Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cold Love Twisted Love ❯ Chapter Ten ( Chapter 11 )

Author Notes: And so it ends… this is the last chapter and instead of two endings you're getting one. Try to *not* kill me about the cliffie on this, okay? I hope you enjoyed the story thus far and small warning, if chapter eight offended you with its religious symbolism you might not want to finish this.

Sailor Fantasy: New writing style? I was unaware I had one… but thanks. I've heard of V.C Andrews but I have yet to read her works. Thanks for supporting me. I hope this chapter and at least one of the endings meets your specifications… and maybe inspires you to add some more to your fics ^.~

Lady Light: You thought the last chapter was a cliff hanger… you're not going to be too pleased with this one.

Sapience: Behold the power of motivation… Scary, isn't it? Please don't lynch me! I'm too young to be lynched… that and I need to be alive in order to work. Besides if I get lynched you won't get to see the ending… Ah and I'd like to thank you for your help this chapter! I hope this doesn't mean you'll quit reviewing? *crosses fingers* as for your fic you're wanting. If you can't write it why not ask someone to write it for you? If given a conceivable not so cliché plot I'd give it a shot.

Star-siren: ^^;; you're making me blush with all that praise. Originality is the one thing I hold more important than all else. It doesn't matter how badly things are misspelled if you're writing something truly original. And considering that I haven't seen many WK/SM crossovers actually use the *PLOT* of WK I thought I'd give it a shot and see how it goes. How many people know who Estet is? -.-

ArikaMorance: Glad to see you enjoying it. As for your question… well was this soon enough? ^.~

Special thanks to SA2-mouto-chan for being my first pre-reader, for Pokahydee-Oneechan and her Uragirimono chapters that inspired me to write more so I could read more. And especially for Tenshi no Nozomi who made my initial idea blossom into something much more interesting. And even bigger thanks to Sapience who not only pre-read but actually beta-read this for me and helped me stop a scene that would have been complete OOC on Usagi's part. She's the best! *glomps* Domo arigato to everyone else that helped! *bows*

***

Chapter Ten:

Farfarello paused in the admiring of his work as he noticed his prey wasn't screaming and fighting anymore. Her head was hanging low with her chin touching her chest while she managed to keep herself from falling by balancing on the tip of one of her boots. But that was fine with him. He didn't want to see her fall or her flesh be torn quite yet.

With a calm focused aura Farfarello glanced around the room until he found a small metal bucket. It wasn't much but it would keep her from falling until he was ready for it. Besides he wasn't quite finished with her yet. He wanted a chance to taste that delicious blood that trickled from her wounds. He positioned the temporary support underneath the struggling heroine and raised her chin with a single finger. He stared deep into her eyes and couldn't help but laugh. She wasn't there anymore, sometime during the pain her mind had fled her body or buried itself deep into her sub consciousness so she wouldn't have to deal with the pain anymore. Seeing that glazed distant look made him truly happy.

He let his index finger glide across some of the blood that had gathered on her cheek and licked it off as if it was some grand treat for him. And in a way it was… This girl was innocent. He could practically taste it in the sweet tangy flavor her blood seemed to carry. And his desire to taint her came again. To taint and tar that purity that clung to her very blood… He noticed a single drop pearled on her lip and leaned closer to her. She would never even know since she had distanced herself so much. His lips found hers as he sucked the blood away before biting her lip to unleash more of the ruby fluid.

Many forgot that Farfarello was a man. And even someone as psychotic as him occasionally had needs. As he suckled on her bleeding lip he felt his own blood start to heat up in response. His heart was starting to beat in a savage primal manner as he felt the stirrings of lust from deep within. The urge to taint this angel fully was filling his mind and eradicating any thought left within. He pulled away from the glossy eyed girl as he plucked one of his blades out of her palm. He lapped at the liquid staining the normally shiny blade as he watched her with a restless golden gaze.

As the blade was removed Usagi faintly winced. A small reaction and one that brought her senses back to her. She blinked suddenly as she stared at the almost panting man. She tried not to scream as his knife flashed out. As she opened her eyes that she didn't realize were clenched shut she noticed that half of her multi-layered skirt had fallen to the ground. He was cutting the layers off one by one and practically foaming at the mouth as he did it. "Stop!" the word slipped out of her mouth before she even realized that she had spoken.

