Part Three:
15 August 2005
Dawn broke slowly across the sky, blanketing the surrounding suburbs of Tokyo in a soft red and orange hue.
The young man stared solemnly at the ground before him, paying no heed to the beauty that was at his back, each lost in his own recollections of an event that he had neither witnessed nor had any control over yet still it pained him.
Why had he come here? He had moved on. He had resolved that such events should be forgotten, banished to the back of his mind as though nothing but a nightmare, but he had never quite managed to do that.
To simply forget… how could he do that? How could he do that when it pained him so much? All that had been sacrificed in his name. He saw the agony that the decisions of the past caused, even now. Perhaps this was why he had come here? Whether it was to seek his own kind of resolution or just because, even now, when he needed to, he could turn to comfort of his memories of before.
Should he need to… words that meant so much and yet he was so reluctant to call upon them. How could he ever move on if his entire world simply revolved around the past?
A past that no longer existed… that had no place… a past that only sought to drive a wedge between him and the people that he loved.
He had been wrong to come here. It had served no purpose other than to bring back memories of times that no longer existed. They hadn't existed for a long time now…
When Usagi awoke that morning, she was amazed at the silence and peacefulness of her surroundings. Lying still awhile she simply listened to the sound of birds calling, staring at the light breaking through the window and shining down upon her.
She usually awoke the sound of traffic, so this was a very welcome change for her and she envied Rei-chan slightly for living in this blissful silence.
"This is all connected to the past life. This spirit has a great knowledge of who Usagi was in the past and also knows who Mamoru was, as well as knowing of the Ginzuishou. Their regret is also their pain, but they also feel cheated. They feel as though Usagi cheated them. As though she took something from them, and did not repay the favour. They hate Usagi enough to kill her."
Before she had retired to her own chambers, Rei had hung ofuda scrolls all around the room that Usagi and Mamoru were sharing, just in case although they both had her utmost assurance that nothing could get in. Usagi, trusting Rei completely, had faith in her friend and that Rei would somehow be able to stop the spirit of Beryl from causing her further harm.
Subconsciously, as she processed this thought, Usagi raised her hand to her bruised throat.
It was just as well she was staying with Rei-chan, she thought to herself. If her mother saw this… Usagi would never hear the end of it and Ikuko might think that Mamoru had something to do with this.
That could never be the case, Usagi knew as she cast an affectionate glance over at the futon where her boyfriend lay sleeping. He was buried under all the covers so that Usagi couldn't see him at all. She pouted slightly at this. Mamoru looked so cute whilst he was sleeping and so she had commented last night, thus his actions of this morning no doubt.
Easing herself into a sitting position, Usagi's thoughts now turned to Minako and Hikaru. Minako seemed to really like him and the thought that he was hurt because of Usagi, really upset her. Minako, of course, would never blame her, and Hikaru himself didn't appear to believe in this spirit at all. This was good, Usagi reasoned, as it meant that he didn't start to ask questions that Minako was unable to answer.
Usagi debated whether or not she should call Minako and see how they both were. Her friend had, had a terrible time a year ago, too, and deserved happiness more than any of them and, Usagi hoped, Minako could find this happiness with Hikaru-san.
"I heard Usagi-san cry out and I went to investigate but…" he paused, "You'll think it foolish."
"No" Minako shook her head, "Please tell me."
"It was as though there was something in here with me. The air became almost too thick to breathe. Then just as I thought I was going to pass out… She told me that I was not to interfere."
Hikaru-san was hurt because he was going to try to help me…. This thought touched upon another memory, a memory that pained Usagi to think of…
It was my fault…
Not wanting to think of such saddened times, she leaned over with the intention of waking Mamoru and gasped softly when she pulled back the blanket and found that the futon was empty.
"Mamoru?" Usagi called, keeping her voice low as not to wake her friend sleeping in the next room. She gained no reply.
Where could he have gone? Why did he leave without telling me?
Still making sure that she was being as quiet as possible, Usagi got up, pulling on her coat over her pyjamas as, again, she recalled yesterday.
Last night in my apartment… I wasn't attacked. In fact I'm not even sure that whatever it was wanted to do me harm. I could sense this presence. They were watching me… I could feel them.
Usagi bit her lip, thinking of what Mamoru had said. The spirit, Beryl could have already made her move. Mamoru could be in danger… she should get Rei-chan.
