Chapter 17
Trial and Tribulation
"How long is this going to take?" Kunzite asked Mina as they waited for Serena to emerge from the hotel where Blake was staying. He felt inpatient, antsy even. It was if his nerves were on fire. He couldn't sit still. He could sense that danger was approaching and Serena's delay was only making him more anxious.
"Hopefully not long." Mina responded as she sighed, leaning against the window of the car. She watched as one drop splashed against the glass, followed by another and another. A gentle rain began, pattering softly against the car. In a way it was soothing to her but at the same time only seemed to dampen her spirits.
"We don't exactly have a lot of time." Kunzite huffed as he crossed his arms.
Mina watched as a group of college-aged students ran across the parking lot, giggling as they were drenched in the downpour. They seemed so innocent and carefree, completely oblivious to the threat that was approaching their city. She felt her eyes narrow as she caught sight of one with striking blonde hair, tied back in a braid. She looked remarkably like Femi except for her dark brown eyes. She felt a flare of anger within her. The girl laughed to her friends and disappeared within a nearby building.
"Kunzite." Mina finally stated, breaking the silence between them. "I think you need to explain Femi to me." She turned to look at him.
"What? Um, what do you want to know?" Kunzite stated, completely taken back by her question.
"Were you in fact engaged like she said?" Mina stated. She couldn't but help feel that her and Kunzite's relationship, which had been rocky to begin with, was already on the brink of its first true test. She hadn't anticipated another woman coming in between them so quickly.
"Betrothed. I never actually asked her to marry me." He admitted. "But that was a very long time ago. I ended our betrothal when—"He bit his lip.
"When what?" Mina inquired, feeling anxiety building within her.
"Well, I don't think I'm supposed to say." Kunzite stated sheepishly as he ran a nervous hand through his long, white blonde hair. "You don't have all of your memories back."
"And?" Mina prompted. She didn't like where the conversation was headed. Why would he keep something important like this from her? Her thoughts went back to earlier at the temple when they had seen Nikko. Jadeite had mentioned they had faced Nikko before which was news to all of them. There was a lot of secrets between the generals and the scouts still. Mina wasn't so sure how to feel about that.
Kunzite sighed and leaned back against the plush back seat of the car. He appeared to be mentally battling with himself as his silence spanned several moments. "Mina, I need you to trust me. I don't have feelings for Femi. I never have, not during the Silver Millennium and certainly not now. You are my girl." He stated as he took her small hands in his.
"I am your girl now Kunzite but tell me… was I then?" She asked as her blue eyes bore into his.
Kunzite hesitated. "No…" He admitted cautiously. "You wanted nothing to do with me then."
"Did I have a good reason to feel that way?" She probed, grasping for information. If he wasn't going to reveal all the details of their past she needed him at least give her something to move forward with.
"Yes." He stated as his hanged his head. "I wasn't the best person then as you can probably remember. I didn't deserve you but Mina, we felt something for each other. That hasn't changed." Kunzite stated as he squeezed her hands. "I'm not the same man now as I was then. I don't work for the Negaverse anymore. I don't hurt people or destroy cities. I only serve my prince now… and you."
Mina felt a rush of warmth in her veins, seeping to the tips of her fingers. She couldn't deny the feelings she held for Kunzite, that was evident already. Somehow, she still couldn't shake the feeling that there was more he wasn't telling her, and not just because he wasn't supposed to, but because he wanted to keep information from her.
"What can you tell me about Fabian?" She asked, changing the subject. "Why does he seem to… have a thing for me?"
It was Kunzite's turn to blush. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he released her hands. "I can't tell you about that Mina. You've got to regain those memories on your own. My guess is he came into the picture long before I did, but know that he wasn't around when I was."
Mina didn't like the sound of that. Fabian had been first. Maybe the real reason she hadn't allowed Kunzite to pursue her was because she had been in love with someone else. Could it be possible?
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Serena inhaled deeply as she came to a stop before Blake's hotel room. She felt so many emotions rushing through her body. Nikko…Darien…Blake. She shut her eyes tightly, shaking her head as if she could somehow sort through her feelings. From the moment she had arrived in Tokyo her life had transformed from complacent and safe to something best suited for primetime TV. Never in a million years would she have dreamed she would be torn between not one or two, but three men. How was she going to maneuver through the endless minefield of emotions before her? No matter what she did someone was going to get hurt. Before she could contemplate any further the door before her opened.
