Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ When Destiny Changed ❯ I Won't Tell: The Hidden Truth ( Chapter 17 )

Hey all! Back I am and tired too. So, I'm moving to Manitoba, big move and all and thought I should update at least one of my stories. Maybe two, we'll see. And yes, I agree with one of my reviewers. It has been getting confusing with some of my characters. I'll try real hard to make sense now, seeing as being confusing doesn't exactly interest some people. That and I'm pretty sure most of you have fairly good guesses on people, no matter how hard I try to hide the fact ^^;

But anywho, I'm still keeping certain people secret and keep you guessing, just keep the suspense up. But the obvious ones (mainly those being my `mysterious' three some) will be cleared up. So, let the story commence and thanks for your continued support and patience. Cha!

Chapter Seventeen

The first thought that floated to her mind as she wearily opened her eyes the next morning was not a good one.

An overwhelming urge to find the nearest toilet and become fast friends.

Before she knew it, her face was hanging over the rim in her own bathroom and her throat was burning from its outburst. Feeling faint, she panted for breath and leaned against the cool surface of the near by bathtub. Fighting any further urges and blinked at the morning sunlight filtering in through the lightly draped window of the bathroom.

What in the world was coming over her? She'd never felt like this. At least not that she could ever recall.

There was a gentle knock from the adjoining bedroom door, then a tentative, "Etain-chan?"

"In here, Terra-san," Etain spoke hoarsely as she could hear quickened footstep, heard a gasp and felt Terra's presence kneel beside her, a cool hand pressed to her forehead.

"Etain-chan, what's wrong?" the titan hared woman questioned distressed.

Etain was quiet even as she tentatively touched her abdomen, feeling a peculiar cramp pulse inside her. What the voice had told her in riddle, was this what she meant by it?

"I…I felt sick and…" she quickly clutched her stomach and mouth at the same time, rushing once again to the bathroom fixture and feeling the burn with release anew.

Terra tenderly rubbed Etain's back as she again leaned against the tub, coughing in between gasps. "It could be a mild touch of the flu."

"Do you really believe so?" her words were hopeful yet there was an obvious note that concerned Terra. Thinking quietly to herself, she put on a brave face.

"Why don't you stay in bed today and get some rest. I have to go the shops today and I'll pick something up for you."

Etain gave her a meaningful look, even as Terra tried very hard not to let her emotions show. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

* * *

Having been able to avoid Teno that morning as she headed out the door, Terra decided to go with her own choice of vehicle rather then that of taking the chauffeured car as they usually did to avoid people. Hopping into a black Porsche she quickly drove off the beachfront property and headed for the main road.

About half way there she saw a dark hared young man walking along the dirt road. Feeling rather concerned for Etain's health she was torn between being a Good Samaritan and getting back as soon as possible without arising alarm in Teno. But as she drew closer and resigned to her helpful nature and pulled over.

"Konnichiwa! Need a lift?"

The startled young man glanced over to her and blinked. It almost seemed as if he'd not even noticed that she'd been coming down the road. Lowering her shades a bit she looked closer at his face. There was a deep hurt there she could see it. But before she could ask further he smiled and nodded.

Later as they drove down the main highway, wind whipping at her loose hair she tried small talk. "Watashi no nomae wa Hirayoshi Terra desu. Anata?"

Again he stared at her in surprise and then smiled, "Watashi no nomae wa Chiba Mamoru. You speak Japanese."

She grinned at him, "Born there. I take it you're from there too. So, what brings you out this far?"

He was quiet for a moment before he stared at the road ahead, "Just traveling. I needed to some time to think and Tokyo is rather noisy for that."

"Tokyo? Sugoi, what a coincidence. Same town too it seems. Demo, you picked the right place to relax. I take it you're staying at one of the cottages near the beach."

"Hai. You as well?"

She gave a laugh, "Not quite. Chiba-san, may I ask you a question?"

He nodded, even as his eyes seem to wander again back to the water.

"You don't seem to be enjoying your stay. If I were to venture a guess, I'd almost think you don't belong here."

His stunned face told her the truth. Slowly, he lowered his head, speaking quietly; "No I suppose I don't."

"Care to share?" she asked gently, "I know we've just met but it might help to get it out. I'm usually a good shoulder to cry on."

Taking a breath, Mamoru spoke of his travel as an escape… escaping a harsh pain and the memories that lay with it; of avoiding those who'd rather be a constant reminder of his past and driving him to go on with life.

"They believe I need to… continue on with my `future'. But instead, I'd rather flee from it."

"Sounds almost like shirking ones duties." She commented as she kept her gaze on the road. "I know that may seem harsh, but your friends sound like they are truly concerned for you. Demo, surely they'd have a reason to want to keep a close eye on you."

"I suppose they did. I tried to escape the pain… in other ways."

"Ah." She quietly took this in. "And they wouldn't hear of it."

He grunted, "That's one way of putting it. It's my life, isn't it? I mean I have the choice to do what I wish with it, don't I?"

"I'm the wrong one to ask about that. And whether we like it or not I believe that decision belongs to a higher power then us and shouldn't be messed with. But I'm guessing you realized that by now or we wouldn't be talking here."

He nodded quietly. Again he stared out to the ocean. "I miss her. And I suppose that is why I'm still here. She wouldn't want me to go like that."

Terra glanced sadly at the young man; "She must have been something special."

"More then you know. She was my life." There was a hint of wistful smile playing on his lips, "Sometimes I almost feel like she's still with me, that I never truly lost her. It's almost comforting at time. And yet, a little painful."

"That is a true soul mate, Chiba-san," Terra said with a smile, "And one day I believe that you will see her again. Perhaps not in this life time, but someday, you will."

Mamoru smiled, thinking of the irony she had spoken of and not known it. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Hirayoshi-san."

