7.) Night of Knives

Man has no right to kill his brother. It is no excuse that he does so in uniform: he only adds the infamy of servitude to the crime of murder.

- Percy Bysshe Shelley

SETSUNA

I opened my eyes, giving a sigh. Rei was chained to this world in a way I never would be. She was tied by the heartlessness of love, while I had only my duty tethering me in place. In a way, I would never wish to be placed in Rei's position... but in another, it was all I dreamed of. I frowned at the trail of my thoughts. They always seemed to lead back to you. The offer had been made to the two of us alone. Rei and I, but so far only one of us had turned it down. That night in the ballroom you had offered me my wildest dreams, my most secret desires. You had offered me a world worth living in.

You don't have to be alone.

Her words echoed through the recesses of my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about her, it had been so long since I had been this captivated by someone. I glanced out the window at the Earth, where it hung brightly in the sky. Things were so much simpler before your appearance in this world.

It was easy for me to say that eternity bored me, it was never something I wanted for myself. Or at least not myself alone. It was a duty, a bore without any love. No one should aspire to live forever, it is nothing but a waste of time... especially when your existence means so little to those around you.

I was forced to exist without truly existing and Beryl had offered a break from that monotony. It was more than I could hope for.

It was tempting.

HARUKA

I flopped down on the sofa across from Michiru. She hadn't moved from that spot since I woke this morning. Clutched in her arms was the book that Rei had left in the common room a week ago. In the days after that encounter, Michiru had refused to talk about it. Just last night the story had finally spilled out of her, everything about her, about the book, about Rei. It was one of the few times I'd seen Michiru cry.

I sighed softly, finding myself wondering about Rei. She had been doing this for me, so that Michiru would be safe. I knew that this was just as hard for Rei as it was for Michiru. Her words from the last time we'd spoken had said that much. Her guilt was consuming her, just as Michiru's was. Each felt horrible about the way things were between them. But both Rei and I knew that she was dangerous. Michiru knew it too. But she was willing to look past that... for Rei.

"Haruka?" Michiru asked, her voice hoarse. I looked over at her.

"Yeah love?" I questioned lightly in return, not wanting to push her like I had last night. I had pushed her to talk last night. I had forgotten, so consumed in my worry for her, that she was more delicate than she let on. Last night I had pushed her into breaking.

Michiru met my quizzical gaze with a soft smile. I could visibly see that she was trying to come to grips with her new reality.

"Have you spoken with Setsuna yet?" This was not the question I had anticipated. It was as though she was trying to put her relationship with Rei behind her. I chose not to enquire further on what was obviously a sore topic for her.

"I've tried. She has a fair advantage over me, knowing, when I seek her out, just how to deny me any information that I seek."

This coaxed a small laugh out of Michiru. I gave a soft smile, it was good to hear her laugh.

"I've known her long enough to realize that if she doesn't wish to talk, she won't. I think that the most we can do in this case is wait... and be there for her."

"This doesn't feel right to me." Michiru commented quietly. I sat up, moving from my place of rest, to sit beside her instead.

"I know but it would do little good for us to lecture her. She knows far more than we do, we can't offer counsel to one who knows the consequences far better than we."

"I just... It worries me."

I nodded.

"I know. But you worry too much. Just let it work itself out. Setsuna won't do anything too rash without telling us beforehand. So just... you know, don't stress yourself out over this." I rubbed a hand through my hair, feeling like I was messing this up. She was already so stressed out over that thing with that thing with Rei, I didn't want her to be pressured by anything else. I sucked in a breath as I realized I was going to have to try and sort out this thing with Rei as well. I didn't like seeing Michiru like this. "I guess what I'm trying to say is don't worry about it. I'll handle it."

MICHIRU

Talking with Haruka alleviated some of my worries. But silence fell between us and I found myself being drawn back into my thoughts, aided by the book sitting in my lap.

I ran my thumb along the worn leather binding of the book, debating about what to do next. I knew very well what day it was, and how today would be affecting Rei. I just couldn't bring myself to go find her. I didn't want to see the resentment and pain in her eyes again. I couldn't see that again. Ever again.

