Chapter Five
Lord, what fools these mortals be!
-Puck (William Shakespeare), A Midsummer Night's Dream
The door slammed from the second floor. Usagi stood at the bottom of the stairs, one hand clenched on the railing. She was stunned. Moments before she had been sure Nick was the wronged one, but now Jenny's eyes lingered in her mind, glimmering with pain she had been unable to conceal. It had been so easy to direct blame onto Jenny; she wasn't a nice person, and she had been both uncivil and ungrateful since she arrived. Clearly if anything was wrong between them it was her fault-but it hadn't been Nick trying to hold back tears. Usagi faltered on the spot. Part of her wanted to scoff at the idea of Nick hurting anyone, and the other fought a desperate urge to race after Jenny… and comfort her.
It didn't take much to suppress the latter.
Nick was waiting for her in the shade of the porch. His hands rested deep in the front pocket of his sweatshirt, and his expression revealed nothing, neither anger nor unhappiness. His stance, however, was not as straight as usual, displaying an unsettling lack of confidence that Usagi had never thought the flirty, mischievous Nick would show. She wanted to ask him so many things, but questions died on her tongue. Something about his face did not invite prying.
She started with: "My father…?"
Nick made an ambiguous motion towards the garage, from which nondescript banging sounds could be heard. Usagi ducked her head guiltily. "I'm so sorry. It wasn't your fault. He was upset with me because…"
"Don't worry. I get it." Nick smiled, but somehow it was only muscles moving around his mouth rather than conveying any particular feeling. Usagi was alarmed, especially when his eyes lifted to the second story of the house-to her bedroom, where a faint light could be seen through the curtains.
Her heart stirred. "Nick…"
"No." He shook his head. "Please, don't."
But Usagi summoned her anger. "She had no right…"
Nick lifted a hand to cut her off. He smiled bitterly. "It's complicated."
Usagi stared at him. Nick was usually so open and easy to talk to, carelessly letting out information without thought or consequence. Now, she may as well have been trying to converse with the wall he stood by. She wished he would talk to her. Whether it was her business or not, she wanted to know (she had to know) what was underlying Nick's stony silence and Jenny's raw hurt.
"What…"
"I should go." Nick nodded to the road and smiled at her-this time a real smile, although perhaps lacking the vibrancy of the Nick she thought she knew. "Thanks, kid. I mean it. But lay off her a bit, okay? I don't blame her for anything."
"Wait…"
"I'll see you later."
Usagi watched him go, his slightly hunched shoulders incongruous with the sunny street around him. Despite his words, she did blame Jenny. Nick had always been happy before she came.
In what world, she thought grumpily, as she stomped back into the house, could he ever have done something to hurt her?
Luna was in the kitchen, sitting beside a pile of freshly-made cookies. Her tail was twitching. "Don't you start, too," Usagi warned, plopping into a chair beside her and grabbing a cookie. She bit.
Luna ignored her. "I feel sorry for that girl, having to find her way back alone, and then getting attacked for the second time in a week."
Crumbs spewed from Usagi's mouth. "How was I supposed to know that would happen? You think I would have left her if I had? Rei-chan had a vision. Even you would have thought that was more important than babysitting a girl more than old enough to take care of herself."
Luna frowned. "You could have brought her…"
"And what? Told her to wait outside and play with the crows while I locked myself in the temple with my friends? She would have loved that."
"But you didn't try. You could have left her a note. She was your responsibility."
Guilt tugged in Usagi's chest. Her father had said the same thing. "Okay… so maybe I could have handled it better. But this is the first time since… you know, that there has been any hint of danger. I had to check it out."
Luna immediately sobered. "What did Rei-chan see?"
Usagi didn't speak for a moment, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the table. "Shadow," she said slowly.
"That's it?"
"No. Whatever it is, it's strong. Rei-chan felt so much hatred around it. And it's looking for something. All its energy is focused on the search."
"Couldn't be Jenny, could it?" Luna asked tartly.
Usagi laughed, and then stopped. Luna's narrowed eyes were serious. "That's crazy," she said finally.
"Is it? If this 'shadow' is a danger for the entire city, why aren't there other victims? Why has it only gone after Jenny?"
"I don't know. Maybe it was just her bad fortune to be the first target, and then she said something to piss it off in the airport, so now it's after her."
Luna's eyes were hard. "You should talk to her."
"Why? You heard the door slam. She doesn't want me." Usagi bit her tongue. It made her feel strange, saying the words aloud. Jenny didn't want her. She shouldn't have cared. There was no reason why that should hurt-but it did.
"She's lonely," Luna continued. "She's thousands of miles from home, and she keeps getting attacked. She has no one to talk to."
"I tried! You know I tried." Usagi indelicately flung her half-eaten cookie onto the table and glared at it. "What more do you want me to do? I can't cure her personality disorder just by being nice. And it's not my problem that she has a flair for being attacked, either."
"Sailormoon has gone on holiday, has she? Anyway, I never thought Tsukino Usagi was cold enough to turn away someone in need."
Usagi blinked quickly and turned away. So many things were rushing through her mind that she didn't know how to express: confusion, guilt, sadness, worry. She wanted to say something to Luna, to let her know that she did care, but before she could form words, a conspicuous 'THUMP' came from the floor above.
