Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Her Battle ❯ Ashi no Yabou: … ( Chapter 18 )

Yo, how's everybody doing? I'm doing much better after fighting off a cold that wouldn't go away for a few days. I don't have much to say other then that and some comments to my reviewers.

 

Serena CrystalMoon - Correct, kaeri means return in Japanese. And since you know it means return, the only logical explanation would be that it was Mamoru on the motorcycle at the end. If you can translate this next title, I'll be impressed. Oh, and it wasn't a full blown confession; I left out the three most important words ;) Keep that in mind.

 

Hofftailing - I can't make it that easy. I didn't want my villains to be one-dimensional; they each have very distinct personalities and obviously, they do clash with one another at times.

 

inuyashagrl08 - [quote] aw man why does her boyfriend have 2 come.[/quote] Because I don't want anything to be easy, especially for Rei :grins evilly: Thank for the complement :)

 

LightningStrikes - I'm just surprised you're young, I never would have guessed. Oh, Ami and Makoto have plenty of screen time (so to speak) coming up; I just need to get something done before that. Just bear with this chapter and the next. I can't really say anything without saying something I don't want to, so just keep in mind what I've said (which isn't much ; p but…) I haven't lied to you yet, have I? So expect plenty of Ami/Makoto goodness, soon, just not right now. You'll understand after reading this chapter and the next one ;)

 

Lokiador - I see what you mean…I just don't want anyone to be confused about who's talking, ya know? I guess I could go back reduce the number of times I repeat character names in the last chapter, because that chapter only had five characters talking anyway. It would get too tricky if I were use a lot a pronouns when there are more than two characters talking to each other, especially considering the cast is many made up of girls.

 

Master - You know you could have just e-mailed me that question. (shrugs) You can find Byakko Rei's story at www.shoujoai.com/fanfics/smoon/demluv/

 

I'm doing the title for this a little differently; since this is a two-part chapter, you get a two-part title. The title for this chapter is only part of the full title, you won't get the rest of the title until I release chapter 19. And Yay, this is my first 10,000+ word chapter. So everyone, enjoy this very long update : )

 

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Chapter 18 - Ashi no Yabou: …

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

“Well, if it isn't two of the legendary soldiers of justice, Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon.” The voice called.

 

“You don't seem too surprised.” Mars called back.

 

“Why should I be? No normal humans could have avoided that attack.” The voice stated.

 

“Who are you and what do you want?” Sailor Moon asked.

 

“I have no obligation to answer those questions. Those questions can only be answered by a higher power when death takes you.” The voice replied.

 

Mars gave an irritated look in the direction the voice was coming from, “Enough of this.” Mars and pointed her arms in the direction she believed the youma to be.

 

“Mars Flame…!”

 

“Stop! You'll burn down the trees.” Sailor Moon called and held her arm out in front of Mars.

 

Mars looked at Moon and was about to argue, but thought better of it. `She's right, if I blindly use my attacks into the foliage I'd do more damage than anything.' Mars lowered her arms and looked to Usagi to see if she had a different plan to lure the youma out.

 

“Yes, listen to her. You don't want to start a fire that you can't put out.” The voice mocked.

 

Sailor Moon looked to Mars, “Get him to keep talking.” She whispered.

 

Mars finally realized what she had planned. Moon was obviously having a more difficult time of locating the youma then she was, `She must be trying to locate him by the direction of his voice.' Mars nodded and turned her attention back to the youma, “Hey oni! You talk big, but that's all it is, isn't it? Talk. Or maybe you're just too ugly to show us your face?”

 

“You're the one with the big mouth. You humans really think too highly of yourselves. There is no other race…” he stopped when he saw the blonde one removing something from her head. “Just what the Hell do you think you're doing?”

 

“Moon Tiara Action!”

 

The object in Sailor Moon's hand turned into a glowing disc and a soon as Moon released it from her hands it started heading straight in the youma direction. Saburo cursed as he saw the golden disc approaching, cleanly cutting through several branches on it path towards him. Saburo leapt high into the air, clearing most of the trees that were once obscuring him from the two senshi's view.

 

“Now!” Sailor Moon called to Mars, she nodded her head in acknowledgment and raised her arms as she did earlier.

 

“Mars Flame Sniper!”

 

Saburo's eyes widened as he saw the flaming arrow rocket towards him. He looked around see if he could use anything as protection, but came up empty. He was wide open to attack, being up in the air. He rosé higher before gravity finally took over and he started to descend back to the ground, but more importantly right into the path of Mars' oncoming attack. Saburo raised his arms when the arrow was about to collide with him, hoping his arms would take the brunt of the blow rather than any vital organ. The arrow crashed into with his arms and exploded on contact, sending him soaring backwards and further away from his original location.

 

Saburo screamed as he felt his arms meet the flames. He knew it would be painful, but he didn't think that her attack had enough power to burn him as it did. `If my skin wasn't as thick as is, her attack would have pierced right through my arms and I would have been done for.' Saburo thought and looked down he saw the ground was rapidly coming closer. `I didn't realize they had such good teamwork.' Saburo thought as he went crashing into the ground. He skidded for a little longer before coming to a stop on a gravel walk way.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Mars and Moon ran as fast as they could to where they saw the youma falling. The blast sent him pretty far backwards because before they knew it they were back on the main pathway of the park.

 

“Do you think that was enough to take care of him?” Sailor Moon asked cautiously.

 

“No, but I'm sure it hurt him.” Mars said and slowed down when she noticed that some of the ground was torn up, almost as if someone slid across it. “He's close by.” Mars whispered and started scanning the area for any signs of the youma. Sailor Moon did the same, hoping to catch any sign of the youma.

 

“There's no sign of him, again.” Moon whispered.

 

“He's here…somewhere.” Mars whispered back. She looked over to Moon briefly and said, “I'll protect you no matter what he throws at us.”

 

Sailor Moon turned to her when she said that, “Rei, you don't…”

 

“Shh, something's coming.” Mars whispered before see a red ball of energy out the corner of her eye, “That attack didn't work before and it's not going to work now!”

 

“Fire Soul!”

 

A fireball left Mars' fingers and sailed right at the oncoming energy ball, but instead of colliding with it, it went right through it. “What!?” Mars exclaimed.

 

The sound of laughter echoed through out the area of the park the two senshi were in, “You didn't honestly think I would use that same attack twice, did you?”

 

“What do you mean? That was the same attack, wasn't it?” Moon asked and looked to Mars for confirmation, but she didn't say any thing. Instead, Mars just looked around cautiously, “What's wrong?”

 

“We're surrounded.” Mars said quietly.

 

“What do you…” Moon started to say, but as if to answer her question the came out from behind the clouds and lit up the area for a moment. Around the two senshi were countless red glowing balls, each of which were smaller then the previous two ball of energy the girls had seen.

 

“Yes, as Mars has told you; the two of you are surrounded. Those may be small, but believe me they are just as potent as the originals.” Saburo said.

 

`This isn't good. I can't avoid all of those and protect her too. If I decided to just protect her, I'll be an easy target. In addition to that, taking too many hits by those things will knock me out or worse. Then what good will I be, if I can't protect her. I can't worry about myself though; I can't let her get hurt.' Mars thought and started inching closer to Sailor Moon. She stopped when she felt a gloved hand on her arm. She turned to see what her companion wanted and when she looked over she saw a smile on her pretty face.

 

“I don't need you to protect me from these. Trust me, I can dodge them.” Moon said confidently.

 

“But…” Mars started to protest, but she was cut off before she had a chance to say any more.

 

“No buts just trust me.” Moon said. After a little more hesitation, Mars finally nodded her head reluctantly.

 

“Dodge them. I won't forgive you if you don't.” Mars said and did her best to cover the worry in voice with anger, but she didn't think she very successful.

 

“The same goes for you.” Sailor Moon said back, not trying to hide the concern in her voice.

 

“Begin!” Saburo yelled and sent the stationary energy in motion.