I was a coward. I knew that Rei would need someone today but I still couldn't bring myself to face her. A hand covered mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. I looked over, Haruka gave me a small smile, still trying to reassure me.

I shook my head softly. There was nothing she could do to reassure me about this. I was a coward and there was nothing anyone could do about that.

Rei would need someone because today was the anniversary of her mother's death. And I was too much of a coward to be there for her.

REI

I clenched my hand around the hilt of my sword as fire and smoke flickered before my eyes, the smell of woodsmoke was noticeably missing though. I blinked, coming back into reality. My blade was levelled at Ami's chest.

"Again." I commanded, doing my best to stay in the here and now. These excursions into the past weren't doing anyone any good.

Ami shifted her grip on her sword before attacking again. I easily parried her attacks, forcing her back until I knocked the weapon from her hand. I withdrew as I felt an irrational wave of anger flood over me as I was drawn back in time again, watching as the last of the Bonehunters were slaughtered. Blood pounded in my head, my vision taking on a red hue. Then I snapped...

I gritted my teeth, feeling the metal grow hot in my hand. I forced myself to concentrate. Perhaps training wasn't the best choice of distraction... all things considered.

I sheathed my sword before reaching down to retrieve Ami's fallen weapon. I let out a controlled breath, hoping that it would some how help me.

"How did learn to fight like that?" Ami asked as I handed the sword over.

"Years of military training." I replied tersely, not meeting her eyes.

"No, that's not it." Ami murmured. I looked over at her sharply. She quickly back pedalled. "You... you don't follow any of the signature styles of Martian hand to hand combat or armed combat for that matter."

That actually forced a smile out of me. She'd certainly done her research. There were only a few books on Mars in the royal library... all of them covered military history or standard training methods. I should have expected this.

I shrugged in response to her questioning gaze.

"Some things you learn by doing. I was forced to improvise... to build on what they taught me. I needed to keep every advantage I could." I shook my head as Ami opened her mouth to ask another question.

"You told me that you wanted to learn how to fight like me. Am I to understand that you want me to train you as I was trained?"

Ami was silent for a few moments, contemplating my question. I was glad to see she was taking this seriously. She met my eyes.

"Yes." She replied, her eyes shining with determination.

"You understand that you practically just asked me to try and kill you?" I asked, wanting confirmation. Ami swallowed sharply then nodded. I was slightly surprised by her nerve. Her commitment was fairly impressive.

I nodded.

"Okay then."

AMI
I knew very well what I was asking Rei to do. I also knew that I wouldn't be any good to them the way I was now. If something bad ever did happen, we couldn't let Rei be the only one to react. Also, Rei had a tenuous grip on her control. In the time I'd know her I'd seen her shaken, bringing her close to losing the little control she had. If the time came... someone had to be there to subdue her. Even now I could see the fire rising in her eyes, burning with the need to destroy.

I swallowed, knowing very well that I could be pushing her beyond the boundaries of her control... that she could snap while training me.

But that was kind of the point, wasn't it? It was a test for the both of us. I needed to find out how far we could push ourselves.

"Don't be afraid to go all out, Ami. Each time I've fought you, you've held back. Don't. It will only get you killed." Rei told me, as she cast aside her weapon belt. I moved to put mine aside but she shook her head. "Keep it. You'll need it."

I nodded, waiting for the rest of her instructions.

"Press every advantage you have, use your imagination. And most of all, fight dirty."

There was silence between us. I remained tense and on edge, watching Rei for any signs of beginning. But it never came. There was not warning before Rei attacked, no tensing before movement, just a flash of flame.

I had reacted instinctively, throwing out a protective wall of water, drawing water from the air around us. Even through the shield I could feel the wave of heat. I let the water drop to the ground, noticing a smirk on Rei's lips.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins, bringing the world into sharper focus. Part of my brain continued to note the effect the fight-or-flight response had on my body, the acceleration of the heart and breathing, and the diversion of blood to major muscle groups... preparing my body for the encounter to come.

Apparently I was scared.

