Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Eternally Damned ❯ Monsters Among Us and Within Us All... ( Chapter 3 )

Eternally Damned

Chapter 4

By: Ryu Niiyama

Disclaimer: see the first chapter; there's no need in me repeating things you already know.

 

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“Yes, but of course my favorite part is the third act, when Lin Shou declares his love for Pei Ming…. Kou-sama? Are you alright?” Ami questioned, even as she stood up and rushed to the suddenly trembling brunette's side. Fevered amethyst eyes met questioning azure and for a moment, the tortured woman knew peace. Taiki grit her teeth and looked away as the pain crashed into her again. “I..I'm fine Mizuno-san. I… just need a few seconds to get myself together…excuse me…” Ami watched for a moment as the brunette made her way to the ladies room, before paying the tab and maneuvering her way through the bustling restaurant to the side exit nearby. `Gomen nasai Kou-sama….' Ami pleaded internally the cold night air rushing to greet her as she burst through the exit. “Alright….” The doctor closed her eyes and emptied her mind, allowing her senses to focus on the feeling of danger that set her so horribly on edge. Her clothes melted away, being immediately replaced with a white mask, vest, loose fitting pants and tabi.

 

In the shadows blue eyes glinted dangerously as the ambient temperature of the air dropped abruptly. A growl of loathing was barely repressed as the hidden figure watched the now ninja garbed doctor's body become encased in ice before she leapt into the night. “Well what do we have here? It seems the good doctor has a few secrets, and not potentially good ones at that… ne Taiki-chan?” The figure questioned no one in particular as sharp fangs were bared in a decidedly sinister smile. With a hum of amusement the figure resumed a silent vigil, waiting for its prey to emerge…

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Taiki stumbled through the door of the ladies room, her body awash in pain. Darting, frantic eyes searched for a nearby window, even in her fevered state she knew she wouldn't be able to stay there long without arousing suspicion. Sighting one just barely large enough for her to squeeze through, the tall woman nodded and vaulted herself to the window easily. With a grunt she pushed it open, breaking the lock and wriggled herself through, falling ungracefully to the pavement below. Had this been under different circumstances her much valued pride would have been wounded without question, but at the moment she cared only about the feeling that her body was turning itself inside out. Struggling to stand up, the brunette fell back almost drunkenly against the nearby wall. Grateful that she remembered to grab her coat, she pulled out a case from an inside pocket. Hissing in pain the specialist slid to the ground, whimpering at the impact. With trembling hands she opened the box and pulled out three pieces of a device of some sort. “Come on, come on…” The geneticist murmured as she assembled the pieces and inserted a small vial.

 

“About time…” the figure muttered as it watched the ailing doctor below. With a mighty howl the being leapt from the rooftop to the pavement below. Taiki looked up with a start at the nearby crash. She squinted trying to peer into the shadows despite her fevered condition, but could see nothing in her current state. She didn't have to wait long however, as a low rumbling growl thundered through the alley. “Geez only a dog… Kou get it together…” The doctor assured herself as she moved to place the now assembled inoculation device against her neck. “Wrong….” Taiki stopped abruptly and leapt to her feet despite her deteriorating condition. `No not now! I don't have time for this!' “Who's there?!”

 

Rather than giving a verbal answer, the figure leapt at the specialist knocking her down, the device skidding on the pavement where it was halted by a massive paw. Groaning, Taiki struggled to rise and face her attacker, gasping at what she saw. Despite having to alter its posture slightly to acclimate to the cramped surroundings, the large dog demon made an impressive sight. Beautiful as it was deadly, its silvery white pelt gleamed under the moonlight while sharp sapphire eyes watched its prey's every move. Sharp gleaming fangs dripped acidic saliva as its growl rumbled from it like thunder. Powerful claws easily tore into the pavement beneath its feet as nine tensile tails lashed like whips at the night air. “W…Who are you?” Taiki questioned, keeping her fevered eyes on the paw which covered her possession. A deep chuckle issue from the beast as it shuffled slightly, mindful of the object beneath its paw. “Aww, Taiki-chan you wound me…” As if to demonstrate that fact, the beast's face altered to mock pain, the canine features surprisingly expressive. “But then again what am I to expect, you've rarely seen me like this, and never so small…”

