Chapter 9
Zachariah strolled into the temple already hearing the voices of the women, no... Sailor Senshi, he mentally told himself. After that conversation he over heard Ami speak with one of the women, he figured her immediate group of friends were the famous protectors of the planet.
So why did he feel compelled to fight beside with them? Sure, he did learn martial arts, but was never in any great competitions. That was more along the lines of Jay's upbringing. Zachariah used the skill for self-defence against bullies. He preferred the books and knowledge.
He entered the room cautiously waving to the women and to two familiar faces, one he knew very well and the other...He wasn't sure where to place him, but in his heart, he knew that he knew the black haired man who had an aura of power and authority.
"Good to see you bro," waved Jay.
Zachariah sat down beside Ami not afraid to show his interest in the woman. He could read everyone as they reacted differently. Some seemed over joyed, and others were still unsure of him. That was understandable. They were all still getting to know him. He assumed this was good. Ami, his love interest, had a face as red as a tomato. He couldn't help but allow a smirk cross his lips as he scooted a little closer to her. He was restraining the urge to grab her and bring her to his side. Yet he knew that was not proper etiquette in this culture. So he refrained. He forced his attention to the other women and men as much as he desired not to. "I didn't know you knew everyone here," commented the photographer to his childhood friend.
Jay smirked, "Just decided to say hello to old friends of mine."
"Small world," uttered Zachariah. Old friends? He wasn't aware that his business tycoon friend was already acquainted with these friends. He mentally made a note that he would ask Jay about it later. He then looked back to his unknown ally, the king of the earth. He couldn't help but stare trying to figure out where he was from. The conversation was brought up once more and continued between friends with laughter and shouting all mixed in. The man with green eyes studied all this carefully. He was intrigued how all the women were so comfortable around each other even with an outsider joining their group. They definitely had people skills considering they were always saving citizens of earth as their alter ego.
And he looked once more to the love of his life. She was trying her hardest to ignore his presence so close. He could feel the tension very thickly. And he was loving every moment of it. It gave him hope to continue with his pursuing of the quiet water senshi.
When two of the women, namely Usagi and Rei, began to argue, Zachariah smoothly leaned to the blue tressed goddess and whispered in her ear, "Are you ready to leave?"
She jumped a little at his voice, his breath tickling her ear. She looked at him with her large blue eyes, and nodded her head shyly. He stood up and helped her stand. They both slipped out almost completely unnoticed.
Mamoru watched with a calculated gaze as one of his Generals exited the room with Usagi's Senshi. He smirked knowing full well that another wedding may soon be planned for. That or the couple might choose to elope. It happened once in the past when no one was aware of their decision. He remembered that day VERY well though it was a millennia ago. It shocked and surprised everyone both on his team and the senshi team that two cautious and very intelligent warriors made such a sudden rash and spontaneous choice to belong to each other for a life time. No one saw it coming. But this time around, he could see it happening in a similar fashion. Whose to say it wouldn't happen again?
He knew Zoisite, or in this case, Zachariah, wouldn't screw this opportunity up especially with his soul mate so close.
Ami laughed joyfully as they rounded the ice rink once more. She was so excited as the cold weather mixed with snow and a gentle wind surrounded her and Zach. It was almost surreal. And it began to spark more memories. Memories of old...
"What's on your mind, if you don't mind me asking," encouraged the male with the ponytail. He currently had it tucked in his hat, almost looking more like Jay. Ami, with her earmuffs and scarf, smiled knowing she could never tell. "This weather," she began as he held her gloved hand in his, "is perfect. It is my favorite time of the year."
She already told him that. He wanted her to open up! He knew she was thinking of something else, but she came back to the same safe topic. The winter weather. How would he get her to truly open up? He decided to try a new tactic.
"Have I told you that you're beautiful?" He asked her with all seriousness.
Her face lit up brightly. "Flattery?" She asked this in a squeak. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because it's true," he replied.
She got really flustered. She saw the smirk grow on his face, "I'm tempted to play our little game again. What do you say?" He asked.
"Oh no!" She exclaimed, "Do you realize how much my friends tease me because of that?"
"Really?" He asked; she didn't notice when his hands began holding her closer to his body as they skated in sync.
"They began to ask when the wedding bells will ring for us!" she blurted still very flustered.
Zach smirked. Gotcha.
"When will they ring for us Ami?" He asked genuinely interested and also wanting to keep his roll in flattering the woman of his dreams.
She gave a little squeak as he picked her up off the ice and turned her around. She saw how close they really were. Now she WAS panicking in her mind as he looked down into her eyes. Many people around were amazed at how the two were still skating without having to look. Little did they realize that both man and woman had abilities to control water. Their awareness of this element, even when frozen, was beyond human.
