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.
With the appearance of Void and Henshou's lost sanity, Eizou stands struggling to just live day by day. Over wracked with guilt, she now must contend with conflicting emotions dealing with Jaro. Not to mention the team needs to find Shadows Mercury and Saturn as well as the new Shadow Venus.
Episode 15: Getting By With Just Words
Eizou paced her room, ignoring the soft fragmented flow of conversation in the living room. She was too high strung and she felt sick to her stomach. She wanted to see Henshou NOW.
Apple watched her, his eyes quietly assessing the damage that had taken place. He knew that Eizou was physically improving, faster now that she had the two pieces existing within her but her mentality was getting too fragile for his taste. He wondered how he could put her at better ease but then, he couldn't really do much.
He sighed and turned his thoughts to Jaro. Seeing him sent a mirage of images that melded too fast for him to capture and he was as baffled as Eizou. But eventually, he'd remember what he was supposed. All he knew was that the scent had alerted him to a old and good friend that he would recognize anywhere.
"Eizou, you're wearing down the floor," Apple said finally, gently.
Eizou looked at him with a blank look before she realized he said something. "What?"
"Why not get something to eat?" Apple tried again, sitting up, hoping to persuade her.
"Oh.. I'm not hungry.."
Apple carefully pawed her leg as she was about to resume her pacing. "Please.. Eizou, for the love of your sanity, eat?"
"Fine.." Eizou shrugged as she went to the kitchen hurriedly. But the living room had gone quiet and she found a note tacked to the table. "Dear Eizou, took the boys and your father out for a visit to Grandma. I'm sorry I didn't bring you but I want you to get some rest and tend to our guests."
"Guests...?" She frowned. "Nerthus is leaving...uh..."
"Tomorrow morning. She's worn out from stress, just like you." Jaro stepped in. She stared at him with a wide gaze.
"How did you get so tall?"
He tilted his head with a blink. "Eh? I grew up like this, like your height." He patted her head playfully only to have her hit it away.
"Don't touch me." She growled angrily. "What are you here for? What do you want? Are you here to help? Can you find Henshou for me?"
"I'm here for my dog," he said lightly.
"Selfish bastard!" Eizou blazed. "Take your dog then! I bet I took better care of him, heartless monster!" She felt the hot tears stream down her face.
His hands gently bracketed her face, a warmth emitting, seeping into her and soothing her nearly destroyed nerves. "I'm sorry." His voice came out so sad, so filled with a heartrending pain that her vision blurred as she choked back a sob.
"Let me go! I want Henshou!" She sobbed, falling into him. "Henshou! HENSHOU! Where are you?"
Jaro merely held her to him, petting her hair back as she cried.
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Henshou stood at the portal of the Nothingness, staring into it. Something was chipping away at his mind, his heart screaming but Void lurched in his blood now, claiming the soul that should have been strong enough.
But being born had ruined that soul, a voice whispered to Henshou. "Nothing but an abomination... you've lost everything that loved you.. and you will lose Eizou... if you want to save her, you must destroy.."
Henshou rubbed his eyes. "Void..."
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The school bell rang shrilly, the gathering of teenagers wandering in, chatting away at minute subjects. There were spurts of laughter and giggles, as the boys eyed the single and the girls gossiped.
Kaki stood poised, ready to run in. But she was waiting, albeit impatiently. "Come on already! It's fine!" She barked.
Kakure struggled to brush her hair. "I can't! It has a knot! Can't I just take out the bow?"
"It was my fifth attempt that you FINALLY liked! So no!"
"It's my hair!"
"COME ON!"
Kaiki blinked watching them with a bemused look before heading in. "Aloha amigas," she greeted Ami and Makoto. "How are you guys?"
"Exhausted," Ami yawned. "I was up all night cramming. I was so worked up about everything else, I nearly forgot about the math test."
"MATH TEST?" Makoto's eyes widened. "Oh no! I didn't study at all!"
"You're not in my class!" Ami began.
Makoto blinked. "Oh, I know that! But I have a English quiz that I forgot."
"That has nothing to do with math!"
"I know that!"
"But you just said!"
"I know what I said, it's you that is confused!"
Kaiki sighed. "Is there anywhere were people WON'T fight?"
