Alan
25th November 2003, 05:00 AM
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Okay, here's another chapter. Not entirely happy with this one, but I =
can't, at this moment, figure out what that is. So here you are.
Sailor Moon does not belong to me. I only wish I owned it. The =
characters(in their original forms) are the property of Takeuchi Naoko =
and many other people who are not me.
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Ecartis --
-- File: smfic2.txt
Alternate Views
Phase 2 - The Bringer of War
It ran. Hunched over, with one arm flopping about limply at its
side. But it ran, nonetheless.
"I'm sorry. You didn't need that arm, did you?" a voice called
down from above, almost gleeful in its enjoyment of the youma's plight.
"You won't take me like my sisters, Sailor Moon!" it screamed,
spikes launching off of its back into the air behind and above it.
"Oh, you're a brave one," she retorted. "The last few couldn't
even work up the courage to say my name."
The youma merely snarled in response, continuing its shambling
run toward the alley way.
"You really aren't going to spoil my fun and get away like the
last one," Sailor Moon snapped, the tiara spinning from her hand and
striking just below one of the youma's knees. There was a rasp as it cut
through the bone, and the youma screeched, losing its balance as one leg
was severed.
"Ordinarily," she said as she landed in the alleyway, I would
just kill you and be done with it. But I'm thinking I should have you
send a message to Jadeite." She stopped once she was looming over the
youma, who looked up at her with the first true beginnings of fear as it
met her eyes.
They were featureless blue. Almost lacking in pupils. As if the
person they belonged to were insane.
"I do hope you won't pass out on me too soon," she whispered,
the tiara lighting up in her hand as she bent down. "That takes all the
fun out of it." The muted light from the tiara illuminated Sailor Moon's
face as she drew closer and the youma tried to scuttle away before
screaming out as the glowing disc cut into its side.
"You have a rather inventive nature, Sailor Moon," Jadeite said,
appearing shortly after she was done, one eyebrow crooked at the broken
corpse of the youma that separated them.
"What do you want, Jadeite?" she asked.
"I was thinking about offering you a job. My Queen would
certainly find a place for your talents."
Sailor Moon laughed.
Jadeite glowered at her. "It is an honor to have such an offer
placed before you."
"Not interested," she said, walking away.
"So be it," Jadeite sighed. "A shame, truly."
"I'm letting you walk away tonight, Jadeite," she told him,
turning her head slightly. "Show your face again and I'm going to kill
you."
He licked his lips, then spoke. "I look forward to you trying.
Five days, Sailor Moon."
"What?" she turned back to face him, but he was gone.
*
"Tsukino-san, did you hear me?" a voice said as someone waved
their hand in front of the girl's face. Usagi blinked, then shook her
head.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" she asked, looking up at her
tutor with a frown.
"Tsukino-san," Ami frowned as she spoke. "I agreed to tutor you
at your sensei's request, to help you pass the university exam. But if
you can't pay attention, then I really have better things to do than
waste my time."
Usagi sighed. "I'm sorry, Mizuno-san. I got distracted. I won't
do it again."
"Good," Ami tapped the book in front of Usagi. "Now, read this
chapter and then take the quiz at the end. I'm going to help the
others." She moved off, not sparing a backward glance, and began
chastising the other pair who were being tutored. The young man was a
fairly sensible type. A bit clumsy, it seemed, and often nervous around
other girls. The girl, who always arrived with him, and usually seemed
to wish she hadn't, was fairly nice as well. Though a bit intolerant of
her friend.
It seemed like the young man was always tripping or being shoved
into the girl, however. And usually landing in an inappropriate
position. Which resulted in the girl doing her level best to send him
into lower earth orbit.
Usagi thought that made a cute couple, herself, but the girl had
a hideous temper. She smiled, then shook her head and focused on the
book.
"Calculus," she groaned, noting the book's subject matter. "Why
did it have to be calculus?" Sighing, she shifted in her seat and
settled down to work.
Exactly thirty minutes later, she put her pen down and
stretched. "All done!"
"Let's see," Ami said, smiling and looking over the answers.
"Tsukino-san."
"Yes?"
"You got it right," she continued, smiling. "I think you're
ready for the exams now. But. You need to keep studying, nonetheless."
"I will," Usagi said, smiling. "Thanks for helping me, Mizuno-
san."
"You're going?" she asked, surprised.
"Yes, I have to go see my brother, and that's a bit of a trip,
so I'm leaving early." Usagi replied, the smile remaining fixed on her
face. "Thanks for all the help, Mizuno-san." She continued smiling as
she departed, leaving the blue-haired tutor frowning slightly, as if
something were not quite right that she was missing. Biting her lip, she
went back to the other two, who were arguing loudly and not getting all
that much accomplished.
*
The three o'clock train to Shinjuku was running late, which she
was glad of, as she herself had arrived late. She raced down the steps,
sparing only a second to run her card through the reader and pass
through the turnstile. Oddly, the waiting platform was all but deserted,
except for one tall male leaning against one of the pillars, presumably
waiting for the train like she was. She gave him a brief look, then
shrugged.
"Um."
Usagi turned her head. "Yes?"
"Do you have the time?"
She checked her watch. "Three-fifteen."
"I wonder what's keeping the train?" the male said, shoving off
of the pillar and glancing at her. He wasn't too bad looking, she
decided. Dark hair and piercing eyes.
"Not a clue," Usagi replied, leaning forward slightly to peer
down the tunnel.
"Chiba Mamoru," he said, sticking out a hand in greeting.
"Tsukino Usagi," she absently replied, ignoring the offered
hand.
"Where are you headed?" Mamoru asked, sticking his hand into his
jacket pocket.
"Places," Usagi answered curtly, frowning at him. "That aren't
here."
"Not very good conversation while we wait, are you?" he asked.
"With strangers?" she replied. "No."
"But I'm not a stranger."
"Excuse me?"
"I introduced myself, remember?" he said. "And you introduced
yourself in return. Therefore, we aren't strangers anymore."
Usagi looked at him for a moment. "I suppose we aren't."
"But you're still not going to talk to me, are you?"
"No."
"I'm crushed." Mamoru said, holding a hand to his chest
dramatically. "This vision of beauty before me rejects my advances."
"Flattery will get you exactly nowhere, Chiba-san," Usagi told
him, rolling her eyes.
"Please, call me Mamoru," he said with an extragavant bow.
"You're trying too hard, Chiba-san," the blonde replied with a
snort.
"Then, I have a chance?" he asked, eyes lighting up.
"No," she said, annoyance on her face. "I'm taken. Nor am I
inclined to associate with strange men who accost young women that are
clearly several years their junior in nearly abandoned subway terminals.
Which works out, because here's the train at last." She walked away
without a backward glance as the train came to a stop.
"I can't get your number?" he called after her.
"No, you can't get my number," Usagi answered, stepping onto the
train.
Chiba Mamoru stood on the platform, watching the train start off
into the darkened tunnel before shaking his head. "Interesting."
*
Tokyo General was never a place Usagi liked coming to. The
entire building seemed to radiate depression and gloom. She often
wondered if other people noticed this same fact also, or if it was just
her, caused by the reasons she was here for.
"Ah, Tsukino-san," the nurse at the desk said, offering a
comforting smile as was her habit. "Here to see Shingo-san?"
"Yes," Usagi replied, following the nurse down the hall to room
twelve. "How has he been?"
"The same, I'm afraid," the nurse told her, smile vanishing.
"The doctor is hopeful of improvement though."
"He always is," Usagi said, slipping into the room without
another word and closing the door. The room only had one occupant; the
breeze from the open window blew across the bed and the still form lying
in it. Usagi looked at him for a moment, noting how he had grown from
the annoying little brother she had once argued with frequently. It
amazed her, every time, that how he looked now didn't match the memory
she had of the last time they had spoken.
"I brought some flowers," she announced, walking over to the
bedside. "The ones I brought last time have started to wilt and I
figured you'd want some fresh ones." She emptied the drooping flowers
from the vase and filled it with fresh water before placing the new ones
in it.
"Rei and I had an argument," Usagi continued, pulling a chair up
beside the bed. "I've been keeping things from her and she finally
realised that and wasn't happy about it."
"Luna thinks..." she paused, her voice cracking slightly. "Luna
thinks I should tell Rei the truth. We've argued about that a lot
recently. I've refused and managed to get Luna to agree. But... I don't
know why this happened to us. But I think Rei should have a normal life.
If it was because of Luna finding me that day, and I tell Rei..."
She rose, going to the window. "I don't want to lose her,
Shingo. I think that's why I've kept this from her. I don't really
believe the same thing will happen to her that happened to us. I'm
afraid if she knows, she'll want to fight with me. And she'll get hurt."
"You're probably thinking I'm an idiot for worrying about this
so much," Usagi said, a half smile on her face. "And maybe I am. I don't
know." She fell silent, turning to regard him.
"I haven't found it yet, Shingo," Usagi said, walking back to
the chair. "I'm going to keep looking, though. I will find it. And make
it pay."
"...Gods, Shingo, I miss you so much," she whispered, hands
settling over one of his as she finally began to cry.
*
A crowd was gathering outside the hospital as she emerged, eyes
still quite red.
"Did you see?" someone shouted. "It's Sailor V!"
"Sailor V?" Usagi said aloud, frowning. Then the crowd parted.
Sailor V stood there, raising a hand for silence. Almost
immediately, the people surrounding her fell silent. "Thank you,
everyone. I can't stay long, but I thought I would give you all my
thanks for the support you've given me. With all of you backing me, I
can continue keeping our city safe from evil-doers."
