Earth Guardian Prince Endymion

By Senshi of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi

Act Twenty Six Recap:

(Mamoru’s POV)

Now that the Princess has been revealed, the Dark Kingdom seeks to steal the illusionary Ginzuishou from her.

“Dark Jupiter” Beryl said, causing the Senshi to look up, “Venus can no longer fight so I leave things to you. Find the Princess and kill her and return the Ginzuishou to me.”

Jupiter stood, bowing once before replying, “As you wish, your majesty. Come the sunset, the Ginzuishou will belong to the Dark Kingdom.”

I want to protect her, but we are all divided over what to do about the Princess. The Princess destroyed the planet and is, therefore, our enemy.

“Kisho, I don’t want to fall out with you over this” Mamoru stated softly, “But I won’t hurt Usagi.”

“I didn’t say I was going to kill her,” Kisho snapped back, almost defensively. “The Princess gains her powers from the Ginzuishou. If we take the Ginzuishou from her…” he trailed off when he saw the look on Mamoru’s face. “What? Surely you don’t have a problem with that?”

Kisho is afraid and I understand this, but how can I hurt Usagi? I love her but she is in love with the Prince… my Prince.

Now even the Shitennou’s loyalty to Zoisite-sama is wavering.

“I’m not, and I don’t feel guilty. Given the choice I would do the same thing again. My loyalty lies with you, not Zoisite.”

As Masaki knows who Zoisite-sama really is I asked him to speak with him. Masaki seemed reluctant and I did feel bad for putting him in a position where he was the go-between us and our Prince, but Zoisite-sama had, to some extent, created this mess and he’s now leaving me to sort things out. I know the leader shouldn’t complain so much, but I never asked for this.

“Yes” Masaki snapped, “I’ll speak to him. Just get off of my back about it, okay?”

“Fine” Mamoru held up his hands, “But I don’t understand your reluctance.”

“Do you think I want to give one of my friend’s the third degree over this? Do you think I like being the go between you and him?”

“No, I just--”

“Just forget it.”

I feel as though I am slowly losing control of the situation and I hate feeling this way. Why can’t we all be united in our goal? Surely Zoisite-sama trusts us to protect him? I don’t know… I just don’t know if I even trust him anymore…

*****

Act Twenty-Seven

“Daijobu?”

“I-I’m fine…”

He nodded, and Usagi shuddered at the coldness of his gaze.

She broke contact and slowly reached out to grasp her transformation locket. During the battle it had been kicked towards her and now lay open between them. The Ginzuishou shone brightly in the sunlight, until her shaking hand curled around it. Usagi held her breath, expecting another fight as Jadeite stared upon it.

Then, taking her completely by surprise, he stood and turned away.

“Usagi-chan! Good morning!”

Usagi jumped slightly as her mind relived the fight the day before and she blushed slightly as one hand curled around her locket as Naru-chan raced up to her.

It was a school day and a chance for Usagi to forget about the Ginzuishou and the Prince and she readily welcomed this. She had missed hanging out with Naru-chan after school, too, and this could be the perfect opportunity to catch up.

“Did you learn those English verbs that we were supposed to last night?” Usagi wanted to know after the greetings were out of the way. Usagi had become so behind in her schoolwork lately that she dreaded to think what Haruna-sensei would say.

“Mou, Usagi-chan” Naru mock pouted, “Of course I did, but don’t worry, if we have a test you can copy my answers again.”

“Arigato, Naru-chan!” Usagi smiled happily and then gasped as she remembered something, “Here’s the CD you lent me!” she pulled the latest Komoro Seiichi single out of her bag and handed it to her friend.

“Oh” Naru said, a little blankly as she reached out to take it, “Thank you.”

“I loved it” Usagi continued eagerly, “The music was so beautiful and--”

“It was okay,” Naru allowed before adding, “Have you heard the latest Kuroki Mio single?”

“Kuroki Mio?” Usagi frowned slightly. She didn’t think Naru-chan liked Kuroki Mio. Usagi certainly didn’t. There was something about the girl… something cold and Usagi didn’t like her one bit.

“Here” Naru produced another CD from her bag, “You should listen to it” the way she said it, it was though it was the most important thing in the world and this made Usagi uneasy. She shook her head and handed the CD back to her friend.

“That’s all right. I’m not really a fan.”

“Oh” Naru said, a little taken aback and a horrible tense silence fell upon them before the girl brightened and added, “Well that doesn’t matter. We should hurry or we will be late for class.”

Usagi hesitated slightly as Naru ran ahead and up the steps towards the school building.