Farfarello let his gaze flick back up to his prey with lightning fast reflexes. She was aware again… Not something he wanted at this time but his mind was set so he ignored her pleas and brutally pushed his lips against hers as his teeth captured her bottom lip and he applied just enough pressure to break the skin. As expected, she stopped struggling and just stared at him wide-eyed -unable to speak- as he went back to the process of mutilating her uniform. As the last pieces of her skirt flew away the door was slammed open as Nagi, Schuldich, and Crawford appeared.

Crawford eyed the pinned girl with a cold gaze. He had known Farfarello would eventually do something like this. He had seen it in a vision when the girl had last turned into her alter ego. Just like he had known at that time that Farfarello was the perfect one to force her to transform into the form that would allow Schwarz's powers to work… He knew something was interfering with his abilities, yet even with the return of his power, the source of the blockade still eluded him... It was a force field, some aura of energy that kicked in to protect the hostage when she was at her most vulnerable. Whatever it was, it stemmed from this weakling girl. She needed to go and go NOW. If there was one thing Crawford hated, it was to be kept in the dark….

Nagi's eyes had actually widened as he saw the girl pinned so viciously to the wall. Normally he would ignore it and look the other direction. It wasn't that far off from other things Farfarello had done before. But he felt something stir inside him when he was with her. His fist clenched hard as he struggled not to lash out. The urge to pin the murdering scum against the wall was almost too strong to ignore. Before it, had been him simply ignoring the other, but now, he hated that maniac. He could barely stand being in the same room. Her eyes were closed but he could see the tears still clinging to her lashes. The pain she had to be in… The pain that monster had put her through and she was still in! Nagi couldn't forgive this. Nagi didn't love the blonde. It wasn't romance or anything remotely similar. If given time it might have reached that level. After all she reminded him so much of a love he had once had. She looked almost dead as she hung there like an angel snatched from the heavens and forced to endure the fate of a pinned butterfly. He wanted to bring her down and to safety but he knew if he even tried such an act Farfarello would kill both him and Usagi and despite any orders from Crawford. He knew it was hopeless to wish a thing considering the fate that lie before this girl… but he really hoped she'd survive this trauma she had been so coldly put through. Survive and grow stronger from it all. Strong enough to save herself perhaps…

Farfarello realized his time was short and kicked over the bucket. As expected, the girl hadn't been prepared and her full weight caused her remaining pinned hand to be ripped and torn from the center of her palm all the way up. Small bones splintered before shattering, delicate nerves were shredded, and her soft flesh was mauled as it was ripped almost in half as she slid off the wall to the ground. She had never felt anything so painful. So painful in fact she let her transformation fade and stuck close to the wall as she shivered. She only had the wounds on her face now but… the remembered pain was enough to keep her shaking.

Never was she more thankful for the Ginzuishou then now. It protected her when she was normal Usagi by using a small flux of power to cast an unbreakable barrier around her. It had kept Queen Beryl and her minions away while they had been searching for the Princess that had not yet awoken. Of course, at that time it was several gems instead of one yet they still used their powers to protect her. When she transformed that little bit of extra shielding was used to protect her in a different way. When she sustained grievous wounds as her other form now had her barrier around her would erode as the damage was slowly healed. Basically once the others found out she'd be at their mercy.

Schuldich watched from the doorway oddly detached from it all. He wasn't all that concerned with what Farfarello was doing. The killer would joyfully slaughter a church orphanage if he could. Pinning an angel to the wall with her hands… well that wasn't too far of a stretch. Though he didn't appreciate the lust he had felt in the other's mind. It was a good thing they had been able to get there in time before he had taken it further. It wouldn't have been anything gentle and might have even killed her if she had to have gone through it… He shivered as he tried to escape the dark twisting desires that were part of Farfarello's mind. But wait… There was another mind in the room now. A numb cold mind that he was positive belonged to the girl. Had her seal broken from Farfarello's ministrations? This was bringing the entire game up into a new level… Things were going to be even more interesting from here on out.

Nagi wrapped a blanket around Usagi's shoulders and smiled as reassuringly as he could to her. "Usagi-san, it's time to go… This way please." He was relieved that her most grievous wounds had vanished once she lost her transformation. At least she would live… but considering where she was going, perhaps being Farfarello's 'toy' was a better fate? He worried about her -an emotion he had thought long gone by now.

