DISCLAIMERS:
All canon characters are (C) 1992 - whatever year it is Naoko Takeuchi and all other related parties. The Shadow senshi are (C) Wild Nature 2006. This is a fanfic based upon the anime version and all written work that this consists of is (C) 2006 Wild Nature.
Things are slowly become unsettled as a alliance is created between the Shadows and Sol Senshi. Now, all they have to do is find the last seven warriors. But as time wears on, Void is sending out more faceless creatures, searching for this Triad Moon. What is it that causes his own fears? Or is it something that could save him?
Episode Six: Let's Go Meet; Pomona's Storytelling
Eizou was sleeping in. It was currently Sunday, her favorite day and she clung to sleep. But she knew things couldn't stay that good.
"HEY!" Kokei waltzed in and grabbed his daughter's sheets as he tugged, revealing her in a fetal position. She curled tighter, mumbling.
He smiled as he ruffled her hair before going in for a tickling.
"A hahahahahaha! Stop! Stop! I'm awake! I'm awake!" She snorted as she pushed past him. "What was that for?"
Kokei smiled. "It's your turn to go grocery shopping," he nodded. "And your mother's finishing off the list as we speak."
"You woke me up cause of that!"
"No time like the present," he started to scoot her out of her room. "Now get dressed!"
"Blah blah..." She grumbled. She was soon downstairs, munching on some toast. She was going over Saturday's game in her head. It was a practice run and she felt as if she did all right.
"I need to practice more," She mused as she idly touched her necklace. A frown blossomed onto her face. "But sadly, I apparently have other duties to take care of."
"Here you go!" Hanshou handed her a fist of list and money.
"Whee.." She pocketed the given items with a sigh.
"Now, honey. You know how the drill goes."
"Yea, yea. When are you going to make Boya and Chuukou do things?" She asked dryly.
"When they grow up," Hanshou and Eizou watched as the two boys came barreling in. Boya elbowed his twin in the cheek and Chuukou tried to bite Boya in the hand. "STOP IT YOU TWO!"
Eizou snickered. "You two deserve to be put on display in the monkey exhibit!"
"HEY!"
"Ha ha!" She stuck her tongue out, walking backwards. She tripped over the carpet and heard her brothers howling in laughter.
"KARMA!" They shouted as one before running over her.
"Watch yourself!" Eizou shouted as they ran out of the house. "Punks..."
She grabbed a leash. "I'm going to take Apple."
"Certainly like including him in things," Hanshou commented lightly.
"Well, he's a great protector," she pointed out.
"Huh? Why, is something wrong?"
"No, I was just pointing that out, that's all."
"Are you..."
"I'm sure!" Eizou walked out before she could listen more to her mother. "Apple! Oh Apple!"
She found Kakushi sitting down on the ground, Apple resting his head on his lap once more. Kakushi was talking very softly.
"Hey! My dog, not yours!" She latched the hook onto the collar, glaring at her brother.
"Hey, he listens to me. Don't you boy!" He ruffled the ears lovingly. "Watch out for bad guys, okay?"
"Huh?" She watched him leave. "Apple?"
"I've done as you said and have never said a word to anyone but you and your allies. But I still think he's onto us."
"What do... Oh, right, the dream. But I thought I convinced him..."
"Uh huh? The day you can lie straight faced is the day pigs fly."
"Oh shut up," She tugged. "Let's go to the store."
They walked lightly down the road, Apple guiding. His nose occasionally got in the way but they made headway.
She saw a familiar face up ahead. "Look, it's Mako-chan." She told Apple.
"Yea, she's probably doing the same thing."
"It's sad that she lives alone," Eizou sighed.
"I think it's great. It shows her own strength and bravery. Besides, she's got great friends."
"Friends.. Every time I make them, they're gone in a blink of an eye."
"That's cause you weren't destined to be with them. Your allies will be your true friends."
"And Henshou?"
"What about him?"
"Well, if I'm fated to be with my allies, what do you think about him?"
"You don't want to know what I think."
"Yes I do. Why would I ask."
"Don't ask me!"
"I'M ASKING YOU!"
"Hey, Zou-chan!" Makoto startled Eizou who sniffed at Apple before turning to the tall girl. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Apple's just being mean."
