004 Popping up like Daisies!
Ami fidgeted slightly as she glanced at Hotaru and Luna perched on the couch. The two were engrossed in the new stories as they flashed across the screen. Hotaru was busy scribbling down information on the odder stories as Luna commented softly. Ami sighed softly and turned back to her homework.
"Ami, how's the homework?" Hotaru asked as the news came to a close. Luna had already slipped off into the other room to think so Ami closed her textbook and joined the young girl on the couch. "We're looking at heading towards the Hikawa Shrine that's nearest to the bus stop with all the disappearing buses. Luna thinks there may be a connection between the two."
"When?" Ami asked as Luna wandered back into the room.
"Now," Luna said.
"Alright," Ami and Hotaru mumbled. The two girls stood and walked towards the door where they slipped on their shoes. The three quietly started to walk the short distance to the nearby shrine.
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Usagi grinned as Kunzite spun her around and whispered charmingly, "Well, my dearest of dears. I've missed you so my sweetest. My lovely little butterfly I'd love to introduce you to the keeper of my heart, my beloved Peruru."
"Kunzite let the young lady down." A tall youth said as he laid a gentle hand on Kunzite's shoulder. Usagi giggled as Kunzite slowly released her and turned to face the white haired youth beside them. The boy grabbed Usagi's hand and kissed it gently before he murmured, "A pleasure dearest lady. I've heard millions of things about my Kunzite's Little Butterfly, and believe me they have all been good. I was beginning to think I'd be meeting an Angel not a mortal beauty."
"My, my, my. It seems Kunzite's versed you in all the right forms of flattery my friend," Usagi said as she tried to contain a grin and look stern. The boy tried his best to look properly scolded as Kunzite hid a smirk. "Well, what've you to say for yourself Peruru?"
"I've nothing to say as apology, dearest Princess Usagi," Peruru said as he bowed low. The three looked up when a gently snickering reached their ears. Usagi grinned happily when she spotted Mamoru, Reika and Motoki watching the scene unfold. Her grinned died as she watched the four follow Peruru's example and bow. Peruru's calm voice held a hint of mischief as he said, "We are at your service our dearest Princess."
"Stop," Usagi said. She turned and started to walk from her small circle of companions and their innocent teasing. Mamoru was the first to rise from his bow and join Usagi as she finished her trek to the Hikawa Shrine. The others quickly and quietly joined the two as they started up the long staircase.
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"Haruka we need to talk to the other scouts." Michiru said as she watched her companion pace. They'd had the argument several times since they'd stumbled on the two scouts de-transforming outside the clock shop. They'd been curious about the strange energy flowing through the city, and expecting a second monster, the two had slowly made their way to the heart of the disturbance. The two had arrived just as the energy disappeared and a few moments later the two scouts had appeared. "Haruka, they need us, and we need them. More importantly than even that, the Messiah…"
"Shall not be exposed to the Death Senshi!" Haruka interrupted angrily. Michiru sighed and stood. Her friend looked at her curiously as Michiru slowly walked to the door and prepared to leave their shared apartment.
"Then stay here and fight alone Sailor Uranus. I chose to fight beside them, they need us, and so does the Messiah. We stand a better chance of finding her if there are more of us looking!" Michiru snapped as she pulled open the door and left. Haruka stared at the door in shock for a few moments before she quickly followed Michiru.
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Usagi smiled softly as she watched Motoki drag Mamoru around asking pointless questions as he worried over his fiancé. Mamoru had the good grace to not mention that Motoki was acting more unusual than ever. Kunzite and Peruru were talking under a tall tree and seemed content with the pleasant atmosphere. She scanned the area again seeking Reika who had momentarily disappeared with the old man in charge of the shrine to discuss details.
Usagi spotted a tall girl with long black hair calmly sweeping the ground, two crows calmly at her side. She seemed content, but Usagi could tell there was something troubling the girl so she walked over. She stopped a few feet away and asked, "Is there something the matter?"
"Hm, oh, no… everything's just fine." The girl said as she stopped sweeping and slowly focused on Usagi. The raven haired girl quickly got distracted and gazed off into the sky, her soft eyes cloudy with worry. Usagi watched her for a few moments until the youth dropped her broom and wandered off without seeming to have a purpose. Usagi knelt and grabbed the broom before she quietly went about finishing the half-finished task.