Slowly she got to her feet and leaned heavily against the younger boy who didn't even seem to sway as he easily supported her. She couldn't bear to remember what had just happened. She was so relieved that her wounds vanished when she transformed… but what would happen if she had to turn into Eternal Sailor Moon again? She knew it would be agony… so the solution was to try her best to not turn into the heroine while the Ginzuishou set about healing the grievous wounds. She didn't care where she was led. Anything had to be better than what had happened to her… And she could still feel the madman's lips on hers as he had assaulted her. It sent an unpleasant shiver through her body and she fought an instinctive whimper. She wanted to go home…

**

As Ran hid in the closet and Artemis dived under the bed, Ken thought it best if he pretended to still be asleep to see just what the crazy woman's plans were. As the three waited deathly silent they realized the voices had came to a stop almost beneath their window as they seemed to get into an argument.

Shingo whirled on his distracted mother as they stopped their route to the door. He couldn't believe anyone could be so naive. "Okaasan!" he snapped his voice heavy with tension. "You can't honestly believe the guy is going to believe you! He's going to realize something is up when he can't find Aya-chan…" Shingo's voice died down as he remembered just what he had helped do. Hopefully Usagi would forgive them if she ever came back… the strange people had promised she would but he didn't trust them at all. Especially that lady who had fluttered her lashes at him and then seemed upset he wasn't falling all over himself to obey her every whim…

Ikuko watched the conflicting emotions flash across her son's face. He hadn't learned how to control himself like she had. "Perhaps I should talk to him first… Remember, we don't know where Aya-chan is. We were out looking for her, and if he isn't awake yet we won't have to explain anything until he wakes up."

"What are they going to do to her…? I don't think they'll give Usagi back… Why would they have her anyway?" Shingo had wanted to ask this question for awhile but hadn't had a chance until now. "Why are you so sure that such weird people have Usagi?" he demanded as he advanced on the unwavering woman.

Ikuko didn't so much at blink at the question. "Because they've been hounding us ever since Usagi turned fifteen… They want to be repaid for saving us the fate of what happened to Aya-chan's parents and probably her brother as well."

"Repaid?" Shingo frowned. He had remembered odd letters he had seen his mother with now and again. "But why would they want someone like Usagi? She can't even chew gum and walk at the same time… And remember all the trouble she's gotten into in the last few years? Why would anybody want anyone as clumsy as that?" it didn't make sense to him. Her earlier comments seemed to catch up to him and a dim memory tugged at his mind. "Wait… you mean that time we left our house in the middle of the night and when Usagi read the next days newspapers she freaked?" it was a dim memory but the frantic heartbroken image his sister had displayed that day… it had been burned into his memories.

Ran ignored any further conversation as he mulled over the details that he was hearing. The Tsukino family had betrayed his own just to save their selves? His family had been murdered and his sister had suffered just because they were 'scared' and 'aware' of the danger to them? Ran adjusted his grip on his katana as he felt rage and fury surge to life from within. And now this woman dared to put his sister in danger once again for her own selfish purposes. He wasn't going to allow this.

"Mamoru-kun?" Ikuko almost yelped in surprise as she saw her daughter's fiancée striding up the walk. "What are you doing here? Weren't you studying in America?"

Mamoru remembered well the lessons drilled into him when he had been a model to earn some money to get through schooling. He donned a dashing smile and nodded towards Ikuko. "I am, but due to some problems with the school all of the students are off for a week, maybe even a month. So I thought I'd use the time to surprise Usako."

Ikuko was a pro at handling her emotions and smiled brightly at Mamoru. "I'm sorry, Mamoru-kun but Usagi-chan isn't home right now. She's off studying with one of her friends and she won't be back for quite awhile. You might have made the trip to Japan for nothing… Would you like to come in? I can fix you some tea if you like." She was perfectly confident the man would turn her down. She had just taken away his reason for staying here.

"That would be great, Tsukino-san. Can I take a look into Usako's room? I want to leave her a present so she'll know I came by." Mamoru could sense something different about the woman. And if that instinct hadn't kicked in he would have surely noticed the sullen Shingo. The boy looked outraged over something.

Ikuko couldn't refuse her invitation so gritting her teeth she nodded. She could only hope that her 'guest' was still fast asleep in Usagi's room. She didn't want to have to explain either of the stories if he was awake and looking for Aya-chan. "Of course, just let me clean things up a bit in there. You know the state that girl leaves her room in."

