Earth
Guardian Prince Endymion:
Part Five:
“Are you sure it’s alright? You being here with me?
Tsukino Usagi asked shyly as she glanced up at Mamoru, a slight red blush
tinting her cheeks as she spoke.
“Why shouldn’t it be?” Mamoru answered, keeping his voice steady and, what he hoped, was uncommitted. This caused the pigtailed girl to lapse into silence once more, thus giving Mamoru more time to lament over the battle.
Why had he appeared so weak? His obvious lack of
swordsmanship had shown itself yet again and he knew that he had to become more
focused instead of concerning himself with the safety of those around him
constantly. In this lay his problem, or so Kunzite had often told him anyway.
With the arrival of the Senshi, Sailor’s Moon and Mercury,
the battle had turned and the Youma had retreated, but this was not a victory.
It would never be a victory. Not until the Dark Kingdom was defeated. Kunzite
understood this, but he refused to fight with them and had left as soon as the
battle ended. Zoisite, too, had made himself scarce although for a different
reason. Glancing around, Mamoru had found that, after staying to help, Taro had
also left. Mizuno Ami, Sailor Mercury, also appeared to have gone on her way,
leaving Mamoru alone with Usagi. This gave him cause to feel a little
apprehensive to say the least, recalling her sorrowful actions of before,
Mamoru found himself pausing and hesitating slightly as she looked on, hopeful
and yet saddened at the same time.
“I am…” Usagi whispered, a single tear running down her
cheek as she glanced up at Mamoru, “The destroyer of worlds…” with this she
turned and ran.
Of course, he knew Usagi well enough by now to know that
she could just pick herself off the ground again, not because she didn’t have feelings,
but because she refused to be dominated by such sadness in this life and Mamoru
had envied that. But still… her tears… he had never seen her so defeated, so
distraught…
Now she appeared somewhat muted in her usual seemingly
carefree and positive attitude. Perhaps this was to be expected? Mamoru didn’t
know.
“I’m sorry” Usagi suddenly blurted out, coming to a
complete standstill and distracting Mamoru from his thoughts.
Mamoru turned to look at her; seeing that Usagi’s hands
were clenched into fists at her sides and that she was trembling slightly. He
did not move, torn between his want to comfort the girl he loved and his
loyalty to the Tennou.
“Why are you sorry?”
“For forcing you to be with me. You don’t have too. You
can leave… if you like.”
“Baka” Mamoru shook his head and smiled, “I’m walking you
home because I want to and for no other reason. Why are you so apprehensive all
of a sudden?”
Usagi shrugged, “I saw how Kunzite and Zoisite looked at
me.”
“You should no better than to take any heed of them”
Mamoru answered her, a part of him becoming agitated that Usagi should be put
off even talking to him by his supposed friends.
“I should” Usagi hung her head, “But I do. They are
special too you also are they not?”
They were, Mamoru knew, but how could he tell her this
when she was obviously distressed that their love should be forbidden in this
world also?
“Being here with you” Mamoru said at last, keeping his
voice steady as he started to lead the way towards her house once more, “That
is special to me.”
He could literally feel the tension leaving her as he said
this and Usagi reached up, shyly, and took hold of his hand. Mamoru was about
to hesitate, but sensed the underlying desperation in this grip and allowed her
this small contact.
******
Usagi mentally winced when she and Mamoru reached her home
to find Hino Rei standing at her front door in the act of ringing the bell.
Hino Rei, Sailor Mars, had her reservations, too, about Usagi being together
with Mamoru and frowned upon any contact she might have with the Prince.
Letting go of Mamoru’s hand and feeling a blush rising in
her cheeks, Usagi told him that she would see him tomorrow. Mamoru also seemed
to keen to leave and did so without another word let alone uttering his own
farewell.
Apprehensively, Usagi looked up to meet Rei’s gaze,
knowing that she was about to be lectured.
“You were supposed to meet me at the shrine this
afternoon” the miko said softly, “We were going to meet to discuss the
mission.”
They were, Usagi realised, or, more accurately, they were
going to meet to discuss the Princess and Ginzuishou.
“I’m sorry. There were some Youma.”
Rei nodded, “I had sensed their presence in the city.
Queen Metallia is growing stronger and these Youma will continue to appear more
frequently and gain strength.”