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Hotaru watched Ami as the two followed their black cat up the many steps to the shrine. They reached the top and slowly scanned the many people wandering around. There were dozens of girl's buying charms or praying. There were several clumps of friends just standing around chatting and some people wandering around alone.
Hotaru grimaced as she spotted Usagi standing off to the side sweeping the path clear of fallen leaves. She tugged on Ami's shirt and pointed, Ami grimaced as well. Her voice shook slightly as she murmured, "Follow me, into the shadows."
The two girls slipped into the shadows and Ami pulled out a cell phone. Ami went to the camera function of the camera and flipped through some of the pictures she'd taken to try out the new ability to the phone. She found a picture of a normal girl and handed the phone to Hotaru before she went through the same process on a second phone. She softly whispered, "Transform."
Hotaru watched in shock as magic settled over her friend to make her look much like the girl's picture she had opened on her phone. She looked through the magic aura and focused on Ami, making sure she could still find her friend in a pinch and then relaxed when she noted the aura spoke solely of Ami, the Soldier of Mercury. Then she turned to her own phone and whispered, "Transform."
Once the two had transformed to disguise their appearance they once again joined the crowds around the shrine. They slowly walked towards the line of girls buying charms and scanned the crowds, looking for anything that might be connected to the Dark Kingdom.
Hotaru smiled softly as she watched a raven haired girl approach Usagi and start talking. She hoped that the two were good friends; Usagi could use as many friends as possible. Hotaru's attention jerked from Usagi and the raven haired girl to Ami as the two felt a surge of dark energy. They tried to pinpoint the source as Luna approached and said, "We're leaving; this place has nothing to do with the Dark Kingdom."
"But…" Hotaru said as she scanned the area once more. Her eyes fell on Usagi and the raven-haired girl, who was kneeling next to the fallen blond. Ami frowned as well when they watched several people rush over to Usagi's side, many yelling.
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Mamoru growled angrily at the raven haired maiden kneeling beside Usagi. Reika was currently fussing over the blond and trying to wake her up. Mamoru walked closer and heard the shrine maiden muttering, "I'm sorry I sensed evil…but obviously not you… So why…I'm so sorry….Evil, but….you're harmless….what's wrong with me…."
"Usagi, hey, Usagi…wake up hun," Reika murmured as she smoothed the blonde's bangs out of her eyes. Motoki, Peruru, and Kunzite knelt beside her, each trying to hold her hand. In the end Motoki held her right hand as Peruru and Kunzite held her left hand together. Mamoru held in the urge to push everyone aside and take Usagi away.
Usagi's soft blue eyes slowly opened and she gazed at all the worried faces. She slowly smiled at everyone to show she was alright and slowly levered herself from the ground. Her eyes fell on the crouched girl and Usagi whispered, "Sorry, I'm a bit of a klutz…my name's Usagi."
The girl inhaled sharply as she examined the ginning blond. Her dark blue eyes closed for a moment as the girl whispered, "I'm the one who should be sorry, Usagi. My name is Hino, Rei."
"It wasn't your fault." Usagi said as she sat up fully and glanced around. She grinned brightly and said loudly, "I'm the worst klutz ever…I don't know many people who can injure themselves sweeping…thanks for trying to help, Rei."
Rei blushed brightly as onlookers turned away to continue whatever they'd been focused on before she'd attacked the blond. Rei watched Usagi's friends question her as she stood and dusted off her skirt. Rei stood and her crows landed on her shoulders as she carefully examined the blond.
Usagi's hair was done in twin odangos that had twin, long strands of hair flowing to her knees. Rei guessed it would reach her feet if taken down from the buns. She was wearing a white shirt and a soft lilac skirt that reached her ankles and sandals covered her feet. There was nothing special about her appearance, she looked normal enough, but Rei was unsure of this weird girl.
