Thank you for going on to Chapter: 2. Sailor Moon ain't mine. ================================================================ Fall From Grace By: Emporess ================================================================ As memory may be a paradise from which we cannot be driven, it may also be a hell from which we cannot escape. -John Lancaster Spalding Chapter 2: Waiting, Watching the Clock The palace gardens were beautiful. They were spaced out in all directions as far as the eye could see. Every flower, tree, and shrub seemed to sparkle with an unseen light. If you stared at the plant-life long enough you could almost see them renebrate with an inner vitality. At the moment she was hidden in the branches of a large silver oak. Unseen by any passerbys she could sit for hours, undisturbed. Now, she was using it for a entirely different endeavor then rest. She was spying. Peering from behind the foliage she had a clear view of the center gazebo. It was white of course, with lovely vines growing up the sides of it. Inside on the bench sat two lovers, whose words were lost to her. Their gentle caresses were not. The woman's long, ornate silver bodess lay open at the top. Her golden hair pooled to the floor, her bangs plastered to her innocent features. Her eyes were closed, and her rosebud lips were open forming an O. Above her a handsome black haired man in uniform was knelt over her chest, his tongue nipping at her tantalizing attributes. One of his hands had worked its way under her dress, hidden from the watcher's sight. In the tree the girl found herself breathing heavy, her pulse raising with that of the blonde's. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the two of them. The look of exctasy on her features, the way her nipples hardened. One of the girl's hands unconsciously went to touch her own chest. "Voyeur?" A voice spoke behind her, and she turned to meet it. A bit to quickly. The branch she had been perched on cracked underneath her shift in weight, and she let out a little cry as she crashed into the ground. She looked up, rubbing her sore bottom and saw a hand reaching out to help her stand. The figure itself seemed cloaked by shadows. The voice was feminine, and a bit husky. "Wanna talk about it?" She began to raise her own hand, but the figure grew blurry, and seemed to fade along with the rest of the palace scene. Rei slowly awakened. Her eyelids felt to heavy to be opened. In fact her whole body seemed to be falling into the mattress, weighed down. She looked around blearily, trying to shake off the remains of that strange (wonderful) dream. The first thing she realized was she was not in her bed. That fact was not nearly as alarming as noticing she was in her underwear, in someone else's bed. But the thing that sent her screaming was that she was laying next to Usagi, in her underwear, in someone else's bed. Letting out a screech she fell to the floor, head first. She scrambled across the carpet, to the far corner of the room panting. Images from the dream were dancing through her still fuzzy mind. Bare breasts, inviting her tongue to ravish them... She jerked out of that thought by noticing Mamoru in front of her gently shaking her shoulders, speaking with her. "Rei-chan? Rei-chan are you OK?" She looked up at him, and had the crazy thought that perhaps HE had been in the bed with them as well, and she was caught in some strange hentei. Or perhaps she was still dreaming. She managed to quit yelling and force something a bit softer out of her mouth. "Gbblkph". Too bad it wasn't coherent. Sky blue eyes and a face creased with worry now took his place as he retrieved a sheet from his make-shift bed on the couch. Both of them covered her in it and spoke soothingly to her. She quit shaking visibly, though inside she was still tittering. Usagi's trusting smile was so bright it could have lit up the whole room. "Are you OK now Rei-chan?" 'I'd be much better if you and Mamoru were wearing more clothes,' she thought to herself. Mamoru had pants on, but he was shirtless. The shirt was being worn by Usagi, tho it could have been buttoned a bit more thoroughly. Normally, it wouldn't have bothered her, but that dream had shook her up. 'I'm in ecchi mode.' "Yes, I'm fine." She said, much calmer then she'd expected to. "What am I doing here?" She'd almost asked what they had been doing, but it didn't seem appropriate. Usagi gave her an encouraging smile. "You don't remember last night?" Mamoru's arm was around Usagi. Last night? Last night?! No way! Rei opened her mouth but no words popped out. Thankfully. "After the battle you passed out, we couldn't wake you. We couldn't take you home looking like you did, So Mamoru and I decided to take you back here." Oh. Thank heavens it wasn't what SHE had been thinking they ment by 'last night'. "... right. I remember now." She started to stand, holding the sheet protectively around her. Usagi helped her back over the bed, while Mamoru grabbed some clothes from his closet and headed for the bathroom. Sounds of a shower running followed. "I was worried about you Rei-chan. Everyone else came to after a few minutes, but you just stayed unconscious." Usagi lifted her hand, brushing Rei's bangs out of her eyes. Rei caught herself taking pleasure out of Usagi's touch. 'What is wrong with me?!' "If it wasn't for you warning the others I don't know what would have happened to me and Mamo-chan." "Who were those guys?" Rei asked, trying to take her mind off the top of the shirt Usagi was wearing. Usagi had missed fastening two buttons, and it was doing wicked things to her imagination. Usagi just shrugged. "I don't know. One minute me and Mamo-chan are walking to the apartment, and we bumped into those two. Then they shocked us and we were on the ground where you found us. There wasn't a chance to transform. Ami-chan tried to trace where they went with her computer but she couldn't find anything." "What about the silver clothed person?" Usagi shook her head. "No clue to the woman's whereabouts either." Rei gave her a sharp look. "How do you know it was a woman? Could you see under its hood?" Usagi grinned and tilted her head in a fetching manner. "I just know." 'Shes so adorable' Rei thought. She looked down at the sheet she was wearing and began to blush a bright red. "Usagi...Why am I in my underwear?!" "I don't know Rei-chan. When we took you to the apartment you were still Sailor Mars. Ami-chan gave you a once over and said you were fine you just needed your rest. No one could figure out how to get you to detransform. Mamo-chan and I put you in his car. Since the shrine wasn't an option, we brought you here. When we put you down on the bed you starting crying out in your sleep. I didn't want to leave you alone so I slept beside you. After I got in bed you de-transformed into what your wearing," She pointed at Rei's bra and panty set. "But you didn't wake up. I figured you must have been changing at Mako-chan's when we got attacked-", She paused. "Are you all right?" Rei's face had went from bright red to purple the more Usagi told her. She'd changed into her underwear when Usagi lay down beside her?! Mamoru had probably seen the whole thing! 'I'm turning into grandpa!' She thought, mortified. 'How will I ever face anyone again?!' "Are you crying?" Usagi's finger brushed against Rei's cheek. It glistened. Rei jerked back from her. "No!" "Rei-c-" She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Really. I just need to get fully awake, thats all." Mamoru chose this moment to walk out of the bathroom, dressed for work. He was nearly knocked down by a babbling Rei. "I'll just take a shower, and everything will be fine." She slammed the door and locked it. Mamoru glanced quizzically at Usagi. "What was that all about?" Usagi's voice was very sad as she responded. "I have no idea." Rei leaned against the door she'd just shut, letting the sheet fall to the floor. She stared at her hands before burying her face in them. A choked sob escaped her lips as she asked what was turning into the question of the day: "Whats wrong with me?" Ami followed the small group of students down the hospital corridor. They were all paying rapt attention to the teacher at the front of the group who spouted off facts about the hospital. Sometimes he would pause at a certain patient and read off the clipboard he had in his hand, listing off symptoms. The students would then give suggestions on a diagnosis and choice of treatment. Ami's attention kept waning, which was unlike her. 