Usagi and Luna looked at each other. Luna frowned. "Did you hear that?"
"Yes." Usagi sprung to her feet, fists clenched. "I bet she's destroying my room!" She raced up the stairs, Luna at her heels, and flung open her bedroom door without reserve. Contrary to expectation, her room appeared to be in perfect order; but Jenny lay on the floor, a tumble of red hair half-concealing her pale face. Usagi let out an involuntary cry and stepped forward, but then stopped when she saw what was sitting on Jenny's bed.
It was a miniature lion, about the size of Luna, looking completely comfortable as it licked its left paw. Usagi and Luna gaped at it, caught between shock and wonder, but it ignored them imperiously and continued grooming itself. Bright golden fur and a mane flashed discord against the soft pinks and blues of the teenage girl's bedroom. Finally, fur as shiny as possible, the lion lowered its paw and acknowledged them both with a courteous little nod.
"Good evening," it said pleasantly, red eyes flashing. "I have been looking forward to seeing you both."
This was too much. With the realization that this strange intruder could speak, Luna bristled and let out a shocked yowl. Usagi leapt forward and knelt by Jenny protectively. She reached out to place a hand on her shoulder, but Jenny's still form didn't respond.
"What did you do to her?" she demanded, looking up at the lion.
It looked affronted. "Me?" he asked incredulously (it was a he). "I simply tried to talk to her, but she wasn't ready. Now, really, there's no need for that," he concluded crossly to Luna, who was inching forward and hissing. "I was intending to make friends with you. Don't make me forget why."
Usagi ignored them. She rolled Jenny onto her back and started shaking her. "Jenny," she pleaded softly, "wake up. Please, Jen-chan."
Blue eyes popped open and blinked surprise to see the face leaning over her. Usagi hastily sat back to give her room. Jenny looked around for a moment, as if trying to remember why she was lying on the floor, and then slowly she sat up.
"What happened?" she asked softly.
Usagi blinked. What, no sneer, no smart remark? Jenny must have hit her head really hard. "You tell me," she said carefully. "I came in to find you like this."
"Oh." Jenny looked troubled, and she glanced around to her bed, where the lion reclined peacefully. It calmly returned her look. Slowly, she shook her head.
"I thought I heard… but that's crazy."
Usagi frowned, glancing back and forth from her to the lion. "What?"
"Nothing. I need to draw." Jenny said it in the same manner as an alcoholic would say, "I need a drink." It was that basic a need. She stood and went to rummage in her backpack, producing a sketchbook and several sticks of charcoal. When she looked back at the frozen Usagi, she attempted a smile.
"Do you think your parents would let me keep Cat… I mean, this cat?"
Usagi stared. "You want to keep it?" Behind Jenny's back, the lion smirked.
"Sure. He reminds me of my cat back home. But if you don't think… if they'll mind…"
"No," Usagi said flatly. "They won't care. They like you."
"Okay. Good. I guess I'll see you later."
"Where are you going?"
"Just out for a walk. I won't go far." Seeing Usagi's skeptical look, she added, "I'll be fine. Honestly, I think anything bad that could have happened today already has. I'll be back soon."
"Bye," Usagi said, too stunned by her polite manner to stop her. The lion frowned and waited several seconds after Jenny had left before speaking again.
"That was stupid. You shouldn't have let her go."
"I didn't see you throwing out any objections," Luna said stiffly. Her fur stood on end, and her tail was erect. She kept her eyes fixed on the creature, as if afraid it would cause her to burst into flames or something equally horrible if she looked away.
"And have her drop into another faint? The poor girl's been frightened enough this week, after being attacked three times."
"Three times?" Usagi stared at him incredulously. "You mean twice. Last week at the airport and then today walking home from school. Anyway, how would you know that?"
He smiled mysteriously. "I have my sources. And I did mean three times. He also went after her while she was alone at your school this afternoon."
Usagi felt sick thinking of Jenny being chased through the empty school-especially knowing that she could have prevented it. But Luna's thoughts were bent in a different direction.
"How do we know it wasn't you?" she asked coldly.
"You don't," the lion said simply. "You can listen to what I have to say and then decide for yourself. And you can put those away," he said to Luna, who held one paw extended, claws out. "You won't be needing them. I prefer not to fight for the sake of proving a point. It's bad for the fur." He licked his shiny golden mane, and then sat back to look at them both.
"My name is Surya," he continued with a curious smile. "Do you know who I am?"
There was a pause before Usagi said, "Should we?"
"No. I didn't expect you to, but I wondered. I suppose your queen wanted it that way."
"Queen Serenity?" Luna sat down hard on the carpet, her eyes suspicious. "What does she have to do with a small lion?"
"I am not a lion," Surya said indignantly. "I am a cercaphor from the Athenian sun. Although I wouldn't expect you to be concerned with cosmic history as a whole. Typical ethnocentric view of a moon cat."
Luna opened her mouth-undoubtedly to say something rude-but Usagi grabbed her and firmly placed a hand over her mouth. "Okay, um, cercaphor," she said awkwardly. "No offense, but what are you doing in my room?"
"Surya, if you don't mind," he said lazily, and rolled over onto his back to wiggle his feet in the air. He smirked at Luna, who was struggling under Usagi's hand. "And don't get your tail caught in a jet engine, Luna. I mean you no harm. I'm only here to guard my princess."
