Sailor Moon S 'Rise of the Messiah'

by max333

Weeks after the Wiseman is defeated and the dark crystal destroyed, the lives of all that were there or involved have changed, and not all for the better. With the approach of a new enemy and two potential allies do the senshi have what it takes to come together once more? Why are the senshi now acting disorganized? And will Usa's dad ever accept Mamo? SEQUEL to 'Roses & Diamonds'

10. 3 daimons for 3 senshi part 2

damonika2009: their not out of the woods yet.

mavebelikova (Guest): I'm glad your hooked!

CaughtInAFantasy: glad you like the intensity. Ami can be as vulnerable as anyone else and that's something people can tend to forget. She's only human, at least in this life. Only a bit of their planetary bits come from their being senshi in this life, they haven't ascended to their ultimate true forms yet. So yeah she's incredibly smart but she's still a human being and was tainted by Chaos.

Bouowmx (Guest): I gotta watch out for the spelling more now. LOL as for Kaolinite, there will be a showdown as there is with any big boss fight but that wont be for a bit of time. and with Chibi Usa…maybe… ;) as for the characters, I have 'Shaydoe' to thank for that. Sometimes I loose focus on the others and she reels me in.

silverfaerie91 (Guest): thank you so much.

pandoraskiss (Guest): lol! Thank you! Being on your toes is fun though! LOL

lunanekoanime (Guest): yup there's more to come.

yamifangirl (Guest): wow! a million %, cool!

witchoftheforest (Guest): thank you and here's your new ch/ep!

wildflower (Guest): at the moment nothing truly good…but it'll get better…eventually.

mistressofbakura (Guest): steamy love scenes, yes there will be more.

LoveInTheBattleField, thunderkitty902 (Guest), : here's your next ch/ep!

Nice 13 reviews, lets shoot for 15-20 next time! glad your all really liking this dare I say it saga, lol! I'll bring it up to 'Shaydoe' about continuing it but I'd really like to have the feedback form you all. Some of you may like this but say 'leave it where it is'. So just let me know!

Rise of the Messiah' ch/ep. 10

The evening sun was glinting off the towers in the distance, making the steel burn as if it was on fire. Azabu's wide commercial avenues were clogged to a standstill with rush hour traffic. The frustrated masses, trapped in their vehicles. Impatiently waiting upon stop lights and commuter busses seeking to merge into faster moving lanes.

The world seemed to be at a standstill, except for the Odango blonde exploding down the sidewalks like a bullet from a gun, leaving nothing behind in her wake not even dust trails that normally followed. Usagi was driven, focused on moving her legs faster. Pumping her arms and keeping feet as she urged for more speed. Ignoring all distractions occurring around her, a single minded goal urging her onward.

She was running so fast she began stumbling over her satchel as it bounced haphazardly upon her hip. Accidentally tucking itself between her legs more than once and tripping her up. Glancing over to her communicator that was blinking once again, she saw another alert left behind by Makoto. Racing away to the closest friend to help. The other people on the sidewalk, forced to move swiftly out of the way. Or be in the way of bodily collision.

Some casting the frantic girl alarmed looks, most were left scowling at the side of the cement, viewing her being as very impolite, stampeding down the block in such haste.

She had felt Ami's life fade as her crystal was taken from her, tears of grief threatening when suddenly the spark of her life moisture collecting in her eyes drying, as her determination was strengthened. With the hope that her dear friend had been saved.

Usagi knew one of the other senshi had come to her aid, though from one of her own or the other two senshi she was unsure of. The only questions that remained was why Ami never sent an alert to being attacked. She always called out for help as did the rest whenever there was a daimon or a youma or even a Cardian from En and El. It had been stressful and worrisome when she felt the attack happen, but then the relief had flooded within her when Ami's life came back.

However she was starting to feel woozy from the extended run, training with the girls had become uncommon as of late. Her time to do her old daily sprint from to school from her home not nearly as long as this. Not to mention Mamoru had been driving her to school quite often now. She hadn't done her daily running routine in quite a while and it was starting to show. But she wouldn't let one of them go down. Not if there was even one shred of possibility that she could help them out. She refused to let them go into battle without back up.

Looking over to her communicator she frowned at it, before focusing once again on her tireless sprint. Her heart and mind of a senshi refused to let breathlessness claim her, as her body pumped more adrenaline into her.

It was sending her mind into a buzzing state of over excitement. She just kept running, she would not lose her friends today! Not one!

Rei on the other hand was having a hard time keeping herself together. The pull of her heart crystal was to great. She was just to tired from keeping the spell she had cast for so long up to keep mentally fighting. She could sense her defeat like a foul pungent scent that made her gag, her mind swimming in a dizzy nauseous haze. Wanting to vomit and purge herself of the sick feelings that giving up gave her. She hated it.

Her death was at hand and there was no hope. The unjust fury of it was driving her towards a darkness the lay deep within her. It taunted her with power, with a way to save herself to finish this fight on her own terms. It was a way to take her revenge upon the Daimon who wished to kill her.

Rei was alarmed to find this dark element tainting her spirit, finally finding the source of her visions. Relief flooded her on that one, but knowing she was now in need of it, had her in despair. That she needed something that was dark instead of from the light to save her. But she was so desperate now and it was just so warm and inviting to her, like the embrace of a forgotten lover. Filling her flagging strength with a certainty of success. This was her only chance to save herself, she could control this darkness...her pride as a priestess surged within her.

She refused to allow the evil to win over her body, or the Heart Snatcher to take her crystal from her. She would just use this dark power for now to aid in her escape then cleanse herself of it once its usefulness was done. She just couldn't die and let the evil win!

She had so much yet to do, so much still to accomplish in her life. She still had a career she wanted to obtain and love to find. Though she suspected she had found her love in Yurichio. She ended up grasping onto that tiny flicker of darkness and allowed it to flourish to life inside of herself. Chaos accepted her welcome with a mocking laugh, waiting to overtake her frail human body when her pure heart was pulled free.

Rei screamed in foolish agony as the dark power consumed her. Cursing herself for her pride full ness as it had her giving into something she knew deep down had been wrong. It had been foolish to accept its power, and now she was paying for it seemingly with her life. Brief feelings of discontent from her ancestors on her decision reverberated through her, knowing she had to learn through this challenge as with any other. Her hubris at her own inner strength, had been her ultimate undoing.

Venus had torn herself free a moment earlier with a scream of panic filled rage. Then was reduced to jumping about, to avoid becoming Senshi shish kabob. As the Diamon was now throwing a set of long wooden skewers at her like deadly javelins. Having taken a page from Moon's book, she decided to never stay still for to long, bouncing and dodging like a rabbit away from its ravenous hunter.

