Earth
Guardian Prince Endymion
By Senshi
of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi
Act Twelve Recap:
(Mamoru’s POV)
The strongest Youma we had ever faced targeted the
hospital and possessed Hina in order to gather energy.
“Where have you been?” Mamoru said, drawing her into an
embrace. Hina returned this comfort, but Mamoru winced as he felt her nails
digging into his back, even through his shirt.
He pulled away, or rather tried too, but she wouldn’t let him go. “Hina…” he broke off as she laughed softly in his ear and whispered: “Don’t be frightened, Mamoru-kun. You, too, must surrender your energy to the Great Ruler.”
I couldn’t transform in the hospital so I had to leave her
even though it was like a knife in my heart to do so.
He gasped in pain as he was thrown to the ground by the
force of the blow, barely managing to roll aside as a curved blade struck the
ground where he had been lying seconds before.
Glancing to his left, Nephrite saw Jadeite struggling with
the other Youma. It had pinned the blonde against the wall and, as Nephrite
watched, it slammed its un-scythed hand into his chest. Jadeite cried out and
clutched the steel wrist in agony as his energy was transferred to the being
before him. The blonde fell, semi-conscious, to the ground, his sword
clattering at his side.
Jadeite and Nephrite did their best to fight it, but it
was simply too strong for them. Even Kunzite couldn’t beat it.
Panicked, Kunzite called up a sphere of purple energy in
one hand and made to throw it in the advancing Youma’s face. The other caught
his wrist before he could release the magics and threw the king to the floor as
though he were nothing.
I thought we were going to be killed
when…
Once again, the second Youma raised a hand to Mamoru… and
then exploded in a shower of blue light.
“I am” he spoke softly, but with the authority that
Nephrite recognised as that of a true Prince, “I’m Zoisite. The Prince of the
old Earth Kingdom.”
Now the Prince has appeared before us I can give over
leadership to him… can’t I?
******
Act Thirteen:
“The Earth Kingdom?” Tuxedo Kamen repeated softly as he
raised his head to meet Zoisite’s gaze. There was something… Tuxedo Kamen
didn’t know what, but it struck a chord deep inside the masked man. Glancing
quickly at Jadeite and Nephrite, he could tell that it had effected them, too,
though they were still kneeling submissively and paid him little heed.
“It would be better if you did not know too much for the
time being” Zoisite said softly, “The Dark Kingdom is getting stronger. You
must concentrate your energies on defeating them and obtaining the illusionary
Ginzuishou.”
“Don’t you have it?” Tuxedo Kamen asked, knowing that this
was an absurd question before even voicing it. He blushed underneath his mask,
but Zoisite didn’t seem to mind the query and smiled slightly before answering.
“No. I don’t have it. It is important that we find it
quickly before the enemy does.”
Tuxedo Kamen noted how he casually glanced up at Sailor
Moon when he said the word ‘enemy’ and his heart sank. Did this mean that
Zoisite thought of her as an enemy, too?
With these words, Zoisite turned to leave, flipping his
cape over one shoulder again, but Tuxedo Kamen stopped him with:
“Zoisite-sama? Do you have an Earth identity, too?”
He paused, hesitating before answering, “Yes, I do.”
“Then…” Tuxedo Kamen trailed off, glancing at his
companions before voicing what he had wanted to say since their Prince had
appeared before them. “Where can we find you if we need to contact you? You are
the leader.”
“No” Zoisite shocked him by saying, “You are the leader.”
“I don’t understand?” Tuxedo Kamen felt his blood run cold
at these words. He had barely been hanging on as it was, clutching at the hope
that the Prince would return to reclaim leadership. Tuxedo Kamen was no leader…
he couldn’t do this. Every time he tried to take charge he just messed up. How
could he take the burden of knowing that he was responsible for four lives and
now, it would seem, the life of his Prince.
“You’re the Prince” he insisted weakly, his mouth feeling
dry as dust as he managed to voice these protests.
“I am” Zoisite allowed, “But you will continue to lead
until there comes a time when I can fight alongside you properly.”
Tuxedo Kamen’s heart sank and he offered no more protests,
even when Zoisite added, “You’ve done well up until now. Don’t underestimate
yourself.”
He felt sick inside. He could barely handle things as they
were and because of his blindness Hina had been used. He still didn’t know if
his fiancée was okay or… or dead…
Zoisite again tried to leave, but Kunzite stepped in front
of him, his blade drawn and Tuxedo Kamen could barely suppress a gasp of shock
and disbelief when Kunzite brandished the blade in the Prince’s face.
“Kunzite!” Nephrite stood, drawing his own sword, he, too,
not being able to believe the older man’s nerve.
