Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ When Destiny Changed ❯ Reflections: An Angel in Pain ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter Fourteen

Rei was thinking over her dream from the night before as she made her way to where she'd be seeing Ami. Now during the bright day it seemed nothing but a fading shadow, a mist being scatter but the suns rays. Had it really been some kind of vision or just the stress of months past made into one dream?

But it was so real and even now, she could hear that haunting voice speaking, `I am you.'

"But how? How could she be me?" she spoke quietly to herself, despite the odd stares she received from passing people.

"It can't be my past self, could it? But it didn't seem anything like what we were told and what we saw ourselves. The future perhaps? No, too many things seemed like the destruction of the Moon. Oh, this doesn't make sense."

"You know," came a husky voice from behind, "Most people would take talking to oneself as a sign of madness."

Rei turned and saw Haruka walking behind her.

"Oh, Haruka-chan. No, I'm not mad. Then again," she said quietly, "Perhaps I am going mad."

Haruka looked quizzical, "Something happen last night?" she half chuckled, then turned serious at Rei's worried expression. "A vision?"

"I don't know. It was very strange and very real. And it may have something to do with what's been going on. I was actually on my way to see Ami about it."

"Looks like we're heading for the same place then. I'm meeting Michiru at the pool and I'm betting Ami will be there."

So they reached the tall building and headed to the private pool at the top floor. This was the place for the well-to-do crowd and Ami's father, a well-known artist gone away, had a membership, as did Michiru.

On reaching to pool, they found the place relatively empty but for one older man snoozing on a deck chair and the girls competing against each other in the pool. It was one thing they were both good at and seemed to always tie, slicing through the water like dolphins.

Haruka gave a wave and the girls finished their lap and swan for the edge, holding on and breathing hard.

"Your getting harder to compete with, Ami-chan," Michiru breathed heavily through a smile.

"I could say the same for you," Ami chuckled. With some help from the other two, they were soon sitting on deck chairs, toweling off and gulping down water.

"I take it you're not here just to watch, am I right, Rei-chan?" Michiru spoke quietly, glancing over at the sleeping man.

With a worried frown, she shook her head, following her glance.

"Don't worry," Ami grinned, "It's just my chess partner. He'll be sleeping for a while and like a log. So why are you here then Rei-chan?"

She told them about what had happened the night before and what the possible explanation might be.

"It may be a vision, but then again I'm not sure? I don't even remember falling asleep or how I did. I was just suddenly there. But everything felt so real."

"We could try another fire reading," suggested Haruka.

"It crossed my mind but I've almost been to afraid too. I… well it's just… you didn't see what I saw, feel it for yourselves. It was terrifying, just watching. And then… seeing that… that… "

"Reflection?" provided Michiru. "Seeing oneself like something from the dead can be rather disturbing. Will you try though?"

Rei was thoughtful, "Maybe, just not right away, if that's all right. I need some time." Then she put a hand to her face, pain becoming evident, her eyes tightly shut. "Time. At this rate I may never be ready again. I couldn't even henshi. I didn't want to!"

Ami put a comforting arm around her, "It's okay, Rei-chan. You're still dealing with it. You're not alone. We did because we just didn't think about it. It was instinct. I don't know really what else to tell you."

Rei nodded, "I know, I should have been able to just do it with out thought. I had so many times before, even when she wasn't there yet. I-I'd scold her about her duties, about being on time. Ami-chan, you were the first of all of us and I can't imagine how you dealt with this. I was only her best friend." Tears started to fall.

"Some best friend I was," she muttered. "I should never have been so rough. A compliment wouldn't have hurt. I should have been there for her!" With this she fell into her arms resting on the table and wept, Ami rubbing her back gently.

They looked at each other, Michiru clenching her towel and Haruka keeping her eyes shut and fist clenched as Ami gestured for them to follow her a bit away, addressing the others quietly.

"It would seem Rei-chan is dealing with this more then we thought. We can't push her right now."

"She will have to deal with it soon. If she doesn't she may never be a senshi again."

They were startled by this new voice and glanced over to see Setsuna standing near by in a swimsuit and light beach coat.

"What do you mean?" Haruka asked.

Setsuna approached them and by her face they could see she was serious.

