Chapter 18

Shingo's Love: The Grieving Doll

In the throne room of the palace of darkness, Queen Beryl, along with Maleficent, Sephiroth, and Pete, saw Nephrite standing before them.

"Nephrite, have you made any progress in eliminating the Warriors of Light?" asked the wicked Queen of the Dark Kingdom.

"Everything's under control, I assure you," replied Nephrite, when Zoisite emerged in a flurry of petals and darkness.

"Really? You seem to be having quite a struggle with them. I'd be happy to help out. After all, the two of us could carry out a plan better than only one, don't you agree, everyone?" snickered the blonde warlord.

"A fine idea, indeed. However, I'm afraid that Nephrite would only be held back by Zoisite's constant reminders," said Maleficent.

"Indeed," agreed Nephrite.

"My, aren't we in a disagreeing mood today," sneered Zoisite.

"Accept it. Nephrite is not interested in helping you!" said Sephiroth, swinging Masamune at Zoisite, who was sent flying up and landed hard on the ground.

"Stay your hand Sephiroth, Maleficent made her point quite clear. Until then, farewell," said Nephrite, who marched into the corridor of darkness.

"Foolishness Nephrite," growled Beryl, as Zoisite chuckled, knowing his plan would be successful.

In Usagi's house, Sora, Usagi, Shingo, Keiko, and Kenji all sat at the dinner table, enjoying breakfast, when Kenji noticed an article in the morning newspaper.

"Wow, Usagi, you're up early today," said her father.

Usagi nodded, but Sora made sure that Shingo was kept in his place.

"Yep, that's a first for her," he said, making Shingo give him a thumbs up.

"I heard Mika won a prize at a French Doll making Contest," said Kenji.

"Oh, really!?" gasped Shingo.

"I knew she would, after all, her mother is a well known doll maker, right dear?" said Keiko.

"Like mother, like daughter, wouldn't you say?" chuckled Kenji.

"Hey, Shingo, is there anything you know about Mika?" asked Sora.

"To be honest, I kinda lost my composure and said some horrible things to her in the past," replied Shingo.

"Right, in the meantime, Usagi, you may want to get to school, and I don't think you'd want to make Miss Haruna disappointed," Sora said.

"Yeah, good idea," replied Usagi, who quickly got up, and raced out the door.

She had just managed to reach the classroom, but sadly Miss Haruna told her to wait in the hallway, making her upset that Sora predicted her tardiness, as Rei would.

"You never get tired of being tardy, do you?" said Naru, as they walked down the street.

"Give her a break, Naru," piped in Sora, making Usagi smile at him, even though she was mildly annoyed at him for predicting her lateness.

They suddenly saw two girls walking up to them.

"Are you Shingo's big sister?" asked one.

"Uh, yeah?" replied Usagi.

"Maybe you can tell us why Shingo's so mean," she said.

"What did he do this time?" asked Uasgi, making Sora's expression darken, as Naru glanced worriedly at him.

The second girl explained everything she could about what happened between Shingo and Mika at their school, which Sora listened to intently.

"And after all that, Shingo didn't apologize. Everyone felt so sorry for Mika," said the second girl.

"I should have known he didn't heed the advice Sailor Moon and I gave him from before," murmured Sora.

"Can you please tell Shingo to apologize to Mika?" asked the first girl.

"Oh I will, what he did was wrong!" replied Usagi, who became furious.

"We both will," piped in Sora.

"Thanks a lot!" said the two girls.

"I guess you'd better go have a big heart to heart talk with him," said Naru.

Usagi and Sora nodded.

"Trust me, you two, Usagi and I will talk to Shingo and let him know that it was an accident. That way, he'll be able to openly apologize to Mika for what happened, back then," said Sora.

In Mika's house, Mika was hard at work making new french dolls, but deep down she was still upset about the gossip that happened about her and Shingo, and the accident that occured, when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," she said.

"It's so dark in here. Is everything okay, honey?" asked her mother.

"It's easier to concentrate this way," replied Mika.

