Hey all! Sorry not to have this out earlier (like last week?), but due to an unforseen yet critical conflict, my comp time has been drastically cut. *murgle* Therefore, I may not post every week, though I will certainly try to. More than likely, any week I miss, the parts will soon be up on my homepage. Enough stuff--DISCLAIMERS! 1) The usual--I don't own it, am not trying to creatively infringe, and I own the villian, as well as kind of borrowing another character, but making some radical changes. 2) In the first part of this story, I talked about how this story may resemble a symphony, with pieces of beauty, ugliness, and sheer dissonance? This is a disonant part (DEFINTELY). It doesn't flow really well for awhile. Just a warning. 3) There are some events here that may cause you to flame me. Do so if you wish, but I will have my rebuttals. (PLOT! It's all PLOT!) 4) Big battle scene here. Bear with me. Also, longer song parts. 5) I'm not culturally accurate; to borrow a phrase from Alina (READ HER!), "This is the DiC anytown" and I'd have to say that fits with this story, too. READS: Lianne-san (everything...I have advertised in so long and she is SOOO good), Kismet-sama (hey, did you get my pieces? READ HER, she RULES!), Alina (hola!) and Jade. Also anyone I've mentioned before. Here we go.... The Four Lovers: Air On a Cosmic String IX. Makings and Takings And tell me, that we belong together Truss it out, with the trappings of love I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips Stand in the gallows of heartache that hang from above And I'll be, your crying shoulder I'll be love's suicide I'll be better when I'm older I'll be, the greatest fan of your life Well I've dropped out I've burned up I'VE FOUGHT MY WAY BACK FROM THE DEAD I've tuned in, I turned on Remember the things that you...said! --"I'll Be", McCain Always, your fatal shadow An evil shadow Follows me every where with malice And waiting to forget you I bury myself, drinking And I'm forever lost --"You, and Only You" Selena He walked into his room, a semi-opulent affair decorated with his personal choice, and stripped off his shirt. The mirror told him what he had already deduced; in a way, it angered him, but then again, it confirmed his thoughts as well. She was powerful but susceptible. As he spoke the spell, his thoughts began to wander to Pluto, and her combination of beauty and power. He'd never known the Garnet... "Master, you are wounded!" The Master looked over to watch Selene enter the room, eyes concerned. "It's a scratch, my dear," he explained. "Nothing more." She moved closer, watching him inside the mirror as he examined his "scratch." A large, purplish colored blotch was imprinted on his chest, purple tendrils licking up his to touch his collarbone and both shoulders, which were reddened. It didn't look like JUST a scratch, but if the Master said so, it was truth. That was what the Master was, Law and Truth. "Does your shoulder hurt?" she asked. "I know you were clipped..." "Did you watch me and the Princess?" The question was said in his usual lilting, gentle tone, reminiscent of a kind king talking with a friend. Yet beneath it lurked a sly, dangerous tone that instinctively put people on guard; that didn't apply to the Trio, though. Especially Selene. "I...I felt a disturbance and tuned in," she admitted softly. "I was concerned for you." For a moment his dark eyes flashed, and a wave of strong emotion rippled through the room. Selene cringed, immediately going down to her knees, a flurry of psionic apologies bubbling up in her brain. She started to spit one out, hoping to assuage him in time to spare her scalp or her throat. "Selene," came the voice, but it was not rough or angry, but as gentle as before. "Selene, I appreciate your concern," he said, and his hand slowly stroked her hair again, a pacifying, petting gesture. "But don't interfere between me and Serenity. People who do tend to get hurt." His eyes colored painfully for a moment as his hand tightened on her hair, but he brushed it away with a few wisps of light hair. "Stand up, my lovely," he said, releasing the strands he held from his grip. She obeyed, and he smiled at her lovely yet complacent eyes. He had picked a magnificent crop to serve him, all lovely, powerful and...needy. "Come Selene," he said, slipping on his shirt to hide the nearly faded purple blotch. It was a little painful to heal himself, but it was quicker than natural means. "I must talk to your and your siblings about the Senshi." "About what Katarina has been working on?" "Yes. I need to know if she has finished processing the data Hielo got from the Senshi girl." "Yes, she has. Your plan is ready to be put into motion," she replied matter-of-factly. A dark smile came over her lips. "She refreshed Hielo very much." "Is she suffering from the usual? We've never tried this before on a Sailor." "Katarina says its a little worse, but Hielo insists he was gentle as possible." The smile turned sly. "He seems to fancy her." He laughed. "Hielo fancies anything that wears that short a skirt." He looked at her with a fresh eye, an eye she'd seen before. "After this, you and I shall dine together. We must talk more," he proclaimed, eyes promising more than dinner. "Yes, Master," she replied with a knowing smile. The man had returned to his view, staring into the empty space while his thoughts drifted. His cameras were recording, and he could review them later over food; right now, he just wanted to sit and think. Perhaps doze; he hadn't done that in awhile. It was then, though, that he received some visitors. The pair appeared in hazes of red and blue, but beyond that they seemed entirely ordinary. "Questor," called out the female of the pair. He was out of his chair in a blur, hand raised, staff filling it even as his eyes caught sight of them. The pendant flashed, but that was all; truly, the only people who would ever call him that name were friendly. A smile came over his lips as he looked to them, and exclaimed, "Mys! Bird! Salutations!" He paused, then added, "What the hell are you doing here?" "You know how much I hate that nickname," Bird replied, his deep, dark eyes quirking at the sound. "What else would he call you?" Mys replied gently. She turned back to him, and replied, "Would you believe we're here on a mission? One involving your chronal chick and a couple of her close friends?" "Observation or interference?" he questioned. "I already have an obs post setup if you need it, but I was here first." He sighed. "Though interference will be necessary soon, since he's gotten smarter." "Most likely while we're here, eh?" Bird replied. "Just you two? Where's J?" he asked. Nicknames were the lingo the group, due to their positions; they even rotated them sometimes in order to keep low profile. "I thought..." "We're working this together, for once," Bird said, casting a glance at Mys. She smiled to herself. "Interesting, but why?" he asked, shifting his grip on the ebony rod. They didn't reply, but looked to each other and reached over to hold hands. He smiled brightly, and chuckled. "This dimension does get to you," he admitted. "Sets..." "Wait, wait--we do have a purpose here," Mys smiled, and they broke the brief grip so she could reach over to grab his staff. A crackle of energy sped down the staff to zap her fingers, and she shot him a glance. "You think wards on this are a bad thing?" he asked, trying not to grin. "Invisible ones, yes," she said sourly. "Can I touch it now." "A moment," and then, "Go ahead." "Good," she said. "Come on, BIRD, we have to make this boy stronger than he already is." He joined her, trying to shake off his half grin, and again they gripped hands. She gave him a reprimanding look, and then closed her eyes and took a breath. He copied her, and they expelled it together. With