Bad thing was it was leading her further from Rei. The up side was it was leading the daimon away too. "Oh please be okay Rei – chan." Venus muttered to herself in concern. "I'll return and save you. I promise."

Kaolinite appeared as the glittering rose colored crystal pushed through the priestess's chest. To float like a tiny glittering jewel before the dying ebony haired miko. Who hung from the wall like the perfect sacrifice for their cause. She grabbed the pure heart crystal, considered it for a moment before sneering, "Damn it! It's not a talisman!"

Upon hearing the dissatisfaction in its master's voice, the daimon stopped in a nearby glade of pines, turning its head briefly towards the back fence line. Acknowledging its failure with a growl of anger.

Kaolinite groaned and tossed the crystal away in disgust, as if it were to filthy to touch. As such she had other targets to check on. Shimmering away she left the crystal to float lazily back to the prone, hanging form of Rei.

Venus called forth her 'love me chain' that was now crackling with a dark under current of power. Wrapping it as tight as possible around the daimons distracted head. Yanking it with all her senshi strength and infusing it with her inner planetary power.

She couldn't see Rei, hidden behind the line of motley colored barberry bushes that grew in over grown clumps between the trees, but she could feel her passionate friends life failing. Just as they had both felt Ami sub come a few minutes earlier, only to be revived. The daimon went to yanking back on the glowing heart shaped chain. Fighting against the pull of the love senshi's 'love me chain', like a wild dog struggling to free itself from its lead.

Its face twisting in frustration, as it writhed and pulled unable to even loosen it. As the chain heated up burning its dry bark like skin. "Stupid ass mutant tree thing." Venus muttered, breathing heavily as she struggled in this infuriating tug of war.

"Just die already!" Venus screamed, her eyes glowing a bright lavender red. Sending a charge of dark energy down the chain like a current of lightening. The Heart Snatcher roared in agony as her dark power exploded over its hard wooden body, crumpling to the dry litter on the ground in smoking heap. Now unmoving in the wake of Venus's hidden power. Venus huffed, blowing air up to toss her bangs arrogantly. Still not noticing the dark tint to her powers, content only that the treat was gone.

She left the smoldering remains of the Daimon, highly satisfied she had taken one down on her own. Feeling as if she finally laid claim to the stronger powers they'd always see with either Neptune or Uranus. Dashing back through the trees, a cold fear gripping her heart. She had felt Rei's life being snuffed out as she had retreated with the monster. She had yet to feel her life come back to her.

As Venus exploded from the shrubs nearby, she felt Rei's life flash alive once more. Like a phoenix from the ashes, she was suddenly reborn. Venus's relief faded into confusion as she was confronted by an odd sight. Rei's heart crystal was pressed lovingly up against the dark haired girl's chest. Humming plaintively as it was locked out of its owner.

She watched in morbid fascination as Rei slowly came back to life, without her pure heart. "Is nothing sacred?" Rei asked in a weak groaning voice. The senshi of love stood awe struck unable to formulate words. Her blood running as cold as ice by the horrifying scenario happening before her. As Rei merely ripped her arms off the wall, shattering the thick heavy wooden hands once holding her firmly. They crumbled under the strain of her greater strength, the talon like finger's snapping like broken chop sticks.

Venus was almost in fear to what she was seeing right now. Rei was still not transformed, there was no way she would have the raw strength to just tear herself off the wall like that! It just wasn't humanly possible and while she knew as young women who could transform into senshi, and they carried some of the strengths in daily life…ripping Youma fashioned bindings with her own arms that was just impossible.

"Filthy..." She growled, pulling her heart crystal off her priestess robe in disgust. Holding it by a crystallized point in only two fingers, as if to touch it more firmly would soil her hands.

"Rei - chan..." Venus stuttered, standing bewildered just before the Miko.

"Such a passionate soul, so full of such intense feelings..." Rei gazed at the crystal in mild fascination. "Such Devotion...Always seeking a perfection in everything she does. So arrogant and self-righteous always believing she could overcome anything with the right training and skill set." The Miko chuckled. "A foolish deluded soul, who felt hard work alone was enough. The silly idea, if one never gave up then nothing was impossible. That gave her such over confidence...what a waste."

Rei rolled her shoulders and swung her neck back and forth as if loosening tight muscles. Then she tossed the crystal over her shoulder like a piece of unwanted trash.

Venus watched in horror as the glittering crystal was cast away into the air. Descending like a stone towards the cobble stones.

"No!" She screamed in fright lunging past the dispassionate Rei to attempt to catch the crystal before it shattered. "Are you nut's?!" She retorted over her shoulder as she dove for the falling crystal. Cringing as hit the ground, realizing she had misjudged her lunge, coming up short. The crystal was going to strike the rocks, hard, mere inches out of her grasp. She lay defeated on the ground, eyes tightly shut. Awaiting the sound of breaking glass, of the impact of the crystal, even as she cursed herself at failing her dear friend so horribly.

Rei watched uncaring, blowing on her nails as if riding the last of the dirt from her fingers. The crystal slowed just before the ground, white gloved hands cradling it lovingly. When the sound of destruction didn't come. Venus opened her eyes, her mouth falling in astonishment. While Rei merely growled, staring down at the Spirit of the Senshi of Mars. Who was now standing before them both, holding the pure heart close to her breast like a tender child.

A fierce wind was tossing her long black hair behind her, as she glared dangerously back at Rei's form. Her red fuku skirt snapping with her rage, golden tiara gleaming in the half-light of dusk, filtering down from the branches.

"Don't make yourself to comfortable, Chaos. That host will not last long. I promise you my fellow Senshi will find a way to vanquish you." Mars stated with a determined glint in her eye. A fierceness in her stance and features that commanded respect. A respect that Chaos refused to accept or submit to. Glaring back through Rei's dark lavender eyes, luminous and cold.

"Chaos?" Venus gathered her feet, understanding now that it was the soul of Mars protecting Rei's pure heart. She didn't care at this point, the pure heart was in safe hands and wasn't in any danger. To becoming destroyed any time soon. For now she felt relief…but only for the pure heart crystal, for Rei she knew something drastic had to be done to save her friend. But first she'd have to gather with the other girls. Figure out a plan, a strategy to purge her human body of that darkness and anyone else that was tainted.

"Oh, shut up you righteous blow hard!" Rei threw a ball of dark fire towards Mars. Who smiled in a cocky manner, throwing up a hand and deflecting the black fire away towards the trees, effortlessly. Where it sputtered and died, absorbed by the charms and futa scrolls the Miko had place earlier.

