Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ When Destiny Changed ❯ Neverending: Death and Rebirth ( Chapter 19 )

Chapter Nineteen

"Etain-chan, are you feeling all right?" Teno asked as he watched her sit at the dinner table. It had been three days since he'd found out the disturbing news about her condition. He guessed it had been a kept a secret for quite some time before Etain and Terra had confronted him. But something didn't seem quite right.

With a bit of a wince, Etain nodded as she reached for a glass of apple juice, sipping quietly. "Just a bit tired, I suppose."

Trying hard to be careful with his next question, especially under Terra's look, he spoke again, "There's something I don't understand, and you may have noticed it as well, Terra-chan." He eyed her back at her own game.

Etain was quiet as Terra continued to eat calmly.

"Forgive me if this seems intrusive, demo was it not only a week ago that this 'unhappy event' occurred?"

Both stopped and turned to him, Terra's face suddenly coming to a realization as Etain turned to stare at her plate.

"Yes." She said quietly.

"Etain-chan," Teno rose from the table and came to her place, a slight bow of respect presented, "Gomen nasai, demo would you please come with me?"

Blinking, she nodded and took his hand and followed him to a near by wall where a full-length mirror stood framed by flowers.

"Look carefully, my dear."

Etain had not been able to look at herself in days and even now, she struggled. But even as she turned, she gasped at what it showed her.

Herself, a white figure in her soft green sun dress reaching her knees and her silver hair French braided and almost reaching her ankles. But it was not that which caused her to start.

She brought a hand to rest on what was apparently a rather distended belly. With a shaking voice, she whispered, "I… I don't understand?"

Terra had come and rested a hand on her shoulder, glancing quizzically to Teno even as she tried to comfort Etain.

Teno ran a hand over his ivory hair and returned her look. "You may not have known this, Terra-chan, but before Etain awoke back at the lab, something very odd had come up in her report. It seemed she was or had been pregnant before we met. I don't know, the reports were very strange and made no sense and we heard nothing after that."

Terra nodded, "I believe I heard something like it. But what can that have to do with this situation?"

Teno looked gently to Etain, "My dear, somehow you are evidently six months pregnant."

She looked bewildered and yet, something within her seemed to make sense of it though she said nothing. She couldn't tell them of the voice. It was sacred to her and they needn't know of it.

Terra had a look of disbelief and yet the evidence was clear, "What should we do then, Teno?"

He was thoughtfully rubbing his chin, his young eyes seeming to glow with an age he should not be feeling yet. But in a second it was gone. Yet somehow it puzzled Terra. There was something there, something very strange and possibly also very old. His strange past and inheritance, the story he had told, it seemed to cause something within herself to flutter in recognition. But every time she had just shunted it away. It wouldn't leave so easily this time.

There was a deep sense of loyalty to this man.

He glanced back to catch her staring and blinked. She in turn blinked and realized that she'd been staring, blushing slightly, and causing him to grin if a little.

"Well, I don't have near as good a lab to work with here as I did back in Tokyo, but I do have something that might suffice. I reverted one of the sitting rooms into a lab of sorts and no one should bother us there. I do like my privacy regarding my work and sometimes even on holidays I do so. My suggestion is we take a look and see what we can find. Is that okay, Etain-chan?"

Still staring at her belly in the mirror, she nodded.

~*~*~*~

Forty-five minutes later, Etain sat on a white-sheeted medical bed, her hands folded and appearing very calm, while Terra sat near by, waiting. She was surprised at how well Etain was taking this all in. After her initial outburst of emotions from that first discovery, she'd said little and returned to her usual self, which was as always, very quiet and little emotion present.

Terra's face squinted in curiosity. There was something going on within Etain she'd never be able to understand something so subliminal it barely touched the surface. Yet Terra could feel that no matter the reason, she was duty bound to watch over this young woman. If only she could understand it.

Soon, Teno returned, looking over some papers, "Gomen, I don't think I have an explanation. Everything appears normal. Only that it's growing at a substantial rate. Each day would appear like a month or less for this particular infant. If my calculations are correct," he looked up at Etain, "You'll be having a baby within three or four days."

