Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Brooch ❯ Chapter 11

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The Brooch
By Jason C. Ulloa


Chapter 11


Orphan's Quarters, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 6:52 A.M.


The sound of a distant explosion was just enough to nudge Usagi to wakefulness. Blinking the sleep out of
her eyes, she grumbled under her breath over people making too much noise way too early in the morning.
Even if she did have to get up for work soon, that was no excuse to wake her up before she absolutely had
to.

Well, as long as she was awake, she might as well get ready for work. Maybe the kitchen staff had
breakfast ready early.

As she rolled out of bed, she paused as something seemed to feel out of place. It felt almost like
something was coming. She glanced over toward the window, wondering if she could see it outside. She
stepped over to the window, opened it, and stuck her head outside, looking for... something.

Everything seemed quiet. There really wasn't anyone outside right now, since the living quarters usually
served breakfast at around 7:15. Most people were inside waiting for breakfast to be served. The only
people that were out and about around this time were usually Blades or medical personnel if there was a
medical emergency.

Oh, wait. There were a few people running about. Must be a medical emergency from the urgency in their
running. Shrugging to herself, she turned away from her window and went to her dresser to take out her
work clothes. She suspected she had some catching up to do after yesterday's crisis.

Usagi was in the middle of pulling her head through her shirt when a loud wailing sound startled her
enough to cause her to almost stretch the neck to the point of ripping. Her whole body froze at the
piercing, clarion sound of the siren.

She knew this sound. The last time she heard it, Jadeite and his Youma destroyed the Meiji Jinja, taking
her and her family as slaves in the process.

Fighting down the urge to panic, Usagi quickly finished dressing and ran to her door. She stepped outside
and was almost knocked over as Naru ran past her.

"Sorry, Usagi-chan, but I gotta get to my battle station," she said as she paused only long enough to
give a small apologetic wave and bow of the head before dashing down the hall and diving down the stairs.

"Right...," she replied, but Naru was already gone from sight. She glanced around the hallway, noting
that other than the blaring siren, it was completely quiet. There was no one in the hallway; everyone was
either hiding in their rooms, waiting for Ryoku's instructions on whether they could remain in their
quarters or if they would have to evacuate to Sendai Hill and the relative safety of the Hikawa Jinja
Proper, or they were in the common area waiting for those same instructions.

She considered for a moment on whether she should stay in her room or if she should join the others in
the common area, but it was a slight pang of hunger that decided it for her. She stayed long enough to
grab her brooch and put it on before making her way to the common area.

"Usagi-chan!" Risa called as she entered the common area. "Can you believe it? Another attack so soon
after the last one! I think Jadeite's finally trying to finish us off!"

"Don't worry so much, Risa," an older boy said calmly. "Don't forget that we have a secret weapon on our
side.

"Hey!" he shouted over toward the kitchen area. "Isn't breakfast ready, yet? Some of us might have to be
called to help Shishu defend Hikawa Jinja! You don't want to leave your defenders with an empty stomach,
do you?"

"Would you shut up already, Shiouji-kun!" one of the kitchen staff shouted as she stuck her head into the
doorway. "Breakfast will be ready when it's ready! And it'll be ready at 7:15 like it always is! If you
can't wait until then, you can go outside and eat the grass for all we care! Hmph!"

"I think you really pissed Minami-san off, Shiouji-san," Risa said with an amused smile. "I wouldn't be
surprised if your breakfast was burnt on purpose."

"I was only thinking about our safety," Shiouji replied stiffly. "A man can't fight at his best if he's
to hungry to concentrate on the enemy."

"You're full of it, you know," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Sometimes I don't know why I even pay any
attention to you."

"I am not 'full of it', as you put it," he remarked dryly. "Unless you forgot, I did risk my life to help
keep the Youma from reaching Sendai Hill yesterday. I wouldn't be surprised if we got called in to help
the Blades again. I just hope that Sailor Moon comes to help us like she did back then. I don't think we
could've made it without her help."

"Hey, have either of you seen Ryoku-san yet?" Usagi asked as the two trailed off into silence.

"He's probably either in the Comms room or he's gone to Shishu headquarters," Shiouji told her.

"Knowing him, I'm pretty sure he's in the Comms room," Risa added. "He'd want to make sure that we know
what's going on and what he'd want us to do before going to Shishu headquarters."

"How about Naru-chan?" she inquired. "She passed me on the way down here, but I don't see her anywhere.
She said something about a 'battle station,' but...."

"Oh, she's the one manning the phones in the Comms room," Risa informed her. "It's her job to communicate
with Shishu headquarters so that in case they tell us that we have to evacuate, we wouldn't have to wait
for someone to make their way here and tell us."

"That was my job for a while," Shiouji added. "It wasn't anything difficult, really. Besides, we hadn't
had that many attacks after the Meiji Jinja fell-" He cut off as Risa gave him a sharp jab in the ribs.

Usagi pretended not to notice. "Has Setsuna-sensei left yet?"

"No, she's still in her room, I think," Risa said after a moment's thought.

She nodded as she turned to leave. "Thanks. Can you two leave a spot open for me for breakfast?"

"Will do," Shiouji acknowledged with a quick salute, which was promptly followed by Risa smacking him on
the back of the head. As she left, Shiouji was arguing about how he was older and deserved more respect
and Risa was arguing that she'd give him more respect if he'd stop acting like such an idiot.

As she made her way toward Setsuna's room, she mulled over the familiar name that the nurse had given her
yesterday. She could've sworn that she knew the name from somewhere, but she just could not put her
finger on it.

She even had a dream last night about a man with that name, Endymion. There was mist everywhere and she
was dressed differently than her usual apparel; quite extravagant, actually. She was wearing this
beautiful strapless gown and some kind of head jewelry. A circlet? A diadem? A tiara, maybe? She couldn't
really tell. All she could tell was that she was standing inside the grounds of this castle and she was
speaking with this man she knew as Endymion. She couldn't see his face very well, nor could she hear his
voice very well, but she knew that the man was Endymion by his very presence. She couldn't remember very
much about the dream, other than there was an underlying sense of urgency palpable in the air. Something
had to be found. But after waking up, most of her memory of the dream had vanished, as was the nature of
dreams. Still, she felt as if there was something there that was important to remember.

Before she could reach the hallway where Setsuna's room was, Ryoku turned the corner and stopped in
front of her. "Usagi?"

"Yes?"

She couldn't really tell, but he almost seemed disappointed to see her for some reason. It was hard to
tell because of the urgent look in his eyes. He was about to say something when the doors to the entrance
burst open and a young girl in a sailor uniform carrying a long and deadly-looking polearm rushed in.
She turned toward them and halted, pausing long enough to catch her breath.

"Sailor Saturn?" Ryoku said as he stepped past Usagi and went straight to the young girl.