"Onegai, call me Terra."

"Mamoru then." He nodded his thanks as he felt better then he had in days.

Having almost reached Cavendish, Terra spoke again.

"So, where would you like to go? I'll drop you off."

"Anywhere will be fine. I have no real plans today. Just sight seeing I suppose. I can probably catch a bus back to the cottages."

"Then maybe we'll meet again." She smiled as she pulled over near one of the stores on the main street, turning to him. "Here's my card. If you need anything, give me a shout."

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, Mamoru nodded gratefully and glanced down at the card, his eyes widening and staring back at Terra.

"It was nice meeting you, Chiba Mamoru. Cha!" and she roared off down the street.

Mamoru held the card with a startled expression. The name was her's but the address that rested below was the cause for his start.

She's from the manor!

* * *

"Are you sure this is such a good idea, Haruka-chan?" Makoto asked her companion as she belted into her seat aboard a large aircraft, "I mean, shouldn't all of the others know about this?"

Haruka shook her head, "We need someone to stay and watch out for anymore of those strange attacks. It wouldn't do to leave Tokyo unprotected, now would it?"

Makoto sighed with worry, "I don't know. It just doesn't sit well with me. And Minako-chan will be furious once she reads that letter I left. We could have at least told them in person."

"No time, I'm afraid," came Michiru's voice from the seats in front of them as she leaned over the seat, "Besides, Setsuna-chan will explain once we've arrived."

Makoto frowned, "They're gonna kill me after this."

Haruka grinned, "Too late for that now. We're over the ocean now."

With a sigh of defeat, Makoto nodded. "So, what will we do once we reach Germany? We have no idea where Mamoru-san might be staying."

"Or whether he's still there," Haruka said with a slight frown, glancing over a piece of paper. "Apparently Motoki's oneesan (sister) saw him for a while. Demo, I know she's not in Germany."

"Isn't she going to school in France?" Michiru asked.

Nodding, Haruka continued, "He gave this to me before we left. Apparently she wrote Motoki about it but wouldn't say where she'd seen him. And she had him promise not to tell us."

"Why would she do that?"

"I can think of a reason," Makoto said dimly as Haruka nodded. "You don't think he would…"

"I don't know, but we've got to get there as soon as we can and find out. I hope we're not too late."

* * *

Germany turned out to be a dead end and by the time the girls had checked every possible lead, a week had passed and Makoto was beginning to feel restless.

"So much for that," she muttered as they left yet another hostel with no clue of Mamoru's whereabouts. "And with Minako's last screaming fit over the phone, I don't know how much more my head can take!"

Michiru grinned a little as they walked back towards their own hostel, "Cheer up, Makoto-chan. It could have been worse. Had Rei been on the phone, you might not be hearing at all."

Makoto gave a sheepish grin, "True enough, I suppose. So, do you think Haruka had any luck in her search?"

Just as she spoke, both girls' wrist communicators beeped and Haruka's face popped into view, "Any luck, you two?"

"Lie," Makoto sighed, "Just another mistaken identity. This is like finding a needle in a haystack."

"What about you, Haruka-chan?" Michiru asked.

Shaking her head, Haruka betrayed a small grin, "Not here but I did happened to find out where Unazuki's been going to school." She held up a postcard with a picture of an old school and some girls in front smiling gleefully in their uniforms.

"Recognize anyone?"

Looking closely, both gasped, "Unazuki!"

"Correct. Found it one of the souvenir shops. Apparently she's in Paris and not only that, I know where her school is. Let's say we pay her a visit, shall we?"

With grins, they nodded.

"Hai!"

* * *

Etain sat perfectly still, staring blankly to the near by window. Terra, standing by the same window was holding something in her hands, rather looking like she'd just been bitten, and staring at Etain. Her eyes said it all of what had occurred only minutes ago.

"Etain," she whispered, "I…"

"Onegai, don't say anything, Terra-san," her eyes never moved, her voice the same faint sound it had always been. But those eyes, how they spoke volumes. Terra could feel her own well up as she set down the test and sat down beside Etain, gently taking her hand and squeezing it.

"Something did happen, Etain-chan and no matter how you try, you can't hide the fact now. Especially not to me. Oh, Etain-chan." She embraced the still girl even as there still was no movement.

Pulling away slowly, Terra looked upon Etain's face and still no emotion showed. "Is there… can I do anything to help you?"

"No," the quiet response came, "I have to accept my fate. One cannot fight destiny."

Terra couldn't understand, "Etain-chan… nani…" she began to rise, "I must talk to Teno-san."

"Onegai!" Etain's suddenly gripped Terra's hard and she looked up to her with pleading eyes, "Onegai (please), Terra-san… don't tell him. He can't know!" her quiet voice grew a little, almost a choked sound emanating even as she whispered again, looking back at the window with her blank expression.

"He mustn't know. Not now"

Terra looked in alarm as two tears slid down the pale girls emotionless face. Sitting down again, she pulled Etain to her, embracing her like a mother.

"All right," she responded quietly, "I won't tell him. Not yet at least. I promise."

At those words, Etain suddenly collapsed into Terra's embrace and wept like never before. The once silent girl gave a horrible cry before weeping silently into Terra's shoulder. Terra held her tight, rocking back and forth, rubbing her back and crooning softly, blinking hard even as her own tears began to fall."

"I promise."

* * *

Well anywho, I suppose that may suffice some curiosity for now and the big issue I was debating on adding has been resolved. I just hope it works out well. Do tell me if it's a big mistake. I'm guessing you all know what's happened. And I'd rather not have to spell it out. Ruin's the story telling. Demo, I will be busy again it seems. Let me know what you think. You know the drill. R&R onegai!

*>~FaerieStar~<*