Story notes: This is *not* the start of the story! I recommend
that you read the prologue (Chapter 0) first, as it both links this
story with the first one, Fallen Stars, and sets up this new story
properly.
***
Back to Normal?
Settling In is Hard to Do.
Mizuno Katsura had, in truth, already long lost hope that her
daughter would ever return home again. She could tell herself
whatever she wanted, and she could write all the notes in the world,
and every night she would come home to the same empty apartment,
knowing full well that the note would still be lying there unread.
She was a modern, practical and realistic woman.
So practical that her medical work had always come before her
family. Her husband had left them because she was so inflexible, and
her daughter had never come to her when she had needed help. Ami's
books had always been so much more reliable than a mother who wasn't
there. But Katsura had always worked her hardest to further her
career; healing as many people as she could, showing that a woman
could be successful in Japan back when that was still so unusual, and
earning the money that kept her and her daughter from wanting
anything.
But what good was it now? All the jewellery in the world would
not bring her daughter back to her. If Ami had run away, it was
precisely because - deep inside - she had hated living like that. And
if the newspapers and her gossiping neighbours were right, if her
daughter had been caught in one of the Sailor Senshi's battles...
But Katsura indulged her meagre and irrational hopes. It was a
mother's privilege, she told herself, to believe that her child was
somewhere safe, and that one day she might come back home.
Every day the walk back up the stairs of the condominium to their
apartment seemed to get a few steps longer, but any thoughts like
that ended up being pushed to the back of her mind. For over a month
now she had forced herself to stay occupied and think of other
things, throwing everything she had behind her work at the hospital.
She worked the extra late shifts and took on extra patients, if only
to give herself something that would fill what little free time she
had. She felt the worried stares of her co-workers on her back every
day, either wondering when she might cave in or hoping that she would
go easier on herself. But then, she loved her work. It kept her
going, and reassured her that she was still needed somewhere now that
home felt so empty.
But this time home was not empty. Katsura's key refused to turn
in the lock. The middle aged doctor suddenly felt her fingers
trembling as her nightly routine ground to a halt. Reaching out,
almost scared of what she was doing, she took the doorknob in her
hand and twisted. It turned freely, and the door swung open. Her eyes
no longer felt so prickly and fatigued behind her glasses as she
scanned the entrance hall.
Ami's shoes sat neatly by the step, and a large tied bag sat by
the hall cupboard. Katsura could barely bring herself to believe it
as a euphoric sense of relief exploded inside her, bringing tears of
the utmost joy to her eyes. "Ami!"
She let her handbag fall as she dashed to her daughter's room and
there, her cheeks stained with tears as she slept, was Ami. It was
all Katsura could do to stop herself from hauling her daughter into
her arms, but she forced herself to settle for just kneeling by her
child's bed and taking one of Ami's hands in her own.
"Thank God," Katsura whispered as the tears poured down her
cheeks. She couldn't even begin to think what her daughter had been
through these last months, but the sight of Ami's own tearstained
face was more worry than she could cope with right then.
Still, as careful as she had been, Ami's sleep had not been
heavy, and the touch of her mother's hands was enough to stir her
from her restless dreams. "Huh..?" she murmured as the world came
back into focus, wondering where she was and why the ground was so
soft.
Then she saw her mother's face hovering over her, and it all came
flooding back. "M-mother..."
Katsura smiled through her freely flowing tears and clutched her
daughter to her as Ami began to sob as well.
"Where have you been?" Katsura said, "Why couldn't you at least
call me?"
Ami just shook her head as she cried into her mother's shoulder.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry Mother!"
That only confused Katsura further, but what anger she felt at
Ami's disappearance was replaced with concern for her wellbeing as
the girl broke down in her arms. "Ami, please tell me what happened.
Are you alright?"
Ami sniffed and nodded, feeling herself smile in spite of her
guilt. "I'm okay. I'm good Mother. I'm so sorry. I didn't run away. I
never wanted to leave."
Katsura nodded, and she was beaming as she pulled her daughter
away from her. "I'm glad. Are... are the other girls safe as well?"
Ami nodded again, and wiped at her eyes. "Yes. We're all okay
now. It's over."
Katsura let out a sigh of relief at hearing that. If Ami thought
it was over then whatever happened wouldn't be happening again. And
it was good that Ami's friends were safe. They had been a godsend in
being there for her, and Katsura liked them, even if they were rather
frivolous. She knew that the ones who had been spared her daughter's
fate had suffered greatly when Ami and the other girls had vanished.
"Ami," she pushed gently, not wanting to go too far when Ami had
only just come back to her, "can you tell me what happened to you?"
Ami hesitated, and that worried her. Ami was a terrible liar, but
she couldn't really blame her for wanting to avoid saying things now.
For as much as Katsura cared about her, especially since Ami's father
had left, the two of them had never been a close family. As long as
she understood that whatever it was, Ami could tell her about it,
then Katsura would be satisfied. She had not spent nearly as much
time with her daughter as she knew she should have, but she did know
that Ami was trustworthy.
For her part Ami wanted nothing more that to pour out her soul.
To lay down everything she had done and everything that had happened,
and then she could live with the consequences, knowing that her
conscience was clear. But that would mean telling her mother
*everything*. About the years she had spent lying in order to be
Sailor Mercury, so that she could put herself in harm's way, even if
it was for a good cause. And, if her mother knew the truth about
Sailor Mercury, it would put them both in danger. If that happened
her mother could be used against them if their next enemy ever found
out.
"There was a battle," Ami finally said. "The Sailor Senshi were
fighting this bird woman, and we couldn't get out of the way in time
when she attacked us. The Sailor Senshi saved us, but the attack... I
know it sounds crazy, but it sent us to a different place. Another
dimension I think. We have spent all this time trying to get back."
It was a simple half truth, but one that would satisfy, and one
that they had all agreed on back in Seiji. The less they had to make
up the better, and hopefully people wouldn't ask too many questions.
"I never wanted to make you think those things," she finished,
giving her mother the crumpled note and feeling herself tear up again
as she began to cry out the last of her pent up energy. "I love you
Mother."
Katsura smiled and drew her in again for another, more comforting
hug. "I know Ami. I love you too. I'm glad you're home. And when you
want to talk, I'll listen this time. I promise."
***
Naturally, it was only a matter of time before Usagi well and
truly ambushed her wayward friends. Not only had they caused her so
much grief for disappearing like that, but they had the cheek to come
back with stories of a great fantasy adventure that she had missed
out on. It was enough to infuriate her!