that, a wispy aura of fire and air surrounded the two; when their eyes opened, they were polished rubies and sapphires, no iris, just the bright color that radiated power as they spooked him. He'd seen this before, yet it was always so scary. "The staff," Bird said, voice uncommonly deep and laced with a thicker emotion. He let it drop, and for a moment it tilted, but then it whipped back up to stand before them. As the man watched, a piece of that aura opened and admitted the staff; the onyx cleared as the wire channeled in the energy. Then, with a brief wipe of red and blue across the surface, it was done, leaving only small glints of red and blue as the only clue something had happened. "There," said Bird, pushing the staff back to him. He took it in his hand, and stared at it curiously. "What is it?" he asked in a hushed voice. "Added strength in a few areas, a spurt of fire, a touch of wind," Mys ticked off with a smile. "So where to now?" he asked as the stave melted away, "Kicking us out already? I'm surprised at you, Quest," Bird grinned. "Well, I figured you were going to pop in and then pop back out like you always do," he replied. "Actually, we were hoping you would invite us to dinner, and then show us your files or what's been happening," Mys said. "Not much of a briefing, eh?" "No, and they forgot the butter cookies, too," Bird gruffed. "How else am I going to stay awake?" Mys and the man laughed, and he gestured them towards the kitchen. "Come on, I've got some great pizza leftovers and pop, like old times." "They serve pizza here?" "As long as you don't mind the corn on it." They laughed again before settling down. Nathan wondered if he'd ever been so miserable in his life. He'd left Lita's in contemplation, not at peace but calm, not upset but slightly miffed. He understood that he really shouldn't have been there, but she wouldn't let him speak, either. Had he known of her morning, perhaps his understanding would've been better. Yet once he left, he realized he had a world of possibilities suddenly open to him. There was what he could do--go home and read/write home, help Zach, check on Serena or maybe drop in on the others--and what he hadn't done--sight see or leave the city or even really explore (that being Kevin's job). He decided that he should probably explore the city, maybe check out a movie to test his Japanese, or just soak up some culture. He did this for awhile, enjoying what he could of the city. Yet he soon realized that even though the scope of possibilities was nearly endless, the nagging emptiness and sorrow that washed about him kept any enjoyment at bay. He found himself a couple of times nearing her home, and he deliberately turned away. Finally, he bought a small pastry and drink and took over a park bench on the river front. As he ate and stared at the river, he deliberated on whether or not he should go back to Lita's. A sip, then a reply, It was a cheery reply, almost Jadish in tone. was his thought. he snapped back. Now his eyes focused from nothing to the river, coursing its easy way along. There was a smoothness to it, a slickness that was both pleasing and unnatural, making him wonder (sorta absentmindedly) what the pollution levels were around here. Still, one could lose themselves in the flow of the water. Lose themselves and their troubles, maybe; lose one's life in the... he sighed, slumping. Melancholy ached in his body like he'd lifted weights too long, as if he'd tried to move a car without the adrenaline rush. He felt completely limp and without life, it all having drained way somewhere...sometime...his fogging brain gave him no reply. He felt like he could sleep for days and still not be rested. he sighed to himself. He nearly cracked up then, for if this was truly love, if he was TRULY in love with her--and wouldn't it be a wonder if he was?--then they'd just had their first fight. he sighed, and slumped again, eyes closed. "Nate?" He calmly opened his eyes and looked up to see...well, miracles did happen. Lita had addressed him, and was now looking at him, green eyes crinkled and...worried? "Lita," he replied as evenly as possibly, though it really came out sounding a tad hoarse. "May I..." "Be my guest," he replied, sliding over to allow her to sit down. His tone was a neutral as it would go, but she still cast a sorta scared glance at him, as if he'd just proven her right. He didn't notice it, for his eyes were on the river, but he could feel it. She faced that way for awhile too, then nervously said, "Nate?" "Have you been looking for me?" came the calm voice rotted through with those emotions he tried to hide. "What? Uh...no," she replied. "I came out here to think." "Coincidence, eh? Gotta love 'em," he replied, sagging a hair. "Nate, are you all right?" she asked bluntly then; fencing ripostes had never been her style. He turned to look at her, feeling so cold and yet so hard under that green eyed stare. Again he noticed the rich color they were, so emerald, so perfect in tone, and so visible between her pale skin and soft brown hair. The fact that she wore green helped to emphasize them until they drew you in. He felt like he could throw his life into those eyes, swim in them, drown in them--and it would be all right. All of it would be all right. "No," he said softly, frankly. "I'm miserable." "Nate," she said softly, and suddenly he was being hugged hard, arms pulling him to her in comfort. Without meaning to, he took a deep breath and let out the most sad-happy of sighs. "I'm sorry, Lita," he said. "It's okay," she cooed to him. "You were worried. I should've understood--but I didn't. I was so tense..." she cut herself off, unsure. "I was wrong." He pulled away, and smiled. "Still, I was in your apartment without you knowing and I got in without a key--don't ask. Let's just say I have my..." "Shhh..." she placed a finger against his lips, and reached into her pocket. "I was hoping I would see you," she quietly said, dangling a key in front of him. It was attached (of course) to a deep green key chain, but the fact was it was a key to her apartment... "A key? For ME?" he asked, hushed. When she nodded, all he could crow was "Lita!", and she grinned wildly. She had to pick up his hand and place it in it, not unmindful of the current of warmth that ran between them. "I trust you don't give these to everyone," he said, voice low. "Jealous?" she teased. "Intensely," he admitted. "Nathan Marble!" she gasped, and he colored a little. "I'm sorry, but you're so wonderful...you have so much to offer...and Lita, let's face it, you're gorgeous. I really like you, and...Lita, this is so cheesy, but you are so beautiful to me," he said quietly in reply, tone nervous, unsure, but so smooth somehow. "I'm sorry, I'm not making sense," he swiftly added, turning away, eyes catching the river again as confusion flooded him. Lita, though, glowed rosily, and it wasn't due to a blush. "Do you mean that, Nate?" she said, inching forward. He looked over at her, and was surprised to find her so close. Their faces were inches apart, and now each came that much closer to the eyes they adored. His that soft color of polished wood, multi-hued and glowing, four kinds of chocolate melted together by the heat of his heart and swirled with casually blatant emotion, a caring that seemed just for her beaming from eyes as endless as the universe. "do you mean that, nate?" she asked lowly, voice running toward hoarse as the light in her eyes softened suddenly. "I wouldn't say it unless I did," he replied softly. "Good," she said, then leaned over, crossing that distance to touch her lips to his. When she pulled back to study him, his eyes were still closed. Finally, they popped open, so brown, and so much stronger than before that she was mesmerized. "Lita," he whispered softly. "I really