Rei's hand grasped my sword as I swung it towards her, hoping to stop her assault. Almost immediately I felt heat radiate from my weapon. My mind flashed back to watching Rei fight the Crimson guard. I quickly stepped forward, shoving my shoulder into hers. She stepped backwards trying to find a way to manipulate my movement.

A sudden inspiration struck, I knew what I had to do.

Underneath her foot, I froze the water I had released seconds before. As her foot came to rest on the now icy surface, I gave a twist.

My actions forced her off balance as she slipped on the ice. Using the momentary distraction, I wrenched my sword from her grasp, drawing more water from the air around me and solidifying it up around her leg, securing her in place.

Rei's foot was locked to the ground, however she seemed to completely disregard that fact. Her hand shot out, grasping my shirt and yanking me towards her.

In a single motion she tossed me to the ground, knocking the wind out of me. I lost my sword as I skidded through the dirt. There was a hissing noise behind me, like water being poured over a very hot fire.

Rei loomed over me.

Before I could react Rei's hand grasped my neck firmly, her other hand ablaze and reaching towards my face. My mind went blank, I couldn't think of what to do next.

And then it was all over.

REI

I leaned back on my heels, releasing Ami. I ran a hand through my hair as I rose from my crouching position.

"That was a good start." I told her, offering a hand up. Ami took it, I pulled her to her feet then released her hand quickly. I had come very close to losing control... to killing her. And we both knew it.

Ami was breathing heavily.

"You alright?" I asked, closing my eyes and trying to calm myself. Needless to say, it wasn't working very well. Fire rushed through my veins, threatening to spill out into being. I clenched my hand. I opened my eyes, looking over at her. She didn't reply.

"We should stop." I told her, noticing that she was shaking. "You're done. Go.. take a break. Read a book or something. Relax."

Ami nodded, seeing that there was no point in arguing.

"What about you?"

"I'm staying out here for a bit. I need to cool off." I replied, not meeting her eyes. Surely she, of all people, would see the wisdom of this. Again Ami nodded.

"Well, if you need anything..."

I nodded, not really listening to what she was saying. I gave a distracted wave as I walked away from her. Behind me I heard her turn around and walk in the other direction.

I continued along my chosen route until I left the training grounds and entered the palace gardens.

After setting aside my sword I seated myself in the shade, crossing my legs under me and closing my eyes.

I needed to calm my mind but that wasn't the easiest thing to do when I kept remembering the past. The screaming. The pain.

It was one of the only events I could remember of my past. Everything else before that was vague. All I could remember clearly was watching my mother die. Watching my father kill her.

I shook my head, not wanting to revisit that again. I hated that part of myself, the part that was responsible for what came after. I had snapped that night, bringing the full wrath of Ares down upon their heads.

But I had been just a child then, inexperienced and unable to even fathom how to use the power at my command, and thus had been beat down. I couldn't remember what had happened next, I woke on Neptune with no idea how I got there.

I swore loudly, opening my eyes. I wasn't supposed to be thinking about that.

There was a faint sound of movement behind me. I spun around, getting to my feet in a single smooth motion. I was so on edge that I had instinctively sent sparks trailing along my fingers. I forced myself to relax upon seeing who it was.

MINAKO

I looked away from my mother, hating that she was so calm about this. I wanted her to get angry with me so that it would at least feel like my arguments were making some impact. But no, she remained calm, her words measured.

"Minako." My mother's soft voice stated, drawing my eyes back to her face. Her voice held power in it even when it wasn't raised in anger. Her kind eyes surveyed me and I was grateful for the space that separated us.

"What?" I asked rebelliously, hating that my voice sounded petulant to my own ears. My mother's fond smile grew.

"You always were so committed to your views ever since you were a child. You were such a passionate girl." I rolled my eyes. "But Minako, even the most free spirited must commit to something. To someone."

"I just don't see why it has to be this person." I replied, leaning back in my seat as I folded my arms across my chest. I felt the need to put as much between my mother's piercing gaze and my heart. She could see through my every thought as a child.

That hadn't changed as I'd grown up.

"Why shouldn't it be her?"

"There's no..." I started to say but I cut myself off with a shake of my head. "It would never work out between us."