Or rather, it would have been if she had not been so giddy at the
thought of finally seeing them all again. She giggled to herself, and
it was only the fact that her arm was wrapped around her fiance's
that stopped her from breaking into a run. She had actually been
getting used to the idea that her best friends were gone, and then
Makoto had phoned her out of the blue. And in the middle of the night
too! She had almost fainted from the shock! Well, it might have been
tiredness, but she was pretty sure it was shock.
Of course, she hadn't been able to sleep a wink from then on, as
the bags under Mamoru's eyes could testify to. Still, he was as glad
as Usagi that their companions had somehow managed to return. It was
worth it just to have Usagi so excited once again, but that wasn't
the only reason. His was a different peer group altogether, but they
were good girls and he liked their company a great deal.
So it was that he was the first to start running to the Crown
fruit parlour, and Usagi let her meagre self restraint go to the
wind, laughing giddily all the way. She couldn't remember the last
time she had felt like that. At least not since Mamoru had finally
proposed properly to her, and her father had, reluctantly, allowed
her to move in with him.
The Tsukino patriarch had been hoping that actually living
together would show them both just how hard it would be for a couple
like them, but both Mamoru and Usagi had adapted to it with gusto,
even if it was not always easy. With the promise of wedding bells
some time in the near future and having her closest friends returned
to her... As soon as it had all sunk in Usagi had found herself
firmly seated on cloud nine, and Mamoru was happy to be carried along
for the ride.
With the pair of them laughing as they ran arm in arm down the
street, Usagi's blonde dumpling-tails streaming out behind her, they
were not a hard target for the others to spot as they loitered
outside the Crown, their old meeting place. In fact, as they all
waved and shouted their greetings the four of them began to worry
that Usagi would end up running them all down like a blue eyed
bowling ball. Thankfully for them Usagi had already run out of puff
by the time she got to them, the practice she still got from running
to college obviously not having helped her stamina.
"Usagi-chan," they all said as Usagi, sucked in almighty breath.
"Everyone!" And, being Usagi, that moment couldn't last without
her throwing herself at them and bawling her eyes out! They were just
simple, happy tears and not the childish fountains of her junior high
years, but Rei rolled her eyes all the same as her friend cried into
her clothing.
"For goodness sake Usagi-chan!" Rei exclaimed, even as she
returned the embrace. "You're making a scene."
"Meanie," Usagi retorted, before letting her go. "I don't care. I
missed you."
Rei nodded and let go as Usagi went to mob the others. "We missed
you too dumpling-head."
As Usagi and Minako crushed each other, looking for all the world
like long lost twins as they rejoiced in synch, Mamoru and Ami smiled
at each other before sharing a hug of their own.
"I'm glad you made it back okay," he said with a smile.
Ami nodded as they broke apart, feeling very glad to be home.
"Thank you for taking care of her, Mamoru-kun."
Makoto followed Ami's lead and wrapped her arms around him. "Heh
heh, yeah, I bet she put you through hell because of this."
Mamoru just shrugged, happy not to think about it now. "Something
like that."
Once no-one had been left out Usagi took both Mamoru and Minako's
hands and dragged them up the short flight of stairs and into the
Crown's fruit parlour. "Now you have to tell me everything! What was
the food like there? Did they have any cute boys?"
Behind them Rei, Ami and Makoto laughed as Mamoru sighed. "I'm
right here Usagi. And I have to get to work soon."
"Aww," Usagi pouted as she pushed him into the booth, "Just one
drink? Don't you want to hear everything?"
Mamoru sighed. "Of course I'm interested, but I have work, and if
you're going to be serious then Luna and Artemis should hear this
too, shouldn't they?"
In return Usagi grinned and put her bag on the table. "Hee hee, I
thought of that." Then, as she flipped open the top, two rather
seasick looking felines poked their heads out, very glad for the
fresh air.
"I thought I was going to die..." Artemis whispered while Luna
just tried very hard to compose herself.
"Luna!" "Artemis!"
"I'm glad you're all safe," Luna whispered to them, making very
sure that no-one noticed the fact that two cats in a handbag had just
been deposited on a restaurant table.
"Meow!" Artemis agreed, already into his housecat act, borne of
long experience of being draped over Minako's shoulder in public.
"I missed you Artemis!" Minako beamed, eagerly petting him. "And
Daddy tells me you moved in with Luna while I was away, how naughty!"
The pair of them flushed brightly, which was quite a feat under
all their fur. "Wha..!!" Luna exclaimed, before she remembered where
she was and settled for giving Minako an indignant 'It wasn't like
that!' look.
"So come on, come on," Usagi wheedled. "I want to hear
everything!"
Of course, she had not let Makoto off lightly the night before
and already had some idea of what had happened to them all. Still,
hearing it from them all properly, even if it was the 'cover version'
as Makoto had called it, would be far better than a midnight phone
call.
"Everything, hmm?" Minako grinned, giving the two girls on her
right a crafty, slanted look. "Everything like... a little love
affair?"
Usagi's jaw dropped, and Makoto could have sworn that the girl's
eyes were bulging a little more than was healthy. "Umm, I was hoping
to be a bit more tactful that than Mina-chan..."
"You're kidding!" Usagi cried, feigning a sniff. "And I wasn't
there to sneak out all the juicy information?"
Minako nodded in sympathy that was far too theatrical to be in
the least bit honest. "That's what I said. Mmm-hmm."
"But you *were* there!" Usagi sighed before the energy returned
to her eyes. Eyes which latched firmly onto Makoto. "So come on, who
is he?" Then she actually thought about it for a moment. "Or... who
was he? Did you have to break up when you came home? Oh Mako-chan, to
have such a tragic relationship!"
"Oi, oi," Rei said, her un-amused gaze just as deadpan as her
voice. "I'm right here you know."
That stopped Usagi's wistful theatrics dead, and her eyes darted
back and forth between the two of them. Makoto sighed, practically
able to see the question marks pop into existence over Usagi's head.
"Rei, I didn't actually tell her about that last night."
"Oh?" She was surprised that it hadn't been one of the first
things Makoto would have told Usagi. Then again, Makoto had been
somewhat reluctant to tell the others back in Seiji as well. She just
shrugged and smiled happily, leaning into Makoto's arm. "Well, there
you have it."
"Well," Mamoru said, rather bemused as Makoto blushed quietly to
herself, "that's a turn up for the books. You never said you were...
both ways inclined Rei-chan."
"Woooow," Usagi boggled. "All that time with Haruka-san; her cool
style must be catching!"
"Oh don't be so stupid!" Rei replied, nipping that idea in the
bud. "I just never thought about it before."
'Not much anyway,' she added to herself. But, while Usagi might
have missed it, her silly observation had caused Ami's smile to slip
slightly as she looked at her menu.