As Usagi moved to go into the adjourning room she paused, seeing that Mamoru's shoes and coat were missing. So were the clothes that he had been wearing the night before, she also noted.
Sighing gently, Usagi leaned back against the door to the shrine. He had simply gone for a walk. Still, he shouldn't be alone.
Pausing only to get dressed and stuff a couple of the ofuda scrolls into her pockets, just in case, Usagi slid back the rice paper screen and stepped outside the safety of the shrine.
The fresh morning air was cold, despite it being only mid-August, thus Usagi moved quickly through the trees wrapping her arms around her in an effort to keep warm as she did so. Whereas dawn had broken across the sky, it was still dark underneath the trees and Usagi's eyes strained to catch a glimpse of Mamoru and, more often than not, shadows played tricks on her and this did nothing to assuage her wildly beating heart.
Already Usagi was regretting her impulsiveness. She should have woken Rei-chan after all. After all that had happened over the past couple of days, Usagi knew that she certainly shouldn't be walking through the woods behind the Hikawa Shrine alone.
Even as she processed this thought, she heard a twig snap under foot. Whirling around, Usagi found herself reaching for an ofuda scroll.
As she stood, poised, the wood pigeon emerged from the bushes in front of her, giving the pigtailed girl a glare with its beady eyes before flying away with a clatter of wings.
Usagi sighed, leaning back against a tree, allowing the scroll to flutter to the ground.
Coward…
What would Mamoru think if he could see her now?
He would think that I am foolish for coming out here alone. He is probably already back at the shrine worrying about me.
Usagi cringed at this latter thought. She hated being the cause of Mamoru's concern. She had already caused enough trouble lately.
Princess…
Usagi froze, subconsciously pressing her back harder against the tree feeling somehow a little more secure.
Did I imagine that? Was my mind playing tricks on me?
Keeping herself stock-still, Usagi listened intently over the sounds over the birds' call, her own breath that was coming out in short gasps and the sound of the breeze rustling the leaves.
Nothing else disturbed the tranquillity.
Usagi ceased worrying her lower lip and let out a small sigh of relief before stepping away from the tree. Never before had she missed her henshin as much as she did now. As Tsukino Usagi she felt so vulnerable. She hated feeling this way.
"My spells will protect her within this shrine. The spirit can only stay in this world for the duration of o-bon. After then Usagi will be safe."
Just until after o-bon, Usagi told herself as she recalled Rei's words, after o-bon I will be safe again. This thought pained her slightly. She and Mamoru had so been looking forward to spending o-bon alone together and now it looked as though she would be spending it imprisoned in Rei's shrine. After all she and Mamoru had been through… Usagi silently cursed Beryl. Would the woman never leave them in peace?
Instantly, Usagi hated herself for harbouring such thoughts. A small part of her had always pitied Beryl. Unrequited love was a terrible thing and Usagi couldn't imagine how she'd feel if Mamoru hadn't returned her feelings.
Thinking of Mamoru, made Usagi realise that she should try to get back before he returned from his walk or he would be really worried about her.
Usagi then paused, staring hesitantly around the wooded area and wondering which way she had come from. All the trees looked the same and, was it her imagination, or did the atmosphere begin to feel unsettled?
Staring upwards at the sky peeking between the trees, Usagi could make out no signs that it was going to rain.
"I should get back," she said out loud, as though just to break the heavy silence that seemed to have developed throughout the wood during the past few minutes.
Deciding on turning right, Usagi picked up her pace, walking briskly down, what she hoped, was a well-used footpath.
Her shoes crunched loudly on the light fall of leaves beneath her feet and this sound comforted Usagi as she continued on her way, finally pausing only when the footpath appeared to filter out into a patch of nettles.
Confused, Usagi looked around, unsure of whether to head back and take the small fork in the path that she had passed moments before or go by a completely different route altogether. She couldn't recall seeing that nettle patch before anyway.
The sound of leaves underfoot, did nothing to comfort her now and only served to antagonise Usagi further as she stood still, listening intently for sounds of civilisation.
But I am standing still…. How can I still hear the crunching of leaves?
A shiver passed through her body at this realisation and, as though guessing her thoughts, the noise ceased and the woods became silent again.