Etain took it in with no more then a blink. Turning to Terra, she uttered quietly, "I do not understand what will happen. This has never happened to me… that I can remember. Will it… will it be painful?"

Terra rose and came to hold her hand as Teno removed his glasses and in turn smiled in comfort.

"We will be with you, my lady."

Like a spark, Etain gasped. For a moment, so sudden a moment, she saw someone else before her. Two figures clad strangely, perhaps uniforms or armor, she knew not. Their faces were so familiar to her and she reached to know whom they were, only to blink and find herself reaching a hand to Teno's face and Terra's. Both blinked in surprise.

"Gomen." She said quietly, glancing down, "I… must have dazed a bit." Still within her mind she saw those two… warriors could she call them? Their faces so loyal and determined. Yet for some reason she felt a sadness as well and looked away to swallow the strange tears coming up.

"You must be tired," Terra said gently, "Come, let's get you to bed."

Having seen her off to sleep in her chambers, Terra made her way to the deck overlooking the moonlit sea. The gentle waves seemed to fill her with comfort, as though to beckon her to return to some unknown dream she once knew.

I know. I can feel you somewhere deep within. Why can't I understand? What does this all mean? This seems important. But I must protect her. I must protect our lady.

"The ocean is weeping." She whispered.

Teno walked out onto the deck silently, startled to see someone else was there, and even more so at what he thought he saw, but only for a brief moment. A glowing figure, hair like an ocean jewel fluttering around her face, a form of such beauty he felt struck down and came back gasping. Looking again he saw only Terra, her eyes riveted to the ocean, and her face a soft glow in the moonlight.

With a smile, he approached her, resting a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she turned to him.

"Oh, I didn't hear you come." Again she found herself blushing, returning her gaze to the waters to hide her face. With a smile, he just followed her stare.

"You know, you really do look good with your hair down. It almost seems you glow in the moonlight with it to halo around you."

With a smile, she sighed, "You really know how to compliment a girl, don't you." Her expression grew a little pensive, "You know, its funny, demo, I almost felt like we once knew each other. Before all this happened. A long time ago."

He was thoughtful, "I suppose it could have happened. Maybe the same medical school?"

She doubtful but shook off her other ideas, "I don't know. It would make sense I suppose." With an off hand gesture, she brushed the subject away, "I suppose it doesn't really matter now. Does it?" She glanced at him and he in turn was apprehensive.

With a smile, she caressed his face, "I hope you'll know, someday." She brushed a kiss on his cheek and quietly left him to stand-alone. His heart felt hot and scared all at the same time. What had that meant? There was something to what Terra said. He had felt the familiarity as well. He'd only said nothing about it.

With a sigh, he watched the sea, closing his eyes to the gentle breeze caressing his hair and face as if to soothe his confusion.

"The wind is grieving." He whispered.

~*~*~*~*~

"Well, that's that, I suppose." Makoto sighed. "Now where do we start searching?"

"I was sure Unazuki would know something," Michiru said sadly, a hand to her chin, "It appears this has all been for nothing."

"A dead end," murmured Haruka, "How appropriate."

They began walking back to their hotel feeling miserable and helpless. Nothing, not a sign of where their prince may have gone next. With a frustrated sigh, Haruka punched an un-offending wall near by, bringing back her fist slowly and wincing at the deep scratch it gave in return.

Later as they began to repack their things for the journey home, Michiru suddenly gasped and dropped a shirt she'd been holding. The other turned in surprise.

"Nani?"

"A feeling." She said quietly, "Something so slight I almost didn't know it was there." she rubbed her hands over arms in a chill.

Haruka came over, laying a hand on her shoulder, "Michiru, tell me."

Her eyes downcast, and somehow surprised and saddened all at once, she nodded, sitting down and looking at them as they sat in turn.

"Ever had the feeling like someone has just walked over your grave? Like ice going down your spine, yet leaving a hot trail in its wake. For a moment I thought I saw something. It was so real and yet so very disturbing."

