Earth Guardian Prince Endymion
By Senshi
of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi
Act Twenty-Two Recap:
(Mamoru’s POV)
“I know who Zoisite-sama really is” Masaki blurted out and
then averting his gaze feeling both ashamed that he had betrayed Seiichi’s
trust and that he had kept such important information from his friends to begin
with.
“You do?” there was some surprise in Mamoru’s voice, but
no anger and that made it worse somehow.
“I’ve known for a while now.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“He asked me not too. He felt it might put you all in
danger if you knew who he really was… but that didn’t stop them from taking
Taro, did it?”
I knew that something was bothering Masaki, but I didn’t
realise that he knew Zoisite-sama’s real identity. Of course, as our Prince
asked him to keep that to himself, I did not press him for information though
that did not mean that I was not curious as to his Terran form. Masaki also
felt bad that the Dark Kingdom had targeted Taro when all along he knew who
Zoisite was. I admit that he should have told us from the start, but what’s
done is done and I won’t brood upon it.
“I have to admit that he’s put you in an unfair position,
but I wouldn’t dwell too much upon it if I were you.”
“Why not? Don’t you want me to tell you who he is?
“Not if he doesn’t want us to know.”
It was unfair of Zoisite-sama, but I can understand why he
asked what he did. Beryl will stop at nothing to capture him and as long as his
identity remains a secret then he has a certain degree of safety from her.
“The doctors said that I could go home at the end of the
week”
Taro seems to be getting better and the doctors are
letting him go home later this week. I know he hates being cooped up in the
hospital and I’m grateful that he seems to have come to terms with his ordeal.
I was surprised that Kisho took it upon himself to visit
Taro as much as he did, but I guess I should just be happy that they are, at
last, seeing eye to eye.
“I’ve been having flashbacks” Kisho admitted grudgingly,
“The Prince and the Princess were lovers. It was their love that destroyed the
planet… not the Dark Kingdom.”
I worry about Kisho. He seems to hate the past life and
even Zoisite-sama at times. His memories of the past life contradict what
Zoisite-sama told us. He had claimed to know little of the past or why Beryl
wanted him, but I can’t believe that this is true. Surely he knows as much as
Kisho or perhaps more? I want to trust him, but I am finding it increasingly
hard to defend his actions…
******
Act Twenty-Three:
“I know who Zoisite-sama really is” Masaki blurted out and
then averting his gaze feeling both ashamed that he had betrayed Seiichi’s
trust and that he had kept such important information from his friends to begin
with.
“You do?” there was some surprise in Mamoru’s voice, but
no anger and that made it worse somehow.
“I’ve known for a while now.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“He asked me not too. He felt it might put you all in
danger if you knew who he really was… but that didn’t stop them from taking
Taro, did it?”
Masaki wished that he could say that he felt better having
told Mamoru the truth, but in actual fact he felt worse. It was Friday and he
had, had a college lecture that morning and all afternoon so he had not seen
his friend since Wednesday when he had admitted to knowing who Zoisite really
was. Of course, Masaki had not seen Seiichi either and he was reluctant to go
and see his Prince as he felt sure that his guilt was so obvious that Seiichi
would know instantly that he had told someone. This made Masaki even angrier as
he did not usually feel guilt, and the fact that he liked Seiichi made it
worse. Why else would he have agreed to keep quiet in the first place? Had the
man been as arrogant and cold as he sometimes appeared then Masaki wouldn’t
have thought twice about betraying him. No, it was what happened to Taro and
the pain that the situation brought him that had caused him to blurt it out to
Mamoru like that and Masaki sorely regretted it.
Mamoru had wanted them to meet up, but Masaki declined
explaining that he had an essay to write. An excuse, he knew, that was tired,
but he had a headache and didn’t really want to face Taro at the moment.
According to Mamoru, it was his first day at home and Kanaye was keeping a
close eye on him so he wouldn’t be able to meet up and, after Masaki said he was
busy, Mamoru had dropped the topic, probably deciding that he didn’t want to
face Kisho and his ‘the past will only lead to ruin’ lectures alone.
Masaki didn’t understand why Kisho did not trust Seiichi,
as he felt sure that if he met him he would begin to trust him. Of course,
Seiichi had not shared this sentiment and explained that it would only make
Kisho distrust him more.
Sighing to himself, Masaki walked up his garden path and
quickly unlocked the door. Tori was sitting in her favourite armchair watching
a chat show. His mother looked tired, Masaki noted. She kept nodding off, even as he watched, before jerking back
into wakefulness. She smiled slightly when she saw him, but there was some fear
behind that smile and she did not get up from her chair to greet him properly.
Masaki cast a wary glance towards the kitchen and, sure enough, Haru stood in
the doorway, his arms folded across his chest as he glared disapprovingly down
at them. Tori quickly fumbled for the remote and switched the newly mended
television off, her gaze now fixed on her husband as well.
Silence hung in the air until Tori broke it by gesturing
to the newspaper and saying, “Are we going to Ueno Park tomorrow? It is the
last day of the Cherry Blossom viewing and I thought--”
“I have a very important business meeting tomorrow” Haru
interrupted frostily, “Don’t you pay attention to anything I tell you?”