Usagi flushed, not entirely sure if she was pleased or disturbed that a cercaphor from a foreign sun thought she needed his protection. Surprise made her grip loosen, and Luna broke free from her arms.
"Usagi-chan has plenty of protection!" she yelled, and looked furious when Surya started laughing.
"I don't doubt it. You've kept her alive the last few years, haven't you? Mostly. But I wasn't talking about her. I meant the other one."
"What other one?"
"My princess. Princess Celestia of Athena."
"What!" Luna's fur stood on end. "There is no such place as Athena."
Surya regarded her seriously. "Why not?"
Luna was only able to sputter, but Usagi pursed her lips together in thought. "No, he's right," she said slowly. "It was something Averill said." She closed her eyes to help her think. Normally, any mention of Averill was likely to cause melancholia for the rest of the day, but this was more important than her personal feelings. She saw him: Averill sitting across from her in the cafe, one hand closed around his mug of tea. Ceiling light danced off his golden hair, giving him a lively glow, but his eyes had been troubled.
"He said…" Usagi frowned as she tried to remember the exact words. "…the day he arrived at the Moon Kingdom, the first time, he didn't get to meet me right away, because I was visiting with some people from the nearby Athene system. He said they had arrived under rather tragic circumstances. But that was all."
Her eyes flew open. Averill's face vanished with the return of sight. Usagi was pleased to see Surya watching her, his face glowing with warm approval.
"That's right. I knew there was a reason I liked you." He turned on Luna with a scowl. "Don't you know anything about your own history?" They glared at each other, and Usagi knew she had to step in before they started to fight.
"Why don't you tell us?" she suggested, sweeping Luna back into her lap. Surya blinked in annoyance.
"Why? The past doesn't matter. What's important is what's happening right now."
"And that is?"
Surya became very serious. "Lord Ahriman has escaped. Nothing will stop him until he gets what he wants. He wants the princess."
Luna stopped squirming and smirked at Surya. "You weren't here, you missed it," she said snootily. "We already got him. He's taken care of. You can stop worrying about your precious princess."
Surya's whiskers twitched. "You got him? Is that so? Then can you explain why he was in the Tokyo airport a week and a half ago?"
Usagi's eyes widened. "That was him? Jenny-san's black shape?"
"Sort of. It was his essence. He needs to fully regenerate before he can come back to his natural body-he won't need to posses anyone this time. He'll be lying low for a while, waiting, but when the time is right, he'll come after her. And he'll try to take her."
Luna looked contemptuous. "I don't see how this concerns us. She's your princess: you look after her." She gasped for breath when Usagi squeezed her in warning before letting her go.
"Funny how you say it doesn't concern you," Surya said mildly, "for it means the end of the universe if he isn't stopped. But if you don't want to listen…" He sniffed and looked away.
"I'm listening," Usagi told him and he glanced at her with a smile.
"You were always a good girl. For now, my champion is handling things, but you might want to tell your friends that…"
"Excuse me, your champion?" This interested Luna, who marched back and sat down, as if determined now to listen. Surya gave her a superior look.
"Yes, Sailoranteros. You should know that. She rescued Jenny in the airport and then again this afternoon."
"The warrior in the yellow suit," Usagi breathed and her eyes widened in amazement. "I thought Jenny-san was crazy when she told me."
Surya yawned and his eyelids drooped. "Well, now you know the basics, it's time for my nap." He pawed the bedspread beneath him for a moment and then turned around exactly three times before falling over onto his side. Within seconds, he was snoring.
"Wait!" Usagi cried and he opened his eyes irritably. She colored, but continued. "I have to know. Why is Jenny-san being attacked so much? Is it because of me? Lord Ahriman knows my identity… is he trying to threaten me through her?"
"You want to know why Jenny is being attacked?" Surya blinked at her in disbelief and then a smile twitched his mouth.
"Yes."
Surya started laughing and Usagi felt her defenses rise. She was able to handle a lot, but being laughed at by a cercaphor wasn't good for the self esteem. While she was trying to weigh the reasons for his outburst, he suddenly stopped and looked at her with a hard gaze that made her squirm.
"At the airport his essence was drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. Since then, he's always been aware of her, like a single point of light on a map of the city. He's not above petty tricks to frighten her, as he did this afternoon. Pathetic really, but you want to know why Lord Ahriman is so interested in Jenny when I just told you he's after the princess? Figure it out for yourself." He let out a loud snore and rolled over onto his back, paws sticking straight into the air.
Luna muttered to herself in an annoyed way, but Usagi's eyes widened as understanding finally crashed into her. "No," she whispered. "It can't be. Not Jenny. Not her."
Luna stopped sulking and looked at Usagi with surprise. "Of course. But why is it so important for him to have her? I think we'd better call a meeting."
Usagi thought of Jenny's scowling face and tried to imagine her as a delicate princess of Athena. She suddenly felt horribly depressed.
0 0 0
What am I doing?
Jenny's legs robotically carried her down the street, even though her mind was begging her to return. She knew it was foolish to venture out again so soon after what had happened, but even the Tsukino home was no longer a safe haven. She couldn't stay indoors, endlessly trying to work out the border between dreams and reality. She had to do something normal, something that would help her forget: or else run the risk of spending the rest of her time in Japan looking over her shoulder, fearful of something that wasn't there. She needed space and sunlight and wind, and most of all she needed to draw. It was the only thing that always made sense to her.