Ran heard the strange male voice chuckle and mulled over the information that the conversation had wrought. He assumed from the woman's shock, a woman he had once considered to be someone like an aunt… He assumed that this stranger was someone important to the family. And he assumed the name 'Usako' was probably referring to Usagi… For a moment he let his hate fade as he remembered her. Perhaps if her family hadn't betrayed his quite so thoroughly and they had all grown up together he would have eventually fallen for her. But, that hadn't happened. He and his family had been betrayed and they had suffered while she was smiling so carefree and innocent in that photo.

Ikuko entered the room and smiled in relief as she noticed Ken fast asleep in Usagi's bed. She had left Shingo downstairs to distract Mamoru so she could move the boy's body. She wasn't particularly strong so she was glad he was a normal sized person and not one of those muscle-bound freak shows running around. Slowly she pulled the slumbering body out of bed and left the room as she headed for her own. Thankfully the boy was a really deep sleeper because he didn't budge an inch while he was drug from one end of the hall to the other. If Shingo had followed her orders their company wouldn't even notice anything amiss while in the kitchen.

Mamoru knew when he was being distracted. As politely as he could he excused himself from the younger boy and took the stairs two at a time. He entered his Usako's room and looked around it cautiously. Her bed was messed up and the room looked like a hurricane and hit it, all usual signs of his beloved bunny having previously occupying it. He sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the picture of Usagi smiling at the camera, a picture he himself had taken of her before he had left. "Usako… I don't know what's happening to you, but be strong." He turned as he felt an icy sensation climb up his neck and stared steadily at the closet. Someone was there.

Ran cursed the board beneath his foot as the stranger approached his hiding place. He would either have to fight or flee. And fleeing would leave Ken alone in Ikuko's hands. Something he deserved for losing Aya-chan, but not what was in Ran's current plans. He watched the hand reach for the closet door and shifted his position so he slid back deeper into the shadows of the closet. He was almost overwhelmed by a sweet cherry scent and held back an instinctive sneeze.

Mamoru started to open the door when he noticed a long white envelope on the ground. Door forgotten he picked it up and pulled out the letter inside. "Estet?" he questioned in confusion as his eyes scanned the contents. As he read more and more he felt his heart turning to ice. "Usako…" he gripped the letter tightly as he turned on his heel and shoved it in his pocket. Now he had something for Ami to analyze. They were one step closer to finding their beloved princess.

Ran waited until he heard the footsteps leave the room and another pair join them as the stranger and Ikuko traveled downstairs. Like a stealthy panther he left the confines of the closet and reached once more under the bed as he plucked out a handful of the odd letters from Estet. He was going to have to act fast if he wanted to save his little sister from the horrors she had experienced before. Ken was trained well so Ran had no worries about him. If the soccer coach wasn't smart enough to escape than he deserved his fate. Evidence firmly in hand Ran crept towards the back of the house as he kept an ear open for the sounds of everyone in it. Convinced that everyone else was downstairs he found a window facing the back of the house and slipped through it to freedom.

**

Usagi wrapped the blanket she had been given more tightly around herself as she felt chills travel down her spine. Thankfully Farfarello hadn't been allowed to go with them on their 'trip.' She was wedged between Nagi and the side of the van as the boy frowned suspiciously at Schuldich. She had a feeling that if the kid hadn't been there she'd have been in a lot of trouble.

'Ne, Bunny your barrier seems to have developed some holes in it.' Schuldich's voice invaded her mind and made her freeze as she eyed him warily. 'Seems that whatever was blocking our powers from you before is gone… and not even Brad has realized it yet.' He chuckled as she turned towards him with suspicious eyes before turning away. A second later he heard her reassuring her self that she was just hearing things… Oh, the fun he could have with her.

Usagi hated the darkness of the vehicle. The windows weren't exactly boarded up but they did have black curtains absorbing the sunlight. And if that wasn't bad enough, she was basically locked in a metal box with Schuldich and Nagi. One she didn't mind but the other she was learning to develop a substantial hatred for. Crawford was driving the vehicle and was blocked off by a heavy steel panel. In fact the only way he could make contact with them was through a grimy looking tin speaker box hooked to the ceiling.