Tori quickly dropped the newspaper and lowered her gaze,
“Of course. How silly of me to forget. I’m so sorry. Shall I go to grocery
store and pick up a few things? They are coming here, aren’t they?” she added
as an after thought.
Haru nodded, “My manager holds you in the highest of
regards. I suggest that you don’t do anything to contradict this. There might
be a promotion on the cards for me if the meal goes well. After all” he added
icily, “Imaizumi-san thinks that I have the perfect family.”
“The perfect family” Masaki repeated, a little bitterly,
and Haru picked up on this.
“Oh no” he snapped, “I don’t want you anywhere near here
tomorrow. You are the biggest disappointment of my life and I don’t want you
messing anything up. Go to Ueno Park or to your friend’s house. I don’t care,
just stay out of my way.”
You are the biggest disappointment of my life.
Masaki was genuinely stunned by this admission. True, Haru
said a lot of unkind things when he was drunk, but he seemed sober enough now
and Masaki could still recall life before then… before the violence when Masaki
was younger. He used to admire his father and now… A disappointment… was that
truly how Haru saw him?
He lowered his gaze to the ground and happened to glance
at the discarded newspaper.
Komoro Seiichi to appear at Ueno Park on the last day of
the Cherry Blossom viewing to promote his first album.
“I won’t be there” Masaki said softly, “I have something
else to do.”
If Seiichi was at Ueno Park, Masaki knew that it would be
wise if he went to make sure that there was no Dark Kingdom attack. Ueno Park
seemed like a prime location for a Youma to gather energy and if so then
Seiichi could be in danger.
You are the biggest disappointment of my life.
He couldn’t have gone to the stupid meal even if he wanted
too, Masaki told himself. Still… it didn’t make those words hurt any the less…
Taking a deep breath, Masaki left the room. He couldn’t have been there even if
he wanted to be, he repeated fiercely. It wasn’t because his father’s words
hurt him… was it?
*****
“Motoki?”
“I fear you are mistaken… Sailor Moon.”
“But I don’t understand. Kimura-san works with Motoki-kun.
How can he not be you?”
“I’m not him.”
“Then who are you? How did you know where to find me?”
Usagi walked slowly down the road towards Crown, deep in
thought of the events of earlier in the week and her own foolishness concerning
Tuxedo Kamen.
Luna was stuffed into her school bag and Usagi could
almost feel the disapproval radiating from the plushie as she walked to Crown
instead of returning home after school. Usagi couldn’t concentrate on anything
but the possibility that Chiba Mamoru might be Tuxedo Kamen. It was too
horrible to even comprehend and Usagi was determined to prove that he was not
the masked hero.
To do this, she had decided to follow Mamoru-baka
everywhere and because he hung around in Crown quiet a lot, Usagi resolved to
try there first thus her disappointment as she walked through the doors and saw
only Motoki behind the counter, staring happily at Kamekichi.
“Usagi-chan! Konnichiwa!” he called, jumping up and waving
at her. Usagi forced a smile and returned the greeting. Staring at Motoki now,
Usagi only felt stupider for having thought that he was Tuxedo Kamen. Motoki
was a good person, but he was too trusting and not at all cold like
Mamoru-baka.
Disheartened, Usagi did not want to go home just yet and
face Luna’s annoyance, or her mother, so she set her bag down and hurried over
to the counter and said:
“How’s Kimura-san today?”
It had pained Usagi greatly to see him in such a way and
had Kimura-san known who she was then she would have gone to visit him herself.
As it was Motoki was the only person who Usagi could ask for news of the
injured Tennou.
“Very well” Motoki replied, “His brother said that they
let him go home today, but he can’t come back to work for another week at
least” his happy demeanour changed as he added, “And I really don’t know what
I’m going to do tomorrow. I have some parties booked in for the morning and I
can’t possibly run everything alone…”
Usagi smiled shyly, and opened her mouth to offer her help
when the doors opened again and her heart skipped a beat as Mamoru entered, his
fiancée beside him holding onto his arm.
“Mamoru! Hina-chan!” Motoki cried out, greeting them with
his usual level of enthusiasm.
After the pleasantries were dealt with, Mamoru went
straight to the point and explained that he and Hina would be happy to help out
tomorrow with the parties.
The perfect opportunity… Usagi
thought to herself as she smiled and remembered the last time she and
Mamoru-baka had spent the day together.
“I can help out, too” she said to Motoki.
“You?” Mamoru asked incredulously. “Why?”
Usagi felt her blush deepen as she snapped back, “Why not?
I can look after the children and look after the reception, too!”
“Just as long as you don’t try to sing karaoke like a
silly little child” Mamoru sniped back and Usagi bit her lip in dismay at the
almost hostile expression on his face.
Does he truly see me as no more than a child myself? For
some reason this upset her more than she would let on and Mamoru truly seemed
on edge about letting her help out.
“Mamoru” Hina chided, “Let Usagi-chan help out if she
wants, too.”
Usagi smiled slightly at this, only to be met once more by
Mamoru’s scowl. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then” she declared before all
but running out of Crown.
Usagi sighed to herself. If Chiba Mamoru was Tuxedo Kamen
then she would find out one-way or the other.