"Hey! Who's that?" Shiouji shouted as he rushed over toward them followed by a group of children. "Is she
a friend of Sailor Moon? Does she have powers like her? Is she-"

"Shut up!" Ryoku ordered firmly, then turned to Sailor Saturn. "I take it you need to speak with me about
something?" Saturn nodded. "Very well. Usagi, come with us. I want you to make sure that no one
interrupts us while we're speaking."

"Um... right," she nodded as she followed the pair outside and closed the doors behind her.

"Usagi-san's lucky," Shiouji said as he stared at the entrance after the doors were closed.

"What makes you say that?" Risa inquired. "You don't think Kino-sama is gonna discuss important things
where she can overhear, do you? He probably just wants her to stand guard by the door while he talks with
that 'Sailor Saturn' girl."

"I guess," he shrugged as he turned back toward the kitchen area. "Oi! Minami-san! Is breakfast ready
yet?"

Risa sighed to herself. "Simple-minded idiot."

_________________________________________________________________


Outside Orphan's Quarters, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 7:14 A.M.


"So, what's going on?" Ryoku asked as soon as Usagi closed the door behind her.

"Sailor Venus and I were practicing using our new powers when we noticed that another Youma army was
trying to break through the barrier," Saturn reported quickly. "Venus stayed behind to keep the Youma
army occupied while I went back to see if we could get Sailor Moon's help."

"Sailor Moon...," Usagi breathed quietly as she stared down at the ground.

Saturn glanced over at Usagi with concern. "You mean...?"

"What are we up against?" Ryoku interrupted.

She turned back to him quickly. "There're three Mages and a whole army of sentries and Hunters with them."

"It doesn't sound like it's as large as the last invasion, but then again, Jadeite probably thinks that's
all he needs at this point," he said thoughtfully. "Judging from the direction of the flare, I think
they're coming from section 311, so Mamoru'll probably have us gather somewhere between sections 134 and
312. You said that Venus is already there, right?"

"Yes," Saturn nodded.

"All right, then. Please let Venus know that I'll pass the word to Mamoru."

"All right, Ryo-niichan," Saturn said as she started to leave, but paused as she glanced back at Usagi.
"But, what about-"

"I'll take care of it," he told her. "Hurry. We don't have time to waste."

Saturn's gaze lingered on Usagi for a moment longer before she nodded again and ran off. After Saturn
left, Ryoku turned back to Usagi and sighed heavily.

"I know," Usagi said without lifting her gaze from the ground. "You need Sailor Moon... right?"

"You are the only one who can become Sailor Moon," he replied. "But, I'm not going to force you."

"Even though you need Sailor Moon's power?" she asked, her voice a dull monotone.

He regarded her for a moment in silence. "I won't lie to you, Usagi. Saturn and Venus have become quite
capable in the short time we've trained them. However, they aren't battle experienced. They might make
mistakes. And in battle, mistakes lead to death more often than not. However, their power is needed in
order to stop the Youma from invading our home.

"I know you aren't experienced, either, Usagi. However, your power is also needed. You are the most
powerful of all the Sailor Senshi. By yourself, you managed to destroy over a thousand Youma. The others
are strong, but their power isn't as great as yours. If Jadeite were to send all of his troops here,
even if we had all of the Sailor Senshi, we would still lose. That's how much your power matters.

"Let me ask you this: How do you feel, knowing that your friends are going into battle and you are just
sitting here doing nothing to help them, even though you know they desperately need your help?"

"I know!" Usagi snapped as she turned away from his gaze. "I want to help them. I really do!"

Ryoku stared impassively at her. "Go on."

Usagi turned on him. "I thought I told you-"

"The promise?" he cut her off. "An excuse. You know it and I know it. Your friends need you. Everyone
living here needs you. Can you simply just ignore that?"

"But...."

"Like I said, I won't force you to fight, but at least tell me the truth. What is holding you back?"

Usagi clenched her hands at her sides and squeezed her eyes shut in anger. "I'm scared, all right? I'm
afraid that if I fight, I'll die! I've seen so many people die tortured and painful deaths! I don't wanna
die! I DON'T WANNA DIE!" She broke into tears as she slowly sunk to her knees.

"So, the truth comes out," he said as he knelt down beside her and gave her a consoling hug. "Listen,
Usagi. Sometimes we don't have any choice in the matter. Right now, if we fail to keep the Youma army
from invading, people are going to die. Some people would rather die fighting the Youma, rather than die
from their torture. They think that they're gonna die either way, so they might as well use their life
as a shield for those who can't protect themselves.

"There's also one more thing you should know," he added as Usagi's crying slowly subsided and he moved
away. "As long as you're fighting out there, you won't be fighting alone. We'll all be watching out for
you, including myself.

"So, are you still scared?" he asked.

"I'm terrified," she replied honestly.

"I know," he replied with a nod. "I'd be surprised if you weren't. To be honest, every time I've gone
into battle, I was scared that I might die. I'm scared right now."

"You don't look or sound scared," she pointed out.

"That's because you can't let fear control you. Once fear controls you, you lose."

Usagi nodded. "Okay, I think I'm ready to try," she said, her face a picture of determination.

"Good," he nodded. "Wait here while I go to the Comms room and pass the word. We'll head out once I leave
word with Setsuna-san that she should tell anyone who asks that you took Hotaru-chan to Medical and
you're staying there until it's safe."

"All right."

He nodded again. "Good. And for what it's worth, I'm proud of you. You've made the right decision." With
that, he quickly rushed inside the building and out of sight.

"I certainly hope I made the right decision...," Usagi breathed as she shivered slightly.

_________________________________________________________________


Outer Grounds, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 7:23 A.M.


"Crescent beam!" Venus shouted as she fired another attack at the gathering army. Since there were only
three Mages there, it was taking a long time for the Mages to break through the barrier. However,
considering that the priests, monks, and other religious personnel that helped keep up the barrier were
so exhausted from the great effort of keeping the barrier up during the last invasion, combined with the
fact that they hadn't had much rest since then, she wasn't surprised that the barrier wasn't holding up
as well as it usually did. The Mages were probably all they needed.

Venus fired Crescent Beam after Crescent Beam, trying to take out as many Youma as she could before they
could break through the barrier, but half of her attacks were being deflected by the Mages as they
occasionally put up energy shields and stood in front of her attacks. It was very annoying.

That Blade she had met earlier hadn't returned yet, so she assumed that he had ran all the way to Shishu
Headquarters to gather all the Blades and lead them to where she was. Well, that was fine, but she wished
that they'd hurry it up. She couldn't hold them off by herself if they broke through.

Saturn should've made it to the Orphan's Quarters by now. She really hoped that Serenity was still awake
and that she'd have Sailor Moon's help. She was experienced in battle so she'd have someone to fall back
on in case she got in trouble.

Another volley of energy bursts broke Venus out of her ponderings as she watched the barrier waiver
dangerously. The Blades really needed to hurry. At the rate they were going, the barrier would be down in
a matter of minutes.