like...Nate, I..." Now it was his turn to shush her. "You don't have to now, Lita," he said. "We have all the time in the world." She nodded, smiling, then whispered, "Good. Now I can take you out and we can...talk." He laughed, happiness filling him, and he rose and offered his hand to her. She accepted, and quietly holding hands, they headed off to who knows where? They were together; that was the important thing. Zachary typed the last word and hit "enter", then yawned as he checked over the database. It was complete; a quick entering of the "Save" command ensured that. He pushed away his chair and stood, stretching briefly, before teleporting immediately to the top of the building. His steps were directed immediately to the edge, and soon he was lifting a piece of tan cloth away from a hidden crevice, the pulsing blue-green (touched with gray) crystal revealing itself. He brushed his hand above it, noting that it was still hot but had cooled slightly since he'd checked it this morning. It was finally done, and even tuned; however, as he'd found out, tuning was a highly exothermic (heat producing) process that, in this case, took awhile. He summoned a bit of crystalline energy, and the pulse of the crystal began to become regular, set up in an alternating one-two-one pattern. From this, he deduced it wouldn't be much more than twelve hours until he could use it, provided he found time to. "Beautiful," he murmured, and then dropped the tan cloth over it again. A small spell laid over it re- rendered it invisible to anyone but his eyes, and then he teleported back to the office to sign out. Walking out, he debated on what to do tonight. Most likely, he'd check up on Serena, then go home, change, and...do something. Actually, he'd had the beginning of a headache for awhile, and there were only a few more chapters of the Dickens novel he was reading, so it he'd probably finish that. he thought softly. Unlike Nate, whose day got worse before it got better, Kevin and Jared had an excellent day. Jared attended Raye on her temple duties, got kissed a few times, and even experimented with the sacred fire. To their surprise, a cruel face appeared within it, awash with spray and wisps of light hair. It was accompanied by a frightening course of emotions, from deep fear for Raye to a living hatred for Jared. The encounter left both of them shaken, especially when Raye said it predicted their fates would be somehow linked to this man. It frightened her, and him, but along with that came his anger. Had he recognized the face as that of Serena's morning "visitor," he would have been extremely pissed off, and that predicted living hatred would've turned real. However, her fear came first for him, and he spent time comforting her as best he could. Anyways, Jade didn't get home until much later that evening. Kevin, whose day was most definitely platonic (though filled with those movie moments of almost kisses, the looks that make you want to scream "DO IT!"), didn't arrive home until an hour and a half after Jared did. He was in awesome spirits; he'd never had so much fun as a bodyguard, the unpaid point notwithstanding. After trying to revive Artemis--the cat had fainted dead away, which was the STRANGEST thing--they sat around and talked. Unlike Lita and Nate, who had never gotten around to the subject of America, Mina barraged him with questions which he answered dutifully. He then turned the tables on her by asking detailed questions about the city, from food to travel--she knew quite a bit about the latter due to her budding modeling career. "My shark called me about a deal today," she cited, and they talked about business for a bit. It was amazing how the conversation flowed, even for Kevin, who despite his position and personality, could get bored in a conversation easily. Yet with Mina...well, it just refused to happen. Anytime he would ever start to drift, she'd snap him back. Well, both agreed that they needed to get out, so after some time he "escorted" her out to the place where Lita worked. Actually, she wasn't on the rotation that day, but they still ate there, enjoying the food and the company, even if Mina was playing this bodyguard thing to the hilt. Then they headed to his choice of place, which was the observatory. He'd discovered it on one of his tipsy jaunts (now stopped, thank you), and had fallen in love with the place. It helped that it included one of the four things he loved in life: order, music, the night sky, and Serena. That thought had made him glance at Mina, and he wondered if he was going to add a fifth. He had once, but that was back in the days when the four and Serena were still in high school. Now, though, he realized that he'd never felt so realized in the presence of one person, as if he could tell her everything without fudging, without blinking, without worry. She, once again, felt him pulling her in, even if it was in the little things. She'd stared at him as he had taken a moment to himself, face uplifted, wind teasing his hair, eyes closed and peace on his face, and such a strong wave of emotion flooded her that she had to choke it back. She wasn't falling in love with him...was she? It couldn't happen now, though, and not this way, either! Not so...undramatically. Besides, this wasn't the time for love. She had such a full life already. She could rationalize and rationalize--and then he gave her a lily. "For the Lady," he said smoothly with a short bow, hand extended. She looked at the flower, took the flower, stared at it, stared at him, it, him, it, him...until a memory swept her. /"My Lady," said the gentleman with a shy smile./ /"It's beautiful," she replied, taking the pure white, gently folding flower. A sniff brought a light, sweet, ethereal scent to his nostrils./ /But he shook his head. "I have failed again."/ /"Why? I like it," she asked, puzzled./ /"I keep trying to find something to match your beauty, but even this flower pales beside you, love."/ She gasped shortly, and he questioned, "Are you all right?" He was concerned; his voice and eyes portrayed it. She nodded quickly, and gave an off smile. "Sorry...I had a strange flash," she replied, not looking at him. She smiled briefly as she looked at him, trying to cover, before adding, "Usually around you, too." "Hmmm...never knew a flower was that shocking," he replied dryly. But his voice was quietly thoughtful as he asked, "Do you need to sit down? Or get some water?" "No thanks, Kunz," she said easily, and he just about fell down. He'd expected that name to come out eventually, for that old relationship had been too strong for it not to; however, it had come so EASILY. "What's all the mothering for anyways?" "I'm your guard for the day, remember?" he replied. "I'm supposed to mother you." "Well, how about you mother me towards the park?" she replied. "Or the mall--whichever you feel is the safest." "The mall sounds nice," he replied, adding beneath his breath, "And is definitely safest." "Hmm?" "Um, how about if you lead, and I can watch your back?" he said, eyes flashing as a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "What would you be watching?" she asked dryly. "Been there, done that, memorized it," he tossed back with a grin, and she faked shock, though inside she lit up like a light bulb. she thought with a secret smile. The mall, besides being a way cool place to hang out, also contained Nate and Lita, and for awhile the four went trolling. Both noted immediately that the couple was closer; they held hands and just generally glowed. Mina and Kevin each though this was cute, and when they chanced to talk with the other they said so. The afternoon story came out in bits and pieces, but they came together so quickly that it was easy to deduce what happened--and it made Mina and Kev all the more happy for their friends. They