Chapter 51
Ami closed her laptop, stretching. The room was silent, save for the ticking of a clock on the dresser, and with a frown, she decided to wander downstairs and see what might be going on. Shuu was in residence today, and Ami figured it was likely that he might be wherever Usagi was.
Thinking about Usagi made Ami's frown deepen as she padded quietly downstairs. It had been two days, and there had been no further incidents. Kayura had been silent, but that made sense since the Empress had already set the expectation that she wouldn't be in touch for a week.
Still, it had Ami feeling uneasy. It was getting harder and harder not to arrange an exploratory trip to the arctic and figure out what was going on. She had a terrible feeling about all of this.
The Troopers had been fairly adamant that they didn't want any Senshi visiting this new "Point D" unless they absolutely had to. And Usagi was even more vocal in her agreement with them. It was clear to anyone that the Moon Princess was frightened by all the parallels to their first battle, and Ami understood that.
The Senshi were more worried about the connection that the Golden and Silver Crystals and the Guardian starseeds kept to their last universe. She'd been looking for a way to move that connection over, but so far hadn't had any luck. She and Nasuti both agreed that if the Guardian seeds were going to transfer to this Universe, it should have happened when they'd rebirthed the starseeds. They'd both agreed not to address that directly to Touma yet, and continued to research the issue.
Ami wanted to talk to Kayura about it as soon as she had the opportunity.
Particularly because she was concerned over the fact that while Mamoru's starseed was rooted in this Universe, the Golden Crystal hadn't made the jump. It was troubling news, and it cast a shadow over the Silver Crystal and the Guardian starseeds as well.
They might have come to the Troopers Universe, but it seemed they were still well rooted in their own.
The thought of it made her heart pound.
Why? Why were they still stuck?
Which brought her to another problem that she hadn't really talked to anyone about. Unlike the Silver and other planetary crystals, the golden crystal seemed to be….struggling. Ami wasn't sure what that meant, but it couldn't be good. She suspected strongly that it had something to do with Mamoru being from a completely different earth – an earth that had been destroyed and no longer held any life.
Mamoru needed the golden crystal to thrive – it was tucked within his Star Seed, and to the best of her knowledge, couldn't be separated without killing Mamoru. And the Golden Crystal needed the Earth to be healthy and flourishing to thrive. So if they didn't figure out how to get him out of their Universe, she didn't really want to think about where this could be headed. Her models had promised her it wouldn't be good.
With a small shiver, Ami made her way down to the kitchen and began preparing a small pot of tea, forcing her mind to stay blank as she waited for the leaves to steep. It was difficult. There was too much up in the air, and waiting for something to happen instead of actively trying to prevent things from happening went against her nature.
Ami poured the steeped tea into a mug and wandered out into the living room. Shuu was engaged in some sort of video game, the Atari system out of it's cupboard on the floor, wires trailing like serpent tails. And napping with her head on his leg, was Usagi Tuskino.
Ami sat in an armchair, careful not to disturb his concentration and blew at her mug, balancing it cautiously between the tips of her fingers. She cast another glance at Usagi, pleased to see her face set in a serene expression as she slept, fingers curled gently near her mouth. Shuu had tossed a blanket over her, and despite the fact that he seemed very in the zone as he played, he was careful to be still and not disturb her.
Mercury studied him discreetly, trying to understand him. He took such good care of Usagi. Always seemed to be exactly what the Moon Princess needed when she needed it. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that he had…feelings for Usagi, but never pressured her or confronted her with it. He seemed content to smother her with all the attention she would accept and make sure she wanted for nothing. He was obsessively protective and constantly watching out for her.
For that alone, Ami adored Shuu.
And worried about him. It wasn't Usagi's fault that she might not ever be able to return his affection, but still, Ami did worry a bit about broken hearts. She blew on her tea again before taking a sip, and turned her attention to the game he was playing. Space Invaders.
Ami giggled a bit under her breath.
"You laughin' at me, Mizuno?" he muttered quietly, shooting her a playful grin. Ami returned the expression with a warm smile of her own.
"Your choice in games is amusing," she replied. His grin widened and then he went back to concentrating.
"You taking a break?" he asked, his tongue peeking out of the corner of his mouth.