 

Again the beast chuckled, but the pitch began to rise as the canine form was engulfed in blinding white energy. Taiki let out a growl of her own as she shielded her eyes. Blinking rapidly she dared open them, stepping back at what she saw. A delicate yet clawed hand grasped the device near its feet as the figure stood up, blue eyes twinkling in dangerous seduction. “Yuki-chan…” Full sensual lips turned upwards in a smile which showed a hint of glinting fangs. With a height to rival Taiki's and a blend of svelte muscle and voluptuous curves, Yuki Tachibana absolutely radiated sensuality and power. Silken robes tailored for battle, the color of ivory and sapphires hid her obvious charms, while light armor provided protection should her skill not suffice. Pelted dog's ears crowned her wild pale mane which whispered gently at her knees. Fitted around her waist was her thick tail so fine and soft to the touch, though Taiki knew it was actually nine tails as with her canine form. This was her customary form, yet Taiki was the only one who'd seen her this way and lived to tell the tale.

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“Great, just great… Lara-chan, Shinosuke-kun take over for me!” Makoto Kino grumbled moving away from the meal she was preparing when the two sous-chefs came to relieve her. The chef moved to the seating area, looking for Ami and her… guest. It didn't surprise her to see Ami missing, but Dr. Kou also? `Damn and I wanted to see that… that woman looking so forlorn from being abandoned…' Knowing that she did not have much longer to waste, the chef made her way to a back exit, managing to politely excuse herself to her patrons as she went. As Ami had done before her Makoto released her power, stained chef's uniform becoming pristine white gi. Verdant eyes flashed behind her mask as her body became lightning personified. The electric master stopped for a moment as faint waves of ki sparked her attention. Chalking it up as feedback from Ami's previous departure and anticipation she leapt into the night. `Though Ami's ki has never felt like this…'

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“This law was enacted in 2000 and it was designed to strengthen the yen in order to increase independence from America and combat the Euro.” Minako sat in class taking notes when a sense of urgency passed through her… she was needed. Quickly she raised her hand waiting for the teacher to notice her. “Yes Aino-san. What is it?” Minako quickly put her acting and modeling skills to work, gradually appearing ill. “Ta… Takeda-sensei, I don't feel very well suddenly. May… I be excused to go home?” Takeda-sensei paled as Minako turned positively green. “Y-yes Aino-san, I'll have Tanaka-san take the rest of the notes for you. NE TANAKA-SAN!” Takeda-sensei finished yelling at the resident slacker and rich boy. “You can do some work for a change…” The professor grumbled. Minako smiled slightly, grabbed her things and exited the classroom.

 

Quickly she climbed the stairs to the roof, and once there began to focus on the energy of her compatriots. Determining where they were, Minako allowed the familiar white gi to appear before a gold shell fit her form like a glove. Without preamble the golden warrior dove off the University building and leapt from building to building praying that she arrived in time.

 

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Rei Hino sat at the center of the circle, the flashlight angled upon her face the only illumination in the room. “After putting the baby in the coin locker, the man ran back home. Yet in his house he constantly heard the scraping of a key on the lock and a wailing voice echo against the walls. Frightened, he ran back to the station and the coin locker…. Only the baby wasn't there… And-” The raven haired Guji trailed of as her spiritual senses set her on edge.

 

“Guji-sama? What's wrong?” a little girl questioned the now quiet Rei.

 

Rei snapped out of her trance and looked to her trainee. “Yuuchiro-kun, I have to check something. Please finish the story… Yuuchiro-kun!” Rei rolled her eyes and pointed the flashlight at the general direction of her attendant. She sighed as she saw the priest in training clutching the arm of a nearby ten year old, shaking like a leaf.

 

“I can't Rei-sama, it's too scary!” Rei looked at the twenty eight year old man in shock. “Eh?! Come now Yuuchiro-kun it's only a story!” The little girl stood up and walked to the Guji. “I'll finish Guji-sama! Yuu-kun is really bad at it anyways!”

