A loud noise would catch Setsuna's attention. A book had fallen from a nearby shelf. Dust flew from where it landed as spider webbing billowed from the book where they had been tore free from the shelf. She lifted her head at the sound and looked around. Upon seeing the book, she straightened and went over to look at the book.

"What is it?" he asked. He had been awaken by the sound of the heavy tome hitting the hardwood floor. He slowly sat up. His sleep having returned some of his energy, he was able to get off the floor and follow her. His white hair looking a bit disheveled and some of it coming from it's pony tail.

When Setsuna got to the book, the cover had a title engraved in the leather by gold. It read Nocturnacon. When she picked it up, the book would give off a slight glow before flying open to a page that held spells and incantations. One spell told of how to bring a ghost to full manifestation. There were things she would need. some candles, salt, a stick to use like a wand, and some hearing his voice, she quickly wiped her eyes of the signs of crying and reached out for the book. She gasped when it opened to a page on its own before her eyes skimmed the page.

"It's...a spell book...with a spell to bring a ghost to full manifestation."

"Do you think we can trust it?" he asked as he floated up behind her in his child form. As much as he would like to be back at full strength, he didn't want to do something that might cause them more trouble.

"I really don't know. Depends I guess on what you know about the Nocturnacon."

"Sounds like someone tried to rip off the Necronomican. I guess we can try it though. What's the worst that can happen? Besides melting into a puddle of ectoplasim, but that's besides the point." he said as he started to slowly and it seemed a bit painfully float around the cabin looking for candles and other things.

She too started to look for the required items for the spell. "Just curious, how much do you think the observants dislike your interference in things?"

Depends on their moods and situation. Sometimes when they want me to kill a person, I can find a way to change time so I don't have to and the person has a bright future. Sadly if not I have to kill the person." Clockwork explained as he found some candles in a cabinet. "As far as you know, how far might they go to show their displeasure towards you?" She pulled some salt from another cabinet and incense from a drawer.

"Block my powers and or confine me to the tower." Clockwork said as he turned into his adult version and floated back over to her holding the candles.

She looked back in the book. "Missing the stick wand." She took the candles and started setting them by the book's instructions. "That's not too bad. Did any ever give an indication of wanting to destroy you for good?"

"Their punishments are more annoyances than anything." he said shaking his head. "I have never met one that wanted to kill me. Probably because they know if they tried I would kill them. I let them think they have control over me, when in reality the only thing binding me to them is a simple contract. As per the contract they can take my powers or confine me, but if I was truly angered or felt like they needed to be dealt with, I would break the contract and go after them." Clockwork explained before looking outside at the trees. "There's a nice oak over there. We might can find a fallen limb and get the stick. The fresher the better."

"Hmm...Say hypothetically, one of them did want to kill you, to the point of purposely setting up what we've gone through so far...the women knowing those blossoms that you were stuffed with being a fluke that was unaccounted for...but still an observant wanted you dead, blocking your powers and mine...and wanting me to..." She cut herself off, unable to finish her suggestion for fear she'd cry again. She sighed and shook her head. "Let's go look. The sooner we look, the sooner we'll find one and can get back to trying the spell."

He gently grabbed her wrist and turned her to look at him. "When did this observant reveal himself? What does he want from you?" he asked. He could see through they "hypothetical" thing since he had heard it over and over throughout the years as people spoke with one another. "You can tell me. We are in this together and we need to work with one another and trust one another. Just like old times."

She allowed him to turn her and listened to his words before nodding. "You're right. He revealed himself in my dream. That one well dressed man from Salem, the one who called me exotic. He set it all up...including that monster that attacked at the temple." She took a breath to calm herself a bit. "He was hoping you would've faded away back in Salem and then he would've taken me back to the other senshi. He's fallen for me, he says, and he won't return me to the senshi until I've learned to appreciate him and learned to love him."

A shocked look crossed Clockwork's face. It soon turned to disgust, then seethed into anger. "Then we simply ruin his plans. We will get ourselves home. It may take some time. Hopefully after this spell we will have enough energy to do so." he said getting a determined look in his crimson eyes. He floated out the door still in that slow painful way and headed for the tree he had been talking about. He wanted to try the spell more than ever now.