'I'm so tired from yesterday... I can't believe how out of shape I am.' "... Ah heres an interesting case. Five years ago this man was found in the middle of a sidewalk. No signs of physical injury, vital signs comatose but stable. No identification, no fingerprints on record, no dental, no means to identify him by. Does anyone have an idea about what could have happened to him?" A girl with pale blonde hair in the front piped up. "Brain tumor?" The teacher shook his head. "Hes been catscanned, and it turned up negative." "What about a heart attack, or stroke?" Questioned a young man from Ami's left. "Nothing showed up strange on the heart monitor when he was brought in, so its highly unlikely." "He looks pretty good for someone in a coma 5 years," Joked one of the men in the back. Ami barely glanced at the patient. Short blonde hair, maybe a bit too pale. His eyes were closed of course, his chest rose and fell with his breathing. He looked OK to her. "Yes, thats one of the most remarkable things about him. He should have had severe muscle loss by now, his legs and arms withering away from lack of use. Instead hes extremely well preserved, no bed sores, no atrophy, nothing. Doctor's from all across the country have been here to study the patient. Its..." Ami couldn't listen anymore. Her head was swimming. All she could think of was how good it would feel to sit down on the hall floor. Her vision was even blurring. 'I don't know how much more of this I can take' she thought. Rei had sat on the bathroom floor till she heard Mamoru leaving. Realizing that if she didn't hurry Usagi might try checking on her, she threw her clothes off and hopped in the shower. The warm water felt wonderful on her skin, as if it was sinking in every pore and driving away all the provocative thoughts she'd been entertaining. She washed her hair with some strawberry scented stuff Usagi had probably brought over with her. Her mood was improving rapidly. She looked around for a bar of soap, but all she found was a sliver of what had once been. She sighed, reaching for the shampoo, figuring it'd work well enough, before she spotted some shower gel. It was entitled "Berry Fields". She grinned and rubbed it on, wondering if Mamoru had to use the girlie scent as well this morning. Suddenly a mental picture of what he might have used this gel on popped to Rei's mind. Not what, but who. A certain bunny. She had been with him all weekend, so it was a pretty good bet they'd been in this very shower atleast once. Together, soaping each other's bodies... She'd caught Mamoru naked once by accident at her shrine when he'd stayed there. She'd walked in on his bath, much to her own embarrassment. She'd nearly killed Yuchiru for not warning her! She'd glimpsed his hard abs, his well shaped thighs, his... He'd looked sexy, she had to admit. There was also a time she helped him in his garden. She had admired his muscled hands as he used a trowel to dig into the earth. The hands were callused, with long tapered fingers. She could imagine those hands working a lather over Usagi's petite frame, her flat stomach and small breasts. The dream came rushing back to her. Usagi's flushed face in rapture, her lips forming the cries she couldn't hear. Such a beautiful angel... "OK thats it for the day. I'll see you all back here tomorrow at seven o'clock. Have a good night!" Ami sighed in relief as the teacher dismissed them. Thank the Goddess the unknown patient was the last of the day. She hurried out of the building, so tired her normal lust for learning didn't even ponder the odd patient. The rest of the class pushed past her, almost more eager then she was to leave. Fate is a funny thing. Its unfortunate the teacher didn't hold the class just a few seconds longer. As it was, no one heard the words the patient had uttered more than a few times in his coma. It would have saved some key people many a headache. "Rei..." The word was croaked out, with an unused voice. "Re-..." And then it was silent again. Rei stood stock still. She could hear Usagi's cries. Her eyes snapped open. "Rei-chan? Are you all right? You've been in there for a long time. Rei-chan?!" Rei looked down at her hands and gasped at what she had been about to do. In someone else's shower. MAMORU'S shower! The doorknob jiggled dangerously. If she didn't answer soon, Usagi would come in there to check on her. An image of Usagi walking into the shower and joining her popped in her brain, and she realized she STILL hadn't removed her hands from some key areas. She shook her head from side to side, flipping water about. "I'm fine Usagi, I'll be out in just a minute. Please don't worry." The jiggling stopped but a nervous voice came through the door. "OK..." Little retreating footsteps could be heard. Rei pressed her face against the cool tile, letting the now almost cold water run down her back. When she finally felt in control, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. She moved one hand across the mirror to wipe away the fog that had formed. Rei stared long and hard at the face reflected before her. The amethyst eyes that hid behind long lashes. The full, red lips that needed no rouge. The angular lines that were her cheekbones. The proud chin. The black shadow across her nose... "Nani?!" She blinked, and it was gone. She brought one hand up to her nose, the other touching that point in the mirror. Her nose felt normal. Nothing unusual on the mirror either. 'Must have been a trick of the light,' she decided. She turned away to pick up her underwear and put it back on. Rei avoided looking at her reflection for the rest of her time in the bathroom. Makoto was exhausted. She'd been practicing all morning at Takada Dojo. Her muscles ached in protest at the strain. Many people had already been and left, keeping their distance from the amazon woman with the fevered glare. She was now completely alone in the section of the building she was using. She was standing in first position, reading herself for yet another run through of her closing exercises. Her legs throbbed. 'Just one more, and then I'll quit. Just one more time.' She'd been saying that for over half an hour now, with no end in sight. After last nights beating, she'd been furious with herself. Having to be saved by a stranger was not up there on Makoto's list of joyous events. The enemy seemed impervious to their magic attacks. She wanted to be ready the next time she saw them. She brought her hands up and moved them left and right through the air in a series of successive punches. She felt like the muscles in her arms were going to snap, yet she didn't pause. Her legs came up as she moved her fists, her legs whipped about in blurred kicks. She would then pitch herself forward, tucking into a roll, then launch herself up with a handspring. Her regular form wasn't up to her senshi abilities, but it provided a more intense workout. Besides the fact that Sailor Jupiter training at the Dojo might raise a few eyebrows. Finally satisfied, she flopped down on the mat, breathing heavily. No way she could continue on now. She didn't move, keeping her eyes closed and enjoying the piercing yet rewarding pain of knowing she'd had a successful workout. Suddenly she heard clapping behind her. "Quite a show you put on." A man with military cropped brown hair and green eyes stood near the entrance, a gleeful grin lighting his chisled face. He wore a white uniform and carried a wooden practice sword. She blushed visibly. "Arigato." His eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement. "However, you should stretch before resting," he continued. "Your muscles will tense up otherwise." Now the blush turned to anger. "I know that! I was just about to!" She tried to stand gracefully but found her joints protesting to much. She gritted her teeth, refusing to show him she felt any pain. He strided over to her and began his warmups as well, mimicking her effortlessly. She tried to mix him up by doing the more flexible stretches which were hard for a male to perform, but he did admirably well. Sometimes he even seemed to start the exercises before she did, as if he knew what was next. Strange. She finally finished, turning abruptly away so as not to be taunted by this asshole any longer. She felt a hand on her shoulder and whirled around, fists raised. He held up his hands in surrender. "Peace! Peace!" He cried. She lowered her arms but still eyed him warily. "Gomen. I didn't mean to offend you. My name is Spar Michael." He held out a hand for her to shake in western fashion. "And you are?" She reached out hesitantly, then gripped the hand and pumped it with a touch of ruthlessness, happy to see him wince a little. "Kino Makoto. Your not from this country, are you Spar-san?" She noted he looked older then she had first thought, probably in his early thirties. A little to old, even if he DID remind her of her sempei. He smiled. "Does it show that much?" She shook her head. "No, not really. If it hadn't been for the western style greeting, I wouldn't have noticed." His Japanese was very good, if just a tad flat. "I'm from America, away on business. I've visited many times though. Is a beautiful country." "How long will you be here for?" She asked cautiously. His face darkened a bit and he said, "I don't know. Depends how things go." His eyes were very intense, and for an instant she felt like they were boring a hole right through her. She felt a strange urge overtake her. She wanted to tell him things, to let him know about her in everyway. Her dreams, her secrets, the Senshi- She gasped and put a hand to her mouth. She'd almost said that out loud! When she looked up she saw that he was staring at her with concern. "Are you OK? You blanked out for a second." 'Did I imagine that?' she asked herself silently. He looked completely casual now. 'It must be the stress.' "Gomen, I'm so tired. I think I'll hit the shower. I hope I see you again, Spar-san." Michael's face suddenly seemed to take on just a little bit of that intensity it had before. "Count on it, Kino-san." She turned and walked away, ignoring the urge to run. After she showered and changed she paused at the exit, watching him practice with the wooden sword. He was doing Kendo positions, ones she was not familiar with. He moved very fast, with a grace and skill she'd seen matched only in Haruka. She remembered his searching gaze. "Count on it, Kino-san." Makoto was going to keep a close eye on him. Minako was having the time of her life. She'd spent most of the day practicing with her theater group. They were preparing an original production, "Time Out" for viewing sometime before the beginning of next year. Most of people involved in the play were students of KO's theater department. It was a very tight-nit group, like family. Minako had been worried at first that the others might be cliquish, but she'd had no trouble making friends. In fact, they'd liked her so much she even had her own part in one of the scenes. It wasn't much, just a few lines, but was more then any of the other freshman had. She stood on stage, reading the dialogue in her hands. "So it is done, and I stand alone." She paused as was in her notes. This was her character's first appearance. Until now she had only been referred to. Minako played Isabelle, one of the minor character's who heard voices and was visited by demons. Isabelle was only in 3 scenes of the play, but this was a pivotal one to the plot. "I told them," she then continued, trying to make her voice sound anxious. "I warned them, but they didn't listen did they? Now the wrath of hell will fall upon us, and like Cassandra, I must wait." She closed her eyes and let out the moan of the character, falling to her knees. She let the book drop from her hands, for she'd memorized the rest. "Stop your chatter! Leave me alone!" Minako clamped her hands over her ears for affect. "Torment me no longer, for I have no voice with which to cry out." She let her voice get softer, to where she was barely whispering. "I have no soul worth saving." Suddenly she heard applause from around her. Her fellow thespians were cheering for her. Even the stage crew had looked up from where they had been painting to watch her performance. She blushed at first, a little embarrassed. When the other's had read through their lines, they hadn't gotten as carried away as Minako. She couldn't help it! Her first time in a real production! She kept pinching herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. "Pretty good," drawled a voice from her left as she walked away from the stage. She turned and what she saw made her heart skip a beat. Suzuki Kiro was leaning up against a wall and peering his chocolate eyes at her. He was tall, and had a very wiry build. She'd watched him from the very first day she arrived. "Whos that?" She had asked one of the girls who was handling the orientation into the group. "Him? Thats Suzuki Kiro. He'll be a junior next session. He's really talented." The girl began to take on that star struck look. "Most people expect him to play the lead in the next play. Hes soooo handsome." Minako had defiantly agreed with that statement. Now he was talking to her! For a second she was too shocked to respond. "Uhhh- Arigato, the character is very close to my heart." She felt like smacking herself. 'Great, now he'll think I'm demented,' She thought miserably to herself. "I can tell, you really work the scene," His teeth were dazzling, a brilliant shade of white. "Anyway, a few of us are going out tonight. Wanna tag along?" Minako felt her stomach do a few somersaults. Kiro was inviting her to hang out with the upper classmen? Without even thinking about it she blurted out an enthusiastic, "Hai, Suzuki-san! That'd be wonderful!" "Cool," He leaned towards her. "I'll see you after rehearsals, Mina-chan." He kissed her on the cheek and ran off to where the director was angrily calling his name. Minako stood rooted to the spot, one finger gently tracing the place where his lips had touched. Any thought of attending the Senshi meeting being held later that night was forgotten. The underground chamber had a low ceiling, only about 6 ft. high, giving the room a claustrophobic feel. Light shone from 3 oddly shaped rocks placed on granite pedestals. They gave off an eeiry silver glow, which resembled an oil lamp's brightness. Shadows flickered across the walls, doing a forlorn dance. Valka was twirling Freya's silver bracelet around one of his finger's nervously. It made a high pitched swishing sound with each turn. "Must you do that?" whispered Freya with impatience. She sat ramrod straight in her chair, while Valka slouched in his own seat. "Yes." He said simply, not taking his eyes off the piece of jewelry. She turned towards him angrily. "You are the most arrogant, self-centered-" She stopped as an acolyte in a black smock appeared seemingly out of nowhere. The bracelet flew away from Valka's fingers and made a hollow sound when it landed. The figure in black gave them a scornful look. "You will be seen now." He pushed at a rock wall and it jelled across his hand, turning into a door. He held it open as they entered. Valka involuntarily found himself glancing upwards. Unlike any other cavern in the complex, this room's ceiling stood atleast 20 ft. tall, and ran 30 ft. across. The chamber was covered wall to wall with a huge mural which boasted every color in the rainbow. Always he felt the same sense of wonder as the first time he'd walked in there, astonished