Ohayo Minna, Here is a little something that has been plaguing me.
Authors Notes - 'Denotes People's Thoughts' Please Read and Review.
The song "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra has inspired this story, and if you have not heard it I suggest you find it. It is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs.
Disclaimer – I still do not own any copyrights to any of this, and if any of you see them for sale on E-bay it isn't real. Yoshi-sama is still slapping me silly for sending 19.95 plus s&h to own the copyrights.
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Chapter 1 - Nightmares Become Reality
Sailor Moon stood once more legs trembling. The senshi around her fought valiantly, but were wearing down nonetheless. The Youma that stood before them resembled something out of their nightmares. With a human looking body the head was extremely grotesque. Dirty matted fur and venom dripping fangs highlighted the red eyes radiating arrogant hate.
Mercury stood scanning the Youma and the surrounding area trying to find some kind of weakness. Eyes widening in shock she double checked the scan just to make sure.
'I don't want to mislead anyone.' "Guys we have a problem, there is another presence just behind the Youma, it is small and human." Four sets of surprised eyes jumped to the ice senshi.
"Are you sure?" Mars spoke hurriedly glancing at Mercury with questioning eyes.
"As sure as I can be, I ran the scan twice to make sure." Mercury waved in the general direction of the presence. "How often am I wrong?" She looked back to her computer leaving the problem to the senshi, to return to finding the Youma's weakness.
Sailor Moon overheard the quick quiet conversation and quickly scanned the area that Mercury had waved. Sucking in a breath she was amazed to see a small child toddling directly towards the Youma and Senshi.
"Run away…Find your mommy, go back." Jumping up and down she motioned for the little girl to go the other way.
The Youma noticing the enemy's odd behavior turned to see what had distracted her. Spotting the young human, the Youma growled in satisfaction. 'Mmm…energy and vitality and innocence this should be nice.' It leaned forward and snatched up the child.
Everything blurred into slow motion as Sailor Moon screamed hoarsely. "No!" Grabbing at her tiara she was about to attack when Mars put out a hand to stop her.
"You can't, you will kill the girl as well." Mars looked horrified to be admitting this.
"But…but" Sailor Moon could find no words in the next moment as the monster drew the terrified child towards its gaping maw. A rose from nowhere slashed across the beast's arm nearly allowing the child to fall to safety. Sailor Moon prepared to attack the moment the child landed safely on the ground.
The child slipped from the Youma's hand momentarily but the beast's quick reflexes simply allowed it to snatch the toddler out of the air. The Youma now angry and in pain wanting to pay these idiots back for its suffering, slowly hefted the child towards its mouth. The poor terrified child screamed and cried as she faced death squirming and kicking wildly the look of tragic horror on her face etched into everyone's minds.
When the Youma first bit into the tender flesh, it sighed in appreciation. The screams abruptly cut off as the life faded quickly from the small child. Distracted by such a tasty meal, the Youma never saw the discus fly through the air and was finishing the last bite as it slammed into its flesh turning it to dust.
Sailor Moon dropped roughly to her knees as warm bile rose in her throat. Several emotions whipped around inside of her with hurricane force as she lost her stomach. Tears poured down her cheeks in raging streams.
'It isn't supposed to be like this, I save people, not watch helplessly as they die.' Guilt, regret, and horror danced around whirling her mind in circles.
The Senshi stepped closer to their leader as she collapsed. Watching her closely, Mars knelt down next to Sailor Moon and pulled her hair out of the way as her leader's stomach revolted. Trying to be soothing Mars rubbed Sailor Moon's back gently murmuring nonsense. Not sure if any of it was helping she glanced down towards her leader and then up at the four pairs of eyes above her. Their ashen complexions and tear stained faces mirrored Sailor Moons.
Mercury looked as stricken as Sailor Moon but was still standing in shock. Venus trembled with horror but determination kept her standing. Jupiter's ashen face filled with sympathy for the girl currently losing her stomach.