She nodded and followed him outside, concerned for him as she watched him float along.

Once to the tree, he started looking around it for any fallen limbs. Finding one, he picked it up and broke off and small twigs and leaves from it. He then handed t to Setsuna. "This should do."

She took it with a nod. "It know, the observant tried to make you out to be a creepy old pervert because you were always watching me, even after my rebirth. Nothing wrong with that from my viewpoint, way I see it, you were looking out for me, wanting me to be happy. He laughed at the idea that, and i quote word for word, 'the old pervert thought he had a chance with you'." She smiled softly. "Want to know what I said in response to that?"

How dare that crude little one eyed miscreant make him out to be a pervert. His face was now a shade of purple from how much he was blushing and how angry he was with the observant. "I...I just...wanted to make sure...yes. I mean it's not like...you know..." he stammered. He stopped to listen to the rest of what she had to say. "W...what did you say?" he asked as he busied himself with organizing the twigs around the tree.

Her soft smile never left her face as she watched his face change color. "I told him that even if you did see me in that way,...that you had a better chance than he did." Her own cheeks turned red at the admission

"I do?" he asked as he stopped what he was doing at looked at her in surprise. The admission left him speechless and he just floated there a few moments looking at the ground with a soft smile. He then looked back at her. "We...we should get this spell taken care of and try to get you back home." he said as the look on his face become a bit saddened.

She nodded in response and started to head back into the cabin before noticing the sad expression. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Come. We need to make sure we have everything and see what to do next." he said as he followed her back to the cabin.

"Are you completely sure there's nothing wrong? People don't just have sad expressions without something bothering them."

"I...I would never ask you to be with me because why confine you to my tower with me forever when you have a life ahead of you? I could not do are so much more happy away from the Time Gates. You're able to do as you please and experience the world for yourself. I would never take that away. Now, let's get you home." he said smiling to her best he could before entering the cabin.

"You make it sound like it would be a boring and bad thing to spend forever with you. If I hadn't stopped time and died in the process, wouldn't I have been practically spending forever with you anyway?" She followed him inside the cabin and checked the book, setting the salt and incense per instructions before lighting the candles. "Ready?"

"I suppose. Some what..." he said. After they got back into the cabin, Clockwork got into position in the center of a ring of salt. He nodded. "Yes. Let's get this over with."

Reading over the page one last time as she took the makeshift wand in hand, she began to recite the spell, inwardly willing it to work.

A feeling come over him, but it wasn't pain. It was almost a soothing warmth that engulfed him. He felt his strength returning. The wounds that had appeared on him from the blossoms healed up instantly. The wound in his shoulder become just a scar. He sighed a little after the spell was finished. "That is much better." he said smiling. "You'll have to brush some of the salt away so I can get out of the circle."

She smiled and set the book down before brushing salt out of the way to let him leave the circle.

Once out of the circle Clockwork went and picked up his cloak to put it back on, then went to pick up his staff. It still felt heavy and mostly useless, but there was a bit of a spark in it. He smiled and looked t Setsuna. "Ready to give this a try?" he asked.

She grabbed her own staff and nodded with a smile. "Ready."

He flew up beside her and held his staff out so that it was just touching hers. He then closed his eyes and began to murmured something in a language she didn't understand. Soon there was a small light that started to grow between the two staves.

As the light grew between the two staffs, she closed her eyes. Her planetary symbol appeared on her forehead glowing as she began murmuring something in Plutonian.

The light between the two staves flashed and soon the two would fins themselves in what looked like an old English Monastery. The room was filled with lit candles almost like the cabin had been and the set up was very similar. Someone had been trying to cast a spell and must have left in frustration. Setsuna would find herself transformed into her Sailor Pluto form, but still unable to access her power. Clockwork shook his staff a little and found that the clock on top of it had stopped. "Well...this isn't exactly where I had in mind."

"That I can believe." She looked around at the candles before trying to find the spell book that might've been used for the attempted spell.

The book was no where to be found. It appeared whoever had cast the spell had taken it with them when they left. Clockwork looked around at the things in the room to try and figure out where they were. "The observant is still trying to keep us from getting back."

