Chapter 13: Moon Knights
Minako hugged her pillow close as she looked around Rei's small room. The girls had returned to the shrine so Rei could yell at them for their reckless choice and to distance themselves from another media frenzy. The trip back had been slow as they had to carry two of their teammates while trying not to get caught by the massive amount of police circling the bay. In the end Rei hadn't had the strength to yell and had simply collapsed onto her bed while everyone else had curled up in the room to rest. Minako knew the yelling was still to come, if not from Rei than from Michiru and Haruka, but for now she looked over her teammates.
Since her first encounter with the other scouts at the radio station Minako had helped fight monsters but had treated it like a game; an unconscious notion that she could easily hit the reset button if it ever got to difficult or became too much of a burden. When Artemis had shown up and told she was needed to help save the world she'd pictured herself as the daring heroine from her romance novels who would soon have the chance to find her true love and live out a glamorous life in the media as a heroine. Looking at the blood soaked and weary teammates camped in Reis bedroom Minako realized her vision had been very flawed.
Their young leaders, both too young and idealistic, were cuddled close together in a corner farthest from the door. Once they'd reached the safety of their life boat the two had clutched each others wrists desperately clinging to each other. On the long walk to the shrine they'd drifted to the rear under the pretense of looking out for any new threats that might come at them. Minako knew they'd had some whispered conversation, everyone knew that they were discussing something, but it had been to quiet for any of the other weary scouts to overhear.
Looking away from the two sleeping leaders Minako turned to stare at Haruka and Michiru. The two older girls were sleeping with their backs pressed together near the door. Haruka's sleeping form twitched slightly every once in a while as she relived a piece of their shared past. From her own tormented nights Minako knew how bad the dreams could get and she marveled at the sight of Michiru's peaceful figure. A soft moan slipped from Haruka's lips as another violent twitch went unnoticed by Michiru. Shuddering slightly with a desire to help the sleeping blond she resolved to try and help her come to terms with the nightmares.
They all had their own demons within the past to deal with and it bothered her how some were touched so deeply while other seemed completely unfazed. Their shared past was an incomplete picture that seemed to shift with each new memory. Before her encounter with Bunbo, Minako had remembered nothing of her past life. She held the same blank ignorance that radiated from Michiru, and some days she wanted to go back to that. Now pieces were slipping through the cracks left by that dark encounter and non of her memories peaceful. Her cracked reality shifting into her life was nothing like the assault of memories that had hit Haruka, Hotaru, Ami and Rei when their past at slamed into them in a clash of then versus now.
Thoughts of the past pulled her attention from the sleeping roommates to their sleeping hostess. Minako had witnessed Rei's clash with the past, had seen the shimmer of power twirling around her slender form as a glorious white gown replaced her torn and bloody scout uniform. AT the time Minako had still been contently living in her fantasy and had been unaware of the significance in that moment. That glittering moment had lasted but a few seconds but the moment had left a deep enough imprint on her to filter through her memories and nightmares. Her shattered dreams she'd fought side by side with the fiery Martian princess and her twin ravens. They'd spared desperately hoping they could somehow win against a devastating invasion force that had every intention of taking apart their peace. Determined to stop being a burden on their weary and bruised team Minako tried to recall every detail of those sessions she could. She knew once they could have fought alone against the monsters they now need to fight as a team and she had every intention of getting her team back into a true fighting force.
A soft moan pulled her from the past and back to the present where she watched Makoto rub at her eyes. It appeared her newest teammate had just awoken from a less than peaceful nights sleep. The two girls looked over each other assessing their wounds from the cruise ship. When Makoto was satisfied that the blond had suffered no ill side effects from collapsing after her attack on Thetis the brunette slowly pulled herself to her feet. Minako followed as she whispered, "Let's go grab some breakfast. We'll all need something after last night. And maybe you can tell me what I've missed since Bunbo's appearance."
"Sure," Makoto murmured as they carefully made their way out of the room. She led the blond down the hall to the small bathroom nodding slightly at Yuichiro was watched the girls with obvious concern. In the cramped space they took stock of their appearance and quickly started to wash away the signs they'd been in a fight. Clean and still a little too tired the duo walked from the shrine with Makoto talking about her experiences as a sailor scout. Their conversation tool a slight pause while they purchased a box of donuts and some juice for breakfast but resumed quickly enough as they made their way back to the shrine. As they reached the stairs Makoto finished her tale.