"Crescent beam!" she shouted again, flinging another beam at the enemy, which was deflected by the Mages'
energy shields. "Dammit! Stop blocking my attacks, you bastards! Crescent beam!" This time, the attack
struck away from the Mages, taking down two Hunters and a handful of sentries.

"Ha! Eat that you bastards!" There was some additional satisfaction at the fact that both Hunters were
Claw Hunters. It was that type of Hunter that almost kept her from escaping that slave cell with her
family. After Ryoku severed the Hunter's arms and killed it, he had discovered that not only had the Claw
Hunter been the type with poison claws, but the poison had already seeped into her hair, evident by the
dark red stain quickly spreading up her golden blonde hair. A hand absently went up to her
shoulder-length hair as if to remind her of when Ryoku had to cut it to near buzz-cut length in order to
keep the poison from reaching her head and ultimately killing her.

"That was for ruining a girl's beautiful hair," she said with a sneer of vengeful satisfaction. "And this
is for almost killing me. Crescent beam!" Another beam shot out from her hands and tagged a group away
from the Mages, killing several Hunters and sentries on impact.

"Hmph. Maybe I should just concentrate on the Youma not hiding behind the Mages," she mused as she picked
another group apart from the three Mages and fired another Crescent Beam. The Mages also flung their
power at the barrier, impacting at the same time as her attack was about to go through. The attack was
caught in the wavering barrier and was dissipated by the wild fluctuation of the barrier's energies.

"Hey!" Venus complained as she watched her attack become ineffective. "That's not fair!" This annoyance
was compounded by the fact that many of the Youma were now starting to fall behind the Mages as if they
had just realized that they could be easily picked off if they weren't behind the protection of the
Mage's shields.

"Damn," she grumbled to herself as she found that her attacks were becoming less and less effective.
"Somebody had better get here soon. I can't do this by myself."

_________________________________________________________________


Infirmary - Rei's Room, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 7:28 A.M.


Rei could tell that there was a big fuss being made outside, but it was hard to make out, especially
since her windows were closed and she couldn't really hear anything that was being said very well.
Several people had been running up and down the hallway earlier, which was the reason she was awake right
now. She hoped it was nothing too important, but considering the urgency that people were rushing around
with, she doubted it was something trivial.

She was about to despair of finding anything out when the door opened and Ami stepped in, closing the
door behind her. Normally, she would be happy to see her friend, but considering what happened last
night....

"So, what's got everyone in such an uproar?" she asked as Ami pulled up a chair and sat down next to her
bed. There was a worried expression on her face, which was cause for some concern. "Is it bad?"

Ami nodded solemnly as she reached into the drawer of the nightstand next to her bed and brought out a
pad and pencil. She was so glad that Ami's mother thought to put those in the drawers of every nightstand
in the Infirmary. It certainly made things easier in cases like this.

'Youma have been sighted at the barrier in section 311.'

Rei gasped as she read the words. "Again? So soon?"

Ami nodded grimly and continued writing. 'The Blades are mobilizing whatever defenders are available from
the last invasion and rearming them. Fortunately, they say that the Youma horde is slightly smaller than
the last one.'

"How is everyone holding up at the jinja?" Rei asked urgently.

'I don't know. I've heard that they're really exhausted from the last attack, but the barrier is still
up. I don't know how long they'll be able to keep it up, though.'

Rei's expression grew darker as she read. "I need to go," she said as she flung off her blankets and
started to get up, but was stopped as Ami pushed her back down on the bed. "Dammit, Ami-chan! Let me go!"
Ami's expression was firm as she shook her head and continued to hold her down. "Ami-chan!" Once Rei
stopped struggling, Ami slowly let her go.

"All right," Rei groused. "So, why can't I go?"

Ami picked up her pad and pencil and started writing again. 'You're still not strong enough to be
released from the infirmary yet. Mother wants to make sure that your body won't reject Ryoku-san's kidney
later. Although most of us are pretty sure that your body will accept it, Mother wants to be absolutely
certain.' The mute girl paused as she gave Rei a knowing grin. 'Besides, everyone is still trying to figure
out both your and Ryoku-san's mysterious, rapid healing. Especially since everyone knows how often
Ryoku-san gets injured.'

"Don't I know it," Rei grumbled under her breath. "Oh, don't worry about it," she added as she noticed
Ami's uncomprehending look. "Just complaining to myself.

"So, don't you have to go help with the preparations for the upcoming battle?" she inquired.

'We still have enough from yesterday's reserves, so some of us aren't needed, like the
nurses-in-training,' she continued. 'Mother wanted me to keep an eye on things here. Besides, she figured
that you might be stubborn enough to try to go to the jinja and help out when you're not ready to be
released from the infirmary.'

"Stubborn?" Rei retorted heatedly. "Who's stubborn?" Ami merely raised a single cool eyebrow, which
caused her to calm down slightly.

'Anyway, I figured that you might want some company since you've probably been bored out of your mind for
a while now,' Ami added with a grin.

"Have I ever," Rei said emphatically. "The least they could've done was leave me a book or something."

'I'll remember to tell them that,' Ami noted.

"Please do."

An uneasy silence hung between the two as Rei became unable to find anything to say to the mute girl.
The same thing continued to pop into her head, no matter how many times she tried to clear it from her
mind. What was worse was that every time her thoughts turned to that particular subject, she began to
feel guilty for some reason, almost like she betrayed her friends in some way.

Ami frowned worriedly as she wrote something down and placed the pad in her lap. 'Is something wrong?'

Rei sighed as she shook her head. "I've just got a lot on my mind right now," she admitted soberly.

'Want to talk about it? I've been told I'm a very good listener.'

Rei laughed despite herself. "I can imagine so," she chuckled as she turned to regard the girl sitting
next to her bed.

Her laughter slowly subsided as she remembered who this was that was sitting next to her. This was her
friend of more than eight years; one of her very best friends. In fact, she was the closest thing to a
sister that she ever had. The fact that they were after the same boy paled in comparison to that.

That was why it was so hard to tell her what she did. It was like she was trying to undercut her friends'
attempts at winning Ryoku's heart. She couldn't really blame them if they did think that. She hadn't even
meant to tell Ryoku that she loved him. She especially hadn't meant to kiss him. It was her fault for
getting swept up in her emotions.

"Ami-chan...." Regardless of whether she had meant to do it or not, it had happened and she eventually
would have to come clean. It would be better if she heard about it from her than from someone else. "...I
have to tell you something." Ami blinked and tilted her head inquisitively, as if to encourage her
friend. Rei noticed this and nodded solemnly.

"Last night, I told Ryo-kun I loved him and...." Rei paused for a moment to steel herself. "...and... I
kissed him."

Ami stared at her, completely stunned. Her mouth moved as if she was trying to speak, until she returned
to her senses and her head slumped to the side listlessly. One hand slowly reached for the almost
forgotten pad and pencil and powerlessly pulled it toward her.