"Anyway," Rei added, smartly changing the subject, "it was hard
for me in that place, and Makoto was very good to me."
"So casually..." Usagi said, noticing the way Rei said her name.
"You're not kidding, are you?"
The two of them just shook their heads, and Rei leaned up to give
Makoto a quick peck, just to prove it.
Usagi grinned at the way Makoto blushed. It was just too sweet.
"So how did she tell you?" Usagi asked, eager for the gossip. "What
was your first date like?"
"Actually," Rei said, jumping the gun before Makoto could answer.
She had to set the story straight after all. "It was Mako who told
me."
"Wha- really? What part of her is like your sempai then?" Usagi
asked, not altogether joking. That had always been a driving force in
Makoto's crushes after all.
For her part Makoto chuckled and gave a shrug. "I'm still trying
to work that out! It just sort of happened." Her voice softened as
she admitted it. "It scared me actually. I mean, it's not exactly
normal."
"But it still happened," Ami spoke up, defending Makoto from
herself. "And you still told her, so it all worked out for the best,
right?"
Makoto sighed, a smile firmly fixed on her face as she took Rei's
hand in her own beneath the table. "Yeah. It did. Definitely for the
best."
"And the date?" Usagi pushed.
Both Makoto and Rei opened their mouths, but blinked as they
didn't actually find the answer. "You know," Makoto finally said, "I
don't think we've actually had a proper date yet."
Rei nodded. "Well, that day at the tower didn't really count I
guess, thanks to Desir."
Usagi looked both riveted and confused in equal measure. Which
was to say: a great deal of both. "Desir? What's that? You haven't
even dated yet? How does that work?"
Makoto smiled sheepishly. "Well, it was all rather complicated,
and like I said, it was kind of weird for both of us."
Rei nodded with a mock-serious air. "Uh-huh. She decided she was
suddenly in love with someone she'd known for years, and I was trying
hard not to got nuts at the same time as I was realising I liked it."
"Oh, and we were overthrowing a kingdom at the same time, don't
forget that," Minako added.
Ami nodded. "And we were learning how to use dangerous magic. And
trying not to get caught by soldiers all the time."
"Getting arrested..." Makoto added to the list, her eyes drifting
upward as she tried to pull together all the relevant bullet points.
"becoming outlaws..."
Mamoru had to laugh. "And I thought *our* courtship was awkward!"
he said, giving Usagi an amused look. "Having to deal with your
father doesn't seem quite so bad after hearing about that."
Usagi swatted at his arm playfully. "Don't be mean. He'll come
around eventually."
"Exactly," Minako said with her trademark enthusiasm. "He let you
get engaged after all. That's half the wedding won!"
Then, spotting the waitress as she emerged from the kitchens,
this time not loaded down with orders, Usagi gave her a call.
"Unazuki-san! Over here!"
"Ah, everyone, you're back!" Unazuki said as she got to them. In
the years since they had first started coming to the Crown Unazuki
had grown into a good looking young lady who filled out her uniform
very well. As such it was no wonder that she still worked there; she
got great tips. No doubt she and her brother would properly take over
the business from their parents soon. "I saw it on the news. I
thought I'd lost my good customers! What happened to you all?"
"That's a long story," Ami replied with a tired smile, wondering
just how many times the five of them were going to have to tell it.
Thankfully though their long time supplier of ice cream parfaits
was all too willing to settle for that and gave them all a smile.
"Don't worry, I'm sure the newspapers will keep me up to date when
they catch you! So, just this one time I'll give you my 'long time
customer welcome back special discount'!"
"Which you just made up," Rei said with a grin.
"Of course," Unazuki replied with a wink. "Even before you left
you haven't been coming as often as you used to. I need to keep
Usagi-chan here!"
Mamoru feigned a grieving look, making sure that Usagi noticed.
"Alas, poor wallet, I knew him well."
The effect was somewhat lost on his betrothed since he actually
quoted the line in English, but she got the gist of it from the way
Rei, Ami and Minako laughed. For her part Makoto, whose English was
even worse than Usagi's these days, just leaned across the table to
commiserate with her. At least she could stand up for her friend in
such times of strife.
"Usagi-chan, be strong. Such foreign words can only be met with
ice cream retaliation."
"Yes," Usagi nodded, taking Makoto's hand as if she was a long
surviving war-buddy. "Just for that, I have no choice." She smiled up
at Unazuki. "One double fudge parfait with extra cherries please. Two
spoons."
Mamoru really did give a sigh for his wallet this time. That
particular confection was in the Crown's top bracket of ice creams.
"Um, Furuhata-san, how much is that discount?"
Unazuki grinned and chose to play along with Usagi, her eyes
wandering up as she mused on the question. "Hmm, how much indeed. It
can't be too much, and yet Usagi-chan is such a good customer..."
Then she giggled and let the man off the hook. "For you, twenty five
percent. Just don't tell anyone. I have an image to keep up."
It was only as Unazuki headed back to the kitchen that Makoto
realised Usagi was still holding her hand across the table. "Usagi-
chan? I'm going to need that back some day, you know?" Then she saw
the tears that were once again forming in her friend's eyes. "Usagi-
chan..."
"I've missed you guys," Usagi sniffed, burying her head against
Makoto's hand. "You were gone for so long, I didn't think you were
ever coming back."
The rest of them could hardly stay dry eyed at that either. It
had been such a long time since they could just play around together.
"There there, Usagi-chan, it's the same for us too," Makoto soothed
as her hand was held, and beside her Rei huffed with false annoyance
as she tried to force back those infectious, burgeoning tears.
"Stop it already, dumpling-head. People are staring at us."
Not that any of them actually cared. Having their own little
group back together again was all that mattered. Mamoru had only just
managed to get her presentable again by the time their orders came,
but Unazuki was still worried enough to ask what was wrong.
"Nothing," Usagi replied with a huge, damp-cheeked smile, and she
stuck a spoonful of her sickly sweet ice cream in her mouth. "It's
good!"
"It's always good!" Unazuki smiled back before leaving them to
it.
As they started in on their sweets Mamoru cast an eye over Ami as
she nursed her simple drink. She was usually the quietest of them
unless it came to their studies, but she had still been
uncharacteristically withdrawn while the others had gushed over each
other.
"Are you alright Ami-chan? You seem..." He found himself
searching for the appropriate word, but one that wouldn't put her on
the spot. She was, after all, easily embarrassed, but whatever it was
had obviously played on her mind. "You seem tired."
Ami looked over in surprise before giving him a grateful smile.
