Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Lament ❯ For Every Answer... ( Chapter 18 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

::Gasp::

Ayanee Mizuno sat up from her futon mattress, clutching her chest; air rushed in and out of her lungs in frantic gasps. Sweat covered her aching body as her heart thundered rapidly inside her chest. The surrounding darkness of the unfamiliar room greatly added to Ayanee’s anxiety. The last coherent memory she had was of kissing her lover goodnight and snuggling in for a good nights sleep. Fragments of memories seemed to flit in and out of her awareness. She tried desperately to grab hold of one, anything to explain what was happening, and ease her panic. Failing to piece anything together, she tried to focus on the assumption that she was safe. That did little to ease her nerves.


As Ayanee focused on calming herself, she became aware of two voices that seemed to be near her room. Whoever was speaking seemed to be in the midst of an argument, or debate of some kind. One of the voices seemed angry, though Ayanee could understand little of what they were saying. The voice was too rushed and exasperated. The other person, a woman, or girl, Ayanee could not tell, replied calmly, without any particular urgency or emotion, regardless of what the first voice said. Ayanee struggled to follow the conversation, something about keeping secrets and who was in charge. The tranquil voice frequently referred to the other speaker as general, Ayanee wondered if the military had abducted her. Her surroundings suggested that she was not under military care, the room she was in seemed like something you would find in an old hotel or a temple.

::Am I at Hikawa Temple?:: Ayanee suddenly wondered. She squinted her eyes to more clearly see the room she was in. The increasingly familiar room was sparsely furnished having only a dresser and two futon mattresses laid out head to head. Someone else occupied the one next to hers.

Ayanee was just about to check upon the room’s other occupant when the voice referred to as the general began to tickle at her subconscious memories. After listening for a moment more, Ayanee felt with absolute certainty that she knew that voice, but also that she had never heard it before. Ayanee brought her hand to her head, while trying to sort the conflicting memories.

::What!?:: Ayanee’s hand stilled as she first touched her face. Her fingers began to frantically travel across her face what should have been smooth soft flesh, had become twisted and rough. Sometime during the night, one half of her face had become scarred. Ayanee trembled as she both wished and dreaded to have a mirror.

Ayanee’s eyes shot wide open as the significance of her new scar and the General’s voice suddenly became clear to her. Ayanee, started to remember. “Oh God.”

“Mom?” Already on edge, Ayanee was startled by and whipped around at the groggy voice sounding from behind her. She had forgotten completely, about the other occupant in the room.

“Ami! Oh god honey, are you alright?” Ayanee tossed aside the blankets that had tangled about her feet and rushed to her daughter’s side.

“Mom, how did I… What are you doing here?” Ami’s voice was slurred and confused.

Ami, always analytical, took a quick appraisal of the room as her mother pulled her into a desperately tight embrace. The room, as Ayanee also noticed, was of moderate size and sparsely furnished. The room was too dark to make out too many details, and kept the two women from seeing the changes their transformations had wrought upon them. Ami held her mother, who was tense and obviously troubled.

“I must have passed out.” Ami mumbled to herself after trying, unsuccessfully to reconstruct the events that placed her in one of the Hino‘s spare rooms. The last thing she remembered was walking into the fire room with a pitcher of water. Someone strange, who should not have been there, was. Try as she might, Ami could not visualize what she saw beyond the first few horrifying seconds. Still, those few images she did recall, explained a lot.

“Ami, I don’t remember getting here. Are we at the Hino’s temple?” Just as Ayanee asked her question, the sliding door to their temporary room was pushed open.

“I apologize for your confusion. Mizuno-San. Please drink this, once you are ready we will explain what we know.” Rei Hino had entered the room carrying a pitcher of water on a tray with two ceramic cups. The young Miko had heard when Ayanee had started stirring and had hastened to end her conversation with Luna so she might properly greet her guests when they were fully awake.

Ayanee had wanted to ask questions right away, but the sight of the water pitcher made her realize how dehydrated she felt. She gratefully accepted the tray from the young shrine maiden, and quickly poured Ami and herself a drink.

