Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ When Destiny Changed ❯ Reflections II: What We Hide ( Chapter 15 )

Chapter Fifteen

When she opened her eyes again, her vision blurry, she could only make out flashes of bright lights passing over her even as she felt her self moving very quickly on something with wheels. Her ears began to make out noises, starting faintly until they became very loud and she winced, wishing to curl up but feeling she could not move. Her head moving slowly and she could hear their voices.

Teno and Terra, Terra appearing very worried as she ran along with Teno who gripped the side of the metal bed she was rolling on. She heard other voice calling out things that made no sense to her, but she focused on Teno's, his eyes wide. But beyond his look of worry, she saw something else. Something he was hiding, and the way he always looked at these other strangers with a slight look of suspicion, something he didn't want them to know, even as he'd glance to Terra and her eyes seemed to flash the same.

She could hear him, even as his voice was made only for her to hear.

"Whatever happens, Etain, say nothing. For your own sake, say nothing."

Etain could only blink in response; her mind feeling very burnt out. She could hear the others tell Teno he had to wait and for him to insist he couldn't, that he was her doctor. Credential would be looked at later but they didn't argue.

Just as quickly, she was in a room surrounded by more lights and several strange beeping. Even so her mind was closing down again and her eyes couldn't focus. Still her ears continued to work at intervals.

"2nd degree burns… possible internal bleeding… head trauma… get me some anesthetic stat!"

"T-Ten-no-s-san…" She tried to mutter but he only placed a gentle finger to her lips and shook his head, with a faint smile. As they placed a mask over her mouth and nose, she felt the panic fill her and her eyes went wide. But before she could scream she felt suddenly drowsy. As her eye slowly shut the last she heard were Teno's words.

"All will be well."

* * *

When she woke again, she felt a bandage around her head and right arm, and a small tube that helped her breath. A slight prick came from her arm as she saw a needle from a tube stuck to her left arm, and a quiet beep came every few seconds from somewhere near her.

Blinking, she saw that the room was dark but for a small light behind her and a little from a window to her left. Her ears adjusting quicker then her eyes, she heard soft voices.

"How were you able to forgo the blood check? I would have thought they'd have insisted."

"And find what? That she's possibly not human? That there's no record of her existence? I rather not go into the sticky questions."

"Demo we don't even know that she might be a missing person. As for being human…"

"Terra-chan, trust me. Can you believe that Etain even comes close to our make up? No, I know there is much more to her then we realize. And I'd rather be the one to find this out then a bunch of amateurs."

There was a pause of silence, "Teno-san, what aren't you telling me? What happened that made everything you do so secretive?"

Etain could finally make out two shadowed shapes at the end of her bed as one moved away from the other, facing the window.

A sigh came from Teno at the window, "I don't really know. I was just thrown into this role. As a boy I suddenly found myself the heir to a large manor and fortune. But as I grew older I found it hid secrets. Secrets only meant for me to find. How did I know this, you ask? Quite by accident actually. Stumbling around my new home I found the secret panel that somehow had my hand print and DNA stored to allow me in. I learn everything I could in school and later in college and University, just to understand what I had discovered. What you know as the lab wasn't always like that. It used to be a study with books and papers on things I never quite could grasp. Even now I only have just enough knowledge to get by. It was those books and papers that help me build the lab and understand better what it could be used for. Most of my colleagues thought me nuts to research such things and I was laughed out of that society. But I kept on. My work remained quiet as it was meant to stay when I discovered that room. "

"What did your parents think?"

Teno head was low and his voice even more quiet, "I never knew them. I just woke up one day in a strange bed and some lawyer telling me I was a very fortunate young man with a large fortune to go with it. I never really understood who my benefactor was or how he even knew me. Only that he was dead and left everything to me." He paused a moment.

"There was one strange thing. A letter left with the will that no one but I was to read and only when I turned 18."

"And? You're almost 22 already, haven't you read the letter?"

Again he was quiet. "Yes… and no. I read it demo, I could not understand what it meant. It was very strange."

"Perhaps if I read it?"

He turned to her, "I don't know. The rules were strict on who read it. Perhaps," he turned back to the window, "later."

Terra was about to reach out a hand to him when Etain suddenly coughed involuntarily. Both turned to her, Teno coming to her side quickly, "My lady, how are you feeling?"

Etain was a bit red for having listened to their conversation and only hoped they didn't realize she'd heard quite a bit.

"I-I don't know," she said in her quiet voice, "What happened?"

Terra blinked in surprise but Teno answered, "We heard you scream and found you down the beach, unconscious and burned. Someone else must have heard as well. Sirens suddenly surrounded us before we could move. Luckily they're more believing in innocence here and we were driven here to Charlotte Town."