Kuroki Mio…

For some reason the name sent shivers down Usagi’s spine. She didn’t like it… she didn’t like it one bit…

*******

Smoke seared at his eyes, pouring down his throat as he cried out for his comrades, though the screams of the dying blocked out even his own voice. Kunzite ran faster, icy panic gripping at his heart as his eyes darted wildly to the destruction around him.

The kingdom… the beautiful marble palace lay in ruins. The people crushed underneath fallen masonry. Smoke now covered the sun and blotted out the sky. It gave Kunzite a chill to behold and at the same time was familiar. With it came anger. Anger so immense that he almost crashed to his knees. The Princess… all was her doing…

“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 Kunzite’s throat as he recognised two of his friends lying lifelessly on the ground.

“Jadeite… Nephrite…” he whispered. Kunzite stepped forwards as his gaze locked upon a third person lying further away. In all the dust and smoke, Kunzite 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… Kunzite screamed until his throat was hoarse and searing in pain from the tiny dust particles that clouded the air around him and found their way into his mouth. He coughed, sinking to his knees as he choked on the air around him.

“Kunzite?” a voice caused him to look up as two shadows appeared among the ruins. With the sun blotted out by the evil that surrounded him, Kunzite could only see outlines of the pair who moved slowly towards him, hand in hand.

“Master…” he whispered, his voice having a hardened edge to it as he spoke, “Princess… All of this… how many more will suffer? Jadeite, Nephrite, your own people! When will it end?”

The Prince had no answer and Kunzite stood, unsheathing his sword, he took a step towards them, “Is this how it will be? Then so be it”

He turned away; he could never strike down his Prince, but all of this… He would never forgive him. The Earth’s destruction was caused by the one man who was supposed to defend it.

Kisho shuddered slightly at the recollection of his most terrible memory and struggled to concentrate on continuing his karate lesson. His head swam with all these different thoughts. The destruction of the Earth in the past life, the Princess, Sailor Moon… Mamoru… Kisho found it difficult to concentrate on anything anymore. He scowled slightly, and dismissed the class. A few boys complained, but when they sensed the mood that their sensei was in they quickly exited the building.

Kisho, relieved, sat down and closed his eyes. Meditation used to help clear his head, but recently all it had served to do was cause him more grief. Every time he shut his eyes the memories of the past life haunted him. He could see his friends lying dead before him.

Jadeite… Nephrite and then Zoisite with the Princess. Kisho frowned slightly at this, wondering briefly why Mamoru was not there, too. Perhaps he escaped the destruction, Kisho reasoned and this seemed like a reasonable assumption. After all, he had done, too, though Kisho bitterly wished that he hadn’t.

The bang of the door slamming loudly back against the wall caused Kisho to open his eyes.

“Taro-kun?” he questioned when he saw his friend pausing by the open door, as though unsure whether or not to enter.

Taro smiled slightly and stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him.

“I was thinking” Taro said as he made his way other to Kisho and sat down beside him, “Do you remember when we first met?”

Kisho nodded silently and Taro continued.

“I didn’t think that you could be trusted and now we understand each other.”

He smirked, “Let me guess. Mamoru-kun told you to come here and tell me this and then tell me that it is the same with Zoisite-sama, right?”

Taro scowled, “Well it is!”

“No. It is not. All the Prince cares for is the Princess. He has proved this in both lives.”

“That isn’t true and Mamoru didn’t tell me to come here. I do not like your attitude.”

“The Princess--”

“Destroyed the world and, yes, we should keep Tsukino Usagi away from Zoisite-sama, but she needs the Ginzuishou to save her Senshi.”

“The Ginzuishou is the most powerful tool in the universe. Are you saying that we should let her keep it?”

“I don’t know.”

Kisho stood, “Then what are you saying?”

“That we should trust Zoisite-sama.”

“You seem to forget that he couldn’t care less when you were captured. He would not even stay to see if you were all right!”

“He did” Taro said quietly, “You recall how bad I was afterwards. Zoisite-sama helped me. I trust him.”

Kisho snarled under his breath and turned away, “This is just great. Does the man have no honour? Why can he not tell me all this himself?”

Taro shrugged, “I’m not here to fight in his corner. I’m here because we have to be united as the Shitennou of the Earth Kingdom. If the Dark Kingdom sees that we are weakening… Mamoru-kun is our leader so let him decide what is best. When the time comes I am sure that he will let us make up our own minds.”

Kisho frowned. Something had changed in his friend. He could almost sense it. Taro had never cared about Sailor Moon or the Dark Senshi before now. Perhaps his time in the Dark Kingdom had affected him more than he let on? Still, deep down, Kisho recalled his agreement with Mamoru. That they would wait and see what Zoisite-sama had to say about the Princess. Whereas Kisho did not trust Zoisite, he did trust Mamoru and would be content to leave Sailor Moon be… for now. But if the choice came between her and his friends, Kisho wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.

