Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Awakening the Shadows ❯ Chaos Factor/Breakfast at the Temple ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The next morning everyone was still sleeping when Aria slipped outside to take a walk. Despite how tired she was sleep still eluded her long after the others had fallen asleep. Eclipse's accusations played over and over through her mind, and though the others reassured her that she had done just fine, there were still doubts that she could not extinguish. Was her hesitation crippling the team? Why did she still have so much trouble controlling her powers? The question that plagued her most of all was if she was truly worthy of being a Senshi?

Aria sighed strolling through the dew soaked grass. More than ever she longed to be home, sitting in the milk white sand next to the sapphire blue waters. In her mind she could almost hear the sweet melancholy song of the melaya birds. Their song was more than likely the most beautiful sound ever to be heard, and the birds themselves were a stunning sight. Silvery white feathers covered their bodies while long jewel-toned plumage crowned their heads and tails. She would have given anything to see one soaring gracefully overhead.

But no. She was trapped here on this planet, light years from home, with a future that was uncertain at best. It troubled her to no end, but finally as the sun rose higher in the sky she returned to the temple and forced herself to lay down once more. Wiping away the last of her tears, Aria fell into a fitful sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~

" Oh, this is progressing just wonderfully, " sneered Queen Beryl sarcastically, " Just who the hell are these Senshi and where did they come from? " She tapped her long pointed nails on the arm of her throne, " Zoisite! Kunzite! " she screamed through the echoing chambers of her palace.

The two generals appeared immediately, " Yes M'Queen? " Kunzite said with a bow, " What can we do to assist you? " General Kunzite knew that Jedite had failed to return from his last mission and that Nephlyte had been sent to find him. From the tone of Beryl's voice, he guessed that the latter had disappeared as well.

" I want the two of you to go to Earth. Jedite and Nephlyte have not only failed, but they are now our enemies and should be killed upon sight. But I warn you, there are unknown Senshi on the planet, and I feel that they are an enormous threat to our plans. You must find a way to deal with them as well as the Sailor Senshi. NOW GO! "

Kunzite and Zoisite glanced at one another before vanishing out of sight. When they reappeared on Earth Zoisite turned to General Kunzite, " Just what we needed, more Senshi brats to deal with. Where do you think they came from? "

" I can't begin to imagine, but they're more than likely responsible for turning Jedite and Nephlyte against us. We have to be very careful. "

Zoisite punched a few keys on a small device he was holding, " I've found the coordinates where Nephlyte last fought. There's an amazing amount of residual energy from the battle. I can't verify where it all originated from, but it must have been some fight. "

" Before we do anything we need to track down the Senshi and formulate a plan to incapacitate them. "

Zoisite nodded in agreement as they proceeded to that morning's battle site.

*~*~*~*~*~*

" What smells so good? " demanded Nara as she wandered into the kitchen.

Makoto turned with a smile and a spatula, " I thought that everyone might want something to eat, and I love to cook! "

" And she's really good, too, " exclaimed Usagi between bites, " Try some! "

Nara laughed and took a plate from the counter, " I'm absolutely starving now that you mention it. "

" Morning, " came a sleepy voice from the doorway.

" Morning? " laughed Rei, " It's almost three o'clock! "

Nephlyte stifled a yawn and turned to Jedite, " First time I've slept in for centuries. "

Makoto giggled and held up two plates, " You guys want something to eat? "

" Sounds great, " Nephlyte smiled and wove his way through the kitchen to where she was standing.

Jedite took a plate from the counter and pulled a chair up next to Rei, " How are you feeling this morning? "

She blushed slightly and looked down at her plate, " Oh, I'm just fine. How about you? "

" Much better than I've felt in a long time. "

Nara watched them inconspicuously as she ate. It must be wonderful to have someone special to share looks and secrets with and to hold you when things were rough. An image of Jaize flashed in her mind, and she sighed to herself. She had had a terrible crush on that guy for almost two years, but he was several years older than her. Besides, he didn't really pay much attention to her, and she had a feeling that he had his eye on someone else.

She cleared her plate and took it over to the sink absently tossing it into the soapy water. " Excuse me, young lady, I don't think I caught your name. "

" Huh? " Nara was a bit startled when she bumped into the little old man but she smiled politely, " My name is Nara, sir. "

The man laughed cheerfully, " Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Nara, and welcome to the Cherry Hill Temple. My grand daughter never mentioned having a friend as lovely as..."

" Grandpa! " shrieked Rei, totally embarrassed by her grandfather's behavior, " Leave her alone. "

" I was only introducing myself to your friend since you don't have enough manners to do it. And you didn't even ask if all these people could stay. You should be more appreciative of how easy you have it here. Why in my day... "

" Ah.... I'm sorry, Grandfather. Why don't you go sit in the garden and I'll bring you some tea. "

" Well, I guess that would be nice, " he moved to leave the room just as Mayoko and Keridwen walked in. He eyed them curiously for a moment and was about to speak when Rei rushed over.

" You go relax Grandpa, I'll bring that tea in just a moment. " she nudged him gently towards the door.

The little man muttered something under his breath about ungrateful kids before finally leaving.

" Should I go wake up the others? " Usagi asked as she finished off her second helping of food.

" You better or they're not going to they anything to eat, " laughed Makoto.

Usagi stuck her tongue out at her friend before rushing away to wake up the rest of the group.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ami had just stepped out of the room when Usagi arrived. " I would have been out sooner, but there was a book I was just dying to finish. "

Usagi shook her head, " Ami, you're just unbelievable, " she laughed, " Makoto made pancakes, but you better hurry. "

Ami hurried for the kitchen as Usagi walked into the bedroom. There were Minako and Aria, still sound asleep, and Luriel was sitting in the corner of the room with her eyes closed. Usagi guessed that she was doing some type of meditation and didn't really want to disturb her.

" Good afternoon, Usagi. Did you rest well? "

" Oh! Luriel, I hope I didn't mess you up or anything. "

" Not at all, " she smiled and stood stretching her arms over her head, " Do I smell something cooking? "

" Yes, that's what I came to tell you, " Usagi glanced around the room, " Where is Khamiya? "

" She got up a while ago, " Minako muttered groggily.

Luriel moved to the other side of the room and gently shook Aria, " Wake up sleepy head. Come get something to eat. "

Aria groaned in protest but slowly pulled herself out from under the blanket, " Is it morning already? "

" Actually, it's late afternoon, and our hosts have provided a meal for us. It would be rude to miss it. "

" Yea, uh-huh. I'm coming. Be right with you. "

The others laughed and headed en mass to the kitchen, which was reaching maximum capacity. Makoto was still cooking while Rei and Mayoko tried to keep up with the dishes. Ami was eating as Nara relayed to her every detail about the Calerian Science Institute. Mamoru was standing across the room and waved Usagi over the moment she walked into the kitchen, and Keridwen was involved in an in-depth conversation with Jedite and Nephlyte. It was a noisy but comfortable kind of chaos.

Luriel smiled but in the back of her mind she was worried about Khamiya. It was tempting to go try to find her, but in the end it would accomplish nothing. Until Khamiya was ready no one would know what was going on inside her head.