She spread her wings and with a push, propelled herself into the air. They are near. She could feel them. Her hair lenghtened as she flew through the air, feeling the wind beneath her wings, lifting her higher and higher. Eyes closed, she allowed herself to forget the worries that plagued her and she spread her arms wide to catch the droplets of sea water as the ocean tide blows it through her hand.
The one whom she must protect and the one who shares her blood. They are drawn to each other. But War will keep them away. She must protect them both. But for now, she can rest. The worries will hold.
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"Happy Birthday!" Laughter echoed into the air as youmas were forgotten, henshin sticks lay cold in their abandoned purses. It was Ami's birthday, their little 'sister' aged one year more and all of them cast away their unhappiness, their sorrow and their burdens to celebrate the day with her.
"Oh you guys!" Ami's smile grew wider when she saw Usagi and Mamoru approach, each with a present in tow. "Have I told you how much I love you?" She laughed as they piled their presents along with the rest.
"Oh, only Nteenth times." They all teased as they set their presents down and celebrated with the one they call sister.
The last chip eaten and the last drop of soda drunk, the friends said their good-byes and dispersed, leaving Mamoru, Usagi and Ami alone. "It's been a long time since we all hung out like this, huh?" Ami asked wistfully, her eyes on Mamoru.
Usagi and Mamoru both nodded, "Too much youmas to kill, not enough time to kill them all."
Mamoru look at his watch, "Speaking of time," He stood, "I have to go." He grabbed Usagi and gave her a huge hug.
"Awww, do you have to?" Usagi pouted, "I thought you cancelled everything."
"For the afternoon, the office needs me." Mamoru smiled, "I"ll see you tonight though."
Usagi smiled, "All right. Tonight." She stood on tiptoes and kissed him with a promise of more to come.
They broke apart with reluctance and Mamoru glanced over at Ami who was tidying her presents, "I"ll see you later Ames."
Ami nodded, "Later." She watched Mamoru leave and turned to Usagi, a large smile on her face, "Clean up time!"
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Mamoru hid in the shadows and watched as the two friends worked side by side until the room was cleaned and the presents were safely stored away to be placed in its proper place later.
"Are you all right?" Usagi asked softly, "You seem a little distant."
Ami smiled softly and shook her head, "I'm fine. Just a little tired from everything."
"Yeah, I know how that is." Silence permeated the room, "Have you had any sources?"
Ami shook her head, "Youmas take energy, but these people's blood were drained, not a drop left in them." She let out a deep sigh, "I don't know what to do these days." She leaned back, her head resting at the top of the sofa and she stared at her ceiling, "We've exhausted all of our clues. Vampires are the only logical explanation and even that doesn't make sense!"
Vampires? Mamoru shook his head at the idea as he took his leave to prepare. Tonight he has a special evening planned for his little bunny and it has to be perfect. Ann he will deal with later. And his brother... Mamoru snorted, the two of them are more trouble than they're worth. As he entered his realm, he flexed his wings and groaned as tension lessened. There is no place better than hell.
"Hades!" He called out. If Ann and Alan are in this, the souls will be lurking around here somewhere.
The youngest Prince of Hell appeared from the ground, a shadow, nothing more. "Yes, brother?"
Mamoru smiled slightly, "Still haven't picked a form yet?"
Hades shrugged, "Form doesn't matter. No one will ever see me anyways." He cocked his head, "Do you summon me to ask about the newly acquired souls from Earth?"
Mamoru nodded, "Ann and Alan are having a bloody party up there."
"Hm. Usagi is very worried also." Hades sighed, "But Heaven's gates are closed until its master comes back. Nowhere else for the souls to go but here."
At the mention of Usagi's name, Mamoru narrowed his eyes, "How do you know of Usagi?"
A small smile appeared on Hades, "She's a beauty, isn't she? I've known her all my damned life... watched her grow up, die and rise again like the phoenix she is." A bigger grin now, "She loved playing shadow games with me. Even from the moon, she would always visit the darker side to visit me."
