XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
Usagi left school and made for home. Her grades were worse than ever but she didn't mind. She dragged herself slowly until she saw him. He was standing at the other side of the street, obviously waiting for her. She halted and watched his approach.
"Usako," he addressed her with hesitation, "I'm sorry for yesterday. I'm sorry for thelast few weeks. Will you forgive me?"
"Mamo-chan!" she pressed her heart with joy, "Is everything okay now?"
"I want to ask you aboutsomething," he grabbed her hand, "Will you go to USA with me?"
Usagi froze with her mouth opened.
"I received an invitation again and I asked if I can bring my fiancée. They agreed," he attempted to catch Usagi's gaze, "Will you go?"
To leave all my friends, school, mom and dad... the thoughts were running through girl's head, To leave Japan and everything I love, and make for an unknown place... I would be with him... I would learn English better and I would go to an American high school... I don't know... It's too sudden... What will mom say?
"Will you?" he inquired harder, squeezing her hand.
I could visit sometimes, couldn't I? And bring Ami there, she would love to study abroad. We'll arrange a tour of Three Lights, haha...
"Usako?"
"I will," she nodded lightly, asking herself why didn't she feel happy at all.
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
Seiya was taking a shower when he heard something. He turned off the tap and listened intently because he felt strange for some reason, but the noise didn't repeat.
"Taiki?" he asked hesitantly, being aware that it wasn't his friend at all. He reached for the towel and then the door exploded, injuring him with slivers.
"What the hell..." he mumbled before he was thrown against the wall with golden blast of energy. The blow broke his ribs and he coughed heavily, sprinkling around the drops of blood. He could barely see Sailor Uranus invading the place, followed by Tuxedo Kamen.
"He's almost done," Uranus pronounced proudly, jostling him with her foot, "Let's finish it."
"Wait," Tuxedo caught Uranus' arm, "I want to take my revenge too."
Seiya stretched his hand, trying to collect his powers, but Tuxedo nailed his wrist to the wall with the rose. The blood trickled down Seiya's chin when he screamed.
"Strong asshole. He should be already dead," Uranus growled, narrowing her eyes. The next rose thrust into Seiya's body, then another and another. He was already unconscious when Uranus decided to strike the deathblow.
"Space Sword..."
The shining blade appeared in her hand.
"...Blaster!"
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
Princess Kakyuu wiped Healer's forehead with moist cloth. Healer groaned faintly, still too weak even to open her eyes. While being sick, she was delirious and disclosed all her feelings and experiences to Kakyuu.
"Rest, Healer," the Princess whispered, "Don't think of anything. I'm with you."
I know I'm not any comfort for you, but we share the same torment. My brave, faithful Healer. She didn't reveal her secret, serving me even if it meant to face humiliation and disappointment. I sent her to hell, and she didn't utter even one word of complaint.
Healer murmured something and Kakyuu leaned forward.
"What are you saying?"
Then Healer's body arched suddenly and she shrieked. Kakyuu accompanied her.
"Fighter!!"
Servants and doctors dashed towards the room where their Princess fell down, still screaming.
"Your Highness! Are you alright?"
Princess' hand searched for Healer's one and gripped it tightly. The tiny stream escaped Healer's mouth and her eyes overturned, showing the whites.
"FIGHTER!!!"
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
"Death Scream!" Pluto's attack made Uranus and Tuxedo fell down. Uranus attempted to raise herself, but the power which stroke at her was too strong, and with a sigh she surrendered. Pluto made for Seiya's inert body and knelt down next to him.
"He's still alive," she shook her head with amazement, "Unbelievable."
"Leave him, Pluto!" Uranus groaned, "He must die!"
"No," the Senshi of Time protested, "I won't let him die."
"But why?!" Uranus' eyes grew big, Did she go crazy? She saw herself what is going on with the future and she is defending HIM? It must be a stupid joke!
She gathered all her strength and managed to rest on her elbows.
"Pluto," she addressed her companion weakly.
"You must understand it, Uranus," Pluto's face was very sorrowful, "The most important duty of mine is guarding the Gate of Time where nobody is allowed to pass. Nobody should peek into the future because they can be so seduced by the vision they could see that they would do everything to make that vision come true. You can't be more attached to the future you have once seen than to the present. It is one of the most cardinal sins against the rules of time and space."
"But, Pluto..." Uranus pleaded.
Don't make it harder than it already is, Pluto closed her eyes for a moment, I have to prevent the rules from being broken by somebody. Even if it's me who want to break them.