The day passed easily for the others, being able to focus on class work and try to not worry. Eizou was still depressed but she forced a smile on her face to make others feel better.
"You look like a deranged walrus," Kaiki sat on the bench in the school uniform, her hair still dolled up into a tight bun. She wore a slash of dim red lipstick that blended well with her tan.
Eizou frowned, picking at the school lunch she halfheartedly bought. "I know but the teachers buy it."
"You need to stop worrying so much. Everything will work out," Kaiki said soothingly.
"Says you," Eizou bit into her sandwich and made a face. "What is this made of?"
"Do you really wanna know?" Kaiki shrugged.
Eizou took to the rest of the day, the smile slowly eroding from her lips until she merely looked like a zombie. She nearly fled the school, heading down the steps and down the street, twisting and turning until she arrived panting at Henshou's home. The door was softly swinging open, the air still. She looked around nervously, confusion slowly blossoming.
"Henshou?" She stepped up the stairs, her hand carefully catching the door. "Henshou, it's me, Eizou."
But as she hesitantly entered the small home, the air became more dead the further in she went. Her hand went to her necklace and the words slipped out. "Nepheline Shadowed Light, Make Up!"
She reappeared seconds later, dressed in her fuku, her Triad Moon Staff already grasped in her hand.
She found herself in the kitchen, looking around slowly, methodically. She heard something pull open, squeaking like an un-oiled hinge. She turned, seeing the back door opening unhurriedly. Yet she felt as if it were an invitation for her to follow through.
She exited into the backyard, the air picking up to discard the few leaves that had fallen naturally. She looked around, trying to still the furious beating of her heart.
And then, just as intense as the feeling had been, it dispersed suddenly and she could breathe. But the sadness only strengthened. "Henshou, where did you go?"
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Apple looked up at Jaro, his eyes unblinking. The two had frightening similar eyes, despite that Apple had canine vision. "Well, what do you plan on now? Lady Nerthus has left, so shouldn't you follow as well?"
"Such a silly mutt," Jaro affectionally ruffled through the thick fur. "I've been powerless without you by my side and I just can't stand that."
"Then how have you survived in the Dead Moon realm?"
"Physical training," Jaro settled down, sitting eagle style. His pants tightened on his thighs as he continued to pet Apple, moving his hand behind his ear. "Besides, Duchess Nerthus asked me to stay."
"But.. uh, you know the father doesn't know anything, right?" Apple frowned. "I mean, you think he really is going to let you stay?"
"Well, perhaps where Pomona is at?"
"Come now, do you really need to stay? Eizou was very upset.."
"Love is a fickle thing. She shouldn't have chosen the spawn of Void," though he spoke lightly, something underlining was much more rougher. Apple's ears flipped backwards, his eyes glinting.
"And you shouldn't speak as such either," Apple frowned, pulling away as his tail lashed the air. "What do you know? Henshou is a good man!"
"Not anymore," Jaro said behind his hand.
"What?"
"I'm not leaving, not now. Not until this is finished."
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"Kashu-chan?" Kaki called out, looking around the small room. They had begun a game of hide and seek but Kaki had thought she'd find her sister in seconds.
"Kashuryoku?" She looked under her sister's bed, frowning. "Come out, come out, where ever you are," she sang out.
She thought she heard a giggle from the kitchen and tiptoed into there only to find her mother humming and making soup. "Hi Momma." Kaki looked around her mother, trying to find some hint of her sister. "Have you seen Kashu-chan?"
"Now, now, that's cheating," Shinkon smiled, laughter behind her tone of voice.
"Pretty please?"
She then heard the giggle again, this time behind her. "Aha!" She ran out of the door, seeing her sister dive into the living room. She was about to step foot in when the doorbell rang.
"Hello..." She trailed off, seeing Eizou with her tear streaked face.
"I can't find Henshou! I went to his house, his work, his school, no one has seen him since that battle!"
"Shuu.." Kaki used her sleeve to wipe at Eizou's face. Eizou merely shoved her hand away, sniffling loudly.
"We have to find him!"
"But how? We can't comb the city."
"We have enough people," Eizou said desperately. "Come on!" She grasped Kaki's shoulder. "I'm sure we can find him! We have to! WE HAVE TO!"
"EIZOU!" Kaki pulled away. "Why are you so upset?"