There stood Blake, clad in a pair of dark wash jeans with a plain white t-shirt. His normally styled chestnut brown hair was disheveled, as if he hadn't slept in days. His dark striking blue eyes, normally lively and bright, were dull. He regarded her for a moment before speaking. "Please… come in." He said as he took a step back.
Serena felt guilt sink deep within her gut as she passed over the threshold. His room was neat, as if he hadn't even been staying there. Were it not for the wrinkled sheets on the bed she would've thought the room had been unoccupied entirely. She walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, staring hard at the tips of her sodden purple rain boots, trying to formulate what to say.
"Before you start… I'm leaving." Blake stated as he shut the door and leaned against the adjacent closet door.
"Where are you going? Why?" Serena asked as she felt her heart begin to race. Had he already given up on their relationship?
"Back to Chicago." Blake said simply. "I have to be in court in a few days. My plane leaves in a few hours."
"Oh." Serena responded, somewhat relieved that she wasn't the reason he was leaving so quickly. "Be safe…"
"I will." Blake replied.
They sat in silence for several moments before Serena finally gathered the courage to look him in the eye. His expression was hard. His eyes bore into hers as if he could see right through her. She felt the small hairs on her arms stick straight up as goosebumps crawled across her skin. What else did he need to say?
"You know when you told me you were coming back here… I already felt like I had lost you." He finally spoke as he crossed his arms. He gave her a half chuckle, as if he were amused by his own statement. "I didn't know how true that feeling was until I saw the way you looked at him."
Serena's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Blake… I—"
"It's okay." He stated as he uncrossed his arms and turned to look at her. "I'm not angry. I mean, I was at first… then I realized that I never really was right for you. We come from different countries, different backgrounds and families and there's nothing wrong with that but our differences are present. I don't have the same history as you, after all you're like a million years old right?"
Serena felt herself chuckle as tears spilled down her cheeks. He wasn't entirely wrong.
"And despite what I feel for you, and probably, what you feel for me... there's a bridge between us that we just can't seem to cross." He approached her slowly and came to one knee before her. "I guess the hard part now is just letting you go… but Serena, I don't want to let you go."
Serena felt her breath catch in her chest. She didn't want him to go. She didn't want to lose him. He made everything feel so right when they were together, but still a nagging feeling had never left her: she was still missing something. "Blake, I don't want you to think I never loved you because I did and still do. I love you very much." She reached forward and laid her hand on his cheek.
He gave her a sad grin and placed his hand over hers. "Just not enough as someone else though." He added.
She hesitated, not even sure if that statement was true either. "I'm not sure what I want right now. I think there's too much going on in my life with the sailor scouts and all of these memories I've lost that I need to get back. My life is a puzzle that is missing many, many pieces, but Blake, I love you. You know that I do. I promised to be your wife but I wasn't honest with you about my past. I'm so sorry for keeping that from you. You deserved to know a lot sooner."
"Yes." Blake admitted as he rose and sat next to her on the edge of the bed. "But you didn't… and here we are. Tell me Serena, have I lost you?"
That sat in silence for several more moments as Serena felt tear after tear splash onto her cheek. Blake's expression was thoughtful but he didn't comfort her as he normally would have. Instead he remained apart from her, keeping his distance.
"I don't know." She whispered shakily. "I'm so confused about everything right now."
"That fireball in the sky. I know that is somehow important to you and your fight. I know you've got a lot to sort out before you come back… IF you decide to come back—" Blake began as he took her left hand in his. "But if this life is the one you choose… that's okay."
She was surprised at his words. Was he letting her go? His concern over Darien had been genuine, but the feeling of losing him was growing more apparent the longer they talked. Now Blake was all but giving her his permission to leave. Was that even what she wanted? She wasn't sure. It felt wrong to ask him to wait for her to sort her life out, but then again could she run the risk of losing him forever?
"Serena." He took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles. "You're worth waiting for." His eyes settled on hers.
Serena felt the heat in her cheeks rise as guilt wrenched her insides.
"I love you." Blake whispered.
Their lips met in one last, sweet kiss before he abruptly released her hands, stood and shouldered his bag. Without another glance he left the room.
"I love you." Serena whispered to the empty room just as the door clicked shut behind him.
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"We finally made it." Raye huffed as she dropped her bag on the aged wooden floor of the cabin.