“You are just going to leave” Kunzite said coolly, lightly
pressing the tip of the blade to Zoisite’s throat, “You will not give us any
explanations or even a clue as to your identity. What is your motive?”
“Kunzite!” Nephrite shouted again, this time reaching out
and pulling the black haired king’s sword hand down, “Show Zoisite-sama some
respect!”
“Respect doesn’t come with status. It has to be earned”
was his reply, “Him simply turning up and announcing that he’s the Prince does
not mean that I will automatically bow down to him and nor should any of you.
Where is your honour?”
“Hold your tongue!” Nephrite snarled out even as Kunzite
again took a step in Zoisite’s direction.
The oldest king’s anger didn’t seem to bother Zoisite at
all and, if anything, this only served to enrage Kunzite further.
Tuxedo Kamen didn’t want to intervene. If anything he was
looking to Zoisite to say something, but the Prince simply met Kunzite’s
intense and furious gaze.
For what seemed like an age, they stared at each other.
Neither of them was willing to back down. All this time the other kings and
Sailor Moon watched this spectacle unsure of what to do or say.
Then, calmly, Zoisite turned away, teleporting from the
alley in a flash of blue light. Kunzite swore loudly to this and also turned
away, hurrying out of sight before any of them could protest.
“Zoisite” Sailor Moon whispered, drawing Tuxedo Kamen’s
attention to her. The young Senshi seemed stunned, almost in denial. “I-I don’t
understand…” she trembled ever so slightly as she spoke.
Tuxedo Kamen could say nothing to comfort her, had she
been in need of such a thing and suggested to Jadeite and Nephrite that they
should go.
“What about Kunzite?” Nephrite asked quietly.
Tuxedo Kamen did not know.
“Where can we find you if we need to contact you? You are
the leader.”
“No” Zoisite shocked him by saying, “You are the leader.”
The leader… A burden he thought would be lifted now
weighed even heavier upon his shoulders.
*****
Kisho practically slammed open the door to his apartment,
causing it to crash loudly against the wall, making a huge dent in the
paintwork as it did so.
Zoisite again tried to leave, but Kunzite stepped in front
of him, his blade drawn and Tuxedo Kamen could barely suppress a gasp of shock
and disbelief when Kunzite brandished the blade in the Prince’s face.
“Kunzite!” Nephrite stood, drawing his own sword, he, too,
not being able to believe the older man’s nerve.
“You are just going to leave” Kunzite said coolly, lightly
pressing the tip of the blade to Zoisite’s throat, “You will not give us any
explanations or even a clue as to your identity. What is your motive?”
“Kunzite!” Nephrite shouted again, this time reaching out
and pulling the black haired king’s sword hand down, “Show Zoisite-sama some
respect!”
“Respect doesn’t come with status. It has to be earned”
was his reply, “Him simply turning up and announcing that he’s the Prince does
not mean that I will automatically bow down to him and nor should any of you.
Where is your honour?”
“Kuso” he growled to himself. His thought kept
drifting back to the white haired Prince and the fury that came with these
memories. Never before had Kisho met a man who could make him feel so foolish,
so blind in his actions. For one who was usually in control of any situation
this was a new and very frustrating circumstance for him to find himself in.
Kisho had meant every word he had said. He did not trust
the Prince.
“No!” a
strangled cry escaped him as he halted in the palace grounds, staring at the
huge marble pillars that had fallen during the battle. A scream caught in
Kisho’s throat as he recognised two of his friends lying lifelessly on the
ground.
“Jadeite…
Nephrite…” he whispered. Kisho stepped forwards as his gaze locked upon a third
person lying further away. In all the dust and smoke, Kisho had trouble
recognising him or even recalling his name. His sorrow deepened as he stared
upon them.
The
Princess had led them all to ruin and would do so again… Kisho screamed…
“Nii-san?” Kisho was jolted out of his thoughts by Ayame’s
voice. She had obviously been waiting for him again.
She was in her nightgown and was obviously near the point
of sleep. Kisho checked his watch. It was near midnight.
“Ayame. What are you doing up?” he replied, attempting to
get a hold of his temper. His sister could never understand that he…
“I was worried” she took a tentative step towards him.
“There was no need” Kisho bit his lip when he realised
just how cold his words had sounded. Ayame, however, was used to it and managed
a small smile.
“I was just getting some hot chocolate,” she said as she
started to walk back into the kitchen. “Would you like some?”
“No” Kisho replied, “I just… I want to be by myself for a
while.”
Ayame nodded and went into the kitchen whilst Kisho went
to the front room and sat down on the sofa, closing his eyes as again the
memories of that evening replayed themselves in his mind. Zoisite… the Prince?
Would the Princess truly lead them all to ruin? Kisho frowned. Zoisite did not
mention the Princess. Did he even know who she was? Kisho was sure he did.