 

Even though she agreed to let Moon handle herself, Mars still hesitated when leaving her side. `If I get too far away from her, I won't be able to help her if she really does get into trouble.' She thought, but her hesitation was ended when saw a number of energy attacks headed towards her. Mars jumped to her left as she noticed Sailor Moon had jumped to her right and putting further distance between them. Mars ducked as some attacks came from above her head. Just after barely standing up straight, again she felt more attacks coming from her behind. The senshi of fire did a back flip to avoid the new wave of attacks, “How many of these are there?' She thought as she rolled away from even more. She hazarded another glance at Sailor Moon to see how she was fairing, `She doing really well. It doesn't even look like she's been nicked yet.' She thought when she realized an energy ball was nearly upon her, so she spun away from it, it still managed to catch her a little on her upper thigh, just below her mini skirt.

 

`Damn, that was close. How in the Hell can they dodge all of them!?' Saburo thought as he watched Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars nimbly dodge more attacks. `There might be a way to eliminate at least one of them…'

 

`Oww, that stings.' Mars thought as she jumped to avoid being hit again. Mars was careful about where she landed to avoid the many craters caused by the youma's attack. `I can't stay on the defensive forever. There seems to be an endless amount of these and my energy will be depleted before all of them are gone.' Mars jumped to her right to evade even more of the energy balls, `Now's a good a time as any to try to reduce the number of those.' Mars stopped and waited until she had a number of them surrounding her.

 

“Burning Mandala!”

 

Mars unleashed numerous rings of fire to take care of the youma's energy attacks. Her attack had its desired effect as the rings of fire collided with the balls of energy they cancelled out each other. Mars smiled, she dealt with over half of the energy balls that had surrounded her. She hurried to Sailor Moon to help her with some of the remaining energy attacks, but saw that Moon had already taken out her Moon Kaleidoscope, `It looks like she noticed the same thing I did.' Mars thought.

 

“Moon Gorgeous Meditation!”

 

Mars heard Sailor Moon call out her strongest attack. A blinding white light filled the surrounding area, causing even Mars to shut her eyes to protect her sight. She wasn't used to being in front of Sailor Moon when she preformed her attacks she usually stood behind her. `I guess this is the last thing our enemies always see.' She thought. `I'm glad I'm out of range of her attack, but I guess that's why she used it. She wouldn't do that unless she knew I wasn't in danger.' Mars opened her eyes to see that most of the youma's attacks had been vaporized. `I guess I'll just finish off the rest.'

 

“Burning Mandala!”

 

Again, Mars threw rings of fire at the remaining attacks the youma sent out. All the rings hit their targets and destroyed them. Both girls looked around quickly to see if they needed to take care of any more attacks, but neither could sense any so they dropped their guard slightly. They needed to stay on guard for the most part, because the youma was still out there. Mars made her way closer to Sailor Moon to make sure she really was all right, “Are you ok? Were you hit anywhere?”

 

“No, I'm fine. I told you I could handle myself.” Moon said proudly.

 

“Good.” Mars said and focused her attention on locating the youma again. “Are you done hiding yet? Those tricks won't work on us again.”

 

“Perhaps you're right. I do usually prefer a more direct approach.” Saburo said and walked out from behind a large water fountain that wasn't too far ahead of the where the two soldiers were standing.

 

`I don't like the look on his face, he's too cocky. We just destroyed all of his attacks, didn't we? Unless he's just plotting something else.' Mars thought as she glared at the youma. “Did you finally decide to give up?”

 

Saburo smiled before answering Mars, “Not exactly.” Both Mars and Moon readied themselves for the youma's next attack, but the youma didn't make any movement to enter any sort of fighting stance. “I don't think it's fair when there are two of you and only one of me.”

 

“Fair? You're one to talk. You've done nothing, but hide and try sneak attacks since we encountered you.” Moon protested.

 

“Be that as it may, I was at a handicap from the start. I was merely trying to even the odds.” Saburo said.

 

“Oh shut up and fight already!” Mars yelled angrily.

 

Saburo smiled at Mars' impatience, “If that's how you want it, so be it.” He said and put his left arm behind his back while he held his other arm out in front of his chest. The started to motion for the two girls to come with his hand, “Well come on now, it's about time we really got this thing started; I don't want this to take all night.”

 

Mars and Moon looked at each other and they both nodded their heads slightly before starting to advance slowly. Mars moved close to Moon and whispered, “Stay close to me. He's planning something, I just know it.” Sailor Moon nodded her head in response, she could tell the youma had something up his sleeve but she couldn't tell what.

 

Saburo smiled as the duo approached him cautiously, `They look like they're waiting for me to make the first move. If that's the way they want it, let me even the odds a little then.' He thought and watched the two senshi carefully for any drop in their guard. `Mars is overly protective of Moon, as I expected, but that doesn't necessarily make her an easier target. She's quicker on her feet and her being able to sense my attacks would make her difficult to hit. There are still two of them, and only need to distract one of them to go after the other.' Saburo thought for a little longer before formulating his plan, `Now.' Saburo moved his hand behind back and another red energy ball flew out of a bush, straight at Mars.

 

“I knew you were plotting something!” Mars yelled at the youma even as she performed a back flip away from the attack. Sailor Moon moved to help her, but spoke before she had chance to do anything, “Don't take you eyes off of him, I can handle this alone.”

 

“Can you?” Saburo questioned her. Mars glared at him before being forced to leap away from the attack again.

 

“Why do you continue to attack us so cowardly?” Moon asked.

 

“Call it what you will, but this is how I fight.” He said.

 

Sailor looked at Mars and back to the youma, “Stop that now or I'll…”

 

“Or you'll what?” Saburo asked.

 

“Or I'll make you stop.” Moon said and readied herself to charge the youma.

 

Saburo smiled, “Big words, for such a little girl.”

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Mars avoid the energy attack again, `This doesn't feel right, I can barely sense this attack, and it's not like the others. It's almost like there's no power behind it.' She thought and glanced over to Sailor Moon, she was starting to advance on the youma again, but that wasn't what drew her eyes to the blonde haired girl. Rei could see something faintly glowing red speeding towards her princess. Mars stopped trying to avoid the attack and let it hit her. Mars' eyes widened, it didn't even hurt, `Then that means, this one was just…a decoy.'

 

Mars ran as fast as could to catch up with Sailor Moon, but realized she was too far away from her to catch up. There only one of this she could do, warn her and hope she could avoid it in time, “Sailor Moon, behind you!”

 

Moon turned her head and saw why Mars was yelling at her. She jumped as high as she could and just barely cleared the attack. Mars let out a relived sigh, but her heart sank when she saw the attack directions as Moon was still suspended in the air. `She can't avoid it.' Mars thought as she watched the attack hit make a direct hit into her ankle. Mars felt tears well up in her eyes when she heard Sailor Moon scream in pain. `What the hell am I doing just standing here?!' she chastised herself. `Her ankle could be broken. I can't let her land on it.' Mars thought and ran faster than thought she could. Speed wasn't her element, but she would make it hers so she could reach Sailor Moon in time. She found herself nearly under Moon before she even realized it, but Sailor Moon getting closer and closer to the ground too. Mars timed herself, but she only hoped her timing would be right. She had to take a chance, so she slid across the grass as Moon was nearly at the ground. Whether it was luck or something else, Mars found Moon falling into her arms. Mars caught her as gently as she could under the circumstances and after the two slid a little more, they came to stop. Mars looked down at Moon, who had her eyes shut tightly, and brushed away some hair that freed themselves from the buns she wore on both sides of her head, “Are you ok?” she asked concernedly.

 

“It hurts.” Moon moaned and cradled her injured ankle.

 

Mars silently cursed herself, “I'm sorry, I didn't notice it earlier. The attack on me was just a decoy.”