"Makoto," Minako asked softly as she stopped at the base of the stairs. "What of our past do you recal?"
"I… pieces, small pieces. Bad memories. I remember Veno during the war, but most is just pieces. I feel like I dream more than I can remember but…"
Makoto stopped talking for a moment, hunting for the words to describe the situation and failing. Minako filled the silence, "It's hazy, like it never really happened. Like the pieces we have access to are a test we can't know the ansers to until it's too late to stop what's coming. I left after Bunbo because until him I knew nothing of our past. It was a game to me, which is stupid… I was horrified that I could do nothing but shake in the face of that monster. While I was searching for myself I was confronted with hard facts I never thought I'd have to deal with. My boyfriend helped me realize I need to look beyond that past if I wanted to avoid going mad. Since I've accepted that some pieces are clearer. I'm certain that if we can pull the past together, get a clearer idea of what happened on the Moon, we can save the Earth from the Moon's fate."
Makoto nodded and they started up the stairs to wake up their friends. Neither really looked forward to reliving the past knowing that it would inspire more nightmares. While Makoto tried to formulate the best way to approach this with the other scouts Minako tried to design plans for training based on the vague memories she knew. At the top of the stairs they spotted the other girls sitting under a tree whispering softly waiting for their return. Makoto sighed darkly and muttered, "This should be fun."
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"Call your mother," Kunzite said with a mischievous smirk as he held the phone out to Usagi. The blond grabbed sleepily for the phone, missed, and tried again. Kunzite, still smirking, walked back towards the kitchen as Usagi clumsily started to dial her home. She rubbed her eyes as she waited for her mother to pick up the phone.
"Tsukino residence," a soft voice answered and Usagi smiled.
"Hi mom," Usagi replied.
"Usagi? Are you alright? Wahat happened? Where are you?" Her mother asked in a breathless rush.
"Mom, I'm fine," Usagi said as she looked for a clock. On the wall behind her a small cat shaped clock dispayed the early hour. Gasping in shock Usagi shot to her feet and said softly, "Oh… I fell asleep. Oh no…I'm gonna be late for school. I gotta go mom, I gotta finish my math homework and get to class….Why didn't someone wake me up?"
Her mother's comment was lost as Usagi hung up and started hunting for her school supplies. Kunzite stepped back into the room and smiles as the blond whirlwind raced around the room looking under pillows and tossing things around the room. Mamoru pulled himself into a more comfortable position and sleepily watched the blonds antics. After a few minutes Kunzite took pity on the blond and said, "Bag's by the door, Math's done, and breakfast is ready. I wouldn't worry so much about being late, Mamoru or I can give you a ride."
"Of course, I'd love to," Mamoru answered immediately. Usagi stopped, a pillow in her hands, and gaped at the two boys for a moment before she smiled happily at them. Kunzite walked over and pulled the pillow from her lose hands and placed it on the couch beside Mamoru before he led her to the kitchen table. Piled on the table was pancakes, fruit, toast, eggs and hash browns."
"American breakfast. I was going to try omelets too, but I ran out of time," explained Kunzite with a pleasant smirk. He sat at the table with Mamoru and Usagi where they quickly piled food on their plates. The silence only lasted until Usagi finished her food. She'd been studying Kunzite's relaxed form debating the best way to ask for his assistance.
"Kunzite," Usagi whispered as she pushed away her empty plate. "We've decided, and it's not a decision you can change… We're gonna fight against Queen Beryl. I'm not yet sure how… we're still unsure of what we can do to help the situation, but we gotta try. We… I have to do this."
"We have to do this," Mamoru corrected instantly. Kunzite studied his two friends and what they were planning with a deep frown. He knew their enemies, knew the evil they were capable of committing, and it frighten him to think of Usagi or Mamoru getting in the way of that fight. Struggling with the idea he studied the conviction radiating from the two. "Can you help us?"
"I can… I just don't know if I should. This fight is more dangerous than I know how to describe. There will be no prisoners, just death and destruction. I don't know if I can watch you two fight this war," Kunzite said as he pushed his chair back.