"I love him..." Eizou covered her face. "I didn't get to tell him! I couldn't.. we knew each other in so little time.. he's gone! I can feel it! He's gone!" She cried even harder.
There was a loud beeping as Kaki fumbled in her pocket.
"There's an attack near the Crown Parlor.." Venus's voice filtered through. "We think Henshou's there!"
Eizou turned instantly and fled, Kaki trying to not swear as she grasped her necklace.
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The street had life stalled. Several cars had stopped, the people passed out in their cars and upon the sidewalk. The inner senshi tried to make sure all of the victims were all right.
"This must have been traffic hour, I mean, so many people are just.. passed out," Mars murmured.
Shadow Mars and Moon appeared, following in the distance was Shadow Neptune. From the opposite direction came Shadow Pluto and Shadow Uranus. "What in the world happened to this people?" Shadow Neptune scratched her head.
"There's no youma," Sailor Jupiter blinked, watching Sailor Mercury check the stats of a young woman.
"Henshou.. where is he? Venus! You said he was here!" Shadow Moon spoke accusingly. "Where is he?"
Sailor Venus looked a little uncomfortable. "I thought I saw him.."
"YOU THOUGHT! You just THOUGHT!" Shadow Moon moved forward before her eyes widened.
"Henshou.." She whispered. "I've been so worried."
Henshou looked the same, but his body radiated something cold. He lifted his hand up and a blacken orb formed, soft swirls of rainbow colors glittering.
"What.. is that?" Sailor Moon asked finally.
"I've been waiting for you," Henshou's voice droned out, a second voice echoing the same words, but had a much lower tone to it. "Now, I want the Triad Moon Pieces."
"Henshou, it's me.. Eizou," Shadow Moon moved forward, no one stopping her. "I don't think you know what you're..."
A single blast shot out from the orb, and she watched a slender ribbon of light be pulled from her. She felt the draining effect as she staggered back and untransformed.
"Sorry love but Henshou's no longer here," The dual voice echoed thinly.
"Blossom Shower!" Shadow Jupiter shouted, anger visible on her face. "How dare you attack an ally!"
The attack raged out only to be blocked by Eizou's body. "Don't.. hurt... him.." Her voice came out thinly. The cuts slowly dripped blood as her eyes glazed over before she caught herself and turned.
"Henshou.. Henshou..." She reached up and touched him, cupping his face. "Please.."
And Henshou's hand tightened on the orb and Eizou's body quaked in the blacken strike, her mouth opening in a soundless cry. From her body was pulled the two pieces, her eyes wide in shock and pain.
"Goodbye..." He struck out with his other hand, fisting it as it made contact just under her ribs. Eizou felt a crack and even more pain as she collapsed.
He pulled away, grasping the two items with a smirk.
"Violent Sea Storm!" Shadow Neptune clapped her hands together, gust and bitter water shooting out to soak Henshou. The two items clattered to the ground as Henshou swore.
"You will pay! All of you will pay! I will not be disobeyed," his voice rang out, anger etching the undertone.
"They are not meant to be ordered," Jaro appeared from a white mist, Apple by his side. "Now Void, let's talk, shall we?"
Henshou's eyes turned black. "Ah, I remember you.. the Magician Fool..."
"Ah yes, I remember that title.." Jaro's smile faded, anger slowly blossoming. "Such problems you've caused. You were never suited to be Void."
"But I was chosen," Henshou's smirk was cold. "Unlike you..."
"I don't need power to live to the fullest!" Jaro snapped his fingers, a wooden staff forming. "Begone from this man!"
A white pillar struck out, sending Henshou to stagger back a few steps. But the light turned black almost the instant it touched him. His laughter slowly grew cruelly.
"I AM Void!" He screamed, his body throbbing. "And I will not lose to someone whom has already lost to begin with. I will bring the Nothingness and I will not let you nor this worthless specimens beat me."
He faded out, his laughter dying out as Jaro turned slowly. His eyes met with Eizou, who struggled to stand but her body fell forward, nearly shrieking in pain.
"Here, let me help," Jaro smiled warmly.
"Why.."
"What?"
"Why did he fight me... He loved me..." Eizou looked up. "Why couldn't you heal him? You're a mage! Why did nothing work?" She lay hunched over, her shoulders quaking. "I've lost him..."