Taro smiled, as though sensing this and said: “Mamoru did send me to find you, though. He wanted us to meet in Crown.”

Kisho nodded in agreement to this.

He would let things lie… for now at least…

******

“Class. Today I would like to introduce a new friend to you” Haruna-sensei said brightly as she placed her hands upon the girl who stood in front of the class’s shoulders.

“I am Kuroki Mio,” the girl declared and a stunned silence befell the class.

Usagi stared with them. Her mouth hanging slightly agape as she locked gazes with the pretty idol. Kuroki Mio? In their class? Usagi felt a chill go down her spine as Kuroki-san smiled wolfishly and Usagi’s classmates, including Naru, erupted in excited screams as they raced forward to get Kuroki Mio’s autograph or simply to shake her hand.

All the while this was going on Usagi simply sat at her desk, ignoring the screams of her fellow classmates.

“Here” Naru produced another CD from her bag, “You should listen to it” the way she said it, it was though it was the most important thing in the world and this made Usagi uneasy. She shook her head and handed the CD back to her friend.

“That’s all right. I’m not really a fan.”

“Oh” Naru said.

Usagi shivered again, but was quickly interrupted from such thoughts when Naru grabbed her arm.

“Usagi-chan, come on!” she indicated that Haruna-sensei was just about to take a photo of the class with the pop idol. Usagi hesitated slightly, but Naru’s grip on her arm was firm. She found herself being dragged towards Mio’s desk where the other students were pushing and shouting, as Haruna-sensei got ready with the camera.

Naru beamed and struck a pose, letting go of Usagi as she did so. Hurriedly, Usagi moved away, to the back of the class and watched uneasily as her friends continued to surround Kuroki Mio. She didn’t like this… she didn’t like this at all…

*****

“I wanted to see you.”

“Why?”

“I think you know why.”

“This is insane! This whole damn thing is insane! You are my enemy! Why are we even having this conversation?”

“We are enemies,”

“So you keep saying. But we were only told that by our Masters. What do you want, Taro?”

“I want. You. I want you.”

Mercury smiled to herself at the memory of Taro’s kiss. It had been so much different than before. The first time he had seemed so reluctant… so afraid… but this time things had been different. He was different. He loved her… he had good as said so and Mercury loved him, too.

There had been no time for regret. No time to lament over how wrong their relationship was, but now, now she was once more in the Dark Kingdom, Mercury couldn’t help but worry if Taro would change his mind. She was the enemy.

She blushed in shame as this thought entered her head. Taro was not like that. He had assured her that he cared enough for her to risk everything. They were on different sides, but it did not matter. Suddenly the war seemed to be no longer a part of Mercury. She was detached from it. She no longer wished to appear before Beryl and try to win her Queen’s praise. It was, as if by doing so, a betrayal of the trust that Taro had placed in her.

“Mercury?”

She paused, unaware that she had somehow stumbled into her leader’s quarters.

Venus was seated in the corner of the ever-dark room, toying with a strand of blonde hair as she did so. Something had happened to Venus… something had changed. The Kingdom was changing and Mercury knew that even though it was for the better, the Senshi would suffer for it in the end.

Jupiter had illusions of grandeur and was striving towards her goal of achieving Metallia’s awakening. Mars wanted leadership of the Senshi and would do anything to obtain this and Venus… Venus had changed. When the Ginzuishou had shone upon her the Venus of the Dark Kingdom had disappeared and left only a shell behind. This shell was a much gentler being and one that Mercury left she could trust… almost.

“What are you doing?” Venus asked softly when she saw the doubt in her fellow Senshi’s eyes.

“Doing?”

“You look so lost… I know how that feels.”

“The Ginzuishou?”

Mercury and Jupiter stood stock still, fear paralysing them to the spot as they gazed upon their dying leader. A slight smile twisted Mars’s mouth as she turned and teleported away, leaving Venus to her fate.

The departure of the Senshi of fire was enough to spur Jupiter and Mercury into action. They quickly abandoned their fallen leader; only Mercury paused slightly before teleporting away.

“Perhaps” Venus stood, brushing her hair back from her eyes and once again there was a flicker of the former Dark Senshi beneath those troubled pools. “I need to see… I need to decide whose side I truly belong to.”

“Venus---”

“You should, too” the way she looked at Mercury then… the blue haired girl almost blurted out the truth to her leader but managed to bite her tongue just in time. It was as though Venus was staring into her very soul. Did she know? Mercury was not sure.

“You should, too” Venus repeated, “Before its too late” with these words she was gone. A faint sparkling of orange light lingered for a moment as her teleport took hold of her.

Mercury stayed still, almost mesmerised by the departure of her leader. Venus would not be the same person when she returned… this Mercury was sure of.