 

“Alright Miki-chan I'll leave it to you. Gomen everyone!” Rei handed the little girl the flashlight and stepped outside of the room, heading directly for the shrine of the Sacred Fire. `What could be putting me this much off balance?' Shaking her raven head, the Guji retrieved a few spare ofuda and a brush, tucking the items into her robes. Focusing her energy, her Guji robes melted away to the gi of a warrior. With an exhalation of air, her body ignited, though the flames did not consume her or her surroundings. Moving to the exit of the shrine, the flaming warrior rose into the air, disappearing into the night.

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Taiki was running out of time, she needed to get that vial from Yuki. “What no sword today Yuki-chan?” Taiki asked in reference to the massive broadsword that the taiyoukai traditionally wore. Yuki's musical laughter filled the small space, both comforting Taiki and putting her on edge. “I didn't come here to fight Taiki-chan…” Yuki replied, her eyes drinking in the specialist's quaking form. `So beautiful….and she's close. What perfect timing…' Taiki squared her shoulders and decided to ask straight out, she didn't have time for Yuki's games. “Please…” The brunette questioned holding out her hand. The white haired woman looked at the device in her hands, pretending to examine it carefully. “Ne, ne Taiki-chan what's this?” Taiki bit back a scream as the pain became more intense. “You… You know what it is!” With an anguished cry the brunette fell to her knees. Sighing, the taiyoukai walked to the fallen specialist and kneeled in front of her. “Yes, I know what it is Taiki-chan. Your cure all. Your mask that you wear for the world.” Yuki intoned quietly holding the device out for hunched over doctor to see. A clawed hand darted out and grasped Taiki's proud chin, gently forcing pained amethyst to meet concerned azure. “Show me your face without the mask Taiki-chan. Show me what you struggle to hide from the world… and yourself.” Realization dawned in the ailing specialist's eyes a second too late… “Nooooo!” Taiki screamed as Yuki closed her hand breaking the device without effort, its liquid contents staining her sleeve.

 

In a blind rage, Taiki threw out her hand in an attempt to push the other woman away, tears streaming down her face. As Taiki's hand slammed into her chest plate, the taiyoukai covered it with one clawed hand, easily holding it in place. Yuki's blue eyes narrowed as she examined the woman before her. `What? She's too weak… how can this be?' As the realization dawned upon her, a feral growl rumbled from deep within her chest. “Damnit! You haven't been feeding properly!” Firmly grasping Taiki's trapped hand, the enraged taiyoukai jumped up and threw her against the nearby wall. Not allowing any avenue of escape, Yuki immediately gripped both of Taiki's wrists, slamming them above her head. The taiyoukai further stilled Taiki's weak protests by pressing their bodies firmly together. “Taiki-chan what have you been doing to yourself? You fool, did you think that you could survive without feeding?” Yuki growled out. Taiki lay limply against her captor for a moment, breathing heavily. “That is the purpose of the serum…that's why I…”

 

“That's why your body reacts so violently without it! …You find this to be a viable alternative!? This is what makes your life worth living!?” The taiyoukai questioned incredulously. Mauve eyes darkened by pain met questioning azure for a brief moment, before flickering to the forgotten box and back again. It was a mistake to do so. Yuki tightened her grip slightly and let her ki lash out. Taiki watched helplessly as the box was engulfed in flames, the remaining vial splintering under the heat before shattering, its contents evaporating in the night air. “Damn you!” The geneticist roared and with a surge of strength knocked the taiyoukai back. Yuki smiled as she watched Taiki's change finally run its course. Taiki groaned as her muscles thickened slightly, her hands becoming clawed. Mauve eyes brightened to luminous fuchsia as her canines lengthened to form daunting fangs. A russet cascade framed slightly alien but in no way less beautiful features. Transformation complete, the vampire glared at her companion. “Easy for you to say, Yuki-chan. You don't need to kill to survive… you kill for fun.” Yuki grinned again, but it was a hollow smile. “I kill to stay alive just as you must Taiki-chan. I'm just not afraid of who and what I am…”

 

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An enraged howl split the night air as large malformed clawed hands tried to cleave the being of water in two. It succeeded, but now it meant the beast had two attackers to deal with. The creature staggered back as one of the water clones jumped up and shot a spray of water into its eyes. The liquid immediately froze over drawing a piercing howl of pain from the monster. `And monster truly is the best word to describe this thing' Mercury thought as she dodged another swipe of the beast's massive claws. A hideous chimera of a creature, the only characteristic that was recognizable to the water warrior was that the beast was vaguely canine. Mercury was dimly grateful that the beast had chosen an abandoned construction site to launch its attack. There were no possible casualties and the site was facing a lake, giving the water soldier plenty of her element to use to her advantage.