Zoisite was hiding things from him and he didn’t like it.
Kisho’s frown deepened. Mamoru and Taro were fools. They
would bow down to the man just because he claimed to be their Prince. Kisho
hated it when someone lorded over him.
That was just it he thought uncomfortably, he
didn’t lord over me. In fact he refused to even defend himself. There was
no doubt that Zoisite was strong. He was easily stronger than Jadeite and
Nephrite, but was he stronger than Kunzite? Kisho wasn’t sure. He was loath to
find out. Despite what his own feelings towards Zoisite might be, the fact
remained that he was the Prince and if Kisho wanted to fight him, he might well
have to fight his friends first.
“Well, well, what a nice set up this is?” a voice dripping
with sarcasm broke into his thoughts. Kisho opened his eyes, jumping up from
the sofa when he saw the green fuku clad figure standing before him. She
smirked at his discomfort and shook her head.
“Don’t look so surprised, Kunzite. Mars told me who you
really are and now that we know…” she let the threat hang.
Kisho stood, making a move to transform when she attacked,
sending a bolt of thunder directly at him. The attack was weaker and was not
enough to kill him, but Kisho was still thrown against the opposite wall, stars
dancing before his vision as she knelt down before him and pressed a knife to
his throat.
“Now, now, I can’t have you transforming can I? Not before
I introduce myself. I am the Senshi of thunder and lightning, Dark Jupiter.”
“Dark Jupiter?” Kisho repeated, his chest felt as though
it were on fire. It pained him to even breath let alone speak.
She smirked and uncurled her free hand. Resting in a
gloved palm was a small coal black stone.
What is that? Kisho felt an icy stab of dread
as she removed the knife from his throat.
“I would advise against struggling,” she said, almost
kindly. “It will only make things worse for you.”
Kisho heeded her advice, not because he wanted too, but
because he really had no choice in the matter. Jupiter grinned and leaned
forward, her hand that held the stone almost touching his chest.
“Nii-san?”
Jupiter turned round at this new voice, annoyance etched
across her face.
“Ayame” Kisho whispered and then louder, “Ayame. Run!”
The girl stood in the doorway, unsure of what to make of
the scene before her, but when she saw the pained expression on her brother’s
face she took a step into the room.
“I don’t know who you are” Ayame said, her voice wavering
slightly as Jupiter started to walk towards her, “But you’d better leave now or
I’ll have to call the police.”
Jupiter smirked, “Quite a feisty one isn’t she, Kunzite?
And you obviously care for her…”
“Ayame! Get out of here!” Kisho shouted, but his sister
ignored him.
“I said leave,” she repeated, even as Jupiter reached her.
Though both girls appeared to be the same age, Jupiter had a presence that
caused her to tower over the small and slightly built girl.
Kisho stood, as Ayame recognised the danger she was in and
attempted to heed her brother’s advice of earlier. Jupiter, however, had
something else in mind and grabbed a hold of the girl’s arm, forcing her to
stay still. A triumphant smirk flickered across her face as Jupiter pressed her
hand, which held the stone, into Ayame’s stomach.
Kisho transformed. He had no choice as Ayame started to
scream as the stone was forced into her flesh. Drawing his sword he swung it at
Jupiter knocking her away from his sister. With no one to support her, Ayame
hit the floor, her body writhing in agony as her tiny hands clawed at her
stomach as though she could somehow reach the stone and pull it free.
Ignoring the fallen Senshi, Kunzite raced to Ayame’s side.
“Nii-san” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as her arms curved
around him, her eyes silently begging him to relieve her of this pain.
“What have you done?” Kunzite hissed as Jupiter stood, her
smirk becoming a delighted grin when she saw the tears in his eyes.
“Don’t worry, she’ll live… for now. That stone won’t kill
her. It will simply change her.”
“Change her?”
Jupiter nodded, “I was going to use you to force the
others into cooperating, but now I don’t even have to involve them. That stone
has been exposed to the awesome power of the Great Ruler and has the power to
change the human it enters into a Youma. Only I have the knowledge to change
her back. By sunset tomorrow she will have completed the transformation.”
“What do you want?” Kunzite demanded, “I know you want
something.”
“Of course” Jupiter replied, “Tell me who the Prince is
and where I can find him and I will save your little sister. If you don’t
then…” she let the threat hang, “The choice is yours.”
“I don’t know who he is.” Kunzite snarled angrily, gently
lying Ayame down on the floor as he stood to face the Senshi. Jupiter’s face
fell at this information, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Oh but I think you do. You have until sunset” with this
she teleported away in a green light before Kunzite could even take one step
towards her.
Stunned at his own foolishness, Kunzite knelt back down
beside his sister and cradled her in his arms.
“Nii-san…” she whispered before her eyes slid closed.