 

“No, it wasn't your fault. I was careless.” Moon said and finally opened her eyes to look up at Mars. Moon looked at Mars in surprise, tears were still running down her cheeks. Without thinking, Moon found herself whipping away the raven-haired girl's tears; Mars jumped a little the unexpected contact. “It's alright, it doesn't really hurt that bad.” Moon lied and tried to stand, but she couldn't do anything when she tried to put weight on her right ankle. Moon winced and fell back into Mars.

 

“Don't try to get up; I can handle him by myself.” Mars said and eased Moon off of her and unto the ground. Once she successfully moved Moon on to the ground, she stood and faced the youma.

 

“Wait, we should call the others for help!” Moon called from the ground.

 

“No, I won't let him get away with that.” Mars said and started to walk away.

 

“Don't do anything foolish!” Moon yelled to her, but Mars didn't answer her. She focused on only one thing and that was killing the youma that had hurt her love.

 

“What do you plan on doing?” Saburo asked sarcastically.

 

Mars glared at the youma, “I'm going to make you pay for doing that!” Mars said and ran at the youma.

 

Saburo took a step back, `She's faster than before.' He observed and before he knew it Mars was had already reach him.

 

Mars jump up to try and generate as much force as she could before punching the youma in his face. The force combined with him not being ready for it, was enough to send the youma backwards and into the ground hard. `Damn it.' Saburo thought and forced himself into a sitting position. His eyes widened when he saw a ball of fire flying at his head. He raised his, already brunt, arms up for protection. The small protection he was able to muster up did little to protect him from the flames. The fireball hit him, driving him back even further. Saburo grunted in pain as the flames burnt away more flesh from his arms and even as the flamed died down it still felt as though his arms were burning. He was glad when he stopped skidding across the ground, but when he looked up after stopping he saw Mars standing over him.

 

“I won't let you live after hurting her.” Mars said in a deadly low voice. Not waiting any longer Mars to continue her attack, Mars kicked the youma as hard as she could in his side. Her kick sent Saburo rolling on his side, but Mars looked at him curiously. `What is he made of? That kick should have broken a few ribs at least, but it didn't. He must have some kind of, built in armor. I'll just burn it away then.' She thought and headed at the youma again.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

From the trees Ryuji watch on, `You fool; you should have used what I gave you. All you've done is piss her off. You won't last long if this continues like this.' He thought. Ryuji didn't care much about what happened to Saburo. He was more interested in studying the Sailor Senshi. `The likely hood of Saburo surviving this is next to zero now. He is at least giving me an opportunity to gauge the senshi's abilities, so I guess he does have some use.' Ryuji thought and continued to watch the fight with interest.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Saburo picked himself up off the ground, `I guess I have no choice but to use this.' Saburo thought and put his hand behind his back. He summoned the black sphere that Ryuji gave him earlier, `I don't know what this will do and I'm a little disgusted that I can't handle her without help from that bastard, but I don't have choice.' Saburo jumped further away from Mars in an attempt give himself some distance from her.

 

“I won't let you get away!” Mars yelled and increased her efforts to reach the retreating youma.

 

Saburo smiled, `I don't know what this will do, but this is all I have left.' “I'm not done yet.” Saburo called and threw the black sphere he previously had hidden behind his back at Mars. Mars stopped her pursuit and aimed her arms at the black ball he just threw at her.

 

“Mars Flame Sniper!”

 

Mars released a flaming arrow at the object, but when she did, the sphere changed shape. It turned stretched and lengthened into the size of blanket. The arrow continued toward the attack, but as it was about to strike it, a hole appeared and the arrow traveled right through the instead of hitting the attack. The black object continued at Mars and started to encircle her and before she could do anything she found herself wrapped up in the stuff.

 

“Mars!” Sailor Moon yelled when she saw what happened.

 

Mars fell to the ground, she was covered almost completely by the black substance, and only her head and feet remained free. Mars struggled to free herself, but found that the more she struggled the more the black stuff tightened around her.

 

Saburo watched in surprise, `What the hell is that stuff?' He shook his head, `It doesn't matter; now both senshi are unable to move.' He thought and smiled. Saburo started to walk over to Mars, but thought better of it, `I know how to make her suffer more without attacking her directly.' “I think I'll kill her…your princess, while you watch.” Saburo said and walked away from the restrained senshi.

 

“Don't get any closer to her, or I'll…” Mars said angrily and tried to free herself, but she was having little success.

 

“You'll do what? Lay there and watch her die, because that's the only thing you can do.” Saburo said and continued toward Sailor Moon.

 

“I'll kill you. That's what I'll do!” Mars yelled and put all her strength into trying to free herself.

 

Sailor Moon reached for her tiara and threw the glowing disc at the on coming youma. He just smiled at her attempt to fend him off, his hand started to glow a bright red and he caught the flying disc easily. Moon's eyes widened when he stopped her attack, with seemingly no effort. “H-how…?” she started to say.

 

“This thing won't work on me if I can see it coming.” Saburo said and threw the glowing disc to the ground, where it transformed back into her tiara.

 

“If that's the case then…” Moon said and paused when she called forth her Moon Kaleidoscope to her hands, “…then I'll use this.” Saburo started laugh at her, “What's so funny?”

 

“What do you hope to do with that? Hit me with it?” He asked and laughed at her again.

 

“No.” She said and started to accumulate power into the object.

 

“Moon”

 

Saburo stopped laughing when he saw the power she was generating, `I didn't think she could gather as much power from a sitting position. This isn't good; I can't let her finish her attack.' He thought and ran at Sailor Moon as fast he could.

 

“Gorgeous”

 

Just as she finished the second word in her attack, she felt someone grab her arm. She looked and saw that the youma had managed to reach her before she could finish her attack. Saburo tightened his grip on Moon's hand, causing her to whimper quietly. “This thing is too dangerous.” He said and slapped the object out of her hand with his free hand. “With no more interruptions, this is your end princess. Die!”

 

Mars could see the youma's free hand glow red as he ready this hand to strike her, “SAILOR MOON!” Mars yelled. She could feel her forehead burning as her tiara faded away leaving Mars' symbol glowing brightly where tiara once was. Just when she was about to release, all the energy she had built up, she sensed the presence of another close by.

 

Saburo readied his hand to strike her, when he realized something was coming at him at a very fast pace. He released Sailor Moon just as a red and green object flew between himself and Moon. Before he even had much of a chance to react, another red green projectile flew at him, forcing him to leap away from the blonde girl.

 

Mars slowly let the energy she had built up fade away and as she did so, the symbol of Mars faded away too, being replaced with her tiara again. Sailor Moon stared at the rose imbedded in the ground and even as one pedal fell, she couldn't seem to take her eyes off the red flower. While Moon remained in a state of shock, Mars looked instinctively into the direction the rose had come from. Mars' gaze landed on a nearby streetlight, `Why did he come back now?' Mars thought. At the top of the pole stood a familiar figure, one wearing a hat, a mask over his eyes, and a cape that fluttered behind him in the wind. He leapt down wordlessly to the ground and looked Moon and Mars. The little sound he made caused Moon to tear her gaze away from the rose to the tuxedo-clad man.

 

“Ma-Mamo-chan?” Sailor Moon quietly asked in disbelief.

 

“And just who the Hell are YOU?!” Saburo yelled at the new arrival.

 

“I'm just a friend of theirs who has been gone long enough.” Tuxedo Kamen said.

 

“Then you can die with them!” Saburo shouted.

 

“I won't be dieing here and neither will they.” Tuxedo Kamen said and threw another rose, this time in Mars' direction.