“The next door over is a washroom.” Rei directed as she turned to exit the room. “Once you are washed up, please meet us in the dining room, we will answer what we can then.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After a few, in Ayanee’s case, horrific discoveries made by looking into the washroom mirror, Ami and Ayanee Mizuno sat uncomfortably across the table from Rei Hino, Usagi Tsukino, and her cat Luna.

Ami shifted about nervously on the pillow cushion that served as her seat. She was very aware of Usagi and Rei’s alter egos, and knew that Luna was no mere cat. Ami’s dark bluish eye’s, which hours before were black, flickered often to glimpse at a tired and nervous looking Usagi. When she had noticed her, her first emotions were outrage and anger at having to suffer her presence, she had wanted to lash out at and confront the girl. Her logical mind, however, took over and made it known that an outburst like that would serve no purpose. In the time it took her to rationalize that, the part of her she recognized as Merci worked to ease her anger.

Ami, could honestly say that she hated Usagi. The young genius had never before focused such strong negativity toward anyone before and that made her uncomfortable. Ami did not know how to react when she found that, after a few moments being face to face with the person she blamed for her lover’s death, she no longer hated her. Now, she knew that Usagi, Sailor Moon, had to be the reincarnation of Vileal. Vileal, as Ami vividly remembered from her dreams, was the second love of her past life. Ami could not figure out how she should feel around the other girl. Ami, and the newly awakened memories and awareness of Merci held such strong opposing viewpoints on her that they seemed to negate each other. For the moment she felt neither love nor hate, only confusion.

Unaware of her daughter’s internal plight, Ayanee absently ran her fingers through the waist length blue hair that pooled down Ami’s back. Her daughter’s hair, much like the horrible half faded scar marring half of her face, had somehow appeared overnight.

Ayanee looked at Luna. The elder Mizuno’s heart beat a little faster as memories of her dreams sped through her mind. The sudden surge of dream flashes, confused and disoriented her. When they stopped she was left with the distinct impression that the cat looked exactly like the one a warrior woman from her dreams had at some point been transformed into.

“Uhm… we’re really sorry about all the confusion you must be feeling right now.” Usagi, uncomfortable with the awkward silence, was the first to speak up. Rei, meanwhile, sat to her left, calm and unmoving; Luna was in front of her and glanced at her in annoyance.

“We already talked to Mr. Fiore, he’s ok by the way, and uhm, we need to know what you remember from last night.” As Usagi spoke, Ayanee and Ami exchanged looks, having already discussed this while they were in the washroom.

“I was studying with Grandpa Hino last night.” Ami began, setting aside her internal debate for now. She really had no desire to speak to this girl. A large part of her loathed to do it, but she knew that her anger would serve no purpose at this time. Now, finding out what happened the previous evening was more important.

“It was getting late and I left the fire room to get us some water. When I returned he was speaking with a foreigner who was doing a Nazi cosplay.

“The foreigner looked angry and started shouting, I do not remember anything after that.” Ami’s eyes shifted away from her audience. She had withheld the information about Hino’s horrific transformation into JiJi. That was a secret that she was not at liberty to share, nor a memory she particularly wanted to keep.

Rei, studying Ami’s body language and eyes, knew that the older girl was hiding something. She decided that Ami might be more apt to talk about it when they were in a more comfortable situation, so she decided to speak with her later when she was alone.

“I don’t know anything.” Ayanee stated, obviously anxious.

“I was in bed for the evening, and the next thing I remember is waking up under a pile of rubble!” Ayanee’s voice rose as she started to get angry, not at anyone present, but at the situation.

“You see this?” Ayanee traced the twisted scar that marred half her face.

“This was not here yesterday; my daughter’s eyes were black, and her hair was only a few inches long last time I looked!”

“I had a strange dream last night.” Ayanee’s voice tapered down for a moment as she struggled to recall more images of her fading dream. “Somehow we are starting to look like some of the images in my dream.”