"I'm being mean...Erk..." She tugged at his leash, dragging him.
She tied him up and studied him. "Did you like those cookies my dad bought?"
"Maybe, depends on who's asking," Apple answered snidely.
"Apple, don't bite the hand that feeds you," Makoto warned. She winked at him and he sighed.
"Well, actually, those cookies that Makoto were good."
"Those are for humans."
"So I like human food. I noticed that every other pet gets that."
"What other pets?" Eizou demanded.
"No, no, he's got a point."
"If a animal is overfed with human food, which by the way tends to be too rich, it will kill them."
"Oh.. so you were just worried about me?"
"DUH!" She glared at him. "I know, what about those things that taste like meat?"
"You trying to make a peace offer?"
"I'M TRYING TO GET ON LEVEL GROUND WITH YOU!"
Makoto stepped back, looking around as if trying to act that she didn't know them.
"WHAT?" Eizou frowned.
"You, ah, got a very furious temper. It's like you get set off with just a button."
"I do not! I'll see what they have, all right Apple?" She turned and stomped into the grocery store. Apple waited a moment.
"I forgot to get a cart," She said as she stomped back out and dragged in a said cart.
"She's nice but she's been rather upset lately."
"You know, Usagi was the same way when she learned who she was. It'll get better."
"Yea... Say, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure!"
"There's a scratch behind my ear. It's bugging me to no end," He tilted his head appealingly.
She grinned as she scratched and the look of relief spread into his eyes. "Thanks. I was going to ask Eizou but she seems a little less willing to listen to me."
"What were you arguing about?"
"Henshou actually."
"What's wrong with him?"
"I don't know. Just a feeling. It may be nothing."
"Well, is he a Shadow?"
Apple smirked. "No way! All Shadows are women! I'm sure of that!"
"Well, maybe you just don't like men?" Makoto shrugged as she tugged a cart to herself. "See you later!"
"Yea..." He watched her enter. "Just a feeling, I guess..." He lay down with a sigh, his face on the top of his paws. His eyes drifted up and he saw the distant white outline of the moon, fading into the blues of the skies.
Eizou was still grumbling as she reached into the grocery freezer. "Milk.."
"Hey!" Makoto finally had found her. "Mind if I join you?"
"No, not really," She reached into another freezer for cream. "Blah, I hate coffee. This just makes it taste worse!"
They both shopped in silence but Eizou kept getting the feeling that Makoto kept staring at her.
"WHAT?" She turned toward her friend with a grim face.
"You remind me of someone," Makoto said honestly.
"Who?"
"Well, besides Rei when she gets pissed, well.." Makoto didn't finish.
"Well, WHO?" Eizou looked toward Makoto but she was watching the front. "Huh?"
They had a full view of the open window where Apple was sitting. And petting him was Henshou.
"For someone who doesn't like Henshou, Apple's all nice."
"I don't know. He's like Luna and Artemis, testing them."
"For what? He didn't do anything!"
"Yea, he hasn't," But Makoto watched Henshou with a critical eye. Something was just off but it wasn't quite something about Henshou. "Just ...a feeling."
"What?"
"Nothing, just talking to myself."
But Makoto still felt that slight nagging in the back of her mind, slowly fading from memory until there was only a sliver left.
The girls finished in seemingly record time. "A ha! Now, I can relax," Eizou sighed.
"Hey, beautiful!" Henshou loped over. "What'cha doing?"
"Well, if you're so blind, I'm shopping."
"Anything for me?" He grinned.
"Almost as bad as Usagi," Makoto quipped with a grin. "She'll tear me to pieces to get to some food."
"Now, now, I'm not like that, am I?" He addressed Eizou. Eizou was watching Apple though and she blinked.
"Huh? What?"
"You worried about your dog? Apple's a good boy, aren't you?" Henshou gave a quick smile and turned away. Eizou and Makoto both took notice of the ears as they slanted backwards.
"I, uh, have to go. I'm looking forward to our next date though!" She beamed. "Maybe I'll bring some cookies for being such a good boy!" She was slowly hedging around him.