Schuldich held back his laughter as he leisurely spent his time searching through her thoughts. At first he had thought her broken by the actions of Farfarello, not many could go through such horrors and come out sane. But this was not the case with her. Her mind wasn't broken and she was even now searching for a way to break their hold on her. But something about her mind was amiss... there wasn't a single psyche here but several. She seemed to hold a dozen various roles at different times and some of them were truly puzzling to him. How could she be a mother without a child? How could she be queen when she wasn't born to royalty? It didn't make sense and it intrigued him. He wanted to peel her thoughts apart layer by layer and discover her deepest secrets. Just who was this Usagi Tsukino they had kidnapped for Estet?

**

He wasn't happy, not at all. They had taken away his entertainment and the only thing he had to remember her by were a few small puddles of blood. It wouldn't have been so bad if the floor had been coated in the crimson fluid, but all he was left with were a few small ponds. He doubted Weiss would show up in an attempt to save the girl. Abyssinian had already turned his back on her once to protect his precious sister. And if Weiss didn't show up he had no real reason to be there. His team was keeping him away from something he had decided would be his.

He picked up a tattered feather and trailed it across his cheek, letting the soft feathers tickle his skin. The little angel he had caught was being carried away from his grasp. He didn't like it. He hadn't been finished with her. She hadn't been cursing 'Him' at all. She shouldn't have been taken from him so soon.

Slowly he set his feather down and eyed the door. Teammates or not, he wasn't about to let them take what he had marked. He pulled out one of his stained knives and licked the length of the blade as he imagined the metal sinking into white feathery wings. If she wasn't going to curse 'Him' he was going to cut her wings off one at a time. Realizing how much time was starting to pass, he slid the knives back into their sheaves and then headed for the door. If he was going to catch up to the van he'd have to leave now.

**

Usagi closed her eyes as she felt both physical and mental exhaustion creep onto her. She found it hard to even keep her eyes open and found herself almost falling over on Nagi a couple of times… Yet, she kept herself awake with sheer force of will. Schuldich had been much too silent on this entire trip so far for her to trust him.

"We should be there soon." Nagi's voice was gentle as he kept a wary eye on her. She was safe from Schuldich's powers for now, but how long would it last? Crawford hadn't told him much of the apparent barrier that kept their powers from working on Usagi. But then again, the man rarely gave any more information than was absolutely necessary, so he couldn't say he was actually surprised.

Schuldich finished his thorough search and left the bunny alone for a moment so he could contemplate on what he had learned. She wasn't schizophrenic but she did seem to have multiple personalities within the seemingly frail frame… It had taken awhile to explore the vast areas of her mind that each of her personas seemed to inhibit. And he still had many more to search… His lips twitched as he decided to have some fun and he leaned back, stretching his limbs as he feigned a yawn for Usagi's benefit.

The first vision was quick; she barely had time to realize it was happening. All she could make out was a couple locked in a passionate embrace; she couldn't even identify the two. But the next was slower; this time she saw the couple…They were bathed in soft natural light and standing beside a raging waterfall. The female of the two turned and smiled before the male turned her attention back to him. Usagi was shocked, it was her and Schuldich and she was kissing him! She could almost feel the warm lips pressed against hers, gently persuading her to open up beneath him and let him have full access…

Nagi's attention was quickly diverted to her companion as she squeaked and started to turn a soft rouge hue. He followed her gaze and frowned as he saw the seemingly sleeping German. Just what had happened? Had something happened that allowed their powers to be used once more? Had her trauma suffered at Farfarello's hands shattered the odd seal placed upon her? "Usagi-san, are you alright?"

Startled blue eyes darted to the boy. What was that…? She wasn't having such thoughts about one of her captors was she… no, she wouldn't believe it. She'd never betray her Mamo-chan or Ran-kun in such a way… why then had the visions appeared? She managed a small smile for Nagi's sake, "I'm fine," she whispered.

When the third vision came she could swear she could hear the pounding of the waterfall and feel the wet mist dampening her skin, but she wasn't a mere observer as in the last one. Now, she was the woman that was sliding her small hands around Schuldich's neck and cuddling against his bare chest. She was the one that was lifting on the tips of her toes to reach his lips, and she was the aggressor, the one deepening the kiss and plundering the contours of his hard mouth.