"Show-off," Usagi snorted, glancing around for any sign of the
next bus. The gathering of people was eating up every word she said,
cheering loudly every time she made an announcement.
"But, unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful in apprehending
the thief who continues to rob jewelry stores in Tokyo," she was saying.
"This Tuxedo Kamen, as he calls himself, will be caught and his illegal
activities stopped. So says Sailor V!" The crowd cheered again, chanting
her name as she slipped through the crowd and departed. She passed right
by Usagi as she went, almost brushing against her, and then lept onto
the nearest roof, vanishing out of sight.
"Glory hog," Usagi muttered, adjusting her coat and glaring in
the direction Sailor V had departed. "Just in it for all the fans." She
fixed her coat, then frowned. Something wasn't right. She ran her hands
over the jacket, still frowning.
A folded up piece of paper was in her left pocket, that hadn't
been there before.
"Please come to the parking garage roof at Tokyo General," she
read aloud. "Sailor V."
Usagi looked at the note for a moment, then rolled her eyes,
putting it away. "Even her handwriting is ostentatious."
"I suppose I should see what she wants," she decided after a
moment. "But, just in case." She dug in her pants pocket, pulling out
her brooch and stuffed it in her jacket pocket, for easier access. That
done, she started back toward the hospital, whistling to herself.
A few cars were parked on the top level of the garage, but not
enough to obscure her view as she glanced around after stepping out of
the elevator.
"You took your time," Sailor V's voice said from behind her.
Usagi turned and glanced up. Sailor V stood on top of the elevator shed,
arms crossed as she regarded Usagi.
Usagi shrugged, then spoke. "If it was important, I figured you
would wait."
"You don't like me, do you?" V asked.
"Is that what you called me up here for?" Usagi asked. "Because
if you're hoping to convert me into a member of your little fanclub,
you're wasting your time and mine."
"But you used to be," Sailor V countered.
"What?" Usagi asked, glaring.
"I do keep track of who is and isn't in my fanclub," she said.
"You were... fanclub member twelve, if memory serves. Tsukino Usagi."
"I'm both impressed and disgusted that you have the time to
waste to keep track of each and every member of your fanclub like that,"
Usagi growled at her. "Now, please, get to the point."
Sailor V smiled, dropping off of the top of the elevator chamber
to stand before Usagi. "You're also the photojournalist who has been
removing evidence from the scenes of Tuxedo Kamen's crimes. That's
illegal, you know."
"And you've come to punish me for my evil ways?" Usagi almost
laughed as she said it. "Go back and parade in front of your fanclub.
I'm sure they'll appreciate your speeches. I don't."
"He's dangerous," V said, suddenly serious.
"So I should stay away from him?" she asked. "He can't even take
a punch right. I don't think I have anything to worry about from him,
should I ever encounter him."
"You've never encountered him?" V queried.
"Nope."
"Then how did you know he couldn't take a punch?"
"I saw Sailor Moon knock him on his ass last night, that's how."
Usagi replied.
"Sailor Moon is a myth," V told her, looking like she trying to
hold back a laugh.
"Of course she is," Usagi agreed. "Is there anything else?
Should I bow and curtsy and call you Mistress V like all your fans do?"
"That won't be neccesary," Sailor V said, not smiling now. "You
really don't like me. Why?"
"My parents are dead," Usagi told her, pressing the button for
the elevator. "If you're the protector of the city, then why the hell
weren't you there to stop that?"
"I can't change what has happened," she said evenly. "Nor have I
ever had the ability to be everywhere. I am sorry I couldn't help you
when you needed it."
"Save it," Usagi replied as the elevator beeped. "I'm long past
needing anyone's help."
"Do be careful in investigating Tuxedo Kamen, if that is what
you're doing," Sailor V said as the doors began to close. "He is
dangerous."
"So am I," the short-haired blonde said nonchalantly as the
doors slid shut, cutting off her view of Sailor V.
Usagi stepped out onto the sidewalk in front of Tokyo General
for the second time in an hour and frowned at her watch. Five o'clock.
If she hurried, she could reach the terminal and make the five thirty
line that went back toward home. She walked over to the bus stop to wait
and spared a glance up at the garage. As expected, Sailor V stood there,
watching her. She stood there a moment after being noticed and then
vanished out of sight.
"Must have the dramatic exit, huh?" Usagi muttered, glaring down
the road. "Where is that damn bus?" She started to say something else,
then stopped, frowning.
"Youma." the word came out a hiss, as Usagi stiffened for a
moment, then began scanning the surrounding area, alert for any sign of
the creature. Her search turned up nothing.
"Must be hiding better than most of them," she mused, taking a
few steps back from the waiting area. "Thankfully, I know how to flush
it out easily enough." She scanned the area again, looking for the best
place to transform without being seen. Frustrated, she turned and ran
back toward the garage, having failed to find any place better.
"I'm going to be so pissed if I lose it," Usagi said under her
breath as she ran. Behind her, screaming started. She swore and ran
faster.
The youma looked around at the people who had all collapsed,
drained of their energy and laughed.
"Master Jadeite will be pleased," it said, extending its reach
and draining the energy of anyone within range.
"Moon Tiara Action!"
The youma jumped, nimbly avoiding the spinning golden disc.
"Sailor Moon."
"Youma." Sailor Moon retorted, catching her tiara as it
returned. "Stronger than the rest, are you?"
It didn't reply, instead firing an energy blast at her that
sliced off the top of the streetlight as she jumped clear. She landed
behind it, quickly wrapping her arms around it.
"Going up," she said, jumping while holding onto it, propelling
them both onto the roof of the shop behind them.
"Worried about your precious citizens, are you?" it sneered as
it pitched free on the roof, quickly regaining its feet.
"They were in the way," she retorted. "Now we can fight with no
obstacles."
"Now you can die!" it screamed, raising its hands to fire off
another energy blast. It stumbled back without attacking, clutching at
one arm and tearing away something that had struck it. A rose rested
there, embedded stem first.
"Monster!" a voice said. "I will not allow you to defile this
city any longer."
"And so my day is complete," Sailor Moon muttered, turning
slightly to regard Tuxedo Kamen. "Are you trying to piss me off?"
"I'm offering my assistance," he said simply. "Are you too proud
to accept help?"
"I don't need help," she snapped. "Yours or anyone elses!"
"Pardon me," the youma hissed. "But we were fighting!"
"Oh, shut up," Sailor Moon snapped, kicking it away as it
charged her. "I'm talking here."
"You certainly have a way with these things," Tuxedo Kamen
remarked.
"Look, cape-boy, you're not helping," she said.
"Mostly because you don't want help," he countered. "That was
what you said."
"You want to be punched again, don't you?"
"It's getting away," Tuxedo Kamen said calmly, pointing with his
cane."
"Because you distracted me!" she shouted, starting across the
roof after it.
"You aren't going to blame this on me," he retorted. "I'm not
the one ranting and screaming."
"I am going to hit you again, you know that?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Crescent Beam!" a voice that she found very familiar called
out. The youma was flung back in mid-leap, crashing to the rooftop in
front of the arguing pair.
"Great," Sailor Moon said, throwing up her arms. "Can we just
invite the entire city of Tokyo and have a party?"
"You should control your emotions," she said, landing on the
roof so that the youma was between them. "Anger serves the enemy."
"Yeah, yeah, and leads to the dark side. I know." Sailor Moon
cut her off. "Save the speeches. Cape-boy here is your gentleman
bandit."
"Hey!" Tuxedo Kamen protested.
"Now, you can try to apprehend him, and he can try to escape and
steal something else," she continued. "And I can kill this thing here
like I'm supposed to. Everyone will be happy!"
Sailor V looked at her for a moment, then at Tuxedo Kamen, who
shrugged. "Maybe you'd better let me handle this thing."
Moon glared at her. "And why would I do that? I am perfectly
capable."
"I don't dispute that," she replied, not losing her temper. "But
you seem to be rather on edge and I thought I would offer."
"Can one of you just kill me now?" the youma groaned, starting
to move slightly.
"Be glad to," Sailor Moon said, reaching for her tiara.
"Just like that, you're going to kill it?" Tuxedo Kamen asked.
"Would you prefer I just let it run loose?" she snapped,
forgetting her tiara as she turned to face him. "Fine. Youma. Run."
"What?"
"Run. You're free. Spread your wings and fly. Whatever. Just
go." she told it.
It didn't waste a moment, leaping to its feet and taking off at
a run.
"Stupid," she said, grabbing her tiara and launching it after
the fleeing youma. "Just like the rest of them."
"That was...rather cold of you," Sailor V said after the youma
had been eradicated.
"Seeing as how I'm supposed to be a myth, according to you, I
don't think I'm going to care about your opinion." Sailor Moon replied.
"Now, unless you two would like to continue this little party, I'm going
now." She leapt to the next roof and took off, not looking back.
"That...was bizarre," Tuxedo Kamen said after a moment. "Has she
always been so...violent?"
"I wouldn't know," Sailor V replied, looking after the other,
troubled. "I suppose this is the part where you try to get away and I
try to stop you?"
"If we had a script, it would be," he confirmed.
"Have you stolen anything today?"
"Not yet."
"Then, you won't mind if I take a pass," Sailor V said. "I need
to do some things. Chasing you isn't one of them." She didn't wait to
see what his response would be, taking off in the same direction that
Sailor Moon had.
Tuxedo Kamen stood on the roof for a moment, then laughed. "I
can tell this town isn't going to be boring."