Trees along the sidewalk grew thicker and Jenny came across an entrance to a large park. Impulsively, she stepped onto the main path. The surrounding trees cut off sounds of outside traffic, and Jenny instantly felt she had stepped into another world. It was so beautiful, with the last leaves of summer clinging tenuously to tree branches. Grass, thick and green and dotted with wildflowers, covered the ground. With each step, her heart slowed. She had promised Usagi to stay close, but found herself going deeper and deeper into the park, retreating into safety.
Before her was a small lake that was sparkling with sunlight and just beginning to be touched with rose and gold. She paused, looking at the colors rippling on the surface, but then turned and left the path. The lake was beautiful but very open. People were wandering around, sitting on benches, playing Frisbee, and she didn't want to be disturbed. Jenny chose a tree and sat, nestling into the soft grass. The only sounds around her were the happy twitter of birds and a distant sound of children playing. Perfect.
Jenny sketched a nearby flower. For ten minutes she lost herself in copying the lines and shadows, and at the end was rather pleased with the result. Her worries were far behind by the time she flipped to the next page. Immediately, an image of Cat rose before her eyes, and although she didn't want to think about him, she found herself leaning over the pad, her hand moving furiously across the paper. The lines and shapes came together as she worked, and it may have been minutes or hours as time dropped away, but at the end she had a perfect image of Cat staring at her from the page.
Jenny looked at her drawing, meeting the eyes that were so lifelike. The thought of him wasn't making her nervous, but rather warm and peaceful, like she had been napping on a hill on a sunny day. She traced her lines, darkening and shading for more depth, and the figure of Cat grew rounder and more real under her fingers. Any minute he might leap through the page onto her lap…
"Is that a lion?"
Jenny gasped. Her arm slipped, smudging the drawing across Cat's face. The voice had sliced through the air without warning, sharp and weighted as a blade. For some reason the shadow was back in her mind. All the forgotten fear and feeling of being hunted returned. Something was beside her-perhaps it had been there all along. When Jenny drew, she went so deeply into her work that the sky could fall without her noticing.
Heart pounding, Jenny turned, and her sudden adrenaline was relieved to see it was only a man leaning against her tree at a 90 degreeangle from herself. But wait, only a man? There was something about him, sitting in the shade of the great tree, that grabbed her attention and made her stare, forgetting courtesy, forgetting propriety. Even from her odd viewing angle, she could see that he was handsome. He sat so still, his face tilted away and long legs stretched out before him with catlike grace. Long dark hair was kept neatly back from his face in a low ponytail, and she just could make out the slight curve of his lips, indicating amusement-or mockery.
"Did I startle you? I apologize. That wasn't my intention." His voice was lazy and not at all threatening. Regardless, something about the casual arrogance in his tone-or the man himself-ruffled her. Jenny looked at him uncertainly before turning back to her drawing.
"A lion? Sort of." She didn't feel like explaining.
"May I see?" The man leaned around the tree, facing her fully for the first time. Jenny handed him her sketchbook. Having a stranger look at her drawing made her very nervous, but she was glad of the chance to study him. He was handsome and young, mid to late twenties. Dark, expensive sunglasses shielded his eyes but did not mask the smooth, even skin or classically handsome features. He was annoyingly good looking, and even more so when he turned to smile at her. What a beautiful smile it was. Jenny's cheeks burned.
"That's very good. May I see the rest?" The man removed his sunglasses and Jenny felt another little shock thunder through her. His eyes were golden, like those of a hawk. They made her nervous and she nodded dazedly at his request.
The man lounged against the tree as he flipped through the pages, seeming every bit an aristocrat in an enchanted forest. Jenny watched him anxiously, as if he was an art critic examining her portfolio. Her heart fluttered with every page he paused at, but he never said a word or lingered for more than a few seconds. When he handed back the sketchbook, it was with another dazzling smile.
"You have real talent for being so young."
Jenny was sure her face matched her hair. She meant to thank him, but somehow said, "I'm not that young. I'm almost seventeen."
The man winked, one golden eye slowly opening and closing. "So I see." Jenny had to look away. Everything about him, from the way he talked to his wonderful smile, made her feel very young and foolish.
"So where does a young artist like you come from? You're the only non-Japanese person I've seen all day, and that's rare when you work in Roppongi."
"California." Jenny looked at him curiously. "You're not from here either."
"Colorado." He spoke English now, as if relieved to finally be around someone who did. "I'm Max. Maximilian Gordon. Pleased to meet you, Miss…?"
"Jennifer Thomas. Jenny, sorry. I hate Jennifer. No one's called me that since I was four."
"Well, then I most certainly will not." Jenny smiled. He looked so solemn saying that.
"So… you work here? What do you do?"
"It's a family business," Max Gordon said. "I work for my father. Or rather, I do all the work while he gets the credit. He's more interested in pursuing the pleasures of his semi-retirement. Food, wine, the best golf courses and all the beautiful women he can fit on his boat." He sounded contemptuous.
