Chapter 21-Kidnapped
Usagi wiped the sweat off her forehead and stood up to stretch her back.
Rei stopped working and looked at Usagi. "Slacking off already?"
"No. Just admiring the view. What do you think Mako will make with these harvest? Mm I am getting hungry just thinking about it." Usagi rubbed her stomach as it growled.
Rei shrugged and carried on her task. "They should be back by today, maybe in the afternoon."
"Hey, lunch is ready. Come in and eat." Haruka appeared, wearing Michiru's apron.
"Who put you on lunch duty?" Rei asked with worry in her voice.
"Me or Minako. Which would you rather?" Haruka crossed her arms defensively.
Rei's face paled, thinking back to the congee Minako made last night. "You. Definitely you. Oh, and next time, don't send the two people that know how to cook on a death mission, okay?" The words were out before Rei could stop it.
Haruka scowled and walked back into the house.
Rei made a mental note to apologize later. Truth was, she was getting worried herself. The gang should be back by now. Ever since last night, Rei had a sinking feeling in her stomach. She felt like something had gone terribly wrong….
Minako sighed as she felt boredom creeping in. She was starting to feel torched under the midday sun and she fanned herself uselessly with her hand.
The walkie talkie crackled and Ami's voice came through. "Hey, any sign of them yet?"
"Nope." Minako sighed. "I am starting to get worried."
"Me too. Let's wait till tonight before we start to freak out. Mako is strong, she will be alright."
Hotaru took a small bite of the food and forced herself to swallow. Not as bad as last night's congee, but still...
Chibiusa took a giant bite and her face instantly showed regret.
Haruka sat down at the table and looked at them sheepishly. "So, do you girls like it? I followed Michiru-mama's recipe, should be pretty similar."
Hotaru forced herself to take a bigger bite and then beamed at papa. "It's delicious. Thank you."
Taking the cue from her friend, Chibiusa bit her tongue and continued eating. Food was still food, no sense wasting them.
Seiya strolled in and helped herself to a portion. One bite in and it was immediately spat out. "Oh my gosh, who cooked this?"
Haruka turned and glared. Seiya sneered. "Next time, please let me cook."
When the attacked started, they never saw it coming….
A tranquilizer came flying and hit Minako in the back. The walkie talkie dropped from her hand while Ami was still talking. Minako fought to keep her eyes open, tried to stand up…
Another dart hit her and she collapsed on the roof. Her hand never reached the gun by her side…
Seconds later, smoke grenade was fired into the house. Haruka and Seiya grabbed the kids and tried to run. A few steps in and they collapsed to the floor.
Ami was running out of the house when she was grabbed. She fought hard before she was knocked out and bagged.
"What was that?" Usagi turned to the commotion coming from the house. She looked back and saw soldiers approaching the house…
"RUN!" Rei grabbed Usagi's hand and ran towards the forest.
Usagi struggled as she continued to look back. Her face paled when she saw a soldier carrying a child with pink hair. The child was limp…
"Chibiusa!" Usagi freed herself from Rei's grasp and ran back to the house…
Rei grabbed her bow and arrows and started to shoot at the soldiers. Zing. One arrow caught the shoulder blade of the one running towards Usagi. Rei took the chance to grab the hysterical girl and half dragged her away from the house.
"We have to keep going. Run. I am right behind you." Rei barked out her orders.
Usagi staggered and stumbled, tears rolling down her face but she kept going…
Thud. Usagi heard the sickening noise and turned back. Rei laid motionless on the floor, a dart sticking out of her back…
"No. Rei…." Usagi's scream hang in the air.
She felt it. When the tranquilizer hit her in the back of her neck, there was a moment of sharp pain as the needle broke the skin. Then everything started to get blurry….
"We got everyone." Elsa Grey spoke into her communicator.
"Well done, soldier. Bring them in." A man replied.
"Thank you, Colonel Demande."
