The next morning, at around ten, Hajime slowly woke. He felt the presence of someone close to him, and opened his eyes to find that Eliana was there, halfway on top of him. Blinking in surprise, barely remembering pulling her close to him the night before, he went to move, but realized that she wasn't stirring. Thinking that she was just exhausted, he picked her up and laid her on the couch. Going to his room, he showered and got dressed, then went and picked up Eliana, taking her to his room and laying her on the bed. Apollo had followed him around for most of the morning, and now, after closing the door to his bedroom, Hajime turned to the cat.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Apollo had been glaring at him, or at least it felt like it.
Apollo huffed a bit and looked away from him. "It's not my place to say. Eliana will have to decide if she wanted to tell you when she finally comes to again," he answered, getting up and pacing the couch back for a moment before lying back down. He was well aware she wouldn't be waking any time soon- which meant it would be up to him to keep an eye on Hajime. 'At least Sailor Starfire knows how to use her power, and she'd good at sensing things. So if things go bad she should be able to handle it without it... can't rely on Venus just yet, and I don't even know when Earth will be able to get ungrounded again...' He sighed, things were not going well. "Hajime, I'll say this. If you can help it at all, do not evoke your power again until Eliana wakes up."
"I won't if I can help it," Hajime said with a shiver, vividly remembering the dream he'd had the night before. His tone was sincere.
A few days later, Hajime was out getting some groceries, and Apollo was with him. There was no one in the apartment. There had been a couple attacks, but Sailor Starfire had been able to help out and take care of them.
"Eliana's going to be super hungry when she wakes," Hajime said. "I should make her something to eat when we get back."
Apollo nodded. He could feel that her power was finally back to normal, and had told Hajime she should be waking up soon.
Eliana woke, feeling heavy and stiff. She sat up with a groan. "I knew I should have gone back to sanctuary to recharge," she muttered. She stumbled to her feet and then out into the apartment- but there was no one there. It was empty. She closed her eyes, but she couldn't feel anyone close by either. "Maybe... school?" she murmured, having no idea what day it was or what time it was for that matter. She tried to stretch out, but found that despite her return of energy she felt weak and slightly sick; it was similar to how she felt when waking up after passing out from hunger. She raided the fridge, snagging some left over rice and brewed some tea.
She only got a few bits before she found she was face to face with not one but two of the shadow beasts. She quickly transformed, blocking the first attack to an extent with her staff, slamming into the wall of the kitchen, sharp pain in her shoulder from where a claw had caught her, smearing blood on the way behind her as things clattering to the floor. She attempted to use her power, but as always, she was unable to use it in combat. "OH COME ON! I'm by myself right now! Can't you cut me a little slack?!" she demanded of the universe. It, of course, didn't answer her. She did the only thing she could at the moment, and vanished. It was short range teleportation. She couldn't try to return to sanctuary with that beast so close to her. Of course there were two of them and no sooner did she reappear in the living room then did the other launch itself at her, she dove out of the way getting more blood on the carpet. She could hear the first one scrambling to get out of the kitchen, causing a lot of damage as it went while the second came for another attack, slamming into the couch and tipping it over. Its long claws cutting gashes into the fabric. Eliana felt something shift. It was slight but she'd felt it. She raised her staff with a whirl and then slammed it down into the ground. A pulse of light swept from her, making the shadow beasts vanish as shadows would before the midday sun. The pulse was felt by anyone with senses for about a mile all around.
It seemed the Universe had decided to cut her the requested slack, but she dropped to her knees, gripped with pain. It had done so at a price. She mustered up her power and then transported herself to Sanctuary to recover there.
