Whew...just finished today's update, so it's "hot off the press".
Please enjoy it!
I know this might shock a lot of you, but I don't own the rights to Sailor Moon...:gasps:...I know. Oh well. A gal can dream. :)
Yaten slowly opened her eyes. She pushed herself up and looked around. She recognized the room as a hospital room, but outside of that she had no idea where she was. She looked around and the door opened. Taiki walked in, saw Yaten was awake, and smiled. "Hey," Taiki greeted.
"Where am I?"
"The Palace Hospital. You were attacked a few days ago."
"Attacked by what?"
Taiki sat down. "Vampires I heard."
Yaten stared in disbelief at the taller teen. "You can't be serious."
"I am," Taiki replied. "I'm not trying to trick you or anything."
Yaten saw the truth in her blue eyes and nodded. "How long was I out?"
"Nearly a week," came the answer. "The healers had to force your family and boyfriend to get some rest."
Yaten smiled. "Sounds like them," she said. She stared down in her lap. "They've always been overprotective of me." She shrugged. "It's not that I don't love them or anything, but…"
"You want to live life even if it means getting a little hurt," Taiki realized.
Yaten nodded, a smile on her face. "Is that wrong of me?"
"Not at all. Our parents may want the best for us, but there comes a point when we have to live our own life. It may break our parents' hearts, but it has to be done if we want to be happy in our life."
"That was a bit poetic," Yaten smiled.
Taiki shrugged. "It's true though. At least for me." She smiled faintly. "I was given the chance to do something incredible with my life. My parents didn't want me to leave our home, but I knew it had to be done. It was what I wanted."
"How can someone tell their parents that though?"
"I just told them. If they really love you, they'll accept your decision."
Yaten nodded. She ran her hands through her silver hair. She looked at Taiki. "Not that I'm not grateful to see a friendly face, but why are you here?"
"Your family was told not to come back in until they had had a good night's sleep. I offered to come in and keep you company if you woke up."
Yaten smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem." Something began ringing and Taiki pulled out a communicator. "Taiki," she answered as she held it to her ear. Her eyes narrowed. "I'll be there shortly," she answered. She replaced the communicator in her pocket and rose to her feet. "Sorry, but something big just came up."
Yaten nodded. "Thanks for stopping by."
Taiki smiled. "I'll let your family and boyfriend know you're awake," she said. She turned and walked out of the room. She told one of the apprentice healers to let Yaten's family know the young girl was awake. Taiki then walked outside and headed down the street. She ducked into an alley. "Seiya."
"We got a lead," Seiya said. "Mansion at the edge of the city. The Princess wants us to check it out now." Taiki nodded. They each pulled out a headset. "Fighter Star Power! Make UP!"
"Maker Star Power! Make UP!"
The two Starlights ran for the edge of town, leaping up to the rooftops to make better time. They reached the edge of the city and looked at an old abandoned mansion sitting atop a hill. "There it is," Fighter said. "Let's go."
The pair carefully made their way towards the mansion, keeping an eye out for any sign of vampires. They slipped through the backdoor and made their way through the house. Maker turned to her friend. "Basement would be our best bet," she whispered quietly, nodding towards the door.
Fighter nodded in agreement. "First let's check upstairs to make sure we don't get surprised." The two Senshi walked upstairs and checked the rooms before doing the same to the downstairs. "Now we check the basement," Fighter said. They walked to the door and opened it. Maker crept down the stone stairs first, keeping one hand on the wall. Fighter followed her. Both were nervous but ready for anything.
"Look," Maker whispered, pointing ahead. A lone coffin rested in the middle of the basement.
"Trap anyone?" Fighter grinned.
"Shall we spring it?"
"Of course." Fighter ran to the coffin. Dozens of figures began rising from the ground. "Star Serious Laser!"
"Star Gentle Uterus!"
The two Starlights kept firing off their attacks, destroying many of the vampire slaves. One got past the attacks and tried to grab Fighter. She viciously backhanded the creature and fired off her attack at point blank range. The vampire screamed in pain, vaporizing. The remaining slaves were easily taken care of.
Once the room had been cleared, the two Senshi walked to the coffin. They heaved the heavy stone lid off and looked in at the still form of a young man. Maker hauled him out and bound his hands as he came to. He began snarling and trying to bite the two when Fighter slammed a small silver spike into the vampire's arm. It hissed in pain, glaring angrily at the Starlights.
"Now, nightwalker, you're going to tell us why your friends are after a young girl named Yaten Kou," Fighter said.
"I will tell you nothing!"
"We could always let this one starve for a while. He should be more cooperative then," Maker suggested.
"I'd go for it," Fighter agreed.
"Okay! I'll tell you!" the vampire pleaded, not wanting to face the horrors of starving to death.
- - - - - - - - - -
"I'm just so happy to see you're all right!" Akari sobbed to Yaten.
"You guys should know how stubborn I am," Yaten grinned.
"That's the truth," Taiyo grinned.
"Watch it," Yaten mock threatened.
"When do you get to come home?" Kei asked anxiously.
"Soon I hope," Yaten replied. A knock sounded on the door and the five looked up as Fighter and Maker walked into the room. "Why are you here?" Yaten asked.
"We have news about the attack," Fighter said.
"What news? It was just a random attack," Tao said.
"Unfortunately it wasn't," Maker corrected.
"Kei, why don't we go for a walk?" Taiyo suggested. The girl nodded and Taiyo picked her up. They left the room, closing the door.
"What do you mean the attack wasn't random?" Tao demanded.
"You remember that assassination attempt on the Princess a few weeks ago?" Maker inquired. They nodded. "Turns out the vampires were behind it."
