Ë ñ˂Sailor Heart & Eclipse sailorheart@hotmail.com Soulsower AUTHORS' NOTE: Although this chapter is written by one author (the Eclipse character), there is a small scene with Adrian, Lita and Raye which switches to the other author (the Adrian character) and after that scene, it switches back to the first author (the Eclipse character). Chapter 2 "I think you did the right thing, Serena. No one really wants to be lonely." Molly commented after hearing the events of the afternoon. She and her best friend were walking home from school on a warm September afternoon. "That's what I think, too." Serena spoke in-between bites of licorice. "Eventually Sam will come around and will be as happy as the rest of us." "But no one can be as happy as you and Darien!" Molly teased making the blond blush. They rounded to corner onto the street where Molly lived with her mother. She spied a female wearing a leather jacket walking slowly with her head down. "Hey, isn't that Sam?" Serena's bright eyes immediately spotted the new girl. "Yes, that's her! She must live somewhere down here." Recognition lit up Molly's face. "That's right! A family did move in about four houses down from me. She's my new neighbour. Maybe I should give it a shot at making friends with her." "It's worth trying." Serena nodded and took her friend by the hand quickening their step. "Come on, I'll introduce you." "But Serena," Molly pulled her to a stop. "You've got to meet Darien in the park after he gets off work and you don't want to be late. I can introduce myself." "But. . . but. . .are you sure, Moll?" Serena wanted to help Sam out yet her urge to see her love was stronger. She hadn't seen him since yesterday! "Oh sure. It'll be no problem. Maybe even less threatening for Sam without anyone else there crowding her." Serena hugged the smaller girl tightly. "You're the greatest, Moll!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Molly giggled at the other's enthusiasm. Then made the motion to shooŒher away. "Now go on and meet Darien. Don't keep your man waiting! I'll phone you later tonight and tell you how things went." Serena waved and skipped off towards the park. "See ya! And good luck!" Molly waved back and started up the street after the strange character ahead. Good luck, Molly repeated in her head. I'm going to need it after what Serena told me. * * * I'm getting stronger. Yes, I can feel that you are. I need more energy now. I need more to restore my full power. I understand, but how do I find the right energy for you? I don't know what you're looking for, what you need? It's not up to you to find an energy source. I can sense psychic energy a mile away! I just need your help to sustain me for a while for you are so kind, like a sibling to me. I will do anything to help you. We are of the same kind. We are like true family. Yes, my dear, that we are. I can feel that there is a young woman nearby who has a brilliant energy flowing from her body. She will be perfect. We must lead her somewhere private, some place that I cannot be seen by my enemies. Our enemies. We are like one, right? I will do whatever you desire. * * * The handsome young man strolled slowly through the park enjoying the cool breeze on his face. He was almost tempted to hum a tune, but knew that he could not hold a note. The birds flew in and out of the trees taking advantage of the fine weather. Children ran by laughing and couples glided slowly hand-in-hand unaware of the world around them. His step was light with anticipation of what the day held in store for him. His blue eyes wandered and struck gold when they spied a pretty young blond with flowing pigtails. That was the young woman he was searching for. She turned around as if somehow sensing his presence and her face lit up like a hundred watt bulb. "Darien!" Serena ran over throwing herself into his arms almost knocking him over, but he had a handle on the situation. Darien swung her around in a circle softly kissing her entire face: her forehead, her ears, her cheeks, her nose, her lips. After their passionate greeting, he smiled broadly.Œ "So beautiful, how was your day?" His smooth voice seemed to cause Serena to melt, but her voicebox was always in working order. "I think I did okay on that literature test at school. Amy helped me study and you know her, she tried to drive me to perfecting the art of critique. Mina got asked out by this superjock, but she told him she had to wash her hair tonight! And he actually believed her! He said: `With such a gorgeous mop like you got, it would need a whole night to treat it right. I can treat you right another night.' Isn't that just so funny?! I could bearly keep from laughing when he was talking to her. Oh yeah, I tried to make friends with that new girl at school. Remember I told you about Sam? Well she tried to give me attitude, but I was cool about it." Darien was just relishing the sound of her voice and her vivacity. How much Serena loved life! He walked along with his arm around her shoulders. "I know you can handle anything. You won't let her rattle you." "Yeah, I knew I could handle it. Raye was giving me gruff about, but I showed her. Lita was even impressed though she is waiting for the opportunity to slug Sam one. She's so protective, but you know that. . ." Serena's line of thought trailed off as an ambulance zoomed by. Darien's attention was also caught by the sound of the sirens. "I wonder what happened over there. Isn't that the street Molly lives on?" Serena's eyes grew