As Usagi and her friends slowly made their way away from the shrine Rei let go of her sight and followed her intuition as she examined the girl's aura. Within Usagi's aura there was a bright layer of hope and trust shielding her inner aura. There Rei found depression so completely encompassing she wavered on her feet and collapsed on her knees. Usagi's aura, seeming to have felt the pull at her aura as Rei fell, flared bright with hope that freed Rei from the darkness of the depression.
Rei slowly stood and walked inside the old building. She immediately walked to the fire at the heart of the building and knelt to pray. She cleared her thought of Usagi and her odd protective aura and focused solely on the fire. After her heart had cleared and her thoughts were still she turned her focus on the cause of all the odd flashes of aura that radiated evil.
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Hotaru and Ami, still safe in their disguises, joined a long line of girls who were waiting for the six o'clock bus. At exactly six the bus pulled in front of the stop and the girls all boarded the bus. Silently the two disguised scouts found a seat near the back of the bus and waited for the bus driver to move forward. Their guardian Luna sat huddled in Ami's school bag
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"Michiru! I'll…" Haruka said as she caught up to her irate partner. The two stopped as they rounded the last corner and stared at the bus as they watched a long group of tired girls board the bus. Michiru frowned as she inspected the group carefully. Most looked extremely worn out, but two girls in the middle of the line looked wide awake. She walked forward, her entire concentration on the two girls, and noticed the soft flickering sensation of magic. Haruka's soft voice whispered, "It's your scouts."
"Yes," Michiru murmured as she saw through the illusion and saw the two younger scouts climb aboard the bus. She could feel Haruka's hand fall on her shoulder as she was gently pulled closer to the wall leading toward the long staircase of the Hikawa Shrine. The two stood silently watching as the bus doors slid closed and the bus began its steady path down the street. As the bus reached even with them the two girls gasped in shock as first its front wheels, then the rest of the bus rose in the air and disappeared through a black hole that appeared in the sky. "Oh no!"
Haruka and Michiru stared at each other for a moment before they glanced around the area. They pulled out their pens and held them in the air before a group of giggling girls turned the corner. Both surprised girls quickly pulled their pens close and held their breath. The girls continued to walk, not even glancing at the shrinking black hole, and Michiru sighed in relief.
Haruka and Michiru sat on the ground, their backs to the wall, and watched the black hole, both thinking of the scouts that had just entered. As the hole shrank Michiru thought that they may have just missed their last chance to talk with the younger scouts and hoped desperately that she was wrong. Just when the black hole was about to close a thin light raced from Michiru's pen to the center of the small black hole and Michiru whispered, "Concentrate on the girls Haruka."
Haruka did as she was told and thought of the two girls, quietly clutching her pen and hoping. After a few moments a string of light shot from Haruka's pen to the black hole joining with Michiru's. They both leaned against each other slightly and focused their sole interest in keeping that thread in place so the other scouts could return safely.
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Rei gasped loudly as the fire flared up slightly and showed her the image of her father's newest 'apprentice' Jadite. She stood slowly and walked from the room and headed towards his temporary room, her two crows close behind her. She stormed into the room and glared down at the blond man kneeling in the center of the room. The man stood with a complacent smile as Rei said, "So you're the one responsible for all this! What the hell are you up to and where are all those people?"
"My, my, my Rei," Jadite said, his smile growing.
"Were the hell are all the people you've kidnapped?" Rei screamed.
"You can join them if you like, here I'll give you a free pass," Jadite said as he stepped forward.
Rei pulled out a scroll and prepared to attack as she yelled, "Demon, Be gone!"
Jadite grinned as Rei charged and stuck a paper seal on his forehead. He quickly turned her around and wrapped his arms around her, trapping her arms against her side. He jumped back and fell through a small black hole as he said, "How cute."
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Ami glanced at her young companion and tapped her earrings. Hotaru nodded as the two watched their bus driver jump off the bus. They slowly made their way to the front of the bus as they tried to avoid stepping on the sleeping girls.
"Mercury Power Make-up."
"Saturn Power Make-up."