"Your dress was torn and nearly burned away as well," Terra interjected, "but we found no sign of what caused it. We… we thought you would know. There were… we found… footprints… then they disappeared into the sea and… " Terra reddened slightly, not sure how to word it.

Teno leaned forward wit concern, taking Etain hand gently, "Did anyone hurt you?"

Etain's eyes widened and tears began to fall as she turned away, puling her hand free. She couldn't look at them now, as she curled up painfully, the needle stinging as she moved.

Teno sat back, a mixed look of grief for Etain and anger towards the perpetrator or pain.

"I-I don't know," was all they could hear from behind her. Teno looked to Terra who returned the look with a knowing nod, walking to the door. She peeked out carefully and quietly closed it again.

"All clear," she whispered. Teno nodded and turned to Etain, pulling something from his pocket.

"Do not worry, this will help you sleep."

Without a word, Etain jerked but a little as he injected a needle into her arm and her eyes closed again, her arms going limp as she sighed softly.

With gentle ease, Teno picked her up in his arms and felt her lightweight settle in well as he came to the door where Terra still stood. With a cautious eye, she stepped through and he followed, making their way down the dim hallway, away from the nurse's station and to the nearest exit stairs.

"Roof or ground?" He asked.

"Floor. Chopper would have been too hard to explain for a hospital with no report coming in."

Quickly they made it to the ground floor, getting outside into the night as Terra spoke into a small phone. Just as silently a dark car with tinted windows pulled up and the driver jumped out to help them in, closing the door with as little a slam as it would permit.

After about ten minutes of silence, Terra sighed, looking behind her at the distant twinkling lights.

"I guess we're lucky security here is lax at night."

Teno chuckled, "They probably don't often have one of their patients stolen in the night. Can we afford to return to our original location?"

Terra was looking through a small day timer as she nodded, "Yes, I don't believe they will come knocking at our door anytime soon. They didn't know who we are and I doubt they'll suspect a wealthy visitor as being a good doctor as well."

Teno raised a sardonic brow as frowned, "Thanks."

Terra chuckled, "Any time. At least it covers our assets for now. They should forget about it in a few weeks, perhaps months."

"I'd prefer weeks," Teno spoke quietly, as looked down at Etain sleeping face. He frowned slightly. "What trials we overcome for one such of grace, oh lady of the light."

Terra grinned, "Sounds very Shakespearean."

He shrugged, "Might be. Just kind of came to me. I do know one thing. Whatever happens, we must protect her."

She nodded, "I feel it too, Teno-chan." She took his hand giving it a squeeze, "Whatever happens."

* * *

For once, he didn't wake up before the sun. Quite the contrary, the sun had beaten him by three hours and almost seemed to glitter with glee for its victory. With a strained smile, he nodded his defeat as he rose. Walking out of his room, he gave a crooked grin to his new `house guests', one slumped over a couch and snoring away and the other half under the coffee table, his mouth hanging open. Seems some things never change, he thought.

Chuckling, he surveyed the mess of cloaks and arm strewn about the living room and the dirty mugs and plates on the table from the night before. Seeing his mug on its side he was reminded of the night before and he suddenly frowned again, a slight ping of pain coming from somewhere in his chest. Pushing down the wave of emotion beginning to rise, he turned toward the bathroom and a hot shower.

About half an hour later, having dressed and toweling his long queue of hair, found Ki beginning to rise, bumping slightly into the table with a groan as he fell back down, mumbling something about `cursed contraptions' and the makers of them.

With another small grin, he stepped out through the sliding doors and onto his small balcony, glancing at the semi-busy street below and back to the sunny horizon. He didn't even hear the doors sliding silently behind him and footsteps coming to join him at his left.

It was a minute or two before anything was said. With a bit of chortle, Ki began.

"'Ten always was a loud sleeper."

He chuckled at that, still facing forward, "I'm surprised you slept at all."

Ki shrugged, "You'd be surprised what sleepless nights does to a guy. I could say the same for you. I recall you going to his room with quite a handful of pillows."

"And you with pails of water." He grinned at the thought, "Well, `you'd be surprised what sleepless nights does to a guy'."

Ki turned to his friend, "Yie, what has been happening with you, I mean since we saw you last?"

He sighed, still looking forward, "What hasn't happened. Too much for me to really make it short." He explained the dreams and sleepless nights of prowling and even taking a fight or two.

"Well you were always one to help those in distress. But I would hope you don't do that so often. It's not really our business to bother with this worlds problems."

Yie nodded, "I know. I don't really go looking for them they just happen when I go out. Well, not so often now. Not since that day."

"Care to elaborate?"

He explained about his encounter with five female senshi and why. Ki sucked in his breath silently.

"So. He's here then."

