Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Celestial Moon ❯ Chapter Eight: Luna in Peril, The Trading of Lives ( Chapter 8 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Celestial Moon
by: drama81

Chapter Eight

"Mako-chan are you sure you won't stay?" Artemis asked as Makoto loaded the last of her things
into her jeep.

"Iie. Luna betrayed my trust in her. I can hardly stand to be around her. I'm sorry, Artemis-
papa," Makoto said, giving her father a hug.

"I can't say I blam you, but I also know Luna a lot better than you do. I know she had a reason
behind yelling at that new senshi like she did. I just have to find it out," Artemis said.

They hugged once more then Makoto climbed into her jeep and started it up. She started to drive
off then stuck her arm out and waved at Artemis, who returned the wave. Makoto reached the other
side of Tokyo in half an hour and stopped outside of her apartment. She climbed out and grabbed
a load of things to take in. As she headed up the stairs, she felt someone bump into her.

A soft moan told Makoto it was a female. She put her stuff down on the sidewalk and looked up to
see Usagi standing up and rubbing her rear. "Usa-chan! Gomen nasai, I didn't see you," she said
quickly.

Usagi looked up and smiled at Makoto. "It's okay. I'm fine. Just a little bit of a bruised ego
is all. Say, Mako-chan, what are you doing here? I thought you lived across town with Luna-baka
and Artemis-kun," she asked.

"Well after the little fight you and Luna had last week, I decided to move out. This place had
the most affordable apartments around, so I thought I would move in. I didn't know you live
here," Makoto replied.

"Hai, it isn't the best of neighborhoods, but you get privacy around here. If someone knew about
my other side, then they would probably beg me to help them with every little thing," Usagi
remarked, helping Makoto pick up her things.

The two walked back inside, each with an armful of Makoto's things. They reached Makoto's
apartment and she slid the key in, unlocking the door. "Hey, this is right next to my place. At
least I know who they leased the place out to now. The last person had a teenage son that liked
to drill holes in the wall and look through it and into my bedroom. I gave him an eyeful a time
or two, but never let him see anything indecent. Unless you consider the back indecent," Usagi
said.

Makoto laughed at the image in her head. "Just be glad it wasn't Haruka in that room. She would
have cheered you on," she said, laughing even harder. The two girls quickly descended into a
laughing fit.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Kunzite, get in here!" Beryl bellowed.

The man appeared in a flash of light. He immediately bowed before his queen. "Hai m'queen?" he
asked.

"Zoicite failed in his attempt to find the Ginzuishou and kill the senshi. You are my greatest
general and it's time I gave this mission to a worthy person. Do not disappoint me," Beryl
commanded.

"Of course. I shall take care of the problem right away," Kunzite said before he disappeared.

Endymion emerged from behind Beryl's throne. "You know, I think he was my best general too. He
always seemed to have his head on straight. I still don't think he'll succeed, though. These
senshi have a way of defeating us. Look at Jadeite, he actually did quite well in his first
mission. After that he became obsessed with destroying the senshi and didn't think clearly.
Nephrite was even better, though. He used others in his plans until he became desperate. Then
everything fell apart. Zoicite never had a chance, though. He was cocky from the beginning. If
anything, I think Kunzite will fail simply because some new element will introduce itself and he
won't have time to think of a quick solution," he mused.