"Thank you Mamoru-kun. I'm okay. It is just... dimensional jet-lag. I
didn't sleep very well when I got back."
"Oh?" said Makoto suddenly concerned. She was suffering from the
same thing after her late night call with Usagi, but she didn't
really feel that bad from it. At least not yet. "What's wrong?" she
asked, before realising that one of the possible answers wasn't
something that they should talk about. "Is... your Mother okay? You
could go home, couldn't you?"
Ami nodded, thankful for all the concern they were showing. "Yes,
it was all fine. But she came home very late, and we cried a lot. I
really made a lot of trouble for her."
Minako nodded in sympathy. "Same here. Mama was furious that I'd
been gone for so long. It was a good thing that I called to tell her
beforehand, and she had cooled off by the time I actually got home.
Mostly anyway. Daddy may be useless, but he can talk to her when
she's like that."
"And it's not like you did it on purpose," Makoto added. "Mizuno-
sensei would understand."
And it was true. Her mother had been very understanding. "Yes. It
was silly, but we both just needed to have a proper cry! What about
you Mako-chan? Was your apartment okay?"
Rei looked up at her girlfriend, feeling slightly guilty that the
question had not already come from her. She hadn't even considered
that Makoto might have had a problem with that.
"Yeah, it was all okay," Makoto replied. "I still have to dust
like crazy, but they haven't cut off my utilities or anything. I also
checked with the noodle shop, and Matsubashi-san is willing to take
me back as well. He was so convinced I'd come back he didn't even get
a replacement for me! It was amazing!"
"That's great Mako-chan," Usagi exclaimed. "What about school?
They'll let you go back, right?"
That one caused her to stumble a little. "Uhh, I haven't actually
checked with them yet. I was... going to do that this afternoon. I
haven't had time, because I slept kinda late!"
"I'm sure you will be fine Mako-chan," Rei assured her, but
inside she was determined to find out just why Makoto had been caught
short by that. It had been impossible to miss. Makoto was second only
to Ami in being unable to lie convincingly, and it was a close second
at that. "Mind you, I bet Ami-chan already has a list of all the
things she had to cram. There isn't much time left!"
All eyes fell on Ami then as the girl turned bright red. "Th-that
isn't true Rei-chan. I just... don't want to be..."
It was futile, and she knew it. "Yes. I did," she said, trying to
make herself as small as possible before she combusted under their
gaze.
"Timetables and everything?" Minako added with a cheeky grin.
Ami gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"Hee hee, it's okay Ami-chan," Usagi said, patting her on the
shoulder. "At least you won't have to do re-takes or anything."
"Which reminds me," Mamoru interrupted, filling Usagi with fear,
"if you have time Ami-chan, could you organise a few cram session
with Usagi?"
"I didn't skip that many classes," Usagi said, suddenly feeling
blue. "I was grieving."
"But we still want you to pass your exams too," Mamoru said,
stroking her cheek affectionately. "And now everyone's back. You
crammed amazingly well to get into college, it would be a shame to
break that winning streak now."
Ami nodded in agreement. "I'll see what I can do Mamoru-kun,
Usagi-chan."
"You'll be there too right Rei-chan? Mako-chan?" Usagi all but
pleaded, her ice cream spoon in her mouth. "Just like old times, all
cramming together?"
Again Makoto shifted uncomfortably at the mention of it, but Rei
nodded. "Sure. I don't know how much I've missed, but with my luck
it'll be too much!"
It was then that Makoto, glancing out of the window, realised
just how much attention their rather conspicuous reunion had
gathered. "Umm, guys, you know we always have a window booth? That
might not be such a good idea next time."
The others all followed her gaze to see that, as Makoto had said,
they had actually gathered a small crowd. Not only that, there was a
man who looked suspiciously like a reporter making his way towards
them with 'front page news' practically written across his forehead.
"Uh oh," Rei said, "maybe we aught to go."
"How can all these people care about us having ice cream?" Makoto
asked.
"Your disappearance did make the national news," Mamoru replied
seriously. "Sailor Senshi related casualties do that."
Even though they were attracting the least number of stares Usagi
was quick to hide the cats under the table. "Sorry Luna. Aww, this
isn't fair, I haven't finished my parfait."
Minako on the other hand had a gleam in her eyes. "Wait. Don't
you get it? This is a big scoop. A *big* scoop! Leave it to me."
When the reporter got into the restaurant he barely had the
chance to introduce himself and ask whether they were the missing
girls before Minako got to work.
"Yes, that's us. And I bet you're just dying to hear about that,
first reporter on the scene and all."
The man just smiled broadly. "If you would be so kind."
"Well," Minako beamed back, "I'm afraid you'll have to talk to my
agent. We have to do this properly after all."
The reporter looked at her, lost for words, before his smile
returned, if a little brokenly. "Could you at least say whether the
missing Sailor Senshi have returned as well? Did they rescue you?"
Minako gave him a cunning grin. "That's why we have to do this
properly, wouldn't you agree?"
The reporter sighed and nodded. She knew what she was doing, and
she had no doubt advised her friends to stay quiet as well. "Very
well Aino-san. I will let you choose the time, place, and terms, and
my magazine won't hassle your friends either. In return, just
remember my name," he said, passing her his card. If the direct
approach didn't work, maybe good will would get him his exclusive.
Simply being able to report their return would be news enough for
now.
Minako tucked the card into her purse without even looking at it
and gave him a wave as he left. "How good of you. Take care now."
Mamoru watched him go, more than a little wary about what his
appearance signified. "It looks like you are going to attract a fair
bit of attention, for now at least."
"Don't worry about it," Minako dismissed, getting out her phone.
"Just don't talk to them and leave everything to me. We might even
get some nice spending money out of this."
While the others weren't nearly has happy with the idea of
talking to the press - they never had done in the past, no matter how
much those people wanted to talk to the Sailor Senshi - they all
liked the idea of getting a little something for their troubles,
though for very different reasons.
"Mikiyo-san, it's Minako... Aww, I didn't know you cared about
the smallest name on your list. Yes, I'm okay, I got back last
night... I know, I should have called you, but it was gone midnight!
... Yes, that's the reason I'm calling, can you handle something for
us?"
***
It had taken a little time, but the six of them had finally made
their escape, leaving just their parfait glasses and a small crowd of
inquisitive passers by in their wake. They should have expected it
really, but the attention had felt very strange, even for Minako. It
wasn't even like they had done anything worthy of the attention this
time, at least not in Japan. Ami had likened it to being a goldfish
in a bowl.