wide. Her pace grew quicker and then she was running. "I just left Molly on that street. What if something happened to her?!" Darien said nothing but ran along side his princess. An ambulance on Molly's street was never a minor event. An ambulance on Molly's street usually meant that evil was near. * * * The Cherry Hill Temple. How I missed this beautiful place. Its serenity and its absolute loveliness. It seems as though a professional decorator took this piece of land and did up each little section in such a way that perfection was reached. I am thankful that I was able to return so soon, but unfortunately it is under very grave circumstances. My friends were here. I could hear their voices even before I topped the hill. I've never had friends like this before. So few people are as loyal and understanding as they are these days. Centuries ago chivalry was in fashion, but now rebellion against everything and everyone was the trend. Rebellion in itself is not a bad thing, but a person must hold some values and not just anti-values. Thus the individual consists of nothing and how then can that truly be a person. I reached the crest of the hill and see the entire group sitting on the steps of the temple in the middle of an intense conversation. I was pretty certain I knew what they were talking about. It has started. Œ The raven-haired beauty that was once my lover become aware of me first. Her large rich eyes focused upon me. One by one the others' heads turned to watch my approach. I knew they comprehended directly why I returned to Tokyo. I also had predicted how each one would react to my reappearance. This group was reliable in their consistency that way. Except there was a new face in the bunch. A young man sitting between Lita and Mina. I could not tell which girl he was with. He was certainly curious as to why I attracted all this attention though. Serena was, of course, the first to speak. My half-sister was a lovable girl and she seemed to emanate that quality. Being around her just lifted one's spirits. She jumped up - the animated nymph - and hugged me vigorously. "Oh Haley! It's so good to see you again! I missed you so much! I got all your letters and postcards. They were so nice! I'm so happy you're here!" I had to laugh at her energy. "It's great to see you too, Serena." "Hey, let me get a hug in there!" Darien tickled Serena from behind and she let go of me giggling. He wrapped his strong arms around me and enclosed me in his secure embrace. My friend of all ages. It felt good to be near him again. "I'm glad you came, Haley." "So am I." I replied just before he planted a kiss on my lips. I didn't mind this and Serena knew our relationship, but Darien's lips may have just stayed a little too long on mine for the others still raised doubts in their minds about us. Mina made her way over and hugged me for good relations. I think she understood more than the rest of the girls for she was the goddess of love and lust. Her mind knew matters of the heart and of the body. "Welcome back, Haley. It is great to have you back. . . especially at times like these." "Thanks Mina." Amy gave me an awkward little hug just not to seem very rude. She was indifferent to me though. I think her real interest in me was my value for history. She always had so many intelligent questions. Her inquisitiveness is grand. "Nice to see you again, Haley." "You too, Amy." Lita didn't budge from where she was sitting. The male beside her looked at us both oddly. He could sense there was turbulence between us. Lita's voice was blunt when she spoke. "Hello Haley. Great timing." "Hello Lita. I don't think you'd have any doubts that I'd turn up at a time like this. I assume you all already know how big it is." The stranger was lost. He didn't have a clue how I would know such things. He was ruggedly handsome but his extreme sensitivity showed in his blue eyes. An explanation was not yet forthcoming though. Œ Raye had stood up with the others were greeting me. She was now in front of me with her hands clasped behind her back. "I've done a fire reading, but I'm not quite sure what it is yet. It's unlike anything I've ever felt before. I think it may be some new Negaverse monster." "My dreams portray a beast as well." She bit on her lower lip and then smiled at me almost shyly. "I'm glad that you came back, too." Our embrace resulted from an irresistible force. I had indeed missed her. I had tried my best to put her out of my mind. She was a mortal afterall. I found I could not though. Raye had become more special to me than any other lover I have had. We both knew what was for the best, but neither of us could ignore the bond between us. The tall young man bounded up from his seat and held out his hand to me. "It seems as though I'm going to have to introduce myself. I am Adrian and I take it you are Haley." With Raye by my side and the royal couple just behind me, I shook the young man's hand. "Pleased to meet you." "She's my half-sister, Adrian. Did I ever tell you I had a sister?" Serena piped up more excited than before. "Haley and I played together as toddlers. Her mother was like a mother to me." Darien added. Adrian seemed a little confused, but tried to keep the chatter going. "Wow! Serena, you must love having a sister. You could share clothes with her and everything!" "Everything is right." Lita stated coldly. I should have expected such a comment from the Princess of Jupiter, bold as her planet is large. I did not dislike her for it, but it was certainly