"You're already working on your next one? Oh, it looks like it's on the verge of tears," said Mika's mother, who picked up one of the dolls her daughter was working on.

"Yeah," Mika said somberly.

"But, it's still well made. Why don't we take a look at the doll that won you the prize, and see how it compares," assured her mother.

"I don't have it anymore," gasped Mika.

Mika's mother was surprised, but she wanted to know where it went.

"I let someone borrow it," said Mika.

"Oh, who was it?" asked her mother.

"Just someone," replied Mika.

"Oh, when you get it back, show it to me, okay?" said her mother.

Mika nodded sadly. As her mother left, she began placing on the hair and clothes for her doll. Then she looked inside to see the ruined doll that Shingo had accidentally damaged, making her weep tears of sorrow. Meanwhile, Nephrite stood alone in his manor, and began gazing into the stars beyond, searching for his next target. At last he received news that Mika Kaiyama would be his prey, and set off at once, while Sephiroth stood watching from a distance.

"Proceed with caution, Nephrite, if Cloud is involved, I will intervene," he said, as he disappeared into the corridor of darkness.

Inside his bedroom, Shingo began writing a letter of apology to Mika for the way he acted, and how the damage he unwittingly caused, but he was still stressed out when he heard Usagi knocking on his door, who told him that she and Sora needed to talk to him.

"Sure, come in," said Shingo.

Sora and Usagi walked inside, but Sora slowly stepped up next to Shingo and gently placed his hand upon his shoulder.

"Listen Shingo, Those two girls from your class told us about what happened between you and Mika. Most of your classmates were spreading wild rumors about the two of you. What happened wasn't your fault. It's because those other kids were blind by false assumptions about you and Mika. If you apologize to Mika, then she'll find it in her heart to forgive you," said Sora.

"I know, Sora. But, what if she chooses not to accept my apology?" asked Shingo.

"Because Shingo, Mika would never hate you," said Riku who also arrived.

"Hate me!? But that's crazy! Why would I-!" he cried out, but suddenly stopped when he realized that Usagi was nearby.

"Oh, right," he said somberly.

"It was when Sora told us about what happened between the two of you. Remember?" said Kairi, who made Shingo blush a bit.

"Remember Shingo, forgiveness brings light. But refusing to apologize to someone for an accident, leads to darkness," warned Terra.

"Okay, you win. I'll apologize to Mika," said Shingo, and the matter was settled.

Outside of Mika's house Shingo began thinking of a way to apologize to his friend, and was now mentally prepared to tell her that what happened between them was not his fault.

"Okay, here I go, guys," he said bravely.

"That's the spirit, Shingo!" cheered Sora.

He was about to cross the street, when he heard the sound of a speeding sports car approaching, causing him to jump back and hide. Sora knew that this car belonged to Nephrite, who was still using Masato Sanjouin to cover up his true identity. They all watched as he stepped out of his car and approached the front gate. He rang the doorbell and Mika's mother spoke to him.

"Hello, I'm Masato Sanjouin. I called earlier," said Nephrite.

"Oh, right. One moment," said Mrs. Kaiyama.

Shingo was disappointed and decided to come back at a later time, but Sora grew suspicious as he watched from the shadows, and followed Nephrite cautiously into the house.

"All this time, I believed that Piere Dupoux was the only one who could create dolls in the traditional French tradition But after seeing your work, I've changed my mind," explained Nephrite, as Mrs. Kaiyama chuckled.

"You know how to flatter a girl," said Mika's mother.

"You're daughter is quite talented as well," replied Nephrite.

"Her name's Mika," explained Mrs. Kaiyama.

"I was impressed with the doll that you entered into that contest. It was really wonderful, I'd love to see it," said Nephrite, making Mika look up in surprise.

"Oh, yes, well, that doll is, uh… Mika why don't you show him the doll you've been working on lately," said her mother.

Mika nodded, then revealed the nearly completed doll she had been working on.

"Ah, this is lovely," gasped Nephrite.

He picked it up.

"Let me look closer. This sorrowful expression is sublime," he said, and began channeling his dark power into the doll.

