A/N - LOL!!! You guys are getting very demanding. Thank you for all the reviews guys. It really makes me feel good that so many are enjoying the story. This chapter is really short, but it's the best I can give at 2AM. Figured it was better than nothing. See how much I love you?
Chapter 9
Rei, who was always the first to make a negative comment towards Usagi, complained. "After all these years I can't believe Usagi isn't any better at being on time."
"And after all these years Rei you'd think you'd be use to it and stop complaining about it." Makoto growled at her through narrowed eyes.
The table stared at her in surprise. "Mako-chan?" They all gasped.
She diverted her eyes to her drink sitting on the table. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little grouchy from lack of sleep."
"Are you okay?" Ami asked in concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep. I felt a strange presence shortly after 2 am and couldn't go back to sleep."
All the girls looked at each other. "So you felt it too?" Minako asked.
"Sounds like we all did." Artimus hopped up into her lap and continued. "Multiple presences entered our atmosphere over night. We don't know how many, but we know one of them is giving off dark energy."
"So we have a new enemy?" Makoto questioned.
"That's not for certain, but it looks plausible."
"Hi everyone." Usagi strolled in, oblivious as always. Their serious expressions brought her to a halt. "What's with the faces? Awww…. They didn't run out of ice cream did they?" She whined.
The group rolled their eyes as she slumped into the booth. "We were discussing the disturbance last night."
Usagi sat at the end of the booth with Luna jumping into Makoto's lap. Usagi looked puzzled for a moment then smiled. "So that means they do have ice cream."
Rei stood up furious, "Forget the ice cream this is serious. Didn't you feel it last night?"
Usagi was confused once more. "Feel what?"
Rei lowered her head in defeat mumbling. "You truly are dense Usagi."
Something outside caught Usagi's attention as she saw a person across the street. In disbelief she stared knowing that the person she saw couldn't possibly be there. Her breath was short trying to breathe in the suddenly thick air. All at once the dream came rushing back to her and his words echoed through her head. 'I'm sorry I have put you in danger. I am here to protect you. Don't be scared.' She almost felt as if he was saying it to her right then and there. A bus passed in front of him and left an empty sidewalk behind it. Her heart was pounding. 'This can't be happening. I'm losing my mind.' She panicked.
"Usagi are you listening?" Minako laid a hand on her shoulder bringing her back to focus. "Are you okay?"
Makoto placed her hand on her forehead. "You look kind of pale."
Her voice took on a very strange tone. She sounded exhausted and drained. "Yea, I'm okay. I think I'm gonna go home and lay down. I'm not feeling well all of a sudden." Without waiting for their response she stood and made her way to the door.
"But you just got here." Minako's mind was racing. 'What just happened?'
Rei felt an aura that felt somewhat familiar and thought back to the presence entering the atmosphere last night. 'Could it be?'
Looks of worry and alarm made its way around the table. Ami reacted the quickest. "I'll walk you home."
"That's okay. Thanks." She never looked back. Her eyes were fixated on the spot that he stood.
They all watched her leave, noticing the slumping in her shoulders and the lack of effort in her step. Luna sighed. "She did the same thing last night. I found her on the balcony staring at the moon, but when I spoke to her she wouldn't respond. Then she just walked to her bed and fell straight to sleep. The power I've been feeling around her has continued to grow. Even here today sitting at this booth I've felt it increase." She looked down at the table before continuing with her next thought. "I think the presence we felt last night…" she paused. ' It hasn't been confirmed, but..." her throat felt like it was extremely dry as she choked out the word "I think the Starlights are back."
"What?" The four girls were dumbfounded.
"But Artimus said there's a dark energy?" Minako's voice held doubt that they would give off that type of energy.
"Perhaps the dark energy is why they came back." Makoto reasoned. "What do you think Rei? You have the most sensitive senses of all of us. Did you feel something more than just the intrusion last night?"
Rei was quiet for a moment looking out of the window across the street where an aura lingered. Then she sighed. "There is something dark. Last night I felt the manifestation of rage, hate, and pain. Something bad is going to happen, I can feel it."
Grim took hold of the group sitting at the booth. "Usagi shouldn't be alone." Luna's statement was disturbing as she jumped down and ran to catch up with Usagi.
"I'm coming too." Minako stood to her feet.
"No." Luna commanded. "Stay here. You guys have to figure out what we are dealing with. Be on your guard." And with that said she was out the door.
Usagi walked home in a daze. She felt like she was being watched, but rather than feeling uneasy she found a strange comfort. A voice whispered in her mind. 'I am here Odango. I told you I will protect you.' Tears filled her eyes, but she smile. "I really hope that's true and I'm not just losing my mind." She spoke out loud hoping that he would reveal himself, but when there was no sign she felt a little worried about her mental health and not just a little foolish. She made it to her front door and stopped. Turning around she looked out over her fence and scanned her view for any signs of him. Part of her needed to know for sure if he was there or not. "Are you really here?!" She called out loudly and waited. Nothing. She sighed heavily and with disappointment slipped through her front door.
Seiya watched from a far, tears filled his eyes. He so badly wanted to reveal himself and confirm that he was indeed there, but he knew he couldn't yet. His heart burned inside seeing her right in front of him. She was in reach after what seemed so long and he couldn't touch her. Couldn't talk to her, not yet. After seeing her home safely he made his way back to the Starlights apartment.
He tried to sneak back into the apartment quietly and hoped that his absence had gone unnoticed.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Yaten's voice was an immediate indication that he was busted.
He nonchalantly walked to the couch and lounged. Always thinking ahead he had thought of the excuse before he even ventured out of the apartment. "I was getting reacquainted with the city. It has been a while. If we are to track down Kage we need to have the upper hand of being familiar with our surroundings."
Taiki joined the conversation. "You aren't fooling anyone. We know where you went. Did anyone see you?"
With all confidence Seiya answered. "Of course not. I took utmost caution. Besides we were a passing fad probably barely remembered. I doubt that anyone would recognize us anyway."
"So you were seen." Yaten translated. He received no answer. "Dammit Seiya. What part of 'lay low until you find Kage' did you not understand? She saw you didn't she?"
Seiya locked eyes with him. "So what if she did?"
"Stupid move, Seiya." Taiki sat on the other couch. "Now they all will start looking for us and we can only hope that they don't find Kage in the process. God only knows what would happen if Kage finds them before we find him."
Seiya stood to his feet with eagerness. "Then lets start looking for him. He has to be in the city somewhere." Seiya's recommendation was appealing.
"Fine. Where do we start?" Yaten sat next to Taiki.
Seiya thought for a moment before answering. 'Where would be the best place to start?' The city was very large and well over populated. Finally making a decision he answered. "The Juban shopping district." The other two agreed and off they went.
A/N - Like I said, just really short, but I thought it was a nice setup for the up coming chapters. I have to admit... out of all the characters I think I have Yaten down perfect. Everyone else I worry about, but I'm trying to really stay true to the characters. Is it working so far?