"I love you," he whispered.
She was speechless, "Your a good friend-"
"Wrong answer," he breathed just millimeters away. He leaned down to claim his kiss.
BOOM!
The ground shook and the two immediately broke apart expertly catching themselves on the ice rink. Ami cursed mentally when she saw the monster. Internally she was very thankful for the distraction, but why was her heart clenching? Did she really want to be kissed by Zachariah Pemmington?
The road was loud as people screamed and scared as quickly away as possible. She quickly assessed the situation. This mythical creature was a new one looking almost like a tiger, and her mental alarms went off as it began to harass and go after people.
She glanced cautiously to the man interested in her and cursed her luck. He could never know that she was Sailor Mercury! He was a famous photographer! He would expose her identity to the world! No, no, she could never trust him with her most precious secret.
On the other hand, Zachariah sneaked a peak at Ami, the foolish woman. He internally cursed. He understood the situation they were in. He knew this monster was not going to stop till it was finished eating or killing anything that had a pulse. Was she not going after that monster thing because he was here? Was she seriously pretending to be a bystander and wait for the other senshi while more damage was being done? Didn't she realize that he already knew who she was?
He got his answer when Ami pretended to be a weak defenseless woman. She curled into Zachariah's chest and shrieked. "What is that?" She exclaimed.
The blond man looked down at the woman curling in his arms. NOW she was wanting to be close to him! Of all the dumb luck! They had to get out of here if she wasn't transforming!
He grabbed her arms silently, quickly assisted her in skating out of the rink, and hiding while trying to regain and replace their shoes on their feet. They were lucky the monster remained on the other side of the rink as they slipped their shoes and winter boots on. He grasped her hands and ran with her leading her to a good hiding spot. He really hoped her friends would show up soon.
As if right on cue, a light beam shot across the sky and stunned the monster. Sailor Venus was here! Finally. He wasn't opposed to Ami clinging and curling to his body for protection, rather he found himself enjoying her closeness, but it did seem very inappropriate when their lives were in danger and she could assist in preventing further damage with her supernatural powers.
The other Senshi soon arrived followed by a man in a black cape and another in a white suit and cape. What was up with all this?
Where was a camera when you needed one?
BOOM! CRASH!
Mars screamed as a wall fell on top of her. The man in the white uniform shouted and immediately used his powers to try and free her off the rubble.
Another monster appeared completely covered with flames as it flew.
Of course it would be a monster she could easily defeat with her element water, thought Ami. Surely her friends could handle this, right...?
A second fire creature spawned out of the first when Jupiter sliced it in half with her lighting. Another wall crumbled and fell, this time catching two of the Senshi, Venus and Moon.
Ami was dying on the inside, she needed to help her friends!
"Ami," spoke Zachariah looking down to his beauty. This was enough nonsense. "Your friends need you."
"What are you..."
"Your friends need you as Sailor Mercury!"
Her blood ran cold.
How did he know?
"I don't know what you're talking-" she began to deny...only to be cut off once more.
"You already told me you were Sailor Mercury, Ami. Your friends need you," he urged pleading with her now. He gave her a quick kiss before leaping out of his hiding spot and running towards the monster of fire. He gathered a few snowballs to throw at it.
Ami was stunned. He knew she was Sailor Mercury! And he stole a kiss! She saw him throwing snow balls at the creature to get its attention. No... He couldn't put himself in danger like that no matter how much of a pain he was!
She immediately transformed, preparing for an attack. She called out the attack as she ran towards the monster, the water instantly distinguishing the flames making it vulnerable. Jupiter then summoned her lightning, and it fried the creature with a loud crash. When Ami turned to the second creature of fire, she and Jupiter acted in the same manner. The creature was dusted. Now, onto the final creature, that pesky tiger looking thing. The three other senshi were finally back in action with Endymion's warrior.
This would be a piece of cake.
As soon as a mist covered the area, the other senshi were able to attack the monster with coordinated ease, the final blows coming from Jadeite and finally Sailor Moon.
Sailor Mercury scanned the area with her visor trying to figure out where the green eyed man went. Her scanner began beeping and stopping on a bundled up man lying in the snow, face down. When she looked closer, she saw crimson seeping into the frozen, powdered ice.
Ami didn't remember how she got to his side or how she turned him over so quickly, but the huge slash marks on his clothes, and the fresh blood seeping out of each cut caused Ami to do something she had not had done in a very long time. She screamed and began to cry over his lifeless form.
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