 

The rose struck the rubbery black substance that once prevented her from moving. The rose was able to make a small tear in it, finally giving Mars a means to escape. She struggled a little, but she was finally able to force her hand through the small hole and increase its size. With one of her hands free, she was able to rip the hole even larger until she was able to use her other hand to free herself fully. `I'm finally free of that stuff.' Mars thought and looked over to Tuxedo Kamen. `I didn't need his help.' He was the last person she expected to come or wanted to come, for that matter. She could already feel her anger build as she looked at the tuxedo clad man. The last time she saw him was weeks ago and the last time she even mentioned his name was when she asked Usagi about him. Just remembering the state Usagi was in at that time was enough to make her anger boil over, but this wasn't the time or place to let that happen. `I have plenty of time to give him a mouthful once we take care of this bastard. I'll make him pay for trying to hurt her, but first…' Mars stood up and brushed off the remnants of the black substance from her arms and legs. Mars ran over to Sailor Moon while Tuxedo Kamen engaged the youma. She knelt in front of Moon, “Are you alright, Usagi?”

 

Sailor Moon seemed to look past Mars as she spoke, “Mamo-chan…”

 

Mars could feel her chest tighten painfully and she lowered her head in defeat. “Stay here, while I go help him.” Mars said quietly and began to stand, when Moon grabbed her arm.

 

“Help me up. I'll go too.” Moon said and reached up to Mars for assistance. Mars nodded her head and bent lower, allowing Moon to put her arm across her shoulders, while she her arm around Moon's slim waist. Under probably any other circumstances, Mars would have enjoyed the close proximity to her love, but she didn't really know what to feel here. Sure, she was very close to her, but it was only because she was taking her to Mamoru and she only needed help because she wasn't quick enough to prevent her from being injured. Mars eased the other girl up slowly and wordlessly.

 

“I need my tiara and Moon Kaleidoscope.” Moon said.

 

Mars nodded, “Can you stand on your own for a few minutes?”

 

“Yeah, I'll be alright.” Moon replied. Mars nodded her head again and went to retrieve her desired objects.

 

She was able to get her tiara first because it was closer and easy to spot on the ground. Her Moon Kaleidoscope was a little more difficult. She went into the direction she saw it land and after a little searching she recover the object. Mars hurried back to Moon and gave her back the two items, “Here.”

 

Moon smiled, “Thanks.” She put her tiara back on and rather than returning her Moon Kaleidoscope to her sub space pocket, she keep it. Mars returned to helping Moon walk. The two senshi slowly made their way to the battle, where Tuxedo Kamen was fighting the youma in close combat. He didn't seem to allowing the youma to retreat and use any of his longer ranged attacks, which seemed to be his specialty. Once the two were close enough for Moon to use her attacks effectively Mars stopped.

 

“Stay this distance away. You can't move well enough to fight him head on, let Tuxedo Kamen and I do that.” Mars said in an unquestionable tone. It was true, Moon had limited movement and if she were to try to fight with him head on it would be disastrous. Moon nodded her head in agreement. Mars released the other girl and ran to fight the youma as well.

 

“Burning Mandala!”

 

Mars called forth her attack and sent all the rings of fire at the youma, forcing him away from Tuxedo Kamen. Mars joined the tuxedo-clad man and stood against Saburo. Tuxedo Kamen looked over to Mars and whispered, “How is she?”

 

A part of Mars wanted to make a sarcastic comment, but she didn't listen to it, `my feelings aren't important here.' “She says she's ok, but I know she's hurting.” Mars said honestly.

 

“Let's finish this quickly then. Try to weaken him with your attacks. I'll parry anything he throws at you.” Tuxedo Kamen said.

 

“And then what.” Mars asked. His strategy won't kill him, but only weaken him; so what was he trying to accomplish.

 

“I'm sure Sailor Moon has enough to finish at that time.” Tuxedo Kamen said confidently. Mars looked at him; she would rather have Usagi rest the rest of this one out, rather than risking her injuring herself further. Reluctantly she conceded, since she wasn't sure she had the power to defeat him anyway and she already knew Tuxedo Kamen didn't have the power to defeat him. “Alright, let's get started then.”

 

“Is the conversation done yet?” Saburo asked, sounding annoyed. The two warriors looked at the youma and silently agreed it was time to begin.

 

“Fire Soul!”

 

The ball of fire flew at the youma, but he just seemed annoyed about it more than anything. He didn't even make an attempt to do dodge, that is until the fireball was within reach. When that happened he just reached out his hand, which was currently glowing red again, and caught the ball. After a few moments of being in his hand the flames dispersed, affectively nullifying the Mars' fire attack. “I already said if I can see it coming your attack won't work on me.” Saburo said and formed a red ball of energy again, the glow around his hands disappeared when he did that and he was left only holding the red energy attack. “Take this!” He said and threw the ball at Mars. Mars didn't try to avoid, instead Tuxedo Kamen positioned himself in front of her and batted the attack away with his cane. “Quit butting in where you're not wanted!” Tuxedo Kamen just smiled. “Fine, I'll kill you first!” Saburo said and readied his next attack.

 

“Don't forget about me.” Mars said quietly from behind the youma. Without him realizing it Mars somehow had gotten behind him. He turned his head to look at her and his eyes widened in shock; she was already preparing her attack.

 

“Mars Flame Sniper!”

 

The arrow left Mars' hands in a flash. The youma didn't stand a chance, because before he could offer up any defense the arrow had already pierced his back. The flames burnt through his clothing and set his back aflame. Saburo fell forward and howled in pain. He turned to see if was still there, but there was no one where he just saw her.

 

“Finish it now Sailor Moon!” Tuxedo Kamen called. Sailor Moon was already ready with her weapon in she nodded.

 

“Moon Gorgeous Meditation!”

 

Saburo's expression turned from one of pain to one of shock, `Damn it, this is it, I can't avoid and there's no defense for it.' Sailor Moon's attack hit Saburo head on and even as he fell to the ground, he cursed the three who defeated him. “Damn you! Damn all of you!” Saburo cried out as he faded to dust.

 

Sailor Moon winced and fell to her knees, her injured ankle no longer able to support her weight. “It hurts.” She complained as she held her ankle in her hands.

 

Mars moved to kneel beside Sailor Moon, but Tuxedo Kamen reached her first, “Let me see it.” He ordered. Moon complied and offered him her injured foot. “Undo your transformation.” He said and she complied again. Tuxedo Kamen eased off her shoe and sock before looking over the injury. He sighed and looked at Usagi, “I think it's just a bad bruise. You're going to be alright, Usako.”

 

“Usako?” Usagi echoed cautiously as tears started to fill her eyes again, “Its still Usako?”

 

Tuxedo Kamen smiled, “You'll always be Usako to me.”

 

Mars undid her transformation and watched the exchange. She bowed her head in defeat, turned away from the couple silently, and started to walk away.

 

“Rei, please don't go.” Usagi pleaded and pulled herself into a standing position, with Mamoru's help. Once she was sure of her feet, she limped over to Rei as fast as she could. “I'll be right back!” Usagi called over her shoulder to the dark haired man. He merely nodded and watched Usagi hurry to Rei, `She could barely stand a few moments ago, I wonder if she could be…?” he thought.

 

Usagi finally caught up with Rei and grabbed her arm to stop the retreating girl, “Rei, you told me there was something you needed to tell me before we were interrupted.” Rei nodded her head slightly but kept her back to Usagi.

 

“Then tell me Rei. Tell me what you wanted to tell me earlier. We won't be interrupted this time and I'll listen to what you have to say.” Usagi said and looked at Rei expectantly.

 

Rei turned around to look at Usagi and smiled at the girl, causing her to smile in return. `She doesn't have a clue.' Rei thought. “Usagi, I…” Rei started to say when the figure behind Usagi caught her eye, Mamoru. “Usagi, I can't.”

 

“Why?” Usagi asked, sounding frustrated.

 

“It's not that important.” Rei said and turned away from Usagi again.

 

“Don't lie to me, Rei! It is important, because I can see it's important to you.” Usagi said.

 

Rei stopped and had to force herself to keep looking forward because if she didn't, she knew Usagi's pleas would win and she would tell her everything, `But Mamoru's back now and I don't stand a chance against him.' “Just forget about it Usagi. Mamoru's back and I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do.” Rei said and started to walk away again.

