Disclaimer: Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon was created by Takeuchi Naoko, and published by Kodansha. The anime was produced by TV asahi, Toei Agency, and Toei Animation. As this fanfiction is written purely for the entertainment of the author, she makes no material profit from it.

--

Chain Reaction

--

His call went straight to voice mail, odd since it was the middle of the afternoon, but Zoisaito was in too foul a mood to wonder at it. Instead, he spoke into the cracked plastic, knowing that the message he left would sound very different indeed in the bright, feminine voice of the deceased Sailorjupiter. The moment he was done, he slammed the phone back in its slender box, glad to be done with it, furious that the use of it put him in its creator's debt.

The longer Zoisaito stared at the box on the coffee table, the more it grated on his nerves. It had been a neat trick the first time he'd heard it, the dead girl's voice coming from the phone in that pretty, lacquered box, and amusing to think that possession could extend to inanimate objects. He'd planned to use it before he took Sailormercury's starseed, had wanted to see her face when Kino Makoto's voice came from her broken phone, but no longer. Now, it was an insult, one Nefuraito chose to make in absentia as though Zoisaito wasn't worth the time it would take to do so in person.

Behind him, waiting with the same imperturbable patience that never failed to make Zoisaito want to fidget, sat Kuntsaito. His presence alone was a slight, almost as great of one as the red and black box, and that made Zoisaito want to fidget, too. He didn't like being watched no matter who did the watching, and it was unnecessary - a waste of time that Kuntsaito should have objected to. That he hadn't, that he felt Zoisaito warranted watching, that was what the reason Zoisaito remained seated and still despite the insults that would normally have had him pacing the narrow room, letting his frustrations out in word and action alike.

Zoisaito snuck a single glance over his shoulder, turning the simple look into a glare when glacial grey eyes met his own.

"Have you finished sulking?" Kuntsaito asked. Unlike his eyes, his voice was warm, a rich, resonating baritone that seemed created to command. There were times Zoisaito forgot they were equal now, and it was usually because of that voice.

"I do not need the assistance."

Kuntsaito did not snort, but his silence held the same quality of disdain. Cheeks flushing, Zoisaito stood to face the older king. "I left enough clues; she would have figured this out on her own, without that phone call. I had already planned -"

"You are too invested in this idea of a game, Zoisaito. You have been instructed to kill her and bring her starseed to the garden. I am merely here to ensure things progress smoothly - without the complications Endymion gave us."

"Complications or not, he needed to die," Zoisaito countered. "He might not have had what Galaxia-sama wanted, but he could have served as a warning if -"

Kuntsaito cut him short again, impatience flitting across his face for a second. "There is no one who would have read the signs, and you know that as well as I do. Next time you force two of us to intervene in such a public manner, I suggest you have better justification. Nehelenia will not serve as a distraction again, and the Gardeners will destroy you themselves if they feel you are becoming a hindrance."

"I have not failed!" Zoisaito clenched his fists, angry that he'd lost his composure so easily, angry that Kuntsaito would throw threats around so carelessly. The reference to the Gardeners made him think of Jedaito, as it was meant to, and Zoisaito shivered. He had no intention of meeting the same fate, but how could he avoid it when he was being kept on a leash?

"Kuntsaito-sama," he began, the long-since abandoned honorific slipping from his tongue without thought. He was rewarded with a hint of satisfaction on his commander's face.

"We've always worked well together," Kuntsaito said, his manner casual once more. From the utter unconcern in his voice, Zoisaito knew he'd lost any chance of proving himself this time. Instead of slipping his leash, he'd shortened it, and it rankled. Better Kuntsaito at the other end than Nefuraito or one of Galaxia-sama's pets, true, but that was cold comfort when what he wanted was to cut away entirely.

Before they could continue their conversation however, a key turned in the front door. Kuntsaito was in motion in an instant, stepping into the nearby hall and out of sight. Zoisaito sank back into the chair he'd been using earlier. There was no need for him to hide; as Kuntsaito had stated, the games were at an end whether he liked it or not. Mizuno Ami was fun, but she was nothing more than a single pawn in the end, and that wasn't worth his life.

Ten seconds later, the door openedand as Zoisaito watched, Ami stepped into the apartment. She was so small - so hesitant. He had a hard time believing she could possibly have a starseed, but that was what he was here to collect, so there was no point in wasting time. He let her make it halfway down the front hall, waited until she'd called out for that dead friend of hers, and then rose.