Ami nodded. "Mmm, yes. Just a short one," she answered, sipping her tea. He nodded, eyes not leaving the screen.
"Good. You need some rest. Relax Mizuno. We've got your back. I'm sure Touma is all over whatever this is," he continued. Ami smiled at him again, relief buoying her spirits. There was something wonderful about having this sort of extra support. This strength at her back. It was incredibly comforting.
"Touma is incredibly capable, and so is Nasuti. But the more eyes the better. Look out!" Ami gestured at an enemy ship just as it blew Shuu out of his game.
"Damn," he muttered. "At least I beat Hashiba's high score," he grinned, knocking Touma's initials out with his own. Ami giggled again.
There was a knock at the door. Blinking, Ami got up, intending to answer, but to her surprise, Shuu shot her a dirty look, carefully maneuvering Usagi's head onto the couch and getting up to answer. She followed him to the door, ignoring the evil eye he gave her as she moved behind him. He opened the door, moving his body so it took up the entire doorway.
Maybe sometimes his overprotectiveness was a bit irritating.
"Good afternoon. I'm wondering if you can help me. I'm a bit lost." Ami gasped, clutching at the shirt over her chest and staggering back a step. She didn't need to see the face to know who it was. Shuu turned, cast her a glance over his shoulder, took one look at her face, and then turned back to the visitor.
"Get lost," he snarled, tone hostile.
Ami pulled herself together, tugging on his shirt. When he didn't budge, she pulled the door open wider and peeked around one of his beefy arms, narrowing her eyes at Zoisite. He returned her gaze with a smarmy grin that made her cringe inwardly.
He knew. There went the theory that he might be a mindless drone or some zombie clone sent here just to get her attention. This Zoisite knew her. Knew where he was, and knew what he was doing. Ami wasn't a confrontational person, but she sort of wanted to just….clobber him. Make him talk.
She moved to her tiptoes, using Shuu's arm for support.
"Zoicite. What are you up to?" she spat at him.
He looked her over in such a predatory way that Shuu was suddenly in front of her again, blocking her from view.
"Princess Mercury. Just as sweet as I remember. I'm happy to tell you all about what I'm getting up to," Zoisite oozed. Ami shuddered. The sound of his voice still made her hair stand on end.
She opened her eyes, and let out a small shriek when she found him standing next to her, unable to stop herself from reflexively latching onto the back of Shuu's shirt as she took a step back. Zoicite reached for her, but Shuu was faster.
Ami had no idea what happened in the next instant save that Zoicite was no longer in her personal space, and there was a distant crash, one of the trees far off shaking, its leaves rustling with sudden activity.
Ami gasped again, peeking around Shuu to see that he'd struck Zoisite so hard the man was upside down with his legs resting against the trunk of a tree. Shuu didn't move from the doorway, his face dark with anger, his undergear up and ready for business.
"Ami. Can you please make sure Usagi is safe?" he asked her in a low voice, never taking his eyes off Zoisite. "I'm worried he didn't come alone."
A legitimate concern. Heart pounding, Ami took off for the living room, relief making her legs weak when she noted Usagi there, just sleeping. Nasuti came out of her office then, tilting her head.
"I thought I heard the door. Is someone here?" she asked. Ami looked up at her.
"Yes. Shuu is dealing with them right—" Ami startled when a shadow passed in front of the windows. Shuu had been right. Heart pounding, she called up her transformation immediately. "Nasuti, can you stay with Usagi? It looks like we might be surrounded," she said in an even tone of voice.
Nasuti nodded, her features determined, one hand going to the jewel she habitually had begun wearing around her neck.
Cautiously, Ami waited, braced, in the living room to see what might happen next. Part of her was panicking over the fact that the rest of the Senshi were so spread out. Makoto had gone into the city with Seiji to take a look at a potential spot for a cake shop. Minako and Shin had gone with Rei to look into a Shrine that potentially needed some assistance.
Touma and Ryo were working.
And that left her, Nasuti, Usagi, and Shuu.
Ami activated her visor. She had two readings, but the familiarity of them made her flinch. She'd seen these patterns before, and her subconsious mind was beginning to recognize them. She had an awful feeling the only reason it was taking so long to identify them was because she'd blocked them out.