"What does that have to do with me though?" Yaten asked.
"They want revenge for the vampire you helped us capture," Fighter answered.
"So they're going to kill me," Yaten murmured.
"And everyone you know," Maker added. "They know who you are. They've been following you since the failed attempt on Princess Kakyuu's life."
"That's why you've kept the guard on our daughter," Akari realized.
"Yes," Fighter confirmed.
"What do you suggest we do?" Tao demanded.
"We can place you under our protection and move you to a safe location," Maker told him. "It's the safest thing to do."
"You want us to uproot and run around the world because of these nightwalkers?" Tao demanded. The two Starlights nodded. "No."
"Father!"
"Tao!"
"I won't put my family through that constant stress of moving. We're safer in the city," Tao decided.
"You're family could die sir," Maker said. "Do you want that on your conscious?" she demanded.
"My decision is final!" he snapped. "We can take care of ourselves!"
"If that's your decision then fine. But as long as you live our offer of protection will stand," Fighter said. She turned and walked out of the room.
Maker paused at the door and looked at Yaten. "There comes a time when we have to live our own life," she said and left the room.
Yaten's eyes widened. It…it couldn't be!
"I'll go check when we can get you out of here," Tao said and left the room.
Yaten sighed and stared at her lap. "What's wrong?" her mother asked.
"Why did Father refuse their protection?"
Akari smiled faintly. "It's not that he doesn't believe they can protect us. He just doesn't want to suddenly leave everything he's worked so hard to build behind."
"Yeah but…these vampires…they could kill us all," Yaten pointed out. "All because of me."
"You did nothing wrong Kou. You protected the Princess. We're proud of you for that." She rested a hand on top of her daughter's.
"But we're in danger now because of me. How is that not wrong?"
"Think what the state of Kinmokusei would be in if the Princess had died. A few lives are worth that." She smiled faintly. "I know we've always been a bit overprotective of you."
"Then stop. Let me live my life my way," Yaten said.
"We're trying," Akari replied. "When you were born, I knew you were meant for something incredible. Something that we might never know. Whether or not you can tell us doesn't matter. As long as you're happy with your life, we're happy too."
Yaten hugged her mother. "Thank you."
- - - - - - - - - -
Taiki sighed and closed the book, tossing it onto the table. She leaned back on the couch and sighed, running her hands through her hair and resting them behind her head. "You look troubled," Seiya said, walking into the room.
"Don't you have someone else to pester?" Taiki questioned.
"Nope. The Princess wants the two of us to keep an eye on Yaten. I think she thinks that this kid might be the third Starlight."
"Her powers would have manifested when she was attacked then," Taiki pointed out, closing her eyes.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Remember what the Princess told us. The powers of Senshi vary person to person. Just because it's one way with me doesn't mean it's the same for you."
"I'm usually the scientific one," Taiki muttered.
"Not today," Seiya chuckled. A knock sounded on the door and they frowned.
Taiki rose to her feet and slowly approached the door. She opened the door and stared in surprise when she saw Yaten. "Hey. When did you get out?"
"Today. Look, I need to talk to you."
"Come on in," Taiki said, stepping aside.
Yaten walked inside and followed Taiki into the main room. The silver haired teen looked around the room. "Nice place."
Taiki noticed Seiya at the top of the stairs and discreetly motioned her to go. "Thanks. Still working on it. What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Who are you?"
Taiki frowned. "I told you. Taiki Kou."
"Then why did Star Maker say something you said earlier?"
Taiki shrugged. "Maybe she overheard me."
"I don't think so. I go to the main school here. You're not even registered let alone in any classes," Yaten said.
"What's your point?" Taiki demanded.
"You're Star Maker, aren't you?"
"What gives you that idea?" Taiki asked.
"How else could Maker come to my rescue so fast unless she lived close by? I can feel…something…around you. The same thing I've felt around Star Maker. Can you explain that?" Yaten inquired. Taiki shrugged and Yaten sighed. "Fine. Don't tell me. Just…if you see her…tell her I said thanks…for saving my life." Yaten turned and walked out. Taiki fell back onto the couch.
"She knows?" Seiya asked, walking into the room.
"She does…but I don't think she'll tell anyone."
"How can you be so sure?"
Taiki smiled softly. "I could see it in her eyes."
"Didn't I tell you not to get too attached?" Seiya asked.
"Deal with it Seiya," Taiki muttered. The other Starlight shook her head and walked out of the room. Taiki sighed and leaned back. I'm sorry I can't tell you who I really am Yaten. I'm sorry.
- - - - - - - - - -
Yaten sat on her window ledge, her knees drawn up to her chest. Her arms were wrapped around her knees and her head leaned against the window. "Kono ude ni… dakishimeru… Hold you in my arms, tada sono koto wo… Egaki tsutsu…negai tsutsu… Miageru yo, Starry Night…" she whispered softly.
Kei opened the door and walked in over to her sister. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah. Just thinking about some stuff." She looked at the young girl. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I had a bad dream," she whispered.
"Bad dream about what?" Yaten asked.
"Mean people hurting us," she said. Yaten saw the fear in her little sister's eyes and pulled her into a hug.
"We'll be fine Kei. Nothing will happen."
"But…the mean people were hurting you badly…" Kei whispered.
Yaten smiled. "I promise you. Nothing bad will happen to me."
Kei looked up at her older sister. "Promise?"
"I promise," Yaten said. Kei smiled and closed her eyes, falling asleep.
Chasin' After You Lyrics: "Embracing you with my arms...Hold you with my arms, that is all...Although I imagine it, although I wish...Look up at the starry night."
So? How was it? Bearable I hope. Drop a review to make me smile!