Unknown to the three of them, Sora had witnessed Nephrite's actions from the hallway, and quietly slipped out the door without so much as a sound, knowing that he witnessed Nephrite placing a portion of his dark power into the doll.

"Isn't this wonderful Mika?" asked her mother.

They smiled happily at one another, unaware of Nephrite's actions.

"Tell me, do you think you could make ten copies of this doll for me?" asked Nephrite.

"Ten? That's a lot," said Mika.

"I'm sure I'd be able to sell ten easily," replied Nephrite.

"I'll be holding an exhibition of my work this Saturday. Of course, Mika's dolls will be on display too. I hope you'll come," said her mother.

"I'm looking forward to it," Nephrite said, as he smirked to himself.

Later, Mika was now working harder than ever on the ten dolls of a similar design, as her mother praised her for working hard.

"I don't know why, but I feel motivated. Now I'm going to start the second one," said Mika, and set to work at once.

"I'm glad you're eager, but it's bedtime. You have school tomorrow," replied her mother.

"I'll be fine mom," said Mika.

"Now don't be like that, let's put everything away," reminded Mrs. Kaiyama.

But her daughter glared at her and sent her flying back in a blind rage, as the doll behind her began to twitch it's head left and right like a clockwork doll, bearing Nephrite's crest, and a demented grin. Everyday and night Mika was now making dolls without a second thought, until Shingo arrived the next day, with Sora.

"So how's Mika doing?" he asked.

"She's been making dolls since yesterday. She hasn't even gone to sleep. I tried to stop her, but she won't listen," said Mrs. Kaiyama.

"That doesn't sound like the Mika, Shingo knows," murmured Sora.

"Oh, I just don't know what to do anymore," sighed Mika's mother.

"If it's all right, I was thinking of Shingo and I would go talk to her," suggested Sora.

Mika's mother nodded and led them to Mika's bedroom.

"Mika, these young men are here," she said.

"I don't want to see them," replied Mika.

"But Mika, I really need to talk to you," said Shingo.

"Be gone!" barked Mika.

The three of them glanced at each other, but Sora sensed a terrible darkness within Mika's heart and knew that Nephrite was behind it.

"I guess Mika's still really mad at me," Shingo said sadly, as he sat at his desk, in his bedroom.

Sora could sense his distress, and felt the same way that Shingo felt, when Usagi arrived with a glass of juice.

"Hey, Usagi," he said, quietly to himself.

"What's up with Usagi, Sora?" Shingo asked.

"It's like this. Even though we're very much alike, I can still sense your shame about what happened between you and Mika. But more importantly, it's almost as if I feel the same way that you do," answered Sora, making Usagi glance at him.

"So, did he apologize to Mika, Sora?" asked Usagi.

"Unfortunately, no. Something might have possessed her to never forgive Shingo for what happened in the past. Those kids in his class began spreading rumors about them being in love, which in turn caused the doll Mika tried to give to Shingo to break," replied Sora.

"Oh, so that's what happened," said Usagi.

"I've never seen Mika act like that before. She's always been really nice to me. Do you think I hurt her so bad that she'll never forgive me?" sighed Shingo.

"No, we'll find a way to make things better between you. Then you and Mika can strengthen the connection between your hearts. So I promise you this. When we go and see her, we'll bring something that'll make Mika happy. And it won't be from just you, but it'll be from me and Usagi as well. Because it's like they always say: 'It's all water under the bridge.' In other words, you can't let yourself be overcome by shame, and live in the past forever. The one thing you can do, is look towards the future," said Sora.

"Thanks guys," smiled Shingo.

A short while later, in Usagi's bedroom, Sora, Usagi, and Luna all sat together upon her bed.

"What's the matter, you guys?" asked Luna.

"I didn't want to worry Shingo, but something's fishy about Mika's behavior," said Usagi.

"And I think I know why, Luna. That Masato Sanjouin guy was able to transfer some of his dark power to unleash a new creature of darkness against us, after her energy reaches its peak, and is thusly drained from her," added Sora.