Luna tensed up as soon as Ayanee mentioned dreams, she spoke up before the elder Mizuno could say anymore. “Ms. Mizuno, please settle yourself. At this point we don’t know any more than you.”

Ayanee tensed as she looked at the cat in amazement. “My God, you really are that woman from my dreams.”

Luna’s eyes widened, but Ayanee spoke before Luna could attempt to silence her. “Ok then Ms., I want to know what my daughter and I are caught up in and I want to know NOW!”

Luna looked angry at Ayanee’s outburst, but calmed herself before speaking. “Ms Mizuno, I am General Lunari Elusiian Mox. Your daughter as well as Miss. Tsukino and Miss. Hino, are chosen warriors from an ancient kingdom. They have been reincarnated for a second chance at happiness here on Earth. Unfortunately, the creatures of the Dark Kingdom have returned as well. We have to work together to find the Moon Princess and the Mystical Silver Crystal, so we can protect the Earth by destroying these fiends.”

Ayanee leaned back, supporting herself with one hand. Her other hand pinched at the bridge of her nose in an attempt to stave off an oncoming headache. Several more scenes from her dream had flashed through her mind as Luna spoke. Ami, who was only partially paying attention, continued to sneak glances at Usagi. Usagi, squirmed about, and fought back the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her. Rei, sat on her cushion, maintaining perfect posture and not uttering a word.

“Alright, for the sake of argument let’s say this is all true.” Ayanee spoke in a weary tone, not quite understanding everything, but knowing that she did not want her daughter mixed up in any of it. “How do you expect three young girls to fight this… This, Dark Kingdom, and how do you and I figure into all of this?”

“The girls have been granted ancient weapons passed on to them from their past lives. These rings, allow them to access the powers and skills that they once wielded two thousand years ago. The more they use them, the more they will remember, and the more powerful they will become.” Luna stood and began to pace across the table as she lectured.

“Why them?” Ayanee questioned. “Why interfere in these girl’s lives? You’re talking about sending them into some kind of war! These girls are still children, what the hell gives you the right to take that from them?”

“Ms. Mizuno, please calm down.” Luna attempted to stop Ayanee from escalating this.

“The hell I will!” Ayanee slammed the palms of her hands down upon the table, causing everyone except Rei to flinch back. “I will not have you putting these girls into danger. This Dark Kingdom, I assume that is what is causing all the monster attacks that are shown on the news? You want three girls who have had no military training in their short lives to suddenly give up everything and follow you into battle?”

“No, General, that is simply too much. Call the Army, or get whatever super heroes our government is currently sponsoring to help you. Hell, get that Sailor Moon, or that Soldier V, to help. They are the ones that have been killing these things anyways. Get them to risk their lives, and leave these girls out of it!”

“Uhm…” Usagi interrupted. “Ms. Mizuno, I’m Sailor Moon.”

The color drained from Ayanee’s face. “Oh God…”

“You see Ms. Mizuno, Miss. Tsukino, Miss. Hino, and your daughter are the only ones who can face this. The army and police have tried to deal with this threat, but they are little use against most Yoma.” Luna spoke in a calming and sympathetic voice.

“Japan has no government sponsored super humans, like The Ultimates, in America. For now the Dark Kingdom’s strikes have been solely in Japan, so we cannot rely on foreign aid.”

Luna turned to regard each of the girls as she continued. “Sailor Moon, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, these girls were chosen by fate to assume the responsibilities of their past lives. They have the power, and I will train them to rediscover the skills they need to defeat this threat.”

“What about Soldier V, surely she can handle this on her own. I remember seeing her on TV fighting these things well over a year ago.” Ayanee already knew that what Luna said made sense, but she feared for her daughter’s safety. She had to make sure there was no other way.

Luna looked away from Ayanee for a moment as she contemplated her answer. “Soldier V, is an enigma to me. I have been aware of her for two years now, yet I have not been able to track her down. All I know is that she is a powerful warrior, and for now she seems to be opposing our enemies. But, I do not know her motives; for all I know she could switch sides, give up, or get killed at any moment.”

