Chapter 6: Gem of Shadows

Serena sat on the back porch of her house, watching Rini and Sam run around the back yard chasing Koaru's puppy, Light, though most everyone knew that Light was in fact a wolf cub that Koaru had found the last time he went training in the mountains. Luna padded out onto the porch and sat beside Serena, watching the pup with unease.

"Artemis can't find him anywhere," she said, and Serena nodded. She was worried about Koaru, but knew that he could take care of himself. She just wanted to know that he was safe. Luna sighed and lay down, snuggling up against the teen's leg. "Mina said she would go look for him after she has a bath."

"Alright," Serena said, smiling slightly as Sammy slipped on the grass and fell on top of Rini as Light ran circles around the two. "I hope he turns up soon."

Raye sat in front of the Great Fire, her eyes closed in concentration as she probed the depths of the flames for answers on what this Darkness that Tenshi spoke of was. She felt disturbed at the Knight's words, since she had felt no evil energies in some time. Frowning as she read the flames, a set of red eyes bore into her mind, surrounded by an aura of malice. Breaking her connection with the Fire, she sat back on her hands, panting slightly.

"So he was right," she said to herself, wiping sweat from her brow. "There is something out there."

"Why? You didn't believe me?" came Tenshi's voice from the doorway. Turning around, Raye saw the man leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed and a smile on his face. Rising to her feet, Raye walked past the Knight and onto the veranda, pausing in shock to see Amy standing behind Tenshi, a weak smile on her face.

"Amy, what are you..." Raye asked before falling silent as Tenshi slipped his hand into hers. The priestess blinked dumbly in the sunlight, realization hitting her. "You are in love with him now?" she asked, and Amy nodded, blushing. Raye turned her eyes from Tenshi to Amy and back again. "Does Koaru know?" she asked, and Tenshi shrugged.

"Don't think so, though I'm sure it won't surprise him too much." he said as he slipped his free hand into his pocket and squeezing Amy's hand gently. Pulling his hand out of his pocket, he glanced at something in his palm before looking back to Raye. "Is the Princess going to be coming by today?" he asked, and Raye shook her head. "Alright than," he said, turning to leave, Amy following him. "I will go to her home. There is something I must discuss with her."

Mina walked down the streets of the Juban district, her hair feeling slightly stiff from moisture. Her skin felt burnt from her bath, but she ignored the slight discomfort as she searched the places Koaru was most likely to be at. After an hour of searching, she slumped against a street light, sighing.

"Where the hell did that idiot go?" she asked out loud, looking up at the street sign. "I'm near Lita's place," she thought, looking in the direction of her friend's house. Pushing off the post, she headed to her friend's apartment, figuring she could ask if Lita had any idea where their Guardian was.

Serena opened the front door, smiling as Darien walked through the doorway and politely removed his shoes.

"Did you wait long?" he asked before giving her a quick kiss. Serena smiled and shook her head, starting to lead him onto the back porch just as the doorbell rang again. Frowning in frustration, she rushed over and opened the door again, shocked to see Tenshi and Amy standing there, hand in hand.

"Amy?" Serena asked in shock. Amy blushed and looked away as Tenshi spoke.

"May we come in?" he asked, and Serena looked over to Darien, who shrugged.

"Alright," she said, backing up and letting the two inside. Removing his shoes, Tenshi looked to Serena and then to the staircase.

"Can we go someplace private?" he asked, and Serena nodded, leading the group upstairs to her room. Shutting the door behind them, she walked over to Darien and sat beside him, linking her arm around his.

All eyes went onto Tenshi, who cleared his throat and pulled something out of his pocket.

"Princess," he said, extending his hand out to Serena, "I believe that this belongs to you." He opened his hand to reveal a small, dark blue gem. Serena took it tentively and examined it curiously.

"Are you sure?" she asked, and Tenshi shrugged.

"I'm pretty sure," he said uncertainly. "I feel a very similar energy coming from you. It's nearly identical to the energy coming from that gem."

Luna hopped up onto Serena's bed and looked at the gem, her eyes narrowed.

"I have seen that before," she said slowly, drawing the gazes of everyone. "But it doesn't belong to Serena."

"Who than?" Tenshi asked as he took the gem back from Serena and replaced it into his pocket. Luna looked up and spoke slowly and reluctantly.

"That is the second Royal Gem of Tritus. The Shadow Sapphire."

"Meaning, it belongs to Koaru?" Amy asked nervously. Luna nodded and looked to Tenshi.

"That gem will boost his powers by ten fold, and will reawaken many of his ultimate powers."

Tenshi shook his head slowly, confused.

"You're telling me this, why?" he asked, and Luna continued.

"His powers will be too much for him if he is not ready for them." she said, and Tenshi nodded in understanding.

"You want me to test him?" he asked, and Luna nodded.

"Yes. I trust that you will be able to judge if he ready for the Sapphire's powers or not."

Tenshi clenched his fist and smiled, staring at his knuckles.

"Sounds good," he said, drawing everyone's gaze again. "I haven't had a good duel in a long time."

"Don't go easy on him," Darien said immediately, causing Tenshi to look over at him.

"Why not?"

"He will kill you," Darien said, feeling slightly nervous. "Koaru already doesn't like you. If you give him the chance, he will kill you without question."

Tenshi smiled, locking eyes with the Prince.

"If he wants to earn this gem," he said, squeezing his fist tighter, "he had better be able to survive. He has no chance of winning against me!"

Amy looked nervously up at Tenshi and squeezed his hand, making him look down at her."Just don't kill him," she said, and Tenshi closed his eyes.

"That's not up to me," he said, squeezing her hand, "that's up to him."

Mina knocked on Lita's door, listening for the hurried footsteps to come and open it. Only silence came to her ears, and she rattled the doorknob.

"Lita! Open up!" she called, pushing forward and falling into the apartment. Sitting up and rubbing her nose, she looked at the open door curiously. "Didn't she lock up last night?" she asked out loud as she got to her feet and walked into the kitchen. It was empty, though there were a few pots on the stove. Walking over to them, she saw that it was rice and soup broth, both seemingly forgotten. Sighing, she was about to turn to leave when she noticed a bath towel lying on the floor at her feet. Bending down and grabbing it, she looked around and saw Lita's apron over in the arch way leading towards her bedroom. Curiously, she walked over and peeked around the corner. Lita's bedroom door was open, one of her shirts lying inside the doorway. Quietly approaching the room, Mina peeked in and felt herself burn up. Lita was laying naked in the bed, the covers up to her shoulder blades. The girl was laying face down, and beside her was Koaru, his bare chest face up, his right arm around Lita and her arm resting on his upper torso. Both were fast asleep, and Mina slowly backed out of the apartment, her face pure red, her heart pounding in her chest.

After getting outside the building, Mina took a deep breath and screamed into her arm, causing many people in the street to look at her curiously.

"What the Hell?" she yelled as she took off down the street, the image of her best friend and the Guardian burned into her mind.