Again Yie nodded grimly, "I had hoped I had the advantage but it seems he is relentless. He wasn't all that impressed the last time I interfered but damned if I care. I'll find her before him, no matter the stakes."

Ki laid a hand on his shoulder, "We are with you no matter what." There was sudden loud snore as if `Ten were agreeing in his sleep. With a glance to each other, they burst out laughing, even as `Ten mumble in his sleep, turning on his side.

"One more turn and he'll fall off," chuckled Yie. Seeing his friend's face grow serious, he again turned toward the sun.

"What about these senshi? Do they prove a threat to our mission?"

"I don't know. I don't believe so. But I'd rather not have them interfering. They seem way too curious and I don't need anymore distractions then necessary. They are most likely the protectors of this planet. The less chance meeting, the better."

Ki nodded, "Agreed. Guardians seem rather protective of their homes and things may get sticky. We should know." He gave a crooked grin as he too watched the sun.

Yie was silent for a moment before he spoke; "Do you suppose…"

"…They might know of her?" Ki finished, "Who knows. But we don't have time to find out and like you said…"

"Right." Stretching his arms over his head, he gave his damp hair a shake, a few strands whipping at his face and Ki who held up a hand.

"Hey, watch where you aim that!"

With a laugh, Yie suddenly sniffed a little closely at Ki before wrinkly his nose slightly, "Exactly when did you bathe last?"

With a shrugged, Ki grinned, "Who counts these days. But some hot water would be nice."

"Well try out the shower. It's quite something. These people don't do too badly for their technology. And I'm going to have to do something about your clothes. Apparently cloaks are considered rather strange on this world."

There was a yawn from behind and `Ten came up, scratching his mess of wild hair which had come loose of its restraints, the remnants of a ponytail. Simultaneously, Ki and Yie sniffed at `Ten and back away back into the living room.

"If you thought me bad…"

Yie nodded, heading for his room, "Yeah, I forgot."

`Ten just stood there blinking, taking a quick sniff to arms, and looking up again.

"What?"

~~~

Mamoru stood out on patio of his rented cottage near the beach, watching the moonlight over the ocean waters. The night was very quiet and he was glad for it. He hadn't tried to sleep yet, he wasn't sure if he wanted to. These days he never knew what he would dream.

After arriving in Canada, he had felt compelled to be near the ocean again and planned for his stop to be in PEI. Since leaving Paris, his dreams had all but left him. The day the rose vanished, he'd felt empty and yet he hadn't cared. The dreams rested more now, giving him his peace. And yet still, he could not sleep very often. Some uneasiness settle around him, like something being left undone.

The cool breeze brushed his hair against his face and he sighed. How long had it been now? Months, too many to count. At least seeing the moon now was not so painful. Instead it gave him peace, almost seeing what he desired within its face glittering beautifully down to him.

His mind shifted again to that afternoon, seeing that girl. What had made him think of an angel? Or even his angel? She had been so frightened by him that he'd felt stupid to think such things.

Taking a gulp from a cup of coffee on the patio table, he turned to his cottage just as he heard a car drive by not far off. He frowned.

The road that went past his place about a kilometer away was private but for some cottages and a large house some miles away. But it was very late and the car sounded like it was heading toward that that house.

But no one is permitted there, he thought, and it seems very odd anyone would be visiting this time of night.

He had found out from the people around the area that the place of which he thought was owned by a wealthy foreigner who seldom came but preferred his privacy. Even so, people came to gawk at his house, which was of the Victorian Era and very beautiful. He had even thought to see for himself but never got around to it.

Putting it out of his mind, he went in and again stared at his computer monitor that blinked back at him. He'd started typing a letter but could never get past the first word. He'd thought to write to Unazuki but wasn't sure what to say or how to explain his sudden departure.

The girls? What could he say? They want to know where he was and he didn't feel ready for that yet. Even if he didn't give a return address, Ami or even Setsuna would figure it out somehow. Perhaps Motoki but even then he didn't know what could be said. He might spill some information by accident to the girls.

With a sigh, he instead turned off the screen. Perhaps tomorrow.

Entering his room, he threw some short and muscle top and again tried to sleep, staring out at the moon that shone through his window.

"Usako," he whispered, feeling his voice choke, " I think of you everyday. What should I do? Can I keep running? I don't know if I'll ever be ready to go back again."

The moon only glowed down on him as the stars twinkled in response. With a sigh, Mamoru turned his back to the window and slowly fell asleep.

~~~

So, I hope I haven't bored you all yet. I feeling very tired right now, working and all. Aaaaaand, I'm going back to college in September so I'm psyched about that. Anyway, here's a little pop quiz for you all. What do you think is happening so far and who are our mystery people? Dare I ask that question? Just curious if I should continue being so secretive or if you all have it figured out already. Well then, R&R. Cha!