*****
Mamoru watched Usagi leave, deeply regretting his
harshness towards her, but hating even more the fact that he would have to
spend an entire day with her and Hina. There it was again… that familiar wave
of guilt that came with his almost intense feelings for the Odango headed girl.
Sailor Moon… Mamoru lowered his gaze so that he did not have to meet Hina’s
questioning countenance.
How could he spend an entire day with them both? Mamoru
exhaled sharply as he recalled every little detail of their meetings. Each time
he had saved her as Sailor Moon he had felt something deep down inside of him…
Their destinies were entwined in ways that he could not even imagine and
nothing Hina could do would be able to compete with that.
“Mamoru?” she waved a hand in front of her face playfully
and giggled slightly, “Were you paying attention?”
“No” he admitted honestly, “What were you saying?”
Hina smiled brightly, “Well, Usagi-chan is doing me a
favour tomorrow.”
“Really? Why?”
She blushed slightly and said, “Well, Komoro Seiichi is
going to be at the Ueno Park to promote his new album. If Usagi-chan is helping
out here as well then I can slip off for half an hour and see him.”
“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 almost smiled at the memory of his brief talk with
the star. Komoro-san seemed genuine unlike so many stars of their generation
and his concern really got through to Mamoru. Whereas he had little time for
his music, Mamoru felt a curious respect for him. There was something about
Komoro-san… hidden depths and perhaps a kind of sadness.
“Oh” Hina took his silence as annoyance and quickly
backtracked by saying, “If you would rather I didn’t go…”
“No” Mamoru shook his head, “I don’t mind. Komoro-san is a
good person.” As soon as those words escaped his lips, Mamoru wondered why on
Earth he had said anything, but luckily neither Hina nor Motoki called him on
it.
Hina smiled and added, “I was going to buy a copy of his
album yesterday, but he’s supposed to be signing copies tomorrow as well so I
thought I would pick one up on the way home.”
Mamoru nodded, only half listening.
“You don’t have to stay. You are obviously hating every
minute of this.”
“Did I say that?” he sniped back, “Why do you have to
start an argument every time we talk?”
“I was only making conversation!”
“Look. If I don’t want to do something, I don’t do it.
Simple.”
It was true, he always started fights with Usagi, but
Mamoru had always pushed away the people he felt closest too.
Hina sensed this indecision and quietly made her leave,
adding that she wanted to get to the store before it closed for the day. Mamoru
made no effort to stop her and earned a disapproving glare from Motoki as the
man said:
“Mamoru-kun, I know it’s none of my business but I’ve seen
the way you look at Usagi-chan.”
“Usagi?” Mamoru repeated, struggling to keep his voice
even, “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I think you do” Motoki said, “Hina is a lovely girl, but…
it is not with her that your heart truly lies is it?”
“I love Hina”
“I know, but you have feelings for Usagi-chan, too.”
“I don’t” Mamoru snapped, “And you’re right, it is none of
your business.”
Motoki looked crushed at this level of hostility from his
friend, but Mamoru no longer cared. He turned and quickly left Crown.
“Hina is a lovely girl, but… it is not with her that your
heart truly lies is it?”
“I love Hina”
“I know, but you have feelings for Usagi-chan, too.”
What stung the most about Motoki’s accusations was that
they were true and Mamoru hated himself for it…
*****
“What a beautiful park” Dark Venus mused to herself as a
Cherry Blossom petal landed gently on her outstretched hand. Behind her, she
heard Mars’s snort of indifference, at this comment, but Venus ignored her comrade.
Beryl was growing impatient and if Venus did not act quickly then the Senshi
would pay for it.
As the leader, Venus had a duty to protect the other Dark
Senshi. She turned, her gaze falling upon each one in turn.
Dark Jupiter… the supposedly fearless warrior who did not
need anyone and often felt truly alone.
Dark Mars… the fiery Senshi of flames and passions
although her heart was encased in ice.
Dark Mercury… a frown marred Venus’s face as she stared
upon her. Mercury had been acting strangely, ever since Beryl disgraced her.
Mercury was the most intelligent of the Senshi and at the same time the most
foolish.
“It is the last day of the Cherry Blossom viewing
tomorrow” Venus announced to them, “There will be lots of humans wasting their energy
viewing pointless nature” she accentuated this by crushing the petals in her
palm and letting them fall helplessly to the ground, “We shall attack a corner
of the park each. Even if the Shitennou appear they cannot fight us together if
we separate.”
“I don’t like it” Mars murmured darkly, “We are vulnerable
if we split up.”
“You beat one of them before” Jupiter reminded her and
Mars was loath to admit that she had caught him off guard and that was all, so
she said nothing.
“The Shitennou will appear” Venus continued, “But we shall
be able to gather lots of energy to feed Metallia’s awakening before then and
when they arrive to challenge us we shall kill them.”
Mercury seemed a little uneasy at this prospect and as she
was the weakest, Venus could not blame her. Still, she said nothing about this
and added, “With an event this size, there is also the possibility that the
Prince might appear to fight with them. If he does, then you must capture him
at all costs.”
“Even at the expense of the energy?” Jupiter questioned,
“I don’t think so.”