 

“But Rei, if it's important to you it's important to me too. You can tell me whatever it is, you're my best friend.” Usagi pleaded.

 

Rei unwillingly stopped upon hearing what Usagi said and lowered head, “You don't understand.”

 

“You keep saying that! Why? If you won't tell me, how can I un-understand.” Usagi said, her voice breaking a little at the end.

 

`Great, now all I'm doing is upsetting her.' Rei thought and started to turn back to Usagi but she willed herself to stop. Finally, she realized that Usagi had somehow caught up to her with her bad ankle, “You shouldn't be moving around like this; your going hurt your ankle worse.”

 

“Don't change the subject!” Usagi yelled impatiently. “Please Rei, I'm begging you. Please?” She said softer.

 

“Please don't ask this of me, Usa.” Rei pleaded.

 

“But why? You were willing to tell me before that youma attacked us. What's changed?” Usagi asked.

 

“Enough to know that what I wanted to tell you doesn't matter.” Rei said dejectedly. `It won't change anything.' She told herself.

 

“Why are you saying this?” Usagi asked

 

“Usagi listen to me, if my friendship means anything to you, you'll let this be. I thought there was something I needed to tell you, but I was wrong. I can't tell you, at least not tonight. Maybe there will be a time in the future when it's right for me to tell you, but that time isn't now. So please, you asked me to trust you earlier and now I ask the same thing of you. Please.” Rei pleaded and looked over her shoulder at the other girl. Rei looked at Usagi expectantly and waited for her response. `Please Usagi; you don't know how hard this is for me.'

 

“Rei, I do trust you…” Usagi said causing Rei to turn away from her again and even started walking away once more.

 

“Good, then I'll be…” Rei started to say, but Usagi talked over her.

 

“…But I want you to promise me we will finish this conversation sometime.” Usagi asked seriously.

 

Rei stopped and thought for a few moments, `What do I say? If I do promise her, I'll be able to leave, but it might be a lie. However if I don't, there's no way she'll let me leave and I doubt she'd let this drop. I guess there's really only one I can say.' “I promise” Rei said and started to walk away again, but this time Usagi didn't try to stop her.

 

Mamoru took this as a sign that it was all right from him to come over. Mamoru walked over to Usagi and stood beside her, “What was that all about?” Mamoru asked cautiously.

 

Usagi wiped her eyes one more time before speaking, “Rei…I don't know what happened. I know she wanted to tell me something, but she seemed to lose her will after we defeated the youma.”

 

Mamoru nodded his head when he heard Usagi groan softly as she tried to walk again, “I'll help you, so don't try to walk.” Mamoru said and gently picked the girl up effortlessly.

 

Usagi looked up at Mamoru and felt her cheeks warm, “I'm glad you're back, Mamo-chan.”

 

The dark haired man smiled down at her, “It's good to be back.”

 

~~~~******~~~~

Elsewhere…

 

`It's time, I got things really started.' The woman in black thought and stood. The woman started walking away from her chair, but stopped when she remember something. She walked back to the chair and held her hands over the floor in front of the chair. She chanted some indiscernible words before kneeling down and touching the wooden surface. A previously unnoticeable trap door appeared. She opened it, reached inside the hole, and pulled out something. Candles lighted the room and the light given off by them shined off the surface of the object, it appeared to be metallic. She pulled back the long black sleeve on her right arm and slid the object on her wrist. `I can't leave without you.' She thought and looked at the silver bracelet. She closed the door to where she got the object from, chanted some more words, and caused the trap door to disappear again. The woman stood again and began to head back to the door. She stopped when she realized someone was approaching her room at fast pace, `Don't tell me it's over already.'

 

“Mistress! The fight has concluded and Saburo is dead, Sailor Moon has killed him. Also, a man arrived at the end of the fight and aided the two senshi.” Ryuji called as he charged into the room.

 

The woman gave Ryuji an irritated look, `I didn't expect them to finish him off so quickly. I wished to do this and be back before he returned.'

 

Ryuji looked at her and stepped back from her, `I've upset her. I didn't expect her to be in the middle of something.' Ryuji then notice her clothing, `She's leaving…now?'

 

The woman let her anger subside before speaking, “Ryuji, has Kenjiro recovered yet?”

 

“Yes.” He answered simply.

 

“I must have a few words with him.” She said and Ryuji nodded and turned to leave. He began to leave when he noticed she was following. Usually she preferred Ryuji to bring everyone to her, she wouldn't go the see anyone. Ryuji stopped and prepared to say something, but his companion spoke instead, “I will be going with you.” She said in a no nonsense tone. Ryuji nodded and opened to doors again.

 

When the two leave the room and enter the hallway outside, they find it to be filled with a number of youma, all of whom turn to see who was leaving the room. Upon seeing who has left the room all the youma lower their heads and bow before the duo. Another irritated expression crosses the woman in black's features, “Be gone with all you! I do not wish to be surrounded by incompetent fools!”

 

All the youma that stood bowing, left silently. The only one remaining besides the duo was a youma sitting on the ground near the double door the two had just come through. He was still restrained to the wall behind him, but he was finally awake and looked to have recovered from his injuries. “I only wish to speak with one fool, isn't that right Kenjiro?” Kenjiro looked up at the woman who addressed him with no emotion. “Another of your brothers has failed.” She said, but Kenjiro still didn't offer any response. “Do you not care that there is only you and your eldest sibling alive?” She said and waited for his response, but again she didn't get one.

 

Ryuji clenched his fists at his side and brought his hand back, “Speak when spoken to you bastard!” Ryuji threw his fist at the youma, but the woman beside him put her hand in front of him.

 

“There is no need for that, Ryuji. Kenjiro can hear me just fine and he will answer me.” She said and lowered her hand when Ryuji dropped his fist to his side. “Isn't that right Kenjiro? You understand why I've come to you again.”

 

“You need me for something.” Kenjiro said without emotion.

 

“Correct.” She said and knelt in front of Kenjiro, so she could look at him in his eyes, “I have an important assignment for you. I need you to use your special way with be people to provoke Mars into a fight. However, there are some very important rules I need you to follow. This fight must be one on one, so you must make it clear she must fight you alone. The easiest way would be to approach her when she isn't expecting anything and when she is alone.”

“Why would she agree to something like that?” Kenjiro asked.

 

“You can't force her into a fight, but there are other ways. You can use threats.” She explained.

 

“Threats?” Kenjiro asked curiously.

 

“If you threaten Rei herself it won't work. You need to threaten those around her; those that she cares about, you need to threaten her. And if you do that, she will accept any proposition you give her.” She said and gauged his reaction. She smiled, `I guess you want more incentive then to just fight with her, usually that would be enough.' She examines Kenjiro closer, `I see, you want more of an incentive.' “If you do this for me, I might consider releasing you from your debt to me. I could set you free to do as you wish.”

 

Kenjiro looked at her, `I can't trust her to keep to her word, but the prospect of being released…that's just too tempting to pass by.' “Do I have your word on that?”

 

Her smile grew at Kenjiro's question, he couldn't tell if that was good or bad and before he could decipher it her expression changed and she spoke, “Of course.”

 

Kenjiro nodded his head slowly, “I agree then.”

 

The woman stood and spoke again, “That's good to hear, I shall release you from those bonds on her arms.” She held her hand out at Kenjiro, “Release.” Once the words left her lips, the glow bindings ceased giving off light. The bonds loosened slowly before falling from his wrists. Kenjiro stood and stretched for the first time in a while, he could hear his bones creaking from their stiffness. “Before you leave there is one more rule I need you to follow. The fight must take place at night, preferably tomorrow night. Are we understood?”

 

“Yes, I understand.” Kenjiro said and turned down the hall.

 

“I expect you to follow my orders this time Kenjiro. I will know if you do not!” The woman called and watched Kenjiro walk away.

 

Ryuji watched Kenjiro leave and when he was sure the youma could no longer hear, he spoke, “You don't honestly intend to release him, do you?”

 

The woman at his side laughed, “He is no different then his brothers, he will only be released from me when he dies.” Ryuji smiled a little when he heard that, “I must be leaving now. I have something important to do.” She said.

 

“Wouldn't it be better for me to go in your stead?” Ryuji asked.

 

“No, this is something only I can do.” She said.

 

“Then you're going to see her?” Ryuji asked, but he already knew the answer. There is only one person that would require his leader to leave for…only one person she would not request his presence by her side.

 

“Yes. I do wish to see the look on her face, when she sees me again.” The woman said and smiled at the thought.

 

Ryuji couldn't understand why she wished to show herself, and to her of all people. Is it really to their benefit that the Sailor Senshi know she is the one behind everything? `It's an unnecessary risk.'

 

“I am fully aware of your concerns, Ryuji, but Pluto will not be an obstacle. I know her very well and she will not do anything to harm me.” She said.

 

“You seem confident in that. She will not sit back and let you do as you please.” Ryuji said.

 

“True, but she will know better than to fight me in her current state. I do not go to her looking for a fight and she is not one to instigate one.” She said assuredly.

 

“I can still come with you.” The youma commented.

 

“No, you can not. I have another task that only you can perform. I wish for you to be present at Kenjiro's fight.” She said.

 

“Are you sure Mars will accept his offer?” Ryuji asked.

 

“She will, Kenjiro will use the information he has gathered to provoke her into a fight…a fight she will have no choice but to accept.” She said.

 

“Then this is the final test?” He asked curiously.

 

“Yes. At the right time, I wish for you to carry out our plan. Everything hinges on you now Ryuji, I trust you to do an excellent job as always.” The woman in black said and pulled her hood over her head.

 

“I will not fail you.” Ryuji said and bowed. He kept his head down until he could no longer sense his leader's presence, `I wonder what has caused her to speed up the plan…' he thought, but shook his head clear the thought away. `That doesn't really matter anyway. More importantly, this where things really get interesting. I wonder how rough I should be with her…'

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Rei opened her eyes tiredly. `It feels good to have gotten a long nights' sleep' she thought to herself and sat up. `What am I going to do now?' she thought and remember the end of the previous night.

 

~

“I promise.”

~

 

`How the hell can I make that kind of promise to her? I don't even know if I can keep that promise. I lost my nerve because he came back, so how can I keep that promise to her?' Rei thought and pulled herself out of bed and glanced out the window, wincing at the light the sun gave off. It was a lot brighter than she would expect in the morning. `I've never promised her something I couldn't keep.' She thought as she still tried to wrap her mind around the previous nights' events. `Maybe I was never meant to tell her? It was just one interruption after another.'

 

“Catching up on sleep.” Grandpa Hino remarks as he noticed his tired granddaughter exiting her room.

 

Rei rubbed her eyes tiredly, “What time is it?”

 

“Quarter to one.” He said casually.

 

Rei's eyes widened, `How could I have slept so long?' “Why didn't you wake me?!”

 

The elderly man just shrugged his shoulders and said, “I guess this is what I get for going easy on you these past days.”

 

Rei rolled her eyes and rushed back into her room, “You don't need to baby me, Jii-chan. I have duties around here; I won't be a slacker who pushes their duties off on someone else!” she called from her room.

 

“Yes, you do have duties, duties that I've assigned and duties that I can assign to someone else or do myself. You aren't a slacker Rei and you never will be. I let you rest because I'm sure you needed it, you came back late last night and you looked worn out. It's already almost one and most of the chores have been finished already, so don't worry about any of that. Besides, one of your friends called early this morning and told me that you should be up at that arcade you're always going to, the Crown at three.”

 

`Friend?' Rei thought, “Did the person say who they were?” She was met with silence for a few moments; the elderly man was apparently trying to remember. `Did he hear me?' Rei thought and slid open the door and spoke louder, “Did the person say who they were?”

 

“Oh yes, I remember now. Her name was Usagi.” The old man called.

 

`Usagi? I can just imagine why she's calling all of us together…Mamoru.' “And what did you tell her?”

 

“I told her you'd be there.” He said casually.

 

“And you didn't even ask me?” Rei asked and stepped out of her room, still wearing her sleepwear.

 

“No, you were sleeping, remember? Besides, I didn't think you would say no to spending time with your friends.” Grandpa Hino said. Rei lowered her head in defeat; she couldn't exactly stand her friends up, even if she wasn't the one that agreed to go. Rei sulked back to her room and slid the door shut. “You don't have be so excited you know? I thought you would like to spend time with your friends without having to worry about coming home to finish any chores.”

 

Normally she would love to go out and meet her friends, but she didn't want to face Usagi, not yet at least. She didn't want to listen to Usagi discuss, what was inevitably why she was calling a meeting at the Crown. She would have been perfectly content to remain at the jinja and do chores, or really anything to get her mind off what happened last night. Well, anything but a fire reading, she wasn't ready to do one of those again so soon after the last one. Rei sighed and opened her dresser to pick out her cloths for the day.

 