“These Senshi,” Luna said as she motioned with her nose toward the seated girls. “Are destined to fight this fight. I do not question their motives, or loyalty, and I will train them so they can quickly achieve their maximum potential. If necessary I will give up my life to protect them.”

“You mentioned weapons earlier.” Ayanee started to grasp at straws. “Why not give them to stronger people, who are already trained to face combat.”

Luna sighed. “The weapons, the planetary rings, are tuned to only work for the reincarnations of the women who last wielded them and whose blood activated them.”

“Are they the only ones then?” Ayanee asked as she looked at her daughter. Ami looked conflicted as she observed everyone. Her eye’s continued to linger on Usagi and occasionally Rei; her hands idly played with her new hair.

“No.” Luna answered. “There are two others that are bound to this duty. Once we locate them and find our Princess, we can have her locate the Silver Crystal, which will tip the scales in our favor greatly.”

Ayanee’s hand quickly rose to her head as a memory, followed by a headache surfaced. She recalled from her dreams, a powerful crystal tipped wand that was used to consume a golden woman, and destroy a great shadow. “Do you have any idea where to look for the princess?”

“I know she has been reborn, and I know she is in Japan, but aside from that no.” Luna looked frustrated at her inability to locate the reincarnation of her new mistress.

Ayanee sighed heavily as her shoulders slumped. Her hand covered her daughter’s and her thumb idly traced the smooth skin. No one said anything as the Mizuno’s acclimated to what has been revealed to them.

“How do I fit into all of this?” Ayanee spoke after a lengthy silence. “What can I do to help my daughter?”

Luna thought for a moment on how to answer this. She was already annoyed that Ayanee, at least, has had visions of the past through dreams. She wondered if Ami had such visions as well. She did know, that she did not want to explain everything to Rei and especially Usagi, just yet.

“Apparently,” Luna spoke, finally deciding on an answer. “You are also a reincarnated soldier, though not one of the Senshi. I do not know how you came to be reincarnated, or what, if anything, you retain from the past.”

“What happened to us last night?” Ami questioned, speaking for the first time that evening.

“You…”

“Your bodies, were taken over by the consciousness of your past lives.” Rei interrupted Luna. The cat glared daggers at her, but the young Miko ignored the feline and continued speaking.

“The possession was so complete that your bodies were magically transformed into their former states. That is why you have long hair again, and why you, Ms. Mizuno, now bare a scar.”

“How did that happen?” Ami held her further questions, realizing that if she wanted answers to everything she would have to wait to speak with Grandpa Hino.

Easily reading Ami’s body language, Rei could tell that she was again holding something back, she found that that bothered her. Rei’s eye flickered briefly from black, to violet, and then back to black. Ami noticed the change and looked queerly at the young woman. When she had first met her, she distinctly remembered her eyes being violet in color, now they seemed to shift. Rei actually felt discomfort at Ami’s gaze, in a rare loss of composure, she stuttered ever slightly, the first word of her response to Ami’s question. No one noticed.

“While I do not know the cause of the transformation, I do know that the more it occurs, and the longer it is sustained, the more permanent it will become.”

“Here Miss. Mizuno” Luna butted in, wanting desperately to change the topic. She felt a need to be in charge of the information available. She did not want certain things being known before she thought everyone was ready to hear it.

The cat’s eyes closed as a small rip in the air appeared in front of Ami. As before, a beautiful blue ring fell from the rip, which closed immediately after, and dropped on the table. Ami studied the ring intently, remembering every part of its intricate design.

“Please, do not reject it again. Even if you have doubts about working with us, you have been involved in an attack by the Dark Kingdom; keep it for your protection.” Luna held her breath hoping that this time, her soldier of Mercury would accept her destiny and join her team.

Ami slowly reached out and cupped the ring in the palm of her hand. Usagi, Luna, and Ayanee, held their breaths as they awaited her decision. Luna let out a disappointed and Ayanee a relieved sigh, as Ami’s hand closed over the ring and she slipped it into her pocket.