“No” Venus said after taking a moment or two to consider
her ally’s words, “The energy takes first priority. If we can capture the
Prince and kill the Shitennou it will be but an added bonus.”
The three Senshi nodded and one by one teleported away.
Satisfied with their loyalty, Venus also turned to leave. She was very much
aware of Mars’s aspirations of leadership and Dark Venus was confident enough
to know that Beryl would not tolerate any discord between them at the present
time. Mars would have to be dealt with, but such a move would be unwise at the
moment. Venus would wait. Mars would over step herself eventually… that was
inevitable.
******
Taro was bored. He had been home from the hospital for
just a day and already he was wishing that he were back at Crown. Kanaye
wouldn’t let him do anything! From the moment that he had stepped through the
door, Taro had been sent straight up to his bedroom to ‘rest’ and he was sick of
it. Of course, he knew that Kanaye cared about him and was concerned that he
might over do things, but Taro had been feeling stronger each day and being
cooped up inside was worse than the hospital.
He hadn’t seen Kisho or any of the others since his last
day in hospital. He had spoken to Mamoru on the phone briefly and had learned
that his friend had offered to help out at Crown until Taro was feeling able to
come back to work. It would seem that Kanaye had thought of everything and not
even the Karaoke Parlour was a haven for him anymore.
Today was Saturday and Kanaye had taken his girlfriend to
Ueno Park for the last day of the Cherry Blossom viewing. Now that Taro had the
place to himself he decided that he was going to get up. Hurriedly, he put on a
pair of jeans and a white shirt and went downstairs. Though he still felt a
little weak, Taro was able to walk around with relative ease and he quickly
located the phone stuffed behind the back of the sofa and decided to call
Masaki. Kanaye had extracted a promise that Taro would not leave the house
before going out that morning, but Taro decided that there was no reason why he
couldn’t invite his friends here.
The number rang for what seemed like an age before
Masaki’s mother answered it.
“Hello?” she didn’t sound at all well, almost nervous…
“Hi, it’s Taro, is Masaki there?”
“Taro-kun, hello. No I’m afraid he isn’t. He went to the
Ueno Park to see that pianist he likes.
Do-you-want-me-to-ask-him-to-call-you-when-he-gets-in?” this last part was rushed
and Taro could hear Masaki’s father in the background telling Tori to get off
the line.
“No, that’s okay” he replied and quickly hung up before
dialling Kisho’s number. No one answered and Taro knew that Mamoru was working
in Crown today. He sighed and tossed the phone back down onto the sofa. Was
everyone at the park?
At a loss, Taro decided to go out after all. He knew that
he had promised Kanaye, but he felt fine and the fresh air might do him some
good and it was the last day of the Cherry Blossom viewing. What else was he
meant to do? He would only be about an hour and he knew that Kanaye and his
girlfriend would be out for most of the day. Satisfied with his decision, Taro
quickly grabbed his coat and left the house.
*******
Masaki was one of the first people to arrive in Ueno Park
that morning owing to the fact that he wanted to get out of the house before
Haru could wake up. He pretended to forget the harsh words that his father had
spoken the night before and chided himself by telling himself that Haru did not
care about him and that he had to learn to expect such remarks from his father.
Shaking his head, Masaki hurried to the centre of the park
where fans were already gathering, waiting for Komoro Seiichi to arrive.
“Beryl! I have your Prince! No Master of mine would allow
one of his guardians to die. Take him and keep your end of the bargain.”
Jadeite was well aware that he was shaking as he uttered
these words and, true, his hand that held onto the dagger wavered against
Zoisite’s throat. He knew that this had to seem convincing in order for the
plan to work, but it felt so wrong….
Masaki sighed to himself and pushed his way to near the
front of the gathering crowd by the makeshift stage. He hated this deceit… he
already felt bad enough as it was and Haru had a way of really getting to him
at times. Masaki hated his father for it. Not many people could really get
through to him the way that his father could.
“Do not hesitate” Zoisite-sama said, handing Jadeite the dagger,
“Beryl must believe that you intend on handing me over. She will surely send
the Senshi to take me back to the Dark Kingdom. When they arrive we must start
a battle with them. This will distract Beryl and she will not sense Sailor Moon
opening a portal into the Kingdom.”
Still… Jadeite couldn’t help but tremble slightly. He was
holding a knife to his friend’s throat and, to anyone watching, had the intent
on slitting his throat if Zoisite struggled in the slightest. Of course, they
both knew that Jadeite would never do anything to hurt his Prince… hells
Seiichi was even a friend and Masaki would not hurt him… It had to appear real
and he tightened his grip somewhat and forced his hand to steady.
Masaki shook his head again, trying to clear it of such
thoughts. He was just here to make sure that Seiichi was okay and nothing more.
Still, last time they had spoken Masaki had been a little harsh with him. Now
that he thought about it, he couldn’t blame Seiichi for wanting to simply
leave. He didn’t know Taro or the others. All Seiichi seemed to care for was
the past life.
Masaki didn’t have the answer to this. He had thought that
he was beginning to get to know their Prince fairly well… he supposed not after
all…
******
“Look at them all” Tetsuya observed quietly from inside
the limousine, nodding towards the scores of fans and reporters awaiting them
outside the main gates to the park.