uncalled for. Everyone was silenced though. Adrian turned his bewildered face to her, to Mina and then back to the rest of us. I wondered how much Adrian knew about the Scouts. If he knew who they truly were, he should have a full explanation of who I am. If he did not, we would have to concoct a story for his benefit. In any case, it seemed like he was helping them in one way or another as I deciphered from what Amy said next. "I think we all should really get back to the matter at hand. Now that Haley is here, we might be able to make some more sense out of it." I sat down with the group on the stairs of the temple. They told me what they knew from Raye's fire reading and the incident that resulted in Molly being rushed to the hospital in critical condition. No one was allowed in the hospital to see her, and the cats were sent to find out what they could. I described to them my dreams of a beast from the depths of the earth and aŒfrightened child not of this world. Raye and Serena informed Adrian that I could see images of the future in my dreams. They were sharing a lot with him. I would soon need to find out more about this young man. What role did he play here? Could he be trustworthy? * * * Raye had decided that the group needed some tea and snacks to give us more energy to think. Lita offered to help her in the kitchen and took Adrian along with her. I had no doubt at all that she was going to tell him her opinion of me. At least Raye would be there to say a few good words about me. I hoped that Adrian was independent enough to form his own view of me and not go totally on what others have to say. But I did not know him and how much truth he believed to be in the girls' words. * * * Lita dragged me into the kitchen and Raye asked me to get some muffins out from a secret cupboard she had Chad make after she found out how much Serena could eat. Raye was unhappy, at times she looked like she would either cry or burst with rage. It was hard for me to tell with any of the girls, but especially Raye. I found that she kept her emotions mostly to herself. "Don't you think that your remark was a bit uncalled for, Lita?" asked Raye. Her voice was sharp. She proceeded to take some cups out for the tea, her hands clenching each one tightly. Lita turned to look at Raye; her eyes flashing daggers. She was upset; well, they were both upset. I couldn't even read Lita's face to find the answer. What was the deal with this red-head outside? "Look Raye, I believe in speaking my mind. I've done that since day one. It's one of my strengths as Sailor Jupiter. Besides, after what she did to Serena, I'd assume you'd be the most upset." That caught Raye off guard as she thought back to the first times she'd been around Haley. She continued on with what she was doing as she spoke evenly. "If Serena can forgive her, why can't the rest of us? You seem to be the only one with a problem with her. Amy and Mina are doing just fine with her around, so why can't you?" "Because, damn it Raye, she can't be trusted! She pops around whenever she pleases and only when she has one of her visions. She may very well be from the Negaverse for all we know!" Lita was seething. Raye was hurt. I was confused. "Uhh, just what did she do that was so terrible?" I inquired, feeling somewhat naive. Œ "She slept with Darien, that's what!" Lita hissed so the others wouldn't hear. I was taken aback. Darien always seemed like the type of guy that would stick with one girl once he had found the right one. It appeared he had in Serena. They were perfect together. I always thought they were made for each. "So that's what the kiss meant between she and Darien earlier." I contended. I thought I was beginning to see the whole picture until Lita burst out with a second shocking fact. "And she slept with Raye too." spat Lita, as if condemning the whole idea of same-sex-sex. "It's not what you think..." Raye started, her voice beginning to tremble a bit. This had to be a particularly sensitive issue with her to have this fiery warrior upset enough to be at a loss for words. "Isn't it?" I mused in a sharp, sarcastic tone. I was upset that Serena had been hurt the way that she had by this person. I was attracted to Lita but liked Serena a lot. You couldn't help but to like her. I'm sure it must have hurt the others to see Serena in pain after Haley had disclosed what she'd done with Darien. And how could Darien do that? It was a bad situation all around. "Let's just go," uttered Raye, defenseless. She'd tried hard to stick up for her friend but Lita's and my opinions had beaten whatever resolve she had. She grabbed the tray of tea cups, and motioned Lita to carry the cream and sugar. I carried out the muffins only after I brewed a cup of coffee, with Raye's permission of course. * * * This was my opportunity to find our about him though. Once the three had gone into the temple, I turned to those that remained. "What's the story with Adrian? Does he know about the Scouts?" "Yes! He's a Scout himself!" Serena answered immediately almost laughing at my seeming nativity. "Adrian and I grew up together in Canada. He just moved to Tokyo not too long ago, and it was only a few months ago that we found out he was a Scout too." Mina explained with a fondness in her voice. "He fights along side us now." "After my father died back in the Silvermoon Millennium, I spent a lot of time with Adrian and his family. We sure did get in a lot of trouble together." Darien smiled as he reminisced. Adrian was