"Ami-chan?" Rei said worriedly as she reached out to the girl. She knew she'd take it badly. "Are you all
right, Ami-chan?"

She turned back toward her for a moment before she started writing. 'So... what did he say?'

She had a feeling that was what she would've asked. She wanted to know if she still had a chance. A tiny
part of her wanted to lie and tell her that Ryoku was in love with her and only her, but not only would
that be wrong, that would crush Ami. Knowing her, she would probably withdraw into herself and avoid
contact with everyone for days, maybe weeks. She couldn't do that to her.

"If you're wondering if he told me he loves me, he didn't say," she replied emotionlessly.

Ami blinked and frowned in confusion. 'He didn't?'

"No," she repeated. "He didn't."

Ami's pencil wrote pensively. 'I see....'

Rei paused for a moment and sighed reluctantly. "There's more, Ami-chan. He knows about our... little
rivalry."

Her eyes widened slightly at that. 'He... knows? You mean, he knows that I....' Her cheeks began to flush
a light pink.

Rei snorted. "I doubt it. He seemed surprised when I told him that I loved him. What I think is that he
thinks that we just really care about him. I don't think he knows that you're in love with him. It's the
same with Minako-chan."

The blue-haired girl gave her a thoughtful look. 'Does Minako-chan know about this?' Rei shook her head.
'What did Ryoku-san say when you asked him about it?'

"He said that he wanted us to be friends and that he didn't want to hurt any of our feelings by choosing
one of us," she told her.

Ami's eyes took on a pensive cast. 'Just... friends?'

"That's what he said at first," she admitted. "However, it sounded like he was going to say something
more, but that's when he left. The last thing he told me was that he felt like he had dug himself in too
deep." Her lips curved downward in a faint grimace. "I just wish I knew what he meant by that."

A heavy silence hung in the air between them for a long time. After a while, Ami's pencil started moving
again, almost thoughtfully as she stared down at the pad in front of her. 'Maybe I should....'

"Should what?" Rei asked as Ami's pencil trailed off.

The mute girl blinked as her trail of thought broke off and she realized what she was writing. Quickly,
she erased what she wrote and started writing again. 'Ah. Don't mind me. My mind was just wandering.'

"I never figured you to be the type who thinks out loud," she replied sardonically as she folded her arms
and raised an eyebrow slightly.

'I usually don't,' Ami replied, handing Rei the pad as she started to get up. 'Anyway, I have to go check
up on the other infirmary patients. I have to check up on Mako-chan, as well. She's getting closer to
finally waking up, so Ryoku-san wants me to keep a closer eye on her.'

"Mako-chan's gonna wake up soon?" Rei exclaimed as her head jerked up quickly. "Ami-chan, can I go with
you when you check on her?"

Ami looked at her with her head tilted contemplatively and her arms folded across her chest.

Rei grimaced. "I promise I won't try to go the Hikawa Jinja," she grumbled vexedly. "Is that what you
wanted me to say?"

Ami sighed as she waved Rei over. As the raven-haired miko hopped out of bed, she gave her a stern look.

"All right, I get it," Rei said placatingly. "I'll behave. Now, let's go see Mako-chan."

The mute nurse-in-training sighed tiredly as she nodded and opened the door. 'I don't think Mother has
anything to worry about with Rei-chan,' she thought wearily as she let Rei close the door behind them.

_________________________________________________________________


Outside Shishu Headquarters, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 7:30 A.M.


"But I'm serious, Yamada!"

"Whatever," Yamada grumbled as he folded his arms in front of him. "So what you're telling me is that not
only do we have this 'Sailor Moon' girl to help us fight the Youma horde, we have two other 'Sailor'
girls to help us out as well? Am I right so far, Todoki?"

"Yes, Sailor Venus and Sailor Saturn," Todoki confirmed. "I spoke with Sailor Venus, myself."

"This's just what we need," he snorted derisively.

"I agree," Mamoru said as he exited the building. "The Sailor Senshi are exactly what we need."

"Sailor Senshi, Chiba?" Andou repeated curiously.

"You're all familiar with the leader of the Sailor Senshi, Sailor Moon," he pointed out as he approached
the gathered Blades.

"So, she's their leader?" Todoki repeated.

"Yes," Mamoru confirmed. "I've spoken with her, myself, and I've confirmed that aside from the one you've
met, Todoki, and the other she told you about, there are at least two others that will be joining them in
the future."

"You mean that there are at least five girls with powers like Sailor Moon that will be fighting the Youma
horde alongside us?" Takei inquired eagerly.

"That would definitely lighten the already crushing burden on our shoulders," Sanzou remarked
thoughtfully. "Not to mention that this news would certainly give the people more hope than they've had
in... well... ever."

"Not to mention that more people might join Shishu if they know that they won't be killed so easily with
the help of these Sailor Senshi," Andou added. "Don't you think so, Yamada?"

"Feh," he snorted again. "Just as long as they don't get in our way, I don't care what they do. If they
want to help us kill Youma, fine. They should've just joined Shishu like everyone else. It's not like
women aren't allowed to join anymore, anyway. Right, Chiba?"

"Enough," Mamoru said, holding up a hand as Konno rushed out of the building. "What's the situation,
Konno?"

"All of the remaining defenders from the last battle that are able to fight are gathering at the foot of
Sendai Hill," Konno reported. "Kino is already en route to meet with Mizuno-hakase and begin forming up
the units. He also mentioned something about hoping to meet up with Sailor Moon there."

"Does that mean that Kino knows Sailor Moon?" Oda asked, shocked.

"What the hell is Kino doing now?" Yamada griped. "Isn't he supposed to be forming up with us? He is a
part of Shishu, isn't he?"

"Don't worry about that," Mamoru said firmly. "Right now, all you need to worry about is that there are
Youma trying to break through the barrier and we need to move out immediately. Kino has his orders and
you have your own.

"Everyone, prepare to move out! Destination is the northern area of section 312!"

_________________________________________________________________


Outer Grounds, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 7:37 A.M.


Sailor Venus breathed heavily as she took stock of the current situation while she momentarily caught her
breath. The barrier still stood, but it was wavering erratically, as if it could go at any moment. What
was worse was that it seemed as if the whole thing was going to collapse, rather than just the section
that the Youma were hammering against. The priests seemed to be reaching their limit as they strained to
keep the all-important barrier up. If that came down....

"Those Mages have to go," Venus muttered to herself as she looked over the opposition. "Dammit, what's
taking those damn Blades, anyway?"

"Venus!"

"Who?" Venus said as she whirled around to see Sailor Saturn rushing her way. "Saturn! What took you so
long?" She quickly glanced around and frowned. "Don't tell me that Usagi's awake and Serenity isn't."

"It's true," Saturn nodded worriedly. "Usagi's awake instead of Serenity."

"Damn!" she muttered. "Just when we needed her most. What about Ryoku-sama? What did he say?"