My mother didn't reply, instead choosing to remain quiet. She knew that I would feel compelled to fill in the silence. At this, I felt the anger swell inside me.

"There's no potential for a functioning relationship between us. No trust. No basis for love, there's nothing."

"What makes you say that? Why can't there be trust?"

"She's just following orders." I replied. "You can't build a relationship on obligation. Not a meaningful relationship anyway."

"There's no emotion. No feeling. She's..." I stopped. "You can't expect me to love that!"

My mother sighed.

"Why not?"

"You can't force love."

"Why are you so set against her?"

"Because you didn't give me a choice. You didn't even give me a warning." I snapped at her, a heavy glare accompanying my words. My mother folded her hands in her lap,

"So you don't truly hate her, do you? You certainly find her repulsive in many ways but... there's an undercurrent to your emotions. Something equal to your revulsion, I think."

I looked away sharply, knowing that try as I might, I could never actually hide anything from my mother. I sighed.

"I do hate her."

"But that doesn't stop you from wanting her, does it?"

I didn't reply. It didn't deserve an answer. We both knew the truth. This time she was the one to fill the silence.

"What is it that's stopping you from reaching out to her? Even if it is only to start a physical relationship?"

"We're part of something bigger. Chances are, we'll end up together in the end, whether we want it or not. Duty and lust are no way to start a relationship."

RHODE

I could feel the conversation in the next room. Minako's emotions clearly displayed everything. She resented our mother for the position she had been placed in. Part of her hated our mother as well. As their talk continued I felt the repulsion Minako felt, that could only mean they were discussing Rei.

Rei. Her emotions permeated the palace. I was surprised that no one else had noticed it. I looked over at Eros, who was staring at the door to Minako's room with surprising intensity. I rose to my feet. He glanced at me.

"Where are you off to?" He asked.

"For a walk." I replied. He studied me closely for what seemed like an eternity.

"I should probably go with you, shouldn't I?" I got the feeling that he knew what I was going to do and wanted to chaperone.

"Probably, but you're too worried about Minako."

"I'm not worried." He responded indignantly.

"No, you're just feeling guilty." I countered. He rolled his eyes, we both knew the reason for his feelings of guilt. He felt responsible for how Minako was feeling. He knew he could have dealt with the situation more delicately in the beginning.

"You're such a brat." He muttered, then jerked his head towards the door. "Go then. I'll stay here and wallow in self hatred. Don't do anything rash."

"That's your area of expertise." I told him on my way out the door. "Don't beat yourself up too much."

He waved a hand in farewell and then I was gone.

I followed the feeling of anger out to the gardens. Rei was seated in a secluded area. I stopped momentarily, watching her as she sat perfectly still. All of a sudden, she swore violently. For some reason, rather than taking a step backwards in fear, I moved forward.

Rei rose to her feet and whirled around so quickly, I could barely react. Sparks flew from her hands as she tensed, her eyes met mine and she visibly forced herself to settle.

I hardly noticed her drop her defensive stance, all I could see was the pain in her eyes. I stepped forward, closing the distance between us and wrapping my arms around her waist.

She did not tense or pull away from me.

I did my best to send out calm feelings, trying to sooth the angered atmosphere.

"It's going to be alright." I told her, hoping that she would take some consolation from my words.

Negative emotions still lingered quite heavily in the air around us but they were muted somewhat. I stepped back, leaving off the one sided embrace. The rage that had been swirling around Rei had disappeared, leaving in its wake the raw pain I had felt.

I didn't need to ask what was wrong. The emotions that remained around us told the story more clearly than any words could say. They spoke of loss.

I looked up at Rei, she seemed lost in thought again. Eventually she focused on me.

"What brought you out here?" She asked quietly.

"You needed someone." I replied simply, sitting down on one of the nearby stone benches. Rei nodded, not needing to say anything.

The garden was so quiet that the approaching footsteps sounded impossibly loud to my ears. I looked around.

Artemis was strolling towards us, an easy going expression on his face. He grinned as he saw Rei and I sitting together.

"Just the two I wanted to find."

"Hello Artemis." I said, feeling genuine feelings of affection from him. Oddly enough he seemed quiet comfortable around Rei. Which was strange coming from someone who spent so much time around my sister.