"I believe you are the one who needs to be silenced." Mars dared, spinning a ball of red flame over her head then casting it at Rei. The energy flare was blinding, making Venus squint as it roared past her face. Enveloping Rei and casting her aside. Slamming into elm tree so suddenly and with such force the girl barely got out a scream before she was knocked unconscious.

Venus could only watch in utter disbelief as Rei's human body hit the bark, pinned in place once more but by a ball of flame instead. Her head slumped over the crackling spiritual inferno, her hair never catching fire as she looked merely asleep.

"The stone shard Usagi was given by Wiseman was but a seed of Chaos itself. A wild darkness that permeates the universe, seeking only destruction and to snuff out all sources of light. I cannot exist with such evil in the same soul. The ancestors tried to warn her. But unfortunately they did not give her enough details to prepare. Or at least the not directly enough, needed to understand why she should give up her futile pursuits." She sounded tired.

Venus was in a state of near shock, "Instead they resorted to weakening her mind and body, in the hopes of ruining her. So Chaos would flee, to find a more worthy host." Mars sighed sadly. It had been a 'lose, lose' scenario.

"It wasn't the best of tactics but with the limited power they possess. They had to send the visions needed to aid in her quest. However she kept seeking more knowledge, information they didn't think she was ready for with the Chaos within her. When she was at her weakest point she accepted Chaos. So I had to separate from her body. I shall protect her pure heart until that darkness is cast out." Mars continued, as if she had never been interrupted. Drawing Venus's attention back to the matters at hand.

Venus began to rub at her chest which was heating up. Remembering how she had blindly raced into that void of pure darkness to save Usagi. How the darkness had seemed to latch onto her like a thick, heavy blanket. And when it seemed destroyed by the Silver Crystal she realized it was merely hiding inside Rei…perhaps inside all of them. They had all felt the sudden heat inside their chests right after that part of the battle.

"Your right, Venus. Always very astute." Mars spoke softly, noticing her reflective caressing of her breast, reading her very thoughts. "Chaos lurks inside you as well, you have already tapped into it. I can sense the darkness growing, like a cancer slowly rotting your Pure Self. Beware, Minako - chan it is only a matter of time I fear before it claims your body and makes it merely a host to its desires as well." Mars gave her a fatal sigh, before fading away with the crystal.

Venus remained staring at the ground, working through all the grim words Mars the senshi, not Mars the Rei they all knew and loved but the separate entity, had said. Coming to terms with her coming fate and seeking to strategize a way to stop it. Rei's Senshi soul was gone, her human half was tainted by a primordial evil. As was hers, she had found the strength to destroy a Heart Snatcher but she knew now at a cost.

She had opened the door inside of herself to allow Chaos to poison her soul. It was only a matter of time before the Soul of her Senshi abandoned her. Her body was now a rotting sanctuary, crumbling and falling apart like a derelict house. Venus powered down back to Minako, dressed in her school uniform. She nervously pulled at her red ascot, suddenly very uneasy to even be in her own skin.

She briefly wondered how long she had until the Chao's within took full control and pushed out the good she held within her. Would it happen during a battle like with Rei? Would she even feel it happening? Or would it simply take over like a shot in the dark and take away her humanity and who she was as a person? To many questions and no answers to them.

Casting Rei's crumpled form, now curled up on the ground beside the elm tree worried, nervous looks. She was only human now, it was up to her mortal half to continue to fight the demon residing within her. She wondered morbidly if Rei was strong enough...if any of them were strong enough. As mere fragile humans to overcome such vast odds. As she left the back gardens of the Shrine, she found herself unable to aid Rei or even go near her.

Feeling so shamed and violated, that this evil had crept inside of them all. To fester and grow until it started to attack them one by one. Inadvertently being aided by another enemy they had yet to understand and what their true goal really was. It was all just so overwhelming, she needed to some time to think to plan and perhaps wallow in her own bitterness.

Meanwhile Usagi honed in on Makoto's screams. Transforming into Moon as she crossed through a winding alley. Her school uniform disappearing in a flash of light. While her nude body was bathed in dark lavender ribbons, from her bronze toned broach. The broach shimmered and turned silver as her darker battle fuku formed, a black upside down crescent surging to life upon its surface. With her black short skirt and bib with lavender accents along with it.

A deeper lavender leotard hugged her torso like a second skin. With matching lavender gloves, and black trim ascending up her arms to near her elbows. A black bow holding her front closed, while a dark purple choker with an upside down black crescent moon wrapped around her neck.

Her long boots matched her gloves, in dark lavender with black trim. Her hair had turned silver, her shields a dark lavender. The last was her tiara, forming upon her brow in silver the central ruby now replaced by a midnight jewel. She had become the literal embodiment of the dark side of the Moon. It was something she prayed to the Goddess Selene would end soon and she could go back to being regular light filled Sailor Moon. This new power surging through her was so alien, holding only the most faint of familiar energy.

While before she would feel invigorated by a gentle current, that was both strong and resilient, filled with a warmth and soft light that seemed to illuminate. A power of immortal purity contained deep within her. Her body would surge with that power, her skin alive and tingling as the energy wave submerged her. Like the embrace of a lover, pulling her under it's immortal protection. Pleasant and beautiful, like a summer breeze.

All of these feelings were similar now as she transformed, a calm unyielding wave of energy with an undercurrent cast in solemn unforgiving shadow. Flowing softly over her soul like a death shroud, an eternal melancholy humming through her very skin. It spoke not of light and love, but of acceptance and a forgotten grief. A mysterious power long misunderstood, yet just as powerful and profound as the light.

A lover cast aside, shunned and bound in silence for a Millennia. A mournful harmony, light night rain. All these feelings were strange, twisting her gut with betrayal and fierce anxieties. Yet she pushed them all aside, focusing on the fact that this was as she was now. This was the only way she could fight, so she would work with what she had.

She sent a mental message to Mamoru telling him what was going on. Struggling to contain the thoughtful sadness that the transformation bestowed upon her.

He was assisting his professor in an extra evening class since his work didn't need him that day. Feeling hot and uncomfortable in his grey suit. Pulling at his black tie, attempting to air out his clammy skin. It had been a long day of class after class, his patience of uninterested Undergrads, who cared more about talking about what happened on the weekend then actually focusing on their assignment fraying his patience to the breaking point.

He pretended that an emergency came up and told his professor that he had to leave. Apologizing he bailed out of the second story classroom, in a flurry of movement. He gathered his brief case from his modest corner desk, and flew out of the room in a flash. To the few stunned expressions of some of the students, including his old, now quite flustered professor.

