Earth Guardian Prince Endymion

By Senshi of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi

Act Thirty Three Recap:

(Mamoru’s POV)

“I’m not asking you to serve me. I don’t want that. Not in this world.”

“Then what do you want?”

“For us to fight together for the present and not to dwell upon something that is meaningless.”

Kisho paused for a moment and in that short space of time Mamoru dared to hope that it meant that his friend was considering his words.

“If you truly mean that then prove it”

Leaving Usagi was the hardest thing I had ever had to do. I didn’t want too. Taro and Masaki were there as well, and I felt as though I was betraying them, too. That is the burden of being the leader and the Prince, I suppose. I have to make these tough decisions and if it means that Kisho will fight on our side once more then it is worth it.

“There was a Youma,” his friend had confirmed and when Mamoru asked him if he was okay, Taro had answered, “It wasn’t anything that we couldn’t handle.”

I rang Taro anyway, just to make sure that they were all right. I think he understood why I had to do what I did, but he is angry with Kisho anyway and I don’t really blame him. He put me in an unfair position, but there was nothing else I could do. I want us all to fight together. What can be so wrong about that?

“And this has nothing to do with the mission?”

“No” Mamoru frowned, “Aren’t I allowed to call you unless there’s trouble?”

“Of course not, Master.”

“But?”

“I do have a lot of work to catch up on. I’m writing this new piece and Tetsuya wants it finished as soon as possible so that it can be included as a bonus track on my new single.”

I really wish Seiichi would stop calling me ‘Master’. I suppose, as he remembers the past life the most, that is who I am to him, but I wish that he could see who I am in this world and start calling me Mamoru, or even Chiba-san. Even though I’ve now accepted that I am the true Prince, I still don’t want this. In this world things are different. I was a normal person before all of this happened and when its over…? I’m not sure… I can’t seem to think that far ahead anymore…

*****

Act Thirty-Four:

Mamoru paused outside the apartment block, checking the address scrawled down on a scrap of paper as he did so. He was surprised to see how modest a building it was, especially since the Okura had been so luxurious. He had assumed that Seiichi had expensive tastes… perhaps it was Tetsuya’s influence or perhaps Mamoru didn’t know Seiichi as well as he hoped he did.

Mamoru had decided to stop off at Seiichi’s apartment on the way to Crown and make sure that he was going to meet with them. Whether Seiichi would appreciate him checking up on him, Mamoru didn’t know, but he suspected that Seiichi wouldn’t complain either way.

Two security guards dressed in black were observing the building, but seeing as they couldn’t stop people entering the apartment block, Mamoru had no trouble getting in. He was even more surprised when he made it to the correct address without any difficulty at all and there were no guards outside the door.

Hesitantly, Mamoru knocked and seconds later the door was answered by a man in his early thirties with blonde hair and dark eyes. Tetsuya, Mamoru assumed and requested to know if Seiichi was in, despite the sound of a piano being played coming from inside the rooms.

“Why? Who are you?” Tetsuya seemed on edge for reasons that Mamoru couldn’t fathom.

“I’m a friend of his. My name’s Chiba Mamoru.”

“A friend?” Tetsuya repeated quietly, seemingly shocked at this statement.

“Is he in?”

“Yes” Tetsuya held the door open and ushered Mamoru inside, “He’s locked in his room again working on his new song.”

Mamoru hesitated slightly again, “Then I shouldn’t disturb him?”

Tetsuya shrugged, “To tell you the truth I’m a little worried about him.”

“Worried? Why?”

Tetsuya didn’t want to elaborate and instead apologised for his abruptness when he had first answered the door, “Seiichi-kun has never mentioned you” he added to this, “He doesn’t have many friends.”

“I expect he’s too busy” Mamoru answered, not really wanting to talk about his friend behind his back, despite the fact that Tetsuya seemed really concerned.

“He is” Tetsuya nodded and gestured to the closed door, “I’m sure he won’t mind you disturbing him.”

Mamoru wasn’t so sure, but Tetsuya was insistent, as he ‘had come all this way to see Seiichi’. He knocked on the door and the music ceased. Seconds later Seiichi opened the door. He was slightly surprised to see Mamoru and invited him inside and then closed the door again.

His room was a lot smaller than it had been at the Okura but of course this was to be expected, Mamoru thought. A single bed was in one corner and the rest of the room was taken up by a piano. Of course, not a grand piano, but it still seemed to dwarf the rest of the room somewhat.

Various sheet music was scattered about, some on the bed, on the piano itself, but mostly on the floor.

“Did you get my message?” Mamoru asked, keeping his voice low so that Tetsuya couldn’t hear.

Seiichi nodded.

“Were you going to come to Crown?”

“Yes, Master. I had forgotten the time. It happens sometimes when I’m playing the piano,” he admitted and Mamoru smiled slightly.

“Tetsuya-san said you were working on a new piece. What is it called?”