"Theoroi." Rei greeted. "What is it that you want?"

"I'm supposed to join you and the others in a meeting."

"The others?" I asked.

"The Princess's guard." Artemis replied. "I was looking for you for a different reason, Rhode. Your mother would like to speak to you."

"Shall we be off then, Theoroi?" Rei asked. He nodded.

"Come along then Rhode, we'll drop you off first, then be on our way."

ARTEMIS

Rei walked beside me, I found myself glancing over at her continuously. She still fascinated me. It seemed she fascinated Rhode as well. I smiled softly to myself, it was quite obvious that Rhode had feelings for her.

I stopped outside Minako's rooms, Rhode and Rei stopped as well. Rhode lingered for a moment with her hand on the door knob.

"Go on, your mother's waiting." I prompted. "And send your sister out here, will you? We've got places to be."

Rhode smiled at me.

"Bye Rei." She said, Rei gave a nod. Just as Rhode made to shut the door behind her, Rei spoke up.

"Thank you Rhode." Rei stated. Rhode nodded.

"Don't mention it." Rhode murmured.

I glanced between them as Rhode disappeared inside. I couldn't understand why it was so easy for the two of them to get along when it was so difficult for Rei and Minako to even remain in the same room together. The interaction between Rei and Rhode was what we had hoped to see between Rei and Minako.

I had felt Rhode subtly manipulating Rei's emotions earlier, calming the raging storm within Rei. It was how Minako and Rei were intended to be together. But instead of pacifying Rei, Minako seemed to only antagonize her emotions. It was a dangerous mix.

As if on cue, Minako emerged from her rooms. The three of us stood there in silence. Finally Minako turned to me.

"You said we were in a rush..." Minako said with an almost disapproving tone.

"Guess I did, didn't I?" I replied. She rolled her eyes. "Let's go then, the others will be waiting for us."

I lead the way to the common room, where Ami, Makoto, and Luna were sitting patiently.

"It's about time." Luna muttered as we walked in. Perhaps she wasn't waiting as patiently as I thought. Makoto and Ami seemed perfectly at ease though.

"What's this about?" Rei asked, sitting down near Ami, who gave a tentative smile. Minako walked to the far end of the table, which also happened to be the seat furthest from Rei.

Luna and I shared a glance.

"It's about the treaty." Luna announced. Minako leaned back in her chair, apparently disinterested in this line of conversation. It seemed that Aphrodite had discussed this with her during their wave. We were a little wary about catching Mina off guard again. She didn't take it well, she liked to be prepared for things.

"You mean the marriage agreement?" Makoto asked, her tone was slightly rebellious, which drew small smiles from Minako and Ami. "Call it what it is."

Luna gave me an exasperated look. It seemed to me that they were trying to antagonize her. I knew there would be hell to pay if I didn't step in.

"Okay, we'll speak plainly then." I told them. "As most of you are aware, you're parents will be visiting shortly in order to finalize the Marriage contract."

"They're what?" Rei asked. I looked over at her, watching the colour drain from her face.

With the way things were looking, marriage between Rei and Minako looked unlikely... meaning that when Cycnus got the opportunity, he would kill her. I suddenly realized I had practically just told her that within a few days she would die. Well, I did say I would speak plainly...

Rei's deathly calm gaze caught mine, keeping me locked in place. Luna picked up from where I left off. Rei's scrutinizing gaze fell on her instead.

"The finalization of the contract does not require that you get married immediately. It merely means that you will commit to the engagement." Luna explained. "We will be adding your signatures to the document, tying you, rather than your parents, to the agreement."

There was a series of nods around the table. Rei cast a glance in Minako's direction. I knew what she was thinking, she was wondering if Minako would sign the agreement or not.

Minako avoided eye contact with everyone, ignoring the conversation at hand. I got the feeling she was thinking about the same thing as Rei.

I didn't think that anyone knew what Minako would do. And I don't think that we would find out until the day of reckoning, there was little doubt in my mind that Minako would decide that day whether or not she would sign the contract.