A small whimper escaped her and this was what broke the trance. She was back in the cold van huddled beneath the blanket. Though she wasn't in the vision anymore she still felt a yearning to fulfill it. A strange desire to fling herself on Schuldich and bury him with her affections until they were both sated. It confused her… why was she thinking such horrible things? Was she really so cheap and shallow that she could forget the men she loved in such a callous way? It was almost like someone else was in control of her…

"Stop it Schuldich," Nagi was on his feet, well as much on his feet as he could be in the small space and standing in-between the German and his prey. "I know what you're doing… leave Usagi-san alone."

Schuldich frowned as his play was interrupted. "Jealous, chibi? Did you want a go at her?" a sarcastic chuckle emerged as the youth merely glared at him. The kid knew all too well what would happen to him if he tried to engage Schuldich into serious battle. It wouldn't be pretty. "Besides, I don't think she was making a sound of objection over there, do you?"

Her head still felt full of mists and clouds but she was able to comprehend most of their conversation. Had Schuldich done something to her? Is that why she was having the fantasies…no, they were visions. She would never want to do such things with anyone and definitely not Schuldich of all people. "Stop it," she demanded in the strictest voice she could muster. "Please, leave me alone," she said this part to the seemingly innocent German.

Schuldich wasn't an idiot. If the chibi was getting suspicious he'd have to wait until the most opportune moment. Perhaps when the kid was distracted with something else… Or perhaps a different approach… Again he ventured into the now murky depths of Usagi's mind; she was still reeling from his last assault on her senses. It wouldn't take much to persuade her to fall asleep. It seemed as soon as he had given the suggestion she was slumped over and using a near horrified Nagi's lap as a pillow. Schuldich smirked at this; it served the brat right for trying to order his superiors around. He was perfectly aware of how much the kid hated being touched by anyone.

Nagi had to fight his every instinct not to shove the sleeping girl to the ground. On one hand she looked perfectly peaceful, something he hadn't seen on her face before, but on the other hand she was invading his space, not something he took too lightly. In the end his better side won out and while he grimaced, he let Usagi sleep on his lap.

A lily white neck was arched backwards to allow her mate access to the curve of her throat. She giggled softly as his tongue lapped at the moisture gathering from the waterfall. She felt his arms behind her back and leaned further back allowing him more access to her body. "Schu-kun…" she lifted her head and smiled impishly at him as she played with strands of his hair.

Schuldich grinned smugly as she reacted appropriately in the dream haven he had constructed for her. As long as she was asleep she was perfectly under his control, she wasn't even aware that anything was amiss. Her lack of knowledge of his powers perfectly suited his plans, and he was getting away with it right below the chibi's nose.

Usagi had found a small cave inside of the waterfall and grabbing Schuldich's hand in hers she led him around the raging water and into it. "Schu-kun," her whispers were more insistent now and their kisses more feverish as he started to guide her body to the smooth stone floor. He didn't vocally respond to her but his hands slid across the curve of her hip and he felt her shudder with anticipation.

"Usagi-san!" Nagi had realized something was wrong when she had moaned. Schuldich had bypassed the seal because he obviously had control of her. "Usagi-san, wake up!" Nagi demanded as he forgot about his reluctance to touch as he physically shook her awake.

As she stirred and opened her eyes she could still feel Schuldich's heated ones traveling over her flesh. "Nagi-kun?" she mouthed as she jerked herself out of the dream. What had she just done? She couldn't believe it! No, she wouldn't believe it! She had almost given something precious away… and dream or not it was wrong. What was wrong with her? Her head was throbbing now, she felt the urge to curl up and go back to sleep almost overwhelm her but Nagi wouldn't stop shaking her. "Just let me sleep…"

"No," Nagi responded as he glared viciously at Schuldich. 'She's not even your type, Schuldich, leave her alone.' He knew the other didn't like orders but he wasn't going to just sit there and allow him to corrupt Usagi. He wasn't going to allow such an awful thing to happen to her. 'Leave her alone,' he emphasized as he tightened his grip on the oh-so-slowly awakening girl.

The door to the van was suddenly thrown open and the occupants nearly blinded by the blazing sun. "Schuldich, I believe I told you to leave Tsukino-san alone," Crawford dryly commented as he eyed the now shaking girl. "Tsukino-san, we have an appointment to keep. Please try to keep up." Leaving a scowling Schuldich and a relieved Nagi behind, the two turned towards their destination; the headquarters of Estet.

