Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Don't take me home ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 10 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Serenitas 
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.15.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.5K | Visits: 709 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.15.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.5K | Visits: 709 | Status: Completed
BY THE GODDESS! I NEVER expected such reviews for my last chapter! Wow! You must really like me! I'm glad the last chapter was received so well because it saves me having to backtrack in this one where the story advances. I would have posted this chapter last night, but I got an arm injury in my karate class and couldn't type. So thank you for the wonderful reviews! Please continue writing them and I'll continue the story! Standard disclaimers…yadda…yadda…yadda… and of course always a thanks to my friend Necton_Minako who was so insistent I have them go to our old High School, the breeding ground of all true evil… Enjoy this chapter! Please R/R but be kind!
Makoto stared hatefully at the jinja through narrowed eyes. Ever since Jadeite and Rei had tried to imprison her, she had been on the run. She was hunted like a lowly beast and knew that if they caught her it would be death. From observation and eavesdropping she now knew that her past behaviour was due to a mind trap and some hypnotism on Rei's part. She was ashamed and appalled at how she had turned on Usagi, her dearest friend. The girl had never been anything but kind and gentle and she had turned into a snarling beast and lied to her. Yes Usagi was clumsy, but as Makoto thought about it, she was also Lunarian. There was no gravity on the moon, so no wonder she was such a klutz! That and the fact that she had legs to next week. Usagi was never truly incompetent, just a girl who had been derided for so long that she refused to live up to her potential, and when she finally showed them that she had brains in her head, they laughed at her and called her an idiot. 'If I survive, I must remember to ask for her forgiveness and begin rebuilding our friendship again.' She thought.
The bushes behind her rustled and Luna crept out, her eyes staring disdainfully at her. Makoto had gotten quite good with communicating with the mute cat, and she knew that Luna felt she had disgraced her senshi pride. "Luna keep it down." She hissed. Luna spit at her and Makoto turned, resignation in her eyes. "You've decided to turn me over to them haven't you?" she asked sadly. "You're taking their offer to make you human so you can attack Usagi."
Luna nodded. Makoto sighed. "Very well Luna, but I won't forget this." She murmured. Luna let out a yowl as the footsteps of minions ran to the sound. Seeing Makoto they wrenched her to her feet and began to drag her to the central building of the jinja, the dojo itself where Rei and Jadeite had made their operations base. As she fought to get free, Makoto managed to land a punch on Luna who went flying, and then she fought no more. "Traitor!" she yelled.
"No worse than you." The smooth voice of Jadeite interjected. "You will make the perfect sacrifice to the Void Makoto." He smiled and her skin crawled. "Luna," he called out. "When you have recovered you can come and accept your reward."
Makoto shook her head. "I will not give in to you." She spat.
Ignoring her, Rei came up with a small knife and bowl. "Blood of the enemy, unwillingly given," she murmured as she jabbed Makoto in her left shoulder.
Jadeite smiled. "By all means feel the need to fight. Or don't fight. The Void doesn't care, as long as you are unwilling. Should you choose to join us…" he trailed off. "Wait you already refused."
"I would rather die." Makoto said defiantly.
"That is being arranged." He confirmed.
Makoto blinked back tears, knowing that by giving herself up, she gave her best friend more time. Touching the green cord within her soul and sending her feelings to the whitish-pink glow, she sighed remembering another life when she had sworn the warriors oath.
** "Kneel all of you," the voice of Artemis was strong as he addressed the young senshi. The seven girls knelt reverently and Queen Serenity entered the antechamber carrying the infant princess. "Luna, you will explain to the youngest girls later what they have sworn here today." Artemis instructed.
Luna nodded. "Are the former senshi ready with the implements of this ritual?" she questioned.
"Indeed." Queen Serenity smiled. "Girls, do not be afraid, this is a very important ritual."
Princess Uranus looked unfearing at the Queen, curiosity overwhelming her. "May I see the Princess?"
Queen Serenity chuckled, passing her former senshi of Uranus to approach her daughter. Kneeling down, she drew the white blanket aside to reveal the innocent face of the sleeping Princess. Princess Uranus drew in her breath as she stared. Though only a few weeks old, the Princess had a look of knowledge on her face. Her crescent moon shone brightly and her skin was so pale it was almost translucent. A small thatch of hair was on her head, silver-white, like her mothers. Over time it would turn pale blond before becoming silver once more. Princess Neptune reached out a tiny finger to caress Selenity's cheek and she opened her eyes. Huge blue orbs stared back at them, and she smiled. "I think she's memorizing who we are." Princess Pluto breathed, leaning over the two younger girls. "Fascinating."
Serenity turned to Queen Saturn. "When your child is born and old enough, she too will kneel here." She reassured her.
Queen Saturn rested a hand on her barely swollen stomach. "Thank you Serenity for that knowledge. This pregnancy will be hard enough without my worrying about that.
Selenity broke out into a smile and her hands flailed to Uranus. Queen Serenity grinned at her daughters' antics as she held her close. "Take your places girls, it's time to begin." She said gently.
The girls were brought back into a circle, their parents standing behind them. The Inner senshi were the youngest, only a year and a half old, but with an intelligence that was considered extraordinary on Earth. Artemis nodded and Luna struck a bell. "Girls this is important, you must repeat after me." He began. "This is the Warrior's Oath, the most serious Oath you will ever take, and the only Oath you will NEVER be able to break, do you understand?"
There were seven nods. Artemis cleared his throat.
"There is a song the Universe sings, of those who fly on Warriors Wings
To protect the Royal Family and her! We shall guard the Princess forever
Should we betray her or ever commit treason, I forfeit my life, with good reason
We know and accept that we may die, and we pray she will bless us where we lie
When the day comes, full of blood and death, I know this vow will be put to the test
When the pain hurts most, and the midnight shines like noon
I will make my final stand, for the Princess of the Moon."
The girls all repeated the sacred words, as their mothers drew a small knife across the palm of their left hand, making it a blood oath, the strongest oath known. As the words were spoken, various cords reached out from their bodies and stretched towards the silent Princess who watched the proceedings solemnly. With the last word uttered, the cords solidified and vanished, yet they knew it was still there. They could feel the Princess, feel her emotions and knew that they always would. This oath was ageless and sacred, spanning millennia, dimensions and time itself. Princesses Jupiter and Uranus both walked towards the Princess, using their right hands to keep the blood off her. "So do I swear." Uranus said reverently.