"Alright, so was this whole meeting just to tell us that we have to sign some piece of paper?" Makoto asked.

"No, there was something else we needed to discuss with you." Luna replied testily. "The High Queen has come to the belief that the four of you are hard pressed to maintain twenty four hour surveillance on the Princess. So she has decided to... lighten your work load."

The four of them shared looks of surprise. Rei leaned back in her seat, a critical look in her eyes. It was if she was appraising us.

"Could you be more specific?" Ami questioned. Luna nodded, continuing on with her explanation.

"She has asked Artemis and I to inform you that while Serenity is with either myself, or her majesty, that she will be protected by the Royal Guards."

MINAKO

Half an hour after Artemis and Luna departed the four of us still remained in the common room together. This was a first for us. I didn't think that we'd spent this much time with each other before. Or at least with all of us in the same room.

"Don't you think it's a little odd that this change is being made right now?" Makoto asked, her eyes flicking between Ami and I. Rei had gotten up from the table a short while ago and had taken a seat by one of the windows. However at Makoto's words, she looked over, seemingly drawn by the conversation.

"It's a sensible change to make. We were struggling to keep up with our schedule." Ami replied, Makoto glanced over at Rei. She had only just returned to active duty after their encounter, but she still wasn't one hundred percent. Rei looked away.

"Also I think it's because Serenity and the High Queen have been spending so much more time together. We spend most of our shift outside the Queen's chambers. She already has four guards in the corridor outside her chambers. Maybe she things our time could be better spent." I put in.

"Any idea why they spend so much more time together?" Makoto asked, looking towards me. Serenity and I had known each other the longest, having met through Artemis and Luna several years earlier.

"It's about Earth." I told them. Rei looked over sharply, which I decided to ignore. "Serenity and the Prince... were quite taken with each other. The High Queen has been debating about whether or not to welcome Earth into the Alliance."

"Are you implying that the High Queen means for Serenity to marry Prince Endymion?" Rei asked sharply. I looked over at her.

"It was one of the options." I replied, not liking the way she tensed at the very mention of Earth. It reminded me of how uneasy Rhode had been around them.

Rei shook her head in annoyance, Ami's watchful eyes flicked between the two of us, calculating our reactions. I looked away from the two of them.

Eventually conversation turned from our new duties to other topics. Some how we managed to remain in the same room together until dusk began to settle in over the Moon.

Rei's hand jerked toward her forehead, her eyes screwing up in what appeared to be pain. Ami half rose out of her chair in concern, stepping closer to Rei and the windows. Even I was a little put off by Rei's sudden movement. She had remained quiet while the rest of us talked, only becoming involved in conversation when asked a direct question but now her expression was pained and her body rigid. It was a different sort of silence. It was somehow ominous.

Rei's eyes flew open.

"Get down." She commanded as she leaped towards us, tackling Ami to the floor just as a concussive force rocked the room. Makoto and I were thrown backwards by the blast.

Despite the ringing in my ears, I got to my feet as quickly as I could as I had noticed movement through the chaos of the once calm room. Dust and rubble coated everything. Part of me wanted to be annoyed with Rei, thinking that this was another attack on her. The other part of me said that this was something much, much worse.

Beside me I noticed Rei drawing her sword, I fumbled for my own as something hurled itself towards me.

REI

Blood spattered across my face as Minako slashed the intruders arm. The slash was clumsy and hesitant, it was obviously her first time drawing blood with the intent to kill.

I pivoted upon seeing a dark shape emerge from the gaping hole in the wall. I knocked Minako away from her opponent and the oncoming danger, only to be forced against the wall by the new assailant.

Though the disfigured hand left no sign of damage on my clothes I could feel ribs snap upon impact only to be followed by a burning sensation across my skin. I thrust out with my sword, feeling it rip through the creature's unprotected stomach. I wasn't sure what kind of blow would kill it, these were like nothing I'd ever fought before, carefully I sent a shimmer of flame around the edge of my sword as blood splattered along the ground.

Some distant part of me took note of yet another intruder entering the palace. The others still seemed disoriented by the unexpected shattering of our relatively calm atmosphere. Minako had been the only one to make it to her feet, until I had forced her to take cover again.