The two girls stepped off the bus and walked towards grinning monster. They stopped as Jadite appeared holding an unconscious shrine maiden. Two black crows immediately attacked him screeching loudly. He dropped the girl as Saturn pulled out her glaive and darted forward, Mercury close on her heels. Saturn and the crows forced Jadite back a few feet and Mercury grabbed Rei as she started to wake up and pulled her back a few feet. Luna looked over the waking girl and noted her eyes darken with anger as she sat up. She glared heatedly at Jadite who was smirking and a soft glow appeared on her forehead.
Luna gaped for a moment and did a back flip, dropping a small red pen near Rei's hand. The two gazed over at Jadite as he growled in annoyance and fled in a swirl of petals. Luna turned back to Rei and whispered harshly, "Grab the pen and transform…Say 'Mars Power Make-Up.'"
Rei, stunned, nodded and grabbed the pen. She gazed at it for a second before she stood and yelled, "Mars Power Make-Up!"
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Michiru groaned softly as she rested more of her weight against Haruka. She felt Haruka shift positions slightly and returned her focus to the pen holding open the gate. Haruka's voice was tight as she whispered, "This is more difficult than I thought it would be."
"Less talk, more concentration," Michiru whispered as she felt her energy draining away. Haruka grumbled quietly and closed her eyes to help focus her energy on the missing scouts and keeping the portal open so they could return safely.
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"Who are you?" the monster asked as the two crows settled on the ground next to Sailor Mars.
"I cannot forgive Evil who tampers with the hearts of young maidens in love!" Sailor Mars declared. Mercury and Saturn stared at their new comrade as she talked. Both girls were utterly confused by the girl's sudden declaration. "In the name of Justice, I shall punish you, Sailor Mars."
"Um…Sailor Mars…" Sailor Saturn mumbled as the other scout posed and stared at the gaping monster. Mercury and Saturn frowned angrily when the monster started to laugh at their newest companion. Ami summoned the Crescent Wand and stood at Saturn's side as Mars charged the monster angrily.
Saturn charged the monster as Mars was violently tossed aside. Sailor Mars's crows charged in to distract the monster as Mercury watched. Her focus was solely on the young scout as she charged forward to try and kill the monster. As she watched Saturn was tossed into Mars who had just stumbled to her feet before the monster turned to look at her, a dangerous leer on it's face.
"Mercury, use the wand," Saturn yelled. Mercury looked her eyes on the monster and shook as the monster slowly walked forward, a fierce sense of victory clinging to it's form. She could hear the other scouts talk but couldn't convince her body to move as images of this monster mixed with images of the monster she'd killed the other day. The Crescent Wand slipped from her slack fingers as the monster snickered.
"Mercury!" Saturn screamed as she pushed the frightened bluenette aside. Both girls landed slightly to the side of the monster as Sailor Mars grabbed the Crescent Wand. The two scouts felt her push her own energy into the wand and then watched as a bright stream of red fire hit the monster. They could hear it's shriek of pain as it slowly disappeared.
Saturn sat next to Sailor Mercury as the older scout shook with silent tears. Sailor Mars silently walked over to the thirteen buses holding dozens of passengers and started to pull them all close together. After several long moments of silent working Mars had managed to tie the thirteen buses together in two columns with one lead bus. She grinned at the other scouts and said, "Shall we leave girls?"
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Michiru smiled softly as they saw a bus start to emerge from the black hole. She felt Haruka fall asleep on her shoulder and snuggle close. Haruka smiled in her sleep and Michiru leaned against her teammate and let sleep claim her exhausted form.
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Sailor Mars grinned as she parked the bus beside the curb and opened the door. The three scouts walked off the bus and grinned at the slightly darkening skyline. The three scouts looked around and spotted the two huddled figures on the otherwise deserted street as Sailor Saturn whispered, "Do you think they missed the bus?"
"We caught the bus," Sailor Mars said as she ruffled the younger scout's hair. The three girls jumped to the top of the bus and then leaped to the top of the wall surrounding the shrine. Quietly they disappeared into the quiet shrine and de-transformed to talk.
"I'm Tomoe, Hotaru, and this is Mizuno, Ami …We're the sailor Scouts of Saturn and Mercury. This cat is a guardian and teacher… Luna." Hotaru said as she bowed slightly. Ami bowed and quietly regarded the ground.
"Hino, Rei. How long you two been at this?" Rei asked.