Makoto tilted her head in thought, "Do you suppose your mirror can pick it up? Maybe it can tell us something."

With a startled look, Michiru nodded, "I hadn't thought of that." Rising she went through a small bag and brought the talisman, catching a glimpse of light from the near by window. Michiru had an amused grin.

"Sometime I do believe it seems happy each time I bring it out, as though it could speak for its self."

Then with a look of concentration, she stared into the mirror. It seemed to glaze over, then suddenly become frosted, causing Michiru to shiver.

"Whatever it wished to show, it will be difficult. It would seem this is a very ancient thing it brings before my eyes, or perhaps from very far off." Again she gazed and the mirror glowed, revealing something or someone within, their featured hard to make out in the brightness.

Michiru felt as though a breath of water flowed past her, capturing her eyes completely, unaware of anything else.

"Michiru Hime. Hear me."

With a start Michiru suddenly glanced up and gasped at her surroundings. No longer in the hotel room, but rather in a deep space, glittering stars around her and nothing else to be seen. The fear of no air hit her but she felt she had no need. This could not be real, for she was still alive and felt like one in a deep slumber waking within.

" Michiru Hime. Hear me."

"I'm listening," Michiru said softly, looking around, "Where are you?"

Then one of the stars before her brightened and lengthened, a glowing form revealed. Shielding her eyes, she squinted. "Who are you?"

"Thou sought me," the figure spoke, "Should not I be the one to ask thee of thine quest?"

"Gomen nasai," Michiru spoke in rather confusion but respectful, "I was not aware I had done such a thing."

"It is of no matter. Me thinks, it would be better that I should speak rather, having been brought here of mine own free will. So in feeling no animosity, I stay. Why hast thou called upon me?"

Feeling bewildered, Michiru continued to shield her eyes, "Would it be too much to ask that you not be so bright? It does hurt my eyes."

The figure was quiet before it spoke again, "I shine thus so for I am not of the life anymore. Perhaps I may dull the pain to your eyes for you were not meant to see this as of yet."

Michiru blinked and felt her eyes adjust and blinked, looking to the figure. Though it was no longer intensely bright, it stood only as a shadow would in the sunlight. She nodded her thanks.

"I did not know that I would be brought here. I was gazing into my mirror, one that has told me of many things when I needed it. I felt something very strange and consulted with it so that I might understand."

"Ah," the figure seemed glad of this, "This I know. Now I understand why I am here. Thou were't brought to me so that you would understand." (AN: No, it's not a spelling mistake. I'm trying to be old English here.)

Feeling confused but happy for any answer, Michiru nodded.

"What you felt, was it not like one who feels the cold hand of death reaching for their heart? Yes, I know of that. You have felt thine own presence become aware in thine own world."

Michiru blinked, her mind not comprehending this, "You mean I only felt myself, right there? That does not make sense."

The figure sighed, the light seemed to flicker behind her; "I cannot speak much of what you wish to know. But know this. Many are there a place such as which we never see. Though we may not know them, they are there. Beside our very steps they follow. Twos, threes, hundreds perhaps. Not all may still shine but their bond is twined in such a way as to never break nor meet."

"However there are rules which keep such things as thus. If ever something were to bring the paths to cross, a breach, a shiver in your case, would come of it. Why it had not happened sooner I know not. It may be that it was not awakened and knew not its purpose. It may be still. Mayhaps the powers that be have brought something to full. Whatever their reason, it must be of good. Such is what you have felt."

Somehow, Michiru grasped at what the figure said yet not fully understanding. Perhaps it was just as much she didn't. Again the light behind them flickered, this time causing the figure to turn to the source.

"What is this?" it seemed to mourn, "Why should I be awakened? I am weary and have suffered my pain. Let me rest. What good can come of my arousing? My task of life hath failed and I am woeful of its turning."

Michiru watched, sure that it did not speak to her but even as she watched, the figure turned aside, she saw the feature begin to take shape, the light flickering revealing features. Michiru could feel her stomach tighten and her heart catch in her throat.

