AN: Well there it is, people. 3 guesses who the "mysterious" man might be!
AN:I apologize for my late update people! I have been going on several trips lately, but I am done with that now, so y'all can relax :P. Updates will be more frequent from now on. I am shocked at the response my last chapter received! You guys are fantastic! I will try my best to ensure that my story lives up to your hopes!
Shoutout to TropicalRemix, Ally, LoveInTheBattlefield, and yukikiralacus. Your reviews are appreciated! Thanks to Redowings019, elainegimble, TsukiyoTenshi, EternalTearsoftheSky, starlightscribe and Darkangel's Love. Now then, storytime!
The Shadow Of Darkness
Chapter 6
As I lay on the couch, I cannot help but to lie restlessly, still reeling at the implications of the day. Desperately I turn over trying to find the slightest morsel of peace so that I might finally slip in to the sweet oblivion of sleep. Today, I was finally free from my mother. I had finally achieved what I hoped from the very fibers of my being. So that I may finally start to live my life. But the cost had been huge, and for some reason I had this sneaking suspicion that I had only just started to pay for it.
When my mother had stumbled upon Shingo and I, I had truly feared for our lives. She beat us both senseless; whilst she was sober and in a good mood. You never can tell how far she would have been prepared to take it. Of course, this was moot point now that her guts had been ripped out for it. I am disturbed by this moment, but not in the sense that would be expected. I am disturbed with myself because I realize on the most basic level that her death does not bother me in the slightest. Dare I say it, I actually relish the thought. My tormentor finally brought to justice. I shake my head, trying to disperse these dark thoughts.
Realizing the futility of attempting to sleep, I decide to get up and try and remove some of this restless energy from all of the day's happenings. Desperate for something to do, I head to the kitchen in the hopes of finding something to preoccupy myself. A low rumbling noise makes me jump, shaking me out of my reverie, when it was just my stomach trying to send me a message. Looking at the offending region I think sardonically, 'Messaged received. At least some things never change.' With my mind set, I start to prepare myself something to eat. Way back when I used to be a disaster in the kitchen, but because of…my situation…. I learned how to take care of my brother and I quickly, and now I am actually quite good. Deciding on a stir-fry, I go to the fridge to get everything I need from there, and set to work, chopping away. As I get in to the familiar motions, I am able to let go of everything bothering me and just focus on my cooking routine.
Before it really registers, I am finished and it is ready for consumption. Just as I grab myself a plate of food, and get ready to sit down to eat, I hear a rustling from the doorway. I silently make my way towards it, wondering if it is an intruder. Grabbing the knife I used for the chopping, I make my way towards the doorway and remain hidden behind the wall. As the figure rounds the corner, I realize it is only Artemis, and lower the knife.
Artemis; however, had a slightly less calm response. "HOLY! Point that somewhere else would you?! I told you that I was going out and would be back VERY late. I offered my house, but I did not mean it in the sense of a will!"
Regarding him sheepishly, I mumble, "I thought someone might be breaking in…."
Caustically he replies, "Yes, I am sure when people break in they make sure to turn on the lights to make sure everyone realizes that they are there. How'd you guess it?"
Igniting the anger always bubbling under the surface, I shoot back, "Well excuse me for being worried about someone breaking in, making an effort to be as quiet as possible, at 2:00 AM! Speaking of which why are you back so late?"
Suddenly his expression lights up as he sniffs the air, "First is that food I smell? I definitely need to have some of that after the kind of day I have had!"
Grumbling, but nonetheless conceding his point, I lead him back to the kitchen so that we both may get a bite to eat. Fortunately it just so happened I tried to make as much as I can to try and keep myself busy for longer to keep myself preoccupied, though my efforts were admittedly futile, as it could only save me from my thoughts rather than my feelings. With use both settled now, I inquire, "So what exactly was it that you were kept out so late about?"
Taking a moment to savour the flavour of the food in his mouth, he swallows before answering, "You are a fantastic cook! I love the flavour of this. I never thought you would be able to get the kind of flavour out of the ingredients I-"
I cut across him,"As much as I appreciate the compliment, can you just tell me? I promise I will continue to cook for us. There now no worries about food. So answer."
"Fine, fine. I had to take care of a variety of things to ensure that the move you made will not be able to be challenged in any manner. Anyways, I have technically adopted you, so you needn't worry about any potential efforts of the police to come and mess with you or Shingo and put you in foster care. I also had to change all the documentation surrounding you and your brother. Then I also transferred you to a school much closer by here."
Curious, I can't help but ask, "What was the necessity of doing all of that?"