by the mere' proportions of it. The thing that really made it awe inspiring was the minute detail paid to each stroke. Many whispered that it was not made by human hands. The mural was of- He lost his train of thought as he noticed the figure smirking across from him. He was leaning arrogantly against one of the pillars placed strategically around the room. He was dressed in a blue robe, which emphasized the figure's too white skin, and colorless eyes. An old curse ran through Valka's mind, one involving the man and certain barnyard animals. The figure sneered and wagged a finger at him. "Temper, temper Valka-CHAN" He emphasized the honorific. "Dagon-sama!" Freya gasped, then turned bright red as she realized she'd spoken out loud. Valka felt his sister's heart begin to beat faster. Stars were shining in her eyes. He was going to be sick. "Freya-san," Dagon quit leaning and walked to her, bowing low and kissing her hand. "Always a pleasure to see you and Valka-CHAN again." As he lifted his lips from her hand, he gave Valka a hungry leer. Dagon sent him a particularly vile image of himself and Valka engaged in a very dubious position which would require one of them to be a student of Kama-Sutra. Valka's face turned purple as he snatched Freya back from Dagon's grasp. "You son-of-a-" "If your both finished," A low rumble came through the room. Freya and Valka both jumped, while Dagon simply turned abruptly toward the source. Lying across the floor was the shapeless, dark blob. Colors flashed and swirled against it's surface. At times, Valka had seen colors of vibrant gold, silver, and orange shift across when they were triumphant. Now it seemed just dark, indistinguishable blacks and purples. Toro-sama was NOT pleased. "My apologies, Toro-sama." Dagon said smoothly, while Valka could only grunt, at a loss for words. Freya stayed silent, trying not to stare adoringly at Dagon. Her brother ignored him all together. "You failed," The voice was very deep, neither feminine nor masculine in nature. When the blob spoke, vibrations ran through the walls and floor. The lights coming off the rocks flickered. Valka stepped forward. "Toro-sama, there were complications we could not-" "have foreseen," finished Freya as she went to stand beside her brother. "We were successful in locating the-" "target, but before we could apprehend it, we were detained by these lovely vis- OOF!" He stopped as he was elbowed by Freya in the stomach. Dagon's face set in a deep scowl as he heard of Valka's admiration for another. "Female warriors." stated Freya tactfully. Valka rubbed his sore stomach and sent her an evil look. "Didn't you use the Energy Utilizer?" ventured Toro-sama. "Yes, and it worked just as we had hoped. However, before we could take our targets, we were attacked by-" "another warrior of indeterminate sex. The figure's energy levels resembled the objective of the mission even more, but before we could take action the Utilizer was destroyed. A retreat seemed necessary for the information to get back here." Valka began to sweat under what he imagined was Toro-sama's stare. "Coward," telepathed Freya. "Shut-up!" he whispered to her out loud. Dagon snickered. "So you ran away?" Valka didn't even glance at him as he replied. "We were out numbered, 7-2. The Utilizer was pulverized into pieces. The situation was-" "Pulverized?" Toro-sama's voice broke in. Black swirls turned red against it's surface. "Impossible." Freya and Valka both looked at each other. They didn't know what to say. "Unless it was..." Toro-sama's voice trailed off, lost in thought. "Did the device turn to dust?" he finally asked. They both nodded. The room was deadly silent. "Toro-sama?" Dagon asked hesitantly. The colors were moving dangerously, almost a fire against the surface. When Dagon spoke, they flashed, then faded into a sullen maroon. "The mission's objectives have changed. Were any of the targets implanted?" Freya shook her head. "No, however the warriors-" "were given mild forms of chaotic energy. Their strongest desires and weaknesses will be manipulated in them over time." Valka smirked a little, grateful to atleast have SOME good news. "Good. Then we will have to create some diversions to bring them out, make there lives a little more difficult." Toro-sama's voice was more a murmur then its usual rumble. "Understood," Valka began. "Freya and I will-" "No." Toro-sama interrupted him again. "I have other plans for Freya. Dagon will be your partner in this. You worked well together before." "I-I don't think thats wise-" Valka stated casting a nervous glance at Dagon. "I didn't ask your opinion. Freya has a special job ahead of her. You will work with who I say." The voice was flat but firm. Valka sagged. Freya kept her face neutral, but inside she was disappointed. She would have loved to work with Dagon-sama. Dagon walked forward, smiling happily. "Toro-sama, if I may-" he started. "You may not." Dagon pouted a bit after that. "Dagon has been briefed by me already on the mission. He knows what I will expect from both of you. Freya, report to the libraries. Ula is waiting with my instructions." Freya perked up, a sly smile spreading across her features. "That is all." On cue, a door opened behind them. The black smocked alcolyte beckoned them out, closing the chamber door behind them. Freya smiled at Valka, giving him a wink. "Farewell brother. Have fun with your lover." She bowed respectfully to Dagon. "I have a date with an angel." She disappeared in a ray of pink light. "Ex-lover!" Valka shouted, but she was already gone. "Valka-CHAN," Dagon sang behind him. It was going to be a long night. Usagi sat with Rei on the couch, watching TV. Rei was dressed in some clothes Usagi had brought over for the weekend. For some reason, Usagi got the feeling Rei was hiding something from her. All morning, Rei had been acting strange. One minute she was staring off into space, not hearing Usagi when she spoke to her. The next she'd be looking so intently at her it made Usagi squirm. Finally she gave up trying to talk to the girl and flipped on the TV, so they wouldn't have to sit in silence till they were do at the other girl's apartment. On the screen a girl with pink hair wearing a boy's uniform was fighting a duel below a castle set high in the sky. There were desks scattered all around them, and a woman in a formal dress they referred to as the 'Rose Bride' sat watching in silence. The other woman dueling was possessed or something by a black ring. Rei was able to take her mind off her strange thoughts by trying to figure out what was going on in the really confusing show. She didn't watch much TV, and had never read the manga the show was based off of. "So their fighting over the purple haired girl, right?" Usagi nodded, keeping rapt attention to the screen. This was one of her favorite shows. "Why do they want the girl anyway? Shes not that pretty." 