All around her the other scouts were piling inside, dropping their bags by the door and collapsing onto the floor or the various chairs scattered around the living room. It was nearly sunrise and they were all operating on little to no sleep, it was finally catching up to them.
Jadeite emitted a loud yawn as he sank onto the couch. "Where is everyone else?"
"Amy!" Lita squealed as Amy emerged from one of the bedrooms, yawning as well. Zoisite walked out behind her. It appeared they had both been sleeping from the look of their tousled hair and wrinkled clothes. Lita couldn't help but wonder if that's all they had been up to.
"Are you okay? Fabian didn't hurt you did he?" Queen Serenity pressed as she leaned against the door frame.
"No." Amy stated. "I don't think the intention was to hurt us." She cast a look at Zoisite. She didn't know how to share the unique details of their capture and eventual release by Femi.
"He wanted us out of his way." Zoisite affirmed as he wrapped his arm around Amy. "And surprisingly Femi let us go. She sent us back to Tokyo."
"Why would she do that?" Nephrite asked as he perked a brow. "She doesn't like us."
"She likes someone." Amy stated, stressing the last word heavily. "But call me crazy, she seemed almost scared of someone else. 'Someone bigger' were her exact words."
"What's more threatening than the Shadow Warriors?" Raye asked out loud. She looked around the room, as if someone had the answer. She was met with empty stares and more tired yawns.
Queen Serenity pursed her lips as another car pulled up the cabin. The headlights illuminated the dim living room for a brief moment before they shut off. Amara, Michelle and Trista appeared. They clambered up the steps to the cabin in silence.
"Welcome to our new base of operations." Lita remarked as they all entered. "Glad to see you made it safely."
"It's cozy." Michelle stated as she glanced around. Serena's family cabin was aged but had recently been renovated with the intention of renting out the space. The two story cabin was equipped with six rooms, one large living room, a spacious kitchen, a patio deck for entertaining and a sun room in the back. While the cabin appeared very traditional on the outside, the inside was polished, updated and new.
"Where is Serena and Darien?" Trista asked urgently as the door shut behind her.
"Where were you during our last fight?" Raye thundered back as her right eye twitched. She ignored Trista's earlier comment as she felt rage take hold of her. "We got our butts kicked!"
"I have other duties than just being a sailor scout." Trista replied icily. "I am the keeper of the Gates of Time—"
"For someone who is supposedly able to control the Gates of Time, you sure do suck at managing time!" Raye hollered back.
"Stop, stop!" Amara shouted as she came between the two girls. Her strong hands pushed against their shoulders, causing them both to take a step back. "Now's not the time for that. We need to get focused right now. We have a new enemy."
"What? Who?" Lita asked as she stared at Trista hard. "What are you not telling us?"
"Queen Raven." Queen Serenity answered for her. She walked past Trista, standing in the middle of the living room so that everyone could see her. "You all may not have your memories of her, but I knew her well during the Silver Millennium and believe me, she is a bigger problem than the Shadow Warriors."
Nephrite, Zoisite and Jadeite exchanged very uncomfortable glances with each other at the mention of Queen Raven's name.
Amy didn't miss it. "You knew her?" She asked Zoisite.
Zoisite opened his mouth to answer but received a sharp jab to his side from Nephrite who was adamantly shaking his head.
"The generals would have known her back during the Silver Millennium." Queen Serenity said.
Zoisite gave her a relieved glance before looking back at Amy. "We knew of Queen Raven… and her… talents."
"What talents?" Amy inquired in a small voice while Jadeite snorted behind her.
"She was quite gifted with the elements but most of all, fire." Queen Serenity answered. "She was known for her savagery even before the Negaverse invaded our Galaxy."
"She was absolutely crazy." Jadeite added as he leaned back against the wall behind him, crossing his arms. "She was known to kill her own soldiers if they upset her."
"So Shadow Warriors fear her?" Lita asked, trying to piece everything together. "How do they know her?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Queen Serenity stated as her expression grew dark. "I don't recall them ever working together. I'm not sure why they have joined forces now. Queen Raven didn't like to rely on others to do her bidding."
"We need to find Serena and Darien." Trista cut in as she stepped forward, interrupting the conversation. "They're not safe apart from our group. Dawn is approaching."
