First of all, a big hug to happygolucky111, SerenityBubbles, Roxie, Silent
Star 1, Aldrean Treu Peri, Karla, Leris, Chintamani, First Silvera, Faded
Nights, Bodri, Adrian Rose and Shimmering Angel
@Shimmering Angel: About your question: This story takes place one year after the Stars Season (Bishoujou Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars), also known as Season 5. The Inners are around 17 years old.
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Chapter 13 - Loyality
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"Sailor Senshi, henshinyo!"
It was now Rei who shouted out the words, he had so often heard from Usagi. The Senshi transformed with flashing colors, calling upon the powers of their planets.
Within a moment they had surrounded Mamoru, while Uranus and Neptune split up, and circled them. Fire swirled between Mars' fingers as she yelled: "I'm warning you, don't come any closer!"
"Oh, my, am I afraid!", Uranus said cheerfully. Her expression changed, as she faced Mars "It's time for you to step aside, self-elected leader of the Inner Senshi. Leave things to us!"
Why Uranus and Neptune? What did they have to do with the whole thing? They hadn't even been involved in the battle, or had they?
"Just what the hell is going on!" shouted Mamoru. He was so incredibly sick of those guessing games!
"Oh nothing, really," Uranus took a step closer to Mars, scowling at her, "except some people are placing personal feelings for some other people over their loyalty to our princess!" Mars flinched, and the others exchanged surprised glances. Mamoru listened up. What was Uranus talking about? Obviously the Senshi didn't know either. Was Rei hiding something from them, too?
Uranus gave her a cold smile. "Actually I was talking about Pluto, who is not at our side, where she should be! But if you feel offended, you'll probably have your reasons!"
Mars didn't give her an answer. Instead she turned to the others: "Sailor Senshi of the Inner Circle! If any of you have the slightest doubt about my loyalty to our princess, then step aside, and let me fight this out alone!"
"Never!" the Senshi yelled. None of them moved. They all kept close watch of their opponents. "Is this how you win your battles?" Jupiter asked without taking her eyes off Neptune, who was closest to her. "By spreading discord with false accusations?"
"My mirror...", Neptune began, but was at once interrupted by Mercury. "Your mirror was not intented for spying on other Sailor Senshi in the first place. And even if you found out something like that by accident, you have no right to yell it around!" Mamoru couldn't believe his ears. If Michiru found out, Rei was hiding something for personal profit, it would be her first duty to tell the others. And Ami said, she should be quiet. That didn't make any sense at all!
"Even if it was true, which I don't think it is, it's nobody's business, but Rei's!" Venus shouted. She wanted to add something, but fell silent, probably worrying about saying too much. It was scary how fast the girls caught on, what Uranus and Neptune were talking about, almost as if they could read minds. Why weren't they worried about Rei's secret at all? What if Rei was in any way responsible for Usako's death? This secret could be anything! Yet none of the Inner Senshi seemed to have any doubt in Rei.
"I did not tell anyone, "Neptune tried to defend herself. "Haruka figured it out for herself."
Uranus' voice turned icy. "Mars must have a reason for her decision, and this one seems logical to us. After all she took Moon's place as leader of the Inner Senshi, why shouldn't she also go for her b...."
"One more of your lies, bitch, and I'll rip out your tongue!" Jupiter's voice trembled with fury.
"Enough talking!" Uranus decided. Her attack shook the ground.
The actual battle took only seconds. He had just transformed, when Mercury's Shavon Spray dimmed the little light there was. The Inner Senshi made a big noise by throwing attacks, and running around in different directions. It seemed like a miracle no one fell down the pit.
A hand reached for his in the darkness, but he couldn't tell right away, who it was. She pulled him to the tunnel with the rungs up. It was the slower way to escape, so Uranus and Neptune would think it more likely, he took the other one. It was obvious to him, that the Inner Senshi were prepared for an attack like that, and had planned a strategy for retreat. But since fighting each other seemed very strange to them, it had taken a while until they stopped beating around the bush.
Uranus and Neptune were after him, but why? Did they hold him responsible for Usako's death? After all she had risked her life, trying to save him. Maybe they blamed him for that.