"So do I swear." Jupiter repeated in a tiny voice. "Forever." **
Makoto sighed. She had never forgotten that oath or that promise. She knew that if it were still the Silver Millennium, she would have been executed by now for treason. "I will make my final stand, for the Princess of the Moon." She repeated. "If I do nothing else for you Usagi, I will protect you with all that is left in me. I ask only for your forgiveness."
Usagi sat bolt upright in her seat, ignoring the frown from her biology teacher. Raising her hand, and remembering to speak in English, she began packing her things at the same time. "Excuse me Mrs. Crosby," she began. "But I have to go. Now." She never gave her teacher a chance to answer as she raced out of the classroom door. Once in the hallway she made her way to her locker, breathing rapidly. "No Makoto." She murmured. "I do forgive you my friend." She said aloud. "How could any of us have remembered the mind trap? You never knew of the Void, for I never told you. It was the secret of the Royal Family to bear, because it was us they want." Turning her head sadly, she knew Makoto would fulfill the final line of her oath and make her final stand to save her life. "As a true warrior."
"Usako," Seiya whispered, coming up behind her. "Are you ok? I could feel your emotions from across the school."
Usagi turned to Seiya, letting him embrace her tightly. "Take me out of here Seiya. I'll skip class this once, but I can't stay here right now."
Seiya gently kissed the top of her head. "Let's leave a note in Minako's locker so she doesn't worry."
Usagi nodded, sighing in the circle of his arms. He made her feel more protected than Mamoru ever had, and since she had found him in the school all those weeks ago, he had never left her side and devoted himself to her fully. She never questioned if Seiya was looking at other girls, never wondered if he would betray her. He loved her unconditionally, and she was, against her better judgement falling in love with him. Haruka had been less than pleased to see Seiya again, but they had worked out a truce for her sake. They both knew how important it was to protect Usagi from the Void. After scrawling a quick note and jamming it in the grill of Minako's locker, she took Seiya's hand and the quickly snuck out one of the back doors where all the smokers were. Walking her to his car, Seiya revved the engine and drove off school grounds. Usagi knew Minako would bring her books home this once so she wouldn't fall behind. They were approaching midterms and she didn't want to fail. Her grades had truly improved a great deal and she was so proud. Usagi no longer questioned who she was, for she was on the way to knowing. "Where are you taking me?" she asked in a quiet voice.
Seiya turned to her, passion in his eyes. "To my apartment Usako."
He used the nickname that Mamoru used to use on her, and it didn't hurt to hear it from his lips. "Ok." She nodded.
Seiya cleared his throat. "I won't do anything you don't want me to do Usagi, but you must know I love you and that I want you."
Usagi blushed before meeting his eyes. "I want you too." She said quietly. "I can't say love yet Seiya, though I am well on the way."
Seiya smiled. "I've longed to hear you speak those words for so long." He said, kissing the back of her hand. Pulling up in front of his building, he locked the car and led her up a few flights of stairs. She had been to his apartment before, since they were now dating exclusively. "So what caused you to lose it in school?" he asked, questioning.
Usagi sighed, sprawling on the sofa. "Makoto. She used her part of the link to let me know she was alive, and then to let me know that she is going to sacrifice herself to keep me safe. Fulfilling her oath she took a millennia ago."
Seiya sat on the floor next to the couch, caressing Usagi's head. "I thought you didn't care about Makoto. She betrayed you."
Usagi shook her head. "She was stuck in a mind trap Seiya. Her will was not her own. She is my friend and could never hate her."
Seiya said nothing. "Usagi you are hurting so much, it's radiating off you."
Usagi nodded. "I can't bear to think of my friends dying for no reason. This is not their fight; it's mine Seiya. They shouldn't have to die because of me." She turned her eyes to his. "I am the last Lunarian, and the only thing that stands in their way from complete and total domination. My life alone keeps them from engulfing this galaxy with their nothingness. The minions are here Seiya, because I can feel them, or rather, it is the LACK of anything that I feel. How can I ask the senshi to fight and enemy that will butcher them?"
"You mean a lot to them." Seiya said simply. "To command loyalty of that magnitude and degree without ever directly ordering it or asking for it speaks of a great person indeed." He smiled. "Your senshi love you, not just as a princess but as who you are, and they are willing to lay down their lives for you. Makoto will give herself in a great end befitting a warrior of her strength, and she will be forever honoured among senshi."
Usagi wiped away a tear. "Hold me Seiya." She whispered. "I'm so cold."
"I can't Usako." Seiya said in a harsh whisper.
Usagi sat up and looked at him, startled. "Why not?"
Seiya shrugged, ashamed. "If I take you in my arms, here, alone in this apartment, I don't know if I will be able to restrain myself. You are so beautiful and so close. I want you, I told you that, but I don't want to force you."
Usagi wrapped her arms around his neck. "You are not forcing me Seiya. The choice is my own." She whispered. "Mamoru never wanted me, but you do. You make me feel beautiful Seiya and I love that. I cannot say the words yet, but the emotion is there." She paused. "We won't make love Seiya, but I want to know you, and I want you to take me someplace I've never been. I want to feel what love is."
Seiya's face lit up as he stood and held a hand out to her, leading her into the bedroom. "Mamoru never touched you at all? In any way?"
"Not really." Usagi admitted. "He tried to take me once on a hill, but I couldn't. I kept seeing Rei on top of him."
Seiya pulled her close, preparing to kiss her. "Then I will be the first." He said reverently, realizing the gift she was going to bestow on him. "I will not violate that trust, and when you say to stop, I will."
Usagi nodded, blushing slightly. Pulling Seiya's face to hers, she let him lead her to the bed.
Mamoru stood on the balcony, staring into the bedroom where he watched Seiya touch and kiss Usagi. His rage knew no bounds as he wanted nothing more than to storm in there and pull her out of his embrace and lay waste to her. Usagi's body was HIS, not Seiya's. How could he touch her like that? Even if Usagi took him back, he'd forever have that image of her and Seiya burned into his memory. How could he ever accept her now? He froze as realization slammed into him. That was what she meant about him and Rei. THIS was his punishment. Not to see Usagi live her life without him and date, but to see Usagi in the throes of passion with his hated rival. THIS was torment. "Finally you understand."
Mamoru turned to see Setsuna leaning against the railing, peering in the windows. "The man is good looking." Setsuna added.
Mamoru sneered at her. "She's going to give herself to him and I am compelled to watch, is that it?"