~~~~******~~~~

2 hours later…

 

Rei entered the arcade earlier than she was asked to, but she always preferred to be early rather than late. Anyway, if she started showing up late, she couldn't make fun of Usagi for always being late. “Hi Motoki-san.” She called to the man at the register.

 

“Oh hi Rei, where are the other girls?” he asked.

 

“They're on their way.” Rei said when right cue she heard the bell on the entrance rang, signaling more customers just entered. Rei turned to see who it was when she heard a familiar voice.

 

“Great, you're here already Rei-chan.” Usagi said and walked over to the dark haired girl. Rei frowned when she saw Usagi had a slight limp, but it was very noticeable to Rei. She also saw that Usagi was flanked by three other friends.

 

They all greeted each other and once that was done Makoto suggested, “Why don't we all sit down?” All of them agreed and they walked over to their usual booth.

 

“Let's order something first, I'm starving.” Usagi said when everyone was seated.

 

Minako looked over to Rei, expecting some comment about Usagi's eating habits, but none came. `She looks a little depressed' Minako observed. Rei sat with her head lowered a bit and her eyes focused on her hands. `Maybe things didn't go too well last night.' She thought worriedly. It was strange though, Usagi was acting normal, she even seemed happier then she'd been in a while, but that didn't match up with Rei's mood. `What happened last night?'

 

Their orders were taken by Motoki and while they waited for their orders to arrive Ami decided to start up a conversation about why they met after school, “So Usagi, what is it that you wanted to tell us?”

 

“Yeah Usagi. You said there was something you wanted to tell us, but you wanted to wait until we all got here. So spill it already.” Makoto said eagerly.

 

Usagi smiled at her two friends' eagerness, “Actually, I'm waiting for one more person to come.”

 

Minako tore her eyes away from her raven-haired friend when Usagi said that, “One more person? Who?”

 

“Well I wanted it to be a surprise for when he got here, but…” Usagi said and paused to `heighten the suspense'.

 

Minako looked over to Rei; she had her eyes shut as if she wouldn't be able to hear Usagi if she didn't have her eyes open. It was then Minako realized what was going on, `It makes sense now, Usagi must be talking about…'

 

“We're waiting for Mamo-chan” Usagi finished.

 

“Usagi, that's…” Makoto started to say, but the sudden motion of Rei standing stopped her.

 

“I'm sorry guys, I don't feel so well. I think I should go home.” Rei said and darted for the exit to the Crown, before anyone could do anything to stop her.

 

Minako and Usagi held worried looks on face, while Ami and Makoto both looked confused. “What was…?” Makoto started to say, only to be cut off again this time by Minako.

 

“I'll go after her.” Minako said and stood up. Minako hurried to the door when she realized Usagi was beside her. For a second Minako thought she was going to tell to stay behind and she would go after her, but she remembered what she said a few moments before, Mamoru was coming and she wasn't likely to leave before he came.