"When a senshi loses their will and reason to fight, they become empty. That which makes them Senshi begins to leave, feeling nothing good is coming of it being there."

"Like being in a slump," Ami said, "If you don't try, you may never get out. Or like falling off a horse."

"You'll never ride again if you don't get right back on, "Michiru said quietly.

"But how do we get Rei to see that?"

"She must face this new threat head on." Setsuna spoke.

"Confront the vision to understand it." Haruka said with realization.

"Before we truly fight this enemy," finished Michiru, her face lighting up in understanding. "We can't fight it till we understand why."

"Why it attacks and what it wants." Ami nodded, "How we always face our fights. We need to know about it. Every time we faced an enemy, didn't Rei-chan consult the fire? We can't fight with out her. This vision may be some kind of warning of something that has been but it may also be Rei-chan's power reaching out and telling her she can't be avoid it anymore."

"That sounds very insightful," Setsuna said with a smile. "But could you tell me what vision your speaking of?"

Having explained what had commenced to Setsuna, she nodded and walked over to Rei who still wept at the table.

"Rei-chan."

Rei looked up, wiping away tears, "Setsuna-chan."

Setsuna glanced down as if contemplating something, then looked up again, "Do forgive me for this."

A brief look of confusion and suddenly Rei felt her cheek sting fiercely and that she was looking to her right suddenly. Bringing a hand to her hot face and looking utterly shocked, she turned back to Setsuna, stood up and got mad.

"Shimatta! What the hell did you do that for?!" she said angrily, causing the sleeping man not far to snort suddenly before falling back to sleep.

Setsuna smiled, "I take it that hurt and you're mad now?"

"Damn straight it hurt and yes I'm pissed!"

Again Setsuna smiled, "Good. That's just how you should be."

Rei could only looked startled as the others looked confused. Setsuna leaned forward, laying a hand on Rei's shoulder.

"That's the Rei we know. And that's the Rei we need."

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

"You know, you were right, Teno-san. This was a good idea. Seems the sun agrees with you."

Terra leaned back on her hands on the blanket, taking in the sun, it's light flashing off her sunglasses and titan hair, which now flowed freely down her back to her waist. Instead of her business like dress, she now wore a breezy sea green spaghetti strap sun dress with flower prints here and there, and light sandals adorned her feet, with a large sun hat to top it all off.

When they had reached the beach, the sun was high overhead and very bright for the season, making everything just warm enough. Lunch had been light and Teno and Terra now sat on the large spread blanket on the sandy beach while Etain stood not far, watching the sea.

"I told you so." He laughed. He glanced over to Etain who wore a simple white sundress, styled like Terra's but no flowers, with a green ribbon about her waist, that reached her knees along with the dress which blew softly in the gentle breeze. Her sandal lay near the blanket.

Her hair now was only braided once around her head leaving the rest to reach her calves and blow about her like silver ribbons. She held a straw hat with a green ribbon around it in her hands, a present from Terra who had picked it up as a souvenir from the village of Cavendish.

"What are you thinking, my lady," Teno asked with a grin.

Etain gave a start and turned with her usual expression, "Nothing really. I'm listening to the ocean. I feel it wishes to share a secret with me."

"Perhaps it does," Terra said with a smile. "What does it say?"

"I cannot say." She replied in the same way that one might say the weather was fine.

Teno laughed good naturally, "Well we wouldn't want to intrude on its secrets. But if it will tell you why not take a walk. Perhaps it will without us around."

Etain looked thoughtful then nodded, walking along the water edge further away. Terra glanced to Teno.

"You think she will be safe?"

Teno nodded, "This beach is safer then you think. And I feel those people cannot find us here. It is rather private, wouldn't you say?"

Terra blushed and nodded, glancing out to sea. She suddenly felt he was close beside her and she grinned a tiny shiver going up her arms. Rubbing her hands over them he spoke.

"Cold?"

"A little."

"Here." He placed his coat about her, giving her arm a rub. She felt as if he hesitated for a moment and then his arm rested around her. With a sigh, she leaned back into his arms and smiled. She could hear him swallow hard.

She chuckled at this as he glanced down at her.

"Sorry. I'm not really familiar with this."

Grinning, she took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "It's okay. This is just perfect." She heard him sigh in relief and relax as she rested against him.

