AN: Hey peeps! Sorry about that last chapter, but my new beta reader Maruka
Koneko thought that it was a little too revealing, and slow for what I
wanted going. So.taking her excellent advice I completely re-wrote the
entire chapter and got something much better than anything I could ever
have hoped for. I hope you enjoy, and please try to review when you finish.
A few words can mean so much.
On a side note I would like to tell anyone out here that YES I DID get Maruka Koneko to beta read my new stories, so you can expect them to be much better as she has talent I can only envy. I highly recommend you to go and read everything she's written. It's wonderful, and you won't be disappointed. Ja!
***
The crystal spires that had once stood so proud and tall were shards around her feet. The cries of the dead and the dying echoed in her ears, and she wished that she could only do something to help them. But it was too late now for those innocent whose lives were lost, it was too late for her daughter and her friends who were already dead. It was even too late to help her beloved husband, who had taken a shard in the chest when her world had fallen apart.
She couldn't understand how it could have happened. Everything was so peaceful.a perfect world where everyone lived in peace and harmony. She had thought she would finally have a chance to get to know the man she had married, and rule the way she had been taught so long ago.
But all of those dreams had been shattered, just like Crystal Tokyo.just like her world. And what hurt her the most was there was nothing she could do about it. They had known ahead of time that a meteor was coming and it would hit earth. And she had thought they would manage to stop it. She had been so sure of herself and her scouts.she hadn't even really worried.
But when the time had come she realized that she wasn't powerful enough. She wasn't really that strong at all.not in the face of such a threat. And when she had combined with all of her scouts.even her daughter to destroy the giant rock they were like a small mosquito trying to stop a moving car. And they had wasted all of their energy, and her world had been destroyed.and all because of her.
And she knew that the meteor shouldn't have been a problem for her. She ought to have been able to deflect it with no problem at all. But that wasn't the way it had happened.not by a long shot.
Silent tears rained over her cheeks, and rang as they hit the once beautiful crystals around her feet. It was all over. Taking a fairly long shard in her hand, she positioned it over her chest. She had been a warrior once; she knew just where to hit to end it forever. Completely, and painlessly. But as a thin trail of blood flowed down between her breasts she realized something. She couldn't give in to the warm embrace of death until she did something to help those she had already failed. There was a better way to use her life than waste it over a broken world. She could try to heal that same world.
Taking out the silver crystal, the selfsame crystal her mother had used when her world had been destroyed in order to help those she loved, she held it high over her head. And praying it would work Usagi, or Neo-queen Serenity held the silver crystal, and put everything she had into it.
And even as she fell to her knees and died, knowing she was a failure, she didn't hear those moans turn into cries of amazement and relief. And she didn't see as slowly the dead began to rise.
And with a scream of agony her soul was wrenched from her body, and her once hope of death was denied her.as she was taken home.
***
No tears were allowed her in this world, and as Usagi banished one of many memories away she regretted not being able to lessen her pain through that age-old form of mourning. But it wouldn't help her to dwell on that which she could not change. And her destiny would never vary no matter how hard she might wish it might. She would live, and die. Each life more painful than the last, and each death more longed for. As she followed the will of the fates, she only prayed that one day it could end.
She brushed those thoughts out of her mind, and tried to clear it for what was to come. After millions of years of being up in what the mortals down on earth choose to call 'heaven' it was finally time to say goodbye.
She still remembered when she had 'first come to be' and had woken up. Not knowing where she was, or what she was doing Usagi had searched for someone else. She felt there was something wrong, and when she had found Laina all of her worries were put to an end. Laina had been her first and best friend since she could remember. She had explained that she was in the waiting realm, where the souls of people waited until they were born into a body. That was the way it had always been. Of course back then she had no idea what was to come of her. That she was special.but would never know why.