It had been an extra session that they hadn't originally planned on him attending so the professor hadn't minded very much, going back to the session at hand. Telling her he was on his way through their link, he knew she'd be there first. Promising he would be by her side in only a few minutes, urging his body to move faster. As he rounded into the barren outer courtyard before the Grey slate Chemistry building.

He felt safe enough to call forth his own powers. The elemental forces of earth surged up within him. A calming power of uncompromising strength and fortitude. Bathing his racing body in a kaleidoscope of color that brought with it an enhanced state of being. As all the majestic forces of this planetary body was now contained within the straining vessel of his own body. His tuxedo formed over his body, his mask flashing over his eyes, as his silk cape snapped wildly.

His cane spun into his hand and out of the oblivion it lived in when he was merely human. Every part of him was alive, his very skin vibrating to the pounding of his feet and the frantic beat of his heart. His sense of her awake and pulsing like a live fire in his mind, as speed away on his motor bike. Minutes later he was dashing across the towers of Azabu, retracing the very steps she had made. The blazing ember of the setting sun, backlighting his sprinting form.

It took her a few minutes racing from roof top to roof top, but she was finally able to catch sight of the secluded parking lot. Seeing Uranus there, fighting the daimon as Makoto lay unmoving on the ground. Uranus for her part was dodging the deadly ribbons, leaping from the cab of one car to the next. Moon also spotted Kaolinite hovering a few yards away with Makoto's heart crystal, and she was looking none to happy.

"Damn it again!" she yelled, her face red with boiling frustration. Throwing what she deemed a worthless pure heart to the ground, before shimmering away having better things to do than to linger around. She had one more target to check on. Angered once more that it seemed with her targets today, none of them held a talisman, only a pure heart crystal that she deemed worthless and unimportant. Her anger at knowing the professor would be sore with her about this didn't ease things one bit.

Dark Moon leaped from the concrete skirting of the roof she was on, reaching for the crystal and managed to catch it mid fall towards the ground. Not caring about the raging red head, though her cowardice reminded her of every other dark general they ever had to face.

"Never fails to disappoint." Moon muttered. She dashed across the parking lot, kneeling down solemnly before Makoto and tenderly guided the pure heart crystal back towards her unmoving body. Hoping she hadn't been to late. Makoto began to struggle to get up, before the crystal barely made it out of Moon's hands.

She didn't seem to care about the crystal, batting it aside like an annoying insect. Snarling to her feet, as the sky began to reflect her furious mood. The heavy clouds coalescing above in a thunder head. She stood in her school uniform alone, calling down dark lightening from the grey sky above, hurling bolts at the daimon without mercy. Shocking her disfigured phantom like form from giving out another attack to Uranus.

Uranus stood ready to jump once more, her legs coiled to leap, even as she watched in stunned horror. From on top of the cab of a cargo truck at the edge of the parking lot. Watching as Makoto in her human guise, was electrocuting the Heart Snatcher in a massive wave of black lightening. Her face a contorted mask of pure rage and utter enjoyment as the creature was reduced to a pile of ash.

Dark Moon was crouched just behind her, holding her heart crystal close. Mouth agape in as much horror and disbelief, with tears threatening to fall from her wide eyes. A crushing weight falling upon her shoulder's as slow realizations began to surface in her mind. Like the shimmering fins of the Koi that lay under the surface of the pond.

Makoto had been acting different for months, easy to anger and more prone to her prior temper that got her into trouble. A less gentle part of her personality surfacing more often. She had been manifesting the taint of darkness just like her. As she though more about it, she began to understand that she wasn't only one dealing with this darkness. All her friends and perhaps even Mamoru had been affected during that final battle with Death Phantom. She had brought this curse upon them all.

Uranus briefly recognized the last remains of the Daimon become her old scarf. Before it tossed in the air in charred remains, a lame last breath for the inanimate cloth. Before finally combusting into a puff of smoke. Oddly wondering how Makoto would take it someday if she ever found out the truth of her and Michiru. It fluttered away, not like Jupiter's raging emotions, having seen and heard the fight.

"Makoto - chan?" Moon's voice was soft almost meek. She felt dizzy and light headed, her heart beating like a caged animal against her ribs. She could feel the undertones of dark power humming from her soul and it frightened her.

Uranus sensed how tragic this outcome was. Makoto's pure self was lost, she had become something in human. A husk filled with dark intentions and brooding angst. The Senshi of the Wind had need seen anything like it. She like a thinking Diamon, capable of anything.

Makoto cast Moon an uncaring look over she shoulder. As if acknowledging her and the crystal was merely a polite gesture, not truly wanting anything to do with either of them.

Moon gasped at seeing the glowing lavender of her dear friends eyes, swallowing the lump of dread in her throat and stood up stiffly.

"Here..." She offered the crystal, not having much hope that Makoto would accept it.

As the brunette started to laugh incredulously at her, all hope was snuffed out that Makoto could be saved. Moon quickly refocused her thoughts, giving up was not an option. They had to be something of the true Makoto left. Something she fragment of good she could grasp onto, to help it flourish and grow so the darkness now lurking inside would be cast out.

"What do I want with that useless thing? It holds nothing but a weak sincerity, a sense of honesty and kindness that serves no purpose. The last remains of a pathetic girl who was always searching for some sense of true love. Wasting her time with caring for others, hoping selfishly one day she would be rewarded with the love she had lost so long ago." Makoto scoffed in sheer annoyance with the pure heart.

"I am her reward for being so diligent and loyal to her friends!" She cried to the now clearing sky. Laughing long and loud at the dim fading light above.

"I want it..." A gentle voice rang out to Moon's left.

Moon could feel the hot tears streaming down her cheeks, the blame for Makoto's lost purity solely on her shoulders. Her dear friend was lost and it was all her fault. She had hoped that she had been the only one tainted by this horrid darkness, but it seemed Makoto was too, perhaps all her friends were.

The thought of Mamoru succumbing to evil once again, was like blade of ice stabbing deep into her heart. When he was brainwashed he had been so scary. The kindness in his features had cooled, his blue eyes becoming distant like a frozen glacier of ice. He possess all that he was, in that state of pure evil. He was still handsome, still clever and brilliant of mind, but had become calculating and cruel with his intentions.

As dedicated to destroying her and her Senshi, as he had been to loving mere months before. It sent chills down her spin recalling how he had tried to kill her back in the Dark Kingdoms underground fortress.