“They were stronger” Usagi admitted, thinking of the
difficulty that Endymion, Kunzite and Zoisite had defending themselves and the
civilians from them, “I could feel their power.”
“The Ginzuishou feeds Metallia’s power” Rei ridiculed her
friend slightly, “You should not have transformed.”
“I couldn’t just watch” Usagi defended her actions hotly.
How could I watch them die? Even after the Princess… I just couldn’t do that…
“The Earth’s Guardians were always weak” Rei said softly,
“You should remember that.”
Usagi nodded and hung her head. She hated it when Rei was
angry with her.
“I’m sorry” Rei had seen the dismayed look on her friend’s
face and reached out to place an hand on Usagi’s shoulder, “I’m only telling
you this because you are my friend.”
“I know” Usagi smiled, grateful for Rei’s lack of comments
regarding Mamoru and she could only suppose that Rei had refrained from
mentioning this as she did not wish to appear to be too hard on her friend.
“Let’s not speak of it now” Rei added, “There’s Ami.” She
nodded towards the third member of their group.
The quietest Senshi was walking slowly towards them,
appearing almost disorientated as she stumbled towards the Tsukino family home.
“Ami-chan? Daijobu?” Rei called out as Ami came to a pause
before them.
She blinked up at Rei from behind her glasses, a sudden
look of confusion flickering in her eyes. Rei did not appear to understand this
and said, “Did you forget about our meeting, too?”
“Meeting?” Ami asked blankly, “I don’t understand.”
Usagi giggled and took hold of her friend’s arm, “Don’t
worry, Ami-chan. I forgot, too.”
“Ami?” Rei prompted again when she failed to reply, “What
is wrong?”
Usagi’s cheerful demeanour faded and she let go of Ami in
some shock.
“It’s nothing” Ami shook her head slightly, “I was walking
home after the battle and…”
“And?” Rei asked.
“Nothing. I don’t remember the walk here, that is all, but
I know I set out for home.”
“I do that sometimes” Usagi smiled in relief, “Sometimes
if you are preoccupied you lose all track of time.”
“Perhaps” Ami nodded, her concern still clear to see and
Usagi decided that the best thing would be to take Ami’s mind off this for a
while and said:
“Why don’t we have the meeting here? Mama’s gone to see
Papa at his work and won’t be back until late and Shingo’s got football
practice until 5.00pm.”
Rei nodded, somewhat suspiciously, but neither of them
refused this idea. Beaming happily, Usagi unlocked the front door and ushered
them inside.
******
“I saw how Kunzite and Zoisite looked at me.”
“You should no better than to take any heed of them”
“I should. But I do. They are special too you also are
they not?”
“Being here with you. That is special to me.”
Mamoru sighed to
himself as he pushed open the door to Crown. All night he had stayed awake
thinking of his words to Usagi of yesterday. He had meant them and that was
part of the reason that he felt so guilty about it.
Why shouldn’t I follow my heart, even now? The only reason
that Usagi allowed the Princess to overcome her was because of me.
“Mamoru, ohayo!”
He jumped slightly when Motoki cheerfully addressed him.
His friend set the mop and bucket down and came hurriedly over to him.
“How are you feeling now?”
Mamoru, still staying with his friend, had declined any
breakfast that morning complaining of a headache. This, of course, had
concerned Motoki, as he knew just how deeply Hina’s death had hurt Mamoru and
Mamoru himself doubted that he would ever get over the fact that his mission
had killed her.
“Better, thank you” Mamoru answered, glancing quizzically
at the cleaning equipment. “I thought you were putting an advert in the window
for a cleaner?”
Motoki shook his head, “I was… but… it’s strange. I was
under the impression that I already had one.”
Mamoru frowned, for some reason he also thought this
although he knew that Motoki had been working alone in Crown ever since he
could remember.
“Must have been wishful thinking,” Mamoru stated finally,
not knowing what else to make of this.
“Perhaps” Motoki shook his head and then brightened, “What
brings you here anyway?”
Mamoru paused whilst debating his reply. He wasn’t really
sure if he was at all truthful about it. He hadn’t wanted to go into college
and he couldn’t face sitting at Motoki’s house all day thinking about the
mission, especially when he felt as though he was making such a mess of things…
and yesterday…
Then it was over. Endymion’s back hit the wall, his sword
hand being wrenched cruelly round so that he was pointing his own blade at his
stomach.