“Kinzuru”

Forbidden, Mamoru thought to himself. Were all Seiichi’s songs this depressing? He hoped not, but decided against commenting on this.

Instead he suggested that they left for Crown. Seiichi was in agreement to this, but there was something troubling him, Mamoru could tell this much and wasn’t too sure whether to call him on the matter or not.

Finally he settled on saying, “Tetsuya-san was worried about you.”

He hoped his voice sounded casual as he said this.

Seiichi paused, “Tetsuya worries too much.”

“Does he have a reason to be?”

“No.”

Mamoru was far from satisfied with this answer, but he couldn’t comment further and it wasn’t really in his nature to do so. Seiichi was just shy, he told himself. He probably didn’t know how to react around Mamoru.

As they left the room, Seiichi called out to Tetsuya that he was going for a walk. His manager did not seem too happy about this, as he was concerned about the number of fans that Seiichi’s presence might attract. Mamoru, too, knew that this was the last thing they really needed right now and quietly voiced his agreement. As soon as Seiichi heard this, he gave Tetsuya permission to call the studio and get them to send an ‘inconspicuous’ car to take them to Crown.

Kinzuru… Mamoru thought to himself as he sat down to wait for the car. For some reason the title of Seiichi’s new song got through to him… and he didn’t know why…

*****

Artemis smiled fondly at Tsukino Usagi as both plushies observed the Princess sleeping. It was a Saturday, which meant that Usagi would sleep in until late so Artemis had taken this opportunity to see Luna alone.

He still missed his companion desperately, but after all that had happened he had been worried about leaving Seiichi’s side. This was part of the reason he was here, Artemis knew. He needed someone to talk too. He didn’t understand why he felt such loyalty to Seiichi now. Venus had regained her memories, but it had not been how Artemis had thought it would be. Venus had not left the Dark Kingdom and had not gone to her Princess’s side, which meant that Artemis had been unable to speak with her… unable to remind her of their partnership.

“If they want to argue among themselves then they can just get on with it. My only concern is protecting the Master from Beryl.”

He shivered slightly at Seiichi’s words. Artemis had hoped that things, given time, would calm down. They hadn’t and, if anything, they had seemed to become more out of his control.

Luna guessed this and hurried to his side, nuzzling him slightly before enquiring to know what was troubling him.

“I miss Venus” Artemis admitted, “I’m so close to having her back and still she… I want to speak to her. I want everything to go back to how it should be.”

“How it should be?” Luna repeated, “You wish for the past life once again?”

“Yes. No… I don’t know.”

“Venus has a loyalty to the other Senshi. She cannot leave without them and you know that.”

“Then I should go to her. I want too, but I can’t… I can’t even see her!”

“I know” Luna said gently, “I miss the Senshi, too, but it’s more than that isn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You’re still worried about him.”

Artemis scowled and looked away, “He lied to me. He hasn’t kept his end of the bargain. Why should I worry about him?”

“He will” Luna answered to this, “If you didn’t trust his word then you wouldn’t have made a deal with him to begin with.”

“Why are you defending him? I thought you hated me for my decision?”

“Not hate, Artemis. I could never hate you, but I am beginning to understand why you made the choices that you did. If Usagi-chan ever… I know I would do exactly the same thing to get her back.”

Artemis was shocked by this admission though he hid it well. Even in this world the Senshi meant everything to Luna… Now that the Princess was awakened and Venus had regained her memories, Artemis knew it was time to forget about helping the Shitennou and become one of the guardian cats once more, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to leave. Seiichi hadn’t even acknowledged his departure today, but Artemis knew how stressful the next few weeks would be for him and Seiichi never really had been that bothered if the plushie was there or not anyway. Artemis knew and had finally recognised that he didn’t want to desert Seiichi and that he felt some sort of comradeship with him, but he still had this inner conflict. If Venus found out… Artemis knew she would be angry. Of course, in the beginning, he had done all of this to save her, but Venus had always been so stubborn. Even if she could understand why Artemis had betrayed the Senshi, she would never be able to accept it and this was what Artemis feared the most.

“That’s not all that’s troubling you is it?” Luna continued, as if guessing his thoughts.

Artemis looked away, suddenly not wanting to be there. “It’s not,” he admitted quietly, “But it is something I have to work out for myself.”

Luna nodded, silence showing her understanding and Artemis left. There was something he had to do… he had to speak with Venus.

*****

For the tenth time, Taro glanced discreetly at his watch before going back to cleaning the floor. He scowled slightly when Masaki noted his unease and smirked in amusement at this. Motoki sat behind the counter, as always, and was feeding Kamekichi. Motoki had been annoyed that Mamoru had disappeared completely yesterday and forgot all about his birthday. Taro had explained that Mamoru had been called away and Motoki had agreed to let the matter drop. He didn’t know what all the fuss was about anyway, Taro thought crossly as he continued cleaning; it was just the stupid aquarium! Some times Motoki could be so childish!

“It is difficult,” she said gently, “Especially as we are meeting in secret.”