split about seven; Lita needed to get home because she had an early shift the next day. However, they made plans for later on that day, after they all got off work. That night, after a quick salad run, he walked her home. At the door they exchanged good-byes, and she expressed her gratitude by giving him a surprisingly warm hug. "Be careful going home," she said as she let him go. His hands caught hers; intentionally or not, she let them rest there. "Take care, Mina," he replied, voice low. "If you ever need me..." he let it trail off, eyes providing the rest of the words, before dropping her hands and turning to go. "I will," she whispered at his back, then went inside. So Kevin arrived home in high spirits, ready to face the day ahead. Perhaps had any of the four Gens seen a glimmer of their future, they would've prepared better. Had Kevin remembered his earlier woes, and expressed them, wards could've been laid, traps set, barriers erected. But even the stars can't always be certain of the future. * * * * It was Nate who went to meet Lita and Mina the next day. Serena and Setsuna had requested that Kevin stay for a minute; as the respective seniors of the group, they needed to have a small meeting. Everyone knew of the date, and they all expressed good luck, best wishes, etc. etc. Jade was meeting Raye, but he wasn't sure about their evening; Setsuna and Serena had business to finish, and then Zach (who still had a headache) was going to join them at home for a small meal before Sets started looking at the enemy. Their evening was like a mopped, white kitchen floor--nobody figured anyone was going to come along and track mud over it. Even the man and his two friends were only casual observers tonight, all figuring that "the Master" was not going to show for awhile after that little "meeting" on the balcony. Back to Nate. He picked up both girls about 7:00, 7:30, while there was still a trace of light in the sky. They were going to meet Kevin just outside Lita's workplace (a fact they made clear to her) around 7:45, 7:50 before heading out to do...who knows. Selene showed up at 7:42 on the dot. The three were walking down a semi-crowded sidewalk when three blasts of DF smashed around them. Looking up, Nate glimpsed Selene, completely missing the two girls looking around for a place to change; he turned and hissed, "Get OUT of here!" "Nate..." Lita started, surprised. "I'll hold her off," he replied, shocking the both of them. Nate was human, they were Senshi, and he was going to hold her OFF? Then he suddenly shielded them as Selene's targeting got a little better, the change rippling over his form in seconds. Lita gaped, but all Mina could say was, "It figures." "I was going to tell you, Lita," he said through gritted teeth as he held the shield. "NOW GO!" The two immediately scampered away, pens appearing as they did so. "Think he knows?" Mina asked as they ducked into an alley. "Maybe," she replied. Then, "I'm surprised none of us guessed." "Actually, Amy or Raye probably did," Mina retorted. "They're good at that." Then conversation ended as cries of "VENUS STAR POWER" and "JUPITER STAR POWER" rang in the air, powers crackling as the Sailors Jupiter and Venus appeared. Nate...Nephrite was having a not-so-easy, but not terribly difficult time with Selene. He had a small personal shield that could absorb and reflect as he flipped around A LOT, trying to fire off blasts as so many different places that she became confused. She descended just a little at a time, powers blazing back, but not at full force. he thought as he scampered. "Nephrite, you will not succeed!" she cried out confidently, smile on her face. My, my, he was gorgeous..."And then I will have you!" "This is getting mighty old, Selene," he shouted back, power spiking from his hand. "What do you want?" It was at that moment that Sailor Jupiter appeared, and from her position so many feet in the air, Selene smiled. "JUPITER THUNDER CRASH ZAP!" she screamed, letting fly with the Nerf sized football charge. It, and its twin that soon followed, both went wide of Selene by a few hands; in perfect villianess retaliation, she let loose with slats of DF. About forty of them. Jupiter was fast, but not THAT fast, especially when off guard. At the same time Venus sent her Lovely Chain to whip Selene, a blast clipped Jupiter. She cried out in pain just as Selene was struck by the chain, DF streaming out backwards to smack a building, which sent some rubble to extend her own personal thanks to Venus. The cacophony of cries upped Nephrite's anger----and taking advantage of the Selene-out-of-control situation, fired off a sizzling, cramped burst of power whose force nearly pulled him off his feet. It only buzzed her, and still froze her in a center of sheer static and power; later, it would crumple the corner of a small skyscraper. It really pissed Selene off. And she had the power to strike back. "Nephrite, you will pay dearly for that!" she yelled. Her hand began to radiate a sweetly black color, a sharply defined patch of raven slickness. And Jupiter, who'd been tumbled and was now trying to get to Venus, screamed. She appeared a moment later dangling from Selene's inky grip. Nephrite's response was immediate. He growled, and suddenly a beam of white trimmed black shot from the sky to encircle him. It was almost a parody of Jupiter's "THUNDER CRASH" attack; in fact, it'd been based on it. However, it was about ten times as dangerous and deadly, the massive powers of the heavens now crinkling his fingertips. "STAR POWER..." Selene's response was immediate and unusually smart. She vanished with Jupiter. Nephrite let go of the energy immediately, and dropped to his knees as feedback erupted within him. His fist pounded the pavement, causing a dent. "Lita," he whispered into the dust. A nameless cry rose in his throat. And then he remembered Mina. "Venus!" he yelled. "Nephrite!" came a reply, but it wasn't Venus--it was Kunzite. "Nephrite, what happened?" "Kunzite! Selene...they took her...my God, they took her," he replied heavily, voice strained. Kunz's stomach twisted as a ball of fear invaded, but he calmly said, "Nephrite, which her? You traveled with two--WHICH one?" "Jupiter..." he whispered. "I'm sorry, my friend. But we'll get her back to you, all right?" His tone was amazingly calm fro one so worried (for both his friend and Venus). "Now, where's Venus?" "I have failed," came the reply, his head bowed. "I failed the ladies. The reply startled him, but he shook his head. "And you accused me of being dramatic," he murmured. "Now, if Venus wasn't taken by Selene, then she's got to be close by. We'll find her together." "All right," he replied softly. "But I don't deserve to live." "Oh shutup--you're a great guy," he replied. "None of us had a clue." "You did." "Didn't help much, did it?" he replied ruefully. "Now let's find..." "Nephrite?" The faint cry came from the rubble, and immediately both were there. Venus lay there, dusty and partly covered by gravel; the worst part was her ankle stuck beneath a slab, concrete edge bruising fair skin just above the strap of her shoe. "Broken?" he immediately asked. "No," she replied. "Thanks to my Senshi self, it just hurts like hell." "Good," Kunzite replied, and the rock swiftly lifted. She retracted the foot with a wince, and it clattered to the ground again. Venus limped up, and fell into Kunzite's arms. "Are you.." she started, staring. "Uh-huh." "Surprise, surprise." "Well, I was going to blurt it out sooner or later," he said. "I'm glad you're here," she whispered softly. "So am I..." "Hey, lovebirds, its dangerous here," Nephrite interrupted. "One sec," Kunzite replied. Easily, he hoisted her into his arms, then turned back to his second. When he spoke, he was commander once again. "Go to the temple and check on Jared