“Master!”
Again, Zoisite struggled to reach his Prince but the
Youma, sensing victory, had forced him back too far and now gripped hold of him
tightly by the arms, rendering Zoisite helpless.
Had Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury not appeared then
Mamoru knew he would have been in big trouble and he hated to admit this to
himself. His powers were not as strong as they had been in the past life and
Mamoru knew that Zoisite and Kunzite were as aware of this as he was. Of
course, Zoisite had left as soon as the battle was over and Mamoru knew that
Seiichi would never say anything out right about the subject. If anything he
had been most apologetic that he hadn’t been able to break free from the Youma
and come to his Master’s aid.
Kisho had been different. Whilst he had not said anything,
the scorn in his eyes told Mamoru more than words could ever convey.
I am trying to become a good leader, Mamoru told himself,
and things were just so much more complicated now that the Princess’s true
powers had awakened. He didn’t want to hurt Usagi but he didn’t want to let
Seiichi and Kisho down again, either. In the past life he had failed them and
Mamoru had resolved never to repeat this, but he couldn’t help but wonder if
things weren’t spiralling out of his control.
“Mamoru?” Motoki shook his head and smiled, “Are you
okay?”
“I’m fine” Mamoru answered, “I just came here to see if
you wanted any help, that was all.”
Motoki nodded, “I could do, yes. Business has picked up
lately and I don’t think that I can cope by myself for much longer and…”
Mamoru turned away, ignoring the rest of the conversation
and picked up the mop and the bucket from where Motoki had set it down, near
the counter. He had, in all truth, hoped to run into Kisho here or that he
might decide to come by as he had yesterday. This thought stopped Mamoru cold.
Kisho had been in Crown yesterday?
“This is foolishness. And I have no time for such things.”
That was impossible. Mamoru clearly recalled meeting
Seiichi only here and then, once the Youma had showed up, Kisho had joined in
the battle.
“Motoki?” Mamoru asked softly, still unsure as he could,
as clear as day, remember Kisho shouting. “Did Kisho come by yesterday?”
“No” Motoki shook his head, “Only Komoro-san” he
confirmed.
“I see.”
“That reminds me. I got the photographs developed the
other day.”
‘The photographs’ Mamoru recalled had been taken a couple
of weeks ago when he had met Seiichi in Crown to discuss the mission. There had
also been a children’s party that day and Motoki had been asked by the girl’s
mother, whose birthday it was, to take some photographs for them to remember
the day by. There had been a couple of photos left on the film when the
children had all left and Motoki had thought it would be good to take some photos
of themselves. Mamoru didn’t really like photographs, let alone as keepsakes,
but Motoki could be so pushy once he had an idea in his head that they had just
gone along with it.
He mentally winced when Motoki started rummaging around in
his bag and then, gleefully, he produced the photos and started shuffling
through them to get to the end four. The first one was a photograph of Motoki
holding Kamekichie in one hand whilst grinning at the camera in an almost
childish fashion. The next was one of Mamoru and Motoki, and the latter had
been holding the camera out at arm’s length to get them both in the shot, but
had managed to put his thumb over half of the lens in the process. The third
photograph, however, gave Mamoru cause to stare intently at it and Motoki
appeared confused at the scene that the photo portrayed.
The man in the middle of the shot was definitely Mamoru,
but the two people standing either side of him… Mamoru frowned; he had no idea
who they could be. The older man standing to his left wore the standard Crown
attire; a red apron with Crown’s logo on the front and a pair of black jeans.
He was almost glaring at the camera, or rather, the person holding it, which
would have been Motoki, Mamoru supposed, and the fact that this man was angry with
Motoki didn’t surprise him too much. The man standing to his right appeared to
only be a year or two older than Mamoru. He wasn’t really focused on the camera
at all and was smirking slightly at the anger of his older friend. He wore a
pair of dark jeans and a T-shirt, and had a leather jacket slung over his
shoulders. Seiichi was standing beside him, slightly apart from the rest of the
group and appeared to be uncomfortable at the photograph being taken at all.
Slowly, Mamoru set the photograph down and was about to
question Motoki about this when the last picture caught his eye. The two men
from the third photo were again in this shot together with Seiichi and Mamoru.