 

“Mercury!” One of the clones looked from the creature as being of lightning jumped from a nearby power line and ran to her side. “What took you so long Jupiter?” Both clones growled out, dodging the still blinded beast's swinging limbs. The crackling energy that made up Jupiter's head glowed faintly red as she shrugged slightly. “Gomen. Are you alright?” Both of the Mercury clones nodded and began to reply but stopped abruptly noticing that the beast had cleared its eyes. “Look out!” One Mercury screamed before running towards Jupiter and casting off the water as she did so, knowing that if she didn't, contact with the lightning master would kill her. As Mercury tackled lightning personified, her clone wrapped its liquid body around the charging beast and froze, slowing its momentum.

 

Jupiter let her own element fade as she wrapped her arms around her savior to take the brunt of the fall. “Mercury let it go!” Jupiter heard as they skidded on the ground. Immediately the ice shattered and the beast was set free only to be ensnared again by a golden chain of hearts. Jupiter quickly rolled the two of them over using her larger body as a shield for Mercury as her green eyes focused on their leader standing not far in front of them. “Venus!” The golden soldier nodded and let the link of hearts go, allowing Jupiter to reach out a hand and grasp it. The hand holding the chain crackled with electricity and the beast yowled in agony as it was electrocuted. Venus ran up and caught the chain link as soon as Jupiter let go and ducked to cover Mercury. Winking, even though it was hard to tell given her appearance, the golden warrior began to swing the now whimpering beast around her head before letting the chain go, tossing it into a nearby building.

 

Jupiter looked down at Mercury beneath her, verdant eyes concerned. “Thank you Ami-chan, I didn't shock you did I?” Mercury blushed under the heat of her companion's stare, grateful for the mask she wore before coughing slightly and signaling to Jupiter to let her up. “No I'm fine, Makoto-chan.” Jupiter lingered for a moment before standing up, the air ionizing around her meaning she was blushing severely. The newly demetalized Venus cat called from nearby. “Hey! Don't mind me you two! Come on now Mako-chan here's your chance! Kiss her already!” Jupiter coughed and the smell of ozone became quite apparent as she stepped back, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. Mercury sighed softly. “That isn't funny, Venus. Oh no Kou-sama! I never explained that I had to leave!” Before Jupiter could let her jealousy flare and Venus could interrogate her stricken companion, the smell of ash filled the air, alerting them all to the arrival of another of their own. Mars touched down and surveyed the damage sighing as she let her flames die down. “Must you two always destroy public property? And don't try to blame this on Ami-chan Minako-chan, since you and Mako-chan are always the ones responsible…” Jupiter coughed and Venus laughed nervously as she tried to figure out how to save face in front of the woman she loved, though unrequitedly.

 

“Well you see Rei-chan it was…” Venus stopped abruptly as she heard the rubble groan and then blast apart. The beast lumbered to its feet, and ripped the golden chains from its body. It focused angry reddened eyes on the group and let out a mighty roar. “I think we made it mad…” Venus finished, her metallic form sliding back in place.

 

“Thank you for pointing that out Captain Obvious…” Mars answered.

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Usagi drove as fast as she could without putting on the siren though she'd been sorely tempted once or twice. She hated having to abandon Tomoe-san as she did but it couldn't be helped. `Duty calls…' The detective thought sardonically as she made a sharp right cutting off a driver.

 

Hotaru had her own call to attend to. The artist crouched in a tree watching the great beast rise once again. `What the hell is that thing? And why do I still feel so uneasy if I'm looking at the source of all that energy? Correction, sources…' The artist wondered to herself, onyx eyebrows arching at the byplay between the group that faced off against the beast. With a groan she clutched her head as the feeling of one of own in pain seared her nervous system. “Taiki…?” Knowing that staying where she was any longer was dangerous, the artist vanished into the night.