“I know” he quickly handed her the box whilst a blush adorned his cheeks, “I saw this in a jewellers and thought of you.”

Mercury was silent as she opened the box. Inside was a small silver pendant in the shape of the Kanji for water. For a moment she said nothing and Taro feared that she didn’t like it.

“I can exchange it if you don’t want it” he said uncomfortably.

“You’ll do no such thing” Mercury snapped, clutching it protectively to her chest, “I love it” she added and leaned forward to give him another kiss.

Try as he might, Taro found himself thinking about Mercury again. He hadn’t seen the Dark Senshi since he had given her the pendant and he was afraid that he might have come on a little too strong. Of course, this notion seemed ridiculous, but Taro knew he had a tendency to be a little possessive and had ruined several past relationships because of this. If he had done anything to upset her, Taro knew that he would never forgive himself. Mercury was different… he really cared about her and wouldn’t ever want to see her hurt… not ever…

“No way!” Motoki’s surprised shout jolted Taro back to the reality of Crown and he almost kicked over the bucket of water again as he turned to yell at his employer for making so much noise. Yet his angry words got stuck in his throat when he saw that Mamoru had just entered Crown… and that Seiichi was with him.

“Masaki seemed to think that Seiichi would want to waste his afternoon with us. I, on the other hand, know that the only way you’ll get him within ten yards of us is if there is a Youma attack.”

Taro knew he looked shocked and did nothing to disguise this and even Masaki seemed surprised to see Seiichi, but before anyone could speak, Motoki raced over to the nonplussed star and thrust a notebook under his noise, demanding an autograph. Seiichi hurriedly did so and then walked quickly to the meeting room without another word, which was unusual, Taro noted.

Motoki, on the other hand, seemed very keen to know just how Mamoru knew Komoro Seiichi.

“We met a while back” he replied, seeming a little distracted as he spoke.

“Amazing” Motoki declared loudly, “Could you bring him with you more often? The last time he came here, our takings tripled!”

Mamoru smiled slightly, but said no more on the subject and hurried after Seiichi. Taro fell into a step behind him on his way to the meeting room and said: “I didn’t think he’d bother coming.”

“Nor did I” Mamoru confided softly, “Which is why I went to his apartment and got him.”

“Really?” Taro was slightly taken aback by this. The apartment that Seiichi was staying at was miles out of Mamoru’s way. “I bet he didn’t like that.”

Mamoru smiled slightly, “He wouldn’t complain about it.”

Taro scowled, “Not if you went. I bet he’d have something to say if it was one of us.”

Mamoru shook his head, “I thought you liked him?”

“I do, but there’s something wrong… I’m not sure what though.”

“You read too much into things” Mamoru scolded, “He’s just shy.”

“I know what you must think of me and it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. My only concern is protecting our Master. I have no time for your petty battles.”

Shy, Taro thought to himself, yeah… right…

Seiichi was seated at the table when the three of them entered the room, but stood as soon as he saw Mamoru and would not sit down again until Mamoru had and then chose to sit right across the other side of the room from them. Taro frowned upon this, but refrained from commenting as Mamoru explained to Seiichi and Masaki about what happened when he spoke to Kisho.

“Do you think it made a difference?” Masaki asked quietly when Mamoru had finished.

“I don’t know” he answered, “I hoped it might, but I hated leaving that Youma… I never want to do it again,” he admitted quietly.

What he really meant was that he never wanted to leave Usagi again, Taro thought, but decided that it would be grossly unwise to mention the Princess at the moment.

Taro wasn’t sure what he thought about Kisho anymore. He understood where his friend was coming from, but he also felt the same as Mamoru, that they should work together.

“Shall I talk to Kunzite, Master?” Seiichi offered at length.

‘Master?’ Taro frowned at this and noted Mamoru’s discomfort at the use of this term, but he refrained from saying anything and replied:

“I doubt it will do any good, Seiichi, thank you.”

Seiichi nodded, but added that someone had to get Kunzite to see that he was one of the Shitennou, too, and that his duty was to the ‘Master’.

Mamoru became increasingly more agitated at this term and Taro was grateful when Motoki burst into the room again.

“Mamoru-kun, there’s someone from the hospital on the phone for you.”

Mamoru sighed, explaining that it was probably Hina calling to say that she was working late or something and followed Motoki back outside into the reception. Taro sighed and leaned back in his chair.

“How’s the piano playing going?” he asked Seiichi in a bid to try and make conversation.

“Fine, thank you” came the slightly guarded reply and Taro didn’t know what to make of this at all.

“When will your new single be out?” Masaki added, trying to coax more conversation out of the quietest member of their group.

“I’m not sure. I’ll let you have a copy before it hits the shops if you like.”

Again, he sounded on guard and a little tense. Taro shook his head, just when he thought he understood someone…

The door opened Mamoru came back into the room. Seiichi stood and Taro found himself doing the same, but only because the colour had drained from Mamoru’s face and he looked almost sick. He slumped down heavily in a chair. He was shaking, and Taro had to prompt him twice to get an answer out of him.