This time Seiichi and Mamoru were the ones in the middle of the shot with the
other two flanking them. The oldest one was next to Seiichi and had one arm
draped loosely around his shoulders, whilst smiling at the camera. The other
one was, again, giving the pair a sidelong glance.
“Okay!” Motoki declared loudly, “We only have one more shot
left on this film. How about another group shot? Mamoru-kun, Komoro-san, can
you two please stand in the middle. Masaki-kun, stand the other side of Mamoru.
Kimi-kun, stand next to Komoro-san” Motoki directed.
Mamoru sighed, deciding best to humour his friend, as this
would have to be the last photo. Seiichi, too, hesitated slightly before
reluctantly taking his place next to Mamoru.
“This is so much fun” Motoki beamed happily, “I should
have become a professional photographer, right Kamekichie?”
“Instead of a professional idiot?” Taro muttered loudly
before following Motoki’s directions and came to stand beside Seiichi. His
annoyance turned to amusement when he saw the almost look of torture on the
star’s face as Motoki struggled with the camera, trying to get them all in the
frame and nearly tripping over the half full bucket of water next to the
counter as he did so.
“Cheer up” Taro grinned as he put his arm around Seiichi’s
shoulders in a bid to get the pianist to relax somewhat. If anything this
simply heightened his anxiety. Yet before he could shake the older man off of
him, the flash went off.
“That’s it” Motoki stated sadly, “The end of the film.”
“What” Mamoru whispered, whilst glancing
up in confusion at Motoki, “What is this?”
Motoki shrugged, also deeply concerned,
“I don’t know. I don’t remember your other friends being there.”
“Other friends? They’re not my friends.
I don’t know who they are.”
“Then perhaps they’re Komoro-san’s?”
Masaki-kun? Kimi-kun? But we were on friendly terms with
them… we wouldn’t have been if they were friends of Seiichi’s.
“Then I don’t know” Motoki shrugged, “I
don’t even remember them being there.”
“Nor do I” Mamoru snapped and then,
feeling bad, he apologised and slipped the two photographs into his pocket, “I
have to go.”
“Matte” Motoki protested, “Mamoru--”
“I’ll see you later” Mamoru called as he
practically ran from Crown.
“I don’t know. I don’t remember your other friends being
there.”
“Other friends? They’re not my friends. I don’t know who
they are.”
It can’t be… what is this?
******
“I’m afraid the concert is about to
start” the guard standing outside of the Kouryo concert hall in Shibuya
explained patiently, “I can’t let you inside unless you have a ticket.”
“I’m a friend of Seiichi’s” Mamoru
answered, trying to keep the anxiety from his voice. He had got a taxi from
outside of Crown, hoping to catch his friend before he left his apartment for
the concert hall. He had been too late and now he wasn’t even being allowed
inside the building. Of course, Mamoru was telling himself that the best thing
would be to wait until the concert had finished, but something deep down inside
of him was saying that he should speak to Seiichi right away.
“Okay!” Motoki declared loudly, “We only have one more
shot left on this film. How about another group shot? Mamoru-kun, Komoro-san,
can you two please stand in the middle. Masaki-kun, stand the other side of
Mamoru. Kimi-kun, stand next to Komoro-san” Motoki directed.
This memory… it was real… Mamoru knew it
was and yet it was impossible. He didn’t know those two men! He’d never met
them before and yet… He had to talk to Seiichi now. As Seiichi was also there,
Mamoru was hoping that he would be able to shed some light on the situation.
“A friend of his?” the guard repeated,
“Sorry, but Komoro-san will have to verify that before I allow you admittance.”
“Then can you go and get him?” Mamoru
had tried Seiichi’s mobile before he set out but it had been switched off.
“I can’t do that until after the concert
ends.”
Mamoru sighed in frustration and turned
away. Perhaps he could try sneaking in through the back door as Masaki had
done… this thought stopped him cold. Why would he recall something that this
‘Masaki’ had done? He didn’t know him! Then how did he know that he was one of
Seiichi’s fans?
“Mamoru-san!”
“Tetsuya?”
Mamoru looked around and saw Seiichi’s
manager pushing hastily passed the guard on duty, “I was just checking that
everything was alright after the fiasco a few months ago” Tetsuya said, casting
a wary glance at the few reporters who had lingered in the hopes of finding a
good story, “And I thought I heard your voice. Have you come to see the concert?”