The shadowy creature withdrew its' grip from my chest and shoulders, shying away from the flame, only to retreat and begin circling warily. I shifted my centre of gravity lower and waited for a second, standing between the it and the others. I had received a second of warning before our world imploded, which seemed to make all the difference. I studied the creature's gait carefully and noticed the tensing of its body, realizing not a second too soon that this was a precursor to an attack.

I reacted quickly, skirting around its feint and driving my sword into it's forehead. Flames erupted from the wound. Bone crunching loudly as the hilt rammed against its skull, incinerating it from the inside out. I wasn't about to take any more chances with this thing.

A harsh cry emanated from the beast before it faded away, leaving a black scar on the ground. I sheathed my sword, extinguishing the fire, and scanned the room. The two humans had disappeared. I cursed, vaulting over the upturned table and sprinted through the palace to the room where the Queen and Serenity would be. This was an assassination attempt, that thing had been there only to distract us from the real threat.

I could hear footsteps echoing down the corridor behind me as I started down the stairs towards the Queen's chambers. The others had clued in to what was happening and were following behind me as fast as they could.

The two guards that had stood by the entrance to the Queen's chambers were slumped by the door. I ignored them, if they were still living they would survive a few more minutes. I redrew my sword as I leaped over the bodies.

Once through the main doors I trusted my instinct and burst into one of the chambers. I found myself momentarily shocked that I had chosen the right room, I tried not to let that stall me. I had surprised the two would-be assassins and they were hesitating with their knives drawn, about to preform their executions.

I launched myself towards them, lashing out with my sword, cutting through the tendons in one man's leg. Pain was a handy distraction and could possibly give me the time I needed to finish off the other man. As the first assassin crumpled to the floor I was already drawing my secondary blade.

As a weapon neared the throat of the Queen I found myself completely unconcerned with meeting the man blade to blade, my knife ripped through the flesh of his wrist and out the other side, his eyes met mine and I saw the fear and pain in them. My sword came up out of it's own accord and thrust through his chest. Ice had settled over my heart and my actions were automatic. I was shutting down emotionally.

The body thudded to the ground after I removed my blades from him. There was a soft scrabbling behind me, I turned and found that the other assassin had made it to his knees and had his knife at the small of the princess's back. He stood with one shoulder to me, allowing me to see his leverage.

"L-let me g...go and she lives." He stuttered. I scowled, weighing my knife in my hand.

I pivoted quickly, launching my knife at him. It sank into his neck under his chin with little resistance. His weapon clattered to the floor, leaving the Princess free.

"That's not how it works with assassins." I murmured, feeling my body relax. Movement near the door caused me to turn towards it, I was beginning to react normally again now that the threat was gone.

Something was wrong, pain was threatening to bring me to my knees and I resisted the urge to bring a hand to my chest, breathing was getting harder. I struggled to remain unaffected. I could only vaguely remember the cause of this pain. That... thing had... I shook my head softly, trying to concentrate on my immediate surroundings.

Minako and the others stood framed in the doorway, staring at me in horror. I tried not to think of what they had seen and were seeing, the carnage, blood, and death. I felt bile rise up in my throat along with the sickening sense of guilt.

"I'm going to get cleaned up." I said withdrawing my weapons from the corpses before turning away from the Queen and Princess. I brushed past my three 'comrades' by the doorway, each of whom flinched back.

Once in the solitude and confinement of my room I completely fell to pieces. I had thought all the killing and death would stop when I arrived at the Moon. I thought I wouldn't be a weapon anymore.

MINAKO

"But she just murdered the last one in cold blood! He was attempting to leave and she just..." My voice failed upon trying to say what exactly she had done. The image of her plunging her sword through a man's chest would stay with me for the rest of my days.

"Looking at it logically, they were here to assassinate both the Queen and Serenity, there was no way to know if he would let her live once she was out of our sight and..." Ami said.

"Can you stop being logical for once in your life? You're like a heartless god-damned robot!" Makoto snapped. "We just saw someone brutally murdered and all you have is logic!"