"Perhaps you are right. Then again perhaps you are wrong. Kunzite has always been quick on his
feet. Only time will tell for sure, though," Beryl sneered. "And time is a commodity that we do
not have. Metallia grows weaker every day, little by little she is dying on us. She still has
many days left in her, but until the senshi are destroyed and the Ginzuishou is ours she will be
in danger."

~~~~~~~~~~

A gray sleeved hand punched through a wall. "Those baita will not live to see tomorrow. I shall
destroy each and every one of them," Kunzite said as he removed his hand from the wall.

"You know, it wasn't all of the senshi who destroyed Zoicite. It was actually just two. Sailor
Jupiter and that silver senshi destroyed him," Endymion said as he appeared in the general's
room.

"Then they shall suffer the most. Be sure a healer is ready when I return. I plan to torture
those two until they are ready to die, but then have the healer heal their bodies so I may start
over again," Kunzite said, his eyes narrowed to small slits.

"Of course. Leave Celestia to me, though. I know you wish to see her suffer, but she is mine.
Understand?" Endymion demanded.

"Fine, but only because I still have memories from before Beryl in my head. I do this last favor
to you as your top general. After this, though, you do not command me at all," Kunzite said.

"Thank you. I did see their identities, so I may be of help to you. We should set out at once
to find the senshi. The longer we wait, the closer they get to beating us," Endymion stated.

"Then let us be on our way," Kunzite said, then disappearing.

Endymion quickly followed suit and appeared next to Kunzite in the park. They quickly donned
forms that would fit in. "We should begin around where the battle took place. From there we can
track them easily," Endymion suggested.

The two men walked quickly to the last battle spot. They both examined it and made a quick
discovery. "One of them is near here," Kunzite said, anger flaring up in his eyes.

Endymion put a hand on Kunzite's shoulder. "No, but one of them has been around here quite a
bit, and judging by the feel of the power, I'd say it was Jupiter. This doesn't feel as pure as
Celestia. It feels more natural, which would be Jupiter. So let us be off to find where the
trail leads us," he said.

Kunzite nodded and the two men walked towards Luna and Artemis' house. They arrived and kicked
open the door. They both rushed inside, their forms shifting back to their normal forms. Luna
screamed as they entered the kitchen. Kunzite grabbed her and shook her until she quit
screaming. "Where is she? Where is Sailor Jupiter?" he demanded.

Luna had recognized both Endymion and Kunzite the moment they had stepped into the kitchen, but
knew they didn't recognize her. She decided to try and bluff her way out. "I don't know what
you are talking about. Please let me go, only my husband and I live here," she said, fear lining
her voice.

Kunzite let go of one of Luna's arms and slapped her with the back of his hand. "Do not lie to
me. Her power is everywhere in this place. In fact, all of the senshi have been here quite a
bit. This entire place is reeking of them. Now tell me what I want to know and I may spare your
pathetic life," he demanded.

"She doesn't live here. I swear," Luna said, using her free hand to cradle her face where she
had been hit.

Kunzite slapped her again, letting her fall to the ground this time. "You are worthless to me,"
he said, powering up a blast in his hand.

"Kunzite hold it. She is still important. The senshi are obviously attached to her. She will
be the perfect hostage. With her, the senshi shall come to us," Endymion said, grabbing the
white-haired general's hand.

Kunzite let the energy disperse and looked down at Luna. "You just got lucky. Now stand up," he
commanded.

Luna struggled to her feet. Kunzite grabbed her left wrist and squeezed it tightly. They all
teleported quickly back to the Dark Kingdom. Kunzite threw Luna into a cell and closed the door
behind him. Luna sank back into a corner and curled up in a ball and began to cry. 'Please be
careful Mako-chan,' she thought.

~~~~~~~~~~

Artemis walked into his house and knew something was wrong right away. The door was open and
signs of forced entry were prominent. He began to look around, his heart racing. He called out
to Luna a few times, but received no answer. He looked around in the kitchen and noticed a
couple spots of blood on the ground. His eyes widened as thoughts began to race around his head.

Endymion appeared in the small room. "Don't worry, she's not dead, yet," he said.

"Where is Luna? What have you done with her you monster?" Artemis demanded.

"Like I said, she's not dead. She's in a secure place, though. Tell Celestia and Jupiter to
come to pier 14 in two nights. Be there at midnight and no one should be with them. If these
demands are not met, you can kiss Luna good-bye," Endymion said before he disappeared.