'Compared to you...' Rei thought, but slammed that thought down hard. Usagi sighed, never taking her eyes off the fight. "She has the power to bring about revolution, so they have to duel over her. The fiancee doesn't know anything about that though, shes just being used." Rei was even more confused as the pink haired girl won, and the desks started moving into squares. She shook her head and gave up trying to keep track of it. She looked towards the window and saw a black cat with a golden crescent moon pawing at it. She got up and opened the window, so the cat could get in. "Hi, Luna-chan. I didn't expect to see you here." "Thought I'd see if you were feeling better, Rei-chan." She glanced around the room and saw Usagi hypnotized by the TV. She made a tsking sound. "Yuck, I hate that show. To much incest for my taste." Rei didn't mention that she thought ANY incest was too much incest. "I'm feeling fine now Luna. I'm kinda anxious to get to the meeting though'." Luna nodded. "Me too. I wish I hadn't been sick yesterday. I want to look at those enemies." Her nose wrinkled up and her whiskers twitched. "I can't believe that lazy furball Artemis slept through the whole thing! I batted him across the ears a few times this morning." Rei couldn't suppress a giggle. "Its not like we told him we were leaving Luna." She snorted in disgust. "So? He should have sensed something was amiss. *I* certainly wouldn't have catnapped through a crisis like that." She looked as annoyed as a cat could be. Suddenly something white flew through the window, landing in front of the black feline, making her jump back and cry out in shock. "The ever vigilant Luna, eh?" Artemis stated sarcastically. Rei burst into real laughter at the look of horror on Luna's face which had quickly melted to embarrassment. From the couch came a peel of chuckles as well. The commercial had come on just in time for Usagi to catch Luna's squeal. Luna's ears twitched and she held out a paw claws extended. "Artemis," She said in an ominous tone. "You will pay for that." Artemis gulped and took a few steps back. "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but you WILL pay for it." She then let the paw drop, and smiled as evilly as a cat could. Artemis waited no longer. He bolted back the way he had came, Luna hot on his trail. She called out over her shoulder "See you two at the meeting!" The girls had finally regained some of their composure. Rei glanced at the clock and smiled. "Finally. We should be going if were going to make it there on time. I don't want to be late, unlike SOME odango-atamas." Usagi pouted and stuck her tongue out at Rei. "Were not going to be late, Rei-chan. I already arranged us a ride. We don't have to worry about the bus." Rei shot her a quizzical look. "I thought Mamoru-san had to work tonight and couldn't make it." Usagi gave a nervous laugh and put one hand behind her head. "Yes, that why I called someone else to take us. I must have forgot to tell you." Just then a knock sounded at the door. "Oh, that must be them now!" She ran to open it. Rei had a funny feeling about this. Usagi opened the door and she heard two muffled voices, one deep and the other very light. Usagi lead the two figures in. One appeared to be a man with a very slim physique, clothed in yellow slacks and sportscoat to match his hair. He wore a black shirt underneath with a cross around his neck. He smiled and waved. The other was a woman with turquoise hair laying across her shoulders. She wore a white fitted blouse and a long peasant skirt. Her footsteps were graceful as she walked in and bowed politely. "Hello, Rei-san." "Michiru-san, Haruka-san...." Rei trailed off, very surprised to see them. The senshi worked together during times of crisis, but she could count on her fingers the times she'd spent in social situations with them. The others, especially Usagi hung out with them more. The Outer Senshi were a secretive lot, and they usually worked apart from the Inners. "Your dropping us off at the meeting?" They glanced at each other and then at Usagi, who cleared her throat nervously. "Um, I invited them to go to it. After the fight with Nephrenia, I thought we should learn to act more like a team. I always ment to make the arrangements but..." She let her voice trail off. This wasn't exactly news to Rei. When they had returned, alot of discussion had gone into their strengths and weaknesses, how they could work better. But high school and the peacefulness that followed had made them forget most of their plans. Setsuna had told them that they could expect some smoother sailing from then on, tho' she never guaranteed for how long. She and the other Outer's had gone- well, wherever the hell it is they went when they weren't being Senshi. Life had faded to a more predictable pace, plans and strategies forgotten. Now they were paying for it. Haruka smiled slyly at Rei. "I agree with the Princess. I think we could teach you alot." Michiru's smile matched Haruka's perfectly. Rei groaned to herself. Ego-trips were in full effect. "Shall we leave?" The blonde speed demon took Michiru's hand and headed for the door. Usagi looked at Rei and sighed. "I hope I'm right about this." They followed, listening to Haruka explain new additions she'd added to her car to make it run faster and more efficiently, promising to show them out on the road. Rei was reminded of the drive with Makoto and began to turn green. Usagi gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It'll all work out," she whispered. She took a seat beside Usagi in the back as Haruka took off with a squeal of the tires, leaving tracks on the road and the smell of burnt rubber. 'If I survive this,' thought Rei, as she gripped the seat in terror, 'I'm going to apologize to Mako-chan and compliment her fine driving skills." The cats, shocked to have seen the two mysterious Senshi, wisely chose to walk. They knew about Haruka's driving, and weren't taking any chances. Uranus was a very skilled driver, but the speeds were enough to cause a heart attack. Along the way, they discussed the current situation their charges were in. "These new enemies don't seem like anything we've faced before," Artemis told Luna. "This could develop into a serious problem if the Senshi can't even hit their advisories." "Kunzite could reverse attacks onto others by warping space." Luna said thoughtfully. "Do you think it has anything to do with that?" "Maybe...." They turned through some more alleys, keeping a casual pace. They may not have had a car, but it also meant they didn't have to deal with Tokyo traffic. "Kunzite was a powerful enemy then, but the girl's powers have increased more than triple what they were. Their star power attacks could have tore through him. The senshi were defeated in their super form." "Sailor Moon defeated Kunzite. We still haven't seen her take on these new enemies. Surely the Tier can hurt them." Luna said confidently. What were a few punks compared to the Dead Moon Family, Witches 5, or Wise Man? "I hope so," Artemis sighed, not nearly as convinced as Luna was. It seemed each new advisory they faced had to be beaten in a different way. The only thing that had worked on most villains was Tuxedo Kamen's roses, always thrown in the nick of time. Which led him to another thought. "Luna, what about the other woman?" Luna was so shocked to have forgotten about this she couldn't speak for a few seconds. "How do you know its a woman?" She asked, while feeling a deep twinge of pain in her heart. Somehow, she felt that too. He leaped up on to a trash bin top, then up across a stone fence that would take them almost directly to the girl's window. When she landed beside him he looked directly at her and said ominously, "You know it too." The night before, Ami had tried to play back a recording on her visor of the fight. The 2 renegades had somehow been unrecordable, however the figure in the silver outfit had played back beautifully. Not much could be distinguished, silver hood, cloak, shadowed face, feminine yet muscular legs. Luna would like to say that was what made her think it was a female, but after some of the villains they'd fought (especially members of the Amazon Trio), she knew that wasn't it. There was something about this woman, the movements, the attacks, hell even the outfit had reminded them of something, a dim memory perhaps. The most stirring had been the whisper as she bent down to touch Usagi. The attacks had been called in a voice almost devoid of emotion. The "Serenity" the being uttered was full of anguish, a deep longing she couldn't place but knew well. "I don't know Artemis," she whispered, looking away. When memories of the distant past were painful, they often started out like this. An ache, felt deep inside her, slowly making their way to her consciousness. No matter how long they were obsessed or thought over, they never appeared before the time was right. Luna was not looking forward to whatever this particular revelation would be. She felt a soft face rub against her flank, nuzzling her. To her surprise, she felt a few stray tears fall down her