One tiny tear twinkled on Pluto's eyelashes. Small Lady, will I ever see you again?
Tuxedo recovered consciousness and rubbed his forehead.
"What happened?" he mumbled and his blurry eyes met Pluto's figure separating him from Seiya and aiming at him and Uranus with the Garnet Orb.
"Sailor Pluto?" he stammered, "What are you doing?"
"I'm saving the world," she replied.
He furrowed.
"You must leave now," Pluto instructed, "Inner Senshi are coming."
The heels' clicking could be heard and Tuxedo jumped to his feet. He made a circle with his hand and the roses from Seiya's body were gone. Within a blink he ran out and disappeared somewhere in the empty building. All the occupants were already outside, frightened by terrible sounds coming from Three Lights' apartment.
Pluto observed Uranus who was still trying to get up. We can't save the future which we have seen by assassination, she mused, It's a sin. Everything went wrong. The plots of destiny have been tangled and nothing is certain now. What can we do?
Earth Senshi dashed inside and shouted while seeing the horrible scenery. The blood was spilled all over, the water was drifting from the pipe sticking out from the wall, the tiles were broken, the wooden slivers were covering the floor.
Usagi's eyes were growing bigger and bigger, and filled with tears. Her brooch exploded with blinding light and red ribbons emerged from it, surrounding her body.
"What are you doing, Princess?" Uranus tried to interfere, "You still don't know that the future..."
"Uranus!" tears streamed down Usagi's cheeks and her eyes went cold, freezing Uranus to the bones, "I release you from your service. You're not Sailor Senshi any longer."
All the Senshi uttered a surprised exclamation.
"You can't!" the fear filled Uranus' soul to its deepest bottom.
"I release you! You're still the guardian of your planet, but you're not my servant any longer!" Usagi waved her hand, "You're banished to your home castle!"
For the first time in her entire life Tenou Haruka, the Distant Sky King, the Wind Senshi, fell down to her knees and sobbed.
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
Ami entered her mother's surgery and closed the door quietly. Her mother was standing near the window, watching something outside.
"Ami-chan," she uttered, "You're still here?"
"Mother, tell me... will he survive?" Ami asked the most important question with trembling voice.
"I haven't seen someone like him for a very long time. He's incredibly strong. From the medical point of view he should be dead already," the doctor shook her head, "I think it's a miracle."
Ami felt relieved a bit... only a bit. After four days Seiya was still walking down the thin line between life and death. She was praying for him eagerly.
All the grudges were put aside at the moment because the only thing that mattered was saving Seiya's life. There were hard times, almost as hard as Galaxia's invasion. Wherever she looked, she could see only pain and breakdown.
She went downstairs and peeked into the ward. In front of the glass wall Taiki was still standing, watching his friend constantly. Not only watching. He was delivering his energy to Seiya to keep him alive. Ami could feel those waves, flowing with determination.
He didn't show he heard any sound when she was approaching him shyly. Ami's heart pounded with sudden inflow of self-confidence.
"Taiki," she touched his inert hand, "You should rest a bit..."
"I can't," he replied with low voice, "I must guard him..."
"He's no longer in danger. And you're exhausted, giving him much of your vital forces. What if he recovers and you collapse?"
"I won't fail him again."
"Usagi helped him with Silver Crystal. It gave him more strength than you can give. Please, do this for me..." she flushed lightly.
Taiki's gaze slowly abandoned Seiya's face and reached Ami's. Her eyelids fluttered like butterfly wings with embarrassment, but she didn't move back. There were words in her throat urging to come out and she was finally ready to set them free.
"I'm sorry..." she started diffidently, "I wish it never happened. I pray for Seiya day and night. Everyone does. I'm sure he'll be okay. So please, get some sleep..."
She stepped forward and caught Taiki's palm. His skin was dry and cold a little, his fingers trembled with bewilderment.
"Ami, I have something to tell you..." he turned to her, "I wish it were under other circumstances..."
Being stopped by two shining tears which appeared to adorn her long eyelashes, he lowered his head and brushed her cheek with the lips, kissing away the tear. Ami breathed loudly, having him so close for the first time. Her whole body shivered and she couldn't hide it.
"Taiki..." she whispered quietly, her eyes sticking to his, reading in his face that he wanted to hear again his own name spoken by her lips so tenderly, "I... missed you so much..."
His eyes, looking usually so sharp and aloof, opened wide with astonishment. He laughed shortly to cover his embarrassment, but the laughter died soon when he finally let the truth in. Volumes of poetry read by him earlier weren't any help at the moment and the only thing he could say was:
"I love you."