“I need some time to think about it. I will take your advice though, and keep it for protection.” Ami and her mother stood up from the table, preparing to take their leave. They had been exposed to a lot this evening and needed time to sort it out and digest it.

As she prepared to leave, Ami carefully avoided Usagi, but made a point to talk for a moment with Rei. She wanted to make sure that Makoto, Fiore, and Grandpa Hino, were going to be okay. Once she was assured of their recovery, she departed with a promise that she would be by the next day to check on them.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Having appeared at the Hino’s shrine via unconventional means, the Mizuno’s found themselves taking a cab to Ami’s condo. Before they had left the temple, Ayanee had spent a few minutes talking to Luna, Usagi, and Rei, separate from each other. She spent the ride home organizing her thoughts on the evening. Ami had her own concerns and did not mind the silence.

“I don’t think I trust Luna, she talks slick and I get the impression that she is trying to keep everyone informed on a need to know basis.” Ayanee started to talk as soon as they had arrived home.

Ami heard her mother, but for the moment decided not to respond. Not getting a reply, Ayanee continued to mull over the situation. Luna aside, she had the impression that Usagi was a simple girl who did not particularly enjoy her position, but understood the need for it. On matters of the mission and the happenings of the enemy, Usagi seemed clueless. Ayanee had a feeling that if Luna had her way, all of them would be as in the dark as Usagi. She could see what Luna was hoping for, a dependence on her, thus creating soldiers who did not question her authority or judgment.

Rei, unlike Usagi and Luna, was impossible to read. Ayanee was unable to ascertain anything about the young girl’s thoughts about her position in Luna’s war. From the way she interacted with Luna, Ayanee felt that Rei seemed to be an obedient soldier, though she did speak up when she felt it was needed. And despite Luna’s thinly veiled hostility toward the girl, Rei always remained respectful and courteous toward the feline General.

The cat and the girls weren’t the only things weighing on Ayanee’s mind. The situation as a whole was almost too fantastic to comprehend. Then again, the things she has seen coupled with vague memories of her dreams combined to lend some sort of validity to everything.

Ayanee found her hand tracing the scar that had appeared on her face. It was a large, horrid thing; the reality of that had yet to sink in. Ayanee, chided herself for her frivolous concerns about vanity in the midst of everything else that was happening. She found that once she thought of it, she could not help but poke at it. ::God, what will Umi think? What will my work say if something like this happens to me while I am on the job?::

As Ayanee pondered her girlfriend and the possible conflicts with work, Ami finally broke herself from her own thoughts enough to notice her mother’s distress. She frowned as she watched her mother caress the side of her face that had become scarred. The scar began at the bottom of her chin and trailed over the entire left have of her face, but was hidden at her hairline. Ami’s eye’s widened as she suddenly realized exactly who her mother was starting to resemble. “Bruuna.”

As Ami whispered her revelation, at the exact same time Ayanee turned to speak to her again, thus drowning out her comment. “Ami, do you think that all this, this, stuff that is happening to us had something to do with those dreams we used to have?”

Ayanee continued to speak before Ami had a chance to give her thoughts on the subject. “You know, I had another more… vivid dream, while I was buried under the wall. I don’t recall more than bit’s and pieces, but I have a feeling that it was something very important.”

Ami could hear a slight tremble in her mother’s voice. “Yes, I do.”

Ami spoke in a whisper. It was not intentional, her mind continued to process her thoughts and feelings as she conversed with her mother. “Everything that is happening now started with those dreams. I started to have many more since… Juni…”

Ami paused a moment, but composed herself before she started to cry. Ayanee leaned against a wall and listened intently to what her daughter had to say. “Only, they are not dreams at all. The things that I have been seeing in my sleep, what you saw while you were unconscious, are memories. We are seeing who we were in our past lives.”