Apollo's head shot up as he felt the pulse reach them. She shouldn't have been able to use that ability here-
Hajime, of course, hadn't felt the pulse. He walked back to the apartment, thinking about what he would make Eliana, wanting to apologize for making her use so much power. Unlocking the door and stepping in, he let the groceries crashed to the ground. There was blood on the floor. It was smeared across the walls in several places as well. The couch had been overturned, and there was a mess in the kitchen. The only other person that had been here when he and Apollo left had been Eliana. Racing to his room, Hajime prayed to whatever god there was that Eliana was still there. She wasn't. Feeling a crushing blow, Hajime turned. A hand was on his head as he struggled against the darker self that he'd come to know was there, he used the other to right the couch. It was a strength that he'd never had before. Opening his eyes so that he could focus on picking up the groceries, Apollo could see that one eye had turned pure black from the original silver, and the other eye was well on its way. His hair had seemed to grow darker as well, and tendrils of dark power seemed to grow from him. He was eerily silent, not wanting to trust his voice. He was still struggling against the dark power, the headache building as he did so, his hands shaking as he picked up the shattered glass of a jar of jelly.
Apollo searched the place too; there was no sign of her. 'Good, she probably made it back to sanctuary then,' he thought, and then his hissed, his back arching as he felt Hajime's power starting to leak out and saw the physical change it had caused. Eliana wasn't here to stop it, so he would have to. With a roar that should not have come from such a small cat he leapt into the air towards Hajime- only he did not stay little, as he got closer he started to shift, growing larger to be the size of a lion with wings sprouting from his back. He collided with Hajime, pinning him down. "Stay calm!" he ordered, his voice now much deeper. His body began to glow and the light flowed from him cocooning Hajime. It was containing the power, keeping it from doing anything else. But he could not calm it as Eliana could.
"Trying," Hajime said, his voice coming out as a hoarse rasp. "It hurts." Both of his hands went to his head, covering his eyes. A dark and bitter laugh escaped him, but Hajime bit his lip, growling as he tried to keep himself from succumbing anymore. "She must... be safe if... you aren't... going nuts." A grunt escaped him then too, and his breath began to come in short gasps. "The pain..." A hoarse scream echoed from within the cocoon of light, and Hajime began to thrash a bit. "I will not!" A blinding white light overcame everything, and Hajime was suddenly silent, his breathing normal. The cocoon had dispersed, and he lay there, as if sleeping. A ghostly woman stood over him, her expression sad. Turning to Apollo, she motioned to Hajime, as if to say that he should care for the young man. Her hair and eyes were instantly recognizable, her posture that of a queen. The hair, white and fading to a dark blue, went down to her ankles, not held up in her traditional buns. The dress she wore of the same color scheme went slightly sheer at the bottom.
"Apollo... My power is keeping him at bay for the moment. There is only so much that I can do in this state," she said. Her voice echoed eerily in his head, not audible outside in the room. "The Crystal has become corrupt. Many long millennia of the moon being utterly destroyed has made the Crystal gain a life of its own, one that searches for vengeance." Her expression as she looked back at Hajime was sad; almost as if she knew he would succumb and perish. "He is a strong young man... But the dark power of the corrupt Crystal is too much even for him." She looked at Apollo, her eyes piercing. "The feelings that he has for Sun are the only things keeping him alive. This whole incident was triggered by the fact that he thought something had happened to her to either kill or dreadfully injure her." Shaking her head, Serenity closed her eyes and began to slowly fade away. "Take care of them both Apollo... The universe's future is uncertain anymore... Even Pluto would be unable to tell you what will be..." With that, she was gone. Hajime still lay unconscious upon the ground, his hair still looking dark as it faded slowly back to its original lighter red. Apollo bowed his head to the Queen as she faded, shifting off the boy. He was still now, but Apollo stayed as he was- his true form- and lay down next to him. 'His feelings for Sun are the only things keeping him alive.' Apollo heard her words repeat in his head. That was... unfortunate. Sailor Sun lived outside the Universe even more than Pluto despite her strong connection to it. How could those feelings ever amount to anything?
Sailor Sun felt the tugging of Hajime's power once again going out of control. But she wasn't yet able to return, still paying the price of using her ability. She stayed in Sanctuary for what would have been days but was mere minutes to the world as she changed it's time flow at her will. Once she was able to move freely again she returned to the apartment where Apollo filled her in- leaving out the bit about Hajime's affection for her. Eliana sighed, feeling horribly sad. It was unfair for this to happen to him. Hajime was what a bearer of the Silver Crystal should be, and yet the Crystal was what the problem was. Still, the future was uncertain, which meant that there was still hope to be had. Kneeling down, Eliana pulled Hajime up, letting him rest his head on her lap. She repaired the damages done to her barrier that Apollo and the Queen had not been able to and then waited for him to awaken, letting her fuku drop when her work was done.