“Hina…” Mamoru murmured, his eyes seemingly staring at a point on the wall above Taro’s head. They were misted over and carried the same sense of foreboding that was now starting to eat away at Taro’s heart, “She’s been attacked.”

“Attacked?” Masaki repeated.

Mamoru nodded, now trying to stand again, “I have to go… she’s at the hospital… I have to go to her…”

“You’re in no fit state to drive anywhere,” Masaki pointed out, “I’ll call a taxi.”

“No” Seiichi stopped him before he could cross the room, “Let me call the studio. They can send a car straight away. It will be quicker.”

Taro wasn’t sure he liked this idea, thinking of the car that Seiichi had arrived in the other day, and was about to voice his protests when Mamoru nodded, showing his agreement to this and the two men hurried out of the meeting room.

Who the hell does he think he is? Taro thought to himself as he and Masaki followed them.

*****

It took less than two minutes after Seiichi made the call for the car to arrive; a black Mercedes. Motoki couldn’t come with them as someone had to look after Crown and Taro told his employer, in no uncertain terms, that he was going with Mamoru. Motoki hadn’t protested as much as Taro feared he would, probably guessing that this was something that he was best out of.

Hina… she’s been attacked…

Attacked? Taro wanted to ask more questions, but judging from Mamoru’s state of mind it couldn’t be good and he held his tongue.

Now they had reached the hospital, Mamoru’s quiet demeanour had faded and he all but ran inside to the reception, demanding to know where Hina was. The receptionist wasn’t sure and this added to Mamoru’s panic.

“Please take a seat,” she said, whilst trying not to stare at Seiichi for too long in disbelief, “I’ll try to find out what’s going on.”

“Mamoru” Taro said quickly when his friend looked like he was going to argue, “You should do as she says. You can’t see Hina like this anyway.”

“I know” Mamoru whispered as he did as Taro suggested, “I know…”

Seiichi sat down beside him, ignoring the looks of the other patients and Taro sat down next to him and Masaki the other side of Mamoru. No one spoke. Taro didn’t know what to say. Mamoru didn’t usually act like this. It had to be bad… he had said attacked, but who would want to hurt Hina? It didn’t make any sense. Taro had only met her a few times and she seemed like a nice girl. There was no reason for anyone to harm her… was there?

“Chiba Mamoru?”

Taro glanced up as a doctor approached. She was in her early thirties with shoulder length dark brown hair and hazel coloured eyes. She wore a spotless white uniform and carried a clipboard under one arm.

Mamoru stood up, “Yes? Is Hina--”

“I’m Doctor Arisawa” she interrupted him, “I’ve been looking after Kusaka Hina. I understand that her parents are in England and that your are her fiancé?”

Mamoru nodded, “How is she?”

Dr Arisawa glanced at Taro and then at Seiichi and Masaki, “I think we should continue this conversation in private.”

“It’s okay” Mamoru said quietly, the seriousness of her voice was starting to frighten him, and Taro couldn’t blame him. There was something in Arisawa-san’s voice… he didn’t like. “They can hear this, too.”

Dr Arisawa nodded, “Come with me.”

Mamoru did so, following her through the reception and Taro could only assume that they were going to see Hina. This assumption proved wrong when Dr Arisawa led them to another waiting room, this one was unoccupied and she led them inside and then took a seat gesturing to them to do the same.

Mamoru refused, demanding to see Hina.

“Chiba-san” Dr Arisawa said kindly, “Please sit down.”

“Mamoru--” Masaki started, but Mamoru shook his head.

“I want to see Hina.”

“Chiba-san” Dr Arisawa reached out and placed a hand on his arm, “Your fiancée died at 10.15 this morning.”

For a moment or two Mamoru ceased pacing and stood stock-still. His face betrayed no emotion as he struggled to take this in. “I don’t understand” he said in a choked whisper, “I spoke to her this morning. I kissed her goodbye. There has to be a mistake!”

Dr Arisawa shook her head, “I’m sorry, but there is no mistake. She was admitted at 9.15 this morning and died at 9.44.”

“Chiba-san” Seiichi stood up, hurrying to Mamoru’s side, unable to call Mamoru ‘Master’ here he had settled on using his surname. “Sit down.”

Mamoru did so and Seiichi sat beside him, the look on the pianist’s face clearly showing that he was as shocked as the rest of them.

“What happened?” Mamoru whispered quietly after a few minutes. Tears were now visible in his eyes as he spoke.

“Your fiancée was stabbed once in the chest. A neighbour in your apartment block found her and called an ambulance. We estimate that she had been attacked at approximately 9.00 this morning.”

“Stabbed?” Mamoru repeated weakly, “9.00? That was just after I left. I don’t understand it! How could this happen? She didn’t have any enemies. Everyone loved her…” he broke off and rested his head in his hands, exhaling deeply for a few moments as fine tremors racked his body.