Ayanee did not know how to respond, as Ami continued. “Not only are we seeing our past selves, for some reason we are beginning to transform into them as well. My hair, your scar, these are physical attributes of the women we used to be.”

“How… How do you know this for sure?” Ayanee questioned after a long moment of stunned silence.

Ami thought for a second on how she could reveal her source of knowledge without compromising his secret. “Hino-sensei, among other things, specializes in interpreting dreams and guided hypnosis focusing on past lives. I went to him for advice and he has been guiding me through and interpreting my memories.”

“The old man? But he’s just a, how does he..?” Ayanee could not picture the perverted old man she knew doing anything serious. Her memory had conveniently omitted that he was responsible for saving Ami and nursing Makoto back to health. Granted he seemed trustworthy, enough at least that Ayanee allowed Ami to visit the temple unsupervised. Not for the first time Ayanee began to wonder if Grandpa Hino was just putting on an act, and if that was the case, then who was the man really?

“Mom.” Ami started in a hollow voice. Her tone immediately caught Ayanee’s full attention. “I do not know if I can do this.”

“Do what honey?” Ayanee prompted.

“The girl, Miss. Tsukino, she… She is the one… Juni died because of her.” Ami’s voice trembled a bit, but was still dull and hollow.

“How can I work with someone who…” The rest of Ami’s words caught in her throat, as the gravity of her supposed destiny weighed heavily upon her shoulders. “Who killed my lover.”

Ayanee was confused by her daughter’s whispered proclamation. “But honey, Asagai-sensei was, lost, in that monster attack.”

Ami looked into her mother’s eyes and for a moment felt that she should tell her mother everything. That she should reveal to her who Juni Asagai really was, and everything that has happened in her life that she has had to keep hidden. She realized however, that Juni’s identity, and many parts of her own life would have to be kept to herself. Her mother had problems enough with their age difference and that Juni was her teacher. Ami felt that this was a secret that her mother could never understand.

“If Miss. Tsukino had not been there the demon would have never appeared.” Ami spoke a half truth, surprised and saddened that she was ready and able to deceive her mother so easily.

“Oh honey, you can’t know that for certain. It could just be a horrible coincidence.” Ayanee wondered immediately after speaking, why she was trying to defend the girl whom she knew to be Sailor Moon. It was in her and Ami’s best interest, if they never saw the Sailor Senshi again, and left all the saving the world business behind them.

“I do know!” Ayanee was surprised by the undisputable conviction in Ami’s voice. Even if she wanted to, she could not argue with her.

Ami sighed as she thought about Usagi’s past life. She had struggled with that since they regained consciousness at the Hino‘s temple. Even though a part of her, buried deep under her consciousness, cried out in longing for the other girl, Ami could not forgive Usagi’s role in Juni’s death.

Ami shook her head and wiped away a solitary tear. The small part of her that was Merci lamented the decision she was going to make. “I can not, I will not be able to work with her.”

Inwardly, Ayanee gave a great sigh of relief. She had desperately hoped that this was what Ami’s decision would be. Ayanee pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, which Ami returned with equal strength. “Some say that you can’t escape destiny, but in this case I hope to God that they are wrong.”

“I do not want to see you hurt by this, and I will not try to talk you into it. I love you so much Ami, I just want to see you safe.” Ayanee wiped her tearing eyes against her daughter’s shoulder, as both Mizuno’s remained in their embrace.

Ayanee cried because she knew that Ami’s decision would not protect her from this. Whether she liked it or not, this was Ami’s destiny and one way or another she would be forced into it. It had not escaped her notice that whatever happened to Ami and herself the previous evening, happened when Usagi and Luna were not present. She had the queasy feeling that this was just the beginning, destiny already had her hand upon them.

“Even though Miss. Hino works with Miss. Tsukino, will you still continue to study with Hino-sensei?” Ayanee knew that the time would come when Ami would be forced into her position, and she wanted her daughter to be as prepared as possible. Knowledge is power, and for the moment it seemed that Hino-Sensei was the best source of it. Ayanee wanted to help Ami delay her destiny as long as possible, at least long enough for her to properly understand what was happening and how she could better handle it.