Now on her guard, Usagi turned around slowly, scrutinising every tree, every spot of darkness in her search for the person who had been following her.
Again nothing.
It could just be another animal…
Recalling the wood pigeon, Usagi blushed and decided to go back the way she had come. There was another path, or so she recalled, back the other way.
As she turned, the footsteps behind her continued, pausing only when Usagi did and, she realised with a great feeling of dread, that whoever it was had a faster gait and was catching up with her.
"This is all connected to the past life. This spirit has a great knowledge of who Usagi was in the past and also knows who Mamoru was, as well as knowing of the Ginzuishou. Their regret is also their pain, but they also feel cheated. They feel as though Usagi cheated them. As though she took something from them, and did not repay the favour. They hate Usagi enough to kill her."
Rei-chan's words came back to haunt her now, as Usagi broke into an almost run, now hurrying wildly through the woods, making no secret of where she was going and yet wincing at the loud cracks of twigs underfoot which served, undoubtedly, to tell whoever was following her exactly where she was.
They'll kill me… I'm all alone out here… Why didn't I stay at the shrine!
Silently cursing her own stupidity, Usagi glanced around at her surroundings, struggling to see a way out of this. She couldn't see even the roof of the shrine though the trees. All around her the woods now seemed dark and foreboding and still behind her she could hear her pursuer.
If I found somewhere to hide…
As she processed this first rational thought, Usagi saw, directly to her right, the perfect place to hide from her would-be-attacker.
There had been several summer storms and during these Rei-chan had told her that some trees had been felled by lightening. One of these trees, a chestnut tree, had fallen directly onto a sturdier looking oak and, over the course of the summer, thick vines had grown up around the two trunks, binding tightly together to form a small opening, just small enough for Usagi to fit inside.
Slowly and carefully, she made her way towards this, making sure that she only made minimal noise lest her newly found hiding place be discovered.
Brushing aside several vines, Usagi climbed inside, her heart beating painfully hard in her chest as she made sure that she was as concealed as possible but with enough light in order for her to peer fearfully out at her surroundings as the spirit's words came back to frighten her once more.
Hiding behind the past life you are too terrified to admit the truth to them all. The truth about what you are and what you did. The very truth of the Ginzuishou's power. The fact that you…
What did I do? She wondered fearfully as the footsteps came nearer and nearer. What did I do to make you hate me so?
Then they stopped. All of a sudden they simply died away. Usagi stayed perfectly still, taking in short ragged gasps of air as she strained her eyes to catch sight of her pursuer. She couldn't see anyone… she couldn't see anyone because, suddenly, she became aware of foreign breath on the back of her neck. She became aware of steady breathing… breathing that wasn't her own.
You knew what I wanted… but still you denied it… you took everything and gave nothing… all that was sacrificed for you…
Usagi screamed as the voice whispered these torments and she all but threw herself from her hiding place. Sprawling on the forest floor, she struggled to right herself, as she felt her would-be-attacker lung forward, powerful arms encircling her waist and throwing her to the ground once more.
Lashing out furiously, Usagi's fists only made contact with air as she found herself helplessly pinned to the ground, her arms now being pulled roughly up above her head.
Fighting this, Usagi managed to break free, still seeing nothing of the person above her.
They are not a person… they haven't been human for a long time…
Then her palm closed around something cold and metal-like. Pulling at this, Usagi thought she heard a slight gasp of pain and her attack released their hold. Rolling out from under the unseen being, Usagi began to run, faster still when she heard a painfully familiar voice calling her:
"Usagi?"
"Mamoru!"
All of a sudden she was in his arms. Mamoru pulled her into a tight embrace, whispering reassurances into her ear as Usagi's resolve to be strong faltered and she broke down.
Mamoru and Rei sat in silence, observing the sleeping form of Usagi upon the futon. The miko's gaze was troubled as was Mamoru's own heart.
After returning to the shrine and then finding Usagi gone, Mamoru had felt unforgivably guilty at leaving at all, especially when it meant that he had, unwillingly, placed Usagi in danger. He should have known that if she awoke to find him gone she would look for him. This she had done and the result was that it was her life that was in danger.
Mamoru shuddered slightly as he recalled those seconds after she had leapt into his arms. How her trembling form had gone limp as she lapsed into a faint, the stress of what had happened being too much for her body to handle.