 

“Minako, please find her quickly. I think she might be mad at me. She seemed different after Mamo-chan arrived last night; it was like she couldn't get away from me fast enough.” Usagi said disappointedly.

 

“I'll find her in no time. Maybe I can even get her to come back.” Minako said hopefully.

 

“Please do and let me know whether she's alright. I don't think she was being very honest about her reason for leaving.” Usagi worriedly.

 

Minako smiled at Usagi, “I sure it wasn't anything big, but I'll let you know anyway, ok?”

 

“Thanks Minako.” Usagi said and went back to Ami and Makoto. Minako couldn't hear them, but she could tell they were asking her about what that was all about. She noticed Usagi shrug her shoulders and say something that caused the other girls to nod.

 

`I should get going before Rei gets too far away for me to catch up.' Minako thought and took off through the door, not noticing Usagi glancing in her direction as she left.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

`Think. I just need to figure out the right direction she went in.' Minako thought and let her instincts take over. Minako looked to her left, `that way.' The blonde haired girl headed into that direction. `I don't think she transformed or anything, so I should be able to catch up to her quickly.' Minako scanned the sidewalk, `This would be easier if there weren't so many people out now.' She sighed when she didn't find her after the first pass over the crowd. `Maybe I should transform, it would be easier to find her then.' Minako thought when someone with long dark hair caught her eye, `Good I'm a little surprised she didn't get further away, but she made this a lot easier than I thought it would be.'

 

Minako walked up quietly behind the girl, “You didn't tell her.” It was more of statement than a question. Minako was getting concerned, Rei promised her she would tell Usagi and then she didn't. `Rei has never been the kind of person to break promises.' Minako waited few seconds to see Rei's response, but she was only met with silence from her companion. “Rei please.” Minako pleaded.

 

“No, I didn't.” Rei said simply and quickened her pace.

 

Minako quickly matched the new pace Rei set, “Why? You promised!”

 

“Things changed.” Rei said quietly.

 

“Why, because Mamoru is back? You love her, right? Don't you think Usagi deserves to know as much?” Minako asked.

 

“Don't Minako!” Rei said and looked at Minako, but turned away when she added, “Mamoru is back and it'll be as it's always been. I'll fight for her as her bodyguard and as nothing more. I can't hope for more, not anymore.” Rei said dejectedly.

 

“How can you give up without even trying?” Minako asked.

 

“I did try! I learned it wasn't meant to be.” Rei said.

 

“Don't say that! I can't stand seeing you like this. This is not the kind of person you are, you don't just give up without a fight.” Minako said

 

“You weren't there Minako! You didn't see the look in her eyes when she saw Mamoru again!” Rei yelled, drawing the attention of a number of other pedestrians. Rei glared at everyone around her that was currently looking at her. She wasn't in the mood to deal with stares from people she didn't even know, “Do you people have a problem?!” Rei asked angrily causing the majority of people to turn away from her, most out of fear Rei invoked in them.

 

Minako hurriedly grabbed Rei's arm and pulled her down the street before she could start a fight. “Calm down, Rei.”

 

Rei could feel tears fill her eyes against her will, “She'll never look at me like that.” Rei said sadly. “I can't take this Minako. I can't listen to her talking about Mamo-chan this, Mamo-chan that. I just can't.” The dark haired girl could feel the tears she tried to hold back start to fall. Rei put her hand over her face to hide her tears from her friend.

 

Minako looked at Rei sadly, `I wish I could do more for you. I want to take this pain away from you.' Minako stepped forward, wrapped her arms around her friend, and held her in a tender embrace. Rei dropped her hand from her face and instead buried her face into Minako's shoulder. “It's alright. It's okay to cry if you need to.” Minako said. Rei remained silent, but Minako could feel her cry harder so she held her tighter. “I know how hard this is for you. I know that, believe me, but you have to tell her. This won't get any better if everything remains how it is.”

 

Rei's her tears slowed enough for her to speak again, “Why? Just so she can tell me that she loves Mamoru. I can't do that. I couldn't possibly stand a chance now that he's come back to her.”

 

Minako shook her head, “I wish you would stop selling yourself short. You're an amazing person.”

 

“I'm an amazingly weak person.” Rei said quietly and pulled away from Minako.

 

“No you're not! Do you think that just because your heart has chosen someone you think you can't have? You can't choose who you fall for, Rei.”

 

“I know that already. If I had a choice in the matter, I would have fallen for someone easier; someone I know can love me back. I was honestly ready to tell her last night, Minako. I was truly prepared to do it, but it was as if something would always get in my way to stop me. First was the youma…” Rei said and was interrupted.

 

“The two of you fought a youma?” Minako asked.

 

“Yeah. I thought Usagi would have told you guys.” Rei said, `Maybe planned on telling everyone at the crown when Mamoru came.' She thought. “That's not important anyway…”

 

“What do mean that's not important? You were attacked again, and you say it's not important!” Minako said. `I don't like this, they're attacks are too focused. They're focused on Rei, why?'

 

“It isn't important, I've handled myself well enough and if this is the only thing the enemy can throw at us, we'll be rid of these guys in no time.” Rei said confidently.

 

“I don't think so…” Minako thought aloud, “I don't think you should engage the enemy for a little while.”

 

“What? Why not?”

 

“Think about it Rei, where have the attacks been directed? They haven't tried to do anything on a larger scale and their attacks aren't random.”

 

“What are you trying to say? You don't honestly think I'm being targeted for some reason, do you?”

 

“Yes I do, so I think it would be best for you to avoid battles until we can sort this out.” Minako said seriously.

 

“I can't do that, Minako. I have to fight to protect Usagi, that's my duty.”

 

“You're right, but I also have a duty other than watching out for our Princess. I have a duty watch out for my fellow senshi as well. So as leader the Princess bodyguard I hereby order to avoid any and all battles to the best of your ability until further notice.” Minako said authoritatively.

 

“You can't…” Rei started to say, but Minako spoke over her.

 

“I can, you know I have the authority to do this.” Minako said seriously. She noticed Rei's upset expression and lightened her tone when she added, “I'm not taking away your henshin stick or anything Rei. If you are put into a situation where you need to fight, you still can, but I just don't want you to throw yourself into a fight that can be handled by the rest of us. I wouldn't ask you to do this if I didn't think it was necessary.”

 

“You can go back to the Crown, Minako.” Rei said without emotion.

 

“Please don't be mad at me for this, I'm just looking out for you here.” She asked.

 

“I think I'll be going home to sort through my thoughts, alone.” Rei said and turned away from Minako.

 

“Alright, I'll tell everyone you weren't feeling well.” Minako said and Rei nodded her head before away.

 

`This is for the best for now Rei; you'll see that when calm down a little.' Minako thought and turned back into the direction of the Crown. `I don't want to see you get hurt. We don't have a clue about what this enemy is plotting and I don't like their interest in you Rei.' Minako began walking back to the Crown, but continued to think about their current situation.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Rei enter the jinja and before she could say anything she hear her Grandfather call for her, “Rei you have a visitor!”

 

`A visitor? But everyone is at the crown.' Rei thought. “Alright Jii-chan, who is it?” Rei asked as she approached the direction that her grandfather's voice was coming from. Rei stopped dead in her tracks when she saw who was standing with her grandfather. `Mamoru?'

 

“This gentleman.” Grandpa Hino said gesturing to the man standing at his right. “I'll be leaving then.” Grandpa Hino said as he left Rei alone with the visitor.

 

“Hello Rei.” Mamoru said casually.

 

“What are you doing here? I thought you were meeting Usagi at the Crown?” Rei questioned.

 

“I am going there, but I wanted to speak with you about something first.” Mamoru said.

 

“What would you need to speak with me about?” Rei asked.

 

“Usagi.” Mamoru stated simply.

 

Rei did her best to hide her surprise and remain neutral outwardly, but she didn't think she did that well of a job, “Wh-What about her?” Rei asked cautiously.