They were bitter memories that she willed away for the moment. She needed her head in the game if she as going to help Makoto. But her heart was hammering a mile a minute, a dull roar in her ears making the soft voice near a whisper.

She turned her blurry vision away from the monster Makoto had become to confront the semitransparent spirit of Jupiter. The mirror copy of Makoto, dressed in her dark green battle fuku. Reaching out with her white gloved hands for the Heart Crystal. A warm smile on her gentle face, urging Moon to give it to her. Slowly Moon allowed the spirit to claim the rose color crystal heart from her hands. She took it tentatively as if it was the most precious item in existence.

"I shall keep it safe till you save me my dear friend…my beloved sister." She winked at her, as she clutched the crystal close to her chest. "I believe in you Moon. I will never give up hope, neither should you. Please stop crying, be strong for all of us. Show me the light again." She began to fade away then. Leaving Moon shaken but determined, a rekindling of hope now burning faintly in her heart.

"Boring!" Makoto tossed a hand towards the somber confrontation between Moon and the spirit of Jupiter. Sauntering out of the parking lot off to find better things to do. Off to create chaos no doubt. Leaving Moon blinking and uncertain as the spirit finally dissipated back within the fabric of the universe.

Uranus watched the whole thing her stomach twisting into knots, before seeking her leave of the situation. Jumping out of view on the opposite side of the truck.

"Hey wait!" it caught Uranus's attention. She looked back, moving slowly back into view for her, around the wide metal bumper of the Cargo truck, leaning casually against the hood. Her arms crossed over her breast, though inside she was not calm at all. Her whole was left vibrating with ill feelings of anxiousness and foreboding. It was like the universe had just sucker punched her right in the gut, leaving her reeling and sick.

She truly didn't know where or what to do from here with everything. It seemed hopeless, they had just lost a Senshi today. She didn't understand how or why, the stakes just kept getting stacked against them.

"You and your partner are nothing more than thieves in the night coming after the pure heart crystals. You are no better than those daimons, you're no better than the enemy." Moon's words sparked fury within Uranus. As her rage was finding a target with the callus, emotionally stiff Senshi. She had just lost Makoto, one of her dearest friends. Who had just lost her Senshi powers and her pure heart had abandoned her. What did that leave for her human form? A barren husk seeded by evil, was there even a fragment of the girl's resilient soul left to fight against it?

"I have a mission to complete. Your lack of commitment is what's causing you this pain. You need to accept that you might lose those close to you. But that your sacrifice is not in vain." Uranus attempted to comfort her in a jaded sort of way. Yet in this case, the sacrifice was only making things harder on them all. It was a lose, lose scenario. No Talisman and now Makoto seemed possessed by some ancient evil.

"You would have just let her die! If her heart turned out to be one of these Talisman's. It wouldn't have bothered you at all!" Moon shouted back at her, glaring with accusing eyes. Angry tears flowing down her cheeks. Burning her face in streams of shame and regret.

"She's walking around without her crystal right now...hell even her Senshi powers have forsaken her! She's consumed by some unknown darkness, now you tell me, how is that any better?!" Uranus shouted back her rage spiking.

"She's still human, there's still a chance." Moon began softly, her tone that same stubborn resolve that infuriated Uranus.

"Can you not see what's in front of you?! She's gone you stupid oblivious fool! Her pure heart is lost, she just a barren husk. An empty container now filled with evil!" Uranus wanted to hurt this clueless, idealistic idiot. She had lost her friend no matter how you looked at it, she was gone and instead of mourning and moving from it, she was spouting words of hope as if this was just a hurtle to overcome.

"I can save her..." Moon whispered, clutching her hands tight to her breasts. Willing an even tone, while inside she was trembling with an immeasurable pain restrained.

"If you help...Together with can save everyone." Her voice wavered, falling away into humility as she cast her head down unable to meet Uranus's untrusting look.

Uranus laughed and shook her head ruefully. "I have a partner, not looking for anymore company. Thanks." She commented sarcastically, turning to take her leave a sluggish, almost reluctant gate to her walk. As she sought to retreat and avoid further argument, knowing that this was the only course to take.

I wouldn't trust me either...what the hell am I going to do now! I am so sorry Makoto...please one day soon forgive me! I am such a baka!

Kaolinite had re appeared in the back of the lot, her last remaining target a bust. She didn't even know if the Daimon had even awoken. The pool was empty, her target missing she was left wonder now if any had happened at all. Watching Makoto's departure and her Senshi Spirit fade away with her crystal, she took in Dark Moon's broken state with a considering air. The final moments of the scene unfolding in a huge fight with Uranus.

She enjoyed how defeated Moon looked as she crumpled to her knees, massive sobs shaking her petite body. Looking so lost and alone, it gave the woman a warm fuzzy feeling deep down inside of her.

She could use that sense of failure to her own advantage. Now she had a wound to prey upon, a weakness to penetrate over and over again. Until she had broken her foe body and spirit. Perhaps she could even return with the senshi's body as proof to the professor to NOT give up on her, that she was worth to have around much longer.

The nagging fact that her plan had been futile, a waste of effort yet again. Was writhing inside of her, taunting her with her own failures. She was seething and unable to just stand by without taking some revenge. This was a good time as any to attack!

"DIE!" She shouted in contempt, throwing a ball of black power towards Moon's unprotected back. Uranus spun in alarm at Kaolinite's scream of rage. As Moon gasped in fright, scrambling back on her hands and knees, to get away from the death ball.

"Earth Shaking!" Uranus tossed a ball of raging wind back at the Witch. Her attack was dishonorable and sneaky and would not be tolerated.

Kaolinite shot into the air avoiding the attack. Sending down a rain storm of binding cuffs, like she had used on Michiru earlier. Moon and Uranus were dodging like gophers taunting a rubber mallet. The senshi were fast, able to work in unison to draw Kaolinite closer.

The woman was screaming in frustration now, as both Moon and Uranus stood a few feet away, both able to work together flawlessly once again against her. They were panting but also smug, giving her mocking grins. Moon sent her tiara as a glowing silver disc towards Kaolinite putting her in position for Uranus to strike. As Tux came in and leaped with her out of the way of the oncoming ball of darkness that Kaolinite had responded back in kind.

"Getting a tad close my little moon rabbit." Tux muttered in her ear, landing a few feet away. She shot him a small look of concern, "I had to if I was going to lure her in." He conceded her point, watching smugly as Uranus's next attack sent the woman wheeling. Spinning back into the brick privacy fence that backed the parking lot. Cracking the mortar with the speed and intensity her body had when she struck it.