There was a moment of silence between the three of us. Ami was watching Makoto cautiously, at that moment in time a flood of regret washed over me. I looked at Makoto, from whom the feeling was emanating.

"I don't understand how you can be so cold." Makoto murmured in her attempt at an apology, letting her gaze fall away from Ami's.

I looked away from them as I got the feeling I was intruding on something private, I concentrated fully on the physical world, trying to block out the swirl of emotions that were flooding between the two of them. My gaze was drawn back to Ami as I heard her clear her throat.

"I find myself unable to..." There was a pause where Ami seemed to be searching for her next word. "Express my feelings regarding Rei's execution of that man. I can understand why she did it but I still can't comprehend how."

It seemed her statement summed up all our feelings. I sighed, resting my head in my hands. There was quiet throughout the room for minutes on end. Makoto finally turned to Ami.

"So, any theories?" Makoto asked. Ami looked confused.

"On what topic do you enquire?" Ami asked.

"That... thing that attacked us." Makoto replied, looking uneasy.

"Oh... that." Her voice trailed off. After a few seconds she spoke again. "I assume you mean aside from the obvious?"

I looked over at Ami. She seemed to be in a thoughtful silence. I shared a glance with Makoto, she looked just a confused as me. I cleared my throat, Ami jerked out of her thoughts.

"What's the obvious?" I asked. Ami looked a little surprised.

"Well, those things are what prompted the Terrans to contact us, quite possibly having originated there, and we can now assume they are spreading through the worlds."

"Oh, okay..." I replied. I wasn't liking where this was going.

"I know that's not exactly what you meant but it's definitely important to remember."

"Anything else?" Makoto asked.

"Well... we didn't exactly have time to study it so I'm unable to come to any conclusions as to what it is."

"Study it? You mean like we'd have to catch one? And keep it in captivity or something?" Makoto asked looking incredulous.

"I don't see how else we can learn about what we're up against." Ami replied simply. "We don't know anything about these lifeforms other than the fact they seemed to be working with, or for, someone."

REI

I peeled my blood spattered shirt away from my skin in an attempt to thwart the temperature rising from within me. The place where that thing had come in contact with my clothing had left an angry wound beneath it. I let my clothing fall back into place, feeling sick with pain as the fabric brushed over the apparently cauterized wound. I clenched my jaw as I looked down, the dark red of dried blood coated my hands. I sucked in a painful breath.

I was sick of washing blood off my hands. I just wanted it to end. I hung over the sink as I retched and, having nothing to reject from my stomach, my heaving turned into hacking coughs. I gritted my teeth as I tried to steady my breathing and push away the nausea.

I wiped my mouth with a damp cloth, looking up at my reflection in the mirror. My face was strikingly pale, deeply contrasting the bruise-like bags under my eyes. My eyes... I couldn't see anything in them.

I let out a cry of fury, slamming my fist into the glass. It shattered beneath my hand, showering glass around the bathroom. I lowered my arm with some difficulty, concentrating on the pain as I did this. I tightened my grip on sink, watching blood well up and flow freely from the wounds.

I let go of the sink, suddenly feeling all too claustrophobic in the bathroom. I fumbled at the latch on the door and stumbled out into the main room, leaning against the opposite wall of my room.

Next thing I knew I was seated on the floor, my hands clutching feebly at my forehead as pain ricocheted through my head.

MINAKO

It was only when Ami, Makoto, and I parted ways that everything finally sunk in for me. Once reaching my room, I sank down onto the bed. Rei had pushed me out of that thing's path. She had saved me. The rest of us, we couldn't do anything. We couldn't even comprehend what had been happening at that moment.

I took a deep breath, trying to still my shaking hands. I forced myself to concentrate on something else. The first thing that came to mind was Rei. I focused on her for a moment, sorting through my current feelings about her, rather than address what had actually happened earlier.

I often felt horrified by Rei's actions, but I couldn't help but be grateful for her abilities tonight. This attack had caught everyone off guard but Rei's training and lifestyle had insured that everyone made it out alive. Including me.

So I had to respect that... at least.

Note: University hijacked my life and is holding me hostage. Next update will come Nov 14. Sorry to disappoint.