Artemis gasped at Endymion's revalation. As soon as he was gone, Artemis ran to the phone and
dialed Makoto's apartment.

~~~~~~~~~~

Makoto had just finished making dinner for herself and Usagi when the phone rang. She looked at
Usagi with apology in her eyes. "I'll be right back Usa-chan. Go ahead and start without me,"
she said.

She picked up the phone and put it to her ear. "Moshi moshi. Kino residence," she said.

"Thank kami that you're home," Artemis said on his end.

"Tou-san, is that you?" Makoto asked.

"Hai. Something happened today. They found us," Artemis said.

"Hold on, who found you?" Makoto asked.

"The Dark Kingdom. I don't know how many there were, but they took Luna. Endymion appeared in
front of me and told me to have you and Celestia meet him at pier 14 in two nights. I'm so
terrified for Luna right now," Artemis said.

The phone fell from Makoto's hands when Artemis told her about the Dark Kingdom. Tears sprang to
her eyes and began to fall. Usagi walked in, startled by the sound of the phone. "Mako-chan, is
everything alright?" she asked.

"Iie. They've got kaa-san. Just a moment Usa-chan," Makoto answered, picking the phone back up.
"Tou-san, you come stay with me. You know my address. I'll see you in a little while, bye."

She turned back to Usagi. Usagi moved in and gave Makoto a hug, which she gladly returned, tears
spilling from her eyes. "Those bakayaro have my mother!" she cried.

"What's going on? How did the Dark Kingdom find your parents?" Usagi asked.

"I don't know. All I know is that Endymion has Luna and wants us to meet him in two nights,"
Makoto answered.

"Endymion," Usagi spat out. "He will pay."

"Yes he will. He will pay with his blood," Makoto sneered.

Two nights later Sailors Jupiter and Celestia walked out onto pier 14. "Endymion, show yourself,
you coward!" Jupiter called out.

A flash in the sky caught the two senshi's attention. "My, my. You have such a way with words
Jupiter, and to think I have your mentor. I think a little respect is in order," he said.

"You are not worth the ground you walk upon," Jupiter spat out.

"Then I guess, I should keep your mentor locked away. After all, if I'm not worth the ground I
walk upon, then I'm not worth fighting either," Endymion said, a cruel smile on his lips.

"You may not be worth the fight, but I am," Kunzite said as he appeared.

Celestia gasped. "Kunzite! Why are you here?" she asked.

"Simple. You killed someone precious to me, now I shall kill someone precious to you," Kunzite
explained as he made Luna appear.

Luna was tied up and Kunzite held one end of the rope. "If I dropped her now, she would surely
die. Now what's your decision, her life or yours," he demanded.

"Fine, you win take me," Jupiter said defeated.

"Iie, you didn't kill Zoicite. Endymion did," Celestia said, her eyes narrowing at the smiling
prince.

Kunzite snapped his head towards the other man. "Is what she says true? Did you kill Zoicite?"
he asked.

"Why would I kill Zoicite? He served Metallia. The senshi are trying to turn us against each
other," Endymion replied.

Kunzite looked back at the senshi. "Nice try, but I know better than that. Now surrender to me
or else she dies," he demanded, letting a little of the rope slide through his hand.

Celestia's eyes widened in horror. "Let her go! If you do...I'll go with you, willingly," she
called out.

"I can't let you do that. You've already helped us so much, I'll go," Jupiter offered.

Celestia turned and smiled at Jupiter. "No, it must be me. You and the others have much time
together. Despite us being on the same side, the other senshi don't completely trust me. It's
better this way," she explained.

"I don't care. I will..." Jupiter started before Celestia knocked her out with a quick punch
across the taller girl's jaw.

"Now release her," Celestia demanded.

"Power down first. We don't want to take any chances," Endymion said.

Celestia closed her eyes and let the henshin fade. As soon as it was gone Endymion scooped her
up. He turned to Kunzite. "Do with that woman what you wish, but get back to base quickly," he
said before disappearing.

Kunzite nodded and smiled down at Luna. "I remember Serenity had an advisor with the name Luna.
I wonder if there's a connection. Oh well, it doesn't matter," he said as he dropped her into
the water below. He let out a laugh and disappeared as well.

Luna screamed as she fell and hit the water. She quickly shut her mouth as the water tried to
make its way inside. She started to sink, and began to pray for a miracle. Her prayers were
answered as an arm wrapped itself around her. She sucked in the air as soon as she cleared the
surface. A quick glance backwards told her it was Artemis who saved her. He untied her once
they were on the beach. "Domo," she whispered.

"Of course. Daijoubu ka?" Artemis asked.

"Daijoubu. How did you get here so fast?" Luna replied.

"I was watching from the shadows. I ran and jumped into the water when I saw Kunzite drop you.
I think we should gather up Makoto and take her home. We'll call a senshi meeting tomorrow
morning. By then everything should be calmed down," Artemis answered.

Luna nodded her head and they got up together. Artemis picked up Makoto and they drove back to
her apartment. "Mako-chan invited me to stay for a bit. I don't think she'd mind you staying
tonight," he offered.

"I don't know. She was very angry with me," Luna said hesitating.

"I think she forgave you when she heard about your abduction. She really loves you. We both
do," Artemis responded.

Luna sighed and laid down on the bed with her husband. Sleep quickly overtook the couple.

~~~~~~~~~~

What do ya know, another chapter down. Now things are getting very interesting. Tune in next
time to see what happens. Ja ne.