Seiichi looked up, trying to appear disinterested, though
in actual fact he was stunned that so many people would want to come to the
park just to see him and get an autograph.
“You are too modest” Tetsuya ridiculed lightly as the car
came to a stop, “You have worked really hard over the last year for this.”
Seiichi sighed to himself. This was not important, he told
himself, ignoring Tetsuya’s words.
“I suppose we should get out” Tetsuya sighed; it would
seem that he was having second thoughts Seiichi noted.
The young pianist was perfectly happy to allow his manager
to be the first to step out of the car and meet the waiting fans as he felt a
little apprehensive at meeting them in such large numbers, though once the
press interviews were out of the way, Seiichi knew he could just relax and
enjoy himself.
Seiichi got out of the car and instantly the screaming of
the fans went from a dull roar to almost an intolerant level. Still, Seiichi
couldn’t help but smile at them and hurried over to the lucky few who had
managed to stand at the front of the gate to sign some autographs.
His nervousness seemed to disappear as he entered the
park, signing his name on various copies of his singles and album as he
followed Tetsuya’s lead. His manager had been keeping a very close eye on him
for the past week or so, but Seiichi was determined to prove that he had fully
recovered and had agreed, enthusiastically, to the studio’s idea that he come
to Ueno Park in person. The park did, however, fill him with some unease as he
recalled the last time he had been here and the battle against the Senshi.
He was being paranoid, Seiichi knew. There was no way that
Beryl could have found out who he was. Masaki would not have told anyone, even
after what happened to Kimura Taro.
The interviews were being held at the centre of the park
and Seiichi moved away from the fans as Tetsuya tapped his watch and then
jerked his head in the direction of the makeshift stage. Seiichi felt a little
bad that he couldn’t sign autographs for everyone, but Tetsuya was right, they
couldn’t delay any longer.
His manager noted the slight unease that had overtaken him
again as they approached the stage. Seiichi loathed speaking to the press, but
tried to reassure himself that it would be okay. The reporters seemed to love
his music almost as much as the fans and for this he was grateful.
“You’ll be fine” Tetsuya whispered encouragingly as
Seiichi brushed passed him and climbed onto the stage itself. He forced a smile
and looked up at the hundreds of fans who had gathered and the reporters
standing in the front row.
Seiichi was shocked to see Masaki near the front, too. Of
course, had Masaki been none the wiser to Seiichi’s true identity, he would
have been just another face in the crowd and Seiichi decided that the other man
had simply come to make sure that everything was going all right. Their gaze
met and Masaki smiled and nodded slightly as though guessing what Seiichi was
thinking.
“What the hell did you do that for?”
“I told you that we had to pull back. Half an hour was
long enough and we couldn’t have held out for much longer.”
“I know, but---”
“It was long enough”
For some reason, Seiichi was glad that Masaki didn’t seem
angry with him. This made him uneasy. The mission was all that mattered and why
should he care if he and Jadeite argued? Shaking his head slightly, Seiichi
picked up the microphone and the excited noise of the fans dimmed as they all
stared expectantly at him, waiting for him to speak.
*******
“Luckily it was not the real thing… this time.”
Taro nodded darkly, “But it could have been.”
“I know. We have to tread carefully. If the Dark Kingdom
gets the Ginzuishou…”
Kisho let the rest of the sentence hang. Taro was
obviously tired, no matter how much he tried to hide this. Sighing, Kisho stood,
“Let’s get you back inside” he offered, “I will speak to Mamoru. I think by now
it is obvious that we need answers.”
“Answers?” Taro asked, a little warily.
Kisho nodded, “I think Zoisite knows more than he cares to
let on and when he next appears I intend on asking him.”
Kisho walked through Ueno Park, half listening to the
excited chattering of his sister as they hurried to get away from the crowds of
people who had gathered. Kisho and Ayame both loved the Cherry Blossom viewing,
the petals were so beautiful and Kisho found that watching them helped relax
and focus his mind to the mission in hand.
Of course, today was different as the hundreds of people
who had gathered were more interested in Komoro Seiichi than watching the
Cherry Blossoms, which was fine by Kisho. He liked to observe nature quietly,
with only his sister for company and he did hate it when the park was
over-crowded. The star was talking to the press and as neither Ayame nor Kisho
had any interest in classical music, they had decided to find a quiet area and
just observe the blossoms together.
Still, Kisho couldn’t help but think of the mission and
what he had said to Taro. At the time he had been sure of himself, but now…
Kisho didn’t even know where to begin looking for their Prince. He could be
anyone. Hells he could even be in this very park, Kisho thought to himself,
though he dismissed this notion in an instant. Zoisite didn’t seem to be an
appreciative of nature.
“Queen Beryl wants me alive and, I suspect, that death
would be preferable to whatever it was that she had in store for me.”
“Zoisite. Since the past life I have sought to make you my
own. You might have eluded my Senshi, but your Shitennou cannot protect you
forever. We have one of your Shitennou, Zoisite, and, unless you give yourself
up, we will kill him.”