******

“So” Mars whispered to herself as she watched the display between her fellow Senshi, “Venus is going to make her choice. This could prove quite interesting…”

******

Usagi ached all over. Her limbs felt as though they were on fire as she trudged wearily back from school, only half listening to Naru-chan chattering on about how great it was to have Kuroki Mio enrolled at their school.

Usagi didn’t think it was so great and she was beginning to really dislike the idol and she had a feeling that this like was mutual. Usagi sighed softly, wondering what on Earth she had done to cause Kuroki-san to hate her so. During volleyball she had constantly, and deliberately, slammed the ball into Usagi knocking her down and then, at the end of the lesson, she had kicked her.

The pigtailed heroine paused to rub subconsciously at her ankle as she recalled that moment. No one, not even Naru-chan, had noticed and Kuroki-san had immediately apologised for her actions, though she still glared coldly at Usagi and, for the first time in her life, Usagi was really dreading going to school the next day.

“Tsukino-san!” and it would seem that her ordeal was not over just yet.

Usagi paused, as did Naru, and waited, very reluctantly, for Kuroki Mio to catch up with them. That famous sly smile was etched across her face and Usagi trembled slightly for she recognised it for what it truly was, unlike her friend.

“Mio-chan” Naru greeted her enthusiastically, “Did you enjoy your first day?”

“I don’t know” the idol lowered her gaze sadly to the ground, “I don’t think Tsukino-san likes me.”

“What? Usagi-chan? That isn’t true, is it?”

Usagi mentally flinched as Mio’s gaze once again rested upon her, as did Naru’s. She didn’t like Kuroki Mio. In fact Usagi knew that the intensity of her feelings bordered on hatred and she didn’t, for the life of her, know why. Of course, she could hardly say anything with Naru-chan here and quickly shook her head.

“No, I do like you, Kuroki-san.”

“Really?” the shark-like smile was back now and the few tears that had been building up in the girl’s big brown eyes seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Usagi, again, nodded reluctantly and Mio’s smile turned into a delighted grin.

“I’m so glad!” with this and forced her way between Naru and Usagi and asked them where they were headed now.

“We were going to Crown” Naru, it would seem, had no problem with Mio and was perfectly happy to allow her to accompany them.

Usagi sighed as Mio declared that she would do so. The pigtailed girl hated feeling this way. She wasn’t usually like this at all. Usagi always liked to give others a chance, despite any first impressions that they might give and no matter how bad they were.

“I love karaoke!” Mio squealed excitedly, “I first started out in a karaoke parlour!”

The conversation headed that way for a while and Usagi was content to ignore them. She was bitterly disappointed, as she had wanted to spend the afternoon with Naru-chan alone as she had missed her friend and just doing something normal for a change.

Even Luna had thought that this was a good idea, but Usagi couldn’t help but grasp her locket tightly in one hand as her thoughts drifted back to what happened yesterday.

“Daijobu?”

“I-I’m fine…”

He nodded, and Usagi shuddered at the coldness of his gaze.

She broke contact and slowly reached out to grasp her transformation locket. During the battle it had been kicked towards her and now lay open between them. The Ginzuishou shone brightly in the sunlight, until her shaking hand curled around it. Usagi held her breath, expecting another fight as Jadeite stared upon it.

Then, taking her completely by surprise, he stood and turned away.

“We’re here” Naru’s voice cut into her thoughts once again as they stopped outside Crown.

“This brings back so many memories,” Mio lamented as they stepped inside.

“Princess. Usagi…”

Serenity paused, her gaze lowering to Zoisite’s hand, which was still tightly clutched around her own.

“The Prince…”

Usagi felt a blush rising in her cheeks as her gaze fell upon the men standing just inside Crown. Kimura-san was standing behind the counter whilst Ueda-san and Tamura-san sat on chairs near the door. Mamoru-baka stood leaning against the counter itself. Motoki was nowhere to be seen.

“Konnichiwa!” Naru greeted them, before casting a sly smile in Usagi’s direction when she noticed Mamoru. “Where is Motoki-kun today?”

“He’s had to take Kamekichi to the vet” Kimura-san replied, with some annoyance detectable in his voice. “He thinks that he has got a cold. A turtle with a cold? That is ridiculous!” he declared loudly.

Usagi smiled slightly, but her smile faltered when Naru pushed Mio forward and excitedly introduced her to the men.

If they had heard of her, they were completely indifferent towards her. Mamoru-baka mentioned that Hina liked Mio’s songs, but neither Kimura-san nor Ueda-san paid her much attention. Only Tamura-san seemed the slightest bit interested in her and enquired to know why she was attending a normal school.

“Why not?” Mio replied, with a shy smile.