Setsuna shook her head. "She will not give herself to him. Usagi knows very little of physical pleasure Mamoru, you denied her that. She is exploring with Seiya, the one who she is falling in love with. Could you bear to watch her from a distance for eternity? To watch her always in the arms of the one you hate?"
"Never." Mamoru swore.
"Then you finally know how she feels about you and Rei." Setsuna said simply. "Let's give them some privacy."
Mamoru shook his head. "I will not. If he takes advantage of her, I want to be here to stop him."
Setsuna let out a laugh. "Who are you trying to fool? It's like an open wound that you can't stop touching. Very well, stay and torment yourself, but know I meant what I said earlier. In the end, the choice is hers, without any persuasion from you or Seiya." Leaping off the balcony, she stared up at him from the ground. "See you around Mamoru."
Mamoru turned back to the window, unable to find words, but praying Usagi would sense his feelings. They once were so close and so much in love! How could she throw it away for this? He finally knew what despair was like. It was not a messy emotion like love or anger, but rather a black nothingness. He watched as Seiya reverently kissed Usagi and turned away, unable to watch anymore.
Haruka turned to Michiru who had excused herself from their class to stare into the Mirror. "What do you see?" she asked gently.
Michiru turned to Haruka. "Makoto is making her final stand and Usagi is tearing her soul apart trying to decide between Mamoru and Seiya." She replied. "The darkness is coming and it comes for her."
"We will protect her." Haruka promised. "We swore to it and besides, we love her too much to let any harm come to her. She is leader who has our loyalty without ever asking, a true gift."
Michiru sighed. "We cannot fight the minions who are watching her, following her, we cannot kill them. We know something is up because of the changes in our fukus. The lack of tiaras and the armour."
"They think she has grown lazy and prepare to attack." Haruka pointed out. "Unknowing that she is setting a trap for them."
"And in the end, we lose Sailor Jupiter." Michiru said sadly.
"We lost her when she sided with Rei." Haruka snapped. "Though now we know that she was under a mind trap and hypnotism. She knew the risks when she began playing her game and though it hurts, we must leave her to her fate. The longer Rei and Jadeite have Makoto to torment, the longer they'll leave Kitten alone and the longer she'll have to grow into her powers. She has mastery of the ginzuishou yes, and of her heart crystal, ah but her heart itself is torn and she cannot use the power in that until she makes her choice."
"We will pay tribute to a true Senshi." Michiru decided. "Jupiter deserves that much."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Haruka said solemnly.
Hotaru glanced up from her math class, staring at the sky. Being the senshi of death and rebirth, she felt death approaching Makoto. Sighing because she knew it was necessary to have her make this sacrifice, she tried to concentrate on the problems, unable to do so. The world had changed so quickly, the Void regained power so fast, and in the end all she could do was put her love and her trust in her Princess, knowing she wouldn't let them down, because she never had before. Reaching towards the glow that was Usagi, she felt her passion for Seiya, felt her torment as her soul tore, and sent out reassurance. She and Setsuna alone knew the one she would choose, for in the end there was only one choice. She only hoped it was the right one. As Usagi had done when she decided to come to Canada, she had to do again…think only of herself and make the choice right for her. Only with a full heart and true love could she defeat the Void, for they knew nothing of love, loyalty or friendship and it was with these weapons that Usagi would fight. She could read the souls of others and had revealed to them that those who's souls she could not see were taken by the Void. Hotaru lifted her pencil once more. In the end, what options were there?
Naru raced after Ami, getting much better at this game of "sailor tag" that Nephrite had told them was an effective training tool. Ami had made her swear an oath, which she said, was the most sacred of all. Makoto had contacted Ami through the Senshi bond and let her know she was alive and what Jadeite's plans were. Ami mourned that Makoto would give herself up, but knew it was necessary. Naru had learned a great deal over these past few months, and now thought she could hold up in battle quite well. Rather mysteriously, armour had become part of her and Ami's fuku, along with fingerless gloves. Ami's tiara had disappeared completely and only the symbol of Mercury remained on her brow, much like the symbol of Mars was on Naru's forehead. Nephrite was working on a plan to try and become flesh again, but without the incantation of Usagi, it was impossible. Naru knew that Usagi had found someone to love in Canada, and she was thrilled for her friend. Motoki here had known the instant Naru became a senshi, because when she first got up to run out unexpectedly, he had congratulated her the next time she entered the arcade. "Ami!" she called out.
Ami paused, turning to Naru. "Yes?"
Naru pointed towards the jinja. "What is THAT?" she asked, eyes wide.
Ami pulled out her computer and began punching in data. It was a huge green glow that obliterated all in its path. "It's Makoto." She confirmed. "She's fighting back."
"She'll be killed!" Naru exclaimed.
"She's keeping them from Usagi, and that is what matters most." Ami told her.
Naru turned to Ami in a rage. "How can you be so heartless and unfeeling? Makoto was your friend too!"
Ami narrowed her eyes. "Take care Naru. You are still new to the senshi and you have no idea of the power I possess. Yes, Makoto is my friend, and she was one of my first friends next to Usagi. You think I like knowing that she's being tortured to death? You think I like being helpless and knowing there's not a damn thing I can do to stop her? I HATE this!" Ami screamed, letting her famed composure go at last. "I hate that Usagi is hunted like an animal, I hate that Rei is now the Dark Flame without a soul, and I hate that I can't kill her myself! I hate that Makoto is going to give her life to save us all because her energy will sate the Void enough that they will leave us alone for another few weeks! And I hate that Luna has gone over and all that I love and hold dear to me is gone away in Canada while I remain here!"
Naru backed up, never having seen Ami so emotional. "I'm sorry Ami." She said quietly. "I shouldn't have presumed."
"No, she shouldn't have." A voice said behind them.
Whirling quickly, their eyes widened at the sight of Luna, now human, leaning against a pole. "Luna!" Ami exclaimed. "You're human!"
"And you have your voice!" Naru added.
"And you have such a grasp of the obvious." Luna mocked. She walked towards Ami and Naru, her black hair flying out behind her like a living cape. "So you found an alternate senshi for Sailor Mars." She disdainfully stared at Naru. "The youma magnet gets her wish."
Naru opened her mouth to speak, but Ami put a restraining hand on her. "So your betrayal is complete." She said angrily. "I wondered how long it would take."
"Makoto said the same thing. She's still alive you know." Luna said casually staring down at her hands. She wore a yellow-black dress that was high cut in the front baring her legs, and cascaded out behind her to the ground.