"They were just woken up as scouts, as you've been. Our concern should be finding the Princess and keeping the Dark Kingdom from destroying the Earth." Luna said. She examined the three girls and sighed unhappily. "Let's meet here again tomorrow…you all look tired so we'd better call it a day."
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Yuichiro examined the room as the old man at his side grinned happily. He'd wandered into the shrine as he explored the city and had met the old man, who had looked to need help since he could no longer find his granddaughter or live in help. The two had looked all over the shrine as they tried to help the few remaining visitors. An hour later Yuichiro was convinced he'd met the most beautiful person alive as the old man's granddaughter walked from the trees surrounding the shrine.
Rei had instantly disliked him but Yuichiro had begged her grandfather to take him on as an apprentice. Rei's grandfather, a kind, if slightly perverted, old man, had happily agreed. Now Yuichiro was examining his small room with utter delight as he carefully placed his duffle bag on the floor. He could hear the two other inhabitants arguing softly in another room but decided not to let that bother him.
"I like it here," Yuichiro whispered as he lay down to sleep.
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SEVERAL DAYS LATER
Usagi sighed sadly as she walked home from the park after another failed meeting with Naru. Naru had asked to talk in the park at six o'clock near the dock so Usagi had arrived thirty minutes early and waited two hours. Now, as the wind made the blonde shiver, she quietly walked through the nearly deserted park. She could fell the beginnings of the storm the weatherman had mentioned that morning but she kept to her sedate pace wanting to feel the storm's wrath.
"You shouldn't be outside…it's supposed to rain," A deep voice said as a green jacket slid over her shoulders. Usagi grinned up at Mamoru as she pulled his jacket a little tighter.
"I want to be a part of that storm, Mamoru. I want to feel its rage, and maybe give it some of mine, so I won't hurt so much." Usagi whispered. Mamoru nodded understanding and the two walked on in silence.
When the two finally heard other noises they exchanged a wary glance before a monster appeared before them. They stood in shock as they looked at the old greenish-grey flesh with the bright red mark on the forehead. The monster leered at them and stepped determinedly towards the stunned duo. Mamoru came to his senses first and grabbed Usagi's wrist and prepared to run. Both stumbled backwards as a deep purple light shot through the sky just in front of the monster. Usagi and Mamoru took one look at the charred grass where the light had hit and ran towards the opposite end of the park just as the rain started.
Two scouts landed in front of the monster and glared as the monster. Sailor Neptune turned to her comrade and softly whispered, "Well, Uranus should I kill this one, or would you prefer to have that honor?"
"Can it Neptune... We wouldn't even be here if you weren't interested in teaming up with those girls," Sailor Uranus said angrily. She turned her back on her partner who was grinning merrily. Three scouts crashed through the bushes behind the monster, all looking very angry as they attempted to brush leaves from their hair and glare menacingly. Neptune giggled softly and nudged Uranus, who reluctantly looked over her shoulder to see the other scouts. "Alright…we'll help"
"World Shaking!"
"Deep Submerge!"
"Fire Soul!"
Three attacks hit the monster, instantly killing the monster before the five scouts turned to stare at each other. Sailor Mars walked forward, a maniacal grin on her face and stuck out her hand saying, "Pleasure to meet ya. I'm Sailor Mars, and those are Sailor Mercury and Sailor Saturn. Thanks for the help."
"Not a problem Mars, we were actually looking to talk with you three. We want to join forces against these monsters, right Uranus?" Neptune said as she shook Sailor Mars's hand. Mars grinned happily as Sailor Uranus shrugged noncommittally. The other two scouts walked forward, a small black cat at their heels. Neptune grinned and said, "And I'll bet that's no ordinary cat."
"I'm Luna, and we'd be pleased to have you on our team, but perhaps we should continue this meeting later… say the Hikawa Shrine tomorrow at seven. We'd all better get home before we drown in this storm," Luna said as she hopped onto Sailor Mercury's shoulder. The blue haired scout nodded and turned to go, Sailor Saturn at her heels. Sailor Mars walked in a different direction as Neptune and Uranus jumped into the trees and headed towards the park entrance.