Amy and Michelle glanced at each other, their eyes locking for a brief second before Amy spoke. "I'll call Serena and see what's going on—"
"Everyone else needs to get some rest." Queen Serenity stated as she glanced at the exhausted faces around her. "We have a few hours before the sun rises. Serena and Darien have time still to reach us."
Trista opened her mouth to protest but Amara took hold of her arm and dragged her into the first bedroom, closing it abruptly once Michelle joined them.
Slowly the other scouts and generals rose and separated off into the bedrooms, most going to sleep in their clothes, too tired to even change into their pajamas. Serenity watched them leave as Luna and Artemis approached her.
"My queen…" Artemis whispered as the last door closed. "Why didn't you tell them—"
"Now is not the time Artemis." Queen Serenity replied as she walked across the living room to the window that overlooked the winding road that led back to the city. "I'm afraid we are running out of time. They need to receive more memories. I need them to sleep, their dreams will be easiest way to feed them the answers they are seeking."
"The princess?" Luna asked as she jumped onto the window ledge, watching the road alongside her queen. "She will be devastated."
Serenity pursed her lights tightly together again as she watched a light drizzle start to fall outside. "She will have the answers she needs." She finally responded after several moments. "She will have to make her own decisions this time. I only hope she makes the right choice."
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"I call this session to order." Queen Serenity stated as the grand hall of the Moon Palace fell into silence. She stood on top of a tall platform, situated against the back wall of the hall where her throne usually sat. There was no throne on the platform now, only an ash gray marble podium that she stood behind. She wore a beaded black gown, a stark difference from her usual preference of white or silver. Her silvery, white hair was up in its usual odango style and a simple golden crown sat nestled on top of her head. All around her the hall was full of nobles, soldiers, and other prominent members of her kingdom. A serious matter had recently come to her attention and after hours of deliberation with her trusted advisors, the queen now needed to make some difficult decisions. Her eyes set right on Prince Nikko who was kneeling on the ground, just feet from the platform.
Nikko's lavender eyes lifted to meet hers. There was no longer a feeling of ease between them. The last time the Queen had spoken to him in this room was when she had hired his team to protect the princess. Now she had nothing but contempt for the man that had sworn to protect her daughter.
"Prince Nikko, rise." Queen Serenity commanded.
Nikko stood, straightening his black tunic as he did. Today he did not wear his usual armor. His heavy sword was with the guards behind him, not at his hip. His heavy royal blue cloak hung lower than usual over his broad shoulders which felt barren without the familiar, heavy steel that was usually over them. A heavy golden chain of office, a masterpiece of gold set with rubies and sapphires rested against his chest, hanging off of his shoulders. Settled on top of his white blond hair was a simple golden crown, styled similarly to his chain of office. It was a look he only wore when he was at home in his own palace before his people, not at the Moon Palace. Today he was not a Shadow Warrior. Today he was a prince in all his splendor.
"Prince Nikko, you have been charged with breach of contract, espionage, manipulation of the crown, theft and endangerment of the royal heir… what do you have to say about the charges against you?" Queen Serenity stated as she stared hard at the man before her. There was no kindness in her eyes, only contempt.
Nikko took a deep breath as he considered his words carefully. The Moon Kingdom was not a democracy. There was no court to hold a trial, there was no one to defend him against the Queen apart from his own words. Her word was ultimate and final. He knew it would be of little use to argue with her as it was clear she had already made up her mind about what had happened on that mountain in the southern kingdom. All he could hope was that Serena would not believe the rumors. He had to save his good name and character, it was all he could do.
The rumors had circulated fairly quickly within Queen Serenity's court. The Shadow Warriors defeated the small force that had descended on them that day with no major injuries. They had emerged victorious when they arrived at the summer palace but their victory was quickly questioned. How had they defeated so many so easily? How did their enemies know they would be stalled for so long and separated from the protection of the caravan? Why was the princess now on Prince Nikko's arm? And why was the Prince wearing the Silver Crystal around his neck?
Serenity had not been pleased. She instantly grew suspicious. She had ripped the Silver Crystal from Nikko's neck and separated him from her daughter instantly. She had seen the look in Serena's eye when she was with Nikko. The queen had initially pushed aside her reservations, reassured that Serena wouldn't allow herself to fall for her own guardian when she hired Prince Nikko and his Shadow Warriors. She had trusted his professional reputation, but she should have known: Serena was young. The princess was naïve but Nikko was not. He was strikingly handsome, intelligent and had limitless time with her daughter. Nikko was no fool. The princess was the perfect opportunity to gain more power. Now Serenity had to set things right.