"Ryo-niichan says he'll take care of everything, so we don't have to worry about people wondering where
we are," the young Senshi reported.

"That's a relief," Venus sighed in relief. "Anyway, we've got some tough enemies out there. Look there."

"There are three Mages out there?" Saturn asked.

"Yeah, and so far they've deflected almost every attack I could throw at them," she told the younger
Senshi. "I figure that if we both attack at once, we could possibly overpower them. Either that, or we
could just take out all of the other Youma before the Blades get here."

"Do you think we could actually do that?" Saturn asked.

"Well, we could try," she replied as she turned back to the barrier. "Ready?"

"Ready."

"Then, let's go!" Venus exclaimed as she drew the rune for her attack in the air before her. "Crescent
beam!"

Saturn drew a similar rune in front of her with her Silence Glaive. "Silence glaive surprise!"

A yellow beam of energy ripped through the air accompanied by a large shockwave that ran along the ground
alongside it. Both attacks headed straight for one of the three Mages. The Mage quickly threw up an
energy shield in reply, but the combined powers of both the Crescent Beam and the Silence Glaive Surprise
tore through the shield and knocked the Mage into the sentries and Hunters behind it.

"Damn!" Venus growled as the Mage stood back up. "It wasn't enough power to destroy it." As she spoke, a
faint glow enveloped the Mage for a few moments and faded away.

"What if we tried again?" Saturn suggested.

"Worth a try. Crescent beam!"

"Silence glaive surprise!"

Once again, the two attacks rocketed toward the Youma Mage. The Mage threw up another energy shield in
response; however, the other two Mages quickly rushed to stand next to the first Mage and threw up energy
shields as well. The shields overlapped and quickly merged into a single, larger shield that managed to
repel the two attacks easily.

"No way!" Venus complained in outrage. "That's not fair!"

"Should we try again?" Saturn asked.

"Don't bother," she huffed as she drew the rune for her attack again. "Just get the Youma around the
Mages. We'll just have to hold them off until either the Blades finally show up or the Youma break
through the barrier. Crescent beam!" A slender beam of energy shot through the air and slammed into a
small cluster of sentries, killing a couple of them.

"I just hope it's the first one and not the second," Saturn said as she spun her glaive around her,
drawing the rune for her attack. "Silence glaive surprise!" The large shockwave tore across the ground,
destroying a handful of Hunters.

Despite the continuous assault on the horde of Youma waiting to rush into battle, the Mages continued to
chip away at the barrier, constantly pushing the barrier toward the breaking point. More often than not,
the Mages would move in front of the Senshi's attacks and deflect them with their energy shields, but they
couldn't intercept every attack. Despite this, the Youma horde still loomed behind the barrier, eager to
breach the protective walls and swarm over their enemies.

"It doesn't look like it will hold for very long," Venus noted as she studied the barrier before her. "I
think we should get ready to fall back...."

"Blades, form ranks and prepare rifles!" a voice commanded from behind the Senshi. The two Senshi whirled
around to see the Blades of Shishu forming a line behind them as they slung their rifles off of their
shoulders.

"Sailors Venus and Saturn, I presume," Mamoru called out to them as he unslung his rifle. "Forgive us for
being late."

Both Senshi smiled in relief. "What kept you?" Venus asked as she turned back toward the mass of Youma,
drawing the rune for her attack in mid-turn. "Crescent beam!" The attack was deflected by a Mage's energy
shield.

"Exhaustion, mostly," he replied as he raised his rifle and took aim. "But that isn't much of an excuse,
is it? Blades, choose your targets and fire at will!"

As soon as the command was given, a volley of bullets tore across the distance between the Blades and their
enemy, most finding their targets and taking them down with experienced precision. A few bullets were also
deflected by the Mages energy shields, ricocheting off to slam into the ground, hit a decayed and decrepit
building, strike a different Youma, or just pass harmlessly through the open air.

After a minute of constant assault by gunfire and Senshi attacks, the Mages began to fall back behind the
sentries and Hunters, leaving more Youma vulnerable to sniping attacks by the humans.

"Everyone, concentrate your fire toward the Mages!" Mamoru ordered quickly. "They're going to try a
concentrated attack on the barrier!"

"Did anyone bring any explosives with them?" Sanzou inquired amongst the Blades.

"Some of us have some normal grenades, but that's about it," Konno reported. "We're running low since
Stores hasn't had the opportunity to restock our supply because of the last battle."

"What about that order we put in almost a week ago?" Sanzou asked as he reloaded his rifle. "What happened
to that? It doesn't take a week to make a couple dozen explosives!"

"They said that they are running low on the materials needed to make them. They were supposed to gather
more, but the battle caused them to shift priorities from explosives to assisting Medical Stores with
restocking medical supplies. They have most of our order; just not all of it."

"They could've at least given us what they did have!" Yamada growled as he reloaded his rifle. "I told you
that we should've shifted explosives to the Armory division! They can make those as well as bullets!"

"All those with explosives, ready a few in case the barrier falls!" Mamoru ordered. "If the barrier falls,
throw whatever you have readied and fall back!"

"Saturn, when they fall back, we're going with them," Venus told the younger Senshi.

"Right," Saturn nodded as she spun her glaive again. "Silence glaive surprise!"

"I just hope that we don't have to do so," Venus muttered as she drew her rune once again. "Crescent beam!"

_________________________________________________________________


Lower Grounds - Near Sendai Hill, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 7:37 A.M.


Usagi reluctantly followed Ryoku as he hurried toward the area where the defenders from the last battle
would be gathering, just as they had done before. As she followed, her mind was racing with fear. On the
way from the Orphan's Quarters, she had told herself that she was doing this to help her friends. She
didn't want them to die. They needed her help. She had to be strong. She couldn't let her fear keep her
from doing what she knew she had to do. Everyone was depending on her.

Too bad none of that was helping her to not feel terrified.

A quick glance at Ryoku's intense countenance as he strode purposefully toward Sendai Hill didn't help give
her confidence, either. She just couldn't believe that he could be as scared as she was with his face
looking like that. He had the look of a man going to fight a war. She knew that her face must look like
someone who was a good scare away from soiling her undergarments.

Her hand once more went to the brooch pinned to the front of her shirt. As she gripped it in her hands, she
desperately sought out the anger and rage that she always felt whenever she held it.

"Usagi," Ryoku said as he slowed to a stop and turned toward her, "I think it would be best if you
transformed now. That way we wouldn't have to make an explanation for you being here instead of with the
others back at the Orphan's Quarters." He waited for a moment and frowned as Usagi merely stood there with
her hand clasping her brooch. "Usagi?" No answer. "Usagi, are you all right?"

Ryoku reached out to put a hand on Usagi's shoulder, but jerked back as Usagi yelped in fright the moment
his hand touched her shoulder. "Wha...? Usagi, are you all right?" he asked again, concerned.