The only one that stood out was Tuxedo Kamen's face. Pale with tension and horror no tears escaped. His questioning eyes glued to one form only. Nothing else mattered in that moment. He bent down next to Mars and spoke softly.
"Come on, we have to de-transform and leave." He put an arm around Sailor Moon's shoulders and gently helped her stand. Quickly they all de-transformed back into their regular identities.
He watched avidly as they de-transformed wanting at long last to know Sailor Moon's identity. When Usagi finally stood in front of him the shock left him breathless. Hiding his reaction with great difficulty, he acted as though her identity was no surprise.
The girls were equally surprised to find that the caped superhero who had been helping them or at least Sailor Moon was none other than Chiba Mamoru. They all acted nonchalant, hiding their surprise until they could discuss this new turn of events.
Turning her away from the battle site he slowly guided her away. The girls walked silently behind Usagi and Mamoru.
Glancing behind him he questioned the girls quietly, "Where to?"
Rei answered him immediately. "The temple, we cannot take her home in this condition." He smiled gently at her thoughtfulness and headed for the temple. The group arrived quietly and filed in.
Pulling out spare tatami mats, Rei prepared a spot for Usagi before anything else. Mamoru helped Usagi sit and slowly took her hand and began chafing it.
Rei grabbed the telephone and called Usagi's house. Quietly informing Ikuko that Usagi had fallen asleep already, she inquired if Usagi could just stay overnight. With a nod and confirmation she promised to send Usagi home sometime midmorning the following day.
Hanging up the phone she turned around to find everyone just sitting around on mats quietly except Makoto. She was in the kitchen and Rei could hear a teapot whistling already. Smiling appreciatively she wandered towards the kitchen to offer to help.
Ami and Minako sat facing Usagi and Mamoru watching helplessly as their leader besieged with overwhelming guilt and grief sat unresponsive. Mamoru spoke softly while still chaffing her hand, trying to offer consolation and break through to her.
Rei and Makoto appeared with a tray laden with steaming mugs of tea and hastily prepared sandwiches. Setting the tray in the middle they sat in the empty spots forming a semi-circle.
Ami and Minako smiled in thanks for the sustenance. Mamoru pressed a mug into Usagi's hands and helped guide it towards her mouth. When the hot brew passed her lips it helped to break through the shock that held her in a death like grip. She slowly glanced around still not ready to speak. Blinking rapidly she was surprised to find that they were sitting in the Temple. She could not recall getting there.
Glancing at Mamoru with shock she saw the relief in his features when she made eye contact. Wondering about what his presence being here meant, she decided to let it be and think about it later. Sipping at the too warm liquid she tried not to think at all and just let the tea warm her.
Mamoru hesitantly held out a sandwich for her and she accepted it without reaction. Setting the cup down, she nibbled at the food without tasting it. When her stomach gave a polite rumble she ate a few bites.
When Usagi's eyes began to droop sleepily, Rei jumped up and went to her bed. Grabbing the pillow and comforter she slowly approached Usagi. Laying the pillow down she gently pushed Usagi over onto it. Covering her with comforter she made sure that Usagi was warm enough. She was startled when Usagi sleepily whispered, "thank you" as her eyes fluttered closed a final time.
Glancing towards Mamoru, Rei was happy to see him emit a small sigh of relief. He had heard Usagi's quiet words as she drifted off to sleep.
The group moved a few feet away from the sleeping girl so that their quiet conversation would not disturb her slumber.
"Have any of you ever seen her like this before?" Mamoru studied the four girls around him surreptitiously as he spoke. Not knowing them very well, he was cautiously optimistic about gaining their trust. He knew Sailor Moon trusted him as Tuxedo Kamen completely but he was unsure of the rest of the senshi. He was also unsure of the revelation of his identity. Thus far Usagi had been way too shocked to question his presence but he knew that when she finally awoke there would be a confrontation. Sighing softly he ran a nervous hand through his dark locks before his eyes wandered once again to the sleeping girl.
"We have never lost a human life before." Minako spoke bluntly but her words softened by the look of concern she threw towards the sleeping girl. "So we have no way of knowing how this will affect her."