Taro wanted to say something, but what was there to say? Saying that he was sorry wouldn’t comfort Mamoru and it certainly wouldn’t bring Hina back. They all sat in silence, listening to Dr Arisawa explaining how she had tried to contact Hina’s parents, but with little success.

Mamoru didn’t seem to be taking any of this in. He simply stared at the wall above the doctor’s head, only nodding to her questions when prompted by Seiichi.

“The police are here” Dr Arisawa said gently, “They would like to talk to you, Chiba-san.”

“The police?” he repeated weakly, “Why?”

“Your fiancée was murdered. They have to speak to you so that they can find out who killed her.”

“Now?” Masaki voiced the doubts that Taro was feeling, “You’ve just told him that his fiancée is dead and now you expect him to speak to the police?”

Dr Arisawa shook her head, “I know it seems cold, but they would prefer to speak with Chiba-san as soon as possible.”

As she said this there was a knock at the door and two plain-clothed police officers entered, requesting that they speak to Mamoru in private.

“Alone?” Taro said doubtfully.

Mamoru, also, didn’t seem to like the idea of having to speak to the police alone.

“I’ll stay” Seiichi volunteered, “If that’s alright?” he added, turning to the policemen.

“Chiba-san?”

Mamoru nodded slightly and the police hurriedly ushered Taro, Masaki and the doctor from the room. Once outside, Taro pulled Masaki aside and hissed angrily:

“Who the hell does he think he is? We’ve known Mamoru for much longer than he has. What suddenly gives him the right to wait with him?”

Masaki shrugged, “I don’t know, but it wasn’t deliberate. Seiichi’s not like that.”

“Then what the hell was it like?”

“Taro, calm down. This isn’t going to help Mamoru” Masaki snapped.

Taro knew that Masaki was right, but he still felt angry with Seiichi. Of course, they were all loyal to Mamoru, but he was no longer the ‘Master’ from the past life. They were friends. Seiichi couldn’t seem to accept this. It was obvious that he wanted as little to do with them as possible and this hurt Taro slightly. Had it always been this way? Surely in the past life the Shitennou had been close? He sighed to himself and ceased pacing. He didn’t know. He didn’t remember the past life and the obvious pain that it brought them all.

*****

Artemis padded down the back streets of Tokyo, slightly on edge as he did so as he recalled Luna’s words.

“Not hate, Artemis. I could never hate you, but I am beginning to understand why you made the choices that you did. If Usagi-chan ever… I know I would do exactly the same thing to get her back.”

Venus… with growing horror, Artemis realised how he had allowed Seiichi to forget about his friend. How he had decided to trust Seiichi and entrust that Venus would be saved! This was not the case. Venus was still in the Dark Kingdom; though under her own will and not Beryl’s, but nevertheless a prisoner because she wanted to help her friends.

She hadn’t changed… not deep down… Artemis knew she could not leave Mars and the others and he understood that. It didn’t mean that he had to agree with it, though. Artemis didn’t trust the other Senshi. Metallia’s evil had distorted their personalities. Mars was not Venus’s closest friend and confidant in this world. Mars wanted leadership of the Senshi and Artemis feared of what she might do to obtain this.

Artemis came to a standstill, recalling his Princess’s words when she had finally awakened from her slumber that morning:

If you really miss Venus… I’m supposed to be meeting her at the Dockyard today. You could go in my place and talk to her if you like.

Tsukino Usagi… always wanting to help others in this world. A far cry from the Princess who she had been before. A Princess who had, had a hand in the destruction of the Earth and the Moon.

Sure enough, as Artemis waited with baited breath, a figure stepped out of the shadows.

“Princess?” Venus called uncertainly.

Artemis padded slowly towards her, “Venus?” he whispered.

*****

Taro wasn’t sure how long he and Masaki had been waiting in the reception at the hospital. It must have been at least an hour, he thought to himself. An hour in which Taro found himself getting increasingly angry at the situation. It was frustrating that they couldn’t do anything to help Mamoru. They didn’t even know what was going on!

Taro supposed they were partly in shock. He had only met Hina once or twice, but she was always more than polite to him. She was quiet and well spoken and certainly didn’t deserve this. What kind of monster could do this to someone in cold blood?

“Taro” Masaki hissed, standing as Mamoru and Seiichi came back out of the waiting room. Mamoru did not meet his friend’s gaze or even react when Taro called to him. Brushing by, Mamoru simply hurried out of the hospital double doors.

“Mamoru!” Taro made to go after him, but he felt someone grab his arm.

“Leave him” Seiichi said quietly, “He’s grieving. Let him be on his own.”

This sentence, though Taro knew deep down that Seiichi meant nothing by it, suddenly filled him with that dangerous anger that Kanaye was always telling him was so destructive and Taro couldn’t help but tear his arm from Seiichi’s grasp and snarl back, right in his face, “What the hell do you know about grief?”

Seiichi actually stepped back a pace or two in shock. Without awaiting Masaki’s reaction to this, Taro raced out of the hospital after Mamoru.