"What is that green light then?" Ami pointed to the jinja.
"That is Makoto's defiance. She will fight Jadeite and Rei with all her strength, a fruitless endeavour." She shrugged. "Only Usagi can kill them. Jadeite has almost outlived his usefulness. He gave Rei too much power, underestimated her too much. The final confrontation will not be between Jadeite and Usagi, but rather Usagi and Rei. Rei plans on killing Jadeite, she can you know." Luna nodded. "And I plan on going after Artemis and making him pay for choosing Minako over me."
"You are insane." Naru breathed.
"You are foolish!" Luna snapped. "And you both are unwise to lower your defences!"
THIS was what Ami and Nephrite had trained Naru ruthlessly and relentlessly for. THIS battle, her first. The minions flew out of the surrounding bushes and shadows, circling the girls. Ami said nothing, just twitched her hand and Naru nodded. In one of many simulated battle plans, Ami had pointed out that their downfall would be speaking in battle and giving away their plans. Knowing she was not yet strong enough to cast a Flame Sniper attack, Naru improvised. "Mars Firebird strike!" she yelled, the bird engulfing the minions and making them shriek, but not in pain.
"Naru we have to get the hell out of here!" Ami yelled. "We are no match for these creatures!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Naru replied. "How do we escape?"
"This way!" Nephrite gestured to the rooftops. "Take to the heights. They lose their orientation if they are off the ground!"
Naru and Ami super-leaped up onto the rooftops and began bounding away as fast as they could. They left furious howls in their wake, until they heard the sounds of pursuit. Glancing at the ground, Naru saw the minions were tracking them and keeping pace running by the buildings. "This isn't working!" she yelled to Nephrite.
Nephrite saw the danger. They were running out of rooftops and the minions weren't letting up. "They will never eat, they will never sleep and they will never stop." He told them. Gesturing with his hand, he opened a warphole. "Through here, quickly!" he ordered.
"Where will that take us?" Ami asked, sceptical.
"To the remains of the Negaverse. There is nothing there now, I've been there before, but they cannot track you that way."
"No." Ami replied. "We have to stay and guard Juuban. If they don't get us, they will go after her former family and we can't let that happen. We have to keep the innocents out of it." She insisted.
Naru agreed. "So what do we do?" she asked, panting.
"Run Naru." Ami replied. "There is no shame in running because we can't beat these things. We have to go to Canada. To Usagi. She is the only one who can kill them, the only one who can hurt them. You are only half trained, but it will have to be good enough, we can delay no longer."
"Agreed." Naru nodded.
Usagi stood on Seiya's balcony, bathing in the afterglow of the most incredible make out session she had ever been a part of. She felt Naru and Ami's desperation and approved them coming to her. She felt the minions moving in as the darkness got ever thicker. "So the final battle to decide the fate of eternity will be between myself and Rei." She said aloud. "How appropriate and at the same time ridiculous."
"She is no longer Rei, but the Dark Flame." A voice told her.
Usagi glanced up to see Setsuna. "You love appearing and disappearing don't you?"
Setsuna laughed. "It keeps me amused." Her smile faded. "You know don't you?"
Usagi nodded. "You sent Mamoru here to keep an eye on me, to protect me from a distance."
Setsuna dropped her head. "I didn't mean to disobey you Usagi, but I thought he might be able to help protect you from the Void."
"Not realizing that I am the only one who can kill them." Usagi sighed. "Since you did it out of concern for me, I am not angry. So many good things have come from this move here. Artemis and Minako are in love, Haruka and Michiru content, Hotaru blossoming in ways I never would have thought."
"And you found Seiya." Setsuna added.
Usagi smiled gently. "I found him yes, and he makes me feel things I've never felt before, but when he took me in his arms today, which I'm sure you know all about, all I could think of was Mamoru. What does that mean Setsuna?"
"It means you are torn Usagi." Setsuna replied simply. "You love them both and cannot bring yourself to choose, though you know you must."
Usagi sighed. "Yes I must."
"The Last Battle is coming Usagi and you can't afford these distractions." Setsuna warned. "You have to fight with all of the love in your heart, and if you are torn between Seiya and Mamoru, then you will only be at partial power."
"I know." Usagi wailed. "How do I do this?"
Setsuna opened her mouth to speak, when a shriek pierced the afternoon air. Without a word they transformed, knowing the minions had come back for Usagi. With Seiya on their heels, they raced into battle.
Rei laughed as she played with the black flames that shot from her fingertips. This was power! Those piddly senshi powers had nothing on this! This was true strength. Aiming at Makoto once again, she revelled in her scream of pain, happy the green glow had faded from her body. It meant that Makoto was now weak. "I can't lose you as a friend Makoto," she said conversationally. "That would never do. You can't leave me here with Jadeite alone, especially since I plan to kill him very soon. It's the way of the Void you know, once the student is ready they kill the teacher and take their place. I want to have a friend by my side and therefore it will be you."
Makoto spat at her, too weak to talk. "Ah yes your defiance warms my heart. You will not hate me after I hypnotize you again. You will plead to be brought to our side." Rei grinned. "Shall I begin?"
"Rei!" Luna called out. "Don't do this yet!"
"Why not?" Rei frowned.
"We have other things to worry about. Leave her here so that she might suffer and wonder as to when she will get her fate. Leave her think about the fact that we will take all from her, including who she is and her essence and leave her an empty shell that unthinkingly follows orders. That is her fate. Remember that vengeance is sweeter still when one has been tortured and suffers."
Rei nodded. "I see your point Luna. Good plan. Let's call off the minions on Naru and Ami, I want them to think they have a fighting chance against them. I don't want them to know that they cannot kill them."
"There must be some way." Luna pointed out. "Usagi can't be the only one who can kill them."
"True." Jadeite answered, wrapping his arms around Rei's waist. "The knives that we have here can kill the minions. There are times when we have to kill to sate ourselves, and we must be armed in case they ever turn against us."
"As long as they don't know that." Luna laughed.
Rei and Jadeite left the room while Makoto hung, suspended by her wrists, from the ceiling, a bloody yet defiant mess. With the one eye that wasn't swollen shut, she nodded at Luna who closed the communication channel on Makoto's communicator, given to her when Makoto had kicked her in the ribs when she had been taken. Knowing they were playing a dangerous game, Luna said nothing but ran out of the room, concealing the communicator on her. Naru and Ami would steal the knives from the jinja while Luna caused a diversion, and the game would escalate, nearing the eventual confrontation and climax. Only one would survive, either the white moon or the Void, but the question remained as to who.