Kisho had suspected from the beginning, but now he knew it
to be true. He had seen Beryl’s face when she spoke out across Tokyo. She did
not want to hurt Zoisite because she was in love with him. Something had
happened in the past life, Kisho knew, something to make Beryl loathe it so
much. The Prince, the Princess and the Ginzuishou; all were interconnected and
Kisho felt sure that as he regained more memories of the past then the final
pieces of the puzzle would fall into place.
“Nii-san” Ayame’s voice jolted him out of such thoughts.
Her tone had suddenly become quiet and frightened and she clutched his hand
tightly in her own.
Kisho looked up, unable to suppress a small gasp of
surprise from escaping him. The clearing they had come too was occupied.
Several people lay sprawled under Cherry Blossom trees, their energy sapped
from them. In the midst of it stood Dark Jupiter. A ball of energy floating
just above her palm as she turned around to face them.
“So” she began nonchalantly, “We meet again, Kunzite.”
******
Seiichi looked on, a little apprehensively and at the same
time smiling slightly, as he finished speaking and awaited any questions that
the press might have regarding his first album. Despite being a little nervous,
he had really enjoyed today and had forgotten just how much he had appreciated
the fans support. He glanced at Tetsuya and his manager gave him a small smile.
“Has he always been your manager?”
“Ever since I first started playing the piano. I owe him a
lot.”
He did, he owed Tetsuya so much as it was his manager who
had first encouraged him to perform in public and helped him to obtain his
record deal.
Turning back to the audience, he got ready for the most
awkward bit of any interview; the questions.
The first few were straightforward. When did you first
start to play the piano? How many times a week did you practice? Did you choose
the title ‘Illusions’ for you album? But then they started to get more
complicated.
“It has taken you the best part of the year to finish your
album. Why is this?”
Seiichi smiled slightly and simply replied that there were
some complications when it came to recording it.
Still, the reporter was insistent, “Did it have anything
to do with your ill-health over the past month or so?”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it ill-health” Seiichi replied
carefully.
“No, I suppose that is the wrong choice of words” the
reporter smiled as he continued, “You were attacked by a wild animal and then a
‘crazy fan’ tried to blow up the stage before your fiftieth concert was due to
start.”
Seiichi laughed slightly at this, “Well there were a few
setbacks with the album and of course what happened would delay it for a
while.”
“Yes, but no one was ever charged with what happened at
the concert hall in the Juuban District. Is that correct?”
“That matter is still being investigated” Seiichi replied
softly, casting another glance over to Tetsuya, silently urging him to wrap
things up. Though all stars had to learn to expect a grilling from the press,
Seiichi felt uncomfortable having to lie to so many people.
Tetsuya sensed his discomfort and started towards the
stage, but suddenly Seiichi realised that he no longer had his fans undying
attention.
A scream cut through the air and the people at the front,
including Masaki, turned quickly to see what was wrong. Seiichi scanned the
crowds, his position on stage giving him a height advantage. The problem
appeared to be somewhere in the middle of his audience. Already, people were
pushing back on all sides and some lay on the floor, unconscious. As Seiichi
watched more fell down and the panicked screams of a few turned into a majority
as people started pushing each other in desperation to get away.
Seiichi’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the figure in
the centre of the chaos; Dark Mars. As he watched, she thrust out a hand, her
magics sapping the energy from the nearest person and she fell to the ground.
Then Mars moved onto the next target, which did prove difficult as the crowd
was now fleeing around her and she stepped forward, nearer the stage, to try
and stop them.
Seiichi took a tentative step forward, unsure of what to
do. He could hardly transform here, but if he did nothing…
His gaze met Masaki’s and the younger man quickly
disappeared into the crowd before reappearing as Jadeite to fight.
Dark Mars seemed annoyed but not surprised that he was present
and attacked quickly, sending a burst of fire in his direction. Jadeite blocked
this and sent the attack straight back at her. Both glared at each other and
got ready to fight again.
“Seiichi-kun!” Seiichi turned as Tetsuya raced to his
side. His manager had, for a moment, become lost in the panicked crowd, but now
had managed to climb back on stage and grabbed hold of his arm.
“Seiichi, come on. It’s not safe up here” Tetsuya urged
him.
Seiichi wanted to help… he wanted to transform, but he couldn’t…
not here… So he allowed Tetsuya to lead him towards the edge of the stage. He
turned once more, just to cast a glance in Jadeite’s direction as Dark Mars
hurled a ball of flame at the young Tennou. Jadeite managed to block it and,
again, sent his own attack of red energy back at her. In shear panic, Mars
deflected it… and sent it hurtling towards the stage.
Seiichi wasn’t sure what happened next. It happened so
quickly. One minute he was standing on the stage and the next he was on the
ground and could only recall a vague sensation of falling seconds before.
Gasping, slightly out of breath, Seiichi pushed himself up onto his knees,
feeling a little disorientated as he did so. Jadeite and Mars were still
fighting and paid him little heed. For a second Seiichi contemplated
transforming, but then his gaze locked on what remained of the stage.
“Tetsuya?” he whispered, a scream caught in his throat as
his gaze took in the devastation and the form of his manager lying so still in
the midst of it. Seiichi managed to stand, as painfully memories threatened to
overwhelm him as he stumbled towards the remains of the stage.