and Raye. I have a bad feeling about this...then get back to Crys and Sets ASAP. That's where we'll be," he said firmly. "But.." "About time, don't you think?" he said. Nephrite nodded shortly, and vanished. Venus tugged on his hair. "What?" "Raye knows?" "She guessed," he replied with a grin, then they too vanished. Raye stopped, the hand that held the tea cup frozen between her lips. Jade immediately noticed, as well as feeling a sharp wave of...of tingles wash over him. It reminded him of the way he felt the day Serena first revealed herself as Sailor Moon. He started at the particular memory--it was so long ago, but suddenly so fresh. Then he knew there was trouble. "Evil," Raye whispered. "Close." "Come on," he said, pulling her to a stand, tea cup clattering to the floor. He was Jadeite now, concerned for his Lady and the Princess, and they reappeared outside. Immediately, a shaft of DF fell from above. Setsuna had just pinpointed the first attack when Kunzite and Venus appeared. Serena's day had been relatively good compared to the all day paranoia of yesterday; long and a trifle boring, but so much better than that crawling, possessing feeling that'd lasted all day. She and Sets and Zach (who'd just left for bed) were all suitably relaxed that evening; therefore, she didn't even notice the arrival until Kunzite spoke. "Where's Pluto?" he asked immediately as he sat Venus down in the chair. Her transformation melted away to her normal clothes, and he quickly affixed a patch of royal blue to her in order to strengthen and heal her body. "She's in the other room," she replied, not looking up from the book Jade had recommended. It was a thrilling romance, and she was quite into it. she thought as Kunz hurried to find Pluto. A small half- smile came to her face with it, recalling the efforts of the four to get her to read. Jade was always the best about it... Meanwhile, Mina looked around, eyes eventually latching onto the mass of blond hair with a book in front of it. Instinctively she began to tremble, and her mouth went completely dry. she thought shakily. Then she shifted back a section of hair, and Mina nearly fainted. As it was, she uttered a sound of shock, amazement, surprise, and wonder...all of which drew Serena's attention from her book. It was a moment not unlike when Serena first saw the boys coming towards her that early morning in the Japanese classroom. They had appeared unsure and puzzled, yet somehow ready to face the challenge. This was the look that Serena gave Mina, the unsure but ready glance that quickly evaporated. "Mina..." she whispered. "You're alive," Mina replied, starting to stand, wincing. "No...don't move if you're hurt," Serena quickly replied, standing. She walked over and touched the diminishing blue patch, saying, "I recognize Kev's...excuse me, Kunzite's work." "You know them?" Mina asked, hushed. "I lived with them for the last...five or so years," she replied. Now she had to stand, because she needed to know. "Are you really Serena?" came the quite voice. "Not a piece, not just the spirit, but the whole thing? All of..." she broke off, unable to complete the statement as those blue eyes met hers. A lump appeared in Serena's throat then, and she felt her eyes water. "Mina," she whispered, "it's me. The whole me." Immediately the two embraced, and started to cry. For Serena, they were tears of happiness, to be reunited with one of her friends. Mina's were that and more; they were victory tears, tears of release from the battle against reason she'd fought all of these years. "Where have you been?" she asked, still clutching her. "America." Now she pulled back, and eyed her. "How?" Serena unlatched herself from her friend, and smiled. "That's a long story," she said. "But what happened our there..." Mina quickly cut her off with another short gasp and a brilliant smile. "Darien's going to have kittens!" she exclaimed. The mood shifted immediately, and Serena went to stand near the window. Mina followed, puzzled, her gaze following Serena's, so she could nearly see Darien's balcony. For a moment, there was silence. "You can't tell him," she finally said, hands edging over the window. She turned, eyes firm, and added softly, "You CAN'T." She looked back. "Not yet." "But Serena, he..." "Not yet, Mina!" Her tone was firm and soft as her eyes flew around to met hers, and bore a resemblance to the Crystal Knight's. She looked back, and crumpled slightly. "I don't know if I can face him yet." She looked at her again, and said, "Promise me that." "But..." she whispered. "Promise!" "I do," she said. "But he loves you, Serena." "So I've heard," she replied, voice dry but laced with emotion. Then she turned back, walking towards the couch. "I need to go slowly, Mina,' she said, tone unsure. "I need...he was one of the reasons I left..." Her voice was hushed. "Him, and sometimes I think..." The door burst open, and in came Raye and Nephrite. "They took him, Serena," he said. "Who?" she replied, then glanced at Raye. "Nate, did they take Jade?" she demanded, fury whipping into her voice, palatable in the air. "Serena..." Raye gasped. "Yes," he replied. "Bastards!" she yelled. "They WILL pay for taking my brother!" She touched the purple gem that glowed on her rising necklace, and yelled, "CRYSTAL MAIDEN KNIGHT, MAKEUP!" Both girls were awed by the explosion of dark ribbons and deeply purple feathers; Nephrite stood by, feeling drained. When she reappeared, he said quietly, "You cannot go." "Excuse me, Nephrite?" she asked. "They have my brother, and your," she poked his chest, "best friend." "And Jupiter." "I'm sorry," she said, and opened her arms in a hug. To the Senshi's surprise, he clung to her, letting loose a soft cry. "You didn't fail," she whispered sweetly, softly. "You DIDN'T fail." She pulled back, and the two watched as he literally pulled himself back together, shard upon fragmented shard. "Come with me," she whispered. "You shouldn't go, and I cannot,' he replied. Her features hardened, but her eyes remained soft. "Then take care of my Senshi," she replied. A slim hand touched her crystal, and she disappeared, mouthing something. "If anyone will help, he will," Nephrite muttered. "Was that..." Raye began, mouth hanging open. "Serena? Yes, Raye, it was," he replied. He managed a weak grin as he added, "It's amazing. I feel like my soul has just been evacuated, but I still notice that you two are exceptionally pretty. And here I thought they'd exaggerated." "Old Nephrite charm," Mina replied as they both blushed. "I have to use it on someone," he said, smiling, eyes still glossed with pain. "Besides, I need to clear my mind if we go after the Princess..." Kunzite and Pluto appeared in the room, Pluto asking, "Where is Serena?" "One minute," Nephrite said, disappearing and reappearing within seconds. "She and Zoi went after the Trio." The two exchanged glances, and then caught the Senshi. "This is your doing," Pluto said, pointing at the other two. "Pluto," said Raye. "Serena's..." "Alive and well, Sailor Mars," she replied. Turning to Kunzite, she said, "We have to find and stop her." "Allow me to lead," he said. "No--Nephrite and I will go," she replied, and Neph stepped into her space; the orb flashed, and they disappeared. "That leaves us...ladies?" The two had turned to each other and were quietly talking. "What?" he interrupted again. "We want to help you find and take Serena back," Raye said. Her eyes seemed to tremble under the light as she added, "I need to talk with her. There's a lot to say." "No one would exclude you two, especially since he seems to know where to find you," he replied softly. "Henshin yo!" The phrase caught both by surprise, but their training was so ingrained that they responded. Kunzite watched, as nonplused as possible considering the fact that both were