Usagi stared at him with wild eyes. "Ryoku-san, I'm scared! I don't think I can do this!"

"Get a hold of yourself, Usagi!" he said as he clasped his hands on her shoulders. "Remember why you came
out here! Remember why you're doing this! Remember who you're doing this for!"

"I know!" she shouted back as she shrugged his hands away. "I KNOW!" Her hand clenched tighter on her
brooch. "Why isn't it working? WHY?"

"Why isn't what working?" he asked, completely bewildered. "Are you saying that you can't transform?"

"My brooch...," she said, her voice growing shaky as she removed the bauble from her shirt and held it out
in front of her. "Every time I've held it, I've felt these feelings of anger and rage burning inside me. I
thought that if I held it, those feelings would make me forget about my fear so that I could transform."
As she held out the brooch, her hand began to quiver slightly. It was just barely enough to notice.

"Instead of replacing my fear with anger, I began to feel even more scared!" Usagi wailed as tears began to
form at the corners of her eyes. "I'm supposed to use this to transform and fight, but I'm too frightened
to use it!"

Ryoku was silent for a moment as he stared at Usagi. "Do you still want to help your friends?" he asked
calmly.

"Yes! Of course, I do!" she yelled, her voice close to the point of becoming hysteric.

"Then, hand me the brooch for a moment," he said as he held out his hand toward her.

"What?" she gasped, momentarily confused.

"Hand me your brooch," he repeated. "Just for a moment. Trust me."

Usagi hesitated for a moment, but finally handed him her brooch, which he quickly stuck onto his belt.
Whether or not the brooch affected him during the short time he held it in his hand, she could not tell.
His face showed no signs of it, as far as she could see.

"Close your eyes," he suggested. "Try to clear your mind of all doubts. Don't think of what you are going
to do; think of why it must be done. Don't think of what may stop you; think of how you will keep it from
stopping you. Don't think of the possibility that you might die; think of possibility that you could save
someone from dying. Don't think of you; think of everyone who matters to you. Remember this and your fear
will seem insignificant compared to everything else.

"Everyone who fights with you will be thinking the same thing. As long as you watch out for others, they
will watch out for you. That is how we survive.

"Now, how do you feel?" he asked as Usagi opened her eyes.

"I'm still frightened out of my wits," she replied faintly. "But, I think I might be able to manage."

"Do you want your brooch back, or do you still need a moment?"

"Please give me back my brooch," she requested as she held her hand out to him.

"Gladly," he nodded approvingly as he quickly handed the brooch back to her.

Usagi stared down at the brooch in her hand the moment Ryoku returned it to her. Once the brooch touched
her hand, the overwhelming fear she felt before returned with a vengeance. "I... I...."

"Remember," Ryoku said encouragingly. "Remember that fear is insignificant. Remember what matters."

'I can't do this,' Usagi mentally wailed to herself as she clenched her eyes shut. 'If I go out there, I'm
gonna be killed! I don't wanna die!'

"Usagi," Ryoku said again as he squeezed her shoulder encouragingly. "Fight it."

'I don't want to die, but I have to help my friends!' she told herself as she attempted to rally her
courage. 'They need Sailor Moon!' Her hand clenched around the brooch again as another wave of fear pulsed
from the trinket. 'I don't want to be scared! I want to be brave!' Her grip on the brooch tightened.
'Dammit! Why did this have to happen now? Why couldn't this have happened like last time when I was asleep
and the other....'

Usagi's eyes flew wide open. Why hadn't she thought of that? If she couldn't do it, that other her that
fought as Sailor Moon could! After all, she was the one that stopped that invasion that she had slept
through (at least, now she understood how she could've slept through it; that siren was loud enough to wake
the dead).

But therein lay the problem. How could she wake the other her? Did she have to fall asleep or something?
That would take forever! Besides, her fellow Senshi were already fighting Youma as she stood here, wasting
precious time. There wasn't any time to waste on trying to fall asleep. Knocking herself out was just
stupid. But, what was left?

'Um... can you hear me?' she mentally called out to... whomever that other her was. She just hoped that she
could hear her. She was desperate for a solution and this was the best she could come up with considering
the limited time she had to brainstorm. Still, stranger things have happened and sometimes one just had to
take a chance.

'Listen, I don't know if you can hear me or not, but I need your help,' she entreated desperately as she
closed her eyes again. 'I know you're somewhere in there and I know you've used me to fight as Sailor Moon.
I don't appreciate what you've done, taking my body without asking, but I suppose I can understand why.

'If you can hear me, please listen. I want to help. I want to fight the Dark Kingdom, but I'm too scared. I
don't have the courage the others have.

'I know you know how to fight. I've heard everyone talk about how you saved us from certain annihilation.
I have a single request of you; please help me fight the Dark Kingdom. Please help me save my friends. I
can't do this on my own. Please....'

Ryoku felt the tension in Usagi's shoulder slowly relax until it was completely gone. The hand that was
tightly clenching the brooch also relaxed until all tension was gone. "Usagi?" he said tentatively as her
eyes slowly fluttered open.

He blinked in surprise as he stared into a pair of crystal blue eyes that were identical, yet completely
different from the pair of crystal blue eyes he had seen before. The steady, resolute gaze was all he
needed to recognize the girl that now stood before him. "Serenity?"

Serenity gave a small, rueful sigh as she smiled wistfully. "So, she finally knows."

"I guess she does," he replied with a small fatalistic shrug of his shoulders. "Well, she had to figure it
out sooner or later, right?"

"At least she doesn't hate me," she said with a small measure of relief. "Though, I'm surprised. I didn't
think she had it in her to force herself to change consciousness with me."

"I think she takes after a certain someone," he remarked with a smirk.

"Flatterer," Serenity retorted with a laugh as she raised her brooch into the air. "Moon prism power,
make-up!" Instantly, the transformation began, infusing her with the power of Sailor Moon. "Well, shall we
get going?"

Ryoku nodded. "Let's go."

_________________________________________________________________


Lower Grounds - Sendai Hill, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 7:49 A.M.


The defenders were getting restless as they waited for Ryoku to show up. Atsuko had just finished speaking
with Emi who had reported that the emergency rooms were all open and ready to receive patients. Emergency
supplies were prepared and field teams were ready to be dispatched. Three teams had already departed to be
ready in case the barrier should collapse and fighting commence. There was enough blood collected to last
for a while, but the possibility of a mass blood draw like last time wasn't very likely since enough time
hadn't passed between then and now, but in dire circumstances, she might have to consider it.

"Mizuno-hakase!" Ryoku called out he ran up to her with that strangely-dressed girl she remembered from
yesterday.

"Ryoku-san!" she answered back as she turned to greet the young Blade. "What took you so long? I expected
you to be here a while ago."

"I had to relay some last minute information to headquarters before departing the Orphan's Quarters," he
explained quickly. "Mamoru had some last minute orders for me, as well."

"Last minute orders?" she inquired.