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

Etain walked along the beach quietly without much thought. Glancing back briefly she saw the others looking comfortable and for a moment she felt a spark of happiness for them.

She turned away and looked the same. Why couldn't she be happy? Why did she always feel pain and sadness? She knew the doctor and Terra meant well and they were truly the only family she knew. Most of the time she would hide this pain for she knew it would only worry them. So it was that her face, void of emotions, was her familiar.

The waves rolled up to her feet, tickling her toes playfully. Having gone some distance from the others, she stopped and stared at the waters. It sang to her, a hidden melody, calling… calling…

Clouds began to conceal the sun as the breeze picked up.

She stood transfixed, feelings its power in each wave to rolled forward. The tide was coming in. Yet she did not move. Something sang with those waters, telling of another time, another place. Somewhere across that great water, something was waiting, calling for her to come.

Home…Come home.

Her eyes went black, a solid silver-blue. The rhythm continued as the waves drew in.

~*~*~*~*~*~

He'd walked this beach before, feeling comforted by the water. It reminded him of that home far away across the great waters. But today, the clouds had begun to draw in and he almost felt like returning to his room. Yet he felt compelled to go on.

He stopped at a grassy bank a little higher up of the beach, the sand dropping off in a little steep cliff about half a meter high and becoming a sloping hill down to the rest of the beach for a few yards.

Here the grass brushed against him as he watched the ocean before him. The tide was coming in and the wind had picked up a little. The sun still tried to peek out between clouds as they rolled past. One particular ray burst out upon the beach not too far to the right. Glancing over he looked surprised to see it resting on a brilliant figure.

A girl, perhaps a woman in brilliant white stood near the waters, her hair glistening like crystal. She was standing so still, only her dress and hair blew about her. She only stood about 15 yards away.

An angel he thought. Her skin was so white and looked as soft as rose petals. Her like was hard to place anywhere.

But his heart lurched as he thought of his own angel. Yet he couldn't remove his gaze of this girl. The sun made her glow.

A cloud covered the light and he felt as if some magic had been lifted from him. Shaking his head, he blinked and realized something. The water was coming in fast and she stood knee deep in it. Hadn't she realized it yet?

"Konnichiwa? Hey, are you okay?" he called out.

Her head gave a start and she slowly glanced his way. In surprise he breathed in. Was it just him or did it seem her eyes were solid?

Before he could see better, she blinked and backed away, from him and the water.

"Please, I mean you no harm. I only wanted to make sure you were all right."

She held a hat close to her face, her eyes peeking out but he could see she was afraid. Her eyes, even from such distance showed a deep terror. What could she be afraid of?

Before he could say or do more, she turned and fled like a frightened deer. He felt the urge to go after her but didn't see the logic in it. Someone might get the wrong idea.

Still he couldn't shake the feeling that this girl was special in some way. Something… he couldn't place.

With a sigh and deciding to put it out of his mind, Mamoru headed back to his room.

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

Run! Something had cried from her mind. Run! Her spirit shrieked. Run!! Even the wind had moaned. All she did was turn and run.

Something had caused her to flee in terror. But why? This man had done nothing yet she obeyed these wishes. The fear had known for itself why she ran. Her mind wished to bring up reasons why. Her eyes felt blinded but dark images and evil laughter flooding her ears; sights of bright light coming and hideous sounds crashing around her.

She cried out as she covered her ears but the sounds came from within. She stumbled and fell, blinded for a moment, rising quickly again. Her heart ached in fear and pain, her muscles crying out for her to stop. She didn't until she fell again, this time against a small bank of sand and grass.

Here she brought up her knees, holding them fiercely close to her as tears flowed down her dirty face and through her tangled hair. She didn't stop till the throbbing pierce of her heart slowly subsided, and her mind had calmed its pain. She slowly became aware of another quiet throbbing pain of her knees bleeding from hitting the sand so hard but this she ignored for now.

Why had that happened? Why was she afraid? She let the tears subside as she looked out to the water, the clouds beginning to clear as they rolled past. She looked deep within, to that place she had become close to when she sought answers.

A soft voice whispered to her.

`It is okay. There's nothing to fear. I'm here with you.'