Mamoru finally said his farewells as he headed off to work,
probably having to apologise for being so late when he got there, but
Usagi wasn't about to let her friends off so easily. She had spent
the morning making something for them, and wanted to play hostess and
talk until they lost their voices.
It was a surprise when Rei begged off but, after much cajoling,
she had been clear. There was time for fun later. She still had
things to sort out, and living at the shrine meant that she started
work as soon as she was ready.
It was the perfect excuse for Makoto. "Maybe I should go with
you, I guess I've still got too much to do too. And someone needs to
make sure you don't work too hard."
Usagi and Minako had wanted to argue, but they both caught a sly
gleam in their eyes. That was a much better idea. Rei and Makoto,
making excuses to leave together? Though the blonde pair made a drama
out of it they finally acquiesced, and let the two of them go with a
wink while they and Ami, smiling diplomatically, headed for Usagi and
Mamoru's flat.
Rei sighed as she and Makoto walked in the opposite direction.
"Thanks for the help," Rei said, giving Makoto a knowing look as they
made for Rei's college, "but you know they're going to be thinking
all sorts of things now."
Makoto smiled guiltily, "Well, Ami-chan can keep them under
control. I just didn't get a chance to talk to you before. How did it
go, with Grandpa and everything?"
Rei realised what Makoto meant, and smiled to herself. Makoto had
been worrying about that? That fuzzy feeling in her chest returned
and she took Makoto's hand as they walked, suddenly far less
concerned about how it would look. "He didn't say much of anything
really. I don't even know if he understood any of it, but he said as
long as I had done my best, then that was good enough. I could tell
he hated the idea of me..."
Her hold on Makoto's hand tightened a little, "... doing what I
did to those soldiers, but he didn't say anything." She found herself
smiling through the painful and guilt-laced memories. "It's weird.
He's always so stupid and irresponsible, but he's really great when
it matters. If he hadn't been like that I don't know what I'd have
done."
"You'd have come to me, I hope," Makoto said, looking hopeful as
she sounded.
Rei didn't understand why her feelings had grown for Makoto, but
that look was part of it. That hopeful look was both confident and
vulnerable at the same time, and didn't fail to bring a smile to her
face. "Hee hee, maybe I would."
Makoto nodded, glad that Rei was in higher spirits.
"So, what do you have to do? I hope you don't want me to help
dust that apartment of yours," Rei said with a wink. Then an idea
struck her. One that would answer two questions in one go. "Actually,
why don't we go to your college first? It's not that far from here is
it? We can catch the bus to mine later."
"Actually," Makoto replied, sounding nervous, "I was thinking,
maybe we could have a proper date. One that doesn't involve demons.
Something... normal."
"Makoto... I think I'd like that," Rei said, caught a little off
guard and feeling the sudden urge to hug her. Up until now Rei had
been the one to instigate things between them, aside from Makoto's
original confession. In fact, Makoto had been down right cautious
about making any moves.
However, while the idea made her heart skip a beat, it hadn't
escaped her notice that Makoto had avoided her question, and the
sudden awkwardness she felt in the way Makoto held her hand wasn't
just from asking if Rei wanted to go out with her.
"But you know," Rei added, not wanting to scare her girlfriend
off with her questions, "I really do have things to sort out,
otherwise I would have gone with Usagi-chan. I don't mind taking a
detour with you though. It's better to get school out of the way
first, right?"
She gave Makoto's hand a comforting squeeze. "And a girl needs
time to get ready for a date after all!"
Makoto did smile at that, but it was only a wan tweak of the
lips. "I'm a girl too you know."
Rei realised her blunder too late. "No, Mako, I didn't mean it
like that. Never mind me, I'm just saying stupid things. Come on,
let's get you sorted out for college and we can talk properly..."
"Rei don't," Makoto interrupted, not moving an inch as Rei had
started to walk on. Makoto let go of her hand, and Rei found herself
worrying about what was wrong. Makoto so rarely let things get to her
like this.
"What is it? You avoided Usagi-chan's question at the Crown too.
What's wrong?"
Makoto just stood there, feeling awkward and unsightly as she
stared at the ground. "I already went. I didn't sleep late. I haven't
been to bed yet. Usagi-chan and me talked so late I thought it would
be better if I just stayed up and got used to Japan time again."
"So... what happened?" Rei asked, reaching out to take Makoto's
hand again and stroking it with her thumb as she held it.
Makoto smiled at the gesture, but it didn't stop her feeling like
dirt, especially for lying to her friends, and to the beautiful young
woman who was trying to help her. "Before we ended up in Seiji I was
going to try and meet up with Ami-chan again, so she could tutor me.
I was in big trouble Rei, I'm just no good as a student. I figured
that if Ami-chan could help me like she used to, I'd be okay.
"Then we all ended up in Seiji, and I've missed two months. I
can't catch up now. Not in three weeks. My tutors say it's best if I
re-take the year."
"Oh Makoto," Rei said, wishing Makoto had told them. Of course it
was obvious why she hadn't. Makoto had always been proud of living
alone, of being able to get on without her parents, and only minimal
support from the authorities. "It's not that bad. You'll have a head
start next year. You'll be able to ace it then even without Ami-
chan's..."
Makoto didn't let her finish, and she scrunched her eyes shut as
she finally admitted the worst of it. "I can't afford it!"
Hearing Rei gasp was painful, it made her feel ashamed that she
had let this happen, but Rei deserved to hear it. Makoto wouldn't
allow herself to be comforted until Rei saw how much of a fool the
real Makoto had been underneath her bravado. "I don't have enough
money to re-take the year. I can only pay all the bills I've got
because Matsubashi-san is going to let this go as my paid holiday for
the year."
"But what about your final year? You couldn't pay for it?" Rei
asked, aghast.
Makoto found a hiccough in her throat. "My savings were going to
pay for it, but I can't make enough money to take an extra year and
still pay for everything else. It's because I had to work that I
couldn't study enough. Matsubashi-san even let me take my books when
we had a slow day, and it still wasn't enough."
"Makoto," Rei whispered, before taking Makoto into her arms and
holding her closely. "Pay for it. We'll find a way to deal with the
extra fees. Ami-chan's mother is rich, and so are Haruka-san and
Michiru-san, maybe if we ask them..."
Makoto shook her head. "I can't do that. It's not their problem.
It's better to live with your mistakes, right? I shouldn't have
bought such a big wardrobe, especially since nothing ever fits me
anyway."
It wasn't as if Makoto could avoid noticing the looks they were
drawing. To see someone like her being held and reassured by a girl a
full head smaller...
"Be quiet!" Rei admonished. "So what if you have good fashion
sense? You deserve better than this Mako. You were so excited about
getting into that school, I won't let you throw it away just because
you're too proud to ask for help. We're your friends, we're supposed
to be there for each other. I don't want you to feel like this!"