*****

“Your fiancée died at 9.44 this morning.”

“You’ve just told him that his fiancée is dead and now you expect him to speak to the police?”

Mamoru fled the hospital, ignoring Taro calling him to come back. He couldn’t think straight… Hina was… Hina was dead… tears burned brightly at the backs of his eyes as he raced through the crowded streets, pushing passed various people as he struggled to get away, though Mamoru didn’t know for the life of him where he was going to go. Hina was dead… Hina had been murdered. Why would anyone want to harm her? Hina was a good, no, wonderful person. How was he going to tell her parents? How did you tell your fiancée’s parents that she was lying cold in a morgue? How did you tell her parents that she had been murdered? That she had asked him to stay with her and he had refused. He was supposed to look after her. Hina’s father had trusted him to look after his ‘little girl’ and Hina was dead. She was dead… she was dead… she was gone. Hina who had worshipped him since they were children. She was gone… he would never hear her laugh again, see her smile… hold her…

Mamoru stopped, staggering slightly as grief and pain threatened to overwhelm him.

Hina…

He could barely breathe. He could still feel the warmth of her lips against his own as he kissed her goodbye that one final time.

Mamoru turned away, suddenly wanting to simply run, as though by doing so he could leave all his pain behind.

As he turned, he knocked into someone, causing the other person to fall to the ground. Mamoru, managing to get out hold of himself long enough to apologise, looked around and gasped slightly.

Tsukino Usagi was stumbling to her feet, “I might have guessed it would be you,” she groaned as she rubbed at her lower back in pain, “But for once you’re running into me!” she added brightly. Then her gaze suddenly turned downcast as though she had only just recalled what had happened between them.

Mamoru shook his head and turned away. Nothing mattered anymore… not now that Hina was gone. If he had only paid her a little more attention instead of allowing Usagi to enter his head every time that they were alone…

“Mamoru?” Usagi fell into a step beside him, oblivious to his pain, “I-I respect your decision. I hope you and Hina will be happy together.”

This sentence was like a knife in his heart and Mamoru swung around and all but shouted at the pigtailed girl:

“Hina’s dead!”

Usagi gasped, dropping her bag on the sidewalk as she struggled to digest this new information.

“Hina’s dead” Mamoru repeated, “But that doesn’t mean that now she’s gone I am just going to forget about her and fall in love with you just because of who we were in the past life.”

This was designed to hurt her, but Usagi gently placed a hand on his arm, compassion was the only emotion in her eyes as she said quietly, “I’m sorry. Hina-san was… she was a lovely person.”

Mamoru wanted to scream at her. That this simple empathy couldn’t bring his fiancée back. That no matter how much he tried he couldn’t block out his feelings for Usagi, even now and that he hated her for it. He was supposed to be grieving and instead he was… Mamoru bit his lip and forced down more tears. He didn’t know what he thought/felt anymore.

Tentatively Usagi stepped forwards and wrapped her arms around him. Momentarily shocked, Mamoru returned her embrace, recognising it as an act of compassion. There were no hidden agendas where Tsukino Usagi was concerned. He had lost someone he loved and she just wanted to take the pain away, so Mamoru let her. He just didn’t know what else to do anymore…

*****

Beryl stood alone in her throne room. She preferred to be alone these days. Alone she could think only of the Prince and that the time when he would finally belong to her was soon nearing. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore. Even the constant presence of Metallia could not draw Beryl away from such thoughts. Why else had she waged war against the Earth Kingdom if not for Endymion? She had strived to show him how great her love was by showing him how weak the Princess was. Yes… Serenity was weak. The world had been destroyed… and by her own hand. The Princess was weak… but the Shitennou were strong… or were they?

Already Kunzite was drifting further apart from them. Already they were arguing among themselves. Beryl cracked a half smile at this and the memory of what he shadow had achieved in the Earth Realm. Now the only things that stood between Beryl and Endymion were the Shitennou and the Princess. The Princess would be easy to deal with. She was weak, but the Shitennou, even on their own, were strong.

Beryl’s smile widened at this. Up until now she had been seeing the Shitennou as a nuisance, but that was before. Before she saw how Endymion was with them through the eyes of her shadow. How he cared deeply about each of them as they were now and not just as his guardians from the past life. Beryl could use this as she could use Kunzite’s divided loyalties. She would force the oldest of them to question his friendships with the other Tennou and Endymion. She would make him see that there was nothing he could do alone to stop the past from repeating. No one could do anything alone…

*****

Taro had given up looking for Mamoru; indeed he hadn’t really intended to go after him anyway. Not after what Seiichi had said. Instead Taro went home, finding one message on his answer phone from Masaki explaining that Mamoru was staying at Motoki’s for a while as the police had deemed that the apartment was off limits due to the fact that it was a crime scene. According to Masaki, they hadn’t even been that keen on letting Mamoru get some of his things. Taro sighed to himself as he slumped down on the sofa. What a day. What a mess… as if they didn’t have enough problems already!

