Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ When Destiny Changed ❯ Protect Our Own: Unity of the Stars ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter Thirteen

Again he woke quickly, his pulse thrumming in his ears. The same dream, over and over since that day he arrived. He had thought it wouldn't visit him so frequently but it seemed to stay as a reminder of what he must do.

He sat up, swallowing slowly his heart rate and taking cool breaths. His head rested on a hand; he rubbed his face, the cold sweat still there. The sheets seemed suddenly very constricting and he tossed them aside, revealing his shorts and muscle shirt. Even in the moonlight, his skin seemed to glow with sweat. He felt as if he's run a marathon. No such luck this time, he thought.

Going to the bathroom, he splashed his face with water, toweling and then walked into the small living room. A screen caused the dim room to glow a soft blue. Sitting at the desk, he tapped the keyboard and the saver disappeared.

A computer had been easier to come by then he thought. The landlady and found it left by a tenant who had moved and thought he could make use of it, seeing as she had no use for `new fangled contraptions'.

It had seemed strange to him until he found it quite easy to use. It reminded him of something he was known from home.

Tapping a bit, a screen popped up. The words `Search not found' flashed and he sighed. This may have been a great breakthrough for these people, but for him, it was forever slow.

He typed something else, looking for news reports of anything unusual. Nothing.

With a sigh of frustration, he shut down the machine and headed back to his room. These early rising's had become a habit and he felt more like a night creature then anything else. Perhaps a prowl would be safe.

He tossed on some clothes, dawned his shades and long pleather coat, and quietly left the apartment and the building.

It was somewhere between early morning and late at night. He didn't really know or care. He knew he'd not be able to sleep anytime soon. What made the dream so difficult was that it wasn't so much a dream.

It was a memory.

His duty. His life. He had failed and it seemed the very night taunted him of this, refusing him rest.

After about half an hour, he was back at the building. But instead of going back to his apartment, he went to the roof. Standing by its edge, he watched the horizon, the soft night wind blowing around him. He glanced at the stars above and sighed sorrowfully.

"My friends," he whispered, "Forgive me. I failed you and our princess. Most of all, I have failed my sworn duty to protect our precious charge. My charge." He choked a little, glancing down in pain, whispering, "My love."

He would not let his emotion fall again. He had to keep that strength. And yet he felt it was hopeless. His resolve was dying, even as his heart was. He needed her. Apart, they could do nothing. He only knew his strength was giving.

"Giving up so easily?" a voice suddenly spoke not far beside him. He turned quickly, seeing another, cloaked in dark hooded robe.

"Perhaps this task was not for you." Another voice on the other side of him equally cloaked and hooded. Each stood by the edge of the building, each at his side some distance. Each covered hidden in shadow.

His mind became calm; his thoughts cleared as his face grew stern.

"I know not your intentions. But I do not need your opinion, nor do I wish to know your thoughts.

The first was chuckled, "You haven't changed. Still stubborn and close minded.

"It's probably better this way," the second spoke in a deeper voice, "One must be on guard against their enemies."

Feeling irritated, if not a little annoyed, he suddenly produced a sword from within his coat, his back to the edge, glancing to each in turn.

"I will warn you only once. Do not further my anger. Leave me to my thoughts."

"Tsk, tsk," the second one spoke good humored as his hand went to his hood, bringing it down, "Is that anyway to greet old friends?"

His eyes widened in shock, even as he stared to the first figure that had drew back his hood as well, revealing a face of mirth. "He always did think with his sword first."

"No," he whispered, his sword clattering to the roof as he dropped to his knees. "It cannot be. I saw…I saw…the fire, the palace…no, how is this possible?"

The two of them suddenly smiled and went to his sides kneeling beside him and resting hands on his shoulders.

"There are many things possible," spoke the brown hared one with wisdom and tenderness, "But we'll explain this later."

"It'll take more then that to kills us," joked the platinum hared one, his hair gleaming in the moonlight.

He could only smile, tears of joy in his eyes, his words gone. It was then that they rose and embraced tightly, tears streaking their faces. Pulling away, they stared at each other.

"I wasn't sure it was you causing all this trouble," grinned the brown hared one.

"You should talk," he laughed, "If I hadn't thought it impossible, I'd have guessed that attack on the manor was your handiwork."

"'Ten has a flare for the over dramatic."

"No more then you, `Ki," the platinum said, crossing his arms, "It wasn't all my doing."

"Still," he said quietly, "you two made too large an impression. The security there was too tight for me to see anything more." Then his face changed rapidly as he looked to them.

"Then you knew! You knew where I was and why I was here. But…how?"

`Ki's face grew serious, "When we couldn't find you, we feared you dead. Even when we arrived, we were not sure. We couldn't feel your presence anywhere."

"When we discovered your landing spot," `Ten continued, "We also found the boy. We really had to probe him and it may have had some lasting effects. We still were not sure but we knew someone was here and we hoped it was you."

"So," `Ki's went on, "We did our own little research and discovered the manor. From there on, you know."

"Did you really need to be so destructive? I've read the reports, what I could find. Casualties." He muttered quietly.

`Ki's face grew serious, "We had no choice. Something didn't feel right and we felt sure that what was happening might be bad. We even thought you were in danger."

"We protect our own very seriously," `Ten said, his eyes flared with dedication and gripping his hand, "Nothing will split us apart again."

He sighed and nodded, looking at both of them with new hope, gripping their shoulders, "Then you know she's been here or may still be."

They nodded, "It was good you told us of her gift. It may have saved her life. But… we did not see her. Only their flying machine, a helicopter they call it, lifting off. `Ten would have attacked it if I hadn't stopped him."

`Ten frowned, "Well, how do we know she was in there. I felt nothing since we arrived."

"Sadly, the same is for me. We need new methods. I've already used these people's version of a computer but nothing as of yet." He again grew serious, looking at them.

"The princess?"

Both looked to each other, then turned back.

"She was badly injured but is alive. We wished to stay to help her but she insisted that you were alive and needed us. We should never have doubted her."

"Then, our kingdom…"

`Ki's face fell, as `Ten shook his head.

"We don't know. Evacuation was the last thing we heard. It may… or may not be there when we get back."

"If we get back." He muttered, "I'm not leaving without her."

They glanced at each other and then to him, sympathy evident.

"You know she's as important to us as to you. She is as much a princess to us and we all swore to protect her."

"We can do it," `Ten's voice was firm and strong, "Whatever happens, "we will find her."

He nodded, glad to have his dearest friends with him again. With a deep breath, he walked with them back to the roof entrance.

"It is good to have you with me now."

"Same here," answered `Ki.

"Of coarse," grinned `Ten, "Now, how about that meal they call breakfast? I'm starved."

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