Mamoru had carried her back the Hikawa Shrine, Rei being silent for the journey. He could tell that the miko was annoyed with him for leaving and not taking care of Usagi, despite his words to Minako the day before. Of course Rei gave away nothing, staring intently at the fire for a few minutes before beginning to place ofuda scrolls in the immediate vicinity of Usagi again.
"Do you think it could get passed your wards?" Mamoru asked, breaking the silence.
Rei nodded, her eyes troubled, "As soon as it sensed us it left, but its essence lingered for longer. It is powerful… if it really wants Usagi then there is little I can do to stop it."
"Then why doesn't it attack now?"
Rei shook her head, "I don't know."
Mamoru sighed, suddenly needing some air. Saying as much to Rei, he pulled back the screen and stepped outside.
He sat on the steps of the shrine, frustrated and angry that he was powerless to protect the girl he loved. With the climax of o-bon tomorrow, he knew that the spirit would be more determined than ever to get at Usagi.
At this thought, Mamoru slowly curled his palm to stare at the object, still stained with blood. It pained at him to even gaze upon it, knowing what this meant… what it symbolised. The metal felt cold against his skin and Mamoru involuntary shivered slightly.
This was something that he had to keep to himself, for now at least.
Usagi…
At the moment he had to concentrate on keeping Usagi safe. Only when he felt sure that he could leave her, would Mamoru act upon this new information.
Watching, in silence, as the Prince stood on the threshold to the shrine, staring down at the object that the Princess had retrieved. His expression, as always, gave away nothing and the regret intensified at this.
Princess… have you truly turned his heart?
Always taking… from everyone around you… The Ginzuishou gave you such power… the power to heal… the power of rebirth and yet you denied me it. I allowed you to feel my pain… my empathy… At the end I had thought that we had an understanding… yet you proved me wrong. That understanding meant nothing to you. Was it simply for my benefit? Was your compassion only a façade? It must have been. Twice I have been betrayed in this world. The word of a Lunarian had never meant very much in the past and it is the same in this life also.
Forever was a long time and, after tomorrow, it would be the same… Tomorrow was the last day of o-bon… the last day to make my feelings understood…
Princess… tomorrow you will see… then you shall truly understand my pain…
Hikaru allowed the tap in the bathroom sink to keep running for longing that he needed it to as he stared into the mirror, taking in the dark marks under his eyes, the paleness of his skin and the shaking of his hand as he curled up yet another blood stained piece of tissue into a ball and tossed it into the waste basket at his feet.
Feeling slightly nauseous he reached for a clean piece before pressing it tightly against his skin in an effort to staunch the blood flow. He held it there for several minutes and, at last, the blood flow began to subside.
Once it had finally stopped, Hikaru paused only once to check the damage, again feeling a little ill as his gaze took in the torn skin before disposing of the remaining tissue and flicking the bathroom light off as he exited the room.
As he did this, he became aware of the insistent knocking on his front door. Consulting his watch, Hikaru saw that it was only 9.00am. Frowning in a little in annoyance, as he wasn't expecting anyone, Hikaru paused only to make sure that his wound wasn't visible before hurrying to answer the door.
Minako stood on the threshold, her eyes appearing troubled, even as Hikaru recalled the events of the night before and leaned down to press a tentative kiss to her lips in a greeting.
Minako returned his kiss with as much enthusiasm as she had done the night before, wrapping her arms tightly around him as she did so, giving Hikaru the distinct impression that she hadn't just come to see him on a whim.
Saying as much when they parted for breath, he invited her inside. Minako sat herself down on his sofa, whilst Hikaru chose to stand by the window, half looking out and down to the streets below as he said:
"Is something troubling you?"
Minako nodded, "It's Usagi. She was attacked again this morning."
"I see. Was she hurt?"
"More frightened than anything. Rei called to let me know" Minako faltered slightly after speaking and Hikaru went to her, pulling her into his arms in a bid to offer her some comfort.
For some reason he got the distinct impression that Minako felt as though she should be protecting her friend from this… whatever this was.
"I've just come from the shrine" Minako continued, "I thought that…"
"That it might have come after me, too?"
She nodded.
Hikaru gave her a small smile, "I was told not to interfere, remember? I must have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"I thought you didn't believe in it?"
Hikaru shook his head, "I don't know what to believe anymore."