*
Hino Rei liked the silence at Hikawa Shrine. She'd asked her
grandfather once why it was that the sounds of the street below didn't
seem to reach beyond the steps, but he had only smiled and not given her
an answer. Her curiousity, however, was not enough to question it any
further than that. How it was didn't matter, simply that it was. It let
her do her chores in peace, without the intrusions of the city
distracting her.
Unfortunately, the leaves did not seem to want to cooperate with
the sense of peace surrounding the shrine. In fact, they outright fought
her. She would sweep them up and put the broom away, only to turn around
and find them right back as they were. Eventually, it became a game. She
did her best to clean them up, and they did their best to make a mess.
It didn't bother her too much. Her grandfather's assistant,
Yuuichiro, would usually take care of them on those days that she was
unable to. They never seemed to harass him the way they did her, though.
"You have been sweeping that same spot for the past hour,
granddaughter," her grandfather's voice murmured, intruding on her
thoughts.
"I suppose I'm just distracted, jii-san," she replied.
"A dispute with your pretty friend, no?" he asked.
"How did you know?"
He waggled a finger at her. "I would be a poor wiseman if I
could not discern the cause of my granddaughter's melancholy. Whenever
you start sweeping this spot, it is because of something related to
Tsukino-san."
"I think she has been keeping secrets from me, jii-san," Rei
told him after a moment's thought. "And I'm not sure how I feel about
that."
"Is it something that could change how you feel about her?" he
asked, crossing his arms behind his back.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I've tried probing the fire for
answers about what it might be and just the future in general, but I get
nothing."
"Strong in spirit, Tsukino-san is," her grandfather mused. "If
she does not wish this thing to be revealed, it may be that her desire
is blocking your search."
"What should I do?"
"Do you love her, granddaughter?" he asked.
Rei didn't hesitate. "I do, jii-san."
"Then trust that. Everything else will work it out as long as
you believe." he told her, smiling faintly.
"I... thank you, jii-san," Rei bowed, then went to return the
broom to its shed.
*
Jadeite materialised in the air, looking down at the shrine
below. He'd been here before, he recalled. Ran several lucrative
operations before Sailor Moon had gained enough experience to recognise
his methods. Since then, he'd resorted to the slightly less efficient
means of preying on the city's seedier side. It did not quite yield as
much energy as the larger scale operations did, but the constant flow of
energy pleased Queen Beryl. Then he had realised that he could do both
and increase the energy he was supplying to his mistress.
Of course, it would not be a large scale operation like before,
but to track the popularity of items in the city, and then simply taint
them at the source so that they funneled small portions of energy for
the Dark Kingdom. Never enough to draw significant notice, and so these
operations had avoided the notice of Sailor Moon, due to being fairly
self-sufficient.
From time to time, though, he did like running one of his former
operations. It gave him the opportunity to see observe Sailor Moon and
her tactics. Knowing your enemy was a useful skill. Or it would have
been had she observed some sort of pattern. But she didn't. Her
appearances against his youma appeared to follow no apparent similarity.
She simply assaulted them at random.
"Like she was attacking the first one she found," he mused out
loud, considering that. It was a possibility he had considered before,
but never found much use out of it. She still didn't give him anything
more to work with than the fact that she had a personal grudge against
the Dark Kingdom for some reason. He'd used that, on several occasions.
Even once managing to bait her into a trap.
It had backfired in his face and he'd found himself at her
mercy. Or lack thereof. The Queen had not been pleased that he had
nearly been killed and for a time, all had trembled in fear of her rage.
He had recovered, and expected that she would punish him for his defeat.
Surprisingly, she did not. Instead she ordered him to continue, his
efforts had pleased her.
Still pondering, he began to descend toward the temple, a
moment's thought causing his clothes to change from his uniform to
something more suitable to the region. His hair darkened at the same
time, and lengthened somewhat. By the time he landed beside a tree
adorned with prayer strips, he looked nothing like a General of the Dark
Kingdom.
"Is there anything I can help you with, young man?" a calm voice
asked.
Jadeite turned to face the diminutive man who was the caretaker
of the shrine. "Yes, sir, you can. I come seeking an apprenticeship." He
knelt, bowing to the older man.
"I have an apprentice already," the old man said. "Not
interested in taking another at this time."
"You will," Jadeite said, reaching out to overwhelm the other
man's mind. It was not an easy task, for the old man's will was strong,
but Jadeite had perfected making others obey and it was over quickly.
"Yes," the elder priest said. "We could use a second hand around
here, what with that bum Yuuichiro lazing about. What's your name?"
"Jei Daito," he answered. "I actually had a thought for
something we could do to attract visitors. Walk with me while we talk."
The old man followed, nodding occasionally as Jadeite spoke.
"Sir?" a somewhat sleepy voice asked. "Is someone here?"
"This is Yuuichiro, my other apprentice," he told Jadeite. "He
tries hard, but is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Once, I thought he
might be a suitable candidate to wed my granddaughter."
"And now you don't?" Jadeite asked politely.
"She has found someone she cares for deeply," he shrugged. "It
is not my way, but I do not presume to make her choices for her."
"You sound proud of her," replied Jadeite, his awareness mostly
focused on bringing the one called Yuuichiro under his control as well.
"Her choice does not bring shame to me," the elder man said.
"And even if it did, it is her choice, I respect that."
"An admirable sentiment," Jadeite said. Foolish old man. "Will I
get the opportunity to meet your granddaughter?"
"I do not expect her back tonight," he answered. "Tomorrow,
though, you can meet her."
"I look forward to it," Jadeite said, smiling as the old man
began harassing Yuuichiro about some meaningless detail that he had
overlooked.
*
"This is Usagi!" the answering machine beeped. "I'm not here
right now. So, leave a message and I'll eventually get back to you when
I hear it. Bye!"
Rei stood there for a moment after the beep. "Usagi. We should
talk. I'm going to be at Osa-p's food court to meet someone about the
festival next week, so if you get this in time, come find me there." She
hung up, then dialed Usagi's cell phone and left the same message.
"Hino Rei-san?" a soft voice asked, catching her attention as
she stepped away from the alcove she had ducked into to make the calls.
"Yes?" Rei turned her head as she spoke, eyes widening slightly
at the tall woman standing near her. She was positive this woman hadn't
been there a moment before. She was easily taller than Rei. Long hair
cascaded down her back, partially held in a bun at the top rear of her
head. Her hair was also green. Though, with just a glance it looked
black. She was dressed efficiently, in a lavender business outfit and
skirt.
"Meiou Setsuna," she introduced herself with a small bow. "I
believe we have much to talk about."
Rei said nothing, continuing to stare. Why was this woman so
familiar?
"We should go someplace more private so you can hear what I have
to say, though," Setsuna said. "Please, follow me." She turned and
starting walking away, her bearing such that she clearly had absolute
certainty that Rei would follow her. After a moment's internal debate,
Rei started after, though, if asked, she couldn't explain why she did.
Just that her senses told her this woman wasn't a threat. At the moment,
at least. They also told her that if she were, there would be little Rei
could do to stop her.
The coffee had grown cold as Rei stared at it. They had arrived
at a small coffee house that had recently opened. And Meiou Setsuna had
begun to talk. Something about her had prevented Rei from asking
questions. She had simply sat there and listened as the woman told her
things she should have had no way of knowing.
Finally, she grew quiet and lifted her mug, taking a drink as
she watched Rei. "I suppose you have questions, now?"
"Why are you telling me this now?" Rei asked, seizing on the
first thing that came to mind as she tried to process it all. "I've
known Usagi for almost four years. Why now?"
"Time," Setsuna replied, giving nothing away.
Rei waited a moment, until it was apparent that she wasn't going
to elaborate on that cryptic comment, then searched for another
question. "There are others?"
Setsuna nodded, setting the mug down. "Yes."
"And Usagi knows?"
"About you? Yes." Setsuna answered after a moment. "The others.
She may suspect on at least one, but only that one."
"Who?" Rei asked.
Setsuna merely smiled. "I must be going soon. You will not
remember us talking once I have left, though the facts of what I have
told you will remain in your mind. When it is time, you will remember
what is needed."
"You seem certain of that fact," Rei said.
"Perhaps I can see the future," Setsuna responded, arching one
eyebrow, rising from her seat. "It was pleasant speaking with you, Hino-
san."
"Likewise, Meiou-san," Rei began...
Rei hung up, then started to dial Usagi's cell-phone to leave
the same message and stopped, frowning. A moment's thought showed her no
reason why doing this should bother her so, so she shrugged and
continued dialing.
"Usagi, it's Rei. If you get this, call me, please?" she pressed
a button to make sure the message was saved and then put the cell phone
away, stepping out of the alcove she had been in to make the call. She
stopped for a moment, shaking off the sense of disorientation that had
plagued her for an instant there and started down the street to take
care of the things she needed to do for the festival.
*
Usagi leaned against the side of the building, taking a deep
breath and then shook her head. Her anger had faded once she had put
some distance between herself and those others, but she could still feel
it, waiting for the opportunity to boil out again. She stepped away from
the wall and fished her cellphone from her pocket, noting that there was
a message waiting.
"Hrm. Probably Luna wanting to know where I am," she muttered,
closing it and stuffing it back in her pocket. "I'll check it later."
She started walking down the street, not noticing the fact that she was
being watched.
*
Rei sat the bags on the counter in the kitchen, wondering where
her grandfather and Yuuichiro were as she began to put the groceries
away. That task was finished in relatively short order, and she tucked
the bags away into a bin.