"Well, I'm sure he's…" Jenny broke off as a thought struck her. It was absurd, but once it was in her mind, she couldn't get rid of it. "Gordon," she said cautiously. "You don't mean Gordon as in…" She stopped, feeling silly.
But Mr. Gordon laughed. "Gordon-Miyako Electronics? Yes, guilty, I'm afraid." He made the admission sound so casual, but Jenny gaped at him. Gordon-Miyako Electronics… the fifty-year-old Trans-Pacific partnership that made everything from fiber optic cables for NASA to black lights for college frat parties. This guy had to be a billionaire… no wonder she had equated him with a young prince in a forest. And here she was sitting on the grass, chatting with him as if he would be even remotely interested in what she had to say!
But strangely, he did seem to be. He leaned on his left palm, edging ever so discreetly closer. "But I hear about myself all the time, and quite frankly I make a boring topic. Tell me about yourself."
Jenny was still flustered about the fact that this man could probably buy all of San Mantego if he had the inclination, and perhaps that was why she blurted out what she did: "There's nothing to tell. I don't own a business. I'm not an honor roll student. I'm no beauty queen. I've never done anything worth recognition in my life."
Mr. Gordon frowned when she glanced at him. His golden eyes were serious. "That's not true. Your art… you have great talent. I can see that."
"I'm not that good," Jenny said automatically, but when she saw his encouraging nod, she smiled shyly and said, "Thank you, Mr. Gordon."
He flashed her a quick, charming grin. "Mr. Gordon is so formal. Call me Max." He was so close that Jenny could see individual hairs sweeping across his forehead into his eyes, eyes that were glowing with a strange yellow light. He never moved or changed expression, but suddenly every instinct Jenny had screamed warning. She didn't know why-there was no reason this man, and that look, should cause such alarm in her body, so that her muscles ached and longed to get up and run.
Still, she didn't have to sit there and feel uncomfortable. "I have to go. I should have left a long time ago." Jenny sprung to her feet, giving him a quick, embarrassed smile. "Thanks for liking my drawings."
"Who wouldn't?" Mr. Gordon replaced his sunglasses and pushed them into place. "It is getting rather late. Bedtime, right?" Those perfect lips curved into a smile.
"Not exactly, but I'm sure dinner is ready… I'll see you around, okay?" His fingers wagged at her lazily in response. Jenny felt a little guilty as she walked away. Whether he was a creep or not didn't matter. He had liked her drawings; she truly believed that. She felt so light she could have skipped all the way home.
Jenny was so lost in her thoughts, slowly making her way through the trees, that she didn't hear the hissing at first. When her ears finally focused on the sound, she froze. Something was behind her, a low hissing and a soft rustle of leaves. Oh, why hadn't she gone back to the path? It could be nothing. Her imagination was rampant after the day's events and she was creating monsters out of wind through the grass. But as Jenny turned, part of her thinking, Oh God, not again.
Standing before her was a giant snake, nine feet tall, with long slimy arms and legs. Its long tail rattled with terrible delight when it saw her face, and its red tongue flickered out, as if yearning to taste her. Jenny stood perfectly still. She should have been afraid, but instead a feeling of fire ran through her, coloring her emotions. This was not going to happen again; she wouldn't let it. She didn't know what the average rate of monster attacks was in Tokyo, but she knew she'd more than exceeded her limit.
Carefully, doing her best not to move, Jenny scanned the area with her eyes, searching for someone to help her. It was horrible standing there frozen before the monster while in the distance she could hear the sounds of happy people around the lake. If she screamed there wouldn't be time for someone to come before the snake got her. She would have to save herself.
Her eyes landed on a small branch lying ten feet to the left. She looked back at the snake, her heart racing. It wasn't much, but it was all she had. The snake must have seen a change in her eyes, because it started moving towards her. Jenny hesitated only a second before diving to the side and rushing over to scoop up the branch. It felt strong in her hands, heavy and about an inch thick, but she couldn't help feeling pathetic as she lifted it defensively. A little girl holding a stick. The snake laughed, and the horrible sound bounced through the trees.
"Don't," Jenny warned as it took another step. She was annoyed that her voice shook. The red eyes flashed triumph and it continued moving towards her in slow slithering steps. Jenny's hands trembled, but she kept the stick in front of her, wielded like a sword. When the snake rushed forward, she slashed and hit it across the face, creating a cut that oozed a green substance. The snake let out a high squeak, but then rather than get angry, it laughed again. Before Jenny had a chance to react, its tongue shot out, wrapped around her weapon, and jerked it out of her hands. The snake flung its head and the stick was discarded thirty feet away. Jenny looked after it with a sick feeling.
This was not good.
Jenny barely had time to cry out before the snake shot forward and knocked her to the ground. It wiggled, forcing her deeper into the dirt. Why why why? she thought desperately and cursed herself when tears sprung to her eyes. She had no room to struggle under the weight of the creature, and winced at the feel of hot breath on her neck. Its tongue flicked out and tickled her ear.
"Snake-Eye has orders to bring the girl to Master. The girl would come with Snake-Eye if she wants to live." Jenny shuddered, feeling its slime and scales on her skin. Her cheeks were wet with mingled tears and moist breath, and her mind felt heavy with defeat. Whatever this threat was, it wouldn't stop until it had her… so why not let herself be taken? Why prolong her suffering if the end was inevitable?