“Tetsuya?” he repeated, as he brushed aside some broken
planks of wood so that he could kneel down beside the man. Tetsuya was conscious,
Seiichi saw with relief, but he was very pale. He was bleeding from a gash to
his forehead. One arm, his left one, was out at an angle. Still, he managed a
smile when he saw his charge staring down at him. “You’re safe” he managed to
grit out, “I’m glad.”
“Why?” Seiichi whispered bitterly, now recalling how he
had fallen from the stage seconds before and that it had been Tetsuya who had
pushed him to save his life.
“I promised Zinan that I would look after you” Tetsuya
replied softly, before his eyes slid closed.
Seiichi tried to stand. He could still see the battle
continuing and knew he should be there, too, but all he could think of was
Tetsuya. He couldn’t have transformed, even if he had willed himself too. He
stayed by Tetsuya, unable to do anything more.
*****
“Get up!”
“I can’t…”
Mercury walked through a deserted part of the Ueno Park,
lost in her own thoughts/memories. Venus had ordered that they split up to
steal energy, but Mercury had found that her heart was no longer in the mission
and did not desire to serve Beryl anymore. She walked slowly, pausing only
under a lone Cherry Blossom to view the petals as they fluttered down, borne on
a gentle breeze. All the humans were in the centre of the park, thus giving
Mercury a free rein of its outer fringes. There were no people at all in this
particular part… except for one.
Kimura Taro… Nephrite
Mercury watched him from a distance, as always, staring at
the human with a strange mixture of longing and fear. He was seated on a bench
and appeared to be deep in thought and not noticing the Dark Senshi’s presence.
Mercury pressed up against the tree, taking no chances of being spotted.
He seemed better still since she last saw him and Mercury
felt a small smile playing across her lips at this. She wondered what he was
thinking about. Did it have to do with the mission? It must have, Mercury
decided. Why else would he look so serious?
Then he stood, as though to leave, and Mercury stepped
back, wincing as a twig snapped under foot. Taro looked up, casting a wary
glance around him before calling out:
“Who’s there?”
Mercury wanted to remain hidden, she didn’t want to be
seen by him, but she found herself stepping out from behind the tree against
her own will. It was as though she had become a helpless slave to her emotions
as she made her presence known. Taro’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw her
and he took a step backwards and braced himself for an attack.
Mercury shook her head softly, as though to explain that
she meant him no harm and Taro seemed to realise this.
“I won’t hurt you” she repeated her words of a week before
when he had woken to find her cleaning his wounds.
Taro remained unsure, but did not transform. It was as
though a part of him wanted to believe her, but at the same time he was
expecting a trap. Mercury lowered her gaze, unsure of what to do now.
******
“I can help out, too”
“You? Why?”
“Why not? I can look after the children and look after the
reception, too!”
“Just as long as you don’t try to sing karaoke like a
silly little child”
Usagi sighed to herself as she mopped the floor of Crown,
every so often watching Chiba Mamoru out of the corner of her eye. They were
now alone as Motoki had gone out for a break and Hina had gone to the Ueno Park
to see Komoro Seiichi. Usagi felt quite flustered at the prospect of being
alone with Mamoru-baka, and this continued to show as she, again, knocked over
the dirty bucket of water.
Mamoru looked up from the counter in annoyance, “Usagi?
What are you doing? Trying to flood the place?”
Usagi blushed and hurriedly mopped up the excess water
without saying a word, though her heart leapt at the fact that he had called
her ‘Usagi’ again.
“Motoki?”
“I fear you are mistaken… Sailor Moon.”
“But I don’t understand. Kimura-san works with Motoki-kun.
How can he not be you?”
“I’m not him.”
“Then who are you? How did you know where to find me?”
He was certainly cold and rude enough to be Tuxedo Kamen,
Usagi thought to herself angrily. Still… he had risked his life for her on more
than one occasion. That didn’t mean… did it? Usagi dared to gaze at Mamoru
again, who was keenly involved in watching the proceedings at the park via the
television. Mamoru has a fiancée, Usagi reminded herself, and he obviously
cares about her. Hina is beautiful and perfect and doesn’t mess up all the time
like I do. How can I possibly compete?
This thought startled Usagi somewhat and she almost
dropped the bucket as she carried it back into the storeroom. Do I even want to
compete for Mamoru-baka? Of course not! Just because he might be Tuxedo Kamen
doesn’t mean that I am in love with him! I love the Prince…. Usagi shook her
head sadly at this. She and Luna both knew that this wasn’t true and that fact
terrified Usagi. For so long she had been guided in her mission by her dreams
and the fact that they were now false was almost too much to bear.
Setting the mop and bucket down, she walked back into the
main room and couldn’t help but lean over Mamoru-baka’s shoulder to watch how
the interview was going.
“No, I suppose that is the wrong choice of words. You were
attacked by a wild animal and then a ‘crazy fan’ tried to blow up the stage
before your fiftieth concert was due to start.”
“Well there were a few setbacks with the album and of
course what happened would delay it for a while.”
“Yes, but no one was ever charged with what happened at
the concert hall in the Juuban District. Is that correct?”