"Wow, you guys, you're really perceptive," said Luna.

"Yeah, well, whenever I see someone sad, it actually hurts me so much that I can't leave things the way they are. And sometimes, that sadness also feels very much like the same sadness I felt, especially after my father left me the day I was born. That's why I have to press on, no matter how difficult it may be. That's why the source of Shingo's sadness must be thanks to the Dark Kingdom's actions, which are affecting Mika's heart. Luna, I need you to send word to Ami, Rei and the others. We need to let them know what I've found out," said Sora.

"Wait a second, Sora," piped in Usagi, making the spiky brunette turn and face her.

Then suddenly, she hugged him tightly, as fresh tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.

"I just wanted to let you know that, what you said to Shingo, made me realize that you're far more compassionate about how other people feel. But more importantly, you taught me a lesson that would even make Luna proud. So, thanks, for cheering Shingo up," she said.

Then Sora gently placed his arms around Usagi, making her know that his hands were quite gentle, for a Keyblade Master. Then they slowly pulled away from each other, and turned to Luna.

"We'd better get going," he said to the cat.

Then they raced to Mika's house, after sending word to Ami, Rei, and the other Guardians of Kingdom Hearts. Then Luna carefully climbed up a tree, and began to see if she could spot Mika through one of the windows.

"How's it look, Luna? Can you see anything?" asked Sora and Usagi.

"No, the curtains are all shut, so I can't see inside," replied Luna.

"According to what Shingo said, she hasn't been going to school for a few days now," said Usagi.

"That's really messed up," hissed Roxas.

"The only clue left is this doll exhibition that begins tomorrow," said Ami.

At Crown Arcade, Shingo was walking past when he saw a poster for the Sailor V game, and remembered what he and Mika said about her, until the subject suddenly changed to Sora and Sailor Moon being cool which the young boy happily agreed. Then suddenly, an idea fluttered into Shingo's head.

"That's it! That's what my present will be!" he said excitedly.

He soon raced back home, and began using molding clay to try and replicate how Sailor Moon and Sora looked.

"You're making some gifts for Mika?" asked Usagi.

"Yeah," replied Shingo.

"Wow, they're so cute. Really nice job Shingo," cheered Usagi.

"That actually sounds pretty cool, buddy," added Sora.

"You think so?" Shingo asked, looking embarrassed.

"It sure is. But, uh… who are you trying to make?" asked the spiky brunette.

"Oh, you and Sailor Moon of course," replied Shingo.

"I see. Well, I hope she'll be thrilled," said Usagi.

"Well, it's the thought that counts," chuckled Shingo.

"After all, she's not just the bringer of love and justice, she's also a warrior of light," said Sora.

Outside on the streets of Juban, Rei and Mamoru were now out on their date in the park.

"The dolls this woman makes are amazing and cute. Just wait till you see them all," said Rei.

She then pointed out that they had arrived, and walked into the exhibition hall, where they didn't see Nephrite talking to Mika's mother.

"Marvelous, this exhibition is a huge success," he said to her.

"Thank you so much," replied Mrs. Kaiyama.

"Where's Mika?" asked the disguised Nephrite.

"She's still in the back room, putting the final touches on her last doll. I almost feel bad for how much work she's put into them," assured her mother.

"I see," replied Nephrite.

Inside the backroom, Mika was now working hard on the final doll, when the doll she had crafted began to twitch uncontrollably. Back in the main hall, Ami stood with Riku and the other Guardians of Kingdom Hearts, while Luna hid in a basket she was holding in her hands.

"I don't see anything out of the ordinary so far," said the dark colored cat.

"Stay alert, guys. The darkness could spring out at any moment," warned Riku.

But then Luna noticed Rei, and pointed her out to them. Sure enough, they saw her with Mamoru looking at various dolls, and seeing that they looked quite beautiful.

"Aw, how adorable. See, aren't they cute Mamoru?" she said, making Mamoru give off of a goofy smirk.

He sighed, and hung his head.