The snake wrapped itself more firmly around her and squeezed so that she cried out in pain. "No," Jenny choked out as she struggled to breathe. "I'll come with you. I promise."
The snake hissed its approval and rolled away, leaving a grateful Jenny gulping in air on the ground. She shook violently, her hands desperately tearing at her skin, trying to remove the snake's slime. It towered over her patiently, its tongue flickering out in anticipation. Slowly, Jenny pulled herself to a sitting position and the snake creature silently extended an arm, looking every bit the Grim Reaper come to collect her. Jenny hesitated, looking at the horrible scaly hand, but in the end she lifted her arm towards it and choked back a sob. She had promised. She had no choice.
Movement behind the creature caught her eye. It was Mr. Gordon, his finger pressed solidly to his lips in a gesture of silence. In his other hand, he held her stick. Heart leaping with newfound hope, Jenny snatched her hand away from Snake-Eye's waiting arm and scrambled back just as Mr. Gordon plunged the stick through the snake's back like a stake.
The creature screamed in agony and stumbled around in hysteric confusion to look at the attacker. Jenny trembled as she stood and steadied herself against the nearest tree. The snake was swelling and puffing up, its green scales turning a sickening yellow. Mr. Gordon circled it like a hunter, his handsome face twisted into a mask of disgust. "Master, I've failed," the creature squeaked out miserably. Slowly, it turned and saw Jenny, and with one last flash of hatred in its red eyes, it lifted an arm and staggered towards her, leaving drops of melting scales behind it.
"Jenny, move!" Mr. Gordon yelled but Jenny was unable to look away from the snake. It came towards her, arms outstretched and mouth twisted into a repulsive grin. With a shout, Mr. Gordon made a running leap at her and pulled her out of the way just as the creature fell forward and exploded. They were both knocked to the ground and Jenny's breath was forced out of her as Mr. Gordon fell on top of her. Yellowish slime, the only thing left of Snake-Eye, was strewn around the area, including the back of Mr. Gordon's designer shirt. He had shielded her from the force of the explosion.
They lay together quietly in shock for a moment, and then Mr. Gordon moved to the side to give her some air. "Are you okay?" he asked and she managed to jerk her head into a nod. A deep chill was set in her bones, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. She was beyond comprehension. This was the fourth time in a week, the third time that day. What did these creatures want with her? Why her? She was nothing special.
Mr. Gordon smiled kindly. "Poor child," he said and reached down to brush a clump of matted hair from her eyes. "I'm so sorry. That must have been a shock. They told me before moving to Tokyo to expect the occasional youma attack. But these things aren't a daily occurrence."
Jenny's breathing gradually calmed. "For me they are," she said weakly. "I must be some kind of magnet. I think it's the red hair." Suddenly, the situation did not seem frightening, but very funny. A hysterical giggle escaped her throat. Mr. Gordon's eyebrows raised sharply, but the look quickly disappeared into a frown.
"This has happened before? What the hell are you doing out by yourself? Have you told anyone?"
"It doesn't matter. It won't help. I'll just have to get used to the idea that somebody wants me dead."
"Stop it. This is serious. There must be something we can do."
"We?"
"You shouldn't have to face this alone. Let me help you, Jenny."
Jenny looked at him incredulously and was stunned to see that he was serious. Gone was the suave arrogance from Mr. Gordon's face, leaving only pity mixed with concern. His eyes were honest and unguarded, and this lack of veiling showed a certain tenderness that had not existed before. She was amazed at the transformation, but she didn't question his motives. Somehow, it seemed natural that this man should care for her and offer his protection. When he reached out to touch her cheek in a light motion, Jenny felt warmth return to her. She was safe; she believed him. Nothing else mattered.
"What is this? What is going on here?"
Mr. Gordon snapped his hand back and they looked up. An angry boy was stalking towards them. Jenny's heart sank as an angled beam of sunlight hit his face through the leaves. It was Nick. Of course. He always managed to ruin her best moments. She untangled herself from Mr. Gordon's arms and sat up, her face slowly coloring. The surprise on Nick's face was justified: finding her lying beneath Mr. Gordon without knowing what had happened must look very strange. But he had no right to look so shocked and disgusted, turning her peace to anxiety.
"Jenny?" Nick's voice was low and demanding, but Jenny didn't want to look at him. She glanced at Mr. Gordon, her eyes apologetic, and was surprised to see that the yellow slime and scales had vanished from the back of his shirt and the surrounding area-as if they had never been there. Nick cleared his throat noisily, and Mr. Gordon tore his eyes from Jenny, his lips curved and his face cold and amused. All trace of his gentle protectiveness vanished as he eyed Nick.
"Your boyfriend?"
Jenny shook her head vehemently. "God, no!"
"Luckily," Nick muttered dryly and took a few steps closer. "Come on, Jen. I came back to talk to Usagi and she sent me to find you. She's worried."
"Yeah, right," Jenny said bitterly, but she felt strange to hear that. Usagi was worried about her? For all she knew, Usagi would be thrilled to hear she had been attacked by a giant snake. She hadn't been very sympathetic that afternoon.
"He's right. It's time you go home." Mr. Gordon stood in one graceful movement, and reached down a hand to help Jenny up as well. His face was distant again, but his hand clasped hers a few seconds longer than necessary.