"Yes. Apparently, I've been assigned to work with the Sailor Senshi as a liaison between them and Shishu,"
he explained as he nodded back toward his companion.

"Sailor Senshi?" she repeated curiously as she looked toward the strangely-dressed girl. "Her?"

"Sailor Moon, leader of the Sailor Senshi," Sailor Moon replied with a slight bow. "At your service."

"Ah, so this is the infamous supergirl that saved our lives last night?" Atsuko remarked appreciatively.
"So, there're more than just her?"

"Yes, and two of them should already be at the Outer Border keeping the Youma busy until the Blades join
them," Ryoku reported. "Judging from the time that I finished communicating with headquarters, I would
estimate that the Blades should be meeting up with the other Senshi very soon. Have you heard from your
people at the jinja?"

"They report that the barrier is holding, but they're at their limit," she replied. "If the Youma aren't
stopped soon, then the barrier will certain come down in the next fifteen or twenty minutes. Maybe sooner."

"This is bad," Ryoku said broodingly. "Have the defenders been properly equipped yet?"

"Sanzou has a few volunteers re-issuing the same weapons from yesterday. Half of the defenders are still at
the armory, while most of the defenders here have held on to the weapons they had been issued yesterday. I
figure that they should be fully equipped in thirty minutes or so."

"That might take too long." He quickly turned to Sailor Moon. "Sailor Moon, I think you should go on ahead
of us. I need to stay here and take command of the defenders. Do you know where section 312 is?"

"Section...," Sailor Moon dithered. "I'm not sure...."

"Okay, listen," he said quickly. "I know you've seen a current map of the Hikawa Jinja, right?" She nodded.
"Good. Now, if you think of the barrier around the Hikawa Jinja as a square - I know it's not, but it's
close enough at some points - if you divide Hikawa Jinja into four roughly equal areas, you've got four
quadrants. Quadrant 1 is northwest, 2 is northeast, 3 is southwest and 4 is southeast.

"Each quadrant is divided into four blocks and numbered according to which quadrant they're in; block 11 is
the northwest part of quadrant 1, block 22 is the northeast part of quadrant 2, and so on. Each block is
further divided into four sections and numbered similarly."

"Okay, got it." she confirmed.

"Section 312 is where the Blades should be gathering. However, if they aren't there, then they must've
already advanced into section 311." Ryoku paused for a moment. "Actually, forget section 312. Head for
section 311. By the time you get there, Mamoru will have already advanced forward."

"Understood," she acknowledged as she turned to leave.

"Take care," he said as she started off.

"You, too," she replied before turning a corner and disappearing from sight.

"Are you sure you're up to this?" Atsuko asked as she gave him a critical eye. "Even if you've managed to
miraculously recover from having a kidney removed, I hardly think going into battle immediately afterward
is conducive to the remainder of your recovery. You know, you still have yet to tell me how you, and
Rei-chan for that matter, managed a recovery that should be medically, as well as humanly, impossible."

The young Blade remained quiet for a while. "I'm not sure if I can tell you," he said finally.

"Why not?" Atsuko asked, frowning as she crossed her arms underneath her breasts.

"It's not my place to tell," he replied simply. "All I can say is that I'll speak with the Sailor Senshi
and see if they're willing to explain it to you."

"It was because of them?" she inquired, one of her eyebrows raised sharply in astonishment.

"Mizuno-san, I'm asking you to please wait until I speak with them," he requested earnestly. "I understand
how much you want to know, but it's not my place to tell."

"I see," she replied as she unfolded her arms. "Very well, Ryoku-san. I'll be patient."

"Thank you, Mizuno-san," Ryoku said gratefully. "Now, we'd better see about trying to get everyone ready
should the barrier fall."

_________________________________________________________________


Outer Grounds, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 8:01 A.M.


Sailor Moon sped across the ruined landscape as fast as her legs could carry her. Partway through her
sprinting, she switched to covering distance by leaps, giving her legs a chance to rest bit by bit for the
short amount of time she was airborne.

She had passed the Lower/Outer Grounds border a while ago, giving her more reason to stay airborne as much
as possible. With all the debris strewn about due to decay and the occasional invasion attempt, it would've
been hard to maintain her breakneck speed with all of the trip hazards lying about.

Besides, having the wind whipping her face and her hair streaming behind her gave her a slight sense of
freedom and euphoria. Her days as the Moon Princess were idyllic before the Dark Kingdom, but even then she
hadn't enjoyed much freedom being constantly accompanied by the Royal Guard whenever she left the palace
and spending most of her young years being schooled in the arts of aristocracy and ruling the kingdom after
her mother. Even with her home gone and her previous life tragically cut short, enjoying the sensation of
moving freely through the air as she rushed to the scene of an inevitable battle with her sworn enemy was
something completely different than what she was used to. In fact, it was the closest thing to complete
freedom she had ever experienced.

It felt rather nice; a strange counterpoint to the anxiety she felt as she prepared herself for battle.

In the distance, a brilliant flash of light caught her attention, almost causing her to falter in her
forward rhythm and stumble. Looking toward where the flash originated, she could see the barrier waver
wildly.

"The barrier!" she gasped as she landed and took off running again. She was close enough that the Youma
might be able to spot her in mid-jump, and she couldn't change the direction of her jump in mid-air.

As she drew closer another flash of light flared into existence. This time, the entire barrier began to
waver erratically for a few moments before the whole thing collapsed.

_________________________________________________________________


Outside Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 8:07 A.M.


With a combined blast from the three Mages at the border and the Mage in hiding, the barrier started to
waver erratically until it finally collapsed. However, this collapse was different from what they were
expecting. Instead of just the portion of the barrier that they were besieging collapsing, the entire
barrier collapsed, leaving the Hikawa Jinja open to attack.

The Mage in hiding faced a quandary. On the one hand, their enemies laid defenseless before them. It would
be simple to just swarm in and completely destroy the remaining humans.

But, on the other hand, Jadeite's orders were clear; they were here as a decoy army. They were to watch for
the one human that wielded Lunar magic and report to him the identity of the human in question. He had
specifically told them that they were to retreat once the Lunar magic-wielding human was identified. They
were here for that reason and that reason only. Conquest was not an option.

Despite the fact that Jadeite's order prohibited them from taking advantage of this rare opportunity, the
very fact that the barrier had collapsed entirely was something that had to be reported immediately.
Besides, if Jadeite happened to change his mind and rescind his order against invasion....

The Mage brought out one of the Scouts that it brought with it and gave the small creature the message.
With a chitter, the Scout shot off in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

The message was sent. All that was left was to watch and wait.

_________________________________________________________________


Hikawa Jinja Proper, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 8:07 A.M.


"AAAAAAAH!" several priests and miko screamed in pain as the entire barrier collapsed.

"Tsuda-sensei!" Grandpa Hino called out as loudly as he could, despite the fact that he was fighting just
to remain conscious. "Tsuda-sensei!"