"Not surprised, really. He's quite sure I can learn to love him and likely calls himself just giving me time to realize that. I can assure you, that even without my earlier admission, I'd have no reason to love him." She chuckled a bit. "Funny thing is, as much as he seems to despise you, he's the reason you and I met to begin with. So in a way it's his own fault if anything past our friendship develops."

"Yes. That would be terrible for him." he said blushing again. He put a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat before searching the room some more.

She chuckled slightly and started searching the room again as well.

"Nothing." he murmured after a while. "Let's see what we can find in this place." Clockwork opened the door and looked out to see if anyone was near and then slowly floated out.

Setsuna nodded and followed after him, looking around and keeping her footsteps quiet.

He went down a long hall way and looked down both ways of an intersection before continuing on. He soon come to a set of double doors and pushed them open to see that the doors led outside and there was a thick forest area ahead of them. He motioned for Setsuna to follow him before heading into the woods. "I think who we are looking for will be in here." he said. "That looked like a monastery and usually what is counted as dark arts shouldn't be performed there. This person is trying something they shouldn't. I believe they have run this way."

"It's quite possible. But it could be anything that they tried." She followed him into the woods, understanding his reasoning.

He nodded in agreement as they continued on. For a long while all they heard was the autumn wind and the rustling of the leaves. Leaves would crunch under Setsuna's boots as she followed Clockwork as well. The forest had grown darker and darker the further they went. It wasn't clear if the forest it's self was dark or if it was turning to night. After some time the faint sounds of music could be heard in the distant.

"Not much can creep me out, but this place is definitely starting to do it." She murmured before hearing the music. "Hopefully that music leads us to the person we're looking for."

"Yes. Let's see. We'll have to be real quiet though." he said as he moved to pick Setsuna up bridal style and flew in the direction of the music.

Even though she understood why he picked her up, she couldn't stop her cheeks from turning red due to the close proximity from the action.

He flew on until they saw a clearing up ahead. There was an enormous bone fire with men and women dancing around it. Some of these men and women were ghosts and other paranormal type creatures enjoying themselves. There was feasting, singing, dancing, and instruments being played. "A Sabbath." he murmured to Setsuna.

She nodded. "Think any of them had something to do with what happened in the monastery?"

"Probably. I think we are probably looking for a human male." he said.

"Well that narrows the crowd down considerably." She looked amongst the crowd.

He nodded and also looked hard at the crowed. They didn't see a couple of other spirits floating up behind them and shoving them into the clearing in an almost playful manner. Before the two could react they would be swept up into the crowd of dancing and writhing bodies.

She was caught off guard by their suddenly being shoved amongst the crowd. Though the writhing bodies did have her blushing shyly.

A hand reached out and grabbed her arm, then pulled her out of the crowed. From the color of the glove on the hand and all the watches, she saw it was Clockwork. He pulled her over to where there was no dancing going on. A man sitting at a table laughed a little as he watched them.

"So I did summon someone. I was already running late and wanted to get out here before anyone saw me. Sorry i gave you the slip." the man said as he raised a mug to Clockwork and Setsuna in greeting.

She sighed in relief when she realized it was Clockwork who pulled her free. She then nodded in greeting to the man. "Well it's...understandable."

"We have a variety of food and drink for anyone of any species be it ghost, demon, or human." the man offered. "This is a Sabbath after all. Relax. Eat, drink, and be merry."

"Thank you." Clockwork said before looking to Setsuna. "This may be a good place to catch our breath. We may can even get a powerful individual or two help us get home after the festivities."

"Yes thank you." She said before looking to Clockwork. "It's possible. Even if not home, then at least further along the way then we might manage on our own."

He nodded and went over to inspect the food. It seemed there was just about anything and everything imaginable there to eat.

She followed after him. "Quite a selection, isn't it?"

"Yes." Clockwork said as he finally grabbed what looked like a green candied apple.

"Well, didn't know you were into apples, let alone candied ones." She grabbed a red one herself.

"The green is ectoplasim. It helps a ghost stay manifested." he said with a wink. "There probably is an apple under it though. Don't worry. Your apple is normal. The last thing you need is more ecto in your system."

"Let me guess, too much ecto would make me at least half-ghost?" She chuckled

"No." he said laughing. "That takes electricity. It could make you horribly sick though."

"That's no good at all then. I'll definitely stick to the red ones then."