 

“Last night, she was in real danger and if I didn't arrive when I did she could have been hurt or worse.” Mamoru said and Rei lowered her head regretfully as she recalled the previous night's events. “I expected you of all people to have protected her, instead I return to find her in a life or death situation!” Mamoru said heatedly.

 

“I have been protecting her! And who the hell are you to talk! You left her without any notice! Have you even tried to maintain contact with her? Actually, you don't need to answer that because I already know the answer. You haven't! You haven't even spoken with her since you left, and yet you proceed to chastise me! Do you know how much you've made her cry? Do you even care?” Rei said angrily. She wasn't in the mood to talk with him, and she definitely didn't feel like holding back. She felt powerless last night and he had no right to remind her of that, of her failure. If he wanted to talk about Usagi then he'd have to hear her anger of what he did to her.

 

“Of course I care! I know I hurt her, but I wouldn't have done it if I didn't have the best of intentions…” Mamoru responded.

 

“Best of intentions? How the hell can you stand here and tell me that hurting her was for the best? You don't know a damn thing!” Rei said disgustedly.

 

“I do know! I know how she feels better than anyone, even better she does herself.” Mamoru said.

 

“Then why?! Why do you continually cause her pain?” Rei asked angrily. Her eyes were now brimming with unshed tears, tears of anger, tears of sadness, tears of pent-up frustration, and tears for her hopeless heart.

 

“I never meant to cause her any pain.” Mamoru admitted.

 

“Well you have!” Rei yelled. “If it were me, I would never make her cry…” Rei added in a whisper.

 

“What?!” Mamoru said quickly.

 

“Just leave me alone, I don't have anything more I wish to say to you.” Rei said more calmly and turned away from Mamoru.

 

Mamoru grabbed her arm before she could walk away, “Wait! What do mean?”

 

Rei pulled her arm away from Mamoru's grip, “I do not want to nor do I have to explain myself to you, Mamoru-san. Please leave my home; I don't think I can stand to be in your presence any longer.”

 

“You can't just say something like that and tell me to leave. I want to know what you mean.” Mamoru said.

 

“I can and I have. I'm asking you to leave and for you to have the decency to respect my wishes. So, I'll ask you one more time Mamoru-san, leave.” Rei said firmly.

 

Mamoru looked at Rei and opened his mouth to say something, but quickly shut it. The tall man turned away from the miko and took a few steps the exit, away from Rei. “I didn't mean to upset you; that wasn't my intention.” Mamoru said and took a few more steps.

 

“What ever your intentions have been recently, you don't seem to be having any luck in choosing the right thing to do.” Rei said and waited for him to say something else, but for whatever reason he remained silent and exited the shrine.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

`That definitely could have gone better.' Mamoru thought and ran his fingers through his short black hair. `That's what I get for losing myself like that. Maybe it would have been best to go to Usagi first. At least I can predict her reactions, Rei is another story entirely.' He thought and sighed loudly. `At least I think I've confirmed what I've been thinking.' Mamoru thought and looked at his watch, `I can't stay here though. I should have been at the Crown ten minutes ago.' Mamoru looked back that shrine one more time, `I am sorry if I upset you, but it was necessary. You keep your emotions bottled up too much Rei.' Turning away from the shrine, he began down the stairs to his car parked on the street below.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

`I can't believe he had the audacity to say that to me. I've always protected Usagi with all my strength. He leaves her and he dares to insinuate I wasn't protecting her to the best of my abilities?' Rei clenches her fists at her sides in an effort to hold back her emotions. She had finally calmed herself after talking to Minako and now this conversation with Mamoru just made all those emotions come back.

 

Rei walked to the shrine entrance and called, “I'm going out for a walk, Jii-chan!”

 

She didn't know if that would help, but she wanted to do something to cool down. She wished she had a punching bag sometimes for times like this because she didn't intend to do what she did the other day, that wasn't healthy for her body. Rei hurried to her room to grab some spare money encase she got hungry, since she wasn't exactly sure when she would be coming back home. Just before she reached her room, Rei stopped when she felt something. Something was…wrong. She looked intently at the door, `Something's there.' Rei thought.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Setsuna was sitting in her study reading; she made herself scarce since Michiru returned. `They've been apart long enough and I know they would rather be alone even though they might not say it.' She thought to herself. She wasn't called the solitary solider for nothing, but she certainly didn't regret her time she could spend away from the Gates of Time. She knew all too well that she couldn't stay away from them forever, `They have always been and will always be my destiny.'

 

“That's not true.” A voice echoed through the previously silent study.

 

“Who's there?” Setsuna asked quickly.

 

“Hmph. 'Who' you say? Oh ageless guardian of time, how quickly you forget.” The voice echoed through out the room.

 

“Show yourself, now!” Setsuna demanded and rose from her chair. Setsuna started to reach into her desk when the voice spoke again.

 

“I don't think you'll be needing that…Pluto.” The voice said and paused, “Besides, it's not there.” Setsuna glanced at the drawer and saw that this person was right. Her henshin stick wasn't in there. “Don't you know anything…” the voice said and a shadow in the corner of the room started to take form. After a few more moments the shadow's true form became that of a person; a person holding Pluto's henshin stick, “…This should never leave your person. You're getting careless.” The person said and threw the henshin stick at Setsuna. Setsuna caught the stick and prepared to transform when the person talked again, “I told you there is no need for that.”

 

“Who are you?” Setsuna asked cautiously. She also kept ready to transform at a moment's notice. This person unnerved her, `How can someone just appear before me like this? How is it possible that this person knows more about me than I do about them?' The person was dressed entirely in black and even had a hood to cover their face. Setsuna couldn't even tell if this person was a man or a woman, the only thing she had to go on was the voice. Even though the voice sounded feminine, she couldn't say for sure, the clothes the person wore made it almost impossible to determine their gender.

 

“You wish to know who I am?” the person asked.

 

“Yes, that is what I asked you.” Setsuna said. Something about this person threw her senses off, `Only one other person has ever done that to me…but this person can't be her. She just can't be…'

 

“I can see you don't like it when you're not the one in a position of knowledge.” The person observed. “Do you wish me to enlighten you then?” the person said as the person reached for their hood, “Do you wish me to confirm what you're thinking?” the person said and observed Setsuna's reaction.

 

`She can read my thoughts?' Setsuna questioned herself.

 

“Yes, Pluto I can. I can read yours quite well in fact. You've never been able to hide anything from me.” The person said, their hands remaining on their hood.

 

The person started moving closer and when the person did, Setsuna noticed something she hadn't seen in a long time. Around the wrist of the person, Setsuna could see the shine of a silver bracelet, “You can't be…” Setsuna said and backed away a few steps.

 

“Oh I am…and if you need further proof.” The person said and finally pulled back her hood to reveal her face fully to Setsuna.

 

Setsuna nearly fell over at the face she saw. She backed even further away and shook her head, “There's no way…you can't be her.”

 

End Ch. 18

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

So, as you can see I did decide to make this two parts. When the next part comes out it will pick up right where this one left off. Maybe you'll learn something about the person leading the enemy ;) I think she's due for a little back-story, right? I honestly could have made this one and the next one a single chapter, but I have my reasons for not doing that. Besides, this one was very long and took me a lot of time to write by itself. I don't believe the next one will be as long as this one, but I won't know until I get started on it.

 

One small question I have is; does any one mind if I abbreviate Tuxedo Kamen to Tux? It's a pain to continually write out Tuxedo Kamen all the time.

 

I hope there aren't many errors here, but this one was so long I guess there's bound to be some. Hopefully, they were few and far between. If you took the time to read this very long chapter, please be kind enough to leave a review as well. It would be nice to crack the hundred mark (at FF.net) or at least come close : ) I don't think the wait was too long either considering the length of this chapter. Thanks in advance to all of those who review and until Part 2, ja minna-san.