His anger had gone, and Taro felt stupid for even getting angry to start with. He was left with this horrible burned out feeling where his anger had been and it continued to eat away inside him, even now.

It was the uncertainty of the past few weeks, Taro decided. He hadn’t meant to snap at Seiichi like that. He hadn’t meant to get so… so jealous, he supposed it was jealousy. There wasn’t any other words to describe how he had been feeling. This is itself was ridiculous, Taro ridiculed himself. Seiichi was a friend. One of them. If anything he should be angry with Kisho for deserting them when Mamoru obviously needed their cooperation and instead Taro had succeeded in alienating them further!

Well, what was done was done, he said to himself. There wasn’t a lot he could do about it now and he certainly didn’t want to make more of a mess of things. He doubted Seiichi had given his words another thought anyway.

Still Taro hated this. He hated sitting around and waiting for something to happen. He hated the fact that no matter how many Youma they killed the Dark Kingdom continued to get stronger. He hated that they were always living on a knife-edge and didn’t even know if they could trust each other. And still Taro did not recall the past life. It was as a bigger mystery to him as it ever was and a small part of him envied the other Tennou because of this.

He was also concerned about Mercury still. Now that he was alone, Taro found himself willing that the Dark Senshi would appear before him. He just wanted to see that she was all right. If anything happened to her…

Taro jumped slightly when the phone rang. He snatched it up quickly, all too glad for the distraction.

“What?” Taro snapped, a little abruptly and it took Masaki a moment or two to reply.

“There’s some Youma, near the hospital.”

A battle… Taro almost smiled. That would take his mind off of things for a while.

Still… there was something in Masaki’s voice that gave Taro cause for concern.

“I’ll be there in a minute,” he answered, hanging up even as he transformed.

Nephrite was glad of the distraction, though this brief conversation made him uneasy and he wasn’t sure why.

*****

Mamoru felt slightly hesitant as he turned the corner on his way to Motoki’s house. He had only an overnight bag – the police assuring him that he would be able to go back to the apartment tomorrow and collect some more of this things – but Mamoru did not want to go back there. To him the apartment seemed empty now, even with all the police there. He couldn’t even take comfort in the memories that lay inside those walls. Not when Hina had died there… now the rooms were hollow. There were no happy memories to take comfort in, just darkness, like the cloud that was settling over Mamoru’s heart.

Usagi had insisted in calling Motoki and asking if Mamoru could stay with him and he let her. Mamoru recalled Taro-tachi at the hospital, but he didn’t think he could face them. He didn’t want to speak with them just yet.

The police interview had been an ordeal as it was and even Seiichi’s presence hadn’t helped matters. Mamoru had been unable to answer most of their questions. He didn’t know of anyone who would want Hina dead. He didn’t see anyone suspicious hanging around the apartment and Hina had no enemies. Then the questions started to get personal. How was his relationship with Hina? Did you argue at all? Did you love her? That last one stung the most. Of course Mamoru had loved her, but not like he loved Usagi. He thought about her, even now, and Mamoru hated himself for it.

Motoki’s house was now in sight, his friend had given him a key and had complained that Taro had decided to take the rest of the day off without telling him. Mamoru had said nothing to this, dismissing Motoki’s concerns and insisted that he would be all right to go back to the house alone. Mamoru wanted to be alone, which was probably the reason why he hadn’t called the others. He couldn’t face them right now…

“Mamoru-kun?”

He glanced up when he heard his name being called.

“What was that all about?” Mamoru enquired once she had gone.

“She asked me to write a backing piece for her new single” Seiichi replied, “She’s been on at me to for about a month now.”

“Why don’t you? She seems pretty keen.”

“I don’t like her, Master.”

“Why not?”

Seiichi shrugged, keeping his expression guarded, “There is something about her. Please stay away from her.”

“Kuroki Mio?” Mamoru asked quietly, his voice sounding hollow to his ears, “What are you doing here?”

She was seated on the wall outside Motoki’s house, but jumped down when he addressed and walked slowly towards him, a wolfish smile spread across her face.

“I happened to be in the neighbourhood” she said, licking her lips after speaking, “Do you live round here?”

“No” Mamoru took a step back, recalling what Seiichi had said about her. At the time it had seemed ridiculous, but now he was alone with the girl. Seiichi was right. There was something about her, a frightening sense of familiarity that made Mamoru’s skin crawl.

“That’s right” Mio nodded slowly, “You’re staying with your friend; the normal one.”

“Normal one?”

Mio giggled and placed a hand on his shoulder, “I heard about Hina. I’m sorry, Mamoru-kun.”

Mamoru jerked away at the mention of his fiancée. “How do you know about Hina?” he whispered.

“It was on the news” Mio shook her head, “Why are you so suspicious all of the time? I just wanted to see if you were all right?”

“I am.”

“I’m glad.”