Or so she was told. It was the way life went, people would be born, they would live a happy life on earth, and then they would die. But for some reason that had never been the way it worked for her. Ever since the beginning she had been born, and her life was a form of hell most likely much worse than whatever really existed. Not that she could know though.seeing as how she had never witnessed it. That was her fate, over and over again she would die, and just come back to where she had started. And oh how she longed for death, for he sweet release of knowing that all of your troubles and worries were over. To be able to see her friends who had already passed on. To once more be with her other good friends. Ami, and Rei, and countless others who had affected her many lives. To be with them once more was a dream that she would most likely never achieve.
Looking down on her reflection she saw once more that she was different. In act, in soul, and even her very appearance was extraordinary to those she saw. She was like a pink rabbit. No one else was really like her, not in all of the worlds.
Her white hair fell down about her feet, and she wore it loose. In certain light the white reflected all of the colors of the rainbow. Constantly changing, and never the same for even an instant. And her eyes were always giving her away, no matter how hard she might try to hide what she was feeling. That was because they were constantly changing. From the bright blue when she saw happy, to the dark gray of the eyes that were staring right back at her. But where her hair was colorless, and at the same time constantly filled with color, her skin was a burnished gold. But on her it didn't look ridiculous, or even fake. It looked classically strange, just like she was. And her delicate features were so precise, so perfect it was almost as if she couldn't be human.
She stopped herself just before she touched her image, and it was overlapped by a man with black hair. She had been watching him for a while now. After all, if Goku was going to be the father of her best friend she wanted to know him. That way she could know if he would take care of her friend when she was finally born. He was pacing in the hospital room, obviously nervous about the thought that his wife was about to have his first child. Once more she reached out to him, she almost felt like she knew him, even though they had never met. And yet again she had to stop herself from breaking the one and only rule in the realm she resided in. But she wasn't quite able to stop herself, and she watched as the ripples in the pool waved around her hand as she touched the icy cold water.
With a start she snatched her hand away. What the hell was that! Since when did she break the rules? What a stupid thing to do! What would have happened if she hadn't of snatched her hand back? She shuddered at the feeling the water gave her when she touched the seeing pool. It had been pulling her in!
Still shaking she silently gathered her cool about herself, and turned to walk away. Focusing her mind on what she needed to think about. And not that cold feeling she had gotten. No wonder it was forbidden to make contact with the pools of life!
And now it was time to say goodbye to Laina. For she was to be born very soon, and Usagi would be left really and truly alone. There was no one left, all of her friends had already passed on to a place she could not go.
And as Usagi looked away from the offensive face staring back at her, she thought of what she had known for so long. Many believed the ultimate goodbye came from death, because they could never see their loved ones again. But for Usagi.she knew the truth. Death didn't separate someone forever. That came only from birth.
Knowing it was time, and not willing to put it off any longer, Usagi started to walk towards where she could feel Laina. Out of the billions of souls that resided there, she could find Laina in an instant. It was one of her gifts.she could sense people.
And as she went off searching for her friend she passed all of those who were standing around their own pools, watching loved ones just like she had done for so many, and many had done for her. It was the one gift they were given, and that was that even though someone you cherished was gone, you could still watch out for them.
Silvery laughter rang in Usagi's ears as when she looked off in the distance she saw Laina standing with a few of her friends. They were probably talking about what she would do in her life, joking about how it could be. Everyone knew Laina had been waiting for such a long time for a chance to live.and she deserved it. After all of those times she had allowed Usagi to cry on her shoulder when she had died again and again. And her understanding, and the fact she cared. Laina was like a calm pond to Usagi's raging sea. Perhaps that was why they got along so well. They were so completely different, and in their differences they were able to help one another.
She turned to leave, but before she started to walk away she turned back around. After all of the times that Laina had been with her when she had received her call, it would only be fair that she be there for her friend. She couldn't abandon her at such a time as this.
And putting a fake smile on her face, and wishing that would be enough she turned and waved at her friend. Finally going to say farewell.