obviously well-liked by everyone here. "I assume he doesn't know about me though." "Haley, you're not exactly a topic that pops up in conversation when we're together as aŒgroup." Amy said plainly. I liked that she always got straight to the point. At that moment, before anything else was said, the other three returned. Raye avoided eye contact with me as she gave everyone a cup of tea. She had a bit of a defeated look to her. I suspected that she had tried to defend me, but I suppose I am a weak spot for her and Lita does back a punch, physically and verbally. Adrian's face told the whole story though. It was certainly not I who was well-liked by all. Conveniently Luna and Artemis returned to tell of what they learned. Both were, of course, surprised to see me sitting with the Scouts but neither made any negative comments. The felines informed us that Molly was going to be fine after a long period of rest. Her energy was definitely drained and thus it must be the Negaverse. Our discussion carried on from there. * * * Soon the serious discourse lulled and all of us were talking about other things. Night had fallen upon us and it was time each Scout had to be heading home. "We will meet before school tomorrow. . ." Luna began when the girls stated they had to get home, but Serena cut her off. "Oh, so early in the morning?! I need my beauty sleep, you know." "Make sure you get to bed early then." Luna said in her stern motherly way. "We will meet to discuss what we're going to do. Keep alert everyone." Artemis tugged on the hem of Mina's skirt. "Come on, let's get moving. I know there's a fish dinner waiting for me back at the house." "You better hope my father didn't decide to have fish for dinner!" Mina teased her guardian. The rapore between those two was almost cartoonish. I would never have thought to see such a thing a year ago, but after I met the Scouts, nothing seems impossible. "I'll give you two a ride home, Mina. I'm dropping Lita off any way." Adrian was also smiling at his friend taunting the feline. "Do you need a ride too, Amy?" "Oh no, thank you. It's such a beautiful night, and I would like to walk and think." Amy answered politely. She waved to everyone as she headed off down the hill. "See everyone tomorrow morning!" Darien turned to me. "Do you have any plans on where you're going to spend the night?" Perhaps the question should have not come from him. He couldn't help being concerned about my welfare though. I wish a few others would see it as that as well. I could feel two pairs of piercing eyes drilling into my back. Luckily Raye came to my rescue. . . sort of. Œ "We have plenty of space at the temple. Haley is perfectly welcome to stay here." She blushed a little after she suggested this, but I knew her offer was real and I wasn't about to turn it down. "Thank you, Raye." I saw Adrian scowling out of the corner of my eyes. Lita's words must have had a significant effect on him. Just from what I've seen of Adrian this evening, I could tell he was very similar to Lita and I could expect him to be an adversary as well. I didn't mind a bit of controversy and it actually might be fun testing where his breaking point may be! I may be an immortal, but I never said I was an angel! Adrian, Lita and Mina piled into his sports car. He revved the motor and sped out towards the street with the girls waving their good-byes. Ah, to be a fly on the dashboard of that car as it zoomed through town. I knew what Lita's problem with me was and I was sure Adrian now shared the same opinion. She had found a comrade to rally against me. Serena broke my train of thought by hugging me for the tenth time that night. "I'm so happy you're here. I know I keep repeating it, but I am. This Negaverse creep won't know what hit him with us on the job!" "Come on, meatball head. I've got to get you home so you can get your beauty sleep." Darien playfully tugged on her pigtails. "How come Darien can call you meatball head, but when I do, you always yell at me?!" Raye questioned trying to hide a smirk. "Because when he says it, it's sweet. But when it comes out of your big mouth, it sounds like a monstrosity!" "Big word for a meatball head!" Raye shot back jokingly. "Hey now girls. Behave in front of our guest." Darien put his hand up as a signal that the battle was over. Then he gave me a hug. "Take care, Haley. We'll see you in the morning." "Make sure you take my little sister home, or you'll be hearing from me tomorrow morning for sure!" I kidded as Serena quickly hugged me again before she and Darien put on their helmets. They saddled his motorcycle and started off into the night. "Bye Haley! Bye Pyro!" Serena yelled as she held tightly onto her love. Everyone had finally gone. The night was quiet except for the slight breeze that rustled through the trees. I inhaled deeply and could smell all the familiar scents of Cherry Hill. I visited this place in my dreams, and I always awoke feeling well rested and content. "Would you like the same room as before?" Raye asked quietly. She looked divine standing there. There was no question that she was truly a goddess.Œ "The one with the cherry tree branch?" We smiled at each other. Any tension that may have been there when I arrived was gone. We were comfortable and secure together. "Yes, that's the one." No further talk was needed. I extended my hand to her and she grasped it. Hand-in-hand we walked into the temple. I had missed a lot of things in Tokyo, but that night, I remembered what I missed the most.