Kunzite simply held her, not knowing what else to do. He
couldn’t tell Jupiter who the Prince was and even if he knew he could never
betray him, no matter what his feelings concerning Zoisite were.
“So it has come down to this” Kunzite whispered softly
making a vow to himself and his sister. If he lost Ayame then Jupiter would
pay… with her life.
******
“It looks like you’ve blown it” Venus commented easily as
Jupiter reappeared in her music room. Mars and Mercury were also present. Mars
was leaning back against the wall nearest the door whilst Mercury leafed
through one of Venus’s songbooks.
“You were supposed to get to Kunzite, weren’t you?”
Jupiter shrugged, as though this was a minor set back,
“The fool cares for his sister. He’ll give me want I want.”
“What if he was telling the truth?” Mars questioned, “What
if he doesn’t know who the Prince is?”
“We have lost nothing. When his sister turns into a Youma
do you really think he will be able to fight her? She will destroy him and
there will be one less enemy to worry about.”
“You seem confident of this?” Venus scowled, “Finding the
Prince was my mission, remember?”
“And you failed” Jupiter replied sweetly, “Beryl-sama
knows that I will find him and bring him before her.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of” Mars commented darkly. Venus
frowned. She, too, had been having some doubts. Beryl’s obsession with the
Prince was unhealthy. Mars seemed to think that it would be the end of them all
if she ever did manage to make him her own. She didn’t like the appearance of
Sailor Moon either. For reasons unknown to herself, Venus also was wary of the
so-called Senshi of love and of justice. It would be best to eliminate her
quickly.
Venus knew that Jupiter would fail. She was the second
strongest of the Dark Senshi, but she often rushed into things without thinking
them through. Kunzite would not give up his sister without a fight and if he
was telling the truth about the Prince. Venus smiled, just content to watch the
show for a while longer, there was nothing she liked more than seeing her
comrades fail.
******
The man standing before them was clad in a uniform very
similar to the ones that the three kings wore now except his was in white and
the lining was green. He wore silver boots and white gloves, a cape attached
with shimmering gemstones fell over one shoulder and he skilfully flipped it
over his shoulders. His hair was silver-white and tied up in a ponytail. A few
shorter strands fell down each side of his face. His eyes were an intense shade
of pale blue.
Beryl stared at the image projected from her crystal and
onto the wall of her throne room. Shifting slightly on her dais, a frown spread
across her face as she struggled to recall the man. When he had shown himself,
Beryl had been expecting her memories to overwhelm her, but this had not
happened. If anything she was even more confused than before. This man… Zoisite
he called himself… he may as well have been a painting on a wall for all Beryl
cared about him. Of course, feelings or any sort of emotion were not something
Beryl cared to admit to having, but the Prince was a different story. Her heart
still yearned for him and with this came an immense wave of jealousy and
sorrow. She had lost him before… So why did she feel nothing when she gazed
upon him now? Beryl did not understand. Then again human emotions were a
strange thing and Beryl forced this to the back of her mind.
“It is no matter” she whispered to herself “Once he is
kneeling before me as I have so desired, my memories will return.”
Her love was powerful enough to withstand a thousand years
of being sealed deep within the Earth and now it wavered? But not for much
longer, Beryl promised herself. She had every faith in Dark Jupiter. The Prince
would belong to her… she would do anything to make it so.
******
Mamoru stood apprehensively outside the hospital,
wondering whether he should bother going in at all. Hina had been allowed home
last night provided that she got lots of rest. The official explanation for the
Youma was that a wild dog broke into the hospital and attacked staff and patients.
Mamoru had scoffed at the authorities blindness, but what else could he expect?
No one would believe the truth. Even Hina seemed to have forgotten and was more
heartbroken over the fact that she had to stay off work for the rest of the
week and had not asked Komoro Seiichi for his autograph.
Mamoru had overheard a nurse yesterday saying that
Komoro-san had been kept in over night after the dog attacked him and as the
pianist had, unwittingly, stopped the Youma from draining Mamoru’s energy he
thought it was only right that he went to see how he was and to get
Komoro-san’s autograph for Hina, too.
This, he realised, would prove difficult. Hina had given
him Komoro-san’s room number, but the private room had two bodyguards standing
outside of it. Mamoru went up to them, but they weren’t at all happy about
letting anyone in.
“Are you a friend?” one demanded and when Mamoru shook his
head he was told that only friends or family could visit.
“I was with him when he was attacked” Mamoru added to
this, “Tell him its Chiba Mamoru” the guards shrugged and agreed that they
would though they added that the chance of Komoro-san letting him in was low;
apparently the star didn’t want to see anyone.
Seconds later they returned with a shocked look on their
faces, “He’ll see you” the first guard announced, making no secret of his
surprise.