Looking me in the eyes, I notice a strange emotion in his eyes as he says, "It was destroying all trances of your old life. I do not want anything about you to be traceable, or any records right now. So it was a tactic to buy time. We also don't know if you were targeted today specifically by the enemy, in which case they might have tried to get that information to find you again. So it just made the most sense to try and create a new beginning for you. Besides which, I think it is the thing that your probably need more than anything else right now.
I can't help but question the authenticity of his claims, as I am aware of the kind of connections that it would require to make such a thing possible. As if sensing my thoughts, he expands on it, "I have been preparing for this day for 1000 years….it kind of gives you the time to make connections, au contraire to popular belief. But we are both very tired here, so why don't we go to bed?"
Too tired to fight, I just nod and head back to the couch, to try and get a wink of sleep. The second my head hits the pillow, I fall asleep, surrendering my consciousness to memories of another time. The crescent moon that appeared on my forehead unnoticed.
Jadeite sat in consideration of what he had witnessed. Reporting what had happened to Beryl had not been fun, he remember, cringing. Kunzite, Nephrite, Zoisite and Beryl had no ideas as to who the girl who had killed the youma was. While the wanted to believe it was a Senshi, they knew it was not because of the fact that the Senshi needed to transform to access their powers. Frustrated they had all gone the separate ideas on how to deal with the situation. True to character, Jadeite had wanted to take her out of the picture, but that had been shot down immediately by Beryl after Kunzite pointed out that this could be someone from another group, and by doing so would make an unnecessary enemy. While they would not have the power to stop the Dark Kingdom, it represented a pointless hindrance, and therefore should be avoided.
Though he did not like being shot down, he had to admit that Kunzite had a point and listen to what alternative solutions the others had. While they all wanted to draw her out, no one had any ideas on how to do so, as the monster had taken care of the people that she had held dear, as her reaction showed. They could only go by her appearance and the area should had been in. At this point the parted ways to try to come up with new ideas on how to deal with it. Until then, it was a case on ignoring her existence and moving forward with the plan.
As Jadeite walked on, then froze, having a moment of inspiration, and huge smile broke over his face, in realization of what he could do next. With his plan set Jadeite set about making the arrangements for his plan.
A few days later, Usagi nervously stood outside the door of her new class, with a new school life waiting for her on the other side. To maintain appearances, Artemis would continue to go my old school, until the end of the semester, which was relatively soon, all things considered. Suddenly I hear through the door, "Tsukino-san, please come in and introduce yourself."
Feeling oddly reminded of when Artemis had introduced himself to my class at my old school , I comply, "Hello everyone, I am Tsukino Usagi. Please treat me well."
Noticing an empty spot in the side of the class, I sit down. A feeling of contentment washes over me as I start realize, that my life has truly been given the oppourtunity to start anew, just like I had always wanted. Except now I did not have to wait for the burdens of adulthood for that chance. Then guilt washes over me as I remember Shingo, and how he has lost that chance because of my actions. Lost in my thoughts, I lose track of time until I finally hear the lunch bell.
Pulling out my lunch, the remains of the stir-fry, as well as something other things I made, I proceed to start eating. One of the girls beside me notices my lunch and says, "That is like my lunch! I never thought I'd see another lunch like that. What culinary talent! Did your mother make it?"
Giving her a flat look I reply, "No, I made this myself."
Excitedly, she says, "Finally someone else here who has a real inclination for cooking at this school! So tell me, how did you make that? Why don't we share and see what we like? I'll tell you how to make what you like!"
Smiling at her, I nod. As we share lunch, admittedly, there was a lot more eating than talking done. But nonetheless I like this girl; and that is all I could have hoped for starting at the new school. A new life, a new chance, a new freedom and ultimately; a new dream. Not just to survive…but maybe, just maybe… to truly live after all this time of not living.
Looking upon the kid in the bed, I cannot help but wonder if that was what I looked like, when I laid on a hospital bed ever so much like the very one this kid was on. It was almost as though he shared a connection with the kid, because his injury very much mirrored my own. The difference being, I had miraculously recovered, while it does not look very likely that this kid will at all. For whatever reason they had been telling the girl he was doing well and should wake up soon. To "protect" her. Scornfully, I make a disgusted face, as I knew full well that doing this could only end up doing more harm than good.
Looking to make sure no one is around I tentatively reach out for the kid and grab his hand. Closing my eyes, I feel a warmth blanket over me, as though I have just entered home from a bitterly cold outside. The feelings lingers for a few seconds, gently caressing my skin, making me feel strangely alive and whole.
As the feeling fades a let go of the kid's hand and slowly open my eyes. Hoping that, somehow he can turn around, I walk away to rejoin my supervisor, knowing that my lunch break was over.
AN: Well there is the most recent installment people. I promise for frequent updates! But lots going on now! What does Jadeite have in mind? How will Usagi's transfer continue to develop? Will her brother heal? We shall see folks! Till next time, toodles.