New Enemies

Chapter 7

"She's being possessed!" Lina declared.

"She has the power to see things. Her soul was easier to overcome than anyone else's." Bakuda hissed.

"What do you want? Must be taking up a lot of energy to take over someone else." Kirala said calmly, arching a brow over Miles's shoulder.

Bakuda smiled. "You haven't lost your touch Sailor Power. Yes, my energy is waning but not as fast. I'm getting closer and I just wanted to see how you were doing. You look as pitiful as ever."

Kirala snarled. "Hurry, oh Queen Bakuda, so that you may meet your fate. And leave Sailor Mars out of this! She's of not your concern!"

"Oh, I'll leave. But I'm coming, Sailor Power. And I'll destroy you for good this time. As well as you, Guardian of the Stars!" She laughed and suddenly her eyes went back to normal and Raye was allowed her body back. She closed her eyes and her knees buckled. Serena caught her before she hit the floor. "Raye!"

"Was that really her? Bakuda?" Amy asked, tears in her eyes.

Kirala didn't answer but was leaning her head against the back of Miles's shoulder. "She's so close, Miles."

Miles stood straight, shaking in fury. "Closer to her end. Do not, fret, my love. She has lost much energy. She cannot do anything for awhile."

They helped Raye into a chair and Serena came in with a cup of tea. "What happened?"

Raye sipped her tea shakily. "It felt as if someone was pushing me aside, shoving me somewhere else so they could use me. It was painful. I've never felt so used before."

Lita sighed when she saw Raye's coloring come back into her cheeks than looked at Miles. "Guardian of the Stars?"

Miles sighed and Luna looked at him. "I knew you weren't something ordinary. I didn't even think you were real."

Miles nodded. "I am. It is true. I am the Guardian of the Stars. My given name is Hikastu, but I will change it later. When I become the King's Guardian." He said, looking at Darien and bowing. He stood back up and Darien looked at him.

"That's why you took me there. To protect me."

Miles nodded. "Under normal circumstances, I would have just sent you to the hospital. But I had a feeling I was to protect you. I always trust my feelings."

"Attacked? What is he talking about?" Serena asked, turning to look up at Darien.

Darien shook his head. "It doesn't matter-"

"On the contrary, it does." Artemis said. "What happened?"

Darien sighed. "I was walking down the street when I heard this women crying. I went to help her and she pulled out this long sword. It had to have been at least three feet long. The handle was something wretched, shaped like a decomposing hand holding it and there were two eyes on the back of it." He lifted his hand to demonstrate where the eyes were located. Kirala shivered and squeezed Miles's hand.

"It's her. I can never forget what that sword looks like."

Miles turned and held her in his arms. "Don't worry, love. Everything will be alright."

"She attacked you?" Luna asked.

Darien nodded. "Yes. I transformed into my other form and tried to stop her but, she got the better of me. But, there's something I don't get. You said it takes the soul of the person it slashes. Why didn't it take my soul?"

Kirala frowned and looked at Miles. "A good question."

Miles thought a minute. "Maybe an illusion."

"A look a like?" Kirala asked.

"It's possible. She's been banished so long, it's possible to have picked up a few henchmen. She could have disguised them to look like her."

"It seems like she can't really do anything herself until she gets within a decent range of us." Kirala noted.

Miles nodded. "But what can we do?"

"We can be there while she's still weak and stop her while she's still powerless."

"She'll be expecting that." Miles said shaking his head. "Besides. Remember what happened last time?"

"I know very well what happened. But that was then and this is now. We have the advantage. We know what she's capable of. Now, what we need to do-"

"Excuse me!" Serena interrupted, pushing them apart and placing her hands on her hips. "You need my help. You need all of our help."

"My Lady, this much to dangerous for you." Kirala said.

"I'm not useless! I can at least do something! You said that when you and the crystal combined your powers, you became even more powerful that you are now."

"I know what I said, my Lady but I can't risk your life. Not as I did last time." Kirala said.

Serena growled. "I am your princess and soon to be queen! You will take me along with you. I order you to."

Kirala's eyes snapped wide as did everyone else's in the room. They had never heard authority come out of Serena's mouth. Kirala closed her eyes and angled her head away from Serena. "Yes, my Lady."

Serena nodded. "You will also allow the rest of the Sailor Scouts to come along. This is their battle as well as mine."

Kirala nodded, eyes averted to her feet. "Your wish is my command." She said quietly.

Miles placed a hand on her shoulder and she shrugged it off. "I must prepare. I'd like to have some practice with my weapons before we go into battle. Your majesty." Kirala said and swiftly left.

Miles sighed and looked at Serena. "Your majesty. The house is for you to use. Please, chose any rooms you would like to use. You are all welcomed to stay here." He turned to leave in Kirala's direction when Serena stopped him, away from everyone else's ears.

"What did I do wrong to make you both cold?"

Miles sighed. "Your intentions were good. It is your right to have part in the battle. But Kirala had to deal with the knowledge of failure of her queen. Now, she fears that you are in danger. She fears history will repeat once again and this time, there will be no turning back."

Serena nodded. "Tell her-"

Miles held up a hand. "Kirala is my lover. I would die for her. But, I will not be your voice to her. Please, do not put me between you and her." Miles asked, his eyes pleading.

Serena nodded, understanding. "Are you going to her?"

Miles nodded, looking the way she left. "She's probably in the gardens. She likes the flowers and air. Your Majesty, may I ask a question?"

Serena smiled. "Of course."

Miles frowned, still not looking at her. "How long ago was that you first activated the Crystal?"

Serena frowned and looked down, thinking. "A couple years. No, three years. Has it really been that long? Huh, time really flies. Is something wrong?" She asked, looking up and seeing his frown deepen.

"Four years ago, I began remembering my past. I'm sure it was the same for Kirala. It wasn't until a year later that out memories were fully restored. That was three years ago."

Serena frowned, not understanding. "Why would that matter?"

"The crystal is supposedly the one that was to trigger our memories but if we started remembering a full year before, then what could have triggered them if not your crystal?"

Serena frowned. "I couldn't say. I'll ask Luna and Artemis."

Miles nodded then looked at her and smiled, bowing. "If Your Majesty would permit it, I shall take my leave."

"Of course. And Miles?"

Miles stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Yes?"

"My name is Serena."

Miles smiled and continued on without saying a word.

Sorry about the wait peoples. I took it upon myself to take a holiday. How was everybody's Christmas? Mine was perfect! I got everything I wanted! Anyway, how'd you like it? Just to forewarn everyone, there is going to be some lemons in the following chapters. He! He! He! Well, thanks for reading so far! Review, please!