Hino-sensei, according to Rei and Usagi, had protected Ami from the devastation in the courtyard with his own body. He absorbed the damage from that attack, and was hurt seriously enough that he could not entertain guests for several days. Ayanee had wanted to see and thank the man, but Rei had expressly forbid it. The young Miko seemed fiercely protective of her grandfather. Ayanee did feel comfortable, that whatever might happen, Hino-sensei would do his best to protect Ami.

“I hoped to. I will speak with him about it as soon as he is fit.” Ami fidgeted a moment, thinking that her mother would not respond well to her next request.

“Mom, I know that you must think the temple is a very hazardous place now, but I feel that I must continue to work with and learn from Hino-sensei. I also want to be there to check on Makoto and Mr. Fiore. I would like it if I could spend the next week there.”

“Ami…” Ayanee paused, she wanted Ami to learn from Hino-sensei, but she was also leery as to the safety of the temple at this moment. “Is being at the temple the safest place to be? I have no problems with you studying with Hino-sensei, and checking on your friends, but the place looked like a battlefield. How do we know that whatever did that won’t return to finish the job?”

“Is anywhere safe?” Ami brought up a point that Ayanee hadn’t considered. “According to General Luna, we are fighting demons, I do not think they have any restrictions as to when and where they can attack. Hino-sensei is a very powerful spiritualist. If the enemy knows that I am a Senshi, then I think being near him is the safest place for me right now.”

Ayanee sighed, the reality of the situation was growing more vivid. The horrible possibilities of what Ami’s life would become made her nauseous. “You’re right, being with someone who understands somewhat what is going on is better than being alone. I admit I would feel a little better knowing that one of the Senshi lives there in case the worse was to occur.”

“Luna seemed surprised that I was part of this at all.” Ayanee noted. “I need to continue on with my life. I have my job to consider, and I will not stop seeing Umi. I just need to hope that the enemy does not know who I am.”

“If he is ok with it, I will drop you off there. I’d like to talk with him too, and if he doesn’t mind, after work I’d like to come by a few nights as well. I would like to learn more about what is going on, and I would like to be by you in case anything was to happen.”

Ayanee shook her head wearily. “This all just seems so damn impossible, you know? But… There is just too much proof to deny it.”

Ami tightened her hold on her mother, and she did the same. They had been sitting on the floor next to each other all this time. “I don’t remember anything of what happened to us in the courtyard, but I want you to know that whatever happens, whether I have powers or not, I will do anything to protect you. No matter what, we are in this together. I love you honey, don’t you ever forget that.”

“I love you too mom.” Both Mizuno’s were overcome with tears, as they shared their doubts and fears of this heavy hand that fate had dealt them. They were faced with something that even in their wildest dreams they never thought possible. Life had just flipped flopped wildly about them, but one thing was certain, no matter what happened, they would face it together.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A great vortex of swirling water opened in the cold halls of the Dark Lord Jadeite’s castle. As the vortex vanished, Tetisu quickly acclimated herself to her surroundings. Muffled cries, a queer mixture of agony and ecstasy, sounded loudly through a crack in the door at her side. ::What is this?::

The tall blue Yoma slipped quietly up to the door to peer into the crack. Her red pupil-less eyes widened as she watched the perverse scene unfold before her. Lord Jadeite, dressed in his antique human uniform, was seated at a chair with his coat open, a red ball connected to leather straps was shoved in his mouth, and his hands were bound behind his back.

The bound general was involved in a violent sex act with two Yoma who Tetisu recognized as Suzuran and Housenka. The Yoma, were two of three triplets occasionally referred to as the plant sisters. They were some of the more violent and twisted Yoma that Tetisu had associated with during her many years in the Dark Kingdom.