"Grandfather?" she called out, walking slowly out of the
kitchen. "Yuuichiro?"
"They're busy at the moment," an unfamiliar voice said behind
her. Rei turned to face the dark haired male sitting on the counter, who
hadn't been there seconds ago.
"Who are you?" she asked suspiciously.
"Your grandfather's new apprentice, Hino-san," he replied. "My
name is Jei."
"That's nice to know, Jei-san," she said, her voice respectful
and even. "But my grandfather already has an apprentice and doesn't need
another one."
"I convinced him otherwise," Jei replied, dropping off the
counter to stand. He was slightly taller than her, forcing her to tilt
her head up slightly to look at him.
"I find that hard to believe," Rei told him, eyes narrowing. "I
am more than competent at handling the shrine."
"If that's true," he said. "Then why am I his apprentice?"
"Grandfather is old," Rei retorted, backing up. Something about
him set her senses screaming. "He isn't always thinking clearly."
"Well, we agree on that, at least," Jei said, amused by
something.
"I have errands to run," Rei muttered. "It was nice meeting you,
I suppose." She turned to go.
Jei was standing in her path, smirking slightly. "Oh, I think
not." He took a half-step forward, his index finger tapping her once on
the forehead and she slumped, unconscious before she could do anything
more than gasp.
"You will be quite useful in setting my plan in action, Hino-
san," Jadeite told the young woman, smirking still. "Quite useful
indeed." He made a gesture and she rose from the floor, as if held by
invisible strings.
"Just a small change..." he murmured, resting his hands on
either side of her face and beginning to work.
*
She floated, a dark, featureless void surrounding her. It seemed
to go on forever, forcing her to break off her study or risk madness.
She could feel herself, could see as she said the her that was in
control now said those horrible things to Usagi. Made her cry. That had
surprised the her that was forced to watch. Usagi never cried where she
could be seen. She saw herself turn away from Usagi, mocking her tears
with more harsh words. Saw Usagi try to get through to her. Saw herself
slap Usagi viciously, calling her a worthless sentimental fool.
Then she saw the walls. She knew Usagi had them. Had known for a
long time, but it disturbed her to the very core of her being to see her
lover's eyes go dark and cold, all hurt hidden behind an impenetrable
wall. The other her mocked her further, daring her to strike back. Usagi
simply stared, then turned and walked away without a backward glance.
It made her angry, that he could force her to do something like
that to someone she cared so much about. But her conscience protested.
Wasn't it something she wanted to do? Even if just a little? Usagi was
beautiful and she loved her, but she kept secrets. Kept herself divided.
Even now, after three years together, she still sometimes felt that she
didn't really know Usagi fully. It was frustrating. To care so much
about someone and to see that they weren't sharing everything with you
the way you were with them. So, yes, she had wanted to hurt Usagi, to
make her feel a bit of the pain she dealt with when Usagi cut her off
and hid behind those walls. It would have made her feel better, Rei
admitted to herself, if it weren't for disgust at the thought of
purposefully doing such a thing to someone she loved.
Unbidden, the words of... someone she had spoken to recently
swam to the surface of her thoughts. "Wishing for your unpleasant urges
to go away will not solve the problem of their existences for you. You
must face those parts of yourself that you do not like and come to terms
with them if you ever want to be who you were meant to be."
"I'm not perfect," the thought rang in the silence of her mind.
"I admit that. I have wanted to make Usagi hurt. But I would never do
something like that. I care about her. Urges do not define who I am.
Actions do. Choices, as well. And I never chose to hurt Usagi like
that!"
The void around her was no longer dark. Warmth blossomed all
around her. She could see fire flickering both within herself and all
around her.
No. Not fire.
Fire. It was living, a part of herself. It burned strong and
true, illuminating all the parts of herself that she couldn't stand to
face. The jealousy of Usagi and her strength. The frustration and anger
that Usagi's divided nature caused. The wish she had had, once, to tear
Usagi apart the rest of the way, to put her back the way she wished her
to be. All things she had desired or felt once upon a time. All part of
her. The fire washed over her, into her, and she felt whole, accepting
that these things were a part of her whether she liked it or not.
Then she saw it. Red and gold glinting in the fires before her.
The symbol of Mars resting across the top of it. One hand stretched out
as the voice of the someone she couldn't remember intruded in her mind
again.
"Very soon, you will have to make a choice, Hino-san," it said.
"It will change things for you and probably not all for the better. But
it will also put you on the path to being who you are, were, and will be
again. Choosing not to accept yourself, however, will simply mean that
your relationship with this girl you love will die."
"And if I accept myself?"
"There are no guarantees, Hino-san. I see many things. If you do
accept, then things will be difficult, however, they may work out. That
depends, I think, on you and her. But you will at least stand with her
as a true equal and know much of why she is the way she is."
"There's no choice, then."
Her hand closed around the red and gold stick possessively,
causing light so bright she had to close her eyes to flare up. Words
came to mind, demanding to be spoken. She raised the stick above her
head.
"Mars Power...make-up!"
Fire obliterated everything. The void crumbled, the other her
tearing asunder before the inferno. It wreathed around her, through her,
then calmed.
Three people watched her. Two were struck dumb, eyes blank, a
sure sign that they were still controlled. The third was shocked, his
eyes wide and amazed. Behind that though, they were calculating coldly,
assessing how this would affect him.
"You." she snarled, taking a step forward. "I am going to make
you suffer for what you've done."
"Pretty words," he replied, stepping away from her grandfather
and Yuuichiro with a flourish. She paced him, giving them a clear field.
"But I have faced far superior to you and still live. How do you, a
novice, expect to defeat me?"
"I..." she paused. How did she? The words had come, but she knew
naught of what she was capable of. "I..."
"I'm waiting, you know?" he taunted, then smiled. "But first, I
suppose I should give you the same advantage you have given me. After
all, you have taken off your make-up, so to speak. I suppose it is only
fair I do the same." Fire flared up around him and the facade was gone.
He stood in his true form, short blonde hair crowning his features as he
watched her. He wore, as always, a functional uniform in grey, a set of
epaulets on his chest denoting his rank.
"I am Jadeite, General of the Dark Kingdom," he bowed slightly.
"And you are? As if I really need to ask."
"I am Sailor Mars," the reply came back quick as lightning.
"Sailor Mars, is it?" his expression shifted slightly, as if
remembering something. "Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of
irony."
"You," she said, starting to move. "Talk entirely too much. Fire
Soul!" The attack roared from her hands, raging toward him.
Jadeite simply put out his hand and the attack vanished before
it reached him. "That was pointless. Let me show you how such an attack
is done properly." Fire roared from his outstretched hand at her, too
fast to avoid and she was flung back, landing in a heap.
"I'm...not hurt?" she frowned, looking at herself. A few scorch
marks, that she could see. Most of the damage appeared to have come from
being thrown to the ground.
"A child could have fended off that attack," Jadeite told her,
his voice conversational as he watched her. "And you claim to be the
Senshi of Fire?"
He was mocking her. She couldn't believe it. He was mocking HER.
"FIRE SOUL!"
Again he stopped the attack. "Better. You put a bit more into
that one. But it still lacks any real strength. A child could produce a
stronger attack, by the way."
"Shut up!" she shouted, starting to move again. He couldn't be
unbeatable. She had beaten him. Nearly killed him even. Rei would not
let herself give up without at least finding a way to take that mocking
sneer from his face.
"Fire..." she began, a thought occuring to her.
"Again?" Jadeite shook his head. "Haven't you realised it won't
work?" He put out his hand to block a third strike.
That never came.
"What..." he blinked, then started to turn, realising what she
was planning.
"Soul!" the phrase finished, flame roaring from her hands to
smash against his as he twisted, trying to block.
"Impressive," Jadeite said, pushing back against the stream of
fire she was directing at him. "But you can't keep this up for long,
novice."
"She won't have to." a voice both knew well said, clearly
audible over the crackling flames. Sailor Moon stood at the top of the
steps, rage clear on her face.
"And the Queen shows herself at last," Jadeite murmured,
mimicking words she had used to him not long ago. He shoved against the
fire, sending Sailor Mars sprawling. She was incidental now.
"Why are you here, Jadeite?" she asked, anger humming in her
words.
"Because I was bored," he answered. "Does it make you angry,
that I toy with these humans' lives like this?"
She didn't answer the question, turning her head slightly to
regard the form of Sailor Mars, who was cursing and trying to get up,
clearly dazed.
"Oh, don't worry," Jadeite said. "She is of no consequence now.
Only you matter."
"I ask again, why are you here?"
"Fight me, Sailor Moon," Jadeite stepped back into a fighting
stance. "Like the last time. Make it worthwhile."
"All this, just to get me to fight you?" she asked, still
showing nothing but rage in her eyes.
"You are the only one worthy to fight me." was his only reply.
"Now, let us begin..." He stopped short, head tilting, as if listening
to something only he could hear.
"It appears," Jadeite announced, straightening. "That we shall
have to continue this another time. The field is yours, Sailor Moon."
With that, he vanished.
She stood there for several minutes, watching the space where he
had stood. Then, she walked over to where Sailor Mars was still trying
to rise.
"Here." she held out a hand.
"Thanks," the other Senshi murmured, grasping Sailor Moon's hand
and pulling herself to up.
"I suppose..." she began. "That we have a lot to talk about."
"Somehow, I think you are right," Moon replied.
Neither moved from their spot, simply staring at each other
without saying anything else.