"Good idea. Let's see what they have to drink now." he said moving on over to the table holding all sorts of drinks. All alcohol.

"I could deal with this." She looked through for a wine that she might recognize.

Clockwork found a bottle of Chartreuse and poured a goblet of it for himself. It was a green colored liquid, but was not made with ecto by any means. "This is a drink that many people have enjoyed drinking and it is also a healing elixir. Some people say that if you can beat the alcohol in it you can see visions. Most people get drunk on it pretty quickly though. It is normally 80 proof." he explained.

"Well, maybe my heritage will prevent my getting drunk so quick." She winked before pouring a goblet for herself

He chuckled and nodded. "Good." He watched the other activities while he sipped his drink.

She watched the others with a soft chuckle of her own.

"Care to dance?" he asked after a while. He held his hand out to her.

She smiled at the offer. "With you? I'd love to." She placed his hand in his

He let his tail form into legs, and was now wearing purple slacks to match his tunic and cloak and dark blue boots that matched his gloves. He lead her over to where the others were dancing and smiled as he started to dance with her.

She smiled back and danced with him, clearly relaxed and enjoying herself.

He was also enjoying the dance. He would dance a while with her, from slow dances, to faster ones. The merry music being played by ghosts and demons from home made instruments still could make some nice melodies.

"Will you promise me something?" She glanced at him during one of the slower dances.

"Anything." he said as he looked into her eyes.

"Promise that, after we get home, you'll visit at least once a month."

He smiled and nodded. "I promise." he said. He spun her and then dipped her before bringing her back up. The were now so close that their mouths weren't that far from one another.

She smiled back when he made the promise. Her breath caught in her throat and her cheeks reddened when she realized just how close their faces were.

He was getting a bit closer before pulling back. "Um...still hungry?" he asked.

When he pulled back, there was a brief flash of disappointment in her eyes before it was gone again as she looked down. "No. I'm fine."

"Oh...Ok..." he said. He then put his hand under her chin to lift it and gave her a small chaste kiss.

By the end of the kiss, her cheeks had gotten even redder

"I...am sorry." he said also blushing some.

She smiled softly. "Don't be."

"Come on. I think I need something to drink. My mouth has gone dry." he said as he started to lead her back to where they had been siting.

She followed him. "A drink sounds good." She murmured

He looked back at her when she murmured. "Are you alright? I'm sorry if I upset you."

"I'm fine. You didn't upset me. Honest."

"Are you sure? You know you can tell me anything." he said as he continued to look at her.

"I'm sure. My mind just wandered for a moment is all." She smiled in reassurance.

He nodded a bit, but was still back at the table they had been at, he sat and drank some more of the Chartreuse.

She too drank more of the Chartreuse, sitting silently in thought.

He watched her worriedly. "Setsuna, penny for your thoughts?" he asked smiling a little.

She glanced at him out the corner of her eye and sighed. "I know you said you wouldn't ask me to be with you out of not wanting to make me give up my happy life...but what if I were to find a way to do both?"

He blinked. "What? How?"

"I didn't say I found one. But I've just got a feeling one that agreement you've got with the observants declares that any partner you take must always be in the tower regardless of any other duties they may have?"

"There's never really been talk of partners. I think they assumed I'd never find one. I never thought I'd find someone I cared for so much." he murmured. He then realized what he said and sat there blushing.

She reached over and gently squeezed his hand. "I'll gladly take all the blame for making you care." She joked.

He sat there, still blushing, but smiling a bit at the joke.

She smiled as well. "But at least we've got a start now for me to do both...if you want to go through with this, that is?" She blushed a bit herself.

He sat for a little while, then finally nodded. "Yes. I would like that." He gave her hand a squeeze.

She nodded and leaned against him, turning her gaze to watch the other people.

He continued to blush, but wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer.

She snuggled a little closer and smiled softly. "I'm glad you're here with me."

"And I you." he said as he nuzzled her hair.

She blushed from the action as she gently squeezed his other hand.

Their peaceful moment was interrupted by what sounded like an enraged cry. Clockwork wrapped his arms around Setsuna and held her protectively just as the two were hit by a painful blast. After a while Setsuna would awaken to find herself alone in what looked like a frozen tundra...