"You know, I get the feeling you're trying to rush," Henshou drawled slowly.
"Huh? Oh, no, no, why would I?" Her hand snaked out and clapped on the top of Apple's head. "I have to go take care of Apple. Bye!"
She unloaded the cart and promptly started waddling away.
"Do you want help?" Henshou called out worriedly. Eizou's back was starting to move forward in a slouch as she began to struggle.
"No..." Her voice came back weakly. He sighed before he went up to her. He plucked the one side free of bags. "I said no!"
"Uh huh and you want to be in the hospital for a strained back, at the age of sixteen? You'll be put into the book of records!"
And Makoto watched them leave. "I think I should talk to someone.." She told the air before she, too, turned and left.
It was afternoon when the girls came by Eizou's home. Kakure was there as well, trying to fiddle with her hair.
"Aye, not even a day off?" Eizou complained as she trudged out.
"Hey! HEY! WAIT!" Kakushi nearly fell off the stairs, a huge grin on his face. "Hey there girls! Any one to visit me?"
"For god's sake, get a life!" Eizou slammed the door on his face. She heard him howl and turned with a weak grin. "Ah, let's hurry!"
They all half ran down the street as Kakushi came out and screamed a few good words. His two brothers were watching him and their eyes slowly grew until it looked as if the eyes would pop out.
Kokei looked like that as Eizou turned around. Their father wielded a broom he took from his wife and chased his oldest son, the two youngest waging who would win. And then Kokei promptly chased them.
"Well, he'll be busy for a while," Eizou snickered.
"That's not nice. He was only trying to make friends," Kakure stated.
"My brother? Please, he likes girls as much as he likes money! He's just desperate right now."
"Desperate for what?" Kakure asked with a frown.
"Are you daft? He's looking for that almighty love!" Eizou splayed her hands in the skies, her face a mixture of disgust and faux wonder.
"And you laugh at him?"
Eizou blinked. "I'm his sister. I'm allowed to."
"But what if he came to you and wanted to actually date one of us?"
Makoto's ears perked. "Oh, I have to hear this."
"Wait for me!" Rei and Minako crowded Eizou.
"Do you mind? I'm not my brother's keeper! If you all want to date him, then by all means! I'm warning you, he gets bored in a week!"
"He just needs a good woman. Someone who could cook, clean, and take care of him," Makoto stated confidently.
"No way! Men need to be taught that it's us that are number one!" Rei argued. "I mean, I could show him the world!"
"MUAHAHAAHA!" Minako howled, wiping at her eyes. "Right, uh huh, that's it! Hee, he needs someone with experience, that's what!"
"Since when do you have experience!"
"I am the Goddess of Love and Beauty, it's my specialty!"
"YOUR SPECIALTY!" The two girls loomed over the said Goddess who smiled weakly and ran around them to disappear around the corner.
"Yea, you better run!" Rei shouted. "Can you believe her?"
"You know, it's just likely he's not ready for love," Ami said thoughtfully. "We are all waiting, after all."
"And who might you be waiting for?" Ami saw the two girls closing in and she smiled and fled to join Minako.
They arrived, after taking a short bus ride, to get to Rei's home. Pom-Pom was sweeping, humming to herself.
"Oh boy..." Eizou mumbled.
"You made it! That makes me very happy!" Pom-Pom beamed. "Come, it's time for a story!"
They all sat down around a circle that Pom-Pom made in the back.
"You didn't ruin anything, did you?" Rei couldn't help asking.
"REI!" Makoto shook her head at Rei who just sighed.
"Let me tell you of a legend of long ago..." Pom-Pom closed her eyes before she began to speak very softly, delicately, as if it were a memory coming to her and she was compelled to speak it.
"It was a dark night when he came to the Dead Moon royalty. He spoke of such dark words of the nine shadows. Each would consume the elements of the world that we had watched bloom from a distance and destroy it all."
"He was Void, a being who had been around for a long, long time. He was the oldest but yet, he was young in body. He had control over his longevity, something no one had ever done. He was a powerful performer, a magical wizard with ungraspable powers."
"The fact that he began to sprout such words was a shock. He was previously all about how the Shadows would save us. But then he changed so quickly. And he changed others..."