Hajime lay there for a few more hours, breathing evenly and not stirring, his power stable. His hair was back to normal by the time he woke, and his eyes had returned to their original silver.
"Eliana!" he gasped, but as he sat up, dizziness overcame him, and he realized that she was there, alive and unharmed. "Oh, you're okay. That's good." He closed his eyes to stop the world from spinning. His casual words could not quite hide the worry he had felt, as his tone still held much of it. With a groan, he massaged his temples. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck..."
Eliana started to stroke his hair, her warmth seeping into him, easing the pain. It was getting harder to ease the pain though because he felt it so much. "I'm sorry I worried you. Apollo told me what happened. I didn't think to leave you some sort of message I was okay," she apologized. But in all honesty she wouldn't have been able to do so anyway. It took everything she had just to make it to Sanctuary. She kept stroking her hair. "Hajime... there's something I want to talk to you about... it's about your power..." she told him softly, trying to make sure she worded things right.
"It's trying to take over me," Hajime said. He was matter of fact about it. The dream had left him with that impression quite vividly. "It's dark. I don't know why, but it is. Am I some sort of freak, something that shouldn't exist?" he asked after a few moments. Her hands through his hair was relaxing. The pain was going away, slowly. He wasn't quite that dizzy anymore either. He really wanted to tell Eliana that he liked her, but felt that this wasn't an opportune moment. Especially given that he had almost lost the fight against his power. He'd almost become his dark self.
"What!? No!" she declared adamantly. "You, Hajime, are as pure and excellent a candidate for the Silver Crystal as Queen Serenity herself was!" she assured him, her expression firm, but then it softened into regret. "The problem is the Crystal itself. It's become corrupted over the eons, and it now as a will of its own. That power is trying to control you to take its own vengeance on this universe." Eliana sighed, her hand stilling for a moment. "That power is trying to over whelm you and it's just getting stronger. I've been holding it at bay with my power along with your own will so far. That was why I gave you that ring. It asks as a buffer between you and your power. Your headaches are caused by disturbances in your power against your own aura. When I do things like this-" she resumed stroking his hair, slipping her power into him. "-I'm calming your power and forcing it back within my constraints... that's why I got so tired. I'd done it too many times without recharging my abilities. But I don't mind doing this. I want you to know that," she hurried to add. "I want to be able to help you, and since I'm still not really permitted to fight alongside you, this is all I can do to be of use to you..."
"Eliana..." His will huh? Lately, he felt like he had no will anymore. "Thank you. I never thought of you as useless either." He opened his eyes, looking up at her. "You've actually helped me a lot more than with my power." He felt like he understood more and more of what was going on. "I'm glad you're doing this..." He reached up and touched her hand gently. He didn't feel up to moving quite yet. Pulling away after a few seconds, he sighed. "I..."
She wasn't all together sure what he meant, and as good as said so with the head tilted look of confusion she was giving him. Again she didn't think much of his touching her hand, it having become so common place over the last few days- well that she'd been awake for at least. When he stopped she waited a moment, but he didn't continue. Perhaps he'd forgotten what he was going to say. "Think you can try to stand? You should probably lay down for a bit." She looked to Apollo, who had stayed in his true form. "Help me with him?" she asked and the giant cat got to his feet. He wasn't sure what to do about the bit of knowledge he'd gained from Serenity. He'd guess the boy was starting to like her, but still didn't see any benefit in it for either of them. So he'd planned to interfere... but if those feelings were what was keeping him sane... then how could he?
"Nothing," Hajime said with a shake of his head. Hearing her say something about standing, he nodded, standing up slowly. As Apollo and Eliana helped him to his bed, he shuffled along. He still felt quite weak. "What exactly happened to make me feel like this? Last thing I remember is fighting against the dark me..."