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Taiki snorted at Yuki's response, and abruptly began to run, hoping to reach the end of the alley before the taiyouki could stop her. That was her second mistake. The vampire let out a yell as she was tackled from behind. “Stop this Taiki-chan! You're too weak! You'll only waste your energy!” Yuki roared. “I won't live out my life as a monster!” Taiki struggled beneath the taiyoukai, loosening her hands so that she could elbow Yuki in the ribs, vampiric strength giving the blow purchase despite Yuki's armor. The taiyoukai grunted in pain but recovered quickly enough to keep her prey from scrambling away. “Stop it!” Yuki growled again, as she caught the vampire and flipped her on her back. “Stop…” The white haired woman pinned Taiki's hands with one arm and embraced her with the other.

 

The familiarity of the embrace stilled Taiki for the time being. “You're not a monster Taiki-chan… and neither am I.” Tears pricked the taiyoukai's eyes as she rested her pale head against Taiki's shoulder. The taiyoukai struggled to fight against the blood roaring in her ears; despite the layers of armor and clothing that separated them she could feel the vampire's fevered heat easily and it set her aflame. `Gods above woman. If only you knew what you do to me…' She bit back the growl of desire that threatened to tear through her throat. “Why are you doing this?” Taiki questioned weakly. Yuki blinked away her tears and lifted her head to look into the vampire's tired eyes. “You'll have to tear that answer from my neck with your fangs Taiki-chan.” Taiki looked away, frowning slightly. “Go to Hell Yuki-chan. You're never serious.” Yuki nuzzled Taiki's neck softly and smiled against her skin. “Not without you. And I'm just trying to put things in perspective.”

 

Confident that Taiki wouldn't attempt to run, Yuki reluctantly got up, offering the other woman a hand. Taiki took it and wobbled slightly, staggering to lean against the wall. Yuki placed a gentle hand on the weakened vampire's back, moving it in soothing circles. “You must feed Taiki-chan. Let me take care of you… just like I used to.” Taiki sighed and let out a soft bark of laughter. “Just like old times eh? Thank you Yuki-chan, but no. I want to handle this in my own way.” Yuki bristled slightly, not so much at the rejection than the reason for it. “I won't see you become some drug addict Taiki-chan! I won't watch you kill yourself in your quest for humanity!” Taiki laughed again and turned slumping slightly against the wall. “Please Yuki-chan give me some credit. I'm not a child anymore. I no longer wish for death, and as for humanity… I just don't want to hurt anyone. If you'll excuse me I really can't afford to stay here any longer…” The vampire brushed past her companion and retrieved her coat. Yuki arched an eyebrow as she watched Taiki pause as if in thought… “Damnit! Mizuno-kun!”

 

Yuki's eyes narrowed at the mention of the doctor but she quickly schooled her features. “I saw her leave not long before I encountered you, Taiki-chan. It would seem she had pressing business to attend to.” Yuki's mask almost slipped as she watched Taiki look vaguely disappointed before she began to jump the fire escape. “Taiki-chan!” The vampire turned at her name and caught the bag that Yuki had thrown. She looked at it and frowned. “Ara? Don't make such a face Taiki-chan, it ruins your kawaiiness! Its pig's blood, don't worry!” Taiki smiled softly at the woman below before leaping into the night. Yuki's heart shuddered in her chest as a faint “Thank you Yuki-chan” floated to her sensitive ears. The taiyoukai smiled bitter-sweetly at the moon. “Sweet, gentle Taiki. Your kindness will be the death of both of us one of these days…” Yuki moved to follow the vampire to make sure that she arrived safely home only to pull short as she felt herself being called.

 

`Yuki. Return at once!' Her mistress' voice boomed loudly in her head. The taiyoukai looked at Taiki's retreating figure with longing for a moment before cursing under her breath. “Hai, hai…” The woman intoned before her form shimmered into nothingness.

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Mars rose into the air, lobbing arrows of flame at the beast as its charge tore through the others. “What is this thing?” Hideously malformed, the massive creature seemed to feel no pain even as its skin peeled off in thin smoking strips with the piercing of every arrow. Venus ran forward, hoping to use her metal body to ram the beast back. Despite its rage the creature boasted intelligence and it quickly altered its attack to defense, swatting the metallic warrior away like a fly when she drew too close. Venus grunted as she impacted both Jupiter and Mercury before landing with a loud `clank' on the ground. The beast howled in victory and turned its attentions to its airborne attacker.