From the side the figure was obviously a woman, dressed in unfamiliar attire; armor of silver design adorned her body and legs, cut and bent, burned and bloody; her wrists held dark bands, a metal skirt hung to her knees, soft sea green material floated from the uniform, ripped and torn in places; a flowing cape of black with silver lining hung in tatters behind her; her hair, swept in limp movement down her back and sides, was the color of sea jewels.

But with all this it was not her appearance that caught her in horror. What she could see of the face seemed only scarred yet her arms, her legs, so torn from wounds. But as though she felt the stares, the lady turned to her and Michiru felt the overwhelming urge of revulsion hit her.

A face, once beautiful no doubt, had the look of death itself there; blood caked below one eye, scars crisscrossing. Her torso revealed a gaping hole where burned dead flesh to reveal things Michiru wished she'd never seen. This figure was death; there was no way she was alive. Her very eyes were vacant and the color of empty waters.

The eyes! Michiru gasped, trying to pull away, fighting the feelings again and again.

The woman looked on with revolving sadness; "It was not meant that you should see such a thing. Death has no use for the living flesh once we leave the life. However it would seem you should see after all and know this. Understand that you must escape my fate. We do not always remember our lives and deaths but I remember mine agonizingly. With tortured thought I see those whom I have lost, the love I once knew. The thoughts play over and over as though to torment me for eternity. Why must I know this?" She spoke this as if to someone else, turning aside again.

Michiru could feel herself leaving, as if awakening from a deep sleep, still watching with horror at this woman staring off in the distance. She could hear a voice calling her name even as she listened for what this woman said.

"Ahh," came her sigh like one relieved of pain and yet burdened with more, "Am I to go on alone? But how can it be?" Her face seemed to look in surprise, and then into tears of happiness even as everything faded from Michiru's sight. Her words were soft as Michiru left that place.

"I see now. My task is not yet complete."

"Michiru-chan! Michiru!"

Michiru could feel herself being shaken and opened her eyes to find herself lying back on the bed of the hotel. With a start, she sat up quickly, gasping, causing both Haruka and Makoto to jump back in surprise.

With a shuddering gasp, she ran to the washroom. From the sounds that left it, Makoto and Haruka knew something was wrong and stayed put.

After a time, Michiru returned, shaking and wiping her mouth, looking very pale. Both girls jumped up and led her to the bed where she sat, her knees tucked in and wept. It was very much not how Makoto had ever seen Michiru, and perhaps the same for Haruka.

"Michiru, won't you tell us what you saw?"

For moment she continued weeping until she slowly looked up, took the tissue offered by Makoto, wiped her eyes and blew her nose (AN: Oh, how un-Michiru like. LOL All you Michiru fans, come on! She can't be graceful 99% of the time.) and with reddened eyes, looked at them, her voice a bit hoarse.

"W-what happened?"

Haruka looked to Makoto, "You suddenly collapsed holding the mirror. I felt some kind of presence but couldn't place it and even Mako-chan saw something seem to float from the mirror, almost capture you before you fell. Your eyes… they were so dark. You left us for a moment didn't you?"

"You weren't breathing," Makoto said shaking, "We thought we'd lost you."

Michiru gripped Haruka's hand to the point of pain before releasing it to grip her knees again, "I suppose," she said quietly, "I suppose I did. To have seen such a perished gentlewoman, I would have had to pass through the gates of death, or have touched its void." She spoke of the vision and both felt almost sick to hear the description of the woman.

"Demo it was not that which made it so much more a horror. Her face… her face…ohh," again she felt tears welling up.

"It's all right, Michiru," Haruka gently wiped away the tears falling, "I'm here."

Nodding and swallowing from a glass of water Makoto brought, continued, "I knew the face and who she was… or at least who she represented."

A soft whisper crept through her mind, remembering Rei speaking of her own vision.

"Protector to the Celestial Hime."

"It was me."