Mamoru nodded and pushed open the door to enter the room.
Komoro-san smiled when he saw him and gestured to him to close the door behind
him. Outwardly, Mamoru was relieved to see that the pianist looked well, a
little pale but fine all things considered.
“Chiba-san. This is unprecedented” he remarked as Mamoru
sat down on the chair beside the bed, “What brings you here?”
“You saved me. I wanted to thank you.”
Komoro-san shrugged lightly, “Don’t think anything of it.
I don’t really remember much about it to be honest” he frowned, “The staff said
it was a wild animal?”
“A dog” Mamoru confirmed, “I don’t know what happened. I
guess I must have just frozen or something when it came at me.”
“Fear can do that to you” Komoro-san winced as he shifted
his position on the bed slightly, causing Mamoru to feel guiltier and ask him
if he was really ok.
“Concussion” Komoro-san replied to this, dismissing his
concern, “The nurses fail to see the irony here. I came to the hospital on a
visit and ended up being a patient.”
Mamoru frowned slightly, this casual and off-hand comment
didn’t seem to fit with the usual serious demeanour of the man. Komoro-san
seemed a little on edge, nervous almost.
“How’s Hina-san? I heard she was attacked, too?”
“She’s fine. The doctors let her go home provided there
was someone to look after her. I’m surprised they kept you in over night.”
Komoro-san shrugged, but didn’t elaborate on this, so
Mamoru added:
“Hina won’t be able to come in for the rest of the week
so--”
“You would like my autograph for her” Komoro-san finished
for him.
Mamoru was taken aback and then blushed when he realised
that he had been holding the pen and notebook when he entered the room to start
with! “If you don’t feel up to it…” he trailed off when Komoro-san shook his
head.
“I don’t mind”
He took the pen and notebook and quickly scribbled in
‘Hina, get well soon, Komoro Seiichi’. “Tell her I enjoyed the tour of the
hospital, even if it ended a little prematurely and unexpectedly.”
Mamoru nodded, “Thank you. I will.”
“You are just going to leave” Kunzite said coolly, lightly
pressing the tip of the blade to Zoisite’s throat, “You will not give us any
explanations or even a clue as to your identity. What is your motive?”
“Kunzite!” Nephrite shouted again, this time reaching out
and pulling the black haired king’s sword hand down, “Show Zoisite-sama some
respect!”
“Respect doesn’t come with status. It has to be earned”
was his reply, “Him simply turning up and announcing that he’s the Prince does
not mean that I will automatically bow down to him and nor should any of you.
Where is your honour?”
“Hold your tongue!” Nephrite snarled out even as Kunzite
again took a step in Zoisite’s direction.
He sighed, realising that he should really be going. Hina
needed him at home and there was still that business with Kisho and Taro to
sort out. Mamoru did not want to intervene, indeed he had little time for their
arguments, but he had a feeling that the Dark Kingdom would become even more
determined now that they knew that Zoisite-sama was the Prince.
“You’ve done well up until now. Don’t underestimate
yourself.”
Mamoru had to half smile at the memory of Zoisite’s vote
of confidence. If the Prince had that much faith in him, then he should try, at
least, and sorting out this rift between two of his fellow kings would be a
good way to start.
“Chiba-san?” he blushed when he realised that he had
become lost in these thoughts and that Komoro-san was watching him curiously.
“Sorry” he apologised, “I have to go. I hope you feel
better soon, Komoro-san.”
With this apology came a trickle of guilt. Mamoru sighed
and vowed that he would try his best to make sure that innocent civilians were
kept out of this battle.
“Thank you” Komoro-san replied and Mamoru turned to leave
when he stopped him by saying:
“Don’t worry about it.”
“What?”
Komoro-san shrugged lightly, “Whatever it is that you are
concerned about. I’m sure you’ll work it out.”
“I’m that easy to read?” Mamoru questioned, smiling
slightly at the man’s perception.
Again, the pianist shrugged, “Just don’t underestimate
yourself.”
Mamoru shook his head, and didn’t reply. He just wished
that he had the same confidence.
*****
“Tell me who the Prince is and where I can find him and I
will save your little sister. If you don’t then…” she let the threat hang, “The
choice is yours.”
Kisho had not moved from Ayame’s bedside. His sister laid
still, her eyes closed and her breathing coming out in short, ragged gasps. Her
face was deathly pale and practically blue with cold. Kisho had tried
everything. He had several heaters working, and Ayame was covered under every
duvet and blanket in the apartment, but nothing he could do… nothing had
stopped the fur growing on her hands and her nails getting longer as the day
wore on. Kisho had never felt so helpless. Ayame… his only family and he was forced
to watch her slip away from him.