 

Mars flitted about like a drunken hummingbird as she attempted to keep from being impaled by one of the beast's huge claws. “Damnit! You three get up!” Mars yelled to her fallen comrades. Jupiter struggled to push the dazed Venus off of her torso, grunting with the effort. “Gods Mina-chan you've got to lose some weight…” Jupiter groaned calling forth her element once more. With a yell she fired twin bolts of lightning at the beast and watched in disbelief as her power splashed off its hide in a colorful display leaving the beast unharmed. “What?!” Jupiter yelled and tried again, to the same effect. Venus pounded her hands into the ground, energy spreading like wildfire, transforming the ground at the monster's feet to metal shackles which slithered around the beast's ankles, immobilizing it. The creature let out a roar and easily broke free, once again pursuing the one that caused it the most pain.

 

Mercury's watery eyebrows shot up as she realized what was happening. “Jupiter, Venus stop! It's mutating!” Mars pulled up short, hearing Mercury's warning. “What? Mercury, how can this- arrgh!” The fire warrior's question ended in a shriek of pain as a clawed hand impacted her side heavily, knocking her from the air. Venus let out a scream as well as she saw the flame encased woman land on her shoulder heavily, a loud crack and muffled scream issuing from her rapidly cooling form. “Damn you… DAMN YOU!” The golden woman shrieked as she lost all sense of reason. With a mighty yell Venus lunged at the beast despite warnings from Jupiter and Mercury to stop.

 

Venus impacted the beast head on, and the two locked into an awkward embrace before falling backwards, rolling as they attempted to pummel each other. In her rage Venus clutched the pelted banded cords of its neck as she punched it in the face repeatedly. The beast whimpered in pain as the metallic fist of the golden warrior crushed cartilage and bone. Jupiter stood ready to attack at any moment, while Mercury ran to the fallen flame warrior. “Mars! Can you hear me?” Mars staggered to her knees holding her right arm tight to her body as she watched Venus vent her rage. She waved Mercury off when the water warrior came to a stop by her side. “I'll live Mercury. We've got to help Venus before she gets herself killed…” Just as the words left the flame warrior's mouth the beast managed to gain the upper hand and grabbed Venus by an arm, effectively blocking her punch and immobilizing her at the same time. With a mighty roar, the beast threw the now flailing Venus into a nearby tree.

 

Jupiter jumped into a fighting stance even as Mercury stood guard over Mars, buying the Guji time to prepare her attack. All of them stopped short, including the enraged monstrosity as the sounds of a car taking an uncharted route through the partially uncleared forest that encircled most of the construction site. Four pairs of eyes widened as a red and white Dodge Viper burst through the clearing and slammed into the creature, sending it flying into the nearby lake. The car skidded to a stop expertly, as the driver jumped out, taking up a shooting stance from behind the open car door. “Well that's one way to do it I suppose. Good to see you Detective Chiba.” Jupiter greeted as she ran to the water's edge. Chiba's pink head nodded gruffly as she tightened her grip on her favorite handgun ready to fire at a moment's notice. Jupiter looked back at the others, eyebrows shooting up as she saw Venus finally sit up, apparently not very happy and quite confused. Mars nodded when she finished scribbling on the final ofuda, her preparations on her attack complete. Jupiter turned back to the strangely still water and kneeled down, submerging her hands. With a yell, the lightning master let loose her element and it danced and flowed over the water's surface bathing them all in its light.

 

A muffled howl surged to the surface as the creature burst from the electrified water, its flesh riddled with angry red welts. In a blind rage it charged towards Jupiter, determined to end its torment by snuffing out her life. Juptiter fell backwards, too drained to flee and her verdant eyes glanced at Mercury who was shouting her name, before she stared at the charging beast, determined to face her death without fear. It seemed as if time stood still as the creature bore down upon the spent lightning master and vaguely Jupiter could make out distant thunder. Time resumed its course as the beast was propelled in an awkward spiral over Jupiter, landing in a heap behind her. Jupiter looked up and gasped softly at the smoking gun of the detective.