“It seems a little strange, that’s all.”

Usagi frowned slightly. Was it possible that Tamura-san had picked up on the same bad vibes that she was getting from Mio? She thought about asking him when his cold words when she awakened came flooding back to her.

“Princess, surrender the Ginzuishou unless you wish to see her die again”

Usagi could now feel his eyes on her, staring at the locket around her neck. Evidently Ueda-san had told them of the Ginzuishou and Usagi tensed, as though expecting a fight.

Of course, they would not do anything here and Usagi followed Naru and Mio as Kimura-san directed them to one of the karaoke rooms. Once there, Naru immediately raced for the microphone whilst Usagi slumped down on one of the chairs, sighing in relief. Mio parked herself next to her and gave her another sly smile.

“Who were those guys?” she asked innocently.

“One of them works here” Usagi replied, struggling to sound indifferent.

“They don’t like you very much do they?” Mio observed lightly and when Usagi opened her mouth to protest she realised, with a great sadness that Mio was right and fell silent. They were on the same side! The Dark Kingdom was the real enemy and yet they hated her so. If they worked together…

“Usagi-chan! Mio-chan!” Naru interrupted her thoughts yet again, “Come on! We’re supposed to be having fun.”

Usagi smiled and stood, as did Mio. The idol promptly pushed passed her and hurried to Naru’s side. Usagi’s face fell as they started to sing ‘Change of Pace’ and again she sat down. It was going to be a long afternoon…

******

“Masaki?” Mamoru said, a little impatiently now, “Will you speak to Zoisite-sama?”

“Yes” Masaki snapped, “I’ll speak to him. Just get off of my back about it, okay?”

“Fine” Mamoru held up his hands, “But I don’t understand your reluctance.”

“Do you think I want to give one of my friend’s the third degree over this? Do you think I like being the go between you and him?”

Masaki frowned as he recalled his heated conversation with Mamoru. After saving Sailor Moon from the Youma, Masaki had not gone to the Okura. He hadn’t been able to face Seiichi and he didn’t really feel like demanding the truth from his Prince like Mamoru wanted him to do. Hells, the only reason he was at the hospital now was because Masaki was confused. He should have taken the Ginzuishou whilst he had the chance, so why did he allow Sailor Moon to keep it? Why didn’t he let the Youma finish her off? Masaki did not know and hoped that Seiichi might be able to shed some light on this.

Of course, when relaying what happened to his friends, Masaki had not mentioned that he had the chance to take the Ginzuishou. He would rather not face their questions until he had answers… answers that he hoped that they would want to hear.

Casting these thoughts from his mind, Masaki hurried ducked around a corner and transformed. Mamoru had discouraged them from transforming for trivial reasons, but he doubted that the hospital would let him in to see Tetsuya or Komoro Seiichi.

Jadeite smiled to himself as he recalled the first time he had managed to teleport. It had been just before Taro had been captured by the Dark Kingdom and the three of them – Masaki, Taro and Kisho – had got together in Crown to learn how to teleport. Taro and Kisho had seemed to want to keep this between themselves and not let on to Mamoru, as their leader was still sensitive about his own powers not awakening. Their first few attempts had not been as successful as they had hoped. Kisho managed to teleport all the way across town and couldn’t teleport back and ended up having to catch a train and three bus connections back to his apartment and didn’t get there until 4 in the morning. Taro was too afraid of teleporting and getting stuck in a wall and, therefore, it took him a good few hours to learn. Masaki did not have any such concerns and simply trusted his powers and that he controlled them. It seemed to work though he had the habit of appearing in the wrong place; Masaki was easily the most used to teleportation out of the three of them.

Because of this Jadeite found it easy to teleport inside. He had reappeared in the bathrooms on the second floor, which happened to be the same floor that Tetsuya was on. Artemis had told him that Tetsuya could go home in a few days, but would need to rest. Artemis had also let slip that Tetsuya knew who Seiichi really was. This surprised Jadeite somewhat as he had always thought that Seiichi would be more careful.

De-transforming again, Masaki made his way from the bathroom and started to walk down the corridor, hoping to find the right room before one of the nurses on duty noticed him. As luck, or fate, would have it, Seiichi just happened to be coming out of one of the private rooms as Masaki turned a corner. The young star seemed surprised to see Masaki, but hid this with a shy smile and enquired to know how he was.

“Fine. How’s Tetsuya?” Masaki hated to sound so cold, but he was a little nervous and Seiichi picked up on this.

“You know Tetsuya” was his reply, “He hates to complain about anything to do with himself. He was more concerned about missing all the press conferences and television interviews.”

“He was my father’s best friend. We’ve known each other for years. He promised to look out for me when… when my father died.”