"And that one was made by the doll maker's daughter. Do you see that?" Rei said excitedly, making Mamoru look up at her.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Sorry, I don't really follow dolls," he said with an embarrassed look on his face.

"What makes you say that, Mamoru? Don't tell me you hate them," said Axel who approached them.

"No, not really. I wouldn't say I hate them," replied Mamoru.

"Oh, good. Come on, let's keep going," smiled Rei.

"Uh, Yay," replied Mamoru.

But as they walked, they passed Nephrite who was walking out of the hall. Both men glanced at each other as they walked by.

"May I help you?" asked Mamoru.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else," replied Nephrite, just as Rei called to Mamoru.

"How is Mika doing anyway?" asked Usagi, who had arrived with Sora and Shingo.

"Okay," replied Mrs. Kaiyama.

"Listen guys, I don't think we should do this," said Shingo.

"No, Shingo. We have to let Mika know that what happened wasn't your fault. And that's for three reasons. 1: Even though the past is the past, those guys at your school were blind to the truth when Mika wanted to give you that doll as a gift. 2: Whatever's possessing Mika to act like a jerk to you is probably causing you to feel ashamed of your previous actions. And 3: If she does decide to accept your apology, then you and she can go back to being friends again," said Sora, making Usagi smile at him.

"Mika's in the back room right now. I'm sure she'd love to have a visit from you," said Mika's mother.

"Oh yeah?" asked Usagi.

"Yep. So let's go guys," said Sora, as he led them to Mika's workplace.

As they did so, Rei noticed them, from behind, and saw that they were heading to the back room, where Mika was finishing up the final doll.

"Done," she said.

Suddenly, the first doll she had completed slowly began to radiate with darkness, when Usagi, Sora, and Shingo entered.

"Uh, Mika, I brought-" Shingo tried to say, but Sora placed his hand in front of him.

"I knew it. It's gotta be that Masato guy's handiwork," hissed Sora.

And he was right, Jumo burst from the doll, causing Shingo to almost panic, as it drained Mika of her life force.

"Mika!" gasped Sora and Usagi.

Shingo tried to rush to her side, but he was swatted away by Jumo, making Sora's anger burst out.

"How could you? HOW COULD YOU!?" he said in a blind rage, as he brandished his Keyblade and tried to attack Jumo, who blocked the blow and sent Sora flying back.

"Sora!" cried Usagi.

"I'm fine, Usagi! But right now Sailor Moon needs to take the lead!" he said.

"He's right, transform!" agreed Luna.

Usagi nodded, and called to the heavens, transforming herself into Sailor Moon.

"I am the pretty guardian who fights for love and for justice! I am Sailor Moon!" she said.

"You're going to pay for destroying that doll Shingo wanted to give to Mika, and for hurting him in front of us! And because of what you've done, both Sailor Moon and I agree that you've become your demise!" added Sora, who got up and readied himself for battle.

"Boy, their super gung-ho today, I hope they're gonna be alright," muttered Luna.

But Jumo attacked them with one of the dolls created by Mika, only for Sailor Moon to run out, as Sora swatted it back with his Keyblade, while Luna followed her.

"You can't escape!" called Jumo who followed Sailor Moon.

"You guys!" called Ami and Rei who had turned into Sailors Mercury and Mars, just as Sora and his friends joined the battle.

"Mercury, we need cover!" said Sora.

Sailor Mercury nodded, and unleashed her bubble spray on Jumo, creating a strong fog bank that temporarily blinded her.

"That was close," sighed Sailor Moon.

"Pull it together, Sailor Moon! We can't let fear stop us! But, we still have a job to do,' said Riku, who snapped her out of her fear induced trance.

"Are you kidding? Don't you know how popular she is? She's got loads of people cheering for her. So guess what Sailor Mars. No one axes, Sailor Moon. Got it Memorized?" smirked Axel.

"Careful, something's coming!" warned Luna.

"Banish the darkness, Sailor Mars!" said Roxas, as two more dolls charged at them.

"With pleasure!" replied Rei.