And that is the end of this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! I tried to make it as good as my last chapter so I hope you agree. Remember, NO FLAMES please! The warriors oath is my own creation, borrowed from one of my other stories that I've written. Please be kind in your reviews and let me know what you think! Does anyone want more? Let me know if you do!
Makoto stared hatefully at the jinja through narrowed eyes. Ever since Jadeite and Rei had tried to imprison her, she had been on the run. She was hunted like a lowly beast and knew that if they caught her it would be death. From observation and eavesdropping she now knew that her past behaviour was due to a mind trap and some hypnotism on Rei's part. She was ashamed and appalled at how she had turned on Usagi, her dearest friend. The girl had never been anything but kind and gentle and she had turned into a snarling beast and lied to her. Yes Usagi was clumsy, but as Makoto thought about it, she was also Lunarian. There was no gravity on the moon, so no wonder she was such a klutz! That and the fact that she had legs to next week. Usagi was never truly incompetent, just a girl who had been derided for so long that she refused to live up to her potential, and when she finally showed them that she had brains in her head, they laughed at her and called her an idiot. 'If I survive, I must remember to ask for her forgiveness and begin rebuilding our friendship again.' She thought.
The bushes behind her rustled and Luna crept out, her eyes staring disdainfully at her. Makoto had gotten quite good with communicating with the mute cat, and she knew that Luna felt she had disgraced her senshi pride. "Luna keep it down." She hissed. Luna spit at her and Makoto turned, resignation in her eyes. "You've decided to turn me over to them haven't you?" she asked sadly. "You're taking their offer to make you human so you can attack Usagi."
Luna nodded. Makoto sighed. "Very well Luna, but I won't forget this." She murmured. Luna let out a yowl as the footsteps of minions ran to the sound. Seeing Makoto they wrenched her to her feet and began to drag her to the central building of the jinja, the dojo itself where Rei and Jadeite had made their operations base. As she fought to get free, Makoto managed to land a punch on Luna who went flying, and then she fought no more. "Traitor!" she yelled.
"No worse than you." The smooth voice of Jadeite interjected. "You will make the perfect sacrifice to the Void Makoto." He smiled and her skin crawled. "Luna," he called out. "When you have recovered you can come and accept your reward."
Makoto shook her head. "I will not give in to you." She spat.
Ignoring her, Rei came up with a small knife and bowl. "Blood of the enemy, unwillingly given," she murmured as she jabbed Makoto in her left shoulder.
Jadeite smiled. "By all means feel the need to fight. Or don't fight. The Void doesn't care, as long as you are unwilling. Should you choose to join us…" he trailed off. "Wait you already refused."
"I would rather die." Makoto said defiantly.
"That is being arranged." He confirmed.
Makoto blinked back tears, knowing that by giving herself up, she gave her best friend more time. Touching the green cord within her soul and sending her feelings to the whitish-pink glow, she sighed remembering another life when she had sworn the warriors oath.
** "Kneel all of you," the voice of Artemis was strong as he addressed the young senshi. The seven girls knelt reverently and Queen Serenity entered the antechamber carrying the infant princess. "Luna, you will explain to the youngest girls later what they have sworn here today." Artemis instructed.
Luna nodded. "Are the former senshi ready with the implements of this ritual?" she questioned.
"Indeed." Queen Serenity smiled. "Girls, do not be afraid, this is a very important ritual."
Princess Uranus looked unfearing at the Queen, curiosity overwhelming her. "May I see the Princess?"
Queen Serenity chuckled, passing her former senshi of Uranus to approach her daughter. Kneeling down, she drew the white blanket aside to reveal the innocent face of the sleeping Princess. Princess Uranus drew in her breath as she stared. Though only a few weeks old, the Princess had a look of knowledge on her face. Her crescent moon shone brightly and her skin was so pale it was almost translucent. A small thatch of hair was on her head, silver-white, like her mothers. Over time it would turn pale blond before becoming silver once more. Princess Neptune reached out a tiny finger to caress Selenity's cheek and she opened her eyes. Huge blue orbs stared back at them, and she smiled. "I think she's memorizing who we are." Princess Pluto breathed, leaning over the two younger girls. "Fascinating."
Serenity turned to Queen Saturn. "When your child is born and old enough, she too will kneel here." She reassured her.
Queen Saturn rested a hand on her barely swollen stomach. "Thank you Serenity for that knowledge. This pregnancy will be hard enough without my worrying about that.
Selenity broke out into a smile and her hands flailed to Uranus. Queen Serenity grinned at her daughters' antics as she held her close. "Take your places girls, it's time to begin." She said gently.
The girls were brought back into a circle, their parents standing behind them. The Inner senshi were the youngest, only a year and a half old, but with an intelligence that was considered extraordinary on Earth. Artemis nodded and Luna struck a bell. "Girls this is important, you must repeat after me." He began. "This is the Warrior's Oath, the most serious Oath you will ever take, and the only Oath you will NEVER be able to break, do you understand?"
There were seven nods. Artemis cleared his throat.
"There is a song the Universe sings, of those who fly on Warriors Wings
To protect the Royal Family and her! We shall guard the Princess forever
Should we betray her or ever commit treason, I forfeit my life, with good reason
We know and accept that we may die, and we pray she will bless us where we lie
When the day comes, full of blood and death, I know this vow will be put to the test
When the pain hurts most, and the midnight shines like noon
I will make my final stand, for the Princess of the Moon."
The girls all repeated the sacred words, as their mothers drew a small knife across the palm of their left hand, making it a blood oath, the strongest oath known. As the words were spoken, various cords reached out from their bodies and stretched towards the silent Princess who watched the proceedings solemnly. With the last word uttered, the cords solidified and vanished, yet they knew it was still there. They could feel the Princess, feel her emotions and knew that they always would. This oath was ageless and sacred, spanning millennia, dimensions and time itself. Princesses Jupiter and Uranus both walked towards the Princess, using their right hands to keep the blood off her. "So do I swear." Uranus said reverently.
"So do I swear." Jupiter repeated in a tiny voice. "Forever." **
Makoto sighed. She had never forgotten that oath or that promise. She knew that if it were still the Silver Millennium, she would have been executed by now for treason. "I will make my final stand, for the Princess of the Moon." She repeated. "If I do nothing else for you Usagi, I will protect you with all that is left in me. I ask only for your forgiveness."