“I was actually hoping to have a word
with Seiichi before he starts”
Tetsuya shook his head, “I’m afraid it
is just about to start and--”
“I won’t keep him long” Mamoru
interrupted, “It is important, Tetsuya.”
Seiichi’s manager sighed, “Okay. I’ll try
and catch him” he hand Mamoru a key after speaking, “If you take the left
turning and keep going down the corridor you’ll come to his room. You can
unlock it and wait inside. I’ll see if I can catch him for you.”
“Thank you” Mamoru said appreciatively before
doing as Tetsuya had instructed, giving the guard an ‘I told you so’ look as he
brushed passed. As he hurried down the corridor, Mamoru felt a pang of guilt
for dragging Seiichi away from his concert like this, but he had to know if…
Mamoru didn’t even know what ‘if’ was himself yet and a part of him dreaded the
answer.
Reaching the room, Mamoru unlocked it
and stepped inside before shutting it again behind him. A few pieces of sheet
music were stacked up on the desk and one of Seiichi’s jackets was hung up
behind the door, but otherwise the room was pretty much bare aside from the
desk and chair in one corner. Without thinking, Mamoru walked over to the desk
and picked up a single sheet of music and studied it for a few moments. It’s
the piece that he was working on the other night, Mamoru realised.
“What are you doing?” Mamoru ventured after another period
of silence.
“Writing my new piece, Master” Seiichi answered straight
away, setting the pen down to face Mamoru as he spoke.
“You’ve only just finished one” Mamoru replied to this,
thinking of Kinzuru.
“I compose best after a concert, Master.”
“I would have thought you’d need to be at a piano” Taro
huffed loudly, causing Seiichi to again glance up at him with a slight smile.
“Taro?” Mamoru whispered, “They were
there? This can’t be…” he could clearly recall only himself and Seiichi being
present but he also had vague memories of the other two being there also.
Picking up a few more sheets of music,
as though to search for clues, Mamoru jumped slightly when the door opened
again. Seiichi seemed a little hassled as he entered the room, but quickly hid
this when his gaze met Mamoru’s before it travelled down to glance at the
pieces of paper clenched tightly in his hand.
Instantly, Mamoru set them down on the
desk again, “I’m sorry” he said quietly.
“I don’t mind” Seiichi answered him,
“Tetsuya said that you wished to speak with me”
“I did” Mamoru said, hesitating slightly
and somehow feeling a little foolish when met with Seiichi’s calm countenance.
He paused for a minute until the pianist was forced to prompt him.
“Master?”
“It is stupid” Mamoru admitted quietly,
“I’m sorry for bothering you. You should go back on stage.”
Seiichi shook his head, “It is no
bother. What is wrong?”
Mamoru didn’t reply and simply slipped
the photographs out of his pocket and handed them to his friend. Seiichi stared
at them and then glanced back up at Mamoru.
“Masaki? Taro?” he said softly, allowing
some confusion into his voice, but no hint of the concern and panic that Mamoru
felt.
“You know them, too” Mamoru said in
relief.
Seiichi shook his head, “I do but… my
memories…” he faltered off, but Mamoru knew what he was struggling to say.
“It’s as though you have two different
sets of memories, isn’t it?”
Seiichi nodded and was about to reply
when Tetsuya rapped loudly on the door whilst shouting:
“Seiichi? Everyone is getting restless
out here.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” Seiichi called
back, somewhat irritably, “Can you let everyone know that there will be a short
delay?”
Tetsuya muttered something incoherent
and left.
“Jadeite and Nephrite were turned
against us in the past life” Seiichi continued, “That is how I remember it, but…”
Mamoru opened his eyes and stared at Ueda-san, seeing for
the first time what had drawn him to the other man.
He stood, trembling, retrieving his cane from the floor
and called out in an equally shaky voice:
“Jadeitou!”
Ueda-san gasped upon hearing that name and, with a sudden
burst of strength, threw the Youma off of him. As he did so the entire room lit
up in a red light. Mamoru leapt backwards, shielding himself with his cape when
it became too bright. The glow seemed to be coming from Ueda-san.