"We've fought them before." Usagi said.
"And we'll fight them again with or without your help," Mamoru finished.
Kunzite studied their determined faces as he considered their devotion to the fight. Usagi's crystalline blue eyes held an iron will he'd missed seeing over the last millennia alone. He knew the harsh war had shaped her past as well as his own but he was hesitant to let it touch her present or brush her future. He turned to look at Mamoru as he considered the man he once followed into a heated battle to the death. With time he knew he could train Mamoru to fight like a soldier. He turned back to Usagi, unwilling to admit that she had once trained to fight alongside her fellow princesses. He still saw the delicate young woman who had been kept separate from the fight on the moon.
Usagi was fiddling with a small crystal, looking between it and Kunzite like it could force him to come to a decision. He watche Mamoru glance furtively at the crystal and wondered what was so special about the rock. Gently reaching forward he grabbed hold of the crystal and looked at the shimmering rock. A soft voice drew his attention, 'They will fight, Kunzite. Her heart is unchanged and as pure as they come. You cannot undo what will be, but we can keep her from living this once more.'
Kunzite stared at the blood soaked scene. Moon's defenses were being pushed back by the ever present onslaught from the Dark Kingdom. He watched the scene play out before the castle doors. Anaru stood between the doors and the onslaught as though she alone could convince them all to leave. Her hand clutched the last crystal as she prepared to seal the last of the seven monsters ravaging the Moon Kingdoms forces. Kunzite looked from that sorrow to the scene playing out on the balcony.
Three bodies were sprawled across the floor lying in a widening pool of blood. He could recognize the three bodies and swallowed the urge to yell in despair. The bodies of Jadeite and Tomoe held little concern for him, it was the third body that left him shaking. His friend and leader, Prince Endymion, was bleeding profusely from a gaping hole in his chest. Princess Serenity was clutching her brother's bloodied sword with one hand as she place a gentle kiss to her dead lover's temple. Shakily she forced herself to her feet and moved towards the balcony. Her white gown was dyed red with blood and her long hair had fallen from its customary buns. He swallowed shakily as she stopped at the balcony edge, raised her brother's blood soaked sword into the air and yelled with all her might, "ENDYMION!"
Her next scream was nothing more than a dark reminder of her heart wrenching grief. Horror filled he watched Nephrite plunge his sword through the princess's heart forever silencing the young woman. He withdrew his sword and the blond sank to the floor as Nephrite turned and walked inside the palace looking for more lives to silence.
Kunzite swallowed against the urge to vomit as the image faded from his minds eye. He closed his eyes and tries to steady his nerves. Vena's voice ghosted through his mind once more, 'Her path is set, as is his. They have the ability to fight but lack the knowledge on where to start. Will you protect through action, or mourn through inaction?'
"I'll help." Kunzite murmured.
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Zoisite watched Naru and Nephrite cuddle close to each other as Queen Beryl ranted over the loss of Jadeite. Her poster child for success had been defeated and Zoisite couldn't quite convince himself to mourn the loss of his comrade. Part of him had cheered when he heard that the Sailor Scouts had bested the general and that left him questioning his dedication. He'd been telling himself that Queen Beryl's side was his side since the day Kunzite had left, but it felt hollow in their secluded base.
His days were now spent considering the older general's choices as he paced around Kunzite's room. He refused to think that the general had left the fight forever, but he knew that if they fought again it might not be as allies. The choice was going to be his in the end, but he was loathsome to admit he may have chosen wrong when he agreed to work for Beryl. He'd stopped thinking about the woman as anything more than the 'Chamberpot Queen' and knew that each day, each doubt, was making his resolve to hunt down the Princess fade away.
He pulled himself from his thoughts as Queen Beryl turned to glare darkly at Naru. The red head didn't even twitch under the heavy scrutiny or at the malice directed at her. "Naru. You have failed to bring back my monsters. They have failed to kill the brats. I want the Silver Crystal. Failure will no longer be tolerated, I want that crytal, and I want their precious Princess dead!"