He couldn’t save her, even if he wanted to betray Zoisite
he couldn’t because the man had given no clues as to his identity. Had he known
that this would happen? Kisho was sure he did. The Dark Senshi might seem like
a joke, but Kisho had no doubts to their seriousness. In less than an hour
Ayame would be gone forever.
“Taro. A funny choice of name” Kisho remarked before
turning away, “Especially for someone with an older brother.”
Kisho now found his thoughts drifting to the younger man
and the hurt on his face when had uttered those cruel words. It was cruel, that
Kisho knew, but apologising was beneath him. He smiled sadly, he would rather
think of that than the situation that he faced. Whereas, in his place, another
sort of person might have called one of his friends, Kisho would rather be
alone. He would rather spend the last hour or so with his sister uninterrupted.
As he process this thought, Dark Jupiter appeared in a
shower of green light. She smirked in satisfaction as she noted Ayame’s half
transformation.
Kisho stood, readying himself to defend them, but Jupiter
only laughed.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to attack you. I simply came
to see if you had reconsidered my offer.”
“How can I tell you, even if I wanted too? I don’t know
who the Prince is.”
“Come on Kunzite, this is your little sister lying here.
Don’t you want to save her?”
“Do you really think the Prince would be stupid enough to
divulge his true identify? He guessed your plan and kept his Terran form hidden
from us. Turn Ayame back into a normal human. You will gain nothing here.”
“Oh but your are wrong” Jupiter replied, obviously
enjoying his anguish, “You won’t destroy her, will you? When it comes down to
it, she is still your little sister. She will become a Youma and you won’t
destroy her. She will destroy you and there will be one less king protecting
the Prince. You’ve lost your chance to save her and come sunset she will kill
you” Jupiter laughed as she made to teleport away, “You have less than an
hour.”
Kisho felt his heart sink at her words and he turned back
to the teenager lying on the bed. Dark Jupiter was right, he knew, he would not
kill Ayame… even if it meant his own death.
*****
Taro scowled to himself as he paused outside of the block
of apartments where Kisho lived, his mind still wandering back to the harsh
words that the black haired man had said to him before.
He had known, but this was…
Taro sighed and entered the apartment block. Kisho’s
apartment was on the second floor and he chose to climb the stairs, prolonging
the inevitable for as long as possible. Then, he was finally standing outside
Kisho’s door, debating whether or not to even bother, despite Mamoru’s words.
Why set himself up for more humiliation? Kisho’s comments had burned as it was
and in front of Masaki-kun, too. Taro sighed; he knew Masaki wouldn’t repeat
what Kisho had said. It was not the younger man’s way and Taro couldn’t help but
wonder if Masaki didn’t have his own problems to deal with.
He was jolted out of this line of thought when he heard
shouting coming from inside the apartment.
Who’s he arguing with now? Taro
wondered, but had barely time to continue to muse over this as there was a
particularly loud crash and the stunned man had to jump back to avoid getting
hit by the door, as a weight slammed into it causing its hinges to buckle.
The door fell at his feet and so did the man whom Taro
wanted to see.
“I was going to knock--” Taro started, but the joke died
on his lips when he saw the blood running down one side of Kisho’s face to drip
onto his white shirt. The man stood, his eyes glimmering, with what Taro could
only describe as, unshed tears.
“Kisho?” he started to ask what was happening when Taro
heard the low growling coming from within the apartment before the Youma once
again lunged at his friend. They both fell, Kisho lost under a sea of white and
grey fur as the Youma snarled and raked at his face with a clawed hand. He
cried out in pain as three scratch marks appeared down the side of his face.
Why hasn’t he transformed? Taro
wondered as he willed his own transformation to take place and he held out a
hand to invoke his powers with the intention of destroying the beast.
“No!” Kisho shouted, rolling out from under it and
grabbing a hold of Nephrite by his jacket, slamming him up against the opposite
wall.
The Youma stood, its full height dwarfing the two kings.
Its fur was grey-white and shaggy like a wolf’s and, indeed, it resembled one,
though the hair round its face was longer and its teeth were much sharper than
a true wolf’s. Its gaze narrowed as it stared upon them before leaping away
and, when Nephrite again made to go after it, Kisho blocked his way.
“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded, furiously,
“We’ve got to stop it!”
“No!” Kisho slammed him back into the wall once more.
“No ones going to be killing anyone” Taro snapped a little
irritably, “Why do you always have to attack first and ask questions later?”
“This is serious” Kisho replied smoothly, “I don’t intend
on letting anyone stand in the way of the mission.”
“That’s just it” Taro said, “Is your mission the same as
ours?”
Traitor? Nephrite wondered, but he couldn’t bring himself
to voice this. Deep down he knew it not to be true. Kisho wouldn’t betray them,
this much he knew. Then why…?