And Rei kissed her. Neither of them could avoid noticing the
looks *that* drew, but she didn't care. She would suffer them for
Makoto's sake, and when Makoto pulled away, she let her. Makoto, who
could be so worried about what people thought and so worried about
being in love with her, despite being such a strong person.
"Come on, school can wait until this afternoon," Rei said,
confidently taking Makoto's hand again and trying to dispel the
girl's worries. "Let's clean out that apartment of yours!"
And to her relief it actually seemed to work. Though she could
have done with a moment to clean herself up again, Makoto's grip on
her hand had regained that gentle, protective feeling that Rei was
coming to know as Makoto's alone.
***
A single beam of sunlight shone in through the crack in the
curtains, casting its brilliant yellow presence across the pale
celadon bed sheets. After hours slowly creeping across the room its
bright edges finally alighted on Haruka's covered toe, and the tall
young woman looked back over herself as the warmth slowly filtered
through the light cloth.
"Michiru, look, we have company."
Beneath her lover, Michiru's eyes didn't even quiver as she
stared up at Haruka's face. "Let it be." She grew a small, prankish
smile. "If you have enough energy to joke then you can find me
something to eat."
Haruka had always been quick with her witty comebacks, as they
both had to be around each other, but to her surprise Haruka just
looked down at her. Her sandy hair had grown too long and it
delicately brushed Michiru's cheeks as Haruka let gravity press their
bodies together once again.
"Let us starve."
She had been lost in the whirlwind of their passionate reunion at
first, but now with the day moving on Michiru had noticed how much
more intense Haruka had been. Their kiss lingered as their lips
brushed at each other. Intense, but very delicate, she had realised.
Not that she minded in the least. She had craved it for so long
that Haruka's touch, no matter how it came, was forever welcome.
Michiru had been strong, she had soldiered on, but not a night had
gone by without her wishing that somehow, someday, Haruka would be
returned to her. The girl she had crushed on from afar, and had
personally awakened into the ranks of the Sailor Senshi. A girl who
knew what it was like to come from a family of money, and yet feel as
though she had no family at all. The girl that had taken so long to
open up to her.
But it had all paid off. Their first night together had been
magical, as had every night since. They had a strange relationship,
Michiru was all too aware of that, but she didn't care. They had
grown up too fast, and no-one else would ever understand their unique
dynamic: they had not been the victims of school relationship
fashions nor had the support of the media to know how to go about
courting each other.
They had discovered it for themselves.
Then, having lost her love, Michiru had retreated away from the
public eye that had come to admire her unique style and attitude. She
had played her music, and she had painted, but not for them. She had
needed the catharsis. She had been forced to face the cameras and
reporters with a brave face, and had to be the support for Hotaru as
she cried for the loss of her 'father'. Michiru knew Setsuna had
tried to be there for her, but Setsuna herself was a unique and
unusual person, and there had only been so many words from her that
could actually give comfort.
Thank God, then, for their princess. Usagi had been as much a
support to her as she herself had been to the distraught girl,
Michiru guessed. For all the self assured attitude that she and
Haruka seemed to have, they were only human, and still young. Michiru
had fallen apart more than once in Usagi's caring arms, and she had
probably made just as much of a scene as Usagi had when they had
grieved together. At least Usagi had been able to look somewhat
adorable when she was distressed. Michiru knew the same could never
be said about her. Red eyed, with her hair messed and her makeup
streaming down her cheeks, hers was not a face that could afford her
the luxury of crying real tears.
Michiru let out a small moan as Haruka's arms slipped beneath
her, holding her so protectively. Their bodies locked together in an
almost perfect symmetry. If only she were taller, or Haruka shorter,
it would not have been an 'almost'. She could not wait to stroll out
in public again, her arm in Haruka's for everyone to see.
But wait she would, as Haruka's legs entwined themselves more
closely with hers. This was time for themselves alone.
"Incorrigible," she whispered with that smile of hers as she wrapped
her arms around Haruka's body.
"If you have the energy to joke," Haruka replied, her face hidden
in Michiru's hair, "then make love to me!"
Had she been able to see Haruka's expression, Michiru would have
paused at how serious she seemed. However, she didn't get a chance to
fulfil that wish as the bedroom door was suddenly slammed open and in
dashed their teenaged adopted daughter, her face glowing brilliantly
at the promise of seeing her 'father' again.
"Haruka-papa!"
Or at least, it was until she saw just what she had barged in on.
"Whaa..!" the young, bob-haired girl exclaimed, before her face lit
up red and she spun around, clutching her schoolbag to her chest.
"Michiru-mama! Haruka-papa! It's the middle of the afternoon!"
she all but yelled before retreating back out of the room, closing
the door behind her.
Then, through the wood, Haruka and Michiru heard her small,
sobbing voice. "Haruka-papa, I missed you!"
A moment later Haruka opened the door, wearing only a simple
dressing gown. Hotaru looked up to her from her place crouched by the
door, and Haruka offered a hand to her daughter. "I'm missed you too
Hotaru-chan. You don't know how much I missed you."
Hotaru nodded, taking her hand and finding herself in a warm,
comforting hug as she cried her happy eyes out. "Haruka-papa!"
***
Minako looked over the plate of biscuits that Usagi set before
her, and she couldn't help but fawn over the girlish designs. "How
cute!"
Usagi nodded, coloured with faint embarrassment at the praise.
"Aren't they?"
Ami took one of the small, bunny shaped cookies, as if studying
it. "It almost seems a shame to eat them."
Usagi didn't have that problem, and popped one into her mouth.
"What else are biscuits for?" However, after a few chews her happy
little grin faded. "They're still not sweet enough."
Minako blinked at her, a pair of the baked rabbit ears sticking
out from her lips. "Really?" She took a few more chews of her own. "I
think they're okay."
Ami nodded in agreement. She could tell what Usagi meant, they
were a little plain compared to Makoto's treats, but then none of
them could have matched Makoto for cooking skills, least of all
herself. "Don't be hard on yourself Usagi-chan. You have improved a
lot since moving in here."
Usagi sighed and sat back on her pillow, munching thoughtfully.
"I suppose so. I've got a long way to go though. Being a wife is
really hard, and I'm not even married yet."
"Usagi-chan," Ami scolded affectionately, "there is more to being
Mamoru-kun's wife than cooking for him."
"But I still want to," Usagi replied, remembering her old
daydreams. "I know I can't be the perfect wife, but I still want to
try. I don't want to be a useless woman who can't do anything."