Usagi sat bolt upright in her seat, ignoring the frown from her biology teacher. Raising her hand, and remembering to speak in English, she began packing her things at the same time. "Excuse me Mrs. Crosby," she began. "But I have to go. Now." She never gave her teacher a chance to answer as she raced out of the classroom door. Once in the hallway she made her way to her locker, breathing rapidly. "No Makoto." She murmured. "I do forgive you my friend." She said aloud. "How could any of us have remembered the mind trap? You never knew of the Void, for I never told you. It was the secret of the Royal Family to bear, because it was us they want." Turning her head sadly, she knew Makoto would fulfill the final line of her oath and make her final stand to save her life. "As a true warrior."
"Usako," Seiya whispered, coming up behind her. "Are you ok? I could feel your emotions from across the school."
Usagi turned to Seiya, letting him embrace her tightly. "Take me out of here Seiya. I'll skip class this once, but I can't stay here right now."
Seiya gently kissed the top of her head. "Let's leave a note in Minako's locker so she doesn't worry."
Usagi nodded, sighing in the circle of his arms. He made her feel more protected than Mamoru ever had, and since she had found him in the school all those weeks ago, he had never left her side and devoted himself to her fully. She never questioned if Seiya was looking at other girls, never wondered if he would betray her. He loved her unconditionally, and she was, against her better judgement falling in love with him. Haruka had been less than pleased to see Seiya again, but they had worked out a truce for her sake. They both knew how important it was to protect Usagi from the Void. After scrawling a quick note and jamming it in the grill of Minako's locker, she took Seiya's hand and the quickly snuck out one of the back doors where all the smokers were. Walking her to his car, Seiya revved the engine and drove off school grounds. Usagi knew Minako would bring her books home this once so she wouldn't fall behind. They were approaching midterms and she didn't want to fail. Her grades had truly improved a great deal and she was so proud. Usagi no longer questioned who she was, for she was on the way to knowing. "Where are you taking me?" she asked in a quiet voice.
Seiya turned to her, passion in his eyes. "To my apartment Usako."
He used the nickname that Mamoru used to use on her, and it didn't hurt to hear it from his lips. "Ok." She nodded.
Seiya cleared his throat. "I won't do anything you don't want me to do Usagi, but you must know I love you and that I want you."
Usagi blushed before meeting his eyes. "I want you too." She said quietly. "I can't say love yet Seiya, though I am well on the way."
Seiya smiled. "I've longed to hear you speak those words for so long." He said, kissing the back of her hand. Pulling up in front of his building, he locked the car and led her up a few flights of stairs. She had been to his apartment before, since they were now dating exclusively. "So what caused you to lose it in school?" he asked, questioning.
Usagi sighed, sprawling on the sofa. "Makoto. She used her part of the link to let me know she was alive, and then to let me know that she is going to sacrifice herself to keep me safe. Fulfilling her oath she took a millennia ago."
Seiya sat on the floor next to the couch, caressing Usagi's head. "I thought you didn't care about Makoto. She betrayed you."
Usagi shook her head. "She was stuck in a mind trap Seiya. Her will was not her own. She is my friend and could never hate her."
Seiya said nothing. "Usagi you are hurting so much, it's radiating off you."
Usagi nodded. "I can't bear to think of my friends dying for no reason. This is not their fight; it's mine Seiya. They shouldn't have to die because of me." She turned her eyes to his. "I am the last Lunarian, and the only thing that stands in their way from complete and total domination. My life alone keeps them from engulfing this galaxy with their nothingness. The minions are here Seiya, because I can feel them, or rather, it is the LACK of anything that I feel. How can I ask the senshi to fight and enemy that will butcher them?"
"You mean a lot to them." Seiya said simply. "To command loyalty of that magnitude and degree without ever directly ordering it or asking for it speaks of a great person indeed." He smiled. "Your senshi love you, not just as a princess but as who you are, and they are willing to lay down their lives for you. Makoto will give herself in a great end befitting a warrior of her strength, and she will be forever honoured among senshi."
Usagi wiped away a tear. "Hold me Seiya." She whispered. "I'm so cold."
"I can't Usako." Seiya said in a harsh whisper.
Usagi sat up and looked at him, startled. "Why not?"
Seiya shrugged, ashamed. "If I take you in my arms, here, alone in this apartment, I don't know if I will be able to restrain myself. You are so beautiful and so close. I want you, I told you that, but I don't want to force you."
Usagi wrapped her arms around his neck. "You are not forcing me Seiya. The choice is my own." She whispered. "Mamoru never wanted me, but you do. You make me feel beautiful Seiya and I love that. I cannot say the words yet, but the emotion is there." She paused. "We won't make love Seiya, but I want to know you, and I want you to take me someplace I've never been. I want to feel what love is."
Seiya's face lit up as he stood and held a hand out to her, leading her into the bedroom. "Mamoru never touched you at all? In any way?"
"Not really." Usagi admitted. "He tried to take me once on a hill, but I couldn't. I kept seeing Rei on top of him."
Seiya pulled her close, preparing to kiss her. "Then I will be the first." He said reverently, realizing the gift she was going to bestow on him. "I will not violate that trust, and when you say to stop, I will."
Usagi nodded, blushing slightly. Pulling Seiya's face to hers, she let him lead her to the bed.
Mamoru stood on the balcony, staring into the bedroom where he watched Seiya touch and kiss Usagi. His rage knew no bounds as he wanted nothing more than to storm in there and pull her out of his embrace and lay waste to her. Usagi's body was HIS, not Seiya's. How could he touch her like that? Even if Usagi took him back, he'd forever have that image of her and Seiya burned into his memory. How could he ever accept her now? He froze as realization slammed into him. That was what she meant about him and Rei. THIS was his punishment. Not to see Usagi live her life without him and date, but to see Usagi in the throes of passion with his hated rival. THIS was torment. "Finally you understand."
Mamoru turned to see Setsuna leaning against the railing, peering in the windows. "The man is good looking." Setsuna added.
Mamoru sneered at her. "She's going to give herself to him and I am compelled to watch, is that it?"
Setsuna shook her head. "She will not give herself to him. Usagi knows very little of physical pleasure Mamoru, you denied her that. She is exploring with Seiya, the one who she is falling in love with. Could you bear to watch her from a distance for eternity? To watch her always in the arms of the one you hate?"
"Never." Mamoru swore.
"Then you finally know how she feels about you and Rei." Setsuna said simply. "Let's give them some privacy."