**

Crawford sat beside the still shaking girl as he surveyed the few remaining counsel members. After the disaster of what had happened before, he had doubted the surviving meager group would attempt to go after 'plan b' of their experiment... "So if I'm to correctly understand you've already tried the procedure with the first test subject and results were not as you wished?"

The woman in the center who seemed to be the one in charge nodded her graying head. Once she had been the belle of all balls. She had been courted time and time again… She had even had a dozen suitors falling over their selves to impress her in the midst of her perfection. Of course none could amount to her so she had turned them all down.

Now time itself had a firm grip and her pouting cherry lips had been worn thin and sagged with age. Her sparkling lavender eyes that had so many men fighting each other were dimmed as she coped with aging… and her creamy perfect complexion had been marred with age spots and paled until she looked like a zombie. She like her companions was searching for the only escape when they had stumbled onto, 'him.'

"That is correct, it didn't work as we had planned and it was rejected this time around. I assume it was because the previous merge failed to process correctly the first time … So that's why we need your specimen."

Crawford nodded as he processed the information and used a bit of his powers. All seemed in order… And Mary, the head of the struggling group wasn't known to lie. She was interested only in the core project that had consumed the time, money, and interest of Estet for the last few years. "I'll assume you have your end of the bargain already taken care of?"

"Of course… you and the members of your team owe nothing more to Estet and additionally you'll receive the bonus payment and information you requested." She was so close to stealing back her former time of glory. Soon what she desired most in the world was going to come to pass. The girl sitting by Schwarz's leader's side was the key to it all. "Is everything in order?"

Crawford snapped the briefcase shut with two sharp metal clicks and nodded. "Everything seems to be, and with that I believe our business is concluded." He got to his feet and nodded at the silent members hiding in the dark. They always did let others make their decisions for them, and that included their current head Miss Mary Sue.

Usagi watched stunned as she was sold off like some sort of collectible figure. She wanted to scream for him to wait but wasn't she now free of the two psychopaths? But… how'd that old saying go? 'It's better to deal with the devil you know than the one you don't.' Or at least she thought it was something to that aspect.

Worn out lavender eyes checked out the new test subject and a small smile came to the once cupid bow like lips. The girl was perfect. "Tsukino-san, correct?" she queried as she got to her feet. "This way please."

Usagi was still staring mutely at the path that Crawford had gone. What were these people going to do to her? Hadn't Schuldich told her that her fate was better at the hands of them than with these people? It sent a shiver down her back and she held back a whimper of fear. For now she would obey, she didn't have much other choice…

Like a wooden soldier she followed the older woman as she was led through a labyrinth of hallways until they got to a wide open stone stadium. The size of the place frightened her for some odd reason and she fought the emotion as best as she could. She had been through too much to be scared of a place. Slowly she started to survey this new area when she realized something was wrong. Something was dreadfully wrong… "Aya-chan!" the girl she hadn't seen in years was tied to one of two identical stone slabs. "Aya-chan!" Usagi started to run forward but was held back by a bony arm. "Onegai… that's my friend!"

"We'll gladly let her go if you agree to cooperate. All that's required of you is to copy her position on the twin slate beside her. After you've been securely tied down we'll release your friend if you so wish it. We're not monsters, Tsukino-san. If you do as we say we'll reward you with such gifts."

So it was a gift for her friend to be freed from her constraints? Usagi didn't trust these people… But she would do anything to save Aya-chan. "Hai… but let her go first. I'll do as you say but get her off of there."

"As you wish, Tsukino-san." Mary made a motion with her hand towards her assistants and like a swarm of ants they descended on Aya-chan and pulled her away from the odd ceremonial piece. "She'll wake up soon but I believe you still have your end of the deal to fulfill."

Usagi nodded and turned towards the seemingly innocent stone. She felt like a guilty prisoner walking to their death with each step she took. All too soon she was at the base and she shuddered anew as she saw flecks of dried blood staining the hardened slab. Of her own accord she climbed onto the ice cold rock and lay down as she had seen Aya-chan do. She even let them securely tie her up as she closed her eyes tight so she wouldn't have to watch. What were they planning?

The room suddenly seemed to reverberate as echoes of foreign sounding chants were whispered. She felt the air around her warm as if in response to the voices and she barely fought down a scream. Were these people summoning something, and if so what exactly were they summoning and from where?

