Rating: PG-13...there's a little violence in this chapter...sorry bout that ^^;;; @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "Surely the Lord your God has blessed you in all your undertakings; He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing." Deuteronomy 2:7 @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- The Coldest December By Aimee Chapter 8, Part B @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "Has the bleeding stopped?" "Hai...hand me that bandage." "What were you able to tell her?" "Nothing...I didn't get the chance." The voices were vaguely familiar. Through the haze of unconsciousness, I struggled to open my eyes and let out a pitiful moan when the pain registered. My head was swimming with dizziness. "Hey, I think she's waking." The second voice was male. "Usa? Can you hear me?" My lips moved, but nothing came out. "Shhh...it's okay, Usa. Don't try to talk," Mamoru murmured quietly, stroking my hair. I didn't have much of a choice. The dizziness was overwhelming, and I was forced to give in to unconsciousness once again. Darkness quickly shrouded me...and the nightmare was close behind. @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- I gazed with tear-filled eyes at the dimly- lit earth through the open window. My eyes looked everywhere but the distant horizon of the moon, which had turned a frightening shade of crimson. I didn't want to look at it...it was the awful shade of attacks being cast upon our soldiers in the battle being fought in the distance. Blinking back tears of fright and worry, I extinguished a very unprincesslike whimper. Mother didn't notice. She listened as Endymion spoke with hurried words, trying his best to warn and advise my her, but deep down I knew his attempts were fruitless. A cold, prickly feeling made its way up my spine, and I shivered involuntarily causing the goblet of water in my hand to shake as well. A few droplets spilled onto the marble floor. Endymion looked up at me, and his concerned eyes met mine for a brief moment. The kindness and strength I found in their depths calmed me momentarily, but soon the uncertainty and fear returned, and my stomach twisted painfully. Placing the goblet hastily on a table, I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to end my shaking. "Princess..." I gasped at the unfamiliar voice and looked to my mother and fiance, but they did not appear to have heard the stranger quietly breathing my name. Fear never occurred to me. The trembling of my limbs ceased, and a false sense of peace spread slowly through me. "Princess..." The voice was smooth as glass. "Come to the garden." I tried to blink, but I could not. My mother and fiance did not look up as I slipped silently from the room, as they were engaged in studying a map of some sort. The words they exchanged were no longer heard by my ears. I heard only the voice. The hallway was dimly lit, but my feet found their way regardless of the deep shadows. My vision was muddy and unfocused, and my thoughts were fleeting. "The garden, princess. Come to me." "I'm coming..." A servant passing in the hallway glanced at me curiously, but my gaze never acknowledged her in return. My eyes were fixed on the garden door. "M'lady? Are you ill?" came the servant's concerned voice. I ignored her, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard the old woman gasp and call frantically for help. I pressed on, unconcerned with the woman's alarmed cries. My fingertips touched the door handle that lead toward the gardens. No guard was posted there. Most of them had been called to the battlefield...to the red horizon in the distance. My unblinking eyes widened even more, and the handle turned slowly. "Princess..." hissed the woman before me, clothed in darkness and deep shadows. "SERENITY!!!" The frantic scream belonged to my mother, but I did not hear her. "Approach, child," the shadow-woman ordered quietly. Her words echoed loudly in my head even though they were barely audible. My feet began to move, but I was hardly aware of it. "No!!" Warm arms seized me from behind, pulling me back...away from the shadow-woman. I was turned around roughly, and my wide-eyed gaze met Endymion's, though I scarcely recognized him. Studying me for a moment, he cursed and began to shake me. "Snap out of it, Serenity!" The shaking flustered me, and I began to struggle, tears of confusion and anger coursing down my cheeks. Where was I? Who was this person, and why was he shaking me? "Stop it!" I cried, trying to get away from the demanding hands. My vision slowly began to come into focus. I blinked, realizing for the first time how cold I was, standing outside with no wrap. Reality and recognition hit me suddenly, and I gasped, looking into the face of the one shaking me. "Endy..." I whimpered, beginning to tremble from fright. "How...how did I get out here? What happened?" He shook his head and pulled me into a relieved embrace, kissing my forehead. "Sere..." Peeking beyond my safe haven, I