"Yes my Queen," Naru said as she bowed to the seething ruler. Zoisite slipped unnoticed from the room and made his way to Kunzite's. Nothing had changed since the general had left and Zoisite resisted the urge to clean up the mess. He considered once again taking up Kunzite's offer to switch sides but was unsure how well that would work. He vividly remembered the damage he'd done to the helpless Sailor Neptune. The cowardly attack was a sharp contrast to his fighting side by side with Sailor Mars. Their teamwork, and his inability to defend Kunzite on his own, weighed just as heavily on his mind.
"Maybe, I'll just drop in and see how he is doing," Zoisite murmured as he swirled away in a flurry of Sakura petals.
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Usagi giggled as Makoto and Ami worked through their homework. It seemed neither had even looked at their homework yesterday so Usagi and Ryo were quietly aiding them in their effort to pull together something to turn in for their last few classes. Usagi had taken over the task of filling out their math homework as Ryo filled in history. The other two girls were madly scribbling down the answers to their English homework, muttering softly to themselves. Ryo and Usagi shared an amused look and giggled softly as they went back to work.
Usagi filled in the last answers and handed back the papers to Ryo who was busy shoving their completed History homework in their bags. He quickly shoved the Math homework in the bags and started to quickly eat his lunch. Usagi followed suit. Casually Usagi handed a roll to Makoto who absently shoved it in her mouth. Ryo followed Usagi's example and together they handed their frenzied friends food as they raced through their homework.
When the bell rang Ami and Makoto were shoving their homework in their bags with quiet discontent. Usagi and Ryo grinned at them and led them back inside with whispered assurances that all was alright. Ami and Makoto fidgeted every time they were asked to pass up their homework but otherwise remained fairly calm throughout the afternoon lessons.
As soon as the last class was dismissed Ryo and Usagi grabbed Makoto and Ami and dragged them towards the exit. In unspoken agreement they towed them to the Crown Arcade Center were the four shoved themselves into a booth near the back. Usagi and Ryo instant pulled out their school books and the day's homework as Makoto and Ami frowned tiredly. Ryo grinned cheerfully and said, "If you finish it now we won't have to help tomorrow during lunch."
"Besides it's nice to study with friends." Usagi added with a pleasant grin. Ami nodded and pulled out her books. Unazuki took their order and quietly returned several minutes later to find Ryo trying to explain something in English to Makoto who looked immensely confused. Usagi and Ami were discussing English as well but the blond looked marginally less confused than Makoto.
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"Haruka?" Michiru asked as she watched her roommate paint the unused room a soft lavender shade. The tall blond hadn't said much since the conversation at the shrine, instead she'd gone back to their apartment and started cleaning. Michiru had spent the day wondering about her odd behavior while she drifted through her classes. As she settled under a tree to eat her lunch she caught herself looking for her blond friend and quietly berated herself. When she'd finally finished her lessons she'd gone home to scold Haruka for skipping school but lost her nerve when she saw the lavender coated walls. Haruka looked up at Michiru and frowned at the other girls twitching lips.
"Yes Michiru?" Haruka asked as Michiru tried not to laugh at the sight before her. In addition to painting the walls Haruka had managed to spill paint all over herself. One of her pant legs was covered in paint from her hip to her ankle and it looked as though her sock and shoe may have been coated just as heavily. A large splatter of paint covered the front of her shirt almost looking like a burst of starlight. Several dried splotches on her face and in her hair completed the look. Michiru glanced around the room once more and was pleased to see plastic covered the entire floor, one spot in the corner seemed to be the rest of the paint Haruka had spilled.
"Um… spring cleaning?" Michiru asked as she tried desperately not to laugh.
"I…well I was thinking that Hotaru could stay here since she can't go home. She's spent the last few weeks bouncing between homes, and well…." Haruka shrugged away the rest of her explanation and resumed painting. Michiru dropped her bag outside the room and stepped into the small room to look at the progress. Haruka had moved all the boxes from the room, patched the holes, and was almost finished painting the room.
"I'll make some dinner, then we can go buy some furniture…" Michiru said as she walked back out of the room and wandered towards the kitchen. By the time Michiru finished making dinner Haruka had emerged from the room, a fresh splotch of paint dripping from her hair. Michiru handed her a plate of food and didn't bother with hiding her smile. "Were you painting the walls or yourself?"