Masaki refrained from commenting and, together, they started to walk back down the corridor as Seiichi explained that he was about to leave for the evening.

“Visiting hours are over” he added, “How did you get in?”

“I flew. How do you think?” Masaki winced at his tone and the sarcasm that came with it.

Seiichi smiled slightly, “Why are you here? I know it isn’t just to see me.”

“You’re astute today.”

He stopped, his good humour rapidly fading and Masaki couldn’t blame him, “What is wrong?”

“What the hell do you think?” Masaki hissed, “I’m tired of your little games, Seiichi-kun. Do you know why I’m here? Mamoru-kun sent me. Don’t worry, he doesn’t know who you are but he knows that I know. Why can’t you just tell them who you are? I am sick of being the go-between!”

“You know I can’t do that. If Queen Beryl--”

“Queen Beryl, yes. Why does she hate you so much? Why did you and the Princess destroy the planet?”

“Masaki--”

“No. No excuses this time. Just answer the questions. Even just one would be a start. They don’t trust you and even Mamoru is getting sick of defending your actions. Do you really want them to turn on you?”

Seiichi sighed, “Okay.”

“What?” Masaki frowned; stunned that he would give in so quickly.

“Queen Beryl doesn’t hate me.”

“Then why is she after you?”

“In the past life the Princess was the Princess of the Moon Kingdom and I was the Prince of the Earth. We were in love and Beryl hated that. Her jealousy tore both kingdoms apart and the Princess, in her sorrow, destroyed the world, both ours and the Moon.”

Masaki stopped walking, struggling to get his head around this. The Moon? The Moon? He stared at Seiichi, looking for signs that he was lying and found none.

“The people of the Moon created the Earth” Seiichi continued, keeping his voice low as he spoke, “There was much resentment on Earth because of this.”

“The Moon?” Masaki shook his head, “How am I supposed to tell them that? They’ll think I’ve gone mad! And if the Princess is in love with you then why won’t Sailor Moon give you the Ginzuishou?”

“That is--” Seiichi started, but suddenly trailed off.

Masaki frowned and glanced up at him, noting that the young man’s face had suddenly drained of all colour. His hands were shaking as he clenched them into fists and he would have fallen had Masaki not grabbed his arm, steadying him.

“Seiichi?”

He didn’t reply and Masaki felt his trembling worsen. Glancing wildly around the deserted corridor, Masaki wondered if he should call for help. Then he spotted some plastic chairs beside a water cooler and practically dragged Seiichi to them. Forcing him to be seated, Masaki went to the cooler and got him a cup of water. Seiichi accepted this, though did not drink and simply stared into the cup for several minutes as his trembling ceased and he started to regain a bit of colour.

“You okay?” Masaki asked, allowing none of the concern that he was feeling into his voice.

Seiichi nodded and set the cup down on the floor, but, when he offered no explanation, Masaki felt inclined to ask for one.

“A panic attack” was the reply given, “It happens sometimes when I’m stressed out. I’ll be fine now.”

“Are you sure? Do you want me to get someone?”

“No. It’ll only worry Tetsuya and he feels bad enough already. Anyway, I thought you were here because you wanted me to prove to you that I can be trusted?”

“I was, but--”

“Right then” Seiichi stood, his momentary weakness seemingly forgotten, “Let’s go and ask Sailor Moon for the Ginzuishou.”

Masaki shook his head, “I don’t think you should be fighting in your state.”

“I’m fine” Seiichi brushed his concerns aside and smiled, though it seemed forced.

“Seiichi--”

“Let’s go.”

Masaki sighed to himself and followed Seiichi’s lead. A part of him, in fact a big part of him, felt very uneasy about confronting Usagi. If the Ginzuishou was as powerful as Seiichi seemed to think it was then it could be dangerous. Not that Masaki was scared; he doubted that Tsukino Usagi was capable of hurting anyone. He just felt uneasy about the entire situation and Seiichi’s suddenly reckless attitude wasn’t helping.

Mamoru had said that they should wait until they knew what their Prince wanted to do and Seiichi had made his motives clear. He wanted the Ginzuishou and Masaki was sure that his answers were not ones that Mamoru would want to hear.

“What do you know about Kuroki Mio?” Masaki asked suddenly, wanting to focus his mind on something else and thus his thoughts wandered to the strange pop idol. Kisho hadn’t liked her… then again Kisho didn’t like anyone…

“I’ve met her a few times” Seiichi allowed, a little cagily, “Why?”

“It is probably nothing, but she’s enrolled in Tsukino Usagi’s school. She came into Crown this afternoon.”

Seiichi nodded, “I see. You might want to watch your back around her.”

“Why?”

Again the wall was back up and Seiichi shrugged, “I don’t know” he replied.