“Transform!” he tried again, wishing desperately that
Mamoru or, better still, Zoisite-sama was present.
“No” Kisho refused, letting go of Nephrite to lean against
the wall and gingerly touching the gash across his cheek, “No.”
“No? That thing has probably attacked half of Juuban by
now. We have to stop it!”
“I can’t!”
“Fine” Nephrite all but spat out, a part of him furious
and bitterly disappointed at the same time, “I’ll go and get it myself!”
“No! You can’t!”
Again he found Kisho blocking his path.
“Why ever not?”
“Because” Kisho took a harsh breath and closed his eyes
briefly, “Because that Youma is my sister. Dark Jupiter tried to force me into
revealing whom the Prince was. Of course, I couldn’t tell her even if I wanted
too and she turned Ayame into a Youma.”
Nephrite nodded, “Let’s go.”
“I told you! I can’t fight her and I won’t let you kill
her!”
Kisho grabbed his arm and Nephrite winced slightly when he
felt Kisho’s fingers digging in to his flesh. Twisting free he raised his head
to meet the other man’s gaze, “Why would I kill her? She is your sister despite
her current form.”
Kisho relaxed his grip, seemingly shocked that anyone,
especially Nephrite, would support him in this.
“But” Nephrite added, “She must be restrained somehow. If
one of the others finds her first…” he left the sentence unfinished but it’s
meaning was clear.
Kisho nodded and transformed, drawing his sword and taking
the direction that the Youma had gone. Nephrite sighed and hurried after him.
Why would I kill her? She is your sister despite her
current form.
This was true, but Nephrite couldn’t help wonder if he
would have a choice.
*****
They found it easy to locate the Youma. They simply had to
follow the screams. It would seem that Ayame had gone to the park (obviously a
favourite energy stealing spot, Nephrite had commented) and couples and parents
with young children lay sprawled on the ground, their energy sapped from them.
Kunzite had been shocked that Nephrite would support him
in his vow not to kill Ayame. He had thought that he would be forced to fight
the younger king and had been opposed to doing so. Despite their differences,
Kunzite knew that they had shared the same destiny. Nephrite, too, was destined
to protect the Prince so this made them comrades and, possibly, friends, too.
The red haired king drew his own sword as the Youma
spotted them. Kunzite felt a pang when she lunged at them, but Nephrite was as
good as his word and simply ducked to avoid the blow she would have dealt him.
Kunzite tried to raise his own weapon, but he couldn’t… he couldn’t bring
himself to hurt her. Had it been anyone else… Kunzite knew he could have done
it. He could have struck them down, but not Ayame, not his sister.
Nephrite, too, saw his doubts, even when the Youma
attacked again, this time knocking him to the ground. He winced in pain as he
hit the floor and rolled aside, barely managing to escape a swift kick with a
clawed foot. Getting back up, Nephrite threw a weak attack of red magics at
Ayame, but it was so weak that it hardly touched her and she hurled her own
back at him. Nephrite shielded himself from the worst of the blow, using his
powers to send the attack wild, but this was followed up by another swift kick
and this knocked the red haired king to the ground. He rolled aside, managing
to block another swipe at his face, but the Youma got a grip on his shoulder,
pinning him down as she raised a hand for a final blow.
Why would I kill her? She is your sister despite her
current form.
Kunzite drew his sword he couldn’t watch this. Even if it
meant killing Ayame. His heart cried out at this and tears stung at his eyes.
“Don’t!” Nephrite cried out, bringing his sword up to
block the next attack from the Youma. She snarled and grabbed a hold of the
blade, screaming in pain as the edge dug into her paw. Using it, she twisted it
out of Nephrite’s grasp and hurled it to the ground, out of his reach.
Kunzite made his decision, as the Youma got a grip on
Nephrite’s throat. This wasn’t Ayame… Ayame wouldn’t want this…
Forcing away his tears, Kunzite raised his weapon over the
Youma’s head, even as Nephrite cried out in protest.
“I’m sorry…” Kunzite whispered, “There is no other way…”
“Moon tiara… boomerang!” came the shrill cry of the Senshi
of Love and Justice just before the attack struck. The magical tiara hit the
Youma between the shoulder blades, knocking it off of Nephrite with a skill
that neither king had thought Sailor Moon to process.
“Daijobu?” she called as she struck a pose when the Youma
got up.
“Fine” Nephrite scowled, as though embarrassed that she
had saved him and Kunzite couldn’t help but smile.
His smile, however, faded when the Senshi raised the Moon
Wand above her head.
“Stop!” Nephrite reacted quickly, stepping between Sailor
Moon and Ayame.
“What?” her face fell, thinking that she would have to
fight them, too.
“That Youma was once a human being. You can’t kill her.”