End chapter 2
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Okay, here's another chapter. Not entirely happy with this one, but I =
can't, at this moment, figure out what that is. So here you are.
Sailor Moon does not belong to me. I only wish I owned it. The =
characters(in their original forms) are the property of Takeuchi Naoko =
and many other people who are not me.
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-- File: smfic2.txt
Alternate Views
Phase 2 - The Bringer of War
It ran. Hunched over, with one arm flopping about limply at its
side. But it ran, nonetheless.
"I'm sorry. You didn't need that arm, did you?" a voice called
down from above, almost gleeful in its enjoyment of the youma's plight.
"You won't take me like my sisters, Sailor Moon!" it screamed,
spikes launching off of its back into the air behind and above it.
"Oh, you're a brave one," she retorted. "The last few couldn't
even work up the courage to say my name."
The youma merely snarled in response, continuing its shambling
run toward the alley way.
"You really aren't going to spoil my fun and get away like the
last one," Sailor Moon snapped, the tiara spinning from her hand and
striking just below one of the youma's knees. There was a rasp as it cut
through the bone, and the youma screeched, losing its balance as one leg
was severed.
"Ordinarily," she said as she landed in the alleyway, I would
just kill you and be done with it. But I'm thinking I should have you
send a message to Jadeite." She stopped once she was looming over the
youma, who looked up at her with the first true beginnings of fear as it
met her eyes.
They were featureless blue. Almost lacking in pupils. As if the
person they belonged to were insane.
"I do hope you won't pass out on me too soon," she whispered,
the tiara lighting up in her hand as she bent down. "That takes all the
fun out of it." The muted light from the tiara illuminated Sailor Moon's
face as she drew closer and the youma tried to scuttle away before
screaming out as the glowing disc cut into its side.
"You have a rather inventive nature, Sailor Moon," Jadeite said,
appearing shortly after she was done, one eyebrow crooked at the broken
corpse of the youma that separated them.
"What do you want, Jadeite?" she asked.
"I was thinking about offering you a job. My Queen would
certainly find a place for your talents."
Sailor Moon laughed.
Jadeite glowered at her. "It is an honor to have such an offer
placed before you."
"Not interested," she said, walking away.
"So be it," Jadeite sighed. "A shame, truly."
"I'm letting you walk away tonight, Jadeite," she told him,
turning her head slightly. "Show your face again and I'm going to kill
you."
He licked his lips, then spoke. "I look forward to you trying.
Five days, Sailor Moon."
"What?" she turned back to face him, but he was gone.
*
"Tsukino-san, did you hear me?" a voice said as someone waved
their hand in front of the girl's face. Usagi blinked, then shook her
head.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" she asked, looking up at her
tutor with a frown.
"Tsukino-san," Ami frowned as she spoke. "I agreed to tutor you
at your sensei's request, to help you pass the university exam. But if
you can't pay attention, then I really have better things to do than
waste my time."
Usagi sighed. "I'm sorry, Mizuno-san. I got distracted. I won't
do it again."
"Good," Ami tapped the book in front of Usagi. "Now, read this
chapter and then take the quiz at the end. I'm going to help the
others." She moved off, not sparing a backward glance, and began
chastising the other pair who were being tutored. The young man was a
fairly sensible type. A bit clumsy, it seemed, and often nervous around
other girls. The girl, who always arrived with him, and usually seemed
to wish she hadn't, was fairly nice as well. Though a bit intolerant of
her friend.
It seemed like the young man was always tripping or being shoved
into the girl, however. And usually landing in an inappropriate
position. Which resulted in the girl doing her level best to send him
into lower earth orbit.
Usagi thought that made a cute couple, herself, but the girl had
a hideous temper. She smiled, then shook her head and focused on the
book.
"Calculus," she groaned, noting the book's subject matter. "Why
did it have to be calculus?" Sighing, she shifted in her seat and
settled down to work.
Exactly thirty minutes later, she put her pen down and
stretched. "All done!"
"Let's see," Ami said, smiling and looking over the answers.
"Tsukino-san."
"Yes?"
"You got it right," she continued, smiling. "I think you're
ready for the exams now. But. You need to keep studying, nonetheless."
"I will," Usagi said, smiling. "Thanks for helping me, Mizuno-
san."
"You're going?" she asked, surprised.
"Yes, I have to go see my brother, and that's a bit of a trip,
so I'm leaving early." Usagi replied, the smile remaining fixed on her
face. "Thanks for all the help, Mizuno-san." She continued smiling as
she departed, leaving the blue-haired tutor frowning slightly, as if
something were not quite right that she was missing. Biting her lip, she
went back to the other two, who were arguing loudly and not getting all
that much accomplished.
*
The three o'clock train to Shinjuku was running late, which she
was glad of, as she herself had arrived late. She raced down the steps,
sparing only a second to run her card through the reader and pass
through the turnstile. Oddly, the waiting platform was all but deserted,
except for one tall male leaning against one of the pillars, presumably
waiting for the train like she was. She gave him a brief look, then
shrugged.
"Um."
Usagi turned her head. "Yes?"
"Do you have the time?"
She checked her watch. "Three-fifteen."
"I wonder what's keeping the train?" the male said, shoving off
of the pillar and glancing at her. He wasn't too bad looking, she
decided. Dark hair and piercing eyes.
"Not a clue," Usagi replied, leaning forward slightly to peer
down the tunnel.
"Chiba Mamoru," he said, sticking out a hand in greeting.
"Tsukino Usagi," she absently replied, ignoring the offered
hand.
"Where are you headed?" Mamoru asked, sticking his hand into his
jacket pocket.
"Places," Usagi answered curtly, frowning at him. "That aren't
here."
"Not very good conversation while we wait, are you?" he asked.
"With strangers?" she replied. "No."
"But I'm not a stranger."
"Excuse me?"
"I introduced myself, remember?" he said. "And you introduced
yourself in return. Therefore, we aren't strangers anymore."
Usagi looked at him for a moment. "I suppose we aren't."
"But you're still not going to talk to me, are you?"
"No."
"I'm crushed." Mamoru said, holding a hand to his chest
dramatically. "This vision of beauty before me rejects my advances."
"Flattery will get you exactly nowhere, Chiba-san," Usagi told
him, rolling her eyes.
"Please, call me Mamoru," he said with an extragavant bow.
"You're trying too hard, Chiba-san," the blonde replied with a
snort.
"Then, I have a chance?" he asked, eyes lighting up.
"No," she said, annoyance on her face. "I'm taken. Nor am I
inclined to associate with strange men who accost young women that are
clearly several years their junior in nearly abandoned subway terminals.
Which works out, because here's the train at last." She walked away
without a backward glance as the train came to a stop.
"I can't get your number?" he called after her.
"No, you can't get my number," Usagi answered, stepping onto the
train.
Chiba Mamoru stood on the platform, watching the train start off
into the darkened tunnel before shaking his head. "Interesting."
*
Tokyo General was never a place Usagi liked coming to. The
entire building seemed to radiate depression and gloom. She often
wondered if other people noticed this same fact also, or if it was just
her, caused by the reasons she was here for.
"Ah, Tsukino-san," the nurse at the desk said, offering a
comforting smile as was her habit. "Here to see Shingo-san?"
"Yes," Usagi replied, following the nurse down the hall to room
twelve. "How has he been?"
"The same, I'm afraid," the nurse told her, smile vanishing.
"The doctor is hopeful of improvement though."
"He always is," Usagi said, slipping into the room without
another word and closing the door. The room only had one occupant; the
breeze from the open window blew across the bed and the still form lying
in it. Usagi looked at him for a moment, noting how he had grown from
the annoying little brother she had once argued with frequently. It
amazed her, every time, that how he looked now didn't match the memory
she had of the last time they had spoken.
"I brought some flowers," she announced, walking over to the
bedside. "The ones I brought last time have started to wilt and I
figured you'd want some fresh ones." She emptied the drooping flowers
from the vase and filled it with fresh water before placing the new ones
in it.
"Rei and I had an argument," Usagi continued, pulling a chair up
beside the bed. "I've been keeping things from her and she finally
realised that and wasn't happy about it."
"Luna thinks..." she paused, her voice cracking slightly. "Luna
thinks I should tell Rei the truth. We've argued about that a lot
recently. I've refused and managed to get Luna to agree. But... I don't
know why this happened to us. But I think Rei should have a normal life.
If it was because of Luna finding me that day, and I tell Rei..."
She rose, going to the window. "I don't want to lose her,
Shingo. I think that's why I've kept this from her. I don't really
believe the same thing will happen to her that happened to us. I'm
afraid if she knows, she'll want to fight with me. And she'll get hurt."
"You're probably thinking I'm an idiot for worrying about this
so much," Usagi said, a half smile on her face. "And maybe I am. I don't
know." She fell silent, turning to regard him.
"I haven't found it yet, Shingo," Usagi said, walking back to
the chair. "I'm going to keep looking, though. I will find it. And make
it pay."
"...Gods, Shingo, I miss you so much," she whispered, hands
settling over one of his as she finally began to cry.
*
A crowd was gathering outside the hospital as she emerged, eyes
still quite red.
"Did you see?" someone shouted. "It's Sailor V!"
"Sailor V?" Usagi said aloud, frowning. Then the crowd parted.
Sailor V stood there, raising a hand for silence. Almost
immediately, the people surrounding her fell silent. "Thank you,
everyone. I can't stay long, but I thought I would give you all my
thanks for the support you've given me. With all of you backing me, I
can continue keeping our city safe from evil-doers."