fur, which Artemis licked away gently. It was a very reassuring feeling, much better then when they'd been fighting before. A delicate moment- Interrupted by a beeping communicator. Growling, Artemis produced the communicator from his dimensional pocket and glared indignantly at Minako's partially hidden face. "This better be good-" "SHHHH!" Minako said rather theoretically, making more noise than Artemis was. "I'm in a bathroom at a club and I don't want anyone to hear me." The reason she was partially hidden was her jacket draped over her head, allowing only a slit for her mouth to speak into the communicator at her wrist. "Minako-chan, don't you think you look more conspicuous sitting there with a jacket on your head talking to your watch?" Artemis asked skeptically. "SHHH! No, this is perfect! Its not even my jacket, I took it from the coatroom." Luna shook her head with weariness, Artemis just sighed heavily. "Anyway, listen, I can't make it to the meeting. A really cute gu-I mean role has come up, and I have to discuss it with the crew." Artemis began sputtering. "M-Minako-chan, this is important! I can't believe your blowing off a meeting to go chase a boy-" "A role! I said it was a role Artemis!" Minako had raised her voice so loud that everyone in the bathroom could hear her argument with the watch. Many of them stared at the stall she was hiding behind, one even went so far as to go to the stall next to her's and stand on the toilet. As she peered over the side she only saw a coat and a wrist. Minako sensed the movement and glanced up. "I just can't, sorry!" "Minako-ch-" but she was already turning it off. He caught the last picture of her running from the stares of the crowd, holding the coat over her with one hand and pushing open the door with the other. "Damn," Artemis moaned, his paw pushing the off button. "Of all of the Senshi, I thought she would understand the severity of this threat." Luna snickered at Artemis. "You don't like to admit it, but Minako-chan can get flaky when she gets caught up in something." Artemis' downcast face made her regret her harsh words. Her voice was much softer as she continued, "I'm sure she didn't mean it, Artemis. You have to remember shes not a fighting machine. Shes Aino Minako, the aspiring actress, the human being. Sometimes the Senshi of Love has to take a backseat to that." Artemis' head jerked up and he fixed Luna with an angry glare. "Luna, it can't be like that. She can't just be Venus anytime she likes. They all have responsibilities. Whether they like it or not, their Senshi first, people second." Luna's voice was tight as she answered him. "I don't believe that. They can have normal lives, and still live up to being Senshi." She began to walk on, motioning for him to follow. "Minako-chan was a warrior before any of the others. She knows her duties. I trust her to be there when it counts." Artemis nodded and looked at her gratefully. "Thanks Luna." He caught up with her and playfully swatted at her before scurrying ahead. "Looks like our girls aren't the only ones out of shape!" "Oh yea?!" She took off after him, already thinking of the revenge she had planned for him when he least expected it. Besides a few energy stealing demons, life wasn't half bad. The meeting had a dismal air about it. Ami looked exhausted, barely managing to keep her eyes open. Makoto was moving about the room, picking things up or rearranging them. Rei was sitting stiffly, staring at the floor. Only Usagi and the 2 Outer Senshi seemed to be acting normal. "What is taking Minako-chan so long?" asked Makoto. "If anyone was going to be late, I'd expect it to be Usagi-chan." Usagi looked at her indignantly. "I'm not ALWAYS late." No one else bothered to comment. Haruka was tossing a coin in her hand, watching the play of light as it twisted in air. "Are your meetings always like this?" "We haven't had one in a while," Usagi stated timidly. Haruka's gaze narrowed. "I see." She looked like she might have continued if not for Michiru's restraining hand. She saw how disheartened the rest of the Inners were. The last thing they needed was a lecture. It was at that moment the two cats made their appearance. "Sorry for being late everyone. It took longer than we expected." Luna apologized. "Its all right Luna-chan, Minako-chan isn't here yet." Usagi informed her smiling. "And she won't be showing up either." Artemis stated acidly. "She called me on the communicator. Shes not coming." Haruka's face twisted with undisguised disgust. "This lack of discipline is appalling." Michiru's face remained impassive. Makoto shot Haruka an angry glance. "I'm sure whatever came up was important. Minako-chan wouldn't just ditch us." Usagi nodded in agreement. The two Outer Senshi exchanged a look but made said nothing. "Lets begin." Luna called out, ignoring the argument. She glanced at the other girls and was disturbed by their lack of interest. Neither Rei nor Ami had even reacted to Artemis' announcement. In fact they both looked out of it, Rei in her own world, Ami sleeping. "This is a serious threat. Even after reviewing the tape from Ami-chan's visor and speaking with you all, Artemis and I were able to deduce very little. We have no idea who or what this enemy is, nor their goal." She paused and glanced at the two Outers. "You have been briefed on the battle?" "Hai," Michiru answered. "I sensed something." She held up her hand, her talisman shimmering into being. She glanced thoughtfully into the mirror for a few moments before placing it gently in her lap. "Later that night the Princess called and told us the news." Haruka finished, still flipping her coin. She didn't bother to mention they'd been shocked to hear of the danger the Senshi had been in. It was disturbing to think something like that could happen right under their noses. Michiru had written her feeling off as paranoia. The fact that Rei had been more in tune then the aqua Senshi was just another thing to be concerned about. Usagi smiled nervously at the quizzical look the cats shot her. "Mamo-chan suggested it. He wondered if they knew about the person who came to our rescue." Usagi grinned genuinely rembering Mamoru's musing if one of the Outers had been out playing Silver Senshi dress-up. "If nothing else we thought maybe Setsuna-san could tell us something. Did she not want to attend the meeting?" Haruka caught the coin and held it, balling the hand into a fist. "Shes been detained." The obvious tension in her voice made everyone stare at her. Even Ami paid a little more attention. "We'll let her know what goes on." Michiru sighed inwardly. 'If we can find her,' she thought ruefully. Haruka still didn't want to trust the Inners with the truth. They hadn't seen Setsuna at all for atleast two weeks. That wasn't too surprising. Setsuna often left with Hotaru for no apparent reason. What was bothering them was that lately she told them if she was leaving, especially if she took Hotaru with her. And never, ever, had she not given them some warning if the Inner Senshi were going to be in trouble. Be it days or even minutes before hand, she always showed up to tell them something. This time their had been nothing, and Setsuna was gone without a trace. The image of the Outers was something Setsuna had lectured on many times. "We have more power, but with it comes more responsibility. The other Senshi look to us for advice. We cultivate an air of mystery about them, which makes them more eager to listen to us. Our main objective is to protect the Princess. Sometimes that may include doing things she wouldn't approve of. The end justifies the means." Setsuna had finished, her eyes boring into each of them. She remembered Haruka's comment later in bed that Setsuna used her own 'air of mystery' to make them more complacent. Despite sometimes feeling manipulated by Setsuna, they never doubted she had a reason for it all. She always seemed to know the right things to do, how to help. She'd never spelled out exactly how her powers