"Queen Serenity. I am a man of honor." Nikko stated. His eyes were locked directly with the queen's. "I swore to protect Princess Serena and I have upheld my promise. I have done nothing but my sworn duty. My Shadow Warriors protected the princess when your soldiers couldn't. We have risked our lives to ensure her safety and have done nothing to dishonor her or you, your majesty."
"The evidence against you suggests otherwise." Serenity stated, her expression unwavering. "The Silver Crystal was seen in your possession."
"The princess gave me the Crystal for protection." Nikko answered back, trying his best to keep his composure. "I never intended to keep it for myself."
"Why would she do that?" Serenity inquired. "Why would the princess part with such an important item when its power is so well known?"
"Because I saved her life." Nikko stated. "My suggestion is that you ask her yourself."
Serenity's eyes narrowed as he spoke. She hunched forward over the top of her podium, her long fingers curled over the edge. "You created the conditions that put her life in danger Prince Nikko. I have many sources that stated the curious conditions in which your charge, my own daughter, was suddenly thrust in. It is curious that her carriage suffered crippling damage at the precise location where we would be unable to render aid. It is even more curious that you encouraged the guard to continue on, to protect me, and to allow your team to do needed repairs. These repairs cost you just enough time to be out of reach when you were attacked. Then to top it off, you were alone. It is stranger that this incident occurred in the only location within hundreds of miles where the two of you could be undisturbed— "
"Your majesty." Nikko stated, not allowing himself to be pushed around against her claims. "I regret that you have been fed misinformation. I am a man of honor, as are my Warriors. I resent these allegations and am deeply saddened that you would trust the words of others against that of a prince of a sovereign nation that is an ally to the Moon Kingdom. Our families have been friends for hundreds of years and I would not so readily jeopardize that relationship, especially now."
"These statements that have been made by not only members of my court, but my own guard and knights. These are troubling to me, Prince Nikko...I have my own suspicions of you." Queen Serenity stated with an icy glare. "Because Charon is an ally of the moon I will not sentence you to prison or to the noose…"
Nikko's eyebrows lifted in surprise. Sentence? Did she mean to punish him?
"I am relieving you of your duty. Our contract is dissolved. You and your Shadow Warriors will return to Charon and with the exception of your brother, are not to return. The newly formed Sailor Scouts will take over the protection of the princess. Your services will no longer be needed." Serenity's words echoed deafeningly throughout the hall. No one moved or spoke. Her courtiers all remained quiet, some of their jaws had dropped in astonishment.
All of the color drained from Nikko's face. He hadn't expected her to remove him or his Shadow Warriors from the kingdom so quickly. He opened his mouth to protest but Serenity's glare silenced any words that he considered firing back.
"The guards will escort you home. You are not to return to the Moon Kingdom until you are invited Prince Nikko. I thank you for your service and will continue to work with your kingdom. Prince Fabian will now be the delegate we will receive to represent Charon." Serenity nodded to her guards who instantly moved forward to escort Nikko to the portal waiting to transport him home.
Nikko watched as Rhea and Femi who had been silently waiting in the back of the hall, were taken outside by the guards. Fabian exchanged a warning glance with his brother as everyone left. Nikko's eyes instantly searched the room. Where was Serena? He couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Serena. As the guards approached him he bolted for the open double doors, jumping over a rushing guard and running straight for the gardens. He rushed past the rows of flowers, down to the lower levels where a sea of moon roses and bubbling fountains greeted him.
There was Serena, seated with one of her ladies, dressed in a brilliant blue gown that hugged her curves. She instantly rose at the sight of him, her eyes wide as she could see the fear in his own eyes. Nikko felt a wave of fear and dread overcome him. This would be that last time he would be allowed to see Serena.
"Nikko!" She exclaimed as he took her hand and dragged her down, further into the gardens as the shouts of the guards increased in volume behind him.
"What are you doing? Where are we going?" She shrieked as they rushed down the stone steps to the lower gardens. She held her skirts in her free hand, lifting them from catching underneath her feet. They reached the spot where they had hid from Fabian what felt like ages ago, newly repaired from the last attack. The familiar wall of green vines greeted them.