She stepped forward again; her gaze locked on Mamoru’s own and he felt unable to look away. He felt her place a hand on his cheek before leaning up to brush her lips against his own.

At this touch it was as though a spell was broken. Mamoru pushed her, roughly, backwards and she fell to the floor uttering a surprised cry as she did so. Normally, Mamoru would be horrified that he had hurt a girl but her touch had sent shivers down his spine. It was as though a serpent had slivered across him. Mamoru turned away, even as Mio called plaintively after him:

“Mamoru-kun?”

Hina… she hadn’t even been dead for a day! Tears blurred in his eyes as Mamoru all but ran up the path and hurriedly unlocked the door. Once inside he slammed it and leaned back against the door, listening to Mio’s calls.

Hina…

Mamoru blocked everything else from his mind… nothing else mattered… not anymore…

*****

Mio couldn’t control her rage when Endymion ran from her embrace. What was the matter with him? She had killed for him! That was how great her love for him was! She turned away, her fists clenched at her sides so hard that her nails dug into the palms of her hands and drew blood.

She had killed that Jezebel. Would she have to kill Usagi-chan, too? How many more would have to die before Endymion loved her?

Yet it was how it had always been. Endymion ignored her very existence. There was no room for another in his heart. There were other ways. There was always another way. Mio turned and stalked away, a plan already forming in her mind. She cast away her fury; closing her eyes she could see the battle between two of the Tennou and the Youma taking place. Mio smiled as her anger left her. She had found a better use for such emotions…

*****

As he turned back to the others, Taro couldn’t help but utter a shocked gasp as several other Youma appeared. It was strange… they seemed to be bubbling up through the concrete itself.

Shaking this off, Taro transformed, as did his friends, and then did a double take as he recognised the cloaked Youma as being almost the same as the ones they had defended Zoisite from in the park before.

It didn’t take Nephrite long to find the Youma. Outside the hospital several nurses and patients were slumped down on the concrete unconscious.

He came to a standstill in shock when he recognised the same Youma that he had killed twice already. How difficult to kill are these guys? He wondered to himself. Zoisite and Jadeite were fighting, but Nephrite could see why Jadeite had called him. Despite the fact that the Youma were bordering on stupid, they were strong and there was at least a dozen of them.

Nephrite drew his sword and entered the battle, stabbing the closest one to Jadeite in the back. At last, something he could vent his anger on without having to worry about the consequences afterwards.

Jadeite shot him a grateful smile and struck the second one, knocking it to the ground in a swift downward arch. Yet no sooner had it fell down, did it get back up again, as did the one Nephrite had struck down seconds before.

He ducked, managing to avoid one swiping at his head, but as soon as he turned around to strike it, another leapt at him from behind. Nephrite jumped backwards and the two struck each other instead, falling down at his feet. Swiftly he hurled a fireball at them. The two Youma screamed and disappeared, only to reappear moments later behind Zoisite. The white haired Tennou barely had time to shield himself from their attack as more bubbled up through the concrete at Nephrite’s feet.

“What is this?” he shouted over the roar of the battle as he backed away, unsure of what to do as five more appeared in front of him.

Nephrite jumped slightly as he backed straight into Jadeite. Looking around he saw more encircling them. They were everywhere! What the hell was this?

Nephrite teleported as the Youma, moving as one, lunged at them. His fellow Tennou did, too, and they reappeared behind the Youma, swiftly throwing attacks of magic at them as they struck each other instead of their intended targets.

Then, without warning, they sunk back down into the ground.

Nephrite glanced around the now calm landscape in confusion.

“Where did they go?” these words had barely escaped his lips when the ground behind him exploded. It felt like a sledgehammer had struck him directly between the shoulder blades. Nephrite was unable to mute the cry of pain that escaped him as he struck the dirt, landing on his stomach, his sword flying from his fingertips. Zoisite landed beside him, immediately struggling to get up and failing. Jadeite was to his right.

Nephrite gripped the gravel under his fingertips, unable to stop himself from de-transforming before the Youma’s eyes. Glancing again at his comrades he saw that it was the same for them. Something was draining their strength and those something’s were now advancing towards them once more…

Then they stopped and, slowly, they began to flicker and fade until there was nothing left to be seen where they had been standing. As they disappeared, Taro found his strength returning and he managed to stand, extending a hand to Seiichi once he had righted himself. His friend glanced warily at the offered palm and did not take it, stumbling to his feet on his own. Taro frowned slightly and turned away, enquiring to know how Masaki was instead. His other friend nodded shakily and then voiced the question that was on all of their lips:

“What was that?”

“That power” Taro added, “I’ve never felt anything like it before…”

“You wouldn’t have” Seiichi answered quietly, “They weren’t normal Youma. They were a part of Queen Metallia.”

“Queen Metallia?” Masaki repeated.

“Metallia is nearing her full awakening” Seiichi explained, “Those Youma will continue to appear as her vassals in this world until she awakens fully. The Ginzuishou is her anchor in this world. It is the Ginzuishou that feeds these Youma.”