Sailor Moon nodded and Nephrite stepped aside as she
called out: “Moon healing… escalation!”
The healing beams of light struck the Youma and she winced
under the spell, swiping at it until she finally yielded. She fell, Ayame once
more and Kunzite ran to her side, kneeling down beside her and cradling the
girl in his arms.
“Nii-san?” Ayame whispered groggily before lapsing into a
faint.
She would be ok, this Kunzite was sure of. Sailor Moon
smiled at the concern in his eyes and turned away, content to let them be.
“Kunzite?” Nephrite approached slowly, unsure of what to
say, but the older king cut him off by saying:
“Thank you.”
Nephrite appeared startled at this, but hid it with a
smile and a shrug, “It was nothing.”
Kunzite nodded and held his gaze for a moment longer, an
understanding passing between them.
He stood. Ayame needed to rest. Nephrite understood this
and was satisfied to let him go.
*****
Taro walked home slowly, his thoughts kept replaying the
day out in his mind. For a strange reason, he still found that he disliked
Kisho, but mixed into that dislike was a respect for the man. Kisho had to make
a lot of hard choices in his life and, when it came down to it, was not afraid
to make another one. No matter how much it pained him, he would have killed
Ayame had Sailor Moon not turned up.
Seeing the loving way that Kisho had held Ayame in his
arms and carried her back to the apartment, Taro found it hard to believe that
this was the same man who had humiliated him on so many occasions, the man who
would rush into battles without thought for the consequences, the arrogant king
who had blatantly showed his disrespect to the Prince and had even dared to
openly question him.
Taro sighed. He did not like the man very much and he doubted
whether they would ever become great friends, but at least now he had been
granted some insight into why he was like he was. Ayame was all Kisho had in
way of a family and Taro knew that he would do anything to protect this family.
The same applied to friends and, had Taro not been in awe of the Prince, he
might have noted, as Kisho had done, just how much Mamoru had wanted to give
over his leadership to Zoisite-sama. Kisho was right. Why should they trust
someone just because of the events of a past life that Taro no longer
remembered? They would have to tread carefully, Taro knew. He knew, deep down,
that Zoisite-sama would not harm them, but he wasn’t afraid for that reason.
The past life… it always came down to that irreplaceable and forgotten time.
The past life would come back to haunt them… Taro was sure of it.
*****
Act Fourteen Preview:
“I’m sorry!” he sighed when he recognised the startled
squeals of the Tsukino Kobuta and true the pigtailed girl was bowed down in
front of him, her eyes tightly closed and her hands clapped together in an
apologetic and over the top stance.
Frowning, Mamoru sniped back, “You just appear every where
don’t you? And always knocking into me, too.”
“You again!” Tsukino-san cried in disbelief.
“Why are you in such a hurry anyway?” Mamoru demanded as
he retrieved his helmet from the pavement.
“I’m late, of course!” Tsukino-san pouted, “I was meant to
be at the Juuban Kindergarten twenty minutes ago.
~~~~
Seiichi turned away, “It’s been a long day. I thought I
might get some rest. I’ll be at the studio at nine as usual. Goodnight,
Tetsuya-kun.”
“Seiichi--”
“Goodnight”
Tetsuya sighed, but gave up and left the room. Seiichi
sighed in relief and leaned back on the sofa, briefly closing his eyes. He was
tired, the stresses of the last few days had really taken their toll, and they
weren’t over yet.
He opened his eyes when he felt a presence at his side and
noted the pair of green eyes staring up at him in disproval.
“If you are feeling unwell, you should say,” he was told,
“You cannot continue with the mission if you are only at half strength.”
~~~~~
Usagi shrugged her slender shoulders, “I don’t know” she
had feelings for him, too, but it was all so mixed up! She wanted to scream and
cry from the frustration. Biting her lip, the pigtailed girl turned to her
friend, “Are you angry with me?”
Luna thought for a moment, “You know how I feel about
Tuxedo Kamen and the Prince.”
“I know, but I can’t help how I feel. I’ve been having
dreams about the Prince for a long time, but now that I’ve seen him…” Usagi
trailed off, “I’m confused,” she admitted, “I don’t know what to think
anymore.”
Luna shook her head, “Please, Usagi-chan, just forget
about both of them.”
~~~~
“So, Sailor Moon. We meet again.”
She whirled round, and a gasp formed on her lips, “You
are--”
“I am the Senshi of icy hearts and wild water, Dark
Mercury.”
“Mercury” Sailor Moon whispered through bloodless lips,
“Dark Mercury?”
~~~~
Now the Youma reached out with a fine long nailed hand
towards Usagi and Tuxedo Kamen prepared himself to race to her aid, when her
next words stopped him dead.
“Moon prism power… make up!”