Nikko pushed Serena back against the stone wall as the heavy vine shielded them from view. "I have to leave." He whispered to her. "Your mother has banished me from the Moon. I cannot even remain as a prince. Fabian is taking my place as delegate."
Serena felt tears stinging her eyes as she felt a cold, sinking feeling overcome her. She reached for her guardian, drawing closer to him as she shook her head. "No… no, she can't do that!" Her heart began to race as her body began to shake.
"She thinks I wanted to harm you." Nikko stated as he brushed back Serena's bangs from her forehead. He gently ran his thumb along the rim of her face, taking her in for a moment. "She thinks I wanted the Silver Crystal."
"That's not true! I told her that wasn't true!" Serena protested as she wrapped her arms around Nikko, pulling herself to his chest. Her body shook with sobs as Nikko quieted.
His strong arms circled around her waist, pulling her tighter against him. He took a moment, breathing in her scent for what would be the last time. The feeling of her soft skin against his, the curl of her hair against his cheek, even the feeling of her heart beating against his was enough to make him sick. Despite everything that had happened, and his initial resistance to her affections, Nikko had fallen for the princess. Now Serenity had stopped their relationship from progressing when it had barely begun.
Everything made sense now. Serenity didn't truly think he wanted to harm her daughter. She never had. She had encouraged the rumors for one reason: to keep Nikko away from her daughter. Charon was not as powerful as the Moon Kingdom and despite what Nikko and Serena felt for each other, Serenity would never approve of a union between them. The Moon Kingdom wouldn't benefit from a marriage between their kingdoms. She needed someone with more power and influence, especially with the relations between Earth and the Moon worsening. She had seized the opportunity to banish him, keeping him away from her daughter.
Nikko felt the anger that had surged within him subside as Serena lifted her head, pressing her lips against his. They shared a tender kiss as a fresh flood of tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I will come for you." He promised her as he could hear the shouts of the guards growing in volume. He pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes. Her sapphire blue eyes were brimmed with red. Her cheeks were wet with tears that he gently brushed away with his thumbs as his hands cupped her slender jaw. "I promise you Serena, I will return… I will come for you."
"I will be waiting." Serena stated as she met his eyes with her own. She trembled against him, knowing they were sharing their last moments together. "I … I love you Nikko." Her own hands lifted to his cheeks which were slightly scruffy as he hadn't shaved in days. She felt his rough skin underneath her fingers, skipping along his jawline down to his broad shoulders. She felt the muscles in his arms, beneath his tunic as she slid her hands down until they slipped into his. She wanted to remember every detail of his face, of his body and even the feel of his heart beating against hers. She gazed into his gentle lavender eyes, trying to remember every variation of color within his iris's. She didn't know when she would see him again.
"I love you Serena." He whispered as the thundering of the boots of the coming guards grew louder and louder. A nearby guard shouted to the others, having spotted the two of them in the vine. They had only moments.
"Don't ever forget that—" Nikko shouted as several pairs of hands grabbed him, pulling him from her. "I will come for you. We will be together. You are mine!"
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Serena screamed.
Kunzite, who had been driving up the deserted road to the cabin, suddenly slammed on his brakes and swerved to the edge of the road. The tires squealed as the car slid across the slick road, skidding all the way to the metal barrier that separated the road from the edge of the hill. It came to a stop just inches from the edge.
Mina had been dozing in the front seat and Serena had fallen asleep in the back when Kunzite had pulled onto the road that would lead them to the cabin. Now both girls were wide awake, panting as if they had just run a marathon.
"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!" Kunzite yelled as he turned around in his seat, staring at both girls.
"Serena, did you just have the same dream?" Mina asked Serena as she pushed back her sweaty blond hair from the sides of her face.
"Yes…" Serena breathed as her chest noticeably heaved up and down. "It was a memory…"
"Did you have to scream about it?" Kunzite snapped as he finally released his tight grip of the steering wheel. "We all almost died!"
Mina opened her mouth to give him back a smart remark, but something didn't feel right. Just before them the sun was slowly rising. She watched as the sun's rays trickled across the damp road and illuminated the car hood. She watched as a single rock bounced off their windshield. A second passed before another rock bounced off the hood of the car, followed by another and another.
The entire car began to shake as a flood of dirt and rocks rolled down the side of the hill, beating against the car as the earth itself began to shift.
Serena and Mina screamed as the car began to slide, bursting through the metal barricade and falling off the side of the hill, straight into the air and plunging to the ground below.