gazed at the shadow-woman with a fear I have never known. She watched us silently, seemingly unconcerned over her lost mental grasp on me. Her lips thinned angrily as Endymion pulled away and stepped in front of me. A smooth metallic sound echoed through the garden as he unsheathed a lethal-looking sword. "Where's mother?" I whimpered behind him, clutching his cape. "Getting the crystal," he answered, glaring at the creature before us. He spoke the words firmly, like a warning to the shadow-woman that she was treading on dangerous ground. The crystal meant certain death. "Who are you?" Endymion demanded. She stepped from the shadows, the sound of her heels clicking against the stone ground echoing in the night. "Oh, my God..." I gasped, my eyes widening as her twisted face was revealed. Her red hair fell in waves, almost reaching the ground. It moved on its own, like flowing water, despite the fact that there was no wind. Her eyes were glittering black, and the hate emanating from their depths made my blood run cold. "MOTHER!!!" I screamed frantically, looking behind me toward the still open door. It slammed shut from an invisible force, and I gasped in horror. "Trapped...we're trapped. Oh God..." "Quiet, you." "What do you want?" Endymion demanded, his hand closing protectively over my wrist. "I would think that would be rather obvious, Prince Endymion. The princess. She'll make a lovely ransom for her mother's crystal, don't you think?" Fear hit me so hard that I struggled to keep from fainting. "Endy..." I sobbed, gripping his cape. "You'll never lay a hand on her, is that understood?" he threatened through clenched teeth.. Beryl laughed deeply. "Your little princess and her mother will bow to me or be destroyed. The Moon Kingdom will be taken. Why not join me, Prince Endymion, and taste the joy of winning for once? I can't imagine the pain you must have felt when the Earth was taken. You know, your parents, the king and queen, were quite shocked when their son's own generals betrayed them into my hands..." Endymion's eyes narrowed into cold slits of blue ice, and I felt the hand closed over my wrist begin to shake with anger. "Die." "Oh, that's novel! But highly unlikely," she remarked with a smirk. "Join me, Endymion, or you'll be the one who perishes. This is your last chance..." "Go to hell..." "Hell can't contain me, boy! Go there yourself!" With a cry of shock and pain, Endymion collapsed to his knees, driven there by an invisible force. His sword hit the ground with a resounding clatter. "Endy...?" I gasped. "What's wrong? Get up!" "I...I can't..." Lighting flickered in the distance, and Beryl stretched out her hands. Eyes bubbling with fire and hatred, a crimson ball of energy began to form between her black fingertips. It was the color of the sky behind her. It gleamed brightly, powerful energy pulsating through it, and grew larger and more dense by the second. "NO!!! ENDY!!!" I screamed, throwing myself in front of Endymion's kneeled and vulnerable body, shielding him with my own. "God, help me!!!" "No...Sere...get inside..." His voice was labored and pained. "Go now...leave me..." My head shook back and forth as I choked on a sob. "MOTHER!!!" Where was she?! It shouldn't be taking so long for her to come! Had Beryl done something to her to detain her? "Is it really worth it, princess? To die trying to save a man who's not even your own kind? He's going to perish regardless, and don't think I won't hesitate to kill you. I'll get your mother's crystal despite your death. Now, if you want to live, move away from him," Beryl ordered angrily, the ball of energy hovering between her black fingertips lighting her face up with frightening crimson hues that flickered like fire. Crying violently, I held on to Endymion desperately. His weakened hands tried to move me, but he couldn't. His hands had always been so strong... now he couldn't even move aside a small girl. With a moan, I remembered the first time he had gathered me close for a kiss with those strong hands...how his hands would tangle in my hair while we were locked in a passionate embrace...how they would touch me in a way no other had. How could I live without him? Without his arms around me, giving me strength? He was everything to me. He was part of me. His lips were at my ear, whispering weakly, pleading with me to run. "Serenity, please..." "If you die," I whispered brokenly, "I am already dead." Gathering what little courage I had, I drug cold eyes to glare at the witch. I spoke gravely. "I will not be moved." Beryl's lips thinned, and a look of rage crossed her features. "Foolish child. So be it." Tears fell unrestrained as I turned toward my prince, who was yelling something I was too frightened to comprehend. I kissed him and whispered a weak, "I love you." His eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw tears falling from them. "I'll find a way back to you...I swear it." My head dropped to his shoulder with a sob as he whispered, "I love