Minako appeared content with this answer and, for a while, neither spoke. She huddled against him, worrying in silence for the safety of her friend.
To this, Hikaru did not know what to suggest. If Minako's miko friend, Rei, couldn't protect Usagi then he doubted that there was anything that he or Minako could do to help.
"Just make sure that she isn't alone again," he said at last, sensing Minako's need for him to say something, "Is Mamoru-san staying with her today?"
"Mamoru and Rei both are" Minako confirmed.
"And Usagi-san has no idea why someone would want to harm her?"
Minako shook her head, "Usagi-chan would never deliberately harm anyone."
Hikaru stood, feeling a sudden pain from his wound as he did so. Hurriedly disguising this, he enquired to know what Minako was doing for the rest of the day.
"I was going back to the shrine," Minako admitted quietly, "Now that I know that you are alright. I know there is little I can do but I want to feel as though I am somehow helping. Do you understand?"
Hikaru nodded, feeling more than a little disappointed as he had hoped that he and Minako could spend the day together. Voicing these thoughts, Minako kissed him again before replying to this with:
"I can come around this evening for a while?"
"I would like that."
Minako, still sensing his regret, then added: "O-bon ends tomorrow and this will all be over. We'll have all the time in the world to spend together then. Usagi needs me right now."
Usagi needs me…
Hikaru gave her a half smile, realising that Minako's loyalty would take precedent, as it had done before.
"I understand," he said, embracing her once more, "Go and be with your friend."
Minako smiled, partly in relief, before once more promising to be back later before leaving him alone again.
Hikaru, upon her departure, sat back down on the sofa. His wound was beginning to throb again and, for this, he took a couple of painkillers. He was also tired and was, deep down, a little bit relieved that Minako had gone. This would allow him to rest.
O-bon ends tomorrow and this will all be over.
A slight chill passed through him as he recalled Minako's words.
Shaking this off, Hikaru lay down on the sofa and resolved to get some sleep, lest his mind wander to further unpleasant thoughts.
Usagi sat quietly on the futon in Rei's quarters, listening intently to the concerned whispers of her friends in the adjourning room. Shortly after she had regained consciousness Ami and Makoto had arrived, summoned by Rei so that they could be told of these latest events. Minako had arrived half an hour later, as first dashing off again to make sure that Hikaru-san was safe before coming back to help guard the shrine and grounds.
Rei and Ami were covering every room with various enchantments and ofuda scrolls whilst Makoto and Minako kept an eye on the grounds. Rei, despite her obvious concern, had again reassured Usagi that she would be safe as long as she stayed inside the Hikawa shrine. Usagi, herself, had doubts about this but was afraid to invoke Rei's wrath by commenting on this. In any case her friend had been more than generous and she was reluctant to throw it back in her face.
Glancing up at Mamoru, Usagi noted again how quiet he had been since she woke. Of course, he had expressed concern for her, but then he had become so withdrawn. Usagi wasn't altogether sure why.
Perhaps he's angry because I went off on my own…
Usagi knew how stupid she had been and had paid for it, but she had been so worried about Mamoru that she…
Sprawling on the forest floor, she struggled to right herself, as she felt her would-be-attacker lung forward, powerful arms encircling her waist and throwing her to the ground once more.
Lashing out furiously, Usagi's fists only made contact with air as she found herself helplessly pinned to the ground, her arms now being pulled roughly up above her head.
Fighting this, Usagi managed to break free, still seeing nothing of the person above her.
"I'm sorry" she said out loud, unsure if this was directed at Mamoru or someone else… the person whom she had wronged without even meaning to.
Mamoru looked up, "None of this is your fault."
"I know" Usagi sighed, toying with the end of one of her pigtails as she spoke, "I shouldn't have gone outside."
"You shouldn't" Mamoru agreed, "But what is done is done."
"What do you think it wants with me?"
"I don't know."
Usagi bit her lip, reluctant to voice her next thought but then doing so anyway, despite herself, "Perhaps I should confront it? Perhaps I should see what it wants?"
"No."
"But…"
"When you were attacked, did the spirit show any emotion other than anger?" she asked, keeping her eyes closed the whole time she spoke.
Usagi shook her head, "No. Yes… I'm not sure…"
"What other emotions do you think you sensed?"
"Pain. Regret."