"But it cannot be," whispered Haruka in disbelief, "How… we see you here now. There is no other like you."

Makoto shivered, "When she spoke of 'other things', might she have meant a parallel dimension?"

Both looked at her in surprise. Anime sweat-drop "So I happened to pick up on Ami's theory, I'm not that intelligent."

Michiru grew thoughtful, "Perhaps you are right. It would make sense. 'Beside our steps they follow', '…to never break or meet'. It does sound very much like it."

Haruka turned between the two of them, "So you're saying this parallel thing Ami spoke of might have something to do with the visions and the attack in Tokyo. Maybe even with our current search for the prince."

"It could very well be." Michiru said. Suddenly smoothing out her appearance she rose, looking at the two of them with determination, "I believe its time we seriously begin watching ourselves. I get the feeling that attack and the things that have happened will be come to head once we find our prince."

~*~*~*~*~

He moved away from the door silently, seeing that no one was around as he exited through a near by stairwell. Quietly and calmly he left the building, crossed the street and sat down on a park bench under a tree out of sight of the building.

Beside him, his companion removed his shades, "So?"

"You were right. It would seem our mission may gain something from them."

"I take it something curious happened in there?"

He smiled, his tanned circle shades glinting in the sunlight filtering through the leaves, "More then you know."

With smile, both rose and moved away from there.

Having reached their own lodgings, Yie began pack his bag. Ki looked at him oddly, "Going somewhere?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I intend to follow on this lead you've spoke as it seems to be heading in a good direction."

Ki frowned, "I get the impression you're meaning to do it alone."

Yie was quiet as he dropped a shirt into his bag, closing it. He looked up towards Ki who stared hard at him.

"Gomen. I have to do this alone. If they happen see two people following, they will grow suspicious. It would be easier for just one."

Removing his shades, Ki looked at him with worry, "I don't like the idea of you being separate from us again. It is better if we stick together. Should anything happen…"

"Should anything happen, I will deal with it," Yie said stubbornly.

Again Ki narrowed his eyes, "You don't want to run into him again without us. Alone you cannot take him. You know what happened…"

"I know what happened!" Yie said angrily, turning away to hide tears from spilling, "Fates know I wish it hadn't. We were unprepared. I was unprepared and she always seemed to have that fear, that small knowledge that it might not be over. And I had the arrogance to brush it aside, to settle her fears and swear to protect her. Some protector I proved to be."

Ki came over, laying a hand on his shoulder in sympathy, "We know. If anything we are as much at fault. We all swore to protect her, even as we did our princess. Do not blame yourself. If anything, learn from it and gain the ground you need. You are never unaccompanied in this task, just remember that."

With a swallow, Yie nodded and turned, facing Ki once again, "I still believe I must do this on my own. 'Ten should not be alone in Tokyo and after his last conversation, I believe we may have more concerns to deal with."

With a hesitant look, Ki complied, "Demo we will not stay there long. If I know 'Ten, he'll tire soon of these senshi and wish to return with you, and I can't say I blame him."

"Understood. See what you can find and I will contact you. If what he says is true and the Seer is here, we will need to speak to her. I have many questions and my heart would believe what she would say."

"Our charge spoke much of her once," Ki said sadly, "Perhaps something good will come of it."

With a nod, Yie turned to his bag resting on the bed, "I felt there might be something about that child. And it would seem the 'Seer' as seen fit to let us know why. Hurry Ki. We cannot waste another moment."

~*~*~*~*~*~

The evening had been quiet until the sudden events. Etain had only walked down the hall with Terra when a strange sensation came over, the soft voice she had missed whispering as if from within herself.

"It is time."

With sudden force, something released from within her and she soon found herself standing in wetness. With sudden shock, Terra cried out for Teno and both of them rushed her to the temporary lab/infirmary.

"We can't risk bringing her to the hospital. Too many very complicated questions." Teno spoke.

"Can you don anything for her?" Terra asked nervously, watching as Etain groaned on the bed.

Teno was quiet, rubbing his chin, "I believe I can. How much do you remember of your med. training?"