What did Rei have to do with it? What was Rei hiding? The others had guessed it, why couldn't he? Had Rei and Usagi been rivals? Haruka had accused her of taking Usagi's place! What if Rei had been after the leadership of the Senshi? If Usagi's death had served her just right? Even if she hadn't played an active part in the killing, maybe she had known about the letter and hadn't stopped Usagi from leaving.
He had never paid much attention to their constant quarreling. He hadn't taken it serious. What if it had been? But this was impossible! Rei would never betray Usagi like that.
He thought of the paper, the letter to Usagi had been written on! It was the same paper shrines used for calligraphies, lucky charms and so on. They would have this kind of paper at the Hikawa shrine. No, what was he thinking about? Impossible!
The girl who had saved him, turned out to be Sailor Mercury. He would never have guessed it was her, since she had fired off the first attack. Good plan! Uranus and Neptune wouldn't expect this either. Looked like they were save for the moment.
They climbed out another manhole, at the bottom of a hill. At its top he could see the highway, the lights of the cars. Night had fallen over Tokyo.
Mercury called the others over her communicator. "Everything went according to plan, Tuxedo Kamen is with me. Did you guys get out all right? Okay! Over and out!"
She turned to him. "The others are fine. We'll meet later. Makoto is still being tracked by Michiru, but she says she'll shake her off."
"Aren't you forgetting someone?" a cold voice suddenly asked from the darkness. Sailor Mercury and Tuxedo Kamen spun around.
***
Sailor Mars had met up with Venus and Jupiter, who had managed to get rid of Neptune. They were hurrying to the park, where the Senshi had planned on meeting. Since they had just talked to Mercury, there was nothing to worry about. Up until now, everything had worked out fine, now they had to make sure, things stayed that way.
She hoped the others wouldn't speak of the things Uranus had said, wouldn't notice how hurt she felt. But it was certain they would.
"I can't believe she said something like that! Sometimes Haruka can really be mean!" Venus shook her head in disbelief. "We all know, you would never do things like that! I mean you are kind of leading us right now, but someone had to take care of things. Someone had to make up a story for Mamoru, and someone had to figure out a plan, how we get away from the Outer Senshi! I couldn't have done it."
"Sometimes I think, we're expecting too much from you," Jupiter added. "I mean, why should you have to do all this stuff? It's not any easier for you, than it's for us."
She didn't want to admit it, but their words comforted her. Maybe it wasn't so bad at all, that they understood, she was not invincible. She had her strengths and weaknesses just like them, and possibly Haruka's remarks had brought that up.
"You have been a great support to me," she told them. "We have to stick together and rely on each other. I'm sure that's what Usagi would want us to do."
Jupiter sighed. "Why can't Haruka and Michiru understand, we're doing the right thing? Why do they believe, we're letting Usagi down?"
"They see things differently than we do. It has always been that way, and it always will be. From their point of view, they're doing the right thing."
"I don't believe it!" Jupiter shouted. "Haruka said these incredible things about you, and you still defend her."
"I try to understand her point of view. She loves Usagi as much as we do, and she feels as much pain as we do."
The Senshi nodded. "Do you think this is still part of Queen Metallia's plan?" Venus was wondering. "Us fighting?"
Mars shook her head. "Metallia couldn't have known the Outer Senshi would react that way. She is not familiar with them. Besides, only few people are cold-blooded enough to make up a plan, that goes beyond their own death."
"Rei-chan, no matter what Haruka says, we would never doubt your loyalty. I don't know, what you feel for Mamoru, and I don't wanna know, it's none of my business. You protect him, because you promised Usagi, just like we all did. For no other reason! You never gave us any reason to believe anything else!"
Something inside her wanted to push Venus away, as she took her in her arms, but she knew, she wouldn't be able to do that. It felt strange to be comforted, since she had always been the one to give comfort to the others. But now she needed it for herself, probably had needed it for a long time. Someone, who simply held her and didn't ask any questions.
She felt like crying, but she knew, this wasn't the right time. The short moment in which she let go, was over. Now she had to keep her mind focused. And she was having a bad feeling again.
"I don't want to talk about it, Minako-chan. Whatever you think, please never mention anything to Mamoru. I couldn't bear the thought, that he would..."