***
Laina scanned the crowd of people that had come to see her off, searching for that one face that she wanted no needed to see more than anyone else does. She didn't think that Usagi would not show up, but then again no one knew that the small girl had gone through more than Laina, and you could never be sure. She was just so impulsive, and spontaneous. She could do anything, at any time. No one would be able to tell, and none could stop her. That was why Laina admired her so much. She was able to make decisions, and live with what she had done. While she on the other hand could never seem to make up her mind!
"Laina, over here!" the unruffled voice of Usagi rang in her ears, and Laina threw caution to the wind and raced over to her friend, throwing her arms around the small girls shoulders. She knew that had she a body she would have tears streaming down her face, and she could feel her heart breaking. There was once a time where she would give anything to have what was about to happen to her in mere seconds. But now, looking into the sad eyes of her best friend she found herself truly thinking about what she was doing. She was all Usagi had, every person she had ever loved had died, and she had as of yet to find her soul mate. She just had her best friend for now, but soon that would be over.
Their goodbye was soundless, as words couldn't express that they were feeling inside. And Laina found herself feeling something she had never felt in all of her existence. Hate. And overwhelming hatred for the fates, who felt that they could control anything and everything. For having her leave her best friend to live a life that was all that Usagi really wanted.
***
Usagi knew it deep inside her. It was time. Pulling herself away from Laina, she stepped back, knowing she would never see her dear friend ever again. And as she saw her friend begin to fade, she couldn't look anymore. Shutting her eyes tight at the disappearing visage of her friend, she blocked everything out of her mind. Laina would be almost gone now, and then it would all be over.
A tingling feeling in her hands snapped her back to reality, and her eyes flew open just in time to see that Laina had grabbed her. Had touched her when she was passing over. But that was forbidden! And even as her mind was blown at the implication as what was happening, she felt the call being passed to her.
***
Laina started at where her friend was only a moment ago with a small smile on her face. She still didn't know what she had done, or why she had done it. She had acted purely on impulse for the first time in her life.
And as she stood there, calm and still.the world around her erupted into chaos.
***
Whadda you think? Not bad hun. I hope you enjoyed it.
And remember to review. I really need to hear something, anything to inspire me. They're the fuel that keeps me going.
And email me at sirencalling@yahoo.com if you feel like it. I would love to hear from you!
On a side note I would like to tell anyone out here that YES I DID get Maruka Koneko to beta read my new stories, so you can expect them to be much better as she has talent I can only envy. I highly recommend you to go and read everything she's written. It's wonderful, and you won't be disappointed. Ja!
***
The crystal spires that had once stood so proud and tall were shards around her feet. The cries of the dead and the dying echoed in her ears, and she wished that she could only do something to help them. But it was too late now for those innocent whose lives were lost, it was too late for her daughter and her friends who were already dead. It was even too late to help her beloved husband, who had taken a shard in the chest when her world had fallen apart.
She couldn't understand how it could have happened. Everything was so peaceful.a perfect world where everyone lived in peace and harmony. She had thought she would finally have a chance to get to know the man she had married, and rule the way she had been taught so long ago.
But all of those dreams had been shattered, just like Crystal Tokyo.just like her world. And what hurt her the most was there was nothing she could do about it. They had known ahead of time that a meteor was coming and it would hit earth. And she had thought they would manage to stop it. She had been so sure of herself and her scouts.she hadn't even really worried.
But when the time had come she realized that she wasn't powerful enough. She wasn't really that strong at all.not in the face of such a threat. And when she had combined with all of her scouts.even her daughter to destroy the giant rock they were like a small mosquito trying to stop a moving car. And they had wasted all of their energy, and her world had been destroyed.and all because of her.
And she knew that the meteor shouldn't have been a problem for her. She ought to have been able to deflect it with no problem at all. But that wasn't the way it had happened.not by a long shot.
Silent tears rained over her cheeks, and rang as they hit the once beautiful crystals around her feet. It was all over. Taking a fairly long shard in her hand, she positioned it over her chest. She had been a warrior once; she knew just where to hit to end it forever. Completely, and painlessly. But as a thin trail of blood flowed down between her breasts she realized something. She couldn't give in to the warm embrace of death until she did something to help those she had already failed. There was a better way to use her life than waste it over a broken world. She could try to heal that same world.