That pain had been all around her this morning. Usagi could feel the emotions burrowing deep inside her own soul and this troubled her greatly. Slowly, after the initial terror had worn off, she was beginning to think that perhaps the spirit, Beryl, should be pitied after all.
"Usagi. I do not want you to go looking for trouble," Mamoru said seriously, getting up to come and kneel down beside her.
"I won't" Usagi shook her head, "I just want to find out--"
"No" Mamoru cut her off, "You are not Sailor Moon anymore. This… this person could kill you. I… I don't want to lose you."
Mamoru…
"I don't want to lose you, either" Usagi whispered as he pulled her into his arms.
I don't want to lose you… not after all we have been through….
"You only have to wait for one more day" Mamoru continued, "Then this will all be over."
Will it? Will it truly be over? How can it be over? Will Beryl simply leave? She did everything in her power to try to take Mamoru away from me before…
"One more day" Mamoru soothed, "Just one more day."
Then her palm closed around something cold and metal-like. Pulling at this, Usagi thought she heard a slight gasp of pain and her attack released their hold. Rolling out from under the unseen being, Usagi began to run, faster still when she heard a painfully familiar voice calling her:
"Usagi?"
"Mamoru!"
All of a sudden she was in his arms. Mamoru pulled her into a tight embrace, whispering reassurances into her ear as Usagi's resolve to be strong faltered and she broke down.
"Mamoru?" Usagi pulled away, frowning slightly at this recollection.
"Hai?"
"This morning… I think I took something belonging to the spirit. I had it in my hand when you found me. Did you find it?"
Mamoru shook his head, "No. You weren't holding anything, Usagi."
"I see" Usagi nodded, still troubled. She distinctly recalled this but Mamoru wouldn't lie to her… would he?
Ami paused to reach for some more ofuda scrolls, her face wearing the troubled frown that it had done since she had arrived here and learned of the latest attack on Usagi.
Ami, like the other former Senshi, had never felt so powerless and frustrated that she was unable to help protect her friend, thus her reasoning, again like the others, for coming here. Unable to transform, she was doing the only thing that she could think of to help; helping Rei to purify the Hikawa Shrine.
Her friend, too, worked in silence. The only voices were coming from Rei's room where Usagi and Mamoru were. Their voices were muffled and Ami could not make out what they were saying, even if it had crossed her mind to listen to them.
This silence from Rei concerned Ami and it wasn't long before she called her friend on this. Rei, always one to keep her troubles to herself, paused in her own task to look up at her quieter friend.
"Do you know who is doing this?" Ami asked, breaking this stalemate between them.
Rei carefully placed another scroll on the screen door to the shrine, taking her time before replying: "I don't know."
"Usagi-chan thinks that it might be Beryl."
"Do you think its Beryl?"
Ami did not know. Beryl was the logical assumption, but this just didn't quite fit in Ami's mind and she had been mulling over other possible culprits all morning to no avail.
"Beryl would have come here" Ami said at last, "Despite our wards."
Recalling her time spent in the Dark Kingdom, Ami knew from experience that Beryl did not have the patience to simple wait things out.
Again Rei was silent and Ami took a deep breath, reluctant to press too hard but also worried about her as she asked: "What is troubling you?"
Rei looked up, a little startled by Ami's boldness, but hid this behind a small smile. "Nothing. I am just concerned for Usagi."
"There is more to it than that. If it is something that we should know, please tell me, Rei-chan."
Rei took a deep breath, "Do you recall what I told you of o-bon?"
"O-bon is the time when the spirits of all our ancestors are called back from their ohaka and return to the family home to be reunited with their loved ones and then, on the last night families use Chouchin to guide their spirits back to the afterlife once again."
Ami nodded, feeling an icy wave of dread washing over her as she predicted what Rei's next words would be.
"This spirit knows everything that went on in our past lives so we can assume that they are someone from that past. During o-bon not only ancestors can be summoned and returned to Earth. All spirits can return as long as someone summons them."
"No" Ami shook her head, "This isn't possible."
"I don't want to believe it, either" Rei answered softly, "But if we are to protect Usagi then we must understand where this spirit came from. Myself, you, Usagi, Makoto, Minako and Mamoru are the only ones who have knowledge of the past life and the people who were alive then. This spirit was summoned back by one of us."