colorfully naked, and when they finished he managed a nonchalant, "Ready?" "Yes," from Venus coincided with "No" from Mars. "What?" he asked in a patient yet impatient voice. "We need to get someone else," she replied. "Someone to help us with Serena." "No, Mars!" Venus said. "We have to, V." "I promised," she protested. Mars seemed to bit back something, and that made Venus fume. Kunzite stepped in then, wanting to get moving, and turned to Mars and said, "You're right." Venus made a noise of protest, but he quickly turned to her, "I know you promised Serena, and I know how important it is for you to keep that to her. After all, it looks bad on you--here she is, alive and well, and five minutes later you're breaking promises to her. But you aren't, my Lady. She is in danger, grave danger to take this sort of risk." He stepped forward, placing his hands on her shoulders. "But you lead the Senshi, not her. You do. And in that position you are in charge of protecting her. The Four Generals did that for the last years; you must take charge now." Her eyes were blue now, so blue, spangles of silver flecking the placid surface. He held the gaze until she said, "All right." He smiled, and went to take a step back, releasing his hands...until she grabbed one. "But I do the talking," she said. He nodded, eyes meeting once more, each delighted by the sudden fire within. "All right." Darien stared at the ceiling. It was plain, rough, and an off shade of white that seemed to gather darkness about him. Luna lay curled on his stomach, and smooth fingers stroked the dark, velvety fur. She was content soaking in his warmth, sitting with him and silently consoling. He felt terrible. He had been to the edge of the brink, and refused to push a little farther. And maybe...maybe he had lost something more than his dignity. >Well, you certainly haven't lost your sanity,< chuckled a now familiar voice. He nearly issued a bitter laugh, biting back, as his fingers froze for a minute over Luna's back before beginning to stroke again. He'd once asked the Senshi if they ever heard from their other sides, their past life alter egos. Mina had admitted that she did occasionally, though Lita had been less than clear about it. However, he hadn't until yesterday, when Endymion had nearly knocked him off the balcony with his sudden presence in his head. Not that he didn't have good news--he was just chiming in with his own thoughts, insisting Serenity was there. That had led to an argument over that love-this love, until Endymion had finally driven home his argument that they were all the same. Then their conversation had split off there into something different; if Endymion didn't want to continue, why should he? Now the voice was in his head again, soft, deep, and careful. He changed the movement of his stroke, and Luna purred contentedly, putty in his expert hands. his thought drifted. His vision blurred then, mind's eye kicking in suddenly. But that hadn't kicked in for years... /Buildings, sweeping buildings.../ /A blond, serious man./ /A deep hate.../ He sat up, rolling Luna away as the vision broke with his movements, eyes blinking rapidly to clear it from his mind. his mind involuntarily called out, lips working with his thoughts. >Whoa. It was never like THAT,< Endymion chimed in, voice surprised. he admitted with a smile. "What is it?" Luna asked, and he jerked back, the experience having wiped the cat from his mind. "It's..." he started. It was then that Venus, Kunzite, and Mars appeared, startling him so much that he produced a rose. However, they weren't going to give him time to adjust. "Tuxedo Mask, we need you," Venus said. He blinked. "Why?" He wanted to follow his vision. "I cannot say," she said, shuffling her feet. "By order of the Princess." Immediately, the rose began to glow. The four actually found the battle first. Unluckily for them, they faced two of the Dark Trio and a youma. "ENERGY DOME...FORM!" Kunzite shouted, hands crackling with bluish energy as a field of it sprang into existence around the youma. It snarled within, being one of the animalistic type, a creature of the DF and armored with a thin layer of asphalt, claws of curb. He smiled at it then as he whispered, "energy dome...close!" "That looks familiar," Venus muttered. "Whatever works,' he replied, a sword glistening in his hand. "ASSEMBLE!" Tux knew the command, but the Senshi glanced at each other before leaping into the fray. With the monster quarantined and about to die, only the two of the Trio were left. And they weren't as easy to take care of. "Hey beautiful," Hielo crowed at Venus as she came towards him. "Coming my way?" "No, but this is!" she cried out. "VENUS METEOR SHOWER!" The burst of yellow-orange light sped towards him and splattered against a DF shield. Now he moved like lightning towards her, and as he reached out to grab her a blast of fire and sizzling energy riffled him. "Stay away from her," Kunzite growled, and Tux launched a volley of roses. He fell back, laughing as the DF thinned around him into a ropy shield, letting all energy smash against it. "You are no match," he said lowly. "Why do we waste our time talking, Hielo?" asked Katarina, his companion in crime. "Let's get this over with." "The bigger they are, the harder I smash them into he pavement!" Tux yelled, cane appearing as Kunz's sword took on a strobing blue effect. The two charged into the air after Hielo as Venus and Mars swung up to confront Katarina. Each Trio member met them with a shield and a blast ready to go, and the battle truly began. On one side were Kunzite and his sizzling blasts, his glowing sword and easiness of movement assisting Tux's wolf attack--spring forward, cut, spring back, again and again--against Hielo, who held a sort of bundle that could function as a blade or a stave or axhead, depending on whichever was needed. It was a fast and furious combat, filling the air with sounds of clatters and clangs, a blue-white-black light show of sparks illuminating them. On the other hand, there was the weaponless but still fierce Senshi fighting. Although their principle means of attacking before had been loud and slow, they now converted to fast and quiet, powers at their fingertips they never knew they could summon. Light carrying, metallic links flashed along with streams of fire, thick or thin, to combat the blasts, charges, and slats of DF that pounded at them. Also, although Katarina was a flier by nature, these attacks took place much closer to the ground. It seemed stalemated for awhile, the four vs. the two, all taking their little injuries. That is, until Selene appeared and broke it. She was quiet for once, and sly; she raised two of those asphalt oddities in order to help her. With a sly, cruel smile pasted on her lips, she set them forth to cause chaos, fixated on one target. Sailor Mars had just come down from smacking a ball of flame against Katarina's shield, and hearing it strain like snapping metal. Her feet alighted on the ground just as the first asphalt creature hoved into view. "Mars!" was all the warning Tuxedo Mask could give before he was forced back by Hielo. She turned, ready to face the creature, the first attack cry coming to her lips: "MARS FIRE IGNITE!" The blast took out the first creature, but the second grabbed her shoulder. She reacted easily, without thought, throwing the creature to the ground in a very Jupiter-like manner, then sinking a high heel into its chest. A flare of flame appeared in her hand, and as Venus wailed away above, she fried the creature below. A thin line, no wider than a small laser beam, lanced the back of her neck as Selene appeared from the shadow. She took one step away from the youma, and dropped. Venus saw. Venus lost it. "MARS!" she screamed, tendrils of light flaring from her body to drive back Kat. However, she