Taking out the silver crystal, the selfsame crystal her mother had used when her world had been destroyed in order to help those she loved, she held it high over her head. And praying it would work Usagi, or Neo-queen Serenity held the silver crystal, and put everything she had into it.
And even as she fell to her knees and died, knowing she was a failure, she didn't hear those moans turn into cries of amazement and relief. And she didn't see as slowly the dead began to rise.
And with a scream of agony her soul was wrenched from her body, and her once hope of death was denied her.as she was taken home.
***
No tears were allowed her in this world, and as Usagi banished one of many memories away she regretted not being able to lessen her pain through that age-old form of mourning. But it wouldn't help her to dwell on that which she could not change. And her destiny would never vary no matter how hard she might wish it might. She would live, and die. Each life more painful than the last, and each death more longed for. As she followed the will of the fates, she only prayed that one day it could end.
She brushed those thoughts out of her mind, and tried to clear it for what was to come. After millions of years of being up in what the mortals down on earth choose to call 'heaven' it was finally time to say goodbye.
She still remembered when she had 'first come to be' and had woken up. Not knowing where she was, or what she was doing Usagi had searched for someone else. She felt there was something wrong, and when she had found Laina all of her worries were put to an end. Laina had been her first and best friend since she could remember. She had explained that she was in the waiting realm, where the souls of people waited until they were born into a body. That was the way it had always been. Of course back then she had no idea what was to come of her. That she was special.but would never know why.
Or so she was told. It was the way life went, people would be born, they would live a happy life on earth, and then they would die. But for some reason that had never been the way it worked for her. Ever since the beginning she had been born, and her life was a form of hell most likely much worse than whatever really existed. Not that she could know though.seeing as how she had never witnessed it. That was her fate, over and over again she would die, and just come back to where she had started. And oh how she longed for death, for he sweet release of knowing that all of your troubles and worries were over. To be able to see her friends who had already passed on. To once more be with her other good friends. Ami, and Rei, and countless others who had affected her many lives. To be with them once more was a dream that she would most likely never achieve.
Looking down on her reflection she saw once more that she was different. In act, in soul, and even her very appearance was extraordinary to those she saw. She was like a pink rabbit. No one else was really like her, not in all of the worlds.
Her white hair fell down about her feet, and she wore it loose. In certain light the white reflected all of the colors of the rainbow. Constantly changing, and never the same for even an instant. And her eyes were always giving her away, no matter how hard she might try to hide what she was feeling. That was because they were constantly changing. From the bright blue when she saw happy, to the dark gray of the eyes that were staring right back at her. But where her hair was colorless, and at the same time constantly filled with color, her skin was a burnished gold. But on her it didn't look ridiculous, or even fake. It looked classically strange, just like she was. And her delicate features were so precise, so perfect it was almost as if she couldn't be human.
She stopped herself just before she touched her image, and it was overlapped by a man with black hair. She had been watching him for a while now. After all, if Goku was going to be the father of her best friend she wanted to know him. That way she could know if he would take care of her friend when she was finally born. He was pacing in the hospital room, obviously nervous about the thought that his wife was about to have his first child. Once more she reached out to him, she almost felt like she knew him, even though they had never met. And yet again she had to stop herself from breaking the one and only rule in the realm she resided in. But she wasn't quite able to stop herself, and she watched as the ripples in the pool waved around her hand as she touched the icy cold water.
With a start she snatched her hand away. What the hell was that! Since when did she break the rules? What a stupid thing to do! What would have happened if she hadn't of snatched her hand back? She shuddered at the feeling the water gave her when she touched the seeing pool. It had been pulling her in!
Still shaking she silently gathered her cool about herself, and turned to walk away. Focusing her mind on what she needed to think about. And not that cold feeling she had gotten. No wonder it was forbidden to make contact with the pools of life!