"All those that bore the Shadows, all suffered. They became ill and by the ruling of the Queen of the Dead Moon and her consort, they sentenced all the babies to death. I was there and I watched their blood spill and I saw it, their souls..."
"It was beautiful in that tragic moment and I watched them leave us. I knew then it was wrong, that Void was wrong. But no one listens to a child."
Pom-Pom looked up with a sad smile. "One of them were my sister. Another was a sister of the Duchess Nerthus. And so many of them were loved enough that the fact that they were Shadows, it meant nothing just as long as they were near us.." She covered her face.
"There's something else about this story. It was stated that one of them would hold the Triad Moon. It was once a personal item of the legendary Queen Nehellenia. It's said that the light of the White Moon caused it to change into a powerful item. It is able to cast light into shadows, breaking the darkness in the hearts of others. But it has a reverse effect as well. It can use shadows to pollute others."
"That's very interesting but ah, what does it have to do with us?" Eizou asked finally.
"Are you stupid?" Kakure frowned. "Those babies! They were us!"
"But.. I was born here."
"Yes, you were. You are now Earthling and Lunarian," Pom-Pom said carefully.
"No, I'm just Earthling!"
"Don't you understand! You are..."
"I KNOW WHO I AM!" Her hand came out and ripped her necklace off. "This has been nothing but trouble. I don't want it anymore!"
She threw it to the ground and turned to walk away hurriedly.
"EIZOU!"
Her eyes stung. "I don't want to be some superhero! I just want to be me!" Her feet began to move faster. "I don't want this! I don't! I DON'T!"
It was a strange emotion that filled her and she gulped, her arms wrapping around her as she started to shiver. "It's.. cold.. So cold.."
She fell to her knees. "What... what is this? Is this me? I am doing this? Stop.. please...leave me..."
"Eizou.." A voice echoed in her head.
"Stop.."
"Eizou!" Warmth slid into her veins as she felt someone wrap their arms around her. "Shuu... it's all right, my Eizou."
She looked up into Henshou's eyes. "It's so.. cold and dark.."
"Don't worry. It won't hurt you anytime I'm around," His head came down and his lips barely brushed hers. "I won't let him hurt you."
And her eyes slanted down as darkness claimed her. A spiral of lights lit up within her mind, her soul shining as each became a set of three that entered her to make her shine. She was flying, high up in the stars, catching them within her palms.
She was singing, her body floating gracefully among others, faceless people who smiled and she turned around to a lone platform, a woman with long, beautiful hair. In her hands, a necklace of golden light was shining. Her hand came out and her body phased through the group. They all pulled back and faded into nothing and she embraced the necklace, it's light weaving into her blood and awakening a fire within her long dormant heart.
'Eizou...Eizou... Eizou."
Eizou opened her eyes to a young woman who was hovering worriedly over her. Her features were beautiful as she sighed in relief. "I was so afraid you were hurt."
Eizou slowly pushed herself up, seeing the white crystallized walls reflecting constant light. "Where am I?"
"You are in my home, the Dead Moon Realm," The woman smiled. "My name is Nerthus."
Eizou blinked. "What kind of name is that?"
Duchess Nerthus smiled. "It's a one of a kind, don't you think?" She looked appealing to her.
Eizou slowly smiled. "I guess.." She stood up and turned to see the pillar just inches from her. She also noted the item within.
"That... it was in my dream.." Eizou rubbed her scalp. "I mean, I think it was a dream."
"What else was there?" Duchess Nerthus asked softly.
"People, a million people.. and someone.. with long beautiful hair.." Her hand unknowingly reached out and she flushed as she stroked the other's hair. "I think it was you."
"Maybe it was," She took the hand and pressed it her cheek, her eyes welling up. "Eizou, what was it that you were seeking?"
"It was cold.. I said I didn't want to be like this anymore.. I don't know and I know I was selfish but it hurts for some reason.." She looked up with tearing eyes. "I'm still me, right? For the last sixteen years I've lived, that's all me, right? Or was it all waiting for me to become this Shadow?"
Duchess Nerthus gently stroked Eizou's own hair. "Being a Shadow is not just who you are, it's merely a piece of you. Who you are is something you have to see for yourself, not in a shadow."