The woman was stunned, blinking and uncertain as she groaned. Peeling herself off the wall, clutching her dizzy head. That would not do. She was stronger than them and here they were taking her on and winning. That would NOT go unpunished.

"You haven't won yet...you pitiful little wastes of space." She crooned, flying into the air like a rocket before sending down a barrage of energy blasts to crater the whole parking lot.

"Uranus, slam your powers at her first while Tux distracts her." Moon instructed, her tone both commanding and kind at the same time.

Neptune had just arrived, leaning over the cement parchment of the neighboring tower. She gave a small, "NANI?" in shock as her stubborn Uranus did as she was told, charging her powers to strike hard and fast, while Tux leapt into action, twirling his cane arrogantly. Taunting Kaolinite with sarcastic quips, luring the enraged woman back down to face him. One of his traits that came in handy during battle, enrage the hell out of the enemy. Get them to become side tracked and give his love and her battling senshi the time needed to finish the job.

Neptune was curious as to why Uranus did as told. As her love started to aim a 'world shaking' at the woman, Neptune threw her power in as well, wanting to aid her partner. To make sure the evil woman was put down for good or at the very least put a damned good dent into her. Sending her 'Deep Submerge' with as much fury as Uranus. The powers acted as Moon knew the result would end up being. Tux jumped away as Neptune's attack soaked the woman and Uranus's weakened it enough to allow Moon to cast her own ball of dark energy.

The powers collided with Kaolinite, sending her screaming in agony into the sky. "Damn you!" She cried, her voice fading into the dusk sky as she fell over the tower's far away.

Uranus ignored the weird look Neptune sent her, as she landed crisply before her in the parking lot. Knowing they had ended up not only working together with Moon and Tux but that subconsciously they had both ended up listening to the odangoed leader. When they together on numerous occasions had looked down upon her and her idealistic nature along with her soft way of thinking.

Moon was proud that they had worked as a team for once. Her happy feeling soon washed away by the reality of what happened to Makoto. How Uranus had just stood by and watched her girl lose her pure heart and did nothing.

"You know you're a traitor to the name of senshi. You should be stripped of that title." Her comment enraged Uranus as well.

"Nani?" Neptune whispered, moving in front of Uranus to back her partner up. Knowing that Uranus did not want to get into this again.

Knowing Moon didn't know of their plans or their ways she was prepared to let it go when the next words made Uranus unable to let it go.

"If you're unwilling to aid me in saving the innocent, then you need to disappear. Because you're unfeeling, cowardly actions in allowing others to suffer for your greater good is appalling!" She seethed, hands balled into tight fists. She could feel her nail's biting into the tender flesh of her palms, even through the fabric of her gloves.

"You have no idea on what you're talking about. Let it be before you lose the argument in more than one way." Neptune retaliated.

Tux tried to stop Moon but couldn't, the girl stormed up to both of them before he could get a hold of his enraged bunny. Angry tears clear in her eyes, she wanted retribution from them. For their lack of action concerning her most treasured friend.

"Let it go." Tux spoke calmly, catching up to place a restraining hand on her shoulder. It kept her at bay for now. Even as he knew he might have to physically haul his 'madder than a hatter' rabbit away from the scene, before she did any serious damage. Her anger lately was getting out of control. It was alarming to see his once sweet and gentle girl, becoming so filled with hatred and fury.

Not knowing what happened, just not wanting the Senshi to fight amongst themselves, it weakened their position, and their moral. They needed to be in top shape if they were to defeat this enemy. Tux desperately wanted to gain control over his beloved.

"Might wanna listen to Tuxedo." Uranus suggested with an annoyingly calm tone, making Neptune look to her once again.

Moon side stepped Tux's hands and ran full speed, yelling at the top of her lungs. Her rage once more getting the better of her. "I'll beat some sense into you! How can you be so cold and uncaring about an innocent, let alone a fellow senshi?!" Uranus met her head on. Ducking her punch and grappling her by the wrists. Uranus was alarmed at the amount of raw power and rage contained in such a small body. She was honestly stunned by it.

Moon was a wild cat, twisting out of her grip only to swing out once more with her fists. Tears of regret and anguish rolling unhindered down her cheeks. Her silver tails whirling as she spun and feinted, seeking to land at least one blow.

Something to make the short blonde senshi feel some type of pain. The Senshi of the wind kept her at bay, though barely. She was a fighter to be reckoned with, Uranus instantly found a sense of respect for her. Something she'd never held for the blonde before. Uranus finally broke from the fight, leaping away out of range. Out of breath and exhilarated she gave Moon a slight nod, that she understood but could do nothing about it.

It was the calculating look Neptune sent Tux, his jaw working. Wondering if Moon had over reacted. She was just in pain over the pure heart issue he knew. Moon balled her hands into fists at her sides, seething in a white haze. Grasping onto her calm and reason once more. As she watched both Senshi merely walk away into the blinding sunset that was shafting down from the towers. Their forms becoming shadows at the edge of the parking lot quite swiftly.

"Uranus!" Moon shouted, "There will come a time when we will need to work together, and set aside our differences, otherwise we will lose this world to them. So to be frank…" she stood ahead of Tux, "When you're ready, stow your crap so we can save the world together! You know how to find me!"

Uranus looked to her, "When you're ready to ACCEPT that there will be loss then we'll THINK about working together!" turning around Neptune saw the bleeding from Uranus's cut lip, "She's strong that one." She hated to admit to it. Her blind fury was the only thing that kept her from doing any real damage today, if she had been thinking straight the fight would have gone differently. It had kept her from focusing to closely on Uranus's next moves.

Tux looked startled to Moon, "What happened between you two for you and Uranus to nearly have a conversation where no one, knew what was being said?" he was be fastidious, attempting to lighten the tension.

"She just stood by and let Makoto's heart crystal be taken!" She shouted back. Taking a deep breath to calm herself before continuing, seeing the pain and confusion in his eyes behind the mask. She had yet to share the full tragedy of the outcome with him, when she did she knew he would be just as furious.

Moon resolved, "She and I...I thought had a brief understanding, yet at the same time not an understanding. She and her partner are willing to fight and die for what they believe in, same as us, but, their also convinced it will take human sacrifice to save the world." She looked to their direction. "I refuse to allow anyone to be sacrificed." She growled.

"They'll figure it out someday. Then I believe we'll all be working together. Someday…I just don't know when. But, we are ally's I just think they need to see things from a different perspective. They've been fighting these daimon's seemingly longer than us, they have been given their orders but, by whom, I don't even think that they know. Not really." Tux explained, she looked to him in shock.