Something didn't add up. As Hades explained, Mamoru wondered what he was talking about. How could Hades know Usagi all her life? The Moon? Serenity couldn't have known Hades... could she?
As Hades drifted back from his delightful memories, he turn to his brother, "The souls are in limbo right now, waiting for Heaven's gate to reopen, but their time is running out." With that, Hades left Mamoru to his disturbed thoughts.
How could she have known Hades?
-----
She drifted upwards, letting the wind carry her out over the city of Tokyo, eyes watching for activity. Every day that passes brings the War closer and drives the two lovers farthur apart. The first step has been taken, War is imminent. A dark figure appeared in front of her and she halted with a gasp.
"Hello, love."
"Milord..." She cocked her head and waited as he circled around her, "I don't mean to intrude."
"It's only an intrusion if you didn't have my consent." He smiled at her, "And I give it freely. How is the Bunny?"
The topic change wasn't unexpected, but she didn't quite know how to respond. "Well enough, I suppose." She finally managed, "Why do you not go see her for yourself?"
"I cannot." He looked out onto the city, taking in its dazzling lights, "What is to come is solely up to them. I can neither influence nor interfere."
She opened her mouth to say something, but he anticipated her question. "The Final War. It must be fought to keep the cycle going." He closed in towards her, "This," He sweeps his hand out, "All of this is up to them. No matter how much I want to continue their existance, it is up to them to fight for it."
"And so you must leave them." She finished sadly.
He sighed deeply, "Yes. So I must."
"And the Bunny? And her lover?"
"I cannot say." He spoke no more to her after that. Together, they let the wind drift them along the city, watching as lights wink on and off.
-----
"Good Evening Tokyo! It is now 8:00 and night has fallen, but there it is no peace on Tokyo tonight. Be careful when walking outside tonight. 10 more were found dead on the streets of Japan and it has now spread towards other countries. Although it has not yet been confirmed, sources say that the deaths found in America, Europe and other parts of Asia are similar to the ones found in Japan. Drained of all their blood..."
The radio was slammed off as Usagi stared morosely out the window. How can this be? Everyone drained of their blood. And with Heaven's gate closed, their time is slowly ticking away. What could Lucifer be thinking? Since she was little, she had known him. The Alpha Omega. Two sides of a whole. He who served in Heaven also ruled in Hell.
On the moon, he was the one that trained her without her mother's knowledge. He was the one who showed her the many spells to protect herself from the evils of the galaxy. He was the only one who she knew truly loved her without wanting anything from her. And now the question burned in her. Why would he disapper? What purpose would it serve?
She checked her watch and shaking her head, she stood up to get ready for her date.
Mamoru would be waiting. With an ache in her shoulders, she started to fuss through her wardrobe. Tonight she'll reveal to him everything. With the hopes that he'll take his place next to her. Ruler of the new Millennium.
---------
He watched her in the shadows, staring as she undressed, taking in her naked form and felt himself growing hard. She was his. And now she ruts with his brother. Anger coursed through him, but he kept himself in check. Soon, when the world is theirs, she will beg to be with him. And he will relish in her surrender. Muffling a moan, he turned away. Soon, Gwenivere. Soon...
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A/N - Well, it's been over a year, how have you guys been doing? I'm still here, ready to start writing again. After this story, if I ever get around to finishing it, I might start writing an actual book... I diverge much from the Sailor Moon story line anyways. I have an account with Still the same penname. Much obliged if you guys would check it out. Anyways, let's set the next update day for December, shall we? Any earlier and you can thank the many reviews that I get. LoL. I doubt I'll get much.
I have a tendency to not map things out and just start writing. Very bad habit. Try not to get it. Anyways, because of this tendency, it takes me FORevER to write when no inspiration strikes.
Thank-you for everyone who reviewed!
Among the few, xMoonPrincessx, SnowAngel101, Megan Consoer, Nimbirosa, Calli, Angel of Serenity88 - and now you can read it a fourth time with a new chapter! You guys are the best. Thank-you for sticking with me through this.