******

Usagi sighed to herself. If she heard ‘A change of pace’ one more time… there they went again. Mio and a very out of tune Naru singing the same song. Didn’t Mio tire of hearing herself sing? Evidently not. Usagi blushed in shame at her thoughts and decided to start humming the Moonlight Sonata instead.

Mio ceased singing and pulled a face, “Mou, Usagi-chan. Why won’t you join in?”

“I am” she replied, a little nervously as Mio’s gaze narrowed slightly, “I just wanted to sing something different, that’s all.”

“Usagi-chan is right” Naru nodded, “We have been singing your songs a lot. We don’t want you to get sick of them, Mio-chan.”

“No chance of that” Mio smiled shyly, “Naru-chan, thank you for today. You really made me feel welcome. In exchange would you both like to come to the set of my new video tomorrow after school”

“Amazing!” Naru cried, jumping up and down. An act that reminded Usagi so much of herself. She sighed and turned away when a movement to her left caught her attention.

“Naru-chan! Mio-chan! Watch out!” Usagi screamed as she recognised the form that suddenly leapt towards them.

“Moon tiara… boomerang!”

The weapon shot in the vague direction of the Youma and Sailor Moon was rewarded by a gasp of pain from the beast in question. She cheered and held out her Moon Wand for the final blow when the creature darted away, too quick for the eye to follow and in moments it was lost among the crates and boxes that littered the ground like a maze.

“No” Sailor Moon wailed, “It got away.”

Usagi gasped as she recognised the Youma, though now it was daylight she could see it properly. Though it stood on two legs, it reminded Usagi more of a wild animal than humanoid. Its body was covered in long shaggy dark brown fur, though its arms were coated in what seemed to be metal steel plates. It’s from the ends of its fingertips sprouted long knife like fingernails, which were glinted silver, even in the daylight. Its feet were like talons and they gripped the ground, cracking the concrete as it walked towards them. Its face was the only thing vaguely human about it. Its skin was a milky white, a stark contrast with its blood red eyes. It had no nose that Usagi could see and its mouth consisted mainly of teeth, no lips. Its ears were pointed and twin horns twined the top of its head. Brown hair cascaded down its back in a tangled mass that had various leaves and other debris entangled in it. Yet the feature that captivated Usagi most was a large scar that marred the armour on its right arm, near the shoulder. She flinched slightly as it stared directly at her, as though angered with her for gazing upon it. Usagi wondered if she had done that, but the injury was curved ever so slightly so there was no way that her Moon Tiara Boomerang could have inflicted such a wound.

Naru’s scream brought Usagi back from her thoughts and she whirled around, in time to see the few passers by who were unlucky enough to be in the path of the Youma drained of their energy. Now the beast turned to the three of them.

It lunged forward and wrapped a hand around Naru’s throat. Usagi cried out and looked wildly around for someone to help. She couldn’t transform here! Naru screamed again and then fell to the ground as her energy was drained.

“Naru-chan!” Usagi dropped to the floor beside her friend. Naru was unconscious but Usagi knew she would live.

“Naru-chan, I’m sorry,” she whispered. How many more times would the Dark Kingdom hurt the people she cared about?

“Mio-chan!”

Usagi suddenly remembered the idol and sprang to her feet once more, glancing around for her. Evidently Mio had tried to run and the Youma had followed her. The pop idol was backed against a wall of a restaurant and the Youma reached out with a hand to grab her as it had done Naru.

“Mio-chan!” Usagi cried out again. It didn’t matter anymore… she had to transform! “Moon pris--”

She broke off as the strangest thing happened. The Youma suddenly paused, the hand that was wrapped around Mio’s throat started to tremble, as did the being that it belonged too. It spun away, even as Mio collapsed to the ground in a faint.

Usagi frowned, not quite understanding exactly what had taken place and not really caring as the Youma made to turn in the direction of a pre-school.

“Youma! On behalf of the Moon, I will punish you! Moon Prism power… make up!”

******

“Do you think I want to give one of my friend’s the third degree over this? Do you think I like being the go between you and him?”

“No, I just--”

“Just forget it.”

“Masaki-kun--”

Mamoru sighed to himself; his conversation of yesterday with Masaki was constantly ringing round inside his head. His friend had left Crown a little earlier and Mamoru could only assume that he was going to see Zoisite-sama, though he could hardly ask in front of Taro and Kisho. The latter had opted to stay at Crown with Taro as there was another party booked for later that day, but Mamoru just wanted to go home. He longed for tomorrow when, hopefully, Masaki would have spoken to Zoisite-sama and they could get this entire mess straightened out.

When Mamoru saw the Youma he was not best pleased. Of course, Sailor Moon was there. Newly transformed the Senshi of love and justice brandished her Moon Wand at the beast when it happened.