"I think your right. Give them time…they'll come around." She admitted, yet her eyes were still skeptical. Today's fight had made her see the different sides of one another, an instinct to protect and destroy. It would be a hard struggle they knew but in the end they were confident that they would be left standing. "Let's get to the temple, Rei's in trouble too." Moon suggested. Tux nodded in agreement.

Tux kept pace with her. As they made their way over the roof tops, towards Sendai Hill. Moon leaped and maneuvered beside him, as they crossed a long stretch of shops and cafe's. Hands balled with white knuckled strain. As she retold him what happened to Makoto.

"So she's just a human now?" Tux stated as they fell feet first from a bakery roof and into a dark alley, racing away back to the street since only the old heritage area of Azabu stretched beyond this point. They soon reached the long stairs up to the shrine.

"I guess so, her body was taken over by some evil power." Moon responded, blinking away more tears. Refusing to break down and cry again, she had to stay focused. She was haunted by what she had felt from Ami, how the girl's life had been snuffed out then brought back.

They just mounted the long stretch of stairs, when a very lost and forlorn Minako began to descend towards their racing forms.

Moon swallowed the lump forming in her throat, her lips had gone dry and cracked from the run. Now she was left licking them nervously, as a ball of acid began to burn in her stomach.

"Minako - chan?" She questioned, dreading the answer.

"I was to late..." She whispered, sinking to the stairs in exhaustion. Tears of her own swimming in her usually steel blue eyes.

"Rei..." Moon powered down back to Usagi before sitting humbling beside Mina. The barren emptiness that had formed inside her heart after Makoto, grew larger at losing another friend. If Mina was here and she was with Makoto, then who had been there to help Ami? A cold dread formed in her gut like a lead weight. His mind was buzzing with panic, was Ami truly ok?

Tux returned to his human guise as well, standing a few steps down in his grey suit and tie. Giving the girls space to comfort one another.

By the end of Mina's confession, Usagi and Mamoru had to come to grips that Rei had lost her powers and her crystal as well. Consumed by an evil known as Chaos. That they may all be tainted by that same power, thanks to the shard Usagi had been wearing the day of their fateful battle with Death Phantom.

"Gomen a sai..." Usagi choked, pressing her hands to her face as misery consumed her. Allowing the tears she had been fighting to finally come again. Feeling it was all her fault. A certainty to the connection between her crystal and everything else. Maybe if she had spoken sooner…or been more forceful about dealing with her problems, perhaps she could have found a way to save them.

Mina sighed, placing a comforting hand on her back. "We'll figure this out, it can't be permanent." she rubbed Usagi's trembling back in small circles, feeling like crying herself.

Mamoru stood like a statue, taking it all in, with a stunned silence. Rubbing his chest and swallowing nervously as he was understanding that he was now in a fight for his very life. He was poisoned by Chaos, a silent predator that would wait until he was at his weakest to take his body for itself. He wanted to comfort Usagi, wanted to make everything better. But this time he was truly afraid of the future, unable to move his body he just stood their as Mina took the torch as the strongest of them all.

He realized it must be where his excess lust with his Usako came from. Normally they were like regular bunnies in their sex life. But it had seemed as if his appetites had grown far beyond the proper bounds. A moment of clarity striking him, taking her so publicly not once but twice. Had been very dangerous, they could have been both caught. Her public shame would have far outweighed his own, he had not been treating her with much respect lately.

If he had been in his proper mind he would have never gone through with it. As exciting and free it had made him feel, the consequences were to high. He wondered briefly if Chaos would even try to overcome his soul. If he gave complete control to his wild desires. Usako as eager as she was to please him, to explore their love making to new bounds would NOT approve of the darker desires Chaos filled him with.

His erotic fantasies had become quite intense. Filled with scenes of taking her far more roughly, and forcefully then he knew even she could handle, a roughness that bordered on something more sadistic based and not in a pleasant way. If he had given in and taken her beyond mere loving making, to the darker corners of his desires, to deny her the consensual give and take, while making love to her. If he had taken full control, as he had dreamed of, while making love to his Usako.

He closed his eyes and looked away. Scenes of seducing her into a more fierce brand of possession, in which she would be at his mercy. Though an unwilling slave at this point. The thoughts of ravishing her in one compromising position after another, of chaining and tormenting her till she screamed. All these lewd thoughts and more plagued him, becoming more persistent and brutal. He had yet to give into them, holding his desires back with an iron restraint.

Briefly he wondered if he should stall their sex life. Then though better of it. Through it all so far he had kept some of his common sense. Chao's had plenty of chances to force him over the edge and didn't do that.

"I thought I might find you here." An easy, smooth sounding voice floated on the evening breeze.

Usagi sat slumped upon a plastic swing, in the small playground just down from her house. She had been watching the toe her black strap shoe, nudge the dry dirt at the edge of the divit beneath the swing. Swirling her toes in mindless patterns, as her mind wandered familiar paths of doubt and self-loathing. Her shadow had long since lengthened, then was swallowed up by the darkness as night descended.

It was Diamond's concerned voice that drew her away from the numbed oblivion she had placed herself in.

"Were else would I be?" She retorted with irritation.

Mamoru had been of little comfort after Mina had left. She had attempted to get a hold of Ami, calling her cell, her home phone even the senshi communicator. She was being promptly ignored, the girl was avoiding her. It was enough to confirm that what happened to Rei and Makoto also happened to Ami.

After that, she had pocketed her cell phone resigned to the new developments with her friends. Mamoru had merely walked her home then. Lost in his own troubled thoughts. Holding her hand in a small attempt at soothing her worries. His support this time had been half-hearted at best.

She understood his unfocused attention towards her needs. She was to preoccupied by her own morbid thoughts to offer him much comfort either. So after a brief kiss farewell, at the corner of her neighborhood. He had retreated back to Azabu. She had watched his brooding shape disappear down the sidewalk, his hands stuffed deep in his pants pockets. Head hung low, consumed by his own melancholy at the moment.

She had sighed after he went out of view beyond the corner, turning on her heel and slowly making her way to the small playground. With the immortal words of Winnie the Pooh, popping quietly into her head, a childish realization that offer no comfort. As she slumped down into a yellow plastic swing that this was her. 'Thoughtful place.' The one place in all the city she could always retreated to, to clear her head, and think things through leisurely. Without distractions or interruptions.

Except when the last person on the planet she ever wanted to see or talk to again, at that moment, intruded upon her personal space and her bitter thoughts.

"A penny for your thoughts, Usa?" Diamond crouched before her, bracing his arms on his knees, attempting the break the ice as he once did before in this very same situation.