And now it was time to say goodbye to Laina. For she was to be born very soon, and Usagi would be left really and truly alone. There was no one left, all of her friends had already passed on to a place she could not go.
And as Usagi looked away from the offensive face staring back at her, she thought of what she had known for so long. Many believed the ultimate goodbye came from death, because they could never see their loved ones again. But for Usagi.she knew the truth. Death didn't separate someone forever. That came only from birth.
Knowing it was time, and not willing to put it off any longer, Usagi started to walk towards where she could feel Laina. Out of the billions of souls that resided there, she could find Laina in an instant. It was one of her gifts.she could sense people.
And as she went off searching for her friend she passed all of those who were standing around their own pools, watching loved ones just like she had done for so many, and many had done for her. It was the one gift they were given, and that was that even though someone you cherished was gone, you could still watch out for them.
Silvery laughter rang in Usagi's ears as when she looked off in the distance she saw Laina standing with a few of her friends. They were probably talking about what she would do in her life, joking about how it could be. Everyone knew Laina had been waiting for such a long time for a chance to live.and she deserved it. After all of those times she had allowed Usagi to cry on her shoulder when she had died again and again. And her understanding, and the fact she cared. Laina was like a calm pond to Usagi's raging sea. Perhaps that was why they got along so well. They were so completely different, and in their differences they were able to help one another.
She turned to leave, but before she started to walk away she turned back around. After all of the times that Laina had been with her when she had received her call, it would only be fair that she be there for her friend. She couldn't abandon her at such a time as this.
And putting a fake smile on her face, and wishing that would be enough she turned and waved at her friend. Finally going to say farewell.
***
Laina scanned the crowd of people that had come to see her off, searching for that one face that she wanted no needed to see more than anyone else does. She didn't think that Usagi would not show up, but then again no one knew that the small girl had gone through more than Laina, and you could never be sure. She was just so impulsive, and spontaneous. She could do anything, at any time. No one would be able to tell, and none could stop her. That was why Laina admired her so much. She was able to make decisions, and live with what she had done. While she on the other hand could never seem to make up her mind!
"Laina, over here!" the unruffled voice of Usagi rang in her ears, and Laina threw caution to the wind and raced over to her friend, throwing her arms around the small girls shoulders. She knew that had she a body she would have tears streaming down her face, and she could feel her heart breaking. There was once a time where she would give anything to have what was about to happen to her in mere seconds. But now, looking into the sad eyes of her best friend she found herself truly thinking about what she was doing. She was all Usagi had, every person she had ever loved had died, and she had as of yet to find her soul mate. She just had her best friend for now, but soon that would be over.
Their goodbye was soundless, as words couldn't express that they were feeling inside. And Laina found herself feeling something she had never felt in all of her existence. Hate. And overwhelming hatred for the fates, who felt that they could control anything and everything. For having her leave her best friend to live a life that was all that Usagi really wanted.
***
Usagi knew it deep inside her. It was time. Pulling herself away from Laina, she stepped back, knowing she would never see her dear friend ever again. And as she saw her friend begin to fade, she couldn't look anymore. Shutting her eyes tight at the disappearing visage of her friend, she blocked everything out of her mind. Laina would be almost gone now, and then it would all be over.
A tingling feeling in her hands snapped her back to reality, and her eyes flew open just in time to see that Laina had grabbed her. Had touched her when she was passing over. But that was forbidden! And even as her mind was blown at the implication as what was happening, she felt the call being passed to her.
***
Laina started at where her friend was only a moment ago with a small smile on her face. She still didn't know what she had done, or why she had done it. She had acted purely on impulse for the first time in her life.
And as she stood there, calm and still.the world around her erupted into chaos.
***
Whadda you think? Not bad hun. I hope you enjoyed it.
And remember to review. I really need to hear something, anything to inspire me. They're the fuel that keeps me going.
And email me at sirencalling@yahoo.com if you feel like it. I would love to hear from you!