Mamoru shook his head. "I will not. If he takes advantage of her, I want to be here to stop him."
Setsuna let out a laugh. "Who are you trying to fool? It's like an open wound that you can't stop touching. Very well, stay and torment yourself, but know I meant what I said earlier. In the end, the choice is hers, without any persuasion from you or Seiya." Leaping off the balcony, she stared up at him from the ground. "See you around Mamoru."
Mamoru turned back to the window, unable to find words, but praying Usagi would sense his feelings. They once were so close and so much in love! How could she throw it away for this? He finally knew what despair was like. It was not a messy emotion like love or anger, but rather a black nothingness. He watched as Seiya reverently kissed Usagi and turned away, unable to watch anymore.
Haruka turned to Michiru who had excused herself from their class to stare into the Mirror. "What do you see?" she asked gently.
Michiru turned to Haruka. "Makoto is making her final stand and Usagi is tearing her soul apart trying to decide between Mamoru and Seiya." She replied. "The darkness is coming and it comes for her."
"We will protect her." Haruka promised. "We swore to it and besides, we love her too much to let any harm come to her. She is leader who has our loyalty without ever asking, a true gift."
Michiru sighed. "We cannot fight the minions who are watching her, following her, we cannot kill them. We know something is up because of the changes in our fukus. The lack of tiaras and the armour."
"They think she has grown lazy and prepare to attack." Haruka pointed out. "Unknowing that she is setting a trap for them."
"And in the end, we lose Sailor Jupiter." Michiru said sadly.
"We lost her when she sided with Rei." Haruka snapped. "Though now we know that she was under a mind trap and hypnotism. She knew the risks when she began playing her game and though it hurts, we must leave her to her fate. The longer Rei and Jadeite have Makoto to torment, the longer they'll leave Kitten alone and the longer she'll have to grow into her powers. She has mastery of the ginzuishou yes, and of her heart crystal, ah but her heart itself is torn and she cannot use the power in that until she makes her choice."
"We will pay tribute to a true Senshi." Michiru decided. "Jupiter deserves that much."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Haruka said solemnly.
Hotaru glanced up from her math class, staring at the sky. Being the senshi of death and rebirth, she felt death approaching Makoto. Sighing because she knew it was necessary to have her make this sacrifice, she tried to concentrate on the problems, unable to do so. The world had changed so quickly, the Void regained power so fast, and in the end all she could do was put her love and her trust in her Princess, knowing she wouldn't let them down, because she never had before. Reaching towards the glow that was Usagi, she felt her passion for Seiya, felt her torment as her soul tore, and sent out reassurance. She and Setsuna alone knew the one she would choose, for in the end there was only one choice. She only hoped it was the right one. As Usagi had done when she decided to come to Canada, she had to do again…think only of herself and make the choice right for her. Only with a full heart and true love could she defeat the Void, for they knew nothing of love, loyalty or friendship and it was with these weapons that Usagi would fight. She could read the souls of others and had revealed to them that those who's souls she could not see were taken by the Void. Hotaru lifted her pencil once more. In the end, what options were there?
Naru raced after Ami, getting much better at this game of "sailor tag" that Nephrite had told them was an effective training tool. Ami had made her swear an oath, which she said, was the most sacred of all. Makoto had contacted Ami through the Senshi bond and let her know she was alive and what Jadeite's plans were. Ami mourned that Makoto would give herself up, but knew it was necessary. Naru had learned a great deal over these past few months, and now thought she could hold up in battle quite well. Rather mysteriously, armour had become part of her and Ami's fuku, along with fingerless gloves. Ami's tiara had disappeared completely and only the symbol of Mercury remained on her brow, much like the symbol of Mars was on Naru's forehead. Nephrite was working on a plan to try and become flesh again, but without the incantation of Usagi, it was impossible. Naru knew that Usagi had found someone to love in Canada, and she was thrilled for her friend. Motoki here had known the instant Naru became a senshi, because when she first got up to run out unexpectedly, he had congratulated her the next time she entered the arcade. "Ami!" she called out.
Ami paused, turning to Naru. "Yes?"
Naru pointed towards the jinja. "What is THAT?" she asked, eyes wide.
Ami pulled out her computer and began punching in data. It was a huge green glow that obliterated all in its path. "It's Makoto." She confirmed. "She's fighting back."
"She'll be killed!" Naru exclaimed.
"She's keeping them from Usagi, and that is what matters most." Ami told her.
Naru turned to Ami in a rage. "How can you be so heartless and unfeeling? Makoto was your friend too!"
Ami narrowed her eyes. "Take care Naru. You are still new to the senshi and you have no idea of the power I possess. Yes, Makoto is my friend, and she was one of my first friends next to Usagi. You think I like knowing that she's being tortured to death? You think I like being helpless and knowing there's not a damn thing I can do to stop her? I HATE this!" Ami screamed, letting her famed composure go at last. "I hate that Usagi is hunted like an animal, I hate that Rei is now the Dark Flame without a soul, and I hate that I can't kill her myself! I hate that Makoto is going to give her life to save us all because her energy will sate the Void enough that they will leave us alone for another few weeks! And I hate that Luna has gone over and all that I love and hold dear to me is gone away in Canada while I remain here!"
Naru backed up, never having seen Ami so emotional. "I'm sorry Ami." She said quietly. "I shouldn't have presumed."
"No, she shouldn't have." A voice said behind them.
Whirling quickly, their eyes widened at the sight of Luna, now human, leaning against a pole. "Luna!" Ami exclaimed. "You're human!"
"And you have your voice!" Naru added.
"And you have such a grasp of the obvious." Luna mocked. She walked towards Ami and Naru, her black hair flying out behind her like a living cape. "So you found an alternate senshi for Sailor Mars." She disdainfully stared at Naru. "The youma magnet gets her wish."
Naru opened her mouth to speak, but Ami put a restraining hand on her. "So your betrayal is complete." She said angrily. "I wondered how long it would take."
"Makoto said the same thing. She's still alive you know." Luna said casually staring down at her hands. She wore a yellow-black dress that was high cut in the front baring her legs, and cascaded out behind her to the ground.
"What is that green light then?" Ami pointed to the jinja.
"That is Makoto's defiance. She will fight Jadeite and Rei with all her strength, a fruitless endeavour." She shrugged. "Only Usagi can kill them. Jadeite has almost outlived his usefulness. He gave Rei too much power, underestimated her too much. The final confrontation will not be between Jadeite and Usagi, but rather Usagi and Rei. Rei plans on killing Jadeite, she can you know." Luna nodded. "And I plan on going after Artemis and making him pay for choosing Minako over me."