::If this is how they spend their free time, it is no wonder they are disturbed as they are.:: Tetisu thought to herself. After joining the Great Shadow, Tetisu’s once gentle soul was twisted and corrupted to evil, but unlike many Yoma, she had set boundaries for herself. There were some things that she just would not do. Tetisu would gather energy from humans if necessary, and if it pleased Beryl, then she too would derive some satisfaction from it, but she could never see herself as one who received physical pleasure from torture and pain as the three she was watching currently were.

The two Yoma, both beautiful by human standards, were unbound and “performing” for and on Jadeite. The taller one, Suzuran, was kneeling before the bound Lord, and pleasuring him with her mouth. Though, Tetisu could not understand how the feared general could derive pleasure from the frequent and painful looking use of teeth.

The shorter of the sisters, Housenka, danced naked around the man, frequently grinding against him and her sister. Every few moments, Housenka would reach in toward Jadeite and push her fingers alternately into five different puncture wounds that scarred his chest and stomach. Every time this happened Jadeite would let out the muffled screams that had drawn Tetisu’s attention in the first place.

Unable to help herself, Tetisu continued to watch. The scene unfolded with Jadeite eventually becoming unbound, and returning the favor of pleasure and pain to his two companions. Although, in the case of Suzuran, it seemed more like just pain. Still, as the taller Yoma fell into unconsciousness she had climaxed in the most powerful looking orgasm that Tetisu had every seen.

Only after the three were lying on the floor tangled and spent, did Tetisu enter the room.

“Did you enjoy the show?” Jadeite asked in a thick, relaxed voice. The smaller Yoma, Housenka’s eyes opened when Jadeite spoke. Her eyes trailed up Tetisu’s body, making her feel uncomfortable.

“You could have joined us you know? You would have had a blast.” Housenka snickered as she rolled over to cradle her unconscious sister. The smaller Yoma laughed melodically as she stroked her sister’s bruised face and summoned a vortex of grape petals that transported them away.

“You were there for some time, their sister Gureepu, has not the stomach for the kind of fun we enjoy, and I dare say having a fourth would have been interesting.” Jadeite smiled lustfully at Tetisu who palled slightly under his scrutiny.

“Now then,” Jadeite stood up, still naked, to walk toward Tetisu, who found that she could not move from her position by the door. Her eyes could not pull away from the horribly mangled wounds on his torso, or the more painful looking wounds that still bled freely along his manhood. “What is it that you want from me?”

::I came to aid you in your mission.:: Tetisu could not manage to hide the unease in her telepathic voice. When she had first arrived, she had every intention of messing with Jadeite, something she enjoyed doing when Beryl was around. But, the sex scene had unnerved her, and the dark specter of Beryl would not be at hand to protect her should things get out of hand.

Jadeite looked at her with obvious disbelief. He had taken precautions to mask his activities from, Beryl, thus he did not fear reprisal from his plans against her. He also knew, however, that he was not in her favor, even less so from the loss of so many Yoma. He knew that Tetisu was one of Beryl’s most trusted servants, and was suspicious of her presence here.

Tetisu, could read Jadeite’s distrust and growing ire, and decided that she had better reveal at least a partial truth. Normally she would not fear reprisal from him because of her standing with Beryl, but his plots against the great queen removed any feelings of guaranteed safety she might have harbored.

::Beryl is loosing confidence in you. She will be away on an errand for several days and wishes you to aid me in an energy gathering plan of my own.:: Tetisu stilled her expression to mask her emotions, though she was terrified that Jadeite would see through her and kill her were she stood. Tetisu released a mental sigh as Jadeite smiled slightly and turned away from her to retrieve his discarded clothes.

“So,” Jadeite sneered. “The wraith wishes to humiliate me by having me serve her consort.”

Tetisu blushed at Jadeite’s insinuation. “Very well, let’s see if you can perform any better than my servants against the lunar warriors. I look forward informing Beryl of your demise at Sailor Moon’s hands.”

Jadeite laughed out loud at the look of unease on the eyes of Tetisu’s featureless face. She had obviously not considered that, and was struck by the very real possibility of it. Her face paled as Jadeite continued to laugh.