Usagi couldn’t help but feel sorry for Komoro-san as the
reporter continued in his relentless questioning. Usagi knew how she’d feel if
it were here and she hated awkward questions at the best of times. Her stomach
rumbled loudly, reminding Usagi that she had been too nervous to eat this
morning and she fished in her pocket for some change before hurrying over to
the vending machine. She had just put her money in and was deciding whether to
have a chocolate bar or a packet of crisps, when Mamoru-baka cried out.
“Hina!” the tone of his voice caused Usagi to look round
and her heart leapt in her throat when she saw what was happening in the park.
Civilians were running from the Dark Senshi and those who
were too slow had already collapsed, their energy stolen. Usagi felt her heart
clench at the sight, though a part of her was amazed that the television studio
had continued to record throughout this. Then the camera swung back to the
stage, just in time to see it collapse. Usagi gasped softly even as the camera
cut and switched to a studio reporter.
“Hina!” Mamoru-baka repeated and jumped up from his seat.
“Where are you going?” Usagi called after him as he raced
towards the door.
“To find Hina!” he called over his shoulder before
disappearing outside.
Usagi, too, raced outside and dashed the way that
Mamoru-baka had taken, even as she called out her transformation.
“Moon prism power… make up!”
“Where are you going?”
“To find Hina!”
He loved Hina, Sailor Moon realised as she ran. It doesn’t
matter what my feelings towards him are… he can never love me back…
******
Kunzite pushed Ayame behind him, quietly ordering his
sister to stay back as he drew his sword and faced the Dark Senshi. Jupiter
smirked at this display in delight and took up her own fighting pose, even as
she said:
“Brotherly love, that’s so cute. If you don’t want to see
your brother die, Ayame, then I suggest you tell him to put down his weapon.”
Kunzite felt his sister flinch behind him and his rage
heightened. He had not had a chance to pay Jupiter back for what she put Ayame
through and now that he did, Kunzite fully intended on taking it.
Angrily, he slashed his sword at her, but Jupiter
cartwheeled to one side and struck another pose as she shook her head in
amusement, “You’ll never defeat me that easily. Flower hurricane!”
Kunzite blocked the attack with his sword, watching in
satisfaction as the petals fell harmlessly to the ground. Her face lit up in
surprise, but then darkened as she held out a hand and a steel sword appeared
in her hand.
She noted Kunzite’s shock with delight and said, “Did you
think because I’m a girl that I don’t know how to use one of these?” she
gestured to the sword.
“No” Kunzite answered, “I also taught myself never to
underestimate an enemy.”
“Well then” Jupiter pointed the sword in his direction;
“Let us see just how well you fair against me.”
******
Jadeite could only watch in a mixture of horror and
despair as Dark Mars’s attack slammed into the stage, disintegrating it in an
instant. He saw Tetsuya push Seiichi down the steps moments before, but this
did not make him feel any better. Dark Mars had come close to killing the
Prince and she didn’t even know it! Still, there was no time to check on
Seiichi or his manager and Jadeite had to tear his gaze from the scene and
focus on the battle.
Most people who were able too had left, thankfully, and
even the reporters seemed to have fled the scene. Jadeite struck again, hurling
a second attack of red magics at Mars. She leapt back, struggling to keep a
hold of the energy that she had collected and not quite succeeding. The glowing
ball fell from her hand and onto the ground where it shattered, its energy
dispersing back into its rightful owners.
“This is unforgivable” Mars seethed, but quickly
teleported away before Jadeite could attack her again.
Jadeite sighed, hurrying towards the remains of the stage
whilst de-transforming. To his relief he saw that Seiichi appeared to be
unhurt, but was very shaken and kneeling down over his manager.
“Seiichi-kun?” Masaki placed a hand on his friend’s
shoulder, unsure of what to say to him to offer any kind of comfort. “I’ll get
some help,” he said at last and Seiichi nodded, not taking his eyes off of
Tetsuya.
Masaki had never seen him look so upset and this
frightened him somewhat. It would seem that his Prince was more human than he
cared to admit after all.
******
Tuxedo Kamen entered the park from the north entrance,
managing to avoid the various policemen and paramedics that had swarmed onto
the scene. All he could think of was getting to Hina. He felt sick when he
thought of what might have happened to her. So much so that even his feelings
concerning Tsukino Usagi seemed to have died down with the possibility that his
fiancée might be hurt. He had tried to call the others on his mobile phone, but
he couldn’t reach any of them. Masaki’s phone was switched off, Kisho’s simply
rang off and Taro’s went straight to voicemail. Despairing, Tuxedo Kamen almost
wished that he had demanded to know, from Masaki, who Zoisite was. He needed
some help. He couldn’t face Dark Mars alone… not when his powers hadn’t fully
awakened.
No, he had to try… Hina was counting on him. Tuxedo Kamen
was so absorbed in rescuing his fiancée that he almost didn’t notice the scene
that he was met with. Tuxedo Kamen paused, everywhere he looked people were
lying unconscious.
“What is this?” he whispered, even as the Senshi stepped
out of between some trees and walked purposefully towards him.
“I am the Senshi of vanity and unrequited love, Dark
Venus. On behalf of the beautiful Dark Kingdom, I shall punish you!”
“The Princess? No. I am looking for her. Luna says I have to find the Princess, obtain the Ginzuishou and free my fellow Senshi from the Da