"Show-off," Usagi snorted, glancing around for any sign of the
next bus. The gathering of people was eating up every word she said,
cheering loudly every time she made an announcement.
"But, unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful in apprehending
the thief who continues to rob jewelry stores in Tokyo," she was saying.
"This Tuxedo Kamen, as he calls himself, will be caught and his illegal
activities stopped. So says Sailor V!" The crowd cheered again, chanting
her name as she slipped through the crowd and departed. She passed right
by Usagi as she went, almost brushing against her, and then lept onto
the nearest roof, vanishing out of sight.
"Glory hog," Usagi muttered, adjusting her coat and glaring in
the direction Sailor V had departed. "Just in it for all the fans." She
fixed her coat, then frowned. Something wasn't right. She ran her hands
over the jacket, still frowning.
A folded up piece of paper was in her left pocket, that hadn't
been there before.
"Please come to the parking garage roof at Tokyo General," she
read aloud. "Sailor V."
Usagi looked at the note for a moment, then rolled her eyes,
putting it away. "Even her handwriting is ostentatious."
"I suppose I should see what she wants," she decided after a
moment. "But, just in case." She dug in her pants pocket, pulling out
her brooch and stuffed it in her jacket pocket, for easier access. That
done, she started back toward the hospital, whistling to herself.
A few cars were parked on the top level of the garage, but not
enough to obscure her view as she glanced around after stepping out of
the elevator.
"You took your time," Sailor V's voice said from behind her.
Usagi turned and glanced up. Sailor V stood on top of the elevator shed,
arms crossed as she regarded Usagi.
Usagi shrugged, then spoke. "If it was important, I figured you
would wait."
"You don't like me, do you?" V asked.
"Is that what you called me up here for?" Usagi asked. "Because
if you're hoping to convert me into a member of your little fanclub,
you're wasting your time and mine."
"But you used to be," Sailor V countered.
"What?" Usagi asked, glaring.
"I do keep track of who is and isn't in my fanclub," she said.
"You were... fanclub member twelve, if memory serves. Tsukino Usagi."
"I'm both impressed and disgusted that you have the time to
waste to keep track of each and every member of your fanclub like that,"
Usagi growled at her. "Now, please, get to the point."
Sailor V smiled, dropping off of the top of the elevator chamber
to stand before Usagi. "You're also the photojournalist who has been
removing evidence from the scenes of Tuxedo Kamen's crimes. That's
illegal, you know."
"And you've come to punish me for my evil ways?" Usagi almost
laughed as she said it. "Go back and parade in front of your fanclub.
I'm sure they'll appreciate your speeches. I don't."
"He's dangerous," V said, suddenly serious.
"So I should stay away from him?" she asked. "He can't even take
a punch right. I don't think I have anything to worry about from him,
should I ever encounter him."
"You've never encountered him?" V queried.
"Nope."
"Then how did you know he couldn't take a punch?"
"I saw Sailor Moon knock him on his ass last night, that's how."
Usagi replied.
"Sailor Moon is a myth," V told her, looking like she trying to
hold back a laugh.
"Of course she is," Usagi agreed. "Is there anything else?
Should I bow and curtsy and call you Mistress V like all your fans do?"
"That won't be neccesary," Sailor V said, not smiling now. "You
really don't like me. Why?"
"My parents are dead," Usagi told her, pressing the button for
the elevator. "If you're the protector of the city, then why the hell
weren't you there to stop that?"
"I can't change what has happened," she said evenly. "Nor have I
ever had the ability to be everywhere. I am sorry I couldn't help you
when you needed it."
"Save it," Usagi replied as the elevator beeped. "I'm long past
needing anyone's help."
"Do be careful in investigating Tuxedo Kamen, if that is what
you're doing," Sailor V said as the doors began to close. "He is
dangerous."
"So am I," the short-haired blonde said nonchalantly as the
doors slid shut, cutting off her view of Sailor V.
Usagi stepped out onto the sidewalk in front of Tokyo General
for the second time in an hour and frowned at her watch. Five o'clock.
If she hurried, she could reach the terminal and make the five thirty
line that went back toward home. She walked over to the bus stop to wait
and spared a glance up at the garage. As expected, Sailor V stood there,
watching her. She stood there a moment after being noticed and then
vanished out of sight.
"Must have the dramatic exit, huh?" Usagi muttered, glaring down
the road. "Where is that damn bus?" She started to say something else,
then stopped, frowning.
"Youma." the word came out a hiss, as Usagi stiffened for a
moment, then began scanning the surrounding area, alert for any sign of
the creature. Her search turned up nothing.
"Must be hiding better than most of them," she mused, taking a
few steps back from the waiting area. "Thankfully, I know how to flush
it out easily enough." She scanned the area again, looking for the best
place to transform without being seen. Frustrated, she turned and ran
back toward the garage, having failed to find any place better.
"I'm going to be so pissed if I lose it," Usagi said under her
breath as she ran. Behind her, screaming started. She swore and ran
faster.
The youma looked around at the people who had all collapsed,
drained of their energy and laughed.
"Master Jadeite will be pleased," it said, extending its reach
and draining the energy of anyone within range.
"Moon Tiara Action!"
The youma jumped, nimbly avoiding the spinning golden disc.
"Sailor Moon."
"Youma." Sailor Moon retorted, catching her tiara as it
returned. "Stronger than the rest, are you?"
It didn't reply, instead firing an energy blast at her that
sliced off the top of the streetlight as she jumped clear. She landed
behind it, quickly wrapping her arms around it.
"Going up," she said, jumping while holding onto it, propelling
them both onto the roof of the shop behind them.
"Worried about your precious citizens, are you?" it sneered as
it pitched free on the roof, quickly regaining its feet.
"They were in the way," she retorted. "Now we can fight with no
obstacles."
"Now you can die!" it screamed, raising its hands to fire off
another energy blast. It stumbled back without attacking, clutching at
one arm and tearing away something that had struck it. A rose rested
there, embedded stem first.
"Monster!" a voice said. "I will not allow you to defile this
city any longer."
"And so my day is complete," Sailor Moon muttered, turning
slightly to regard Tuxedo Kamen. "Are you trying to piss me off?"
"I'm offering my assistance," he said simply. "Are you too proud
to accept help?"
"I don't need help," she snapped. "Yours or anyone elses!"
"Pardon me," the youma hissed. "But we were fighting!"
"Oh, shut up," Sailor Moon snapped, kicking it away as it
charged her. "I'm talking here."
"You certainly have a way with these things," Tuxedo Kamen
remarked.
"Look, cape-boy, you're not helping," she said.
"Mostly because you don't want help," he countered. "That was
what you said."
"You want to be punched again, don't you?"
"It's getting away," Tuxedo Kamen said calmly, pointing with his
cane."
"Because you distracted me!" she shouted, starting across the
roof after it.
"You aren't going to blame this on me," he retorted. "I'm not
the one ranting and screaming."
"I am going to hit you again, you know that?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Crescent Beam!" a voice that she found very familiar called
out. The youma was flung back in mid-leap, crashing to the rooftop in
front of the arguing pair.
"Great," Sailor Moon said, throwing up her arms. "Can we just
invite the entire city of Tokyo and have a party?"
"You should control your emotions," she said, landing on the
roof so that the youma was between them. "Anger serves the enemy."
"Yeah, yeah, and leads to the dark side. I know." Sailor Moon
cut her off. "Save the speeches. Cape-boy here is your gentleman
bandit."
"Hey!" Tuxedo Kamen protested.
"Now, you can try to apprehend him, and he can try to escape and
steal something else," she continued. "And I can kill this thing here
like I'm supposed to. Everyone will be happy!"
Sailor V looked at her for a moment, then at Tuxedo Kamen, who
shrugged. "Maybe you'd better let me handle this thing."
Moon glared at her. "And why would I do that? I am perfectly
capable."
"I don't dispute that," she replied, not losing her temper. "But
you seem to be rather on edge and I thought I would offer."
"Can one of you just kill me now?" the youma groaned, starting
to move slightly.
"Be glad to," Sailor Moon said, reaching for her tiara.
"Just like that, you're going to kill it?" Tuxedo Kamen asked.
"Would you prefer I just let it run loose?" she snapped,
forgetting her tiara as she turned to face him. "Fine. Youma. Run."
"What?"
"Run. You're free. Spread your wings and fly. Whatever. Just
go." she told it.
It didn't waste a moment, leaping to its feet and taking off at
a run.
"Stupid," she said, grabbing her tiara and launching it after
the fleeing youma. "Just like the rest of them."
"That was...rather cold of you," Sailor V said after the youma
had been eradicated.
"Seeing as how I'm supposed to be a myth, according to you, I
don't think I'm going to care about your opinion." Sailor Moon replied.
"Now, unless you two would like to continue this little party, I'm going
now." She leapt to the next roof and took off, not looking back.
"That...was bizarre," Tuxedo Kamen said after a moment. "Has she
always been so...violent?"
"I wouldn't know," Sailor V replied, looking after the other,
troubled. "I suppose this is the part where you try to get away and I
try to stop you?"
"If we had a script, it would be," he confirmed.
"Have you stolen anything today?"
"Not yet."
"Then, you won't mind if I take a pass," Sailor V said. "I need
to do some things. Chasing you isn't one of them." She didn't wait to
see what his response would be, taking off in the same direction that
Sailor Moon had.
Tuxedo Kamen stood on the roof for a moment, then laughed. "I
can tell this town isn't going to be boring."