Terra blinked in surprise and stuttered, "E-enough, I hope. You mean to have the baby born here?"

"Nothing else comes to mind. Terra-chan, you just promoted yourself to midwifery."

Terra gave him a dark look, "Now is not the time to joke." Turning back to Etain, she held her hand, "It'll be all right."

"My lady," Teno spoke softly from her other side as he gathered some things, covering her in a blanket for warmth, "We will be with you."

"It's… so painful. Why must it hurt so?"

But she never heard their answer. Even as she had spoke she could feel the world around her grow dark, hearing their voice calling out to her to stay awake. But she succumbed herself to the darkness, and relief of pain, and welcomed it.

She found herself once again on that beach, only it was moonlit and the wave softly lapped at her feet, singing their sweet song as she watched the ocean. She glanced down to see she only wore a thin white gauze of a dress, silvery in the moonlight and soft to the touch. She brought a hand to the very distended belly and smiled, feeling the soft kicking within.

Another life. Within her. It was so magical She could almost hear the soft laughter from within. And the ocean seemed to sing with joy at her happiness.

She'd felt she was not alone, but only took notice now. Turning to her left, there stood that same man, the one she'd run from that day. Only now she felt no fear and only watched him. He in turn was surprised yet said nothing, only gazed at her.

She caressed her belly and smiled even as he could only stare, to suddenly feels tears roll down her cheek as did he. He moved to come and she stood. Even as he came forward, he followed her hand, a sigh of happiness as tears continued to roll down his cheek. The child with seemed to kick with delight at the combined caresses.

He turned his gaze to her face, seemed to hesitate as if his touch would shatter this illusion and she felt the warmth glide through her, closing her eyes at his touch.

But all too suddenly, everything shattered, a scream rang through the air. Instead of the man stood a horror, a darkness of evil intent. She cried out, felt as though the child within was screaming, being wrenched from her agonizingly. She cried out, tried to hold onto that womb and felt herself falling.

Someone caught her. Another, his eyes the deepest of dark colors, held her with tenderness, his eyes filled with love and she clung to him. She could see below her the dress soaked in blood and the emptiness within. And she wept.

The man held her close, said nothing, did nothing but she felt a tear fall onto her face. This was not like the other. His appearance she'd never seen before. But something deep within cried for joy at seeing him. Yet the sorrow of her pain overcame her and she could think of nothing but her excruciating loss.

All that she knew of this man was his warmth and the sudden glow that had grown between them.

She woke to weariness and a soft light, a damp cloth on her clammy face. Woozy, she tried to blink and heard a soft shushing.

"Everything is well, my lady. The child is born. You are a mother."

Etain smiled weakly at Terra's words, feeling another wave of exhaustion begin to rise. She heard a soft cooing and through bleary eyes saw Teno bring something to her, wrapped in soft blankets, laying a delicate bundle at her side.

Her arm feeling heavy as lead, she tried to encompass it, failing, only to have Teno move it for her. She gazed down at her delight, her new life, and a sigh of satisfaction whispered from her lips.

"We thought we'd lost you when you fainted. But it would seem a guardian angel watched over you." Teno said gently.

With a soft smile, Etain thought this true. It must have been that she dreamed. A Guardian angel.

"Do you know what you wish to call your new daughter?" Terra asked quietly.

Etain had known from once the voice had spoken those words to her.

"Arrianna," she whispered, "'That which was, is anew.'"

With a sigh, she smiled, knowing her work was finally done. Feeling the wave come upon her like a gentle touch, she closed her eyes once again, welcoming the dimness once again.

~*~*~*~*~

Somewhere unknown to any, a shriek of rage echoed through the darkness.

~*~*~*~*~

Anywho, this is good I hope? Got you on a cliffy this time, I know it! Demo, it was so hard to write and getting harder. I'm really trying to keep in understandable and fascinating all at the same time, while keeping it still more or less a mystery. Not too mention keeping it under correct rating. Growl That's tough enough! Demo, whatever. Let me know. R&R onegai!

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