She took small comfort in the fact that these creatures, whatever they were, were not the Shittenou.
They were fakes.
But they were good fakes. Which meant someone knew enough about them to create good fakes.
Ami narrowed her eyes at the visor, watching as the Jadeite signature lurked nearby, probably looking for an unguarded entrance. She was ready for him. In the corner of her gaze, she kept her eye on Shuu's signature and the Zoisite clone's. They appeared to be facing off, and she wished she could get a good visual on the battle.
Was it hand to hand? Was Zoisite using magic? Had Shuu at least put on his armor?
A window shattered somewhere upstairs, and Ami braced, putting herself between the living room entry and the stairs, doing her best to block Usagi and Nasuti. She wasn't disappointed. Jadeite strolled casually around the corner, one hand tucked into his pocket, looking every inch the suave civilian in a button down and slacks. When his gaze fell on her, he sneered.
"Really? Mercury?" he mocked. "The Silver Imperium Crystal and the Moon Princess' last line of defense is Sailor Mercury?"
That stung, but Ami let it slide. Arguing with him would prove his point. She knew she wasn't the strongest or really the fastest, but she could still fight. She narrowed her eyes on him and maintained her battle stance. Jadeite shook his head, extending a hand and gesturing. It glowed a deep and menacing black before a long shard of dark crystal appeared in it.
"Very well. This will be quick," he intoned, and charged her. Ami countered with a muted Aqua Rhapsody, knocking him out of the room and into the wall in the hallway. He hit hard, plaster flying, the crystal shattering, and Ami winced, silently apologizing to Nasuti for the damage she was doing to the house. She was trying to keep her attacks gentler but had a feeling that wouldn't hold for long.
Jadite rose to his full height again and sent her a gaze full of malice. "Leaned some new tricks?" he asked icily, extending his hand toward her. Ami threw up a wall of ice to intercept, letting out a breath when it shattered, taking the tiny shards of black crystal down with it.
It probably shouldn't bother her so much right now, since she was in the middle of battling, but it still ate at her when she watched the mess scratch up Nasuti's floor. The woman had done nothing but take care of them, and her reward was going to be a wrecked house. Oh dear.
And then Jadeite launched himself at her, hands glowing, and Ami didn't have time to throw another attack his way. She landed, hard on her back, gasping, and followed the momentum of the motion, rolling and kicking him off the top of her. He hit the dining room table, smashing down directly into the center of it and came up swinging, literally, with a broken table leg.
At that point, Ami stopped worrying about Nasuti's house and started worrying a lot more about getting Jadeite subdued.
She ducked just in time to avoid a concussion, the leg hitting the wall and leaving a crater in its wake. Ami used his distraction when the makeshift weapon lodged there, blowing him into the back wall with a well-placed Aqua Illusion.
He went through it, landing in the area Nasuti had added at some point as a workout space, and Ami followed, racing after him and firing off another Aqua Illusion, knocking him through a window in THAT room to the outside. She scanned her visor before she moved to follow, worried about leaving Usagi where she was.
Confident Usagi seemed safe, Ami leapt through the window after Jadeite, and cried out when she was immediately blasted back by a barrage of crystals. She hit the dirt, skidding on her rear, and winced, clambering back up.
Just in time to see the dirt, rocks, and other debris rising up around Jadeite before slamming him back down in a powerful explosion.
Ami squeaked as the ground shook, knocking her down again.
Apparently, Shuu was finished with Zoisite.
A hand clad in smooth metal trimmed with orange appeared in front of her, and Ami accepted it gratefully, astonished at how easily Shuu pulled her up. His brows were furrowed in concern as he looked her over.
"Shit! You ok?!" he growled. Ami nodded at him, then turned to get a reading on their surroundings. The only two energy signatures were piled next to each other on the grass, unconscious.
"I think we're all right. Those are the only two signatures I'm getting," she assured him. He nodded, letting go of Kongo, but she noticed that he kept his undergear on. She didn't blame him. She wasn't quite ready to let go of her transformation yet either.