The Youma howled in pain, writhed in agony and then
shattered, sending millions of tiny clay particles all over the carpet.
Slowly, Mamoru lowered his arm and then gasped again.
Ueda-san slowly lowered his hand, staring silently down at himself and the
transformation he had undergone.
~~~~~~
“Nephrite?”
Taro jumped slightly as someone called out a name directed
at him that was foreign but yet seemed strangely familiar, and three people
materialised before him. One was a girl with long blonde hair that was done up
into pigtails. She wore a white and blue Sailor fuku, and instantly raced to
the girls, who were starting to come around and began to help them back through
the churning portal.
It was the other two, however, that held Taro’s attention.
One was dressed very similar to his own attire, except
that his was shaded in a dark blue and he had light blonde hair. The other wore
a tuxedo and cape. But, despite their strange clothing, Taro seemed to know who
they were.
“Chiba-san? Ueda-san?” he murmured, gesturing down to
himself, “What is this?”
“Nephrite?” Chiba-san repeated, and then added,
“Kimura-san?”
“We have other memories” Mamoru
whispered, “Memories that do not correspond with everything we know.”
“That is impossible” Seiichi answered
softly, “But you are the Prince and I trust your judgement as well as these
conflicting recollections.”
“What should we do?”
“I have to be on stage. To cancel now
would be awkward, but afterwards we should speak to Kunzite. Whatever is
happening…” Seiichi paused, and Mamoru had to prompt him to continue, “I don’t
think it is done yet.”
Mamoru felt his anxiety heightened as
his words, “Then cancel. I’m sure no one will hold it against you.”
Seiichi slowly nodded, still clearly
agitated about cancelling, but sensing the urgency in Mamoru’s request, said,
“I’ll cancel it.”
Deep down, Mamoru knew that this was for
the best. Until they had established what exactly was going on, he felt a
strange sort of concern about letting his friend out of his sight for even a
second. This was stupid, Mamoru berated himself
and an ounce of guilt crept into his mind as Seiichi made to go to the door and
tell Tetsuya that he would have to postpone the concert. Despite everything
that was happening, how could he simply turn up here and demand that Seiichi
cancel a concert over a few memories and feelings? Despite his anxiety it just
wasn’t fair and Seiichi would only do this without much hesitation because of
who Mamoru had been before.
“Wait” he said, catching Seiichi by the
arm as he moved towards the door, “How long does your concert last?”
“A hour and a half” was his reply.
“Then leave it be. I’ll wait here for
the concert to finish.”
“Master--”
Mamoru shook his head, “Go. You don’t
want to keep your fans waiting.”
Seiichi still hesitated for a moment,
and Mamoru struggled to hold his gaze in an effort to assure his friend that,
despite his disquiet, he felt that this could wait until after the concert.
Tetsuya again banging on the door caused Seiichi to turn, thanking Mamoru
before leaving the room.
Once he had gone, Mamoru sat down at the
desk once more, again leafing through the sheet music as more memories of that
night flashed before his mind’s eye.
Finally, Seiichi set the ink pen down and turned around
his chair to greet them properly. Mamoru winced at being called ‘Master’ and
Taro, seeing this, spoke up quickly with:
“I enjoyed your concert, Seiichi.”
“You were asleep for most of it” was the star’s reply.
Taro bolted off the sofa absolutely mortified that Seiichi
had noticed this let alone point it out.
Seiichi smiled slightly and shook his head, explaining
that this hadn’t bothered him at all. This amusement only served to raise
Taro’s ire and Mamoru cast a pleading looking in Taro’s direction, willing him
to let the matter go. Mamoru did suspect that Seiichi was a little annoyed at
them being here, hence his reason for calling Taro on this.
He smiled slightly at the recollection
and the many others that were beginning to come back to him as he sat staring
at the sheet music. Slowly, Mamoru felt calm descending on him. He leaned back
in the chair, silently berating himself for coming here in a panic. Seiichi was
right. After the concert they could go and see Kisho and get this mess
straightened out. It was most likely a Dark Kingdom plot and the quicker they
got over it the better.
Closing his eyes briefly, Mamoru could
hear the beginnings of Tsuki no Jigoku being played
by his friend. Perhaps he should have gone to the concert after all? Mamoru
mused to himself. Seiichi’s music always had a calming effect on him, even
before he awakened as Tuxedo Kamen. Mamoru could recall Hina playing the CDs on
her stereo and Mamoru half listening as he looked through his college notes.