worked. Her vague references to 'time not having a clear path' had been the topic of much debate. "No matter what happens," Setsuna had drilled in them over and over. "do not panic. There may come a day when I'm not able to help you, or even give you advice." "Like the helicopter?" whispered Hotaru. Setsuna paused, a strange look coming across her features. She tried to cover it with a gentle smile ment to soothe the youngest member. "Well hopefully nothing that drastic." She looked at each of them, taking in both Haruka and Michiru's pained expressions. The Mistress of time had never fully explained why she had let them believe she was dead for so long. In fact, she hadn't really told them anything at all. If Hotaru knew, she'd never said anything either. "I have complete faith in you and your abilities, my friends..." and here Setsuna had held her arms open to them for a group hug. The Outers had a closeness. They'd raised Hotaru together. They were family to each other, just like the Inners. In discussing the meeting they'd be attending, they both decided a 'wait and see' policy would work best. They would give up nothing, but could learn what they could. Then they would find the best way to protect the Princess and the others. Even if it did mean keeping them in the dark. "Where is she?" Makoto asked angrily. "Doesn't she care that Usagi-chan's life was threatened? Or is it just an inconvience?" "Of course she cares about the Princess," Michiru stated, before Haruka could fire back an angry retort. Makoto was acting strange. The lady of thunder was known for being blunt but not rude. This was out of character. "We're doing everything we can." Makoto mumbled something but laid off. Ami was nearly asleep again. Luna sighed. "I don't think were going to make anymore progress tonight." Haruka nodded. "I agree. I think your all tired. The main thing is to keep in contact. Luna-san has given both of us one of your communicators. When trouble strikes, we'll be there." A mischievous smile dawned her features. "Hopefully you ALL will as well." Artemis winced. He caught the pointed jibe at the fact Minako ditched the meeting. He would have to have a serious talk with her when she returned. Artemis and the other senshi were the farthest things from Minako's mind. The whole night had been a blast! After the rehearsal they'd all gone to eat at one of the regular hangouts. The conversation was very loud, with people stopping by the tables to say hi. Gossip was pouring from everyone's mouths. Minako didn't know most of the people who stopped by or who they were talking about, but she didn't feel left out. Whenever she started looking confused, Kiro would smile at her or wink. Half the time he had his arm draped around her shoulder. She could feel the envious stares from some of the girls in the place, and it made her feel good. After a few hours the group began to break up, people claiming they had to get home. She was shocked when she looked at a clock and saw how late it was. The time had just flown by! The Senshi's meeting would be winding down by now. A tiny twinge of guilt stung her. "Mina-chan?" Kiro whispered to her. She had to catch herself from jumping in surprise. He had leaned over to where he was right next to her ear. His breath was hot on her neck. "Why don't we split and go someplace quiet?" To her shock she felt one of his hands underneath the table resting dangerously high on her thigh. Her heart leaped away from her. She quickly got up from the table, trying to cover up her nervousness by sounding eager. "Yes, lets Kiro-san!" She turned for the door so quickly she didn't catch his satisfying wink to the rest of the group. "Easy" he mouthed to his friends. They smiled and made a rather obscene gesture in response. When Minako turned around to wave goodbye however they were all innocent smiles and waves. He led her out to his car. The meeting had broken up on a sour note. Ami's snoring had been so loud no one could ignore it any longer. Makoto had picked her up and carried her into her room as Usagi bade the others farewell. "Are you sure you don't want a ride, Usagi-chan?" asked Haruka as she helped Michiru into her jacket. "Hai, Haruka-san. Mamo-chan will be here soon to drive me home." Usagi smiled at them. Haruka frowned and glanced at Michiru seeing her own fears reflected in her partner's eyes. Something had been off about the whole night. Usagi was acting normal, but the rest of the Inners... Michiru and Haruka both waved. "Ja ne. Be careful, kitten." With that they walked out to their car. Haruka waited until they had gone some distance before voicing her suspicions. "Something is definatly wrong with them." Michiru nodded frowning. "I agree. Did you see Rei flinch when Usagi-chan hugged her goodbye? And what was with Ami-chan falling asleep in the middle of a meeting? I don't care how tired she was, that wouldn't happen." Haruka steered easily with one hand as the car seemingly glided down the road. She raked her other hand through her short hair. "What I don't understand was why Minako-chan missed that meeting. She more then anyone else knows how important it is to practice and train. She wouldn't just skip out for a date." Michiru held out her hands, her talisman shimmering into focus again. "I sense the waters are growing more restless, my love. No good can come from this. We must do all we can to contact Setsuna-san." Haruka didn't respond, through the car went faster through the streets. Makoto sat the teapot down on the table after pouring Usagi and herself a cup. She sighed as she flopped down in a chair. "What a totally wasted day. I haven't felt this frustrated since my last pass at Motoki-san!." Usagi giggled. "Hai, Mako-chan. It wasn't your fault though. Hes such a flirt when his girlfriend's not around." They both gossiped for a few minutes after that till Usagi's face turned thoughtful. "Mako-chan, where do you think Setsuna-san is?" Makoto's face twisted up and she looked angry. "Who knows? She might be sitting over at their house drinking coffee!" Makoto made a fist and slammed it into her other hand. "I'm getting really sick of their superior attitude all the time. If they can't trust us as a team, then they don't need to be with us." They both drank the rest of their tea in silence. Artemis and Luna walked through the nearly deserted park on the way to Usagi's. Not many people were walking by it this late at night. They were discussing the disappointing meeting when something caught Luna's eye. On a bench to her right was a woman preparing to lie down. She couldn't see her face or most of her features since it was so dark. Her hair was long, seemingly black or some other dark color. Her clothes looked shabby. Something about her worried Luna. "Artemis," she hissed, interrupting his rant on how he was going to kill Minako for making them look like idiots at that meeting. "Take a look at that woman on the bench." Artemis glanced at her, as she was closing her eyes. "What about her? I've seen people sleeping in the park before Luna-chan." Luna smacked him upside the head lightly with her paw. "Don't you sense anything different about her?" Artemis shook his head and was about to make a sarcastic comment about her being paranoid when the woman began to glow with a pink light. "Nani?" he hissed. The pink light eclipsed her shining brightly. Other people in the park were pointing and shielding their eyes from it. Soon the light faded, and where the woman had been there was just an empty bench. "Where did she-" "Artemis look!" Luna cried out. To the left of the bench, two figures had appeared. One had long almost white hair and very pale skin. The other had dark hair and hawk-like features. "One of them is the guy who attacked Usagi-chan!" The two figures were looking around the bench. The few people who were in the park had now gathered to watch the spectacle. The dark one hissed. "Nothing. Not a trace. What do we do now?" The pale one smiled evilly at his companion. "We use