 

Wasting no time, Mars began chanting and let loose her ofuda, the paper seals trapping the fallen beast in a cage of holy energy. The beast responded to the energy containing it, beating at the ofuda even as they burned misshapen, rotten flesh, purifying it. Mars finished the incantation, causing the ofuda to latch onto its prisoner, blasting it with energy designed to tear it apart. At that moment, the beast's eyes met Mars' and for the first time she realized that they were violet… like hers. A clawed hand reached out desperately despite the obvious pain and a distorted muzzled finally uttered words in the place of animalistic growls and snarls.

 

“Rei…. for… give …me….”

 

The others gave a start at the beast's final plea, even as Mars tried franticly to stop what could not be undone. The beast gave one final cry, one that was all too human as its form flickered briefly to that of a man before it exploded in holy light. “…Chichue…” Mars whispered as she recognized the man before his demise. The one physical trait aside from her temper that she'd shared with him had been reflected in eyes racked with pain and madness and sorrow. She'd just killed her father… again. Her mind flashed back on a day long ago… the first time that she'd killed him.

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Everything was so big and white. She wanted to go see Mama, but Papa had said that Mama was sick. But soon her little brother Shino…shino… shinosuke would be born. Everything would be ok then, they could leave the scary place, Mama would get better, and she could teach Shi… the baby everything. She'd just learned how to make a paper crane in school today, she could make them for Mama and the baby so that no one would be sad. Then Mama would get better, she had too, the baby would need her. They all needed her. She looked up as one of the ladies in white began to talk to Papa. Papa didn't look happy, in fact he looked scared. Was something wrong with the baby…. with Mama? The doors opened as Papa ran through them and over the shoulder of the lady in white that had kneeled down to talk to her… she saw him. The baby, but he wasn't crying, or moving, or anything…. And neither was mama. Why were the sheets so red, and the floor too, wasn't the scary place white, always white?

 

“Mama? MAMA!” The nurse quickly grabbed the now thrashing child, frantically glancing back and understanding that the girl had seen something she shouldn't have. She grit her teeth as the girl screamed and kicked at her, demanding to be allowed to see her mother. Junzo Hino rushed out at the sound of his daughter's cries but it was no longer as a father to console his child. Hinata had become sick after Rei had been born and had never truly recovered. They waited years before trying again, going to doctor after doctor to make sure that she and the baby would be alright. But Hinata had gotten sick anyway, as the pregnancy progressed she grew steadily worse until she had to be hospitalized for the last two months. The doctors couldn't explain it, but he could… His eyes hardened as he watched Rei fight off the nurse and run to him babbling uncontrollably into his pants leg.

 

She looked at Papa, hoping, needing him to make it all better. He would smile at her and tell her to dry her eyes, since they were special eyes that should never be sad. It had always been their secret, her eyes were the same color as Papa's just as his were the same color as his mother's. They were best friends Papa would tell her, just like he and his Mama, and when ever she cried he would fix it because they shared special eyes. She looked up hoping that Papa would smile, but what she saw made her let go of him. He didn't look like Papa anymore; Papa always had kind smiling eyes, even when he had a long day at work. But these eyes weren't kind at all. They were stormy and angry and she'd never seen Papa look like this. He just stared at her with those hard, unforgiving eyes and for the first time she was afraid of Papa. That had been the day she began to fear Papa. It had also been the last time she'd called him that, not calling him Chichue meant that she would have to go the scary place again, and she would soon come to go enough as it was.

 

She'd never noticed when the little girl with long blonde hair and gentle blue eyes sitting in a chair nearby began to cry…

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“…papa…” Venus' eyes widened as she heard Mars' whispered words as she shook off the memory. The golden senshi demetalized and reached out to put a hand on her uninjured shoulder. “Rei…” Venus began, her gentle blue eyes filling with tears, only to stagger back as Mars moved away. The flame warrior looked across the water and slowly brought her up her good arm to hold her injured one by her side. Venus thought she saw a chill surge through her. “I think my arm is broken….” Detective Chiba was the first to snap out of it and she stepped forward. “Of course, I'll take you to a hospital…”

 

“No…I'd like to go home… I don't like hospitals…”

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