(Ok, sorry for not posting this yesterday when I finished it, but I have a VERY good reason. I was sick in bed and too achy to sit at my desk and type. The good news is I finished this chapter and have more than half of nineteen done as well. So the day was not a total loss. ^_^ I am once again taking a few things my own way and Yaten and Taiki may be a bit OOC, but I don't think they're that bad and besides...How's Yaten going to catch Minako if he's always so snobby. Things get weirder in this chapter. I'll make a few notes at the bottom for you guys. Thank you again for reading, reviewing, and subscribing. It makes me feel good to know people are enjoying my story. You keep me inspired! I am considering a sequal to it at this point because the way I envision the ending leaves a gap that I know how to, and want to fill. Now I think my fever is returning so it is time once again for ibuprophen, oh the joy! At least I wasn't to achy to type again today! Oh and I should probably mention that I don't own Sailor Moon much to my dissappointment.)
Sometimes You Just Need to Believe Chapter 18
Usagi and Seiya walked together to the gate in front of the school. Seiya did his best to comfort his girlfriend but it seemed to do no good. He could tell she appreciated the effort by the occasional glace and when she squeezed his hand just a bit tighter, but she was still very melancholy. He could understand, of course. One of her best friends was potentially missing and she was incredibly worried. Had Usagi been in better spirits, Seiya would have been bursting with joy just for the fact that she really was his girlfriend.
Taiki walked with a worried Makoto. He showed worry and sorrow on his own face. He also seemed incredibly nervous. This nervous feeling seemed to go beyond Ami missing, though everyone was so preoccupied by her sudden disappearance that no one questioned him much to his relief.
Yaten and Minako were not far behind them closer together than was usual. It was strange to see Yaten being so comforting but it made Usagi smile a tiny bit. 'He's finally opening up to her,' she thought.
As promised, Mamoru was waiting for everyone. He felt a twinge of shock seeing Seiya's arm around Usagi, but no jealousy. He saw the anxiety on the faces on his friends and was loathe to tell them that he had gotten no answer after a good twenty minutes of knocking on Ami's door.
Upon hearing the news that Mamoru had not been able to find anything out Usagi burst into tears. Makoto seemed to get angry but her tears were not hidden from anyone. Minako froze in shock for a moment or two before her tears came. Taiki averted his eyes from everyone to try and hide his precious tears. Yaten's arms encircled Minako. Seiya was on the verge of tears with his arms around Usagi comforting her protectively. Seiya's sadness was more due to the fact that he could not stand to see Usagi in pain, a fact to which Mamoru could relate. He could see why Seiya was good for her. It made him happy in a way to know that she had found such a remarkable person to love.
'Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa are on the balcony whispering about Setsuna-mama again. They look like they'll be a while,' Hotaru thought. 'I can go to my room and try for Setsuna-mama now.'
The trio had rented a two bedroom suite with a kitchenette since they did not know how long they would be staying. They had considered venturing to Michiru's beach house outside of town but thought better of it. Setsuna would expect something like that.
Hotaru made her way to her room and kept the door open just a crack. She wanted to hear in case her adoptive parents came back in. Luckily the sliding glass door to the balcony was squeaky. She pulled her communicator out of her purse and set it to Setsuna's freaquency. "Setsuna-mama," she whispered. "Setsuna-mama, are you there?"
"Hotaru-chan? Is that you, sweetheart?"
"Yes, mama. I had a chance to call you but if Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa come back inside I'll have to go quickly."
"I understand. Are you alright?"
I'm fine. Michiru-mama is keeping a close eye on me. I think she's suspicious of me. Haruka-papa is being very protective though and not listening to Michiru-mama about it."
"I'm glad they've both been kind to you even if Michiru is wondering about you. Hotaru-chan, we have a big problem. The time is coming close to pull you into the time dimension for your protection." "I can feel it too, Setsuna-mama. I think my powers are getting stronger. I'm sensing things around me."
"That's good, sweetie. We'll need all the strength that Saturn has."
"I know but I'm scared. What if I can't get to you in time?"
"That's ok, sweetheart. Who wouldn't be scared in your shoes right now? I only wish I could be there for you."