Minako found it hard to get her head around that, for one simple
reason. "Being Sailor Moon is useless now?"
Curled up beside the table Luna agreed. "You might still have a
lot to learn about homemaking Usagi, but you do have other things to
worry about that normal girls don't."
Usagi smiled at the complement and rewarded Luna with a biscuit
for her trouble. "Thanks Luna."
Sitting beside Minako Artemis eyed the free goody enviously.
"Hey, why does Luna get the cookie?"
"Because she can be supportive of a girl's efforts," Minako
replied, as if quoting from some great book of common familial lore.
"Well I can tell her how good they are once I've tried one,"
Artemis replied, a little sour, but Usagi just smiled at him and
passed another bunny biscuit over to his side of the table.
"No-one gets left out in my house," she said proudly as Artemis
nodded in thanks and started to chow down.
In moments the confection was gone, and he smacked his lips
thoughtfully. "Well, it was a little bland, but far better than
anything Minako's ever made!"
Sitting politely next to him Minako didn't say a word as she
knocked her knuckles over the back of her cat's head.
"Hey, I was complimenting the biscuit!" Artemis defended weakly,
while Minako glared at him.
"You didn't have to insult me at the same time," she growled.
"Now now," Ami said, trying to mollify them and failing to see
how they could slip back into old habits so easily. "Let's not start
that when we've only just arrived."
For her own part Usagi just giggled. "Well *I* appreciate it
Artemis. I'll make sure Mum gives you a proper supper tonight, not
just the tinned stuff." Then she realised that it wasn't really her
place to be offering such favours any more. "Oh, but I guess you'll
be moving back in with Minako-chan, won't you?"
Artemis just put his nose up in the air. "Not if she treats me
like that I won't," he sniffed comically.
Minako just mirrored his gesture. "Well I'm sure Mama will be
happy not to have to feed you again."
Ami shook her head. Sometimes her friends worried her. "You
two..."
"Well," Usagi sighed, looking at the clock, "I'd better go, or
I'll be late for Michiru's lesson again. Thanks for coming guys. It's
really nice to have you back."
"Huh?" Minako blinked in surprise. "We're going? Since when have
you had lessons besides college?"
"Michiru-san has been teaching you?" Ami asked. The very idea of
Usagi asking for tutelage impressed her. She knew from long
experience just what lengths the girl would go to in order to avoid
studying anything.
"Well, I guess it was just an excuse to give us something to do,"
Usagi explained. "At least at first. If I want to be a proper lady,
who better to teach me than Michiru-san?"
Ami beamed at her, feeling very proud of her friend. "I'm glad
you have taken such good initiative Usagi-chan. I'm sure Michiru-san
has been very grateful for your company."
Usagi just grinned sheepishly. "And vice versa. Hotaru-chan has
been really kind as well. Umm, you can come along if you want. I'm
sure she'd love to see you all too. And you can help me stand up for
my cookies. Michiru-san is going to grade them for me."
"Great!" Minako beamed, "Unlike some people, I have nothing to do
until my agent gets back to me!"
"Well, you go and have fun then," Luna said, as she got up and
stretched. "I think I will find somewhere to take a nap before I have
to head back home. I don't want to tempt providence with the 'no-
pets' rule in this building for longer than I have to."
Artemis laughed. "Especially after last time. That last pound you
ended up in was a sty!"
However, as the two girls got to their feet Ami found herself
hesitating. "Actually Usagi-chan, I might not. I should probably
start studying for my exams as soon as possible, especially after..."
Minako cut her off mid flow. "Ami-chan." It was said with an
understanding smile, but Minako wasn't going have that nonsense.
"You've got time just to visit friends, right?"
Ami stood silent for a second before she smiled in reply. She had
already told herself that she had avoided Haruka's company for too
long, and for all the wrong reasons. And, after all, even if they had
been careful around each other after the battle with Galaxia, she and
Michiru had become friends more quickly than some of the others had.
"Yes, you're right."
Then, as they all made for the hallway, Artemis called after
them. "Hey. You know what, I'll come along. Someone's got to keep you
lot out of trouble when Luna's not around."
Minako turned to him and stuck out her tongue, before smiling at
him. She wanted him there just as much as he wanted her around again.
"That's the first sensible thing you've said all day! Come on," she
said, flicking her hair over her should so that he could leap up and
drape himself over his favourite perch. "Better."
***
Michiru had wondered whether Usagi was going to make it to their
normal lesson. With everything that must have been going on she
couldn't have faulted her for missing it. Likewise she had idly
wondered whether she would even have been allowed out of bed in time
if Hotaru hadn't intervened.
But the doorbell had rung, and there on her doorstep were the
three young women. "You came after all," she said, smiling
beautifully at them. "I would have let you off, you know. Still, I'm
glad. Ami-san, Minako-san, it has been a while."
Both of them nodded, accepting the formal but friendly hugs
Michiru gave them. Both of them had forgotten just how elegant the
young musician was, and in Minako's eyes, how well she filled the
role of superstar that she herself one day aspired to take on.
"Michiru-san, stylish as ever."
Michiru bowed appreciatively. She was actually surprised at how
openly friendly they both seemed to be. Before they had disappeared
things had still been awkward between them, although they had all
been making the effort to put the past behind them. It was quite a
relief to see that their time away, however painful it must have been
for them, seemed to have helped lay some of those demons to rest.
Just as Usagi had helped her to do. Of all of the 'Inners' it was
Usagi's open acceptance that had most caused Michiru's guilt to well
up, and she was thankful that she had now managed to put those
feeling behind her. "Thank you. You are all looking well. I do like
what you have done with your hair Minako-san. It flatters you."
Minako blushed at the compliment, glad that she had chosen to
keep her netting hair veil. "Hee hee, if you like it then I know I'm
onto a good thing!"
Then, from behind her girlfriend, Haruka made her presence known.
"If it isn't my favourite girls."
Usagi didn't even hesitate in leaping over to her, almost
tackling her in a cuddle. "Haruka-san, we missed you!"
"We missed you too dumpling," Haruka said, laying an affectionate
hand on Usagi's head. "You wouldn't believe how much."
Usagi shook her head and looked up to the taller girl, her eyes
moist. "No, I would."
Haruka smiled and nodded before turning to the empty hall.
"Hotaru, we have guests!"
Then, as they waited for the raven haired teenager to appear,
Haruka gave Minako a hug of her own. "Your folks forgave you?"
Minako nodded, and gave her a knowing wink. "Eventually."
After Minako let go Haruka turned to Ami, but the pair just
smiled at each other. Usagi felt a curiosity fall over her at the
strange, silent exchange between them, but beside her Michiru smiled
an odd sort of smile as they finally gave each other a brief but
obviously tender hug.