"You are insane." Naru breathed.
"You are foolish!" Luna snapped. "And you both are unwise to lower your defences!"
THIS was what Ami and Nephrite had trained Naru ruthlessly and relentlessly for. THIS battle, her first. The minions flew out of the surrounding bushes and shadows, circling the girls. Ami said nothing, just twitched her hand and Naru nodded. In one of many simulated battle plans, Ami had pointed out that their downfall would be speaking in battle and giving away their plans. Knowing she was not yet strong enough to cast a Flame Sniper attack, Naru improvised. "Mars Firebird strike!" she yelled, the bird engulfing the minions and making them shriek, but not in pain.
"Naru we have to get the hell out of here!" Ami yelled. "We are no match for these creatures!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Naru replied. "How do we escape?"
"This way!" Nephrite gestured to the rooftops. "Take to the heights. They lose their orientation if they are off the ground!"
Naru and Ami super-leaped up onto the rooftops and began bounding away as fast as they could. They left furious howls in their wake, until they heard the sounds of pursuit. Glancing at the ground, Naru saw the minions were tracking them and keeping pace running by the buildings. "This isn't working!" she yelled to Nephrite.
Nephrite saw the danger. They were running out of rooftops and the minions weren't letting up. "They will never eat, they will never sleep and they will never stop." He told them. Gesturing with his hand, he opened a warphole. "Through here, quickly!" he ordered.
"Where will that take us?" Ami asked, sceptical.
"To the remains of the Negaverse. There is nothing there now, I've been there before, but they cannot track you that way."
"No." Ami replied. "We have to stay and guard Juuban. If they don't get us, they will go after her former family and we can't let that happen. We have to keep the innocents out of it." She insisted.
Naru agreed. "So what do we do?" she asked, panting.
"Run Naru." Ami replied. "There is no shame in running because we can't beat these things. We have to go to Canada. To Usagi. She is the only one who can kill them, the only one who can hurt them. You are only half trained, but it will have to be good enough, we can delay no longer."
"Agreed." Naru nodded.
Usagi stood on Seiya's balcony, bathing in the afterglow of the most incredible make out session she had ever been a part of. She felt Naru and Ami's desperation and approved them coming to her. She felt the minions moving in as the darkness got ever thicker. "So the final battle to decide the fate of eternity will be between myself and Rei." She said aloud. "How appropriate and at the same time ridiculous."
"She is no longer Rei, but the Dark Flame." A voice told her.
Usagi glanced up to see Setsuna. "You love appearing and disappearing don't you?"
Setsuna laughed. "It keeps me amused." Her smile faded. "You know don't you?"
Usagi nodded. "You sent Mamoru here to keep an eye on me, to protect me from a distance."
Setsuna dropped her head. "I didn't mean to disobey you Usagi, but I thought he might be able to help protect you from the Void."
"Not realizing that I am the only one who can kill them." Usagi sighed. "Since you did it out of concern for me, I am not angry. So many good things have come from this move here. Artemis and Minako are in love, Haruka and Michiru content, Hotaru blossoming in ways I never would have thought."
"And you found Seiya." Setsuna added.
Usagi smiled gently. "I found him yes, and he makes me feel things I've never felt before, but when he took me in his arms today, which I'm sure you know all about, all I could think of was Mamoru. What does that mean Setsuna?"
"It means you are torn Usagi." Setsuna replied simply. "You love them both and cannot bring yourself to choose, though you know you must."
Usagi sighed. "Yes I must."
"The Last Battle is coming Usagi and you can't afford these distractions." Setsuna warned. "You have to fight with all of the love in your heart, and if you are torn between Seiya and Mamoru, then you will only be at partial power."
"I know." Usagi wailed. "How do I do this?"
Setsuna opened her mouth to speak, when a shriek pierced the afternoon air. Without a word they transformed, knowing the minions had come back for Usagi. With Seiya on their heels, they raced into battle.
Rei laughed as she played with the black flames that shot from her fingertips. This was power! Those piddly senshi powers had nothing on this! This was true strength. Aiming at Makoto once again, she revelled in her scream of pain, happy the green glow had faded from her body. It meant that Makoto was now weak. "I can't lose you as a friend Makoto," she said conversationally. "That would never do. You can't leave me here with Jadeite alone, especially since I plan to kill him very soon. It's the way of the Void you know, once the student is ready they kill the teacher and take their place. I want to have a friend by my side and therefore it will be you."
Makoto spat at her, too weak to talk. "Ah yes your defiance warms my heart. You will not hate me after I hypnotize you again. You will plead to be brought to our side." Rei grinned. "Shall I begin?"
"Rei!" Luna called out. "Don't do this yet!"
"Why not?" Rei frowned.
"We have other things to worry about. Leave her here so that she might suffer and wonder as to when she will get her fate. Leave her think about the fact that we will take all from her, including who she is and her essence and leave her an empty shell that unthinkingly follows orders. That is her fate. Remember that vengeance is sweeter still when one has been tortured and suffers."
Rei nodded. "I see your point Luna. Good plan. Let's call off the minions on Naru and Ami, I want them to think they have a fighting chance against them. I don't want them to know that they cannot kill them."
"There must be some way." Luna pointed out. "Usagi can't be the only one who can kill them."
"True." Jadeite answered, wrapping his arms around Rei's waist. "The knives that we have here can kill the minions. There are times when we have to kill to sate ourselves, and we must be armed in case they ever turn against us."
"As long as they don't know that." Luna laughed.
Rei and Jadeite left the room while Makoto hung, suspended by her wrists, from the ceiling, a bloody yet defiant mess. With the one eye that wasn't swollen shut, she nodded at Luna who closed the communication channel on Makoto's communicator, given to her when Makoto had kicked her in the ribs when she had been taken. Knowing they were playing a dangerous game, Luna said nothing but ran out of the room, concealing the communicator on her. Naru and Ami would steal the knives from the jinja while Luna caused a diversion, and the game would escalate, nearing the eventual confrontation and climax. Only one would survive, either the white moon or the Void, but the question remained as to who.
And that is the end of this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! I tried to make it as good as my last chapter so I hope you agree. Remember, NO FLAMES please! The warriors oath is my own creation, borrowed from one of my other stories that I've written. Please be kind in your reviews and let me know what you think! Does anyone want more? Let me know if you do!