was a warrior pure and simple, and as Venus dove to aid her friend, her hand reached out to snag her hair, fingers catching a grip in the silken strands Kunzite so loved and ripping back. Venus screamed loudly as pain ripped through her scalp, and she hung by the mass and her power as Selene move out. She looked up, and laughed as she caught sight of Venus, vanishing. "You next, Senshi," Katarina whispered. A flash cut between the two. The other four had arrived. "VENUS!" Kunzite screamed as Venus came down hard, managing at least to stay on her feet. Zoi came down next to her, crystal still flashing, wisps of blond falling from the chunk of hair Katarina now held. "Move!" Venus called as the hair above was fried to a crisp. A part of her was full of pain and indignation at her chopped (unevenly) hair, but that was not for now. However, Zoicite had to send a spray of petals and crystalline shards around him before taking to the air to face Katarina directly. A "DEAD SCREAM" flew, laced with sparks of star power held by the two now standing at the edge of the battle; a jagged arch of purple-black energy accompanied the Crystal Knight as she appeared, raring to go. And now the tide turned again. But not for long, thanks to Selene. Her first victim now was Nephrite. He and Pluto were protecting each other and the Princess, trying to supply some manner of defense for those ruggedly on the offense. Selene reappeared behind the two, hands glowing. But Nephrite's senses were keen, and turning he dove to knock Pluto out of the way of a blast that would've clobbered her. It smashed into his shoulder, and he rolled away with a cry of pain that everyone heard--and Crystal felt. She stumbled in her flight, and it was only Kunzite's swift movements that managed to keep her from cracking her head open. Next, taking advantage of this, Hielo shot wide and snagged Zoicite as he snapped Katarina's shield with a crystal thrust. Selene took them both, leaving only Kunzite and Venus, Pluto, Crystal and Tux on the battlefield. "Garnet Shield" Pluto murmured as she now took the offensive, leaping up to smash Katarina with the key end. Down she went, powers snapping as Pluto bore down on her. But Crystal didn't notice as she recovered from the pain of both Zoicite and Nephrite. And she was FED UP. A wide circle of purple-black surrounded her, and the Dark Crystal reformed quickly from the crystal pistol it had been into a blade. "WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE!" she screamed wildly, like a mother who has lost her sons, like a sister who has watched her brothers killed one by one. And it was like this that she rushed Hielo. As Zach's crystal had done, her blade snapped the DF field around him. Hielo recoiled immediately as the DF shattered, but Crystal was right there, swinging her knife in wide arcs towards him. He could feel the rage off of her even without his psi abilities, anger palpable in the air as the wind lifted the flap of her upper covering, fully revealing eyes dark with emotion. For a few moments he fought back, but it was obvious this woman was enraged, completely, nearly insane, his feeble attempts to shield no match for the dagger she held in her hand. Finally, he teleported across the way, needing to get away from this woman who...terrified him. This in no way dissuaded the Crystal Knight; she merely altered her course and her weapon, the knife lengthening and thinning into a lance, a long purple shaft with a wickedly pointed end. She whirled and advanced upon him, seething. "No more," she whispered beneath her breath. "NO MORE!" "Crystal, don't!" Kunzite called, looking up from attending to Venus. Pluto was busy with Katarina, shielding and attacking as the woman fought fiercely to defend herself, and he couldn't leave Venus yet. "TUX!" he bellowed. "Got it, my friend," he replied quickly, already running to leap into the air. He had come down to take care of Venus, but the combination of Kunzite watching her/the others being taken/Crystal's rage had rendered him momentarily useless. His cane appeared in his left, a rose in his right, and he took off towards Hielo. Using the cane to ward off the first blow, he turned himself and let the rose fly. Miraculously, it lodged in Hielo's shoulder. Immediately the petals flared with energy, and Hielo screamed out in anger. Forgetting the warrioress who wanted his head, forgetting his mission completely, he darted towards Tuxedo Mask. "Oh great," Kunzite whispered. "Are you ready, lady?" Her scalp oozed blood, and he could see where Zoicite had knicked in trying to cut her loose. Worse, the ankle she'd injured previously was swollen and bruised; it looked like she had a huge plum attached at the ankle. "I'll be fine," she said brusquely. "Go help her." Her gloved hand gently brushed his, and she added, "I'll be along to help you soon." "Don't kill yourself or anything," he replied, half joking and half serious. She smiled, and he turned. Now Hielo and Tux were locked in an air-ground battle, Hielo pressing down against the bending Tux. He could hear the growl in his liege's throat, see the triumph begin to flicker in Hielo's eyes...as well as Crystal homing in on him from behind, energy concentrating on the front of the spear, ready to make a death thrust. He quickly began to weave a shield and something to stun, trying to work against the energy absorbing currents that were EVERYWHERE, energy flying in arcs about his hands as he worked. About this time, Katarina suddenly lashed out with her foot, knocking against Pluto's staff and pushing her back. She saw the scene too--and was more than a little concerned. *HIELO, WARE THE KNIGHT!* shot through his head as pressed further and further against Tux, now only able to hold him off on his knees. He looked up for a moment, saw Kunzite forming his web, felt Crystal coming close...and his eyes widened. Crystal was completely unprepared for what happened next; concern had taken over now, seeing who Hielo was messing with. More energy drained into the point of her crystal lance; she thought. It was then that Hielo pushed off Tux's cane, flipping over him and turning, ready. As Crystal saw her target change, and pulled up abruptly, Hielo changed tactics and let loose with a frizzled burst of psionic power at Tux. Crystal let out a gasp of horror as the frazzled fingers of black energy reached out to engulf him, and she strained hard, trying to pull away what she could, but it was going to be TOO late... The energy washed over Tux, tickling him, but it was Crystal who fell. "CRYSTAL!" Kunzite roared, and he then bulldozed into Hielo, shoulder landing about mid back, lifting up the man and tossing him over his head. Hielo landed hard as Tuxedo scooped up the Crystal Knight, coming to his feet and ready to jump away. Then, Katarina broke away from Pluto, hand melting into an inky black radiance. Tuxedo, still cradling the downed Crystal, disappeared in a flash of black. Kunzite met Katarina's eyes, and she smiled at him. Her eyes flickered briefly, and across the darkened street lanced one thought: *We have what we came for.