A soft playful smile crossed Haruka's face as she gazed at her clothes. The memory of dumping half the bucket of paint on herself when she distracted by the phone ringing made her smile grow. A soft cheer that Michiru had missed crept into Haruka's voice when she answered, "Both it seems."
"Eat, shower, then we'll go thrift shopping," Michiru said before she started her dinner. Haruka nodded in agreement and started to wolf down her food. Michiru was in no hurry to finish her food so she watched her roommate and thought over the changes she'd undergone since they started their search for the Messiah. Now they'd managed to entangle themselves in a desperate war, the search for the Messiah and the search for the lost Moon Princess. The weight of the war was distracting them from the searches and leaving the entire team exhausted. She knew somewhere the two cats were searching for any information regarding those searches but they were also trying to pinpoint the location of the next fight or the enemy stronghold. They had taken on a lot leaving the scouts without their mentors fighting as well as they could. 'Add to that stress we have four more of those monsters to face.'
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Mamoru frowned at his school books and looked across the arcade to watch how Kunzite calmly dealt with the customers. His own experience behind that counter still left him nauseous and shaky. He'd debated on even entering the arcade again, but friendship and common sense won out in the end. Two of his friends worked there and Usagi was a frequent customer. His eyes turned from Kunzite and his customer to the small group huddled in the back. Usagi now wandered in with friends and he secretly hoped the group she'd found might convince her to let him and Kunzite fight without her.
"Don't get your hopes up. She's as stubborn as you or I," Kunzite said as he placed a drink before his friend. Mamoru nodded dismally and turned to look at his friend. "We'll worry about training after my shift ends. I've got another hour or so left. Ask Usagi if she wants to join or 'study session' and reminder her to call her mother."
Mamoru nodded and stood to go and talk to her. Kunzite nodded as he wandered back behind the counter. Usagi looked up at Momoru when he stopped beside her booth and grinned warmly. Feeling out of place and unsure of how to ask Usagi to 'study' when she was already finishing her homework he murmured, "Hey Usagi."
"Mamoru! Are we studying later?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Yeah, Kunzite's off in an hour. He also wanted me to remind you to call your mother," Mamoru said with a grin. He watched the bright flush rise in her cheeks and laughed as she started to shove her books in her bag. Ami stood so the blushing blond could slide out and dash towards the door.
"See you in an hour at your place," Usagi said as she vanished out the door.
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Yaten glared at his ticket to London loathe to leave Japan without explaining to Minako. He wasn't sure how he'd explain any of this to her, but he didn't feel right just ducking out like a coward. His ringing phone distracted him from his plane ticket. Glancing at his phone he grimaced at Minako's name. He tried to smile as he answered his phone, "Mina-chan."
"Hey Yaten. How was work?" Minako asked.
"Mina-chan... I have some bad news. I have to leave town," Yaten said dismally.
"Oh… is there anything I can do?" Minako asked, sorrow evident in her voice. Yaten clenched his hand, crumpling his ticket slightly. He heard the final boarding announcement and wished he had more time.
"No… my brothers are waiting for me in London. I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll call… I…" Yaten stumbled over his reply.
"Look after yourself Yaten. I'll be waiting for you when you come back. I… I'll miss you," Minako said. Yaten tried to formulate a response to her easy acceptance but the guilt at leaving made him tongue-tied. "Goodbye Yaten."
He hung up the phone ans shoved his phone in his back pocket, sighed darkly and picked up his bag. Standing in line to board the plane with a few remaining passengers he glanced at the couple in front of him. Their hats announced them as newlyweds and he had a brief whimsical thought that one day, if their mission was ever successful, he might get a chance at that happiness. The couple shared a happy kiss as they passed their tickets to the flight attendant and Yaten turned away. Without thinking he walked away from the terminal and towards the exit, tossing his ticket in the trash as he passed a security checkpoint.
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Haruka grinned at the small bed she'd spent the last thirty minutes putting together. Beside her Michiru was busy ironing the sheets they'd bought as she hummed quietly. Haruka hummed along as she picked up the first ironed sheet and started to make the bed. A smiled played across Michiru's lips before she quit humming and started to sing softly, quietly inviting her roommate to join in. She was quickly rewarded as Haruka's voice joined hers as they finished putting together the small room.