This memory half pained him as he
thought of Hina’s death and so Mamoru opened his eyes and stood, suddenly
deciding to get closer to the concert itself, not wanting to be alone with
these recollections of happy times.
As he opened the door, Mamoru was
surprised at how heavy his legs felt. It was as though they were made of lead
and he had trouble placing one foot in front of the other. Gripping the door
handle tightly, Mamoru was barely able to make it out into the hallway,
gritting his teeth as the sensation moved up to his chest. Sweat beaded on his
forehead as he struggled forward, the weight settling on his chest and between
his shoulder blades, trying to force him backwards and away from the direction of
the stage.
What is this?
A sense of urgency over took him and
Mamoru pushed himself onwards, gritting his teeth as the invisible force that
held him refused to let up any. Holding one hand out in front of him, Mamoru
saw that he was trembling and his legs almost threatened to give way as he
leaned against the wall to regain his balance.
“It’s as though you have two different sets of memories,
isn’t it?”
Why was he here? Mamoru glanced around
wildly as he sensed his mind slipping away from him. His vision began to fray
at the edges, as he could no longer recall why he was at this concert hall.
“A hour and a half” was his reply.
“Then leave it be. I’ll wait here for the concert to
finish.”
“Master--”
Mamoru shook his head, “Go. You don’t want to keep your
fans waiting.”
Seiichi… he was here to see Seiichi…
With a renewed force, Mamoru pushed
himself away from the wall and staggered down the corridor towards the sounds
of the piano being played, but now the instrument was being accompanied by
another; a harp.
This is…
Mamoru reached the end of the corridor
and made a wild dash for the steps leading onto the side of the stage itself as
the harp continued to get louder and louder, pounding in his ears and blotting
out the music being played by his friend.
As Mamoru stumbled onto the stage,
Seiichi turned to look at him the words ‘Master’ dying on his lips as Mamoru
fell forwards onto his knees, his vision turning completely black as the harp’s
music consumed him.
*********
Kisho sat in front of the television,
absently flicking through channels, much to Ayame’s annoyance, never pausing on
one for more than ten seconds as he thought back to the battle. Again the
Senshi had come to interfere. Did they not understand that the Tennou and
Endymion protected the Earth? The Senshi were the Moon Kingdom’s Guardians and
had no place on the blue planet. It angered him to think that they fought for
one of the same goals as much as it did to see the way Sailor Moon stared at
Endymion.
De-transforming, Tsukino Usagi shyly made her way to
Mamoru’s side, “Are you alright?” she asked, a tint of red blush adorning her
cheeks as she spoke.
“Yes. Thank you” Kisho was annoyed when Mamoru answered
her question with a little more gratitude and kindness than he had when his own
guardians had enquired into his well being.
Already it was happening. Endymion was
starting to look to Serenity once again. Beryl, too, would note this and the
Earth would feel her wrath. The Princess had destroyed the planet before and
Kisho was in no doubt that she would do so again.
“This is foolishness,” Kisho snapped back as he turned to
exit the room, “And I have no time for such things.”
“Then perhaps you should make time. Instead of dismissing
everything that does not concern you or the mission.”
Kisho suddenly felt a sense of
uneasiness overtaking him as he recalled these words. Was he too focused on the
mission? Should he have taken a note of the strangeness of Taro’s call?
Taro?
“You are watching this store in case the Prince turns up
looking for the Ginzuishou?” Kisho asked.
Taro nodded and Kisho snorted in contempt at this,
“Fools.”
“What?” he growled angrily, “What do you mean?”
“That bar across the road” Kisho indicated a small
building with a nod of his head.
“What about it?” Masaki wanted to know.
“The enemy are harvesting energy from the people inside
even as we speak.”
“Nii-san?” Ayame asked softly as Kisho
felt the colour literally draining from his face.
“I’m fine” he answered her as he stood,
“I’m going to get some fresh air.”
Things that don’t concern me?
For reasons unknown to him, Kisho was suddenly gripped by
this urge to find Mamoru. Was it because of his oath in the past life to
protect the Prince or was it something else? He knew where to find his friend…
The Kouryo Concert Hall…