you." "SERENITY!!!" came the muffled scream of my mother, who was trapped behind the locked door. Things begin to move in slow motion. My visual scope turned blood red. Heat and pain surged through my body like an unquenchable fire. My breath left me and my body locked up in denial of all the pain and anguish. Taking in my last breath, my bloodless lips uttered a final scream. "ENDYMION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "ENDYMION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I was only vaguely aware of my screaming and thrashing. All I could see was the blood red hue of Beryl's attack as it burned through me with searing heat like fire. Tears poured down my cheeks so heavily, I felt as though I was drowning. I screamed when I felt hands on me. "Noooo!!! Don't touch me!!! Please!!!" "Usa..." The hands were pushing my hair back, wiping away my tears. "Please..." I moaned, my body racked with sobs. "Usa...I've got you...you're safe..." The voice was warm and calm, but my ears barely registered the words. Still I struggled, blindly pushing away. Warm arms surrounded me, capturing me and pulling me close as I cried. Giving a few more useless struggles, I gave up and surrendered with a sob of defeat. My body went slack, but strong arms kept me firmly held against a warm chest. Lips were at my ear, breathing gentle words I barely understood. "It was a dream, baby...it was just a dream..." My breathing slowed a bit as I began to calm. The sights and sounds of the nightmare became hushed and still, and the blood red hue that had so flooded my visual scope faded to a hushed gray. The voice murmuring in my ear was male, and the words were softly spoken...barely a whisper. They were so full of caring, that my body began to relax. Only shivering remained. "You're safe, Usa..." Soft kisses rained down upon me--on my forehead, my tear-stained cheeks, my hair. "I'm here..." I knew that voice... My eyes fluttered open slowly, and his face came into focus. God, was he real? I raised a shaking hand to touch his cheek. "Mamoru..." My face crumpled again, and another sob escaped. "Usa...don't cry, sweetheart...please..." My arms flew around his neck, and I hugged him frantically. "Oh, Mamoru...the...the dream...it was..." "Shhhhh...I know, baby. Believe me, I know." He brushed hair away from my hot forehead. Kisses trailed slowly down my cheek, across the wet trails my tears had left. They brushed momentarily against my lips, leaving the taste of my own tears there with his kiss. But still, I cried. The memory of the nightmare was too fresh, and each detail replayed in my mind a hundred times over. Though I'd had many nightmares, I had never before remembered what went on in them. This time was different; I could recall every detail--the castle, the shaking goblet of liquid in my hand, the dark witch... I shuddered. But how had the Queen of the NegaVerse gotten into my dreams? I'd never seen her before... only heard whispered allegiances to her from the lips of her generals. But the face in my dream... it was so real. How could I have imagined such a horrid creature? Perhaps I was simply frightened after the evening's intense youma battle, and my fear brought Beryl to life in my dreams... I gasped. The battle! I'd forgotten about it! The memories flooded through me. A twist of pain shot through my arm, I realized with confusion that it was bandaged. It took me a few more moments to remember the searing heat of the golden tiara slicing through my arm, and I began to tremble once again as fear spread through me. Mamoru handled me gently as he held me, careful not to put pressure on the wound. Hugging me closer, he began whispering to me once more, perhaps feeling my trembling. "You're okay, Usa. You're safe. Try to relax." Perhaps it was his words, or simply his warmth, that calmed me. Refusing to think anymore about the horrible nightmare and battle, I slowly composed myself and let him replace my anxiety with serenity. I snuggled close to him, burying my face in his chest like a frightened child. "Are you gonna be okay?" Mamoru asked in concern. I grimaced, trying to ignore the pain that had seized my body, but I couldn't seem to get away from it. "My head hurts...and my arm..." I sniffled. "We should probably change your bandages," he replied, touching my bandaged arm gently. "And I've got some medicine for your head in the bathroom. Come on." He helped me to my feet, and I teetered dangerously to one side with dizziness. His arms were around me at once, and they steadied me until I was able to stand and walk on my own. Taking my hand, he led me down a darkened hallway that I didn't recognize. It was vaguely familiar, but I was just so tired that I couldn't seem to place it. I groaned when he flipped on the lightswitch in the bathroom, and he chuckled lightly when I covered my sleepy eyes with a hand. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Time to wake up," he said, placing his hands under my arms and lifting me up to sit on the counter. "You and your Disney movies..." I muttered with a sniffle. Carefully, he began to unwrap my bandages, and I peeked between the fingers I'd placed over my eyes to peer at the wound curiously. It was no longer bleeding, and it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. It appeared as though the tiara had barely grazed my arm. I shook my head. Geez, all that pain, and it had barely touched me? I immediately felt sorry for the many youma I had encountered throughout my time as Sailor Moon. No wonder they made such a fuss when they were dusted. I was very lucky that I had been pushed out of the way in time. I could have... I shook my head and shuddered. "You okay? Am I hurting you" Mamoru inquired as he dabbed a bit of ointment onto the wound. "No...I'm fine..." I murmured, trying to shake off the memories of the battle. I yawned and blinked a few times, my surroundings coming into focus as the initial grogginess of sleep wore off. I blinked again...this time in confusion. I was in Mamoru's apartment. How the heck did I end up here? Such was my fright and disillusionment as I woke from the nightmare, I had hardly questioned my surroundings. It was then that I remembered. @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "That sounded like Naru!" I practically screamed in panic, taking a few steps toward the direction the outcry had come from. "It's probably a youma," Mamoru said hurriedly. "You'd better transform." I froze. Slowly, I turned and gaped at him with wide, unbelieving eyes. He returned the gaze--almost guiltily. "Nani?" I breathed. "You heard me, Usagi," he said firmly, removing the locket from my blouse and placing it in my hand. "Transform--now! Your friend needs you." @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- Mamoru touched my face, concern reaching his features. "What's wrong, Usa? You're shaking again. Do I need to call a doctor?" My face turned away. "How...how did you know?" I whispered. He frowned. "How did I know what?" I shook my head, bringing my eyes to meet his. "You know what I'm talking about..." He fell silent for a few moments, and the same expression I'd seen only a few hours ago returned to his eyes. Guilt. Letting out a slow breath, he finished wrapping a fresh bandage around my arm. "We'll talk tomorrow, okay? When you're feeling better." I looked at him wearily, wanting an explanation, but hardly having the energy to demand it. "Mamoru, I need to kn--" "Tomorrow, Usa. I promise," he cut me off, leaning over to gently kiss me. I allowed his lips to touch mine, but I didn't kiss him back. If he noticed the lack of participation on my part, he didn't show it. "I'll bring you some water," he said as he placed two small pills in my hand. I nodded silently, not having the strength to argue. Moreover, my head was pounding with a fury. As he left the room, I noticed for the first time what he was wearing. I frowned in mystification. He was clothed in an unbuttoned white dress shirt and black slacks. They were intricately designed and seemed to fit him perfectly...almost like they were designed solely for him. But hadn't he been wearing khakis and that dreadful green jacket on our date? Sure, he could of changed, but why would he choose such expensive and elegant clothing? It made no sense. My head protested my thoughts with furious pounding. Making a face, I brought a hand to my aching temple and massaged it gingerly, wishing Darien would hurry up with the water so that I could take the medicine he'd given me. Needing badly to lay down, I drifted silently into the bedroom, noticing the chair that was pulled up next to the bed. A smile touched my features as I realized that he had been watching me as I slept. My gaze fell to several articles of clothing thrown carelessly beside the chair. Curiously, I kneeled down to look at them, and my eyes wavered at what I saw. "Usa...here's the water I got for..." His words tapered off when he noticed the expression on my face. I stood slowly, and our eyes locked for one prolonged moment. I approached him slowly...carefully...nervously. Shaky hands lifted the object I'd found on the floor to his face. My eyes closed in denial. The white mask slipped from my fingers and fluttered to the floor. @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- I know, I know...you waited all this time for these last two chapters, and I ended it with even more of a cliffhanger than Chapter 7. Sorry, dear readers, but someone dared me to end it like that...and it was a *triple* dog dare with *no* erasies! How could I resist?! You'll forgive me, right? Stay tuned for Chapter 9. E-MAIL!!! E-MAIL!!! E-MAIL!!! Oh, and go see my new website, co-owned with my best bud, Angela. You'll find the finished chapters of this story and others there *way* before they end up anywhere else! You can join our mailing list to find out exactly when new chapters are posted: http://www.geocities.com/moonlit_eclipse/ Ja ne! Aimee-chan >^..^< sailor_moon89@hotmail.com