Although Nick was standing to the side, his hands on his hips in a gesture of impatience, Jenny felt a strange reluctance to leave. "How can ever I thank you?" she asked quickly when Mr. Gordon showed signs of leaving. His eyes softened as he looked back at her.
"Paint my portrait," he answered and then laughed at her stunned expression. "I'll pay you, of course. You can paint, right?"
"Yes, but… but I'm not that great."
"Don't be modest. I've seen your drawings. If you can paint half as well as you draw, I will be one satisfied customer. So?"
"Yes," Jenny told him, fully aware that Nick was taking in the scene with narrowed eyes. She knew his request was less a confidence in her abilities than an excuse to see her again-but she didn't care. She gave him her most brilliant smile. "I will, Mr. Gordon."
"I told you before, it's Max." He dug in his pocket for a moment and retrieved a card. "Here's my number. Call my secretary and she'll set up a date. Don't try to escape, because I'll find you. How many pretty, red-headed Jennys can there be running around Tokyo?"
Nick scowled, but Jenny felt quite cheerful. "Thank you, Max," she said and stuck his card in the pages of her sketchbook.
Mr. Gordon–Max–smiled at her once more before checking his watch. "I'll leave you now." He looked at Nick, sizing him up carefully before giving him a curt nod. "Take care of her." And with that, he left, walking into the sunset with all the romantic visual appeal of a white-hatted cowboy. Jenny watched him until he was out of sight, all happiness and bubbles. But it wasn't long before Nick ruined it.
"Well, well," he muttered once they were alone.
Jenny glanced at him warily, her elation dissolving. "What?"
"Nothing. I just find it interesting that Usagi sends me after you because she's worried you'll be attacked again, and I find you rolling around on the ground with some guy twice your age. I know she wasn't expecting that." Without even looking her way, Nick started back towards the path.
Jenny stared at his retreating figure in shock before clenching her fists and running after him. "I don't see how this is any of your business," she hissed, breathing heavily as she tried to match his pace. He slowed, still not looking at her, and she walked beside him, fuming.
"You're right, it isn't. If you want to play with older men, fine. But be careful. Do you honestly think I believe he wants you over to paint his portrait?"
"I don't care what you believe. And I can take care of myself."
"I hope so."
Jenny raised her eyebrows. She had never expected him to sound so serious or completely lacking taunts. They walked in silence for a moment before Jenny surprised herself by saying, "For your information, we weren't doing anything. He saved me. I was attacked."
Nick stopped walking and glanced at her for a split second before starting forward again, his face passive. "Oh?"
"Yes." Jenny frowned. "You can leave now. I know my way back."
"No. Usagi asked me to walk you. Anyway, it might not be the best idea for you to wander around by yourself."
"And you think you're strong enough to take care of me?" She laughed but the sound came out strained. "Right, one glance from you and the monsters scatter in fear. You, the sports hero of San Mantego, the actor. Mr. Wonderful, Mr. Good Grades, Mr. All American. It must be nice to be so big."
Nick suddenly swung around. "Stop it," he said roughly. "I didn't come all this way to be harassed. I am not going to tolerate it."
"Why not? I used to."
Nick opened his mouth but then sighed and seemed to change his mind. "Would it be so terrible to talk to me?"
"Yes. Look, I just want to go home. I'm sure you're anxious to talk to Usagi, anyway."
"Actually, I lied. I came back to talk to you."
"Oh, sure you did."
"Really. We have some unresolved issues to cover. We don't have to be friends, but you don't have to hold a grudge for something neither of us can change. Won't you just listen to me?"
"Won't I listen to you? When you wouldn't listen to me for eight years?" Jenny snorted and shook her head. "Oh, that's cute. I suppose I'm only allowed to grace your presence now that your old buddies aren't around, right?"
Nick was silent for a moment. "You're right. You're totally right. I was so stupid."
"That's an understatement. Forget trying to apologize. I don't want to hear it."
Nick looked at her for a moment, seeming to struggle to keep back what he wanted to say, but then he shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. They walked on in a not entirely uncomfortable silence, passing no one except a small dog that barked madly and strained against the rope that bound it to a tree. Jenny's fingers played with the cover of her sketchbook and she glanced at him discreetly every few blocks. She would never admit it, but she was almost touched that he had bothered to seek her out, not once but twice, to try to make amends. If it hadn't been him, that really would have meant something. She was even beginning to think that he was at least tolerable as long as he stayed silent when he opened his mouth.
"I got a letter from Dirk."
Jenny raised a scornful eyebrow. "He knows how to use a pen? I didn't think he was able to hold anything but a football."
Nick laughed, a rich warm sound she hadn't heard in ages. "Even that's doubtful. I think he holds the record for most dropped balls in the conference. At least Dane knew how to throw the ball. I remember…"
"Yeah, don't really care."
"Right, I forgot. The little artist nonconformist, not interested in anything 'popular.' I almost agree with you. Dirk went on for almost a page about his 'plan' for this season, when in reality he wouldn't know one side of the field from the other if the cheerleaders didn't hold up signs for him. And then there was his list of girls. Every conquest he made this summer. I don't know how I used to stand him. His brother was even worse. They're both deeply interested in nothing but themselves."