Dumping a tired brown traveling backpack on the ground beside him. He looked older now, the months away hadn't be kind on him. His silver hair was much longer, hanging low over his ears in an unruly mess. His fierce ice blue eyes looked drawn almost dull, a soft un kept beard was starting to grow upon his strong jaw line. His lanky frame lightly concealed in a white t-shirt with worn light washed jeans, with a dusty beige vest hanging from his shoulders. He looked strange now, in such a casual, dusty outfit.

A banished prince, striped of his power and his planet. He was a mere shell of the commanding presence he had once been. Humbled, bowed but unbroken.

He merely squatted there, staring at her in a considering manner. Taking in how depressed she looked. Her face splotchy and drawn from far to much crying. Her uniform dusted with brown dirt, the pleats of her blue skirt wrinkled. White dress shirt disheveled off one shoulder, her bow no longer neat and tidy. But slightly loose on one side, the red fabric drooping.

Dainty hands gripping the chain link of the swing far to tightly, breathe shallow and shaky. Her face downcast to the dirt, wet trails of tears still very much apparent down her cheeks. Her golden blonde hair once rich and luxurious was now dull and limp.

Even her prided Odango's, a Royal Moon family trait, was a mess of loose hair, swirling out of the balls to hang free and wild around her delicate face. She was a mess, near the breaking point in which she would either learn to find her forgiveness and fight on, or just give up and wallow in self-pity.

"I'm kinda broken at the moment." she gave him a sarcastic half smile, before returning her eyes downward. Her words carrying a double meaning not lost on Diamond. He had been where she was now, had lost it all and managed to pull himself up from rock bottom. Had yet to succumb to his personal demons. They still gnawed and bit at him when they could, but wouldn't let them get the better of him again.

"Sapphire let me in on what's been happening." he never moved, frozen before her. Just staring at her, wanting to draw her gently away from her morbid thoughts. He still cared for her deeply, that would never change. But he understood his love was unrequited, a one sided infatuation she would never reciprocate. He would never be okay with that, would never get over her, but he was thinking more clearly now.

He would never push it again, never make her feel guilty for how she felt towards the earth prince. He just wanted at least be a person she could count on, when she felt all others had abandoned her. Wanting nothing more than friendship, content that was all she might ever offer him. Of course he told himself if she even decided to let go of Mamoru he would happily be with her, take her as his and take care of her.

For now she merely tolerated him, polite, mild responses to his tireless questions. Towards her feelings, the crystal, her wrong transformation's and power's she felt blooming like a dark rose within her. Knowing he was here to help, giving him sad smiles and bitter answers. As he continued to press for more details, not truly believing that she could ever be corrupted by Chaos. She was to powerful in the light, her crystal to resilient to the forces of evil.

"I want you to transform." he commanded, finally standing up and moving off to give her room.

"No." She stood reluctantly, refusing his order.

Diamond blinked, never expecting her to argue with him on this. She knew he was trying to help, trying to figure out what kind of darkness had seeded itself inside of her, inside her crystal.

"You will never see me naked again, not even for a moment." She growled, his betrayal, and the hurt it caused clear in her tone and angry expression.

"I...was..." Diamond stuttered, not even thinking about that aspect of her transformation. Though now his mind did flirt with the images. He banished them to try and get her to understand that that wasn't his motive at all. There might be valuable clues as to the darkness, in how she transformed now. He wasn't going to press it, the look of distrust and rage on her face making him take a step back.

"You are so full of rage right now..." He amended, changing the topic. "It's a bit disconcerting." He stated honestly, scratching the back of his neck.

"Well, if you've been in my life for the last couple months you'd be just as pissed off." She shouted, "Nothing has gone right since I destroyed Death Phantom."

"I wouldn't say that. Not everything has been negative." Diamond shrugged. "You must have some positives in your life." He kept on, wanting Usagi to claw her way back out of the pit of bitterness and loathing she was currently wallowing in.

"Can't think of anything at the moment. Gomen." She commented in a clipped tone, crossing her arms over her breasts like an errant child.

"Usa." Diamond breathed in a tolerant manner, massaging his temple. She was over stressed and acting out he understood it. But he had never been one for lots of patience.

"Have you had any supper?" he inquired, "We can go grab something, talk some more. Perhaps find some common ground to start from." He sighed, casting his gaze up to the night sky. He was searching for the cold starlight that had been his companion while he wandered the roads between small towns. He had become a lonely traveler of sorts. A good Samaritan who traded hard work for a meal or a warm bed for the night.

Searching the country side, through the people he met, the good deeds he performed. For the redemption he so desperately needed. Trying to reclaim the part of him he had lost, the part he had sold to Wise man so long ago. His honor, and good soul, that childish wonder towards life had escaped him so long ago. That Usagi claimed she saw within him, sleeping but not dead. However all he felt was tortured, burdened and abandoned while his younger brother seemed to have gotten instant forgiveness, a home and a family.

He was sent away in shame, reduced to a cold, silent road. A forced purgatory in which he had to prove his worth once more. Left to wallow in his regrets, his poor choices.

It seemed that it was Usagi now joining him on that burdened path, that all leader's must trod at some point or another. Always placed on trial for their leadership, forced to make the hard choices good or not. It was their burden to make.

He looked at her, standing so still in the coming moonlight. Unable to pull her face up from the ground, her hands flexing and curling up at her sides. So filled with misery she felt shattered inside. He moved swiftly to up to her, she looked so sad it was breaking his heart.

"I understand." Was all he said, griping her chin and forcing her to meet his eye's. Usagi took a quivering breath, his once fierce eyes holding an honest warmth for the first time.

Diamond pulled her in for a tender embrace, wrapping his arms around her. She allowed the contact, never realizing how much comfort he could offer. As she held onto him all the same, feeling a kindred spirit in him once again.

"I don't know what to do..." She whispered against his chest. "I'm falling apart...Diamond. I feel like I'm crashing to earth, battered and broken. The pieces of me shattering like glass, I can never pick them all up. There is just to many...and I think...I think I've lost myself somewhere between Nemesis and Tokyo."

Diamond pressed his face into her tousled hair, savoring the feel of her even as he wanted only to hold her, to take away all her uncertain feelings. To replace her doubt with that iron will and confidence she once had. She had been an indomitable spirit, of hope and love. Now she just looked completely lost in her own life.

He would do what he could to help her find the path out of this darkness, just like she had led him from his own. He would repay her in any way he could, he owed her his very life. If not for her he knew either the Wiseman, the senshi or even her prince would have killed him.