"I asked Haruka-papa if I could stay at Minako-san's tonight and she said as long as her mom is fine with it that would be ok."
"I'm not sure Minako's is the best idea. Serenity has assumed physical form already. Venus is the leader and therefore a likely first target."
"Oh. Then Setsuna-mama, what am I to do?"
"Mamoru-san is aware of the situation. I am at his place to avoid Serenity. Ask to stay with him. Make no mention of me, of course. Wait until the meeting so you can say that seeing him gave you the idea."
"Ok. What if they say no?"
"I trust Mamoru's instincts on this. Besides, you can send me a message through him."
"Ok."
The sliding door squeaked open.
"I have to go." Hotaru immediately cut the transmission and grabbed a pen from her purse as she replaced her communicator. She picked up her journal from the nightstand and opened up to the first blank page. She began to draw a nature scene in a park filled with fireflies. She was just in time.
Haruka poked her head inside to check on her little girl. Seeing her drawing so intently, she ventured closer to Hotaru. Michiru had once commented that Hotaru had a raw artistic talent and would like to see her take proper lessons. Haruka pat Hotaru's head and rustled her hair a little bit making the little girl smile up at her. Haruka knew that soon they would have to change locations so they could avoid Setsuna's detection, but for now at least, the three of them could be a happy family. Haruka chuckled inwardly. She never imagined a family life, but now she couldn't imagine life any other way.
Mamoru had managed to pull a mildly reluctant Seiya aside. While he couldn't tell Seiya the complete truth, he was determined to let Seiya know that the best way to protection he could offer Usagi would be his love and dedication of time for her. Mamoru knew deep down that Seiya would never allow harm to come to her.
Seiya looked anxiously at Mamoru unsure of what was going to happen. He didn't take Mamoru to be a jealous man and from what he could tell there was no anger in him. This brought him some relief. Finally he couldn't stand it any longer and took a chance at breaking the uncomfortable silence. "So…What did you need from me, Mamoru-san?"
"I wanted to tell you to protect her. Mamoru smiled at Seiya warmly. "Just some words from some guy," he added amused by his little joke.
Seiya's face warmed with relief and he smiled back at Mamoru. "Nothing matters more than that. You have no need to worry about that from me."
Mamoru nodded. "I need you to do me a favor. It may sound odd."
Seiya cocked his head to the side wondering what could possibly be so weird.
"I need you to protect her from her worries right now. She gets upset so easily when times are tough. Please give her a sense of normalcy whenever possible. Just try to make her smile as often as possible."
"You bet! I'll take her to the studio for our recording session this afternoon. I'll be sure she has some snacks too."
Mamoru laughed a little and nodded. It seemed Seiya understood exactly what needed to be done to help Usagi. "You know what, Seiya-san, you're alright." Mamoru extended his right hand to Seiya.
Seiya nodded and smiled as he shook Mamoru's hand.
The two men joined with the rest of the group. Usagi drew herself into Seiya's arms with tears still running down her face. Mamoru placed a hand on her shoulder in comfort. Usagi looked up at Mamoru and gave him a half smile. Mamoru knew that was the most anyone would get from her until she had calmed down.
The friends did not have time to take in the moment for very long. The ground began to shake violently knocking them all to the sidewalk. People in the streets became panicked and began rushing for cover.
'Something is very wrong here,' thought Taiki. He knew that while earthquakes were not unheard of in the region, they were usually somewhat predictable, albeit not accurately, by seismologists who could pick up and study underground activities. These predictions would be vague at best, but this had given no warning. At least, the news had made no mention of it that he had seen. He looked over towards Mamoru and could tell that the confusion was mutual.
A loud creaking sound accompanied by the song of grinding metal was an ominous cue for Seiya to pull Usagi back through the school gates despite the fact that they were crumbling around them. Close behind the others followed. Behind them the street was opening into a sinkhole.
The shaking lasted only a few minutes, two or three at most, but the damage was clearly visible. Nearly every building in sight had some windows broken out. A car had slid into the sinkhole. Luckily no one had been in it as it was parked by a meter. The school gates were in pretty bad shape too.