"Why? Why was I so afraid?"

`I wish I could say but I have started to forget myself. It would seem the fear has not though. Still, I feel you ache as well. It is not the fear that caused it.'

"I do not know. It came upon me so fast I didn't know what happened. I just knew to run."

`I know. I felt compelled to yell it myself. My dear, I think it will pass. For it is getting closer. It will be soon now.'

"No, please, I wish it would not be. Even with the others being so good to me, you have been my dearest companion. I would miss your talks too greatly."

The voice was gentle and sounded like one smiling in understanding.

`Do not worry. I will still be with you. I only hope I will regain my memory someday. Have you told them?'

"No. I wouldn't know what to say."

`He did suspect it in the beginning, even when you were yet of awareness.'

She was quiet as she spoke again in sadness, "Why me? Why has this happened? What has happened. I know little of who I am or what I've been. No memories, only faded dreams of confusion. Will I ever know again?"

The voice was silent for a time. `You were chosen because we share something. Something I once knew and had forgotten. I have even forgotten how this came to be. But the reason stands and will even when this is complete. We may know again soon. We can only hope. Will you be ready when the time comes?'

With a shaky closing of her eyes, she nodded.

`Remember, though the spirit may still hold the image, the physical must be achieved for it to exist. A trial will come upon you. It will be frightening but be strong. I will be with you. Even as the physical will be foreign, the image will create it to be its own. What semblance it may have to its past will be eliminated.'

Again silence, the voice grew sad yet worried. `It will… hurt. Are you prepared?'

Again she trembled as she nodded, "It is why you led me out here, away from the others, isn't it?"

`Yes. It cannot be interrupted. I wish there was another way. Demo… `

"I-I know. I-I'm ready." She sat up against the bank, hearing the sounds of footsteps nearing, and the fear in her heart growing.

`Be strong. It grows near.'

"Don't leave me," she whispered.

`I won't.'

The voice was silent even as the evening was approaching and the sounds stopped. Something stood close to her as she looked up. She didn't wish to see the face, she'd didn't want to remember even as a deep voice spoke.

"Well, well. Has the ocean dropped me a mermaid? My, ye be a purty l'ttle t'ing." The man sat down beside her; still she would not open her eyes as she held her knees.

Tears began to fall even as she felt the fear getting stronger.

I-I'm afraid.

`I will be with you. It is the only way. I am with you!'

In the silent beach, one scream pierced the air as the waves crashed, until it died and there was nothing.

`Sleep now. Sleep.'

It is complete.

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

In Tokyo

He dropped the cup with a clatter, clutching at his chest. The other two faces growing white.

He look at them, his eyes filling, "You felt it, didn't you? Even a little." his voice was quiet and filled with pain.

The others nodded, their eyes filling.

"She's hurt."

"And there's nothing we can do." Replied the other miserably.

"I must find her! She needs me now! I feel it all the more!" Their connection made them this way and his closeness with the others made them feel it radiate from him.

He hit his hands hard on the table, "I swear I will find her! It cannot be for him to find her first!" His tears spilt forward as the other two reached a hand to him in comfort.

"We can't know the extent of the pain you felt but the little we did, we know it was bad. Don't worry, we will find her." `Ki spoke with determination as `Ten nodded.

He could only nod as he felt her screams deep within, he himself pushing against screaming himself. Then the scream was gone and he could feel her no more, only the residual impression it had left.

He looked up, the tears stopped and instead grew dispirited again.

"It is gone. I can feel her no more."

"Then her pain has stopped at least. Don't worry, we will locate her somehow. At least we know she is not hurting any more." `Ten said.

"I hope so," he replied, rising and going to the sliding doors to gaze at the morning sun, "Let her be safe again. Let us find her soon."

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

Well I don't know what you will all think of this. I tried to be not too descriptive as not to offend or bother anyone against NC-17. I wasn't going there if I could help it. This idea was in the original plan when I began writing so I guess that's about it. You know what happened so no need for details. Just working up to it so you could figure it out yourselves. No offense then?

I hope I rated this appropriately. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it other wise. I know some were hoping for a certain something to happen soon and I've begun working on it. You may or may not have noticed it, ^^ LOL. So if there's anything wrong or any comments, please do R&R. Cha!