* Hielo, whose outstretched hand was pulsing black a bare foot or so from Venus, vanished along with his partner. Pluto looked back, and sighed. she thought as she trotted over to them. "Are you all right?" she asked Kunzite, who was pulling himself off the street. "Physically, yes. But Pluto, I..." he trailed off, gray eyes suddenly widening. "Venus? Did they...?" He turned, and saw the Senshi of Love crammed against a wall, hands up in a warding gesture, short hair barely covering her ears. "She is still here," Pluto said. "But not okay," he said. Looking around, he said loudly, "We need to get out of here." Pluto could see the girl's reaction: she looked up, startled, rabbit-like in her jerky movements, and her face melted from fear to relief. She placed her hands on either side of her body, and struggled to get up, but then slipped down again. Kunzite's hand suddenly thrust down at her, and pure thanks flashed over her face. She took it, and with ease he pulled her up, she leaning against him. She walked forwards then, noticing how Venus was favoring a leg as she walked. "Pluto..." the girl whispered, pausing to bite her lip, then quickly adding, "Can we go to my place? They don't know..." "Of course not, girl," she replied as she nodded her head. Momentary confusion swept over her, but then her eyes brightened and a bit of the old sparkle appeared. "I shouldn't have even thought it," she replied lowly. "Your home is safer." "Good point, Venus," Kunzite said as energy gathered around his hands. "Besides, what would Artemis think?" She giggled as they vanished, and was still giggling as they appeared in her apartment. "Clever," she whispered. "I would have never thought about that!" "Pluto is just a little older, and that much more experienced," Kunzite replied, letting her go as he melted back to Kevin. "Only a little," Pluto smiled. Venus smiled at them both, and then turned to sit down. A small cry of pain escaped her, and her body fell rigidly to the couch. From where she stood, Pluto could see the swelling of her ankle, and the sudden gush of blood that partially stained her hair. Her body flickered slowly back to Mina, and she uttered another little cry as the pain asserted itself again. Kevin walked into the kitchen, and returned with an ice pack, which he quickly energy tied to her ankle before sitting down. She whimpered, and blatantly reached for his hand. Artemis and Luna bolted into the room as he took it and she let out another cry. The black cat stopped short at seeing Pluto, but Artemis kept going until he was on the couch next to Mina. "Pluto," Luna uttered. "Mina! What happened to your hair?" Artemis whispered. "It's awful, isn't it?" Mina replied, fingering the uneven cut that barely hung below her ears. "Zoicite saved my life, but..." Now she dissolved into tears, and Kevin moved closer, pain reflected in his eyes. "Mina," Artemis whispered, and then crawled into her lap, trying to comfort her. "It's all right, Mina. It'll grow back..." "Eventually!" she sobbed. "I've lost...Artemis I've lost my job, my..." She fizzled into tears. "Here," Pluto said, moving forwards. "Artemis, please move." She smiled at the cat as he did, and even Kevin gave her a quirky look. She pointed at their joined hands with the key end, and he obediently let go. "You fought bravely, child," she whispered. "And you tried to help her as well. Consider this a gift." Suddenly the orb glowed, and Luna gasped again as a velvety lavender glow surrounded Mina. In response, her eyes closed, and her whole body seemed to relax. Though at first it seemed nothing was happening; then, suddenly, all of her hair disappeared, bloody ends sizzling away to nothing. All gasped, but then hair began to flow out of her scalp again, like pasta flowing unchecked from a pasta maker. She smiled softly, and let the time field work until the soft blond silk sank just past the small of her back. Then she let it go, and Mina's eyes burst open. "Now you can say you trimmed the split ends," she whispered. Mina's eyes watered, and leaping up she threw her arms around her. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much." And Pluto sniffed, and suddenly Setsuna put her arms around the young girl, letting her own tears flow out. Kevin's eyes gleamed, and she bet that both cats followed. Finally, she let her go, and Mina fell back to the couch, exhausted. Kevin moved closer, and she leaned against him comfortably; he was surprised, but his arm came around her, and his eyes closed contentedly. "Now, what happened?" Artemis demanded. "How come Mina came home looking butchered--and who is this..." "Artemis," Luna said, eyes still on the pair as her tail teased him. "Shhh..." "But Luna..." "Tomorrow, Artemis," Setsuna added. "Tomorrow." "But...that!" His tail pointed to the two. Luna rubbed up against him suddenly, her own tail wrapping around his. "Tomorrow," she purred. "Tomorrow," he repeated, and the two curled around each other. Setsuna smiled to herself, no one noticing the lonely pain in her eyes, and then sat down. She allowed her eyes to rest on them again, and just before she stretched out on the couch she thought softly, Katarina was ready, and as Crystal and Tux appeared she stunned them both. The charge was crippling to Tux, and he slumped over immediately; however, it cleared away the psionic chaos in Crystal's brain, and she woke a little. Immediately she could tell that her surroundings had changed, and felt it better to play dead than fight. So she was completely relaxed as she and Tux were tossed into the air, drifting freely for a minute before Kat caught them. She floated them into the next room, where Selene was stashing the last of the bodies and Hielo sat in a chair, hand to her head. *Are you all right?* she sent softly. *Fine, fine,* he replied. *Just a little feedback.* She nodded, and then looked up to Selene, who was currently erecting some shields, and raised the bodies a bit. *Any room for these two?* Selene let out a soft snort, and sent back viciously, *None. Absolutely none. And thanks for your concern about me, Kat. I had to deal with that...that Mars chick when I came back. She nearly fried my head. As it was, she charred my hair.* A psi image of that appeared. *My apologies Selene. I am tired,* she replied. *We all are, Kat. But honestly...* *Really, it would be best for you two to keep quiet,* Hielo said. *The Master would be most unappreciative if he caught a whiff of this.* Kat gulped, remembering the man's tug on her hair, the lances of pain that melted into her bones, the feeling of death. Selene just smiled though, and a wave of insolence at the statement ran through her. Kat thought with no surprise. He seemed to favor her. *What about these?* she gestured to the bodies. *Put them in the cold room. Master likes them chilled,* Selene whispered back coldly. Hielo nodded, and Katarina turned back into the hallway. With a sharp lash of DF she opened the door, and tossed the two of them inside, landing on the floor heavily. She let loose her connections to them, cleaning them of any DF before turning to concentrate on the room. Her hands outstretched, her eyes closed... "Let me help you shield them," Hielo whispered, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She nodded then, and the two concentrated together. Altogether they laced the room thrice--dark force over energy over psionic--before turning away. As he shut the door, he laid another mark over it, one that respond to their touch only. *Ready, Selene?* he asked. *A moment,* she replied, edging into the doorway. "You'll watch them for me, won't you girl? Won't you? Good girl!" she crooned into the room, and then shut off all the lights. *Let's go home,* Katarina said wearily, and they vanished. As soon as the door shut, Serena looked up. She quickly checked on Tux, and sighed when she found him out cold but undamaged. With a little effort she wrapped him in his cape, noting that the cold would eventually chill their bones. Finally, she kissed her fingers and pressed them to his chilled lips. "Dream well, love," she whispered, and then stood. Squeezing herself between two close together boxes, she touched the Dark crystal, now relegated to her armband once more. "Heat shield, I guess," she whispered, and immediately she was locked into a brace of energy that warmed her immediately. As her eyes closed, a part of her wondered how she would function with...with him so close to her now. Could she avoid him forever in this small space? With that, she fell asleep.