The friends went about seeing if they were all ok. Usagi was the only one who seemed hurt, though Seiya agreed to look after her so the others could find anyone else who may need help. They agreed and sprang into action.
Usagi's pain was intense and Seiya was very worried though Usagi showed no sign of a physical injury. In fact, not a scratch was on her. He knew some of the bricks from the gates had hit her, but there was nothing to show for it. She was clutching her chest right at the heart of her star seed, the Silver Crystal. It was apparent she was also experiencing emotional pain as well, though even she seemed unaware of the source. When she finally relaxed her hand she motioned to Seiya that she was ok and rose to her feet. They both began to help the others round up anyone who had been injured.
No one they found had been seriously injured though there were cuts and bruises all around. The senshi even bore a few minor injuries. Everyone seemed quite shaken up. Usagi's emotional state had not improved and it did not go un-noticed. It was beginning to overcome her. The more powerful her emotions became a strange thing began to happen. Her chest started to emit a warm glow from her star seed healing those around her. Stunned people watched as their cuts closed up and their bruises disappeared before their eyes. This healing glow lasted about the same length as the quake spreading about half a meter every ten seconds or so. It finally rushed back to her causing her to collapse unconscious to the ground.
In another part of town Sailor Mercury was tending to her princess who had collapsed after an emotional outburst, just as the quake had ended. The outburst had been over her fight with Endymion right as the quake began. The quake ended when she began to fall to the floor. During the quake a bookshelf had fallen dumping several books onto Serenity's head and though Mercury had been able to move serenity from the main dangers like the shattering window, the bookshelf had fallen landing on serenity's left ankle. Mercury managed to move the princess to her bed and elevate her foot. She was in the process of preparing two ice packs for Serenity's head and ankle when she heard her princess stir.
Mercury immediately rushed to Serenity's side with both ice packs in tow. "Are you feeling better, your highness?"
"What happened?"
"You were very upset about your spat with the prince. Then your crystal began to glow and you collapsed. While your crystal glowed there was an earthquake. After that I moved you here to treat your injuries."
"I shouldn't need this kind of medical attention. Why have I not healed?"
"I don't know, princess. All I know is that I need to apply this ice to help with the swelling. It will be mildly uncomfortable I'm afraid. I'm sorry about that." With that Mercury placed the ice onto the princess' injuries and patched up the few scrapes she had managed to receive.
Elsewhere in the town, Setsuna was safe following the quake. A couple of windows in Mamoru's apartment had blown out, but she could not see any major damage. No cracks in the wall and only a few items had fallen and shattered. She gazed into her talisman and quickly set it down shaking her head. Serenity was already reclaiming her senshi. With any luck Hotaru would be arriving safely to her either tonight or tomorrow. She could only pray that Haruka and Michiru trusted Mamoru enough to allow it. 'Hotaru is just too vital and precious in this mission for Serenity to get her greedy hands on. Everything rides on her,' Setsuna thought. 'Things are getting ugly, and fast. Serenity, what do you want? It would seem that your freedom is not enough for you. Why is your future so clouded?' Setsuna decided to meditate on the matter and try looking for Serenity's future again when her mind had cleared.
(Ok, living in Florida I do not have much experience with earthquakes. I did live in Washington state for a few years and experienced on VERY mild one that knocked a coule things down. The thing was so mild I was convinced my cats had done it but when I came out of my room they were all sound asleep. It wasn't until the next morning when I saw the news that I found out it had been a quake. I do however, have family in California who have better knowledge. I know earthquake "prediction" is based off of sketchy readings and that it is by no means an exact science yet. I know they make progress every time there is an earthquake so predicting them has become somewhat easier. I know that earthquakes occure in Japan, in fact that is why they started using simple wooden frames and rice paper walls and doors. It was survival building. I just wanted to make sure that Taiki and Mamoru knew it was not a normal quake. ^_^ I hope I didn't make it too cheesey or anything. Its just something I don't have much experience with so it was hard to write. But in PGSM the Silver Crystal did cause an earthquake that almost made Shingo fall off a bridge until Usagi regained control. Even if it was cheesey, I hope you enjoyed it.)