She pulled out an exorcism talisman, and channeled her will power into it. Then she flung it at the two dolls, stopping them in their tracks, and dispelling the darkness. At the same time, Jumo had managed to catch Sailor Moon off guard and was now gripping her throat.

"I can't breathe," choked Usagi.

"Let her go!" shouted Sora, charging at Jumo, while Sailor Mars unleashed her Fire Soul attack on her.

But Jumo evaded the attack leading to Sailor Moon crying out in pain at the intense heat of Sailor Mars' attack. Then Jumo turned to face them.

"Your attacks are useless now, "she said.

Sending her arms at them, one managed to take a few strands of Rei's hair, as she dodged out of the way, which made Sora grow even more angry, as he felt the darkness welling up within his heart.

"If there's one thing I've learned from Yang, it's to never touch a girl's hair without her permission!" he said as he felt Vanitas slowly taking him over, while Rei and Ami dodged and weaved around the strange creature's attacks.

"Wait Sora! I've managed to get an energy reading from the monster's right leg," said Sailor Mercury, just as Riku struck down several Heartless that tried to ambush her.

"We need to break Sailor Moon free of Jumo's grip first, then she can use her Moon Tiara Action upon it," said Riku.

"That's not going to happen," a dark cold voice said from behind Usagi.

"SEPHIROTH!" shouted Sailor Mars.

"No! Don't do it!" cried Sailor Mercury.

Just as Sephiroth was about to plunge Masamune through Sailor Moon, a rose shot past him and Jumo who quickly released the blonde from her grip.

"Good to see you, Tuxedo Mask," sneered the One-Winged Angel.

"Cloud, take care of Sephiroth! Sailor Moon and Sora, end it!" said the caped crusader.

"Right!" Sora and Usagi said, readying themselves for the finishing blow, as Cloud and Sephiroth fought furiously against each other.

"Moon Tiara Action!" cried Sailor Moon.

And now, RAGNAROK!" shouted Sora.

Both attacks struck at Jumo's right leg, instantly destroying her, and returning Mika's residual life force back to her, forcing Sephiroth to retreat, while Cloud ran off with Sailor Mars calling to him.

"What's going on? What happened?" asked Mika who awoke.

She saw Shingo lying unconscious, just as Riku arrived to see if she was okay.

"Are you two okay?" Sailor Moon asked from behind the curtain.

Mika and Shingo noticed Usagi's silhouette along with Sora's.

"They'll be fine, Sailor Moon," said Riku.

"That's good. In the meantime, I hope you guys rebuild that bond you forged, and make it far stronger than before," replied Sora.

Then he turned to Sailor Moon who nodded at him.

"See ya," Usagi and Sora said together.

"Wow, Sora and Sailor Moon actually saved us. How cool is that!?" Shingo said excitedly.

"Yeah, well, Sora's a little…" said Riku.

But he, Shingo, and Mika chuckled at each other, until they noticed the destroyed doll that Shingo tried to recreate.

"Anyway, sorry about what happened with Shingo's present," he said to Mika.

"For me?" asked Mika.

"Listen, Sorry about the other day," Shingo said somberly.

"It's all right. And besides, you did come here to save me after all Shingo," replied Mika.

"Thank you," said Shingo, as he smiled at her.

"Hey, Hakuna Matata, right?" piped in Roxas, who arrived.

Shingo and Mika nodded. Sometime later, Shingo and Sora arrived at Mika's house, where she presented him with two dolls that looked like Sailor Moon and Sora.

"Shingo, these are for helping me out the other day," she said to him.

"Wow, these look just like them! Sora and Sailor Moon are so cool!" smiled Shingo, as he accepted her gift.

"Yep, they sure do, but, uh… you should cherish the bond you and Mika want to keep together," warned Sora.

"Yeah, you'd better listen to Sora's advice, Shingo," said Mika as she walked away.

"I'll do what I can. I promise you that, Mika," replied Shingo.

He turned to face Sora.

"What can I say? Women love me," he said sheepishly, making Sora chuckle at him.