"Nerthus.. have we met before? You ever go to... well, where are we again?"
"The Dead Moon Realm. Want a tour?"
Eizou nodded hesitantly before Duchess Nerthus guided her out. And once the door closed, the Solar Cross dimmed down from it's pitch white light, humming with brimming energy in wait.
"This is my home. It's on the moon."
"WOW..." Eizou's eyes grew big. "Hey! I have a dog named Apple. He's part wolf and almost all white save for the arrow on his forehead but he's different than the other dogs. Do you think he came from here?"
"Hmmm, well, we do have some animals but they are very rare here. Most are for livestock so we do not keep much pets."
"Oh, well. It's just even he doesn't know where he fits in."
"Ever think he goes by how you feel?"
"What? No way! He's his own being with emotions!"
"I meant that you were in tune with each other. What you feel is what he feels as well."
"So if I'm in pain.." She frowned. "Then if I'm in love, he'd feel it too!"
Duchess Nerthus threw her back and laughed. "Well, not quite. You might not be completely close yet. Just let time take its course.." She pulled back a curtain and the scene slowly revealed itself.
"Oh.. wow.. it's like the Renaissance in festival," Eizou breathed. She followed Duchess Nerthus and began to realize something.
"NERTHUS!" Eizou's voice came out panicked but the other woman smiled as she turned to face Eizou.
"You're going home," Her voice vibrated as her hand came out. It was faint, the touch of warmth and Eizou' s instinctively tried to grasp the other's hand.
"Come see me!" Eizou asked desperately. "Please!"
"I will.." Duchess Nerthus promised before Eizou fell again into black nothingness.
She came to in her room, Apple resting his head on the surface, his eyes huge.
"Are you crying?" Eizou blinked. "Dogs can't cry!"
"They can't talk either!" Apple blinked. "So, how do you feel?"
"Uh, life changing?"
Apple sighed. "Henshou brought you home. He said something about the sun being too hot. I think he did something."
"He didn't do anything!" Eizou threw off her covers. "He HELPED me! Why can't you trust him!"
"Because you don't trust him!" Apple cried out.
"I trust him!" Eizou protested.
"You like him, care for him, but you have yet to trust him!" Apple retorted. "You can't because you're denying your emotions!"
"EMOTIONS! I'm denying my emotions! I'm going out with him, aren't I!"
"YOU LOVE HIM!"
Eizou was stunned. "I don't even..."
"Know him, yes but time means nothing to the heart! If you love him, look at him and see him for what he is!"
"I DO SEE HIM!"
"But see what I see," Apple sighed tiredly. "Makoto even noticed it! You have to!"
"NO NO NO!" Eizou screamed. "He's JUST LIKE ME! Not anything else! JUST LIKE ME!" She turned and saw Kakushi staring at her. "WHAT?"
"Apple, out."
Apple took off, not looking back. Kakushi entered the room and closed the door.
"We need to talk."
"Bug off!"
"NO!" She jumped. Kakushi was rarely this angry.
"What's your problem!"
"I know who you are! You're one of those Sailor Senshi right? Shadow Moon!"
Eizou began to shake her head halfway through the sentence.
"Yes you are!" He reached out and grasped her by the shoulders. "It's okay if you are! I'm just scared! You are my sister and if anything happened to you.." He pulled her close into a tight hug. "Eizou, I love you and trust you. You need to learn to do the same."
"I..."
"Love me but have you ever trusted anyone?" He looked at her. "I know I made Apple swear to protect you but you have to be strong yourself. Whatever this is, this is your fate and you have to make it your own way. Don't keep running all the time!"
Eizou blinked as her eyes welled up. "But..."
He sighed as he pulled out her necklace. "I'll be here, rooting for you. Whatever this means to you, keep it close to you, Eizou."
He placed the gem in her hands, cupping them shut. His eyes were warm as he smiled at her.
And she sighed as she placed the necklace back on.
"Do us proud, sister and we'll stand by you," He kissed her cheek before exiting the room. And she stood there for a long, endless moment before her head slowly moved toward the window, the sun sharp against the glass.
And a second later, she was gone.