"It's good to be home, isn't it Haruka-san?"
"Yeah. It is."
When Hotaru appeared the routine was repeated once again, and the
younger girl leaped on the chance to ask about their 'adventure'.
"Haruka-papa hasn't told me anything!" she groused, pouting with a
quietly petulant air. One that might have been seen if you crossed
Rei's brash wisdom with Ami's bookish and socially reserved
intelligence.
And, as Minako tried to fill her in, Michiru managed to manoeuvre
herself next to Ami, still standing by the closed door. After what
she had just seen it was clear that it was not just the younger girls
who had put the past behind them. Haruka had been more worried and
withdrawn than any of them when they used to get together, and yet
all traces of that guilt ridden and self deprecating aura, at least
on the surface, had been wiped away. "Thank you for helping her. She
must have been a lot to deal with."
Ami shook her head, a slightly subdued smile of her own on her
lips. "No, we have all been very silly, I think. She has been a great
help, and a wonderful friend."
Michiru nodded, feeling proud of her girlfriend. Ami's praise was
always worth a great deal to whoever received it. "I'm glad. Will you
stay? You can help Usagi-san to learn the basics of cakes."
Ami seemed to think for a moment, but it was an invitation she
was too polite to refuse, and really, were her studies so important
that she would turn down the time with her friends? "I will, thank
you. You have obviously been a great help to her."
Michiru just smiled diplomatically and gave a slight nod as she
led her chattering daughter into the kitchen. That may have been
true, but after everything Usagi had done for her and her family she
was not egotistical enough to accept the compliment. Where would her
air of mystery be if she did that?
"Now Usagi-san, let's see how your biscuit practice turned out."
From the living room Ami just watched the scene start unfolding
and next to her, leaning on the kitchen worktop that separated the
two rooms, Haruka watched with her, an amused smile on her face. "Now
this I have to see."
Ami nodded, taking a seat. "It should be... interesting," she
agreed, knowing just who was in the kitchen trying to 'help'.
"No Minako-san, that's the *plain* flour! Usagi-san, the self
raising is the one just to the right."
***
Tyranya blinked, staring up into the night sky, which had been
filled with a bleak and un-warming midday sun only moments ago.
She groaned loudly, wondering why she hurt as she lay on the
grass of Juuban park. There didn't seem to be a single muscle in her
body that didn't ache, and her head throbbed painfully. She must have
hit it when she landed.
Across from her she heard Kaizi's desperate voice, and Tyranya
viciously shook her head to try and clear it. This was no time for
her to worry about pain. She had friends to save. She could already
see the edges of the burning dimensional tear beginning to shrink
inwards upon themselves as Kaizi pulled frantically at the grass
beneath her, screaming at the portal to finally spit her out. Tyranya
scrambled back to her and grabbed her arm, her long, sharp nails
biting into her friend's flesh as she pulled.
"Come on, let her out!!" Tyranya snarled at the slowly shrinking
disk of liquid space.
As if on command both she and her companion found themselves
hurtling backwards onto the moonlit grass, and no sooner had Kaizi
been ejected then another pair of hands jutted through and into
Tokyo's balmy air. Tyranya barely paused to take a breath before
grasping at those hands and pulling again, while Kaizi could only
look around her in ecstatic wonder. "We did it! We're out!"
"Kaizi, come on!" Tyranya called back to her. "We can get
everyone! Help me, we still have time!"
That stern voice brought Kaizi back to the real world. "Yes
Captain!" She too took the grasping hands in her own, and her
muscular arms bulged as she put all her weight into her efforts.
"I've got you Shivis!"
With a shudder the incredible hold the portal had on those
feathered hands suddenly let up, and the tall, slim young woman
catapulted out of the ephemeral ooze like a cork from a champagne
bottle. "Come on!" Tyranya all but screamed as the doorway continued
to shrink, now only ten feet wide at best. "Where are you!?"
Then, to her relief, the next pair of hands emerged, and with
them the entire upper body of her next companion. Now, as more of
them joined their sisters in their struggle for freedom, they barely
had to wait for the portal's slack grip to loosen before they could
haul their next sister out of their blasted homeland.
And yet, the portal continued to shrink.
"We didn't put enough power into it," Shivis whispered
sorrowfully as the flames around the liquid disk began to dissipate.
"I'm sorry... I didn't put enough power in to keep it open!"
A large, imposing woman gave her a fang-toothed smile, caught
half way through the gate and with only enough space to breath around
her muscular waist. She looked back at the rip she was stuck in as
the blackness that made up its surface began to leak out into the
air. "You did your best Shivis. You found the weakness, and the fact
that you could open it for any of us was more than we could have
hoped for. But it's alright. Matinatia and Lapis have already gone."
The raven skinned Maxill felt tears come to her eyes as she was
told the fate of her twin. "No... They didn't... WHY!!?"
The large woman shook her head, no longer matching Tyranya and
Kaizi for power in trying to free herself. "It is better to die than
remain behind. We will envy you lucky ones, so live well in our
place."
Her smile began to fail her as the oily portal slipped away, it's
disappearance creeping up through her stomach more cleanly than any
blade could ever have cut. "We love you, sisters."
The survivors wept to see their oldest and proudest sister's body
fall to the ground, the portal having severed her in two as it had
vanished. The smallest girl, an animalistic and fox-like young thing,
crawled to her and lifted the woman's head into her lap. "Kental,
don't go..."
But, while hardy, not even their kind could survive such a mortal
wound, and Tyranya tried to comfort the girl as their friend's body
slowly corroded away, leaving nothing but a mound of heavy, blackish
earth to mark her passing.
"Be strong, Aretsuki," Tyranya whispered through her own tears,
taking the bawling girl in her arms. "You saw how brave she was. We
have to be brave like her. Like a real soldier of the Dark Kingdom
should always be."
She looked up through her watery eyes, unafraid to let her
weakness show through her tears. Such qualities were not to be
ashamed of. "We will be able to live here. We will grow strong and we
will make this world our own. It will be payment for the suffering we
have endured, and for the lives of every sister that has been taken
from us! We must make sure that none ever suffer that fate again!"
She looked up to the faces of those strong souls who had survived
with her. "We shall not be snuffed out. Make sure of that, everyone.
Nothing is more important than each other's lives. We are all we have
left."
***
To Be Continued...
***
Please send any comments and constructive criticism to me.
They are always greatly appreciated, and there is no better reward
for a writer than to hear back from the readers.
Many thanks to Richard King for his proofreading assistance.
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