"We will just have to keep a close eye on her and reassure her as much as possible." Rei chewed her lip thoughtfully before continuing. "Knowing Usagi, her guilt is what will do the most damage. She will see herself as being responsible for that little girl's death."
The door sliding open had all five of them turning in surprise. Mamoru's eyes widened as two cats wandered in. One black and one white, they slowly came towards the circle and sat with identical looks of surprise.
Mewling to get attention they both jumped up and headed for the kitchen. Glancing back Luna gave Rei a speaking look that had the three other girls smiling.
Rei getting the hint stood up. "The cats are hungry because I forgot to feed them earlier." She quickly walked into the kitchen. Luna and Artemis were already waiting for her anxious with questions.
"Who is that and what is he doing here?" Luna vibrated with suspicious anger, while Artemis just waited patiently.
"That is none other than Tuxedo Kamen in his human form and he is here because we had a very bad evening." Rei hurriedly explained the rest leaving both Luna and Artemis shocked.
"But the Youma's never eat humans?" Luna tried to fight her shock with logic but it fell short.
"Well someone forgot to tell this particular Youma that rule." Rei let her sarcasm get the best of her before sighing in frustration. "Look I have to get back out there just be careful and do not speak until Mamoru-san is gone."
The cats nodded and escaped through the open window. Rei took a deep breath and headed back to the main room.
Mamoru sat idly quietly conversing with Ami as Makoto and Minako looked on in horror. Thinking it was something important she hurried forward only to find them discussing the newest quantum physic theories. That explained the look of horror on the other girls' faces. A small smile gentled her features as a bubbling laugh tried to escape. Mentally admonishing herself she berated the fact that these were not the circumstances to be laughing.
Their discussion came to an end when they agreed about the excitement level of the new studies currently underway. They both turned and looked at Rei at the same moment waiting for her thoughts.
All traces of the softness gone she was once more a hardened battle warrior discussing the latest battle.
"We need to focus on this Youma's behavior." Rei glanced towards Ami as she continued. "Did your computer scan pick up anything different about this Youma?"
Ami shook her head and waited for Rei's next thoughts.
"As we have never had a Youma that killed humans much less ate them I think this one may have been some kind of a rogue."
Minako nodded in agreement, "Yeah it was strange that there was no General there to give orders."
Makoto shook visibly while remembering the gory battle scene as it played out in her mind. "Something else, you know, it never did mention Beryl or any masters of any kind." She cocked her head to the side and stared quizzically at the other three girls and Mamoru.
"Well we will have to come up with a battle plan but I think that can wait. Right now we all need our rest." She glanced at Mamoru before speaking. "You are more than welcome to stay but if you want to head home, we have everything under control here." She glanced at him to gauge his reaction.
"Thanks, I will stay." He smiled politely and then glanced at the sleeping girl. "I'd like to help keep an eye on her." Rei nodded in understanding and slowly stood to fetch everyone spare pillows and blankets.
When everyone had settled down for the night and all was quiet Mamoru finally let his mind wander. His first thoughts were of the big discovery. He never would have imagined Usagi was his counter part Sailor Moon. They had a history other than just Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon.
Every morning and afternoon they argued in their regular forms. He loved getting her riled up by teasing her. Most of the regular patrons of the Crown Arcade knew of their insult wars and mock fights.
His mind tried to wrap around the idea that the young innocent whiny teenager he knew as Tsukino Usagi was actually the women he was in love with. The Princess in his dreams was another story completely. He wasn't even sure she really existed, other than in his dreams to torment him. Sighing in frustration he flopped over on his side and smacked his pillow. Sleep was impossible as his mind ran in giant circles the excitement of the evening keeping him from settling down.
He finally sat up and blinked in the total darkness allowing his eyes to adjust. He could just make out Usagi as a lighter bit of shadow in the dark. Her pale face was taut with stress and even in sleep she could not rest peacefully.
Here is an end to Chapter 1. Please review and let me know what you think?