The ground in front of the Youma exploded in a shower of stars and magics, whilst the Youma itself remained untouched. It gave a squeal of fear and teleported away before Sailor Moon could stop it.

“Jadeite. Zoisite-sama” Mamoru whispered to himself as he transformed. “What is this?”

The two of them stepped forward, Zoisite-sama obviously taking the lead whilst Jadeite hung back slightly as though he was afraid.

“Prince?” Sailor Moon murmured as Zoisite stopped in front of her.

“Sailor Moon” he replied as he drew his sword, “Give me the Ginzuishou.”

“What?” she cried out, the pain in her voice unmistakable and it felt like a dagger in Tuxedo Kamen’s heart to hear her sound so afraid.

“The Ginzuishou” Zoisite repeated, “Give it to me.”

“No. I need it to save my Senshi!” she refused and backed away in confusion and fear.

“You do not know its true powers.”

Sailor Moon shook her head; “I won’t use it for anything bad. I just want it to help my friends.”

Zoisite’s eyes narrowed and he took another step towards her, “The Ginzuishou is affected by the heart of the wielder. You have a weak heart and will only bring destruction to this planet.”

The look in her eyes as he spoke these words… Tuxedo Kamen gasped slightly as the agony of what the Prince saying tore through her very being. Sailor Moon took another step away, tears filling her eyes as her back hit a wall. There was nowhere else for her to go.

Usagi…

Before Tuxedo Kamen even knew what he was doing he moved. He found himself standing between his Prince and Sailor Moon.

*******

When Tuxedo Kamen stepped between Zoisite and Sailor Moon, Jadeite was already questioning the wisdom of his Prince’s decision to confront the Princess. Zoisite was obviously still feeling unwell and this showed in the unsteadiness of his sword hand and the way his attack had completely missed the Youma and allowed the creature to escape.

A panic attack… Jadeite didn’t quite belief this. Seiichi had always seemed so calm and in control. Then why yield so easily? Why give Jadeite all the answers he wanted without too much protest? He wasn’t sure. There was something else…

Jadeite felt ashamed when Tuxedo Kamen stepped between Zoisite and Sailor Moon. This wasn’t right. No matter what happened in the past… she was still only a child really.

“Zoisite-sama, perhaps we should--” Jadeite started, but Zoisite ignored him.

“Zoisite-sama?” Tuxedo Kamen spoke, his voice wavering in places, “What are you doing?”

“We want the Ginzuishou” Zoisite replied coolly, “And I intend to get it.”

“No” Tuxedo Kamen shook his head, stunning all of them, “I can’t let you do that.”

“You don’t know what you are doing. Stand aside” Zoisite ordered.

“No.”

“The Ginzuishou is a deadly weapon. It must not fall into the wrong hands! Have you forgotten the mission?”

“And have you forgotten the past? You loved her!” Tuxedo Kamen shouted angrily, indicating Sailor Moon “You loved her enough to give up the planet! Do you still love her in this world?

Zoisite looked away unwilling to answer this question and said instead: “The Ginzuishou--”

“The Ginzuishou will remain with Sailor Moon.”

“I cannot allow that. Step aside.”

“Or what? Will you fight me?”

“If I have too”

Jadeite shook his head as he watched the two men… his friends. What the hell was Mamoru doing? It was obvious that he loved Tsukino Usagi, but to go against his Prince… Jadeite couldn’t watch this. Taking both of them completely by surprise he pushed between them.

“Don’t get involved” Zoisite warned him, but Jadeite paid him little heed and spoke to Mamoru.

“Let it go. She won’t give him the Ginzuishou.”

Zoisite cursed under his breath as Tuxedo Kamen nodded and took a step away, falling into a step beside Sailor Moon.

Their Prince turned to leave but Tuxedo Kamen’s next words halted him in his tracks, “Why did you make me the leader? How can I lead if we don’t share the same mission? How am I supposed to unite us?”

“I had hoped it would awaken your true powers” Zoisite replied, the regret eating into his voice as he spoke. Tuxedo Kamen took this as though he was regretting his choice of a leader, but Jadeite had the feeling that Zoisite hated fighting with Mamoru.

Tuxedo Kamen considered this for a minute and then answered, “Well I don’t want this. I don’t want to be the leader. How can I be when none of you wish to follow my lead? How can I make decisions when I don’t even know who my Prince is?”

“Very well” Zoisite turned away with a flip of his cape, “Jadeite. You lead.”

With those words he teleported away in a flash of blue light leaving the two Tennou and Sailor Moon stunned. Shyly the blonde heroine sidled up to Tuxedo Kamen and expressed her thanks for defending her.

“Don’t thank me” he snipped back coldly, “I already regret my decision.”

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