"You guys!" Jupiter shouted. "Mercury's not responding, something must be wrong!"
Mars and Venus let go of each other. "We have to find them!"
@Shimmering Angel: About your question: This story takes place one year after the Stars Season (Bishoujou Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars), also known as Season 5. The Inners are around 17 years old.
.
Chapter 13 - Loyality
--------------------------
"Sailor Senshi, henshinyo!"
It was now Rei who shouted out the words, he had so often heard from Usagi. The Senshi transformed with flashing colors, calling upon the powers of their planets.
Within a moment they had surrounded Mamoru, while Uranus and Neptune split up, and circled them. Fire swirled between Mars' fingers as she yelled: "I'm warning you, don't come any closer!"
"Oh, my, am I afraid!", Uranus said cheerfully. Her expression changed, as she faced Mars "It's time for you to step aside, self-elected leader of the Inner Senshi. Leave things to us!"
Why Uranus and Neptune? What did they have to do with the whole thing? They hadn't even been involved in the battle, or had they?
"Just what the hell is going on!" shouted Mamoru. He was so incredibly sick of those guessing games!
"Oh nothing, really," Uranus took a step closer to Mars, scowling at her, "except some people are placing personal feelings for some other people over their loyalty to our princess!" Mars flinched, and the others exchanged surprised glances. Mamoru listened up. What was Uranus talking about? Obviously the Senshi didn't know either. Was Rei hiding something from them, too?
Uranus gave her a cold smile. "Actually I was talking about Pluto, who is not at our side, where she should be! But if you feel offended, you'll probably have your reasons!"
Mars didn't give her an answer. Instead she turned to the others: "Sailor Senshi of the Inner Circle! If any of you have the slightest doubt about my loyalty to our princess, then step aside, and let me fight this out alone!"
"Never!" the Senshi yelled. None of them moved. They all kept close watch of their opponents. "Is this how you win your battles?" Jupiter asked without taking her eyes off Neptune, who was closest to her. "By spreading discord with false accusations?"
"My mirror...", Neptune began, but was at once interrupted by Mercury. "Your mirror was not intented for spying on other Sailor Senshi in the first place. And even if you found out something like that by accident, you have no right to yell it around!" Mamoru couldn't believe his ears. If Michiru found out, Rei was hiding something for personal profit, it would be her first duty to tell the others. And Ami said, she should be quiet. That didn't make any sense at all!
"Even if it was true, which I don't think it is, it's nobody's business, but Rei's!" Venus shouted. She wanted to add something, but fell silent, probably worrying about saying too much. It was scary how fast the girls caught on, what Uranus and Neptune were talking about, almost as if they could read minds. Why weren't they worried about Rei's secret at all? What if Rei was in any way responsible for Usako's death? This secret could be anything! Yet none of the Inner Senshi seemed to have any doubt in Rei.
"I did not tell anyone, "Neptune tried to defend herself. "Haruka figured it out for herself."
Uranus' voice turned icy. "Mars must have a reason for her decision, and this one seems logical to us. After all she took Moon's place as leader of the Inner Senshi, why shouldn't she also go for her b...."
"One more of your lies, bitch, and I'll rip out your tongue!" Jupiter's voice trembled with fury.
"Enough talking!" Uranus decided. Her attack shook the ground.
The actual battle took only seconds. He had just transformed, when Mercury's Shavon Spray dimmed the little light there was. The Inner Senshi made a big noise by throwing attacks, and running around in different directions. It seemed like a miracle no one fell down the pit.
A hand reached for his in the darkness, but he couldn't tell right away, who it was. She pulled him to the tunnel with the rungs up. It was the slower way to escape, so Uranus and Neptune would think it more likely, he took the other one. It was obvious to him, that the Inner Senshi were prepared for an attack like that, and had planned a strategy for retreat. But since fighting each other seemed very strange to them, it had taken a while until they stopped beating around the bush.
Uranus and Neptune were after him, but why? Did they hold him responsible for Usako's death? After all she had risked her life, trying to save him. Maybe they blamed him for that.