Apollo answered that one. "You sort of lost that fight." He put his huge paws on the bed and hopped up. By the time he had himself settled he was back to the size of a large house cat. "I tried to hold your power back myself, and then Queen Serenity came and calmed your power. She told me that the Crystal's power has become corrupt by a desire for vengeance over the many wrongs committed against the Moon." He stretched a bit and then curled up. "So there you have it. Rest now."
Eliana smiled and nodded. "I'm going to run back to my apartment. It's been a while I'm guessing since I was last there. I'll come back to check on you later though."
Hajime nodded and sighed.
"Well that sucks. If I can't even win against myself, how the hell am I supposed to win against Metallia?" he asked himself quietly after Eliana had left. He looked at the wall with the pictures of Serenity, and sighed. "Thank you Queen," he whispered to the pictures, then rolled over onto his side. Closing his eyes, he slowly fell into a dreamless sleep. It seemed that the dark him had had a sufficient enough scare to stay away for the moment.
Two more weeks passed and they relied heavily on Sailor Starfire, telling her about his power so she would understand. During that time Eliana seemed to get more and more worried about something, but she insisted it was nothing every time. As before, either she or Apollo was with him at all times. She managed to go and talk to Mia and Mikoto a few times as well. Mikoto was willing to help and did- when she could get out of the castle fast enough to be of any help. Mia was still in denial about the whole thing, though she was starting to come around at last. Artemis continuing to stay with her.
They were in class and Eliana let out another sigh. She'd have to tell him today but she didn't feel right about it. It made her sad that she was going to have leave. She sat up straight however as the transfer student entered.
"Hey. I'm Mikoto Didogi. Nice to meet you all," she greeted, a confident grin on her face. She spotted Hajime and Eliana and gave a two fingered salute wave to them. "Yo," she greeted, heading back to an empty not far from them before the teacher excused her.
"Did you run away or something?" Eliana asked, clearly still stunned.
She chuckled. "Nah. I just forced Grams to see it my way and got her permission to live out here for a bit," she said.
Eliana could feel the teacher glaring and flushed slightly. "We'll talk more after class."
Hajime looked over at Eliana. She seemed preoccupied, but he wouldn't push her to tell him. Looking at Mikoto, he smiled.
"Hello there Princess," he said. Feeling the angry glares from some of the guys in class, he frowned in confusion. Realizing what it must look like, always hanging around with three pretty girls, he flushed slightly. He hadn't met Venus yet, but that was fine. He was really overwhelmed by all the attention he had, after so much time avoiding people. That, and he was still wary of his power. The crystal still went with him everywhere. Despite him knowing that it had its own will, he still felt that if left on its own, things would start to happen, and worse than before.
Her eyes flashed and Mikoto gave him a slight glare before shushing him. "I got permission but that doesn't mean I told them who I am. I have a reputation to uphold as the Princess and I sure as hell don't feel like being a goody goody every waking moment." she whispered in a snipish sort of way. Rolling her eyes and shaking her head she leaned back in her chair.
They met up during lunch, Eliana having gone to fetch Megan- leaving Mikoto with Hajime. "So- I hear your powers pretty much evil. Guess that means you can't be expected to help much huh?"
Hajime flinched.
"I would rather help in any way that I can, even if it's my sword. I don't need to use the Crystal's power to use my sword," he said quietly. He felt that he had absolutely no appetite now, and waited for Eliana to return with Megan. Hearing steps on the stairs to the roof, he turned and saw Megan step through the door first, followed by Eliana. "Hello there," he said amiably, closing up his lunchbox and putting it away, untouched.
Mikoto was looking at him speculatively then greeted the two when they came back.
Eliana tilted her head at Hajime. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Yeah... bout that..." Mikoto said. "I may... have said something..." she had a slightly shifty eyed look to her. "I'll give you guys warning now- when I'm not focused on being a Princess, I tend to just- speak without really thinking. So if I say something over the top. Either rude or suggestive or mean... chances are it just didn't come out right... so... yeah.. sorry... I guess... if I upset you..."