The chants continued and seemed to multiply as the echoes bounced off the walls and filled Usagi's ears with the insistent voices. Her eyes flew open as she felt something slide a hot hand up her ankle and stared stunned as she realized no one was there. Was she going mad? But… no! She felt it again! It was getting closer… She could feel whatever it was traveling upwards with its hand trailing along her flesh until she felt something gently grasp her chin. Before she could even squeak hot fiery lips had descended on hers and as they did so her world burst into new colors. She now realized just what had attacked her and the revelation made something freeze inside of her.

He was gorgeous… No doubt about that. But there was something more to him than just mere beauty. He looked like an angel with his pure black wings…a seductive, blasphemous angel, but an angel nonetheless…And the way he was looking at her with his mesmerizing eyes… It wasn't lust, she had experienced that before but it was something else. Something that made her want to give her life up to him and this shocked her. He had been summoned so he couldn't be anything good… So that left one of two things. Either he was a deceptively gorgeous demon… or Lucifer himself. And considering the way he smiled slightly at the last thought she realized just who she was dealing with…

Deep blood-red eyes watched the girl's every move. "You've been used to summon me, little one?" he queried as his jet black hair swayed with his movements. He caressed her cheek with his abnormally long scarlet nails and glanced behind him at the still chanting crowd. "They can't see me… Not yet anyway, you're not quite the same as the first they tried to lure me with…" his crimson stained lips parted in an easy smile as he ran a hand through her oily and neglected hair. "Usagi-chan, join with me and I'll grant all of your fondest dreams… Reject this offer and I'll be forced to kill your soul and use your body as a shell for my own soul. I can help you be reunited with your Ran… all you have to do is agree and my power shall be at your disposal." Again he leaned down and sealed her lips with his in a soft chaste kiss as black feathers from his raven like wings rained down on the two of them. "It's your move, Tsuki hime."

Instead of being scared of having her identities found out she found herself smiling up at him in almost a worshipping sense. Part of her was appalled that this creature was so close to her…yet, the feeling didn't last. This stranger, with his soft wings and mesmerizing eyes, had always been with her. Within the dark angel, she could feel no malice, hatred or even spite. He made her feel peaceful…calm…but he was Lucifer! She could not…but he was so beautiful…no…yes… She looked up and therein lay her mistake. His eyes, whirlpools of light caught and held her mind. There was no pain, no hurt, no crying…just peace. She must join him. He would give her Ran, and they both could live happily ever after. After all, HE would protect her from harm.

He watched with a faintly amused smile as her normally bright blue eyes grew cloudy as emotions battled themselves out from within her. He was fairly certain he had won the war. He wasn't some mere demon after all but the ruler of them all. Even the Moon Princess herself didn't stand a chance against him. Especially not with all the chinks in her mental armor… apparently her captors hadn't taken very good care of her. They would have to be punished for that…

Finding Ran… She really wanted to find him above all things, but she couldn't quite forget the senshi. Rei would be vastly upset if she even heard about Usagi having calm conversation with the devil as if it was natural and unimportant. Of course this was important, more important than anything else she could remember. She wasn't doing this for Ran… She found herself staring into those beguiling eyes again and felt her conscious slip another notch. Dimly she realized she would be fully under his control but this tiny part like the others that tried to warn her was soon squished. Her mind felt heavy as her thinking process slowly shut down. All that was left in it that she could focus on was the unwavering desire to serve him.

She attempted to raise her arm and scowled as she realized it was tied down. He noticed the gesture and with a wave of his hand both restraints started to burn in a searing black fire that didn't burn one hair off of the restraints' captive.

Now freed she smiled giddily and traced the gentle contours of his cheek. He turned and placed a soft kiss on her palm as he continued to stare at her with his beguiling eyes. Waiting… patiently waiting for the answer she had to give. A small smile blossomed onto her lips as she sat up and leaned against his chest as her eyes closed. No more would she have to suffer seeing someone killed in front of her, no more would she be tortured to the point of death. He was going to protect her from everything… Slowly she raised her head and kissed him much in the way Schuldich had taken kisses from her before. Not the gentle inexperienced kisses of a virgin but heated aggressive kisses of someone who had loved and been loved many times before. All too suddenly he was pulling away from the contact his eyes softly reprimanding her. "What is your decision, Usako?"

She blinked at him for a long moment. As if the answer wasn't quite obvious… She took his heated hand and placed it against her cheek before she softly scattered butterfly kisses over it. "I am yours and yours alone. Do with me what you will."