to class. And after school, I have to work."
"Oh." The pain of being a last priority was poorly hidden in Usagi's eyes. "Ok. I'll leave it open."
The fake Mamoru grinned— and not one of hope, or even boyish mischief. "Good. Kooin ya no gotoshi, Usagi. I don't want my time with you to slip away."
Leaving a seductive kiss on her palm, the fake Mamoru walked slowly away.
Endymion had to fight the outrage. He saw the double meaning behind the words, and the significance of the phrase his wife had uttered surged into his mind. He watched Usagi carefully, looking for a reaction.
Oh, yes, the killer had played Usagi perfectly. She was dazzled by the kiss, and her eyes were sparkling. He was long gone, but she was still sitting on the bench reveling in the moment. She stood, and began to walk back towards Juuban High. Compelled by the sight of his wife's pale face, Endymion faded into the likeness of his past self, and ran after her.
"Usagi-chan! Matte!"
She whirled, a bright smile in her eyes. "Yes?"
Mamoru resisted the urge to cradle her in his arms. He stuttered for a moment, surprised by her eyes. "Um… I know you probably don't trust me very much right now… but I just wanted you to know that I…have to work kind of late tonight. So, do you think you could wait up for me? I don't know what time I'll be able to make it."
Wasn't that the truth…Something was different in Usagi's eyes. The hesitation was gone, the foolish hope, gone. Simple trust remained, opposite than what he had assumed…
Maybe subconsciously, she could sense that he was really Mamoru!
"I'll be glad to wait up for you. Anything you have to say, whether I like it or not, is important to me." It was difficult for her to admit, obviously.
He sighed in relief. "Okay. But I swear, I will be there! Just please wait up for me!"
"I will, Mamoru!" She said, amused. "I promise. I'll even sleep through the rest of my classes so I won't be tired."
Now that Endymion believed. "Ok. Great."
She began to walk away again. He grabbed her wrist, relishing the warmth and softness of her skin.
"Usagi?"
"Yes?" she asked breathlessly.
"I miss you."
She smiled softly. "It's mutual. See you tonight."
She hurried back to class.
Endymion stood in the park, staring at his hand, longing filling his heart. When Usagi was out of sight, the Senshi approached him.
"It's done." Setsuna breathed. "Now, come. We don't have the time to just wander around in this timeline and cause a disturbance. We're going to go forward about twelve hours and set up a watch all over Usagi's house. As soon as Usagi destroys the killer herself, the timeline should be fixed."
Setsuna led them to a secluded area and opened a portal. She looked each of the Senshi, each of the Shitennou, and Mamoru dead in the eye, before she spoke, her voice low and commanding.
"The time is now, minna. We stop this."
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Okay, everyone, I know this chapter was confusing. It confused me. But please, hold the questions. I swear that all the loose ends and all the burning questions will be answered! Patience!
Please review!
rosa