*
Hino Rei liked the silence at Hikawa Shrine. She'd asked her
grandfather once why it was that the sounds of the street below didn't
seem to reach beyond the steps, but he had only smiled and not given her
an answer. Her curiousity, however, was not enough to question it any
further than that. How it was didn't matter, simply that it was. It let
her do her chores in peace, without the intrusions of the city
distracting her.
Unfortunately, the leaves did not seem to want to cooperate with
the sense of peace surrounding the shrine. In fact, they outright fought
her. She would sweep them up and put the broom away, only to turn around
and find them right back as they were. Eventually, it became a game. She
did her best to clean them up, and they did their best to make a mess.
It didn't bother her too much. Her grandfather's assistant,
Yuuichiro, would usually take care of them on those days that she was
unable to. They never seemed to harass him the way they did her, though.
"You have been sweeping that same spot for the past hour,
granddaughter," her grandfather's voice murmured, intruding on her
thoughts.
"I suppose I'm just distracted, jii-san," she replied.
"A dispute with your pretty friend, no?" he asked.
"How did you know?"
He waggled a finger at her. "I would be a poor wiseman if I
could not discern the cause of my granddaughter's melancholy. Whenever
you start sweeping this spot, it is because of something related to
Tsukino-san."
"I think she has been keeping secrets from me, jii-san," Rei
told him after a moment's thought. "And I'm not sure how I feel about
that."
"Is it something that could change how you feel about her?" he
asked, crossing his arms behind his back.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I've tried probing the fire for
answers about what it might be and just the future in general, but I get
nothing."
"Strong in spirit, Tsukino-san is," her grandfather mused. "If
she does not wish this thing to be revealed, it may be that her desire
is blocking your search."
"What should I do?"
"Do you love her, granddaughter?" he asked.
Rei didn't hesitate. "I do, jii-san."
"Then trust that. Everything else will work it out as long as
you believe." he told her, smiling faintly.
"I... thank you, jii-san," Rei bowed, then went to return the
broom to its shed.
*
Jadeite materialised in the air, looking down at the shrine
below. He'd been here before, he recalled. Ran several lucrative
operations before Sailor Moon had gained enough experience to recognise
his methods. Since then, he'd resorted to the slightly less efficient
means of preying on the city's seedier side. It did not quite yield as
much energy as the larger scale operations did, but the constant flow of
energy pleased Queen Beryl. Then he had realised that he could do both
and increase the energy he was supplying to his mistress.
Of course, it would not be a large scale operation like before,
but to track the popularity of items in the city, and then simply taint
them at the source so that they funneled small portions of energy for
the Dark Kingdom. Never enough to draw significant notice, and so these
operations had avoided the notice of Sailor Moon, due to being fairly
self-sufficient.
From time to time, though, he did like running one of his former
operations. It gave him the opportunity to see observe Sailor Moon and
her tactics. Knowing your enemy was a useful skill. Or it would have
been had she observed some sort of pattern. But she didn't. Her
appearances against his youma appeared to follow no apparent similarity.
She simply assaulted them at random.
"Like she was attacking the first one she found," he mused out
loud, considering that. It was a possibility he had considered before,
but never found much use out of it. She still didn't give him anything
more to work with than the fact that she had a personal grudge against
the Dark Kingdom for some reason. He'd used that, on several occasions.
Even once managing to bait her into a trap.
It had backfired in his face and he'd found himself at her
mercy. Or lack thereof. The Queen had not been pleased that he had
nearly been killed and for a time, all had trembled in fear of her rage.
He had recovered, and expected that she would punish him for his defeat.
Surprisingly, she did not. Instead she ordered him to continue, his
efforts had pleased her.
Still pondering, he began to descend toward the temple, a
moment's thought causing his clothes to change from his uniform to
something more suitable to the region. His hair darkened at the same
time, and lengthened somewhat. By the time he landed beside a tree
adorned with prayer strips, he looked nothing like a General of the Dark
Kingdom.
"Is there anything I can help you with, young man?" a calm voice
asked.
Jadeite turned to face the diminutive man who was the caretaker
of the shrine. "Yes, sir, you can. I come seeking an apprenticeship." He
knelt, bowing to the older man.
"I have an apprentice already," the old man said. "Not
interested in taking another at this time."
"You will," Jadeite said, reaching out to overwhelm the other
man's mind. It was not an easy task, for the old man's will was strong,
but Jadeite had perfected making others obey and it was over quickly.
"Yes," the elder priest said. "We could use a second hand around
here, what with that bum Yuuichiro lazing about. What's your name?"
"Jei Daito," he answered. "I actually had a thought for
something we could do to attract visitors. Walk with me while we talk."
The old man followed, nodding occasionally as Jadeite spoke.
"Sir?" a somewhat sleepy voice asked. "Is someone here?"
"This is Yuuichiro, my other apprentice," he told Jadeite. "He
tries hard, but is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Once, I thought he
might be a suitable candidate to wed my granddaughter."
"And now you don't?" Jadeite asked politely.
"She has found someone she cares for deeply," he shrugged. "It
is not my way, but I do not presume to make her choices for her."
"You sound proud of her," replied Jadeite, his awareness mostly
focused on bringing the one called Yuuichiro under his control as well.
"Her choice does not bring shame to me," the elder man said.
"And even if it did, it is her choice, I respect that."
"An admirable sentiment," Jadeite said. Foolish old man. "Will I
get the opportunity to meet your granddaughter?"
"I do not expect her back tonight," he answered. "Tomorrow,
though, you can meet her."
"I look forward to it," Jadeite said, smiling as the old man
began harassing Yuuichiro about some meaningless detail that he had
overlooked.
*
"This is Usagi!" the answering machine beeped. "I'm not here
right now. So, leave a message and I'll eventually get back to you when
I hear it. Bye!"
Rei stood there for a moment after the beep. "Usagi. We should
talk. I'm going to be at Osa-p's food court to meet someone about the
festival next week, so if you get this in time, come find me there." She
hung up, then dialed Usagi's cell phone and left the same message.
"Hino Rei-san?" a soft voice asked, catching her attention as
she stepped away from the alcove she had ducked into to make the calls.
"Yes?" Rei turned her head as she spoke, eyes widening slightly
at the tall woman standing near her. She was positive this woman hadn't
been there a moment before. She was easily taller than Rei. Long hair
cascaded down her back, partially held in a bun at the top rear of her
head. Her hair was also green. Though, with just a glance it looked
black. She was dressed efficiently, in a lavender business outfit and
skirt.
"Meiou Setsuna," she introduced herself with a small bow. "I
believe we have much to talk about."
Rei said nothing, continuing to stare. Why was this woman so
familiar?
"We should go someplace more private so you can hear what I have
to say, though," Setsuna said. "Please, follow me." She turned and
starting walking away, her bearing such that she clearly had absolute
certainty that Rei would follow her. After a moment's internal debate,
Rei started after, though, if asked, she couldn't explain why she did.
Just that her senses told her this woman wasn't a threat. At the moment,
at least. They also told her that if she were, there would be little Rei
could do to stop her.
The coffee had grown cold as Rei stared at it. They had arrived
at a small coffee house that had recently opened. And Meiou Setsuna had
begun to talk. Something about her had prevented Rei from asking
questions. She had simply sat there and listened as the woman told her
things she should have had no way of knowing.
Finally, she grew quiet and lifted her mug, taking a drink as
she watched Rei. "I suppose you have questions, now?"
"Why are you telling me this now?" Rei asked, seizing on the
first thing that came to mind as she tried to process it all. "I've
known Usagi for almost four years. Why now?"
"Time," Setsuna replied, giving nothing away.
Rei waited a moment, until it was apparent that she wasn't going
to elaborate on that cryptic comment, then searched for another
question. "There are others?"
Setsuna nodded, setting the mug down. "Yes."
"And Usagi knows?"
"About you? Yes." Setsuna answered after a moment. "The others.
She may suspect on at least one, but only that one."
"Who?" Rei asked.
Setsuna merely smiled. "I must be going soon. You will not
remember us talking once I have left, though the facts of what I have
told you will remain in your mind. When it is time, you will remember
what is needed."
"You seem certain of that fact," Rei said.
"Perhaps I can see the future," Setsuna responded, arching one
eyebrow, rising from her seat. "It was pleasant speaking with you, Hino-
san."
"Likewise, Meiou-san," Rei began...
Rei hung up, then started to dial Usagi's cell-phone to leave
the same message and stopped, frowning. A moment's thought showed her no
reason why doing this should bother her so, so she shrugged and
continued dialing.
"Usagi, it's Rei. If you get this, call me, please?" she pressed
a button to make sure the message was saved and then put the cell phone
away, stepping out of the alcove she had been in to make the call. She
stopped for a moment, shaking off the sense of disorientation that had
plagued her for an instant there and started down the street to take
care of the things she needed to do for the festival.
*
Usagi leaned against the side of the building, taking a deep
breath and then shook her head. Her anger had faded once she had put
some distance between herself and those others, but she could still feel
it, waiting for the opportunity to boil out again. She stepped away from
the wall and fished her cellphone from her pocket, noting that there was
a message waiting.
"Hrm. Probably Luna wanting to know where I am," she muttered,
closing it and stuffing it back in her pocket. "I'll check it later."
She started walking down the street, not noticing the fact that she was
being watched.
*
Rei sat the bags on the counter in the kitchen, wondering where
her grandfather and Yuuichiro were as she began to put the groceries
away. That task was finished in relatively short order, and she tucked
the bags away into a bin.