What did Rei have to do with it? What was Rei hiding? The others had guessed it, why couldn't he? Had Rei and Usagi been rivals? Haruka had accused her of taking Usagi's place! What if Rei had been after the leadership of the Senshi? If Usagi's death had served her just right? Even if she hadn't played an active part in the killing, maybe she had known about the letter and hadn't stopped Usagi from leaving.
He had never paid much attention to their constant quarreling. He hadn't taken it serious. What if it had been? But this was impossible! Rei would never betray Usagi like that.
He thought of the paper, the letter to Usagi had been written on! It was the same paper shrines used for calligraphies, lucky charms and so on. They would have this kind of paper at the Hikawa shrine. No, what was he thinking about? Impossible!
The girl who had saved him, turned out to be Sailor Mercury. He would never have guessed it was her, since she had fired off the first attack. Good plan! Uranus and Neptune wouldn't expect this either. Looked like they were save for the moment.
They climbed out another manhole, at the bottom of a hill. At its top he could see the highway, the lights of the cars. Night had fallen over Tokyo.
Mercury called the others over her communicator. "Everything went according to plan, Tuxedo Kamen is with me. Did you guys get out all right? Okay! Over and out!"
She turned to him. "The others are fine. We'll meet later. Makoto is still being tracked by Michiru, but she says she'll shake her off."
"Aren't you forgetting someone?" a cold voice suddenly asked from the darkness. Sailor Mercury and Tuxedo Kamen spun around.
***
Sailor Mars had met up with Venus and Jupiter, who had managed to get rid of Neptune. They were hurrying to the park, where the Senshi had planned on meeting. Since they had just talked to Mercury, there was nothing to worry about. Up until now, everything had worked out fine, now they had to make sure, things stayed that way.
She hoped the others wouldn't speak of the things Uranus had said, wouldn't notice how hurt she felt. But it was certain they would.
"I can't believe she said something like that! Sometimes Haruka can really be mean!" Venus shook her head in disbelief. "We all know, you would never do things like that! I mean you are kind of leading us right now, but someone had to take care of things. Someone had to make up a story for Mamoru, and someone had to figure out a plan, how we get away from the Outer Senshi! I couldn't have done it."
"Sometimes I think, we're expecting too much from you," Jupiter added. "I mean, why should you have to do all this stuff? It's not any easier for you, than it's for us."
She didn't want to admit it, but their words comforted her. Maybe it wasn't so bad at all, that they understood, she was not invincible. She had her strengths and weaknesses just like them, and possibly Haruka's remarks had brought that up.
"You have been a great support to me," she told them. "We have to stick together and rely on each other. I'm sure that's what Usagi would want us to do."
Jupiter sighed. "Why can't Haruka and Michiru understand, we're doing the right thing? Why do they believe, we're letting Usagi down?"
"They see things differently than we do. It has always been that way, and it always will be. From their point of view, they're doing the right thing."
"I don't believe it!" Jupiter shouted. "Haruka said these incredible things about you, and you still defend her."
"I try to understand her point of view. She loves Usagi as much as we do, and she feels as much pain as we do."
The Senshi nodded. "Do you think this is still part of Queen Metallia's plan?" Venus was wondering. "Us fighting?"
Mars shook her head. "Metallia couldn't have known the Outer Senshi would react that way. She is not familiar with them. Besides, only few people are cold-blooded enough to make up a plan, that goes beyond their own death."
"Rei-chan, no matter what Haruka says, we would never doubt your loyalty. I don't know, what you feel for Mamoru, and I don't wanna know, it's none of my business. You protect him, because you promised Usagi, just like we all did. For no other reason! You never gave us any reason to believe anything else!"
Something inside her wanted to push Venus away, as she took her in her arms, but she knew, she wouldn't be able to do that. It felt strange to be comforted, since she had always been the one to give comfort to the others. But now she needed it for herself, probably had needed it for a long time. Someone, who simply held her and didn't ask any questions.
She felt like crying, but she knew, this wasn't the right time. The short moment in which she let go, was over. Now she had to keep her mind focused. And she was having a bad feeling again.
"I don't want to talk about it, Minako-chan. Whatever you think, please never mention anything to Mamoru. I couldn't bear the thought, that he would..."
"You guys!" Jupiter shouted. "Mercury's not responding, something must be wrong!"
Mars and Venus let go of each other. "We have to find them!"