-Vincent McNabb, �God�s Way of Mercy�
Later that night Koby stretched out on a plush couch in Haruka and Michiru�s living room. They had discussed taking her straight home, but had tossed aside that idea when Koby expressed interest in speaking with the other Senshi as well.
�Besides, my mom will get suspicious if I�m home early,� Koby had argued as they pulled out of the parking lot. �Or angry. �Blowing off those study sessions with Jane now are you?� I can hear it now.�
In the end they had allowed her to join in their conversation with the other Senshi.
�It�s a good time for her to finally talk to them,� Michiru had reasoned. �Of course you can join us Koby. It�ll give the other girls a chance to practice the English that they�ve been learning.�
As Koby reclined on the couch relaxing her body, which was worn out after her practice and battle, Haruka and Michiru were setting up some kind of conference program on their computer.
�It�s connected by the Internet,� explained Haruka as she pushed a few buttons. �One small camera on each end,� she pointed to a small lens on the top of the computer, �is all you need. All we have to do is dial the number of the other girls� computer, turn on the camera, and wait for them to pick up.�
�It�s a lot like making a telephone call,� Michiru added as the sound of a telephone number being dialed and ringing filled the room.
A moment later the ringing stopped and the face of a girl with long black hair filled the screen.
�Haruka! Michiru!� the girl greeted them cheerfully. �The rest of