"Grandfather?" she called out, walking slowly out of the
kitchen. "Yuuichiro?"
"They're busy at the moment," an unfamiliar voice said behind
her. Rei turned to face the dark haired male sitting on the counter, who
hadn't been there seconds ago.
"Who are you?" she asked suspiciously.
"Your grandfather's new apprentice, Hino-san," he replied. "My
name is Jei."
"That's nice to know, Jei-san," she said, her voice respectful
and even. "But my grandfather already has an apprentice and doesn't need
another one."
"I convinced him otherwise," Jei replied, dropping off the
counter to stand. He was slightly taller than her, forcing her to tilt
her head up slightly to look at him.
"I find that hard to believe," Rei told him, eyes narrowing. "I
am more than competent at handling the shrine."
"If that's true," he said. "Then why am I his apprentice?"
"Grandfather is old," Rei retorted, backing up. Something about
him set her senses screaming. "He isn't always thinking clearly."
"Well, we agree on that, at least," Jei said, amused by
something.
"I have errands to run," Rei muttered. "It was nice meeting you,
I suppose." She turned to go.
Jei was standing in her path, smirking slightly. "Oh, I think
not." He took a half-step forward, his index finger tapping her once on
the forehead and she slumped, unconscious before she could do anything
more than gasp.
"You will be quite useful in setting my plan in action, Hino-
san," Jadeite told the young woman, smirking still. "Quite useful
indeed." He made a gesture and she rose from the floor, as if held by
invisible strings.
"Just a small change..." he murmured, resting his hands on
either side of her face and beginning to work.
*
She floated, a dark, featureless void surrounding her. It seemed
to go on forever, forcing her to break off her study or risk madness.
She could feel herself, could see as she said the her that was in
control now said those horrible things to Usagi. Made her cry. That had
surprised the her that was forced to watch. Usagi never cried where she
could be seen. She saw herself turn away from Usagi, mocking her tears
with more harsh words. Saw Usagi try to get through to her. Saw herself
slap Usagi viciously, calling her a worthless sentimental fool.
Then she saw the walls. She knew Usagi had them. Had known for a
long time, but it disturbed her to the very core of her being to see her
lover's eyes go dark and cold, all hurt hidden behind an impenetrable
wall. The other her mocked her further, daring her to strike back. Usagi
simply stared, then turned and walked away without a backward glance.
It made her angry, that he could force her to do something like
that to someone she cared so much about. But her conscience protested.
Wasn't it something she wanted to do? Even if just a little? Usagi was
beautiful and she loved her, but she kept secrets. Kept herself divided.
Even now, after three years together, she still sometimes felt that she
didn't really know Usagi fully. It was frustrating. To care so much
about someone and to see that they weren't sharing everything with you
the way you were with them. So, yes, she had wanted to hurt Usagi, to
make her feel a bit of the pain she dealt with when Usagi cut her off
and hid behind those walls. It would have made her feel better, Rei
admitted to herself, if it weren't for disgust at the thought of
purposefully doing such a thing to someone she loved.
Unbidden, the words of... someone she had spoken to recently
swam to the surface of her thoughts. "Wishing for your unpleasant urges
to go away will not solve the problem of their existences for you. You
must face those parts of yourself that you do not like and come to terms
with them if you ever want to be who you were meant to be."
"I'm not perfect," the thought rang in the silence of her mind.
"I admit that. I have wanted to make Usagi hurt. But I would never do
something like that. I care about her. Urges do not define who I am.
Actions do. Choices, as well. And I never chose to hurt Usagi like
that!"
The void around her was no longer dark. Warmth blossomed all
around her. She could see fire flickering both within herself and all
around her.
No. Not fire.
Fire. It was living, a part of herself. It burned strong and
true, illuminating all the parts of herself that she couldn't stand to
face. The jealousy of Usagi and her strength. The frustration and anger
that Usagi's divided nature caused. The wish she had had, once, to tear
Usagi apart the rest of the way, to put her back the way she wished her
to be. All things she had desired or felt once upon a time. All part of
her. The fire washed over her, into her, and she felt whole, accepting
that these things were a part of her whether she liked it or not.
Then she saw it. Red and gold glinting in the fires before her.
The symbol of Mars resting across the top of it. One hand stretched out
as the voice of the someone she couldn't remember intruded in her mind
again.
"Very soon, you will have to make a choice, Hino-san," it said.
"It will change things for you and probably not all for the better. But
it will also put you on the path to being who you are, were, and will be
again. Choosing not to accept yourself, however, will simply mean that
your relationship with this girl you love will die."
"And if I accept myself?"
"There are no guarantees, Hino-san. I see many things. If you do
accept, then things will be difficult, however, they may work out. That
depends, I think, on you and her. But you will at least stand with her
as a true equal and know much of why she is the way she is."
"There's no choice, then."
Her hand closed around the red and gold stick possessively,
causing light so bright she had to close her eyes to flare up. Words
came to mind, demanding to be spoken. She raised the stick above her
head.
"Mars Power...make-up!"
Fire obliterated everything. The void crumbled, the other her
tearing asunder before the inferno. It wreathed around her, through her,
then calmed.
Three people watched her. Two were struck dumb, eyes blank, a
sure sign that they were still controlled. The third was shocked, his
eyes wide and amazed. Behind that though, they were calculating coldly,
assessing how this would affect him.
"You." she snarled, taking a step forward. "I am going to make
you suffer for what you've done."
"Pretty words," he replied, stepping away from her grandfather
and Yuuichiro with a flourish. She paced him, giving them a clear field.
"But I have faced far superior to you and still live. How do you, a
novice, expect to defeat me?"
"I..." she paused. How did she? The words had come, but she knew
naught of what she was capable of. "I..."
"I'm waiting, you know?" he taunted, then smiled. "But first, I
suppose I should give you the same advantage you have given me. After
all, you have taken off your make-up, so to speak. I suppose it is only
fair I do the same." Fire flared up around him and the facade was gone.
He stood in his true form, short blonde hair crowning his features as he
watched her. He wore, as always, a functional uniform in grey, a set of
epaulets on his chest denoting his rank.
"I am Jadeite, General of the Dark Kingdom," he bowed slightly.
"And you are? As if I really need to ask."
"I am Sailor Mars," the reply came back quick as lightning.
"Sailor Mars, is it?" his expression shifted slightly, as if
remembering something. "Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of
irony."
"You," she said, starting to move. "Talk entirely too much. Fire
Soul!" The attack roared from her hands, raging toward him.
Jadeite simply put out his hand and the attack vanished before
it reached him. "That was pointless. Let me show you how such an attack
is done properly." Fire roared from his outstretched hand at her, too
fast to avoid and she was flung back, landing in a heap.
"I'm...not hurt?" she frowned, looking at herself. A few scorch
marks, that she could see. Most of the damage appeared to have come from
being thrown to the ground.
"A child could have fended off that attack," Jadeite told her,
his voice conversational as he watched her. "And you claim to be the
Senshi of Fire?"
He was mocking her. She couldn't believe it. He was mocking HER.
"FIRE SOUL!"
Again he stopped the attack. "Better. You put a bit more into
that one. But it still lacks any real strength. A child could produce a
stronger attack, by the way."
"Shut up!" she shouted, starting to move again. He couldn't be
unbeatable. She had beaten him. Nearly killed him even. Rei would not
let herself give up without at least finding a way to take that mocking
sneer from his face.
"Fire..." she began, a thought occuring to her.
"Again?" Jadeite shook his head. "Haven't you realised it won't
work?" He put out his hand to block a third strike.
That never came.
"What..." he blinked, then started to turn, realising what she
was planning.
"Soul!" the phrase finished, flame roaring from her hands to
smash against his as he twisted, trying to block.
"Impressive," Jadeite said, pushing back against the stream of
fire she was directing at him. "But you can't keep this up for long,
novice."
"She won't have to." a voice both knew well said, clearly
audible over the crackling flames. Sailor Moon stood at the top of the
steps, rage clear on her face.
"And the Queen shows herself at last," Jadeite murmured,
mimicking words she had used to him not long ago. He shoved against the
fire, sending Sailor Mars sprawling. She was incidental now.
"Why are you here, Jadeite?" she asked, anger humming in her
words.
"Because I was bored," he answered. "Does it make you angry,
that I toy with these humans' lives like this?"
She didn't answer the question, turning her head slightly to
regard the form of Sailor Mars, who was cursing and trying to get up,
clearly dazed.
"Oh, don't worry," Jadeite said. "She is of no consequence now.
Only you matter."
"I ask again, why are you here?"
"Fight me, Sailor Moon," Jadeite stepped back into a fighting
stance. "Like the last time. Make it worthwhile."
"All this, just to get me to fight you?" she asked, still
showing nothing but rage in her eyes.
"You are the only one worthy to fight me." was his only reply.
"Now, let us begin..." He stopped short, head tilting, as if listening
to something only he could hear.
"It appears," Jadeite announced, straightening. "That we shall
have to continue this another time. The field is yours, Sailor Moon."
With that, he vanished.
She stood there for several minutes, watching the space where he
had stood. Then, she walked over to where Sailor Mars was still trying
to rise.
"Here." she held out a hand.
"Thanks," the other Senshi murmured, grasping Sailor Moon's hand
and pulling herself to up.
"I suppose..." she began. "That we have a lot to talk about."
"Somehow, I think you are right," Moon replied.
Neither moved from their spot, simply staring at each other
without saying anything else.
End chapter 2
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