A woman burst into the room and brought both hands to her mouth in shock. "Hino-sama! What happened?"

"Gather all the medical staff! Contact the other shrines, temples, and churches! We must revive as many
people as possible! The barrier around Hikawa Jinja has collapsed!"

"Ah! Um, uh, r-right away!" Tsuda panicked before she rushed out of the sacred fire room, screaming for the
rest of the medical staff to report to her on the double.

"Hurry...," Grandpa moaned as his consciousness began to fade. "Please... hurry...."

_________________________________________________________________


Infirmary - Rei's Room, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 8:07 A.M.


Rei had just gotten back into her bed when she suddenly felt faint. Ami, noticing Rei's eyes suddenly widen
as she stared out at nothing, gripped Rei's shoulder and shook her gently.

"Wha...?" she said as she snapped out of it and looked over at Ami. "Ami-chan! I felt it! The barrier... it
just collapsed!"

Ami's head jerked back in complete shock as her other hand slowly went up to her mouth. Her eyes sought out
Rei's out of fear and worry.

"I know how you feel," she murmured breathlessly. "I'm worried about Grandpa. It was painful when I felt
the barrier tear, but I was concentrating on keeping it up. I can only imagine the backlash they must've
felt when the whole thing collapsed." She turned to Ami and grasped her arms desperately. "Ami-chan, I need
you to do something for me."

The mute girl nodded, seeing the urgency in her friend's eyes.

"I need you to go see if Grandpa's all right," she entreated. "I'm afraid that the backlash could've hurt
him really bad. He's not as strong as he used to be and...."

As Rei trailed off worriedly, Ami grasped her friend's hands in hers and squeezed them reassuringly.

"Thanks, Ami-chan," Rei said gratefully as she swallowed back tears that were threatening to well up.

Ami nodded as she stood up and hurried to the door. Before she left, she gave Rei a reassuring nod and
grin, then shut the door behind her.

"Grandpa...," Rei murmured worriedly as she laid back down and stared at the ceiling.

_________________________________________________________________


Lower Grounds - Sendai Hill, Hikawa Jinja, Tokyo, Japan.
August 7, 1992. 8:07 A.M.


Ryoku was issuing formation orders for the defenders when a chill ran down his spine. Pausing to shiver for
a moment, he finished issuing orders and turned to look for Atsuko, who was receiving her regular report
from Emi. Before he could take one step, he realized what had caused him to feel that chill a few moments
ago.

"No...," he breathed as his eyes widened fearfully. "Please, no...." At once, he took off running,
searching desperately for Atsuko. "Mizuno-hakase!"

The young Blade rushed past all the people staring at him in confusion as he tore past, bellowing at the
top of his lungs. A few people he had to push past in his urgency, but at the moment, the situation at hand
was everything. There was no time to waste.

"Mizuno-hakase!" Ryoku shouted as he spotted the doctor speaking with Emi at the base of the stone steps
leading to the Hikawa Jinja Proper. "We've got an emergency on our hands!"

"What happened?" Atsuko asked as she spun toward him, hearing the desperate urgency in his voice.

"The barrier!" he blurted out, completely flustered. "It's gone!"

"What?" she exclaimed, one hand going to her mouth in complete shock. Beside her, Emi gasped as both of
her hands went to her mouth as well.

"I felt it disappear a little while ago," he told her as he slowly regained his composure. "It wasn't like
last time, where only a small portion collapsed. The whole thing is gone! I can't feel a trace of it
anywhere!"

Atsuko whirled toward Emi. "Quickly, go tell Sakaki-sensei to send whatever doctors and nurses we can spare
at the moment to check all the shrines, temples, churches and other religious buildings for any that need
medical attention. There will more than likely be a lot of people unconscious and a few of them
experiencing mental shock."

"Right," Emi acknowledged as she started to depart.

"Please hurry," Ryoku added. "We need to revive as many of them as possible. Our defenses are greatly
crippled until they can bring the barrier back up."

"Understood," Emi said and ran up the stone steps.

"We need an emergency change of plans," Ryoku said quickly. "How many teams of field medics do you have at
the ready?"

"Three are already en route to the battlefield," Atsuko reported. "We have fifteen more that are equipped
and ready to go, and I can call up the stretcher bearers on a moment's notice."

"Dispatch the remaining field medics and prepare to call up the stretcher bearers. They'll be needed soon.

"I'm going to take all the defenders that are currently armed and depart for the battlefield," Ryoku
continued as he checked the blade at his side and shifted the rifle slung around his shoulder. "We can't
wait for the rest of them to arm up anymore. Anyone left behind will make up the guard unit for Sendai
Hill. Since this army isn't as big as the first one, what we leave behind should suffice. Mizuno-hakase, I
will leave command of the remaining unit with you."

"Roger," Atsuko replied as she gave him a quick salute. "Take care out there."

Ryoku quickly returned her salute. "Thank you," he replied with a nod. "We'll do our best." With that, he
took off for where the gathered defenders were waiting for orders to depart.

"Everyone, listen!" he bellowed, getting everyone's attention. "There has been an emergency change of
plans. We need to depart for the Outer Grounds immediately." He then pointed to the person closest to him.
"You. I need you to go to the Armory and tell everyone who doesn't have a weapon yet that they will remain
behind as a part of the Sendai Hill defense unit. Everyone that does have a weapon is to report here at
once.

"Make note of who has a weapon and who does not," he added. "Make sure that you are the last one to return
because we will depart once you return. Hurry. We don't have any time to waste." With that, the young man
he had singled out gave a quick salute and hurried toward the Armory without another word.

"Kino-sama, what's going on?" one of the younger men asked inquisitively. "What happened?"

Ryoku turned toward the young man and gave him an inscrutable look. "The worst thing that could ever happen
has happened," he replied simply as he turned away and stared out toward where the barrier formerly stood.

'I have a very bad feeling about this...,' he thought as his eyes narrowed broodingly.


=================================================================


Author's Note: The second battle for the Hikawa Jinja is underway! With three Sailor Senshi, the smaller
Youma horde shouldn't be such a problem, but since this army is here for reconnaissance what will happen
when Jadeite learns that the barrier has completely collapsed? Also, what about the people who maintain the
barrier? After being stretched past the breaking point, will they be able to raise the barrier again before
Jadeite is able to take advantage of the break in their defenses? Not only that, but what will happen when
Jadeite learns that remnants of the Moon Kingdom have reappeared after several millennia? The next chapter
will resolve the second battle for the Hikawa Jinja, as well as bring to light several other questions that
have yet to be answered. Which questions are those? Find out next chapter.


Disclaimer: All original materials belong to their respective owners. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko
Takeuchi and a bunch of big companies. No copyright infringement is intended.

Questions? Comments? Anything?
Email: jasonulloa (at) hotmail (dot) com

Copyright© 2004, 2007 Jason C. Ulloa
All Rights Reserved.