Once the bed was made Haruka started to put up a few shelves as Michiru started to put together a small bookcase. Rather than working in silence once they finished the first song they started another. Haruka sang along to whatever song Michiru picked to sing as they finished the room. The pleasant atmosphere filled both with a sense of calm that seemed almost impossible since they'd arrived in Tokyo. The monsters, the other scouts, their own unspoken wishes and needs had all built a wall between the two girls that they both saw but were unwilling to peek over. They'd stopped seeing each other as partners looking for the Messiah and had just looked for another way to fight, with the other scouts, or alone.
Michiru sighed softly as she stopped singing. She turned to her Haruka and said, "We're very, very late Haru. The others will wonder whether or not we've killed each other."
"Would they really?" Haruka asked mildly.
"Makoto would," Michiru replied seriously.
"Ah, she would… but I know better than that. You'd never hurt me," Haruka said as she draped an arm over Michiru's shoulder and steered her towards the door. Michiru swallowed, guilt quickly setting in as she considered those words. She knew the tall blond had been hurt by her actions already and quietly promised to never hurt her like that again.
"I… Haru thank you." Michiru said as she pulled the blond out the door and down the hall laughing at the bewildered look on Haruka's face.
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Yaten grinned as his blond girlfriend pulled open her door, a tissue clutched in her right hand. He stepped closer and gently brushed aside a stray tear as she smiled. Handing over the small bouquet of flowers he'd purchased on the way over he said, "Could I come in Mina-chan."
"Of course," Minako answered as she stepped aside. She took the flowers and watched Yaten pick up his suitcase and step into her small apartment. Trying not to let her curiosity show she stepped into the kitchen to search for a vase. Pulling a delicate crystalline vase out from under the sink she filled it with water before placing her flowers in the cool water. She grinned at the bright colors he'd picked and walked back into the living room to [lace the vase on her small coffee table.
"I couldn't leave without seeing you. I have to leave soon, tomorrow a the latest, but I figured today we could have a quiet picnic in the park. I just want to spend some time with you before I go…it could be a long time before I can come back to Japan. I…" Yaten said, a hesitant smile on his lips.
Minako interrupted whatever he was trying to say. "A picnic… in the park… with a boy who just blew off his family to be with me? Can't wait! Let me grab a basket and a blanket. Did you want to buy the food or I can make something?"
Yaten considered the option of watching his blond cook and hid a grimace imagining the mess. He hadn't really thought to hard about the food aspect, considering the more the time he'd be spending with Minako and how to explain his late arrival to Seiya and Taiki. He waited for the blond to disappear into another room before he pulled out his phone and ordered from a nearby restaurant that he knew she liked. When she reemerged he grinned and said, "Food's been ordered for that picnic. Should be ready for pick up in ten minutes."
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Rei grinned at Ami, Makoto and Hotaru as they settled at her small table. Ami and Makoto had brought food for their scout meeting, explaining that they'd been cornered into a study session after school by two friends. Hotaru laughed at the two sheepishly smiling teenagers and pulled out her homework. Ami settled next to Hotaru and started her own homework as she said, "Minako isn't coming. Her boyfriend dropped in for a picnic and she couldn't say no."
"I gotta meet this boy. He's good for her, but I want a boyfriend." Makoto said with a sigh as she pulled out an English book. Ami giggled and scooted closer to the brunette to help her with her homework. Yuichiro knocked lightly on the doorframe and passed a tray of drinks to Rei with a shy smile. Once Yuichiro was out of sight Makoto leaned close to Rei and asked, "How's thing between you two? Have you two talked about the 'Pet Shop'"
"No… I don't know what to say, those days were such a messy blur, and he never brings it up. He helps grandpa around the shrine mostly… which is good for me I just don't have time for my old duties with all the fighting we've been doing lately." Rei said sadly as she looked out the door to watch Yuichiro and her grandfather discussing something.
"Speaking of the 'Pet Shop'," a musical voice asked as Michiru stepped into the room with Haruka. "What happened to our Training Instructor?"
"Kunzite?" Hotaru asked thoughtfully.