"Not like anyone around here, huh?"
Nick whistled and shot her a lopsided grin. "Ooh, chilly. Remind me to wear my scarf around you next time." Jenny turned her head and let her hair fall down to hide her smile. She didn't want him to think he amused her.
"He devoted half a page to you," Nick said casually and looked at her for a reaction, but she carefully avoided his eyes.
"That's nice."
"You really bother him. I believe some of the words that came up were 'bitch' and 'whore' with a few other expletives mixed in. I burned the letter."
"What, do you want me to give you a gold star?"
"No. I just want you to know that you're the only girl, the only person, who doesn't treat him like a god… and he actually likes you because of it. You're the only one who refuses him."
Nick grew silent and turned to look at a little boy riding his bicycle on the opposite side of the road. Jenny tried to walk as casually as he, but she couldn't stop her fingers fiddling together awkwardly. She was very aware of his presence beside her. Walking with him like this was both familiar and strange, and she didn't like the way it made her feel. She had worked for years to keep a comfortable amount of distance between them and didn't like him trying to break that down, no matter how friendly and innocent his intentions were. He may have forgotten, or been willing, to erase the past eight years… but she could not.
"Look," Jenny started with a delicacy she never thought she'd show him, "you're being very nice and I know you're trying, but don't you think we're past that? We're not friends; we haven't been for a long time. I don't think it's worth trying to bring that back."
Nick slowly turned to face her, and Jenny had to fight to keep her breathing even at the look on his face. "Just like that, huh? I can't say I never knew you were stubborn."
"I'm sorry…"
"You're not," he said abruptly, "but I get it. You're never going to let anyone in your life, are you?"
"If you mean you, no. There are other people in Tokyo more worthwhile."
"Like who? Mamoru?" Nick was smiling again, but this time it was malicious. Jenny would have given anything, even thrown her best painting in a bonfire to stop herself from blushing then. "You were staring at him that night we came over for that stupid double date. You couldn't keep your eyes off him. At the time I thought you were avoiding my eyes…"
"I was."
"…but later I figured it out. It was only at his prodding that you even considered coming out with us… but I guess your hatred of me won out. Poor Jenny. You couldn't have picked a worse guy to fall in love with."
Jenny quickened her pace, her face aflame, and was disappointed when he kept right up with her. She stopped moving and spun on him angrily. "I never said I was in love with him, and how would you know if he's horrible or not? He's ten thousand times more of a man than you are."
"You're forgetting that I live with him. And yes, he is rather a saint. But I wasn't talking about his personality when I said how horrible it was to fall in love with him."
Jenny gritted her teeth, trying to stay calm. Much as she wanted to fly into a rage and make him feel some of the pain he was causing her, she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her that upset. She took a deep breath and said coolly, "Well, what did you mean?"
Nick frowned, suddenly looking serious. "You don't understand how deeply he and Usagi care about each other. They have a bond more powerful than any I've seen. Trying to break it would be like trying to bite through a ten-pound diamond with your teeth. Time and space couldn't separate them, and a little red-haired bitch from California certainly won't. So do yourself a favor, kid, and stay away from him. You'll only hurt yourself."
Jenny couldn't help feeling hollow inside. "Oh, what do you know?" she scowled. "What does he know? Usagi is a moron."
"And the pieces of the mystery come together," Nick said solemnly. "You never had anything against Usagi herself, right? It was just the fact that she got him first. And it hasn't been a recent development, hon. They've been together for thousands of years. Get over it."
"Maybe it seems that way sometimes, but if they've been together forever he must be bored with her by now."
Nick shrugged. "Whatever, just don't say I never warned you. Your heart is your own. If your want it torn and trampled on, it's your call. And see if Usagi will be around to help you pick up the pieces the way you've been treating her. Better stick with your golden boy hero."
Jenny was so furious she was shaking. "You asshole. Who are you to judge me? After the way you… Get the hell away from me. I don't want to see you again. I don't want to know you. I wish I never had." She broke off with a little gasp. Her voice was choked trying to hold back tears and she clasped a hand to her mouth so it wouldn't betray her by trembling. Nick looked at her for a long moment, his face pale, before turning suddenly. But he only walked a few paces before spinning back around.
"Okay, you win. And maybe you're right. What good is it trying to erase the past? What's done is done. I'm sorry if I ever hurt you, but don't try to pretend it was all me. So, goodbye. You don't have to know me anymore. Sayonara."
Jenny stared after him stiffly as he walked away, the tears she had dammed up finally flowing free. For what! A lying, arrogant, smart-ass of a nineteen year old boy! Angrily, she brushed her tears with the back of her hand and glared at his retreating figure. She couldn't help remembering another time she had watched him walk away from her. Even at eleven he had been so handsome and confident. If he had known he was hurting the tiny eight year old who worshipped him, he had made no sign. But that didn't matter anymore. He was going to avoid her now and she never had to worry about him again.
Jenny started to laugh without an ounce of mirth, and for a moment she couldn't stop. She ignored the passing woman who gave her a suspicious look and covered her eyes with her hands. How could she fool herself? She might be able to pretend that this was the best thing that could happen and that she didn't care, but inside not a single thing had changed.
And Nicholas Kestrel had somehow managed to break her heart again.