our opportunity to cause havoc, Valka-chan." He snapped his fingers and a ghostly shape took form next to him. The crowd, figuring this was a show, clapped. He bowed to them and looked at the apparition. "Tenji, I want you to do what you do best." The shadowy form took off at his words flying over the small crowd. They whistled and cheered. Then a pale blue light shown off of it and unto parts of the crowd. They screamed in pain as their life force was ripped away from them. The rest of the people began to flee. "Once we finish with these we can move on until we feel the presence again." They both grinned. "Artemis!" Luna whispered from underneath a hedge where they'd taken cover. "I'm on it," he replied, taking out the communicator from his dimensional pocket. "Minna! You must get to Azabu Park right away, by the fountain. The enemy is here! Theres people in danger! Hurry!" Makoto and Usagi were standing over Ami with a bucket of ice water. Usagi glanced at her nervously. "Do we have to?" Makoto nodded. "We've tried everything else, we don't have time." Without even pausing she dumped the bucket unceremoniously over Ami's sleeping form. She sat bolt upright sputtering. "What in the world-" Makoto held out her pen and Usagi grabbed her broach. Ami sighed, reaching for her own. Atleast she'd be dry after she transformed. Minako moaned against Kiro's neck. It was so wonderful to have someone care about her, desire her. His hands were roaming all over her body. Already he'd slipped off her bra and shirt. Now his hands were inching up her thigh. Normally, she would have been a lot more hesitant. No one would ever call her prudish, but she would have atleast waited a few more dates to get this hot and heavy. But it seemed so right. She'd never felt desire like this. Suddenly a beeping noise echoed from her purse. It was her communicator. She knew that despite how angry any of them might be about her missing the meeting, they would never spoil her date just for a scolding call. There must be trouble again. Her head swam as she tried to sit up and she realized she couldn't with Kiro's hand against her panties. A part of her was shocked by this. Surely, this was moving far too fast. How exactly did she get this undressed anyway? She had to go, had to transform. But another part of her wanted to stay here, in this car. Did it really matter how soon she had stripped down with Kiro? All that mattered was she wanted him. The Senshi would be fine without her. Kiro had a hold of her waistband and was starting to slip it down her hips. The voice that wanted to stay still whispered solicitly in her mind, but it was soon drowned out by another image, one of Usagi smiling at her and holding up her hands in a V-sign. "V-chan!" the Usagi whispered gleefully. She shoved Kiro back a bit roughly and went searching for her sweater. "I'm sorry Kiro-san, but I have to go." Kiro sat back where he'd landed against the window and looked at her like she'd grown a second head. "Nani?" She didn't pause as she slipped on her sweater. "You heard my beeper go off right? Well its very important, and I have to go." He gave her another look. "How do you know its important if you haven't even looked at the #?" He grabbed a hold of her hands as she tried to get her purse and go. "Mina-chan, stay with me." She looked into his eyes and felt a warmth take over her body. The voice was back and whispering at how sincere he looked, how much he liked her. Perhaps he was even in love with her! How could she leave when she was on the beginning of a new love? Usagi would surely understand- And then Minako looked at him again. It wasn't a soft, pleading smile on his face. It was a lecherous leer. He wasn't holding her hands anymore, but her breast. She glared and forced him off. "I'm leaving now." She opened the door and got out as she heard him yell behind her "I see your game, you cocktease! Silly little bitch!" The engine roared behind her and he took off, narrowly missing her. Come tomorrow he would have told everyone about her. She blushed in embarrassment. Why did she go so far with him to begin with? If the communicator hadn't gone off, she might have- She took it out and heard Artemis' message. Her pen came out, and Sailor Venus ran off into the night. Rei sat before the fire. Her mind had felt so cloudy all day. It was so strange, like she was completely fixated on one thing. Well, two things. Usagi and Mamoru. Serenity and Endymion. She'd close her eyes and there they'd be, smiling at her. Sometimes they'd be in their regal clothing, sometimes just their everyday wear, and sometimes nothing at all. She was going insane. She shook her head and tried desperately to focus on the fire. It took concentration to do a reading, and obsessing over her friends was definatly not going to help that. She forced herself to breathe in and out, to put aside all her thoughts. She began to recite, 'Kyu Goshin no In', an ancient Chinese chant used as a talisman. "Rin; Hyou; Tou; Sha; Kain; Chin; Retsu; Zai; Zen!" she ended her hand gestures with the last phraseas the flames leaped up to the ceiling. She opened her eyes and looked into them, hoping for some guidance. There, larger than life, towering over her, was the image of Mamoru as she most liked to remember him, in his slacks and green jacket. He had that smile on his face that sent her quivering. She gasped, having never seen an image so clear in the fire before. "Isn't he beautiful?" whispered a voice behind her. She turned around sharply, looking behind her into the shadows. "Whos there?" she demanded. "Some men are handsome, but this one is just divine." the voice whispered again, now seemingly to her right. She turned quickly but there was nothing there. "You can stop that my pretty one, you won't find me out here." "Out here?" asked Rei confused. "Hai. Out here. Beyond the confines of your mind." The voice was light and airy, seemingly directly behind her now. "I exist inside you Rei, deep inside, a place where you have tried to keep hidden for a long time." "Inside me?" she realized she was just repeating dumbly the words that she was being told but she couldn't seem to stop. "Hai, ever since that day, so long ago." And the flame burst out again, and Rei saw the picture of Tokyo tower. She was watching the scene of Mamoru and Usagi, reunited at last with the Silver Crystal. She remembered the torment she had felt seeing them, and realizing that Mamoru could never be hers again. "So painful..." Tears were falling down the Senshi of fire's cheeks. "It hurt me so much to let him go..." She really broke down than, sobbing as she hadn't in a long time. She felt a comforting pressure on her back, but she stopped herself from turning around, sure that whatever it was would leave if she did. "There, there. Its OK. Let it all out. We've been waiting to cry for a long time over this, haven't we?" Rei nodded. "Its all right. Tonight we can talk about everything we've been feeling. Get it all out." Rei noticed a form move in front of her. It was a ghostly figure, with long dark hair and slim shape. When she caught the face she gasped in surprise. Staring back at her was a mirror image of herself. The transparent Rei smiled encouragingly at her and whispered, "We can talk about him all night, can't we?" "Hai," Rei said mechanically. In the distance she dimly registered her communicator going off, but she made no move to pick it up. She simply sat, eyes glazed over. The shadowy form reached over and took her hand, as the flames rose high above them. The picture in the flames was shifting to another memory. "Yes, better to go through all this, get our real feelings out. The others will be fine." "Hai, they'll be fine." Rei murmured. The communicator finally fell silent, unanswered. ==================================================================== Questions? Comments? Arrows? Angst88@aol.com -Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ===================================================================