"I kinda hoped he'd never show," Haruka admitted ruefully as she sat on Rei's bed.
"It's been pretty chaotic, maybe he changed his mind," Ami said as she tapped her pencil against her chin.
"He might still be in the hospital. He was hurt pretty bad last week," Rei said. Looking over the other girls, Rei was unsurprised to see Hotaru and Ami share a concerned glance at each other as Makoto laid back on the floor inconsideration. Michiru was leaning against the bed, also lost in thought, but the one that worried her was Haruka. The tall blond looked slightly guilty for not wanting his help and glanced furtively out the doorway. Trying to catch Haruka's eyes Rei said, "I'm sure he'll show again, but I don't think we should depend on his help either. He's not a scout and I'm not convinced, despite his earlier help, that it's not a trap. Ami already admitted that she saw him talking to Jadeite, so we know he's connected to the Dark Kingdom. We need to fight without him, just in case."
"You're right, Rei, but still…" Hotaru said softly.
"No. Rei is right. I don't believe he's evil, I'm sure he's just trying to help us. That's not really the point. I don't want to depend on him to train us. He isn't a scout, he can't be trusted with our search for the Moon Princess, or the Messiah. I don't want to be looking over my shoulder, hoping he's alright, or praying he's not a traitor." Ami said as she placed a placating hand on top of Hotaru's.
"It's our fight," Michiru agreed as she gently wrapped her hand around Haruka's. The blond smiled down at the green hair musician. Their pleasant moment was interrupted by the sound of Yuichiro pain filled scream. All five girls shot to their feet and raced out the door to watch in shock as Rei's grandfather transformed into a maniacally grinning monster. Yuichiro was on the ground nearby, a small pool of blood near his head. Unthinking Rei yelled and charged towards the smirking redhead kneeling to collect a small blue crystal. Fire licked along Rei's fingertips as she slammed her fist into the girl's stomach forcing her to drop her two crystals and stumble backwards.
Behind her Rei could hear the others transforming to join in the fight. She knelt beside Yuichiro to check on his injuries. A haze of bubbles settled around the grounds and Rei carefully tried to pull Yuichiro up off the ground. He hazily opened his eyes, absently grabbed one of the crystals, and helped Rei pull him to safety. When they reached the safety of the trees Yuichiro sank gratefully to the ground and pushed her away lightly. "Go, Rei. They need you."
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Yaten grinned as he watched Minako spread her blanket out perfectly on the grass. She walked around the blanket in a slow circle pulling it until there were no wrinkles visible before she placed the basket in one corner and sat down. Yaten joined her on the blanket and started to pull out the food. When he was finished he pulled his violin out of it's case and started to play softly. Minako laughed at the joyful sound as she started to sing the song they'd both grown tired of over the last few weeks.
The joy didn't last long as a sudden screeching note reverberated off the violin. Yaten tossed the instrument aside as the sound continued. He moved to stand as the violin suddenly transformed into a menacing monster. The monster swung its bow taking a wild swipe at the white hair boy that he failed to dodge. Minako yelped in surprise and anger as she crawled to his side, acting as a shield against the monster as it tried to remove his heart crystal. The dark light pulled her crystal out instead as she screamed in pain. Yaten watched in helpless horror as his blond girlfriend's eyes widened first in pain, then turned to a dull lifeless blue as she collapsed against him. His own scream echoed through the trees as he hugged the blond close, "MINAKO!"
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Sailor Mars shook in anger as the red head was picked up off the ground by a tall brunette. He held his hand out and summoned the black crystal from the ground before the two disappeared from sight. Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn were concentrated on trying to wear down Jijii and avoid his deadly claws. Mars searched the scene for the last two scouts and was surprised to see Mercury hovering over Haruka's kneeling form. The blond was shaking slightly, her deep blue eyes glued to Jijii's dangerous form.
"Mercury get her out of here!" Neptune yelled as Rei fell into formation to help fight Jijii. The monster that was once her grandfather held none of his warmth as it tried to ruthlessly cut them down. His sharp claws were leaving thin scratches on the girls whenever they were too slow to dodge an attack. Neptune turned to yell at Mercury once more and Jijii took the opportunity to rake his claws down her back. Her words turned to a pained yell as she fell to her knees.