"What'll we do with these assholes?" he asked in low, angry tones, gesturing with his chin at Zoisite and Jadeite as he crossed his arms over his chest. Ami frowned, trying to think. She didn't really trust their ability to keep them contained. Although…she could probably make some sort of containment forcefield that should hold them. She opened her mouth to suggest as much to Shuu when both bodies seemed to dissolve into black mist, carried on the air and dissipating quickly with a brief hiss.
"That can't be good," Shuu groaned, rubbing his face.
Mercury nodded, trying to get a read on her visor. Chills crawled up her spine at the familiarity of the signature, and she rubbed her arms to ward them off. She didn't like what she was seeing. She winced when her hands ran over several cuts.
"Hell. You're really bleeding," Shuu muttered. When she took her focus off scanning the sky to look down at him, he was in her face, examining her arms and neck. "This looks painful," he said, his expression apologetic now. "Sorry, that other guy took some effort, and I was trying not to blow up the house," he sounded so contrite, Ami smiled.
"I did sort of blow up the house. Well, parts of it," she confessed guiltily. Shuu erupted into laughter. Ami scowled at him.
"Sorry, sorry," he waved a hand at her, "it's just really hard to picture you doing any damage to anything. You're so…polite." He finished chuckling, his face dropping back into a serious expression.
"This is bad," he remarked, glancing at the sky where the energy had dissipated. Ami nodded.
"It would seem the enemy is targeting the Silver Crystal directly, and now they know where it is," Ami agreed. He shot her a sharp look she couldn't interpret and then offered her his elbow to lean on as they made their way back into the house. Ami moved carefully, aware now that she might need stitches. She was incredibly thankful Nasuti was home, since giving herself stitches might get tricky.
As soon as she was through the door, both Usagi and Nasuti greeted them. Usagi looked hurt. The Moon Princess had crossed her arms and was glaring at the both of them.
"I could have helped," she snapped. Ami flushed guiltily, caught sheltering Sailor Moon but not really feeling sorry she had.
"You were quite asleep, and we needed to move quickly," she deflected, favoring Usagi with a friendly smile. Usagi turned her head, grumbling, but brought her gaze back up to take in both Ami and Shuu after a moment, her expression serious.
"Cut it out ok? I mean it. I can help. You promised we'd do this together."
Ami sighed, trying not to groan out loud. She was getting a headache. Behind her, Shuu sputtered, putting his hands up.
"There were only two of them. Figured we had things in hand," he argued. "Besides, we took care of 'em pretty fast."
Usagi gestured at Ami. "Look at Mercury!" she yelled. Ami scowled at both of them.
"This isn't anything that any of us haven't ever dealt with. It's minor and you know it. I understand you're upset, but there was a problem and Shuu and I dealt with it. Please, let's not argue about this," she said tiredly.
Shuu was giving her that weird look she couldn't interpret again. Ami wondered what it meant. But then Nasuti was touching her arm, smiling with concern.
"I think we should get these cleaned up," she murmured. Ami nodded.
"Yes, please. If you don't mind, I might need help with some stitches." Ami caught sight of Shuu blanching in her direction as Nasuti led her from the room.
"Stitches?!" she heard him yell down the hall. "Ryo's gonna kill me!" he moaned.
Nasuti giggled as she led Ami away, and Ami smiled, but became distracted by his remark.
After his heartfelt confession the other evening, Ryo hadn't really elaborated further on what feelings he had exactly. Touma's obvious excusing himself out of the room and his direct commentary had left Ryo tongue tied, and he'd simply looked at her helplessly and said "You really don't know?"
When she'd shaken her head, despite the fact that she was worried she did know and wasn't sure what to do with the knowledge, he sighed, reassured her again sweetly that he'd never let anything happen to her, and then had suggested they join the others.
He still hovered around her every minute he was in her presence, and while she'd happily tuned out the significance of that before, it was too difficult to brush aside now. She'd been around him long enough to know that Ryo never had patience for sitting still or keeping calm, and he rarely did anything without reason.
His interest made her both warm and uncomfortable at the same time.
But he wouldn't say anything directly and Ami was fairly certain the Earth would swallow her whole before she'd work up the courage to ask, so they were locked in this strange gravitational orbit around each other.
She was hoping Nasuti could just help patch her up and everything would pass without incident.
But she had a feeling she just wouldn't be that lucky.