"It's fine," Hajime said. "Something happened the other day that just screwed me up a little bit. That's all." He smiled, trying to reassure them as Megan sat down next to him. Eliana, he saw, remained standing.
"What was that?" Megan asked, curious.
"I would rather not talk about it," Hajime said firmly. Looking at Eliana, he nodded. "You look as if you have something you want to say."
She nodded. "It will affect all of you at least a little so I thought I should tell you all at once." she paused a moment and then came right out and said it. "I will be returning to Sanctuary, watching over all of you from there."
Hajime's look was of stunned disbelief, and Megan seemed just a little bit hurt. The silence stretched on for a few minutes before Hajime finally broke it.
"Why exactly are you leaving?" he asked.
Mikoto didn't know her as well, so she was a bit surprised but didn't seem to mind all that much.
That hadn't been received as well as Eliana had hoped it would be. "It's hard to live in the world as a human for me. I'm not use to needing sleep, needing to eat, going to school, talking to people. It's all pretty new to me. Not that I haven't enjoyed it- because I have. But.. well there's things like grocery bills and utilities and rent and- I can't possible keep up with school, a job, and my duties as an observer," she explained a bit sheepishly. "It's not as if you won't see me again. It's just that you won't see me as often. I'll come any time you need my assistance."
"But you can't fight right? So that won't be very often then," Mikoto pointed out, rather bluntly.
Eliana sighed. "Sadly that is true. I'm still not permitted to fight so long as you all are able to do so. And even then-" her eyes grew distant for a moment. "Well I hope such a time doesn't come again."
"Stay with me!" Hajime blurted out. He instantly felt three females looking at him, two glaring as if he were a heathen. "I mean. If you're having trouble with things like bills and stuff, if you're staying with me, you don't have to worry about it. Also, I'll be able to help you with other things. And Apollo would be staying with me even if you left, right? He would be lonely without you," Hajime finished lamely. His cheeks were flushed. Why oh why had he just blurted it out?!
"U-huh..." Mikoto clearly found his explanation flimsy. She barely knew the guy but she now suspected he was probably mildly head over heels for Eliana. She'd seen how he watched her every move. This outburst just made her go from thinking he had a crush to a bit more.
Eliana looked a bit surprised but then she just smiled. "Thanks, but it's not necessary. I don't want to be a burden to anyone. That's why I'm going back to Sanctuary. Apollo will be fine. He could use with a bit of Earth time anyway." she added with a soft giggle.
After lunch had ended, Hajime ended up with Eliana alone.
"Eliana, I truly believe that you would be better off staying here," he said softly. When she gave him a look, he shrugged. "Everything has a purpose. You came here, and you established a persona, a life. If you just quit now, then things might just fall apart." He paused. "I know I would be very sad if you left..."
She seemed to be taking his words not quite as he meant them. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to make any one feel guilty or anything. "My existence here is very easy to erase. Really, once I go it'll be like i never was. I don't even think the people in the school will remember i was ever there." she assured him.
"No, Eliana, that's not..." Hajime sighed and put his hands on her shoulders. "Eliana, I really don't want you to leave. Please don't leave. I don't think that you quite understood what I meant. You're not making anyone feel guilty or obligated or anything." He shook his head. "You're the first friend I've had in ages, and now you're leaving. Megan probably won't talk to me after you're gone, nor will Mikoto most likely. Just please..." It had hurt him physically to say friend. He more than liked her. He just wasn't sure it was the time to tell her that yet. "Please stay here..."
Eliana listened to his explanation and then put a hand to her mouth, the other crossing over her waist in thought. She hadn't considered that... and she didn't want to make things hard for him or hurt him in anyway... she could hear a bit of pain in his voice as he explained this to her. "Yes but, where would I stay? I won't let you take the couch- and I don't particularly want to have to sleep on a couch indefinitely. Sadly this human form needs sleep and comfortable as your couch is to sit on- it's not meant to be a bed," she explained- not really even knowing he had an extra bedroom. She'd never been in that room or even seen him go in there.
"I have an extra room in my apartment. It's not been used since.. Well, I'll need to clean it since there might be a lot of dust," Hajime said, feeling relieved.