Jupiter growled angrily and bodily lifted Jijii into the air before slamming him into the pavement. She slammed her foot into Jijii's stomach anger dancing in her eyes. She distantly heard Uranus transform to join the battle but didn't stop to think about it. Her tiara faded from her forehead as she slammed her foot in to Jijii once more.
The other scouts dragged Jupiter away from the monster and held her to the ground as Mercury and Uranus rushed over. Merucury handed the wand to Uranus as she knelt to look over Neptune's back. Luckily the cuts weren't too deep and Mercury was sure she'd be fine in a few days. Still shaking as visions of Jijii from his bloody path through the Moon's warriors flashed through her mind Uranus stood between Jijii and the other scouts. She clearly remembered the feeling of his claws plunging into her chest.
Her breath hitched as he flexed his claws, bloodlust burning through his yellow eyes. Uranus summoned her anger at his attempt to kill Michiru and rebuilt her courage. No longer held in the pull of the past Uranus released her anger with one punch between Jijii's eyes, forcing him back slightly, before she razed the crescent wand and said, "Moon Healing Escalation."
As the monster turned back into Rei's grandfather the scout dropped their transformations and rushed Michiru inside. Makoto and Rei stayed outside, both watching their teammates slip inside as they checked on the unconscious old man. When he started to wake up Makoto excused herself and went in search of Yuichiro to check on his injuries.
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Yaten grimaced as the violin monster hit another screeching note before it pulled Minako aside and tossed her aside. He wanted to stand up and protect Minako but the noise made movement unbearable and left him defenseless as the monster leered at him. Octave's leering face blurred as pain shot through Yaten while the monster sucked out his heart crystal. Collecting the two crystals the monster turned to look for more victims and spotted a blond man watching him wearily from the trees.
Octave played a screeching note, liking the effect as the blond clapped his hand over his ears. The monster was unprepared for the sudden flutter of Sakura petals that appeared before the blond disappeared. He wasn't gone long as he reappeard directly behind Octave and sent a burst of fire at the stunned monster. The shock didn't last long enough as it turned to glared at Zoisite. Playing a new tune the monster smirked as Zoisite crumbled to the ground in pain. He was in no position to dodge the sudden barrage of records sent his way and hissed in pain as the carved into his skin. He tried to stand, despite the aching, and was promptly kicked over. The monster stood on his chest and he tried not to think about the fact that he'd lost a second time to an unknown monster.
He frowned as the monster leered down at him before revealing a black star. His vision swam as pain exploded in his chest. Screaming filled the meadow once more as the monster tried to collect its third heart crystal. The sudden pain eased to a dull ache as the monster was knocked away. He coughed dryly as he curled in a ball. Octave growled as it turned to face two men holding swords and a petite blond. The blond had a golden disk spinning over her outstretched hand. She twisted her arm behind her and then quickly flung her arm forward and launched the disk at the monster once more.
Kunzite rushed forward and knelt beside Zoisite. Tuxedo Kamen rushed forward to keep the monster on the other side of the clearing so Kunzite could move the victims to safety. Sailor Moon raced after Tuxedo Kamen and prepared to throw her tiara at the monster once more. Tuxedo Kamen parried a blow from the monster bow and pinned the monster to the tree. Taking advantage of the monster immobility Sailor Moon slammed her tiara into the monsters abdomen and watched it dissolve into nothingness. Tuxedo Kamen freed his sword and the duo raced over to Kunzite and Zoisite. Sailor Moon placed a hand on Zoisite's forehead and and asked, "Is he alright?"
"He will be. Let's get out of here," Kunzite said as he and Tuxedo Kamen lifted Zoisite off the ground and started to walk towards the trees. Sailor Moon watched two glittering crystals float towards the unconscious couple and sighed in relief when they turned to light had slipped back into their rightful owners. Kunzite turned back to look at their sailor scout and smirked happily. "Come along Sailor Moon. We'd better go unless you want to meet the rest of the scouts."
"I'm coming Kunzite. I just wanted to make sure they'd be alright. Let's go," Sailor Moon whispered as she turned to follow them. "Kunzite, we will win, right?"
"Of course we will. Let's go little one." Kunzite said.