All he said was,"Ami-chan, welcome back." It was enough to stop her in her tracks.

Her face, already pale,seemed to drain of all colour in the space of a heartbeat. Her eyes were wide, so dark it almost hurt to look at her. Terror made some people beautiful, he decidedand managed three steps toward her before she found her voice again.

"You! Where is Mako-chan? What did you do to her?"

Zoisaito frowned, displeased with her preoccupation. "Your friend isn't here, I'm afraid. Not that it matters - you and I have a bit of unfinished business, some loose ends to attend to."

He could see her process his words, watched with a small smile as she took what he assumed was meant to be a calming breath. "Sit down, please," he murmured, gesturing to the couch just in front of the coffee table.

She ignored him, her eyes searching forher friend, taking in the empty kitchen and hall. Just as she looked ready to demand answers, she noticed the lacquered box on the table and froze. Zoisaito wished he could tell what she was thinking, but it didn't matter any more than Sailorjupiter's whereabouts did. Reluctantly, he fingered the slender knife tucked into his jacket's sleeve. It wasn't necessary to physically incapacitate a starseed's owner in order to take it from him or her, but Zoisaito preferred to work without the threat of possible retaliation from his targets. Kuntsaito had taught him that much, at least.

"That's not Makoto's," Ami said at last, her voice confused. It served to pull Zoisaito from his thoughts, however, and he grinned at her, slow and mocking.

"Of course not," he agreed. "But I wanted to see you again, and you weren't quite working fast enough." He leaned forward as he spoke, close enough to loom over her, almost close enough to touch. She flinched awayand he scowled.

"Don't be dull, Ami-chan. I've given you plenty of time to think things through, and I know you've been visiting Hikawa Jinja. Haven't you learned anything yet?"

She didn't respond right away, and Zoisaito straightened, disappointed. Kuntsaito wouldn't give him much more time - he was likely going to face some sort of reprimand for dragging this out as it was - but Zoisaito wasn't ready to kill her just yet. He needed her to understand first. When she spoke again, however, he was unprepared for both the frozen timbre of her voice and the ice in her eyes.

"Stop it."

That was it, just that single command, but at last, Zoisaito saw a bit of the strength he'd been looking for.

"I'm not interested in your games, Caldwell-san. I just want to know what you've done with my friend."

He smirked. "You're not in a position to make demands," he countered, not bothering to keep the amusement he felt out of his words.

"If you tell me where Makoto is," Ami continued,unfazed, "I won't tell the authorities about this. I will not press charges for stalking, I will not report you for breaking and entering, but I need to know where she is."

If she'd been beautiful in her terror, Zoisaito wasn't certain how to describe her in her determination. There was something almost fierce about her, a controlled anger that reminded him of Kuntsaito and he could see the beginnings of a sigil appearing on her brow. Mercury, of course. If that was showing, it was past time to end things.

"Don't worry," he murmured. "You'll be joining her in just a moment." He waited just long enough for her to begin to understand what he meant before reaching for his knives. Long, thin, and good for throwing, he kept a pair on him at all times. Ami tensed when she saw them, the symbol on her forehead first flaring, then disappearing as her determination faltered.

Without a word, Zoisaito teleported. He appeared in the space just behind her an instant later, one knife cocked to throw if necessary, but froze at the shadow on the couch in front of him.

"Star Healer Beam!"

Not taking the time to shove Ami aside, Zoisaito teleported again, managing to escape the brunt of the attack. Ami wasn't so lucky, and he could hear her scream as he reappeared on the opposite side of the room. Whatever it was, the attack must have been weak, but Zoisaito could see the horror on his nameless opponent's face as the small woman writhed on the floor.

"Not a very good saviour, are you?" he taunted, sheathing his knives in order to send a quick burst of energy across the room. The stranger dodged, but not fast enoughand took the full blast in her shoulder. "You shouldn't interrupt if you don't know what you're doing. Ami-chan and I were in the middle of a discussion."

"That's not exactly what I would call a civil conversation," a husky, feminine voice intoned behind him. There was more malice than amusement in the words, however, and Zoisaito threw up a shield just in time to block another attack. Thankfully, it held, but the strain was enough to worry him. Caught between the two leather-clad women, he doubted he'd be able to hold out against a combined onslaught.

And then Kuntsaito appeared beside him, a ball of concentrated energy already forming in his outstretched hand. "Perhaps you're missing the context." There was enough confidence in his voice that Zoisaito could see the first woman visibly check herself, one hand inching toward her bleeding shoulder before she noticed his attention. The gaze she sent his way was furious but even, a challenge, he thoughtand one he would have answered in other circumstances. Next to him, Kuntsaito seemed unshaken by the appearance of two unknown senshi and he took his time examining the women. He did not, Zoisaito noticed, dissipate the energy that crackled above his hand however, and Zoisaito took his cue from that caution, readying himself to raise a full barrier in an instant should the need arise.

"More senshi," Kuntsaito mused. The second woman, the one out of Zoisaito's line of sight, must have started at that, because her companion made a dismissive gesture with her good hand. Zoisaito didn't miss her hiss of pain as the movement jolted her shoulder; if he was right, he'd managed to destroy the entire joint for the time being. It was far from permanent - senshi had an annoying habit of healing well and healing fast - but until it did heal, the pain would be almost overwhelming.

"Galaxia-sama will be interested to hear about this," he replied absently, keeping the nameless senshi in his peripheral vision, but focusing on his commander's expression for the moment. He was still watching Kuntsaito when she moved, too fast for someone as injured as she was, too fast for him to react and her kick to the gut sent him crashing into the wall, stunned and out of breath.

"Go to hell," she snarled. Behind her, Zoisaito could see her companion: a tall, auburn-haired woman. Her expression was cold, frozen with the same hatred that burned in the darker woman's face, but more refined, less raw. Colored light was already gathering at her fingertips, the attack forming slow enough that Zoisaito could see the energy leaping from her black gloves, but still too fast for him to respond to it.

"Star Gentle -"

"Enough!"

Zoisaito gasped as the explosion of light met Kuntsaito's shield. It was impossible, that his commander could have reached him in time, that he would have chosen to protect him when he'd done nothing but prove his own incompetence, and yet, it was Kuntsaito who stood before him. "Sailormercury," he whispered, realising she lay just outside the perimeter of the shield, and could almost feel his commander's dissatisfaction at the reminder.

"Out of your reach for now," Kuntsaito replied, his voice tense as a second attack, a single, concentrated light this time, battered the shield. "It would seem you underestimated her."

Zoisaito didn't respond. After a few seconds, the attacks stopped, and he could see the outline of the senshi as they picked up Mizuno Ami's unresponsive body. She was escaping, leaving, and he couldn't stop her. It had been different before, when he'd let her go, but for her to leave him like this was unforgivable. He stood, slowly, his back and head already aching from the unknown senshi's attack. "Kuntsaito-sama," he whispered, already preparing himself to teleport to the open window, where the women were heading.

He did not expect the restraining hand on his shoulder, or the fury in the older king's voice, and it stopped him as effectively as an outright command would have. "Report to Galaxia-sama, Zoisaito. She will want to know about these star senshi before they interfere again."

--

She sat at a table. It looked like a woman's vanity, with the gilded mirror on the wall and the delicate lacquered box to one side. The rose in the center was wilted, dark red petals dry and brittle, the stem already stripped of leaves. On the other side, four stones lay pillowed in black cloth, three of them gleaming softly in the candlelight. The fourth, a dull, muted green, was cracked, and it crumbled under her touch. The gritty dust began to scatter, and the table was gone, replaced by a sea of long hair against grey stones and pale blue eyes, wide with surprise. Blonde hair and a red bow, red like the blood that pooled beneath her ...

The sound of her own shallow breathing pulled Rei back from the vision and she shivered despite the uncomfortable heat of the Fire. She sat like that for several minutes, not bothering to wipe away the sweat that soaked the back of her hakama, her eyes focused on the strange golden stone in her lap. Aino-san had left it, accidentally Rei imagined, but the blonde had yet to return for it. Rei wasn't certain she would give it back, now. The Fire had never responded to an inanimate object before, had never modified a vision as though to accomodate one, but Rei knew that was what had happened. She had begun her meditation, and the stone had seemed somehow to surge in her hands and the Fire had reached for her.

Shaking her head, Rei closed her eyes, forcing her breathing to slow, trying to ignore the way her head throbbed at the memory. She was supposed to be doing something, she was sure of it, but what?

Footsteps just outside the thin doors interrupted her thoughts and Rei looked up, grateful for the interruption.

"Rei-san," Yuuichirou said, after a moment's pause, and to Rei it felt as though the stone in her hand had tripled in weight as she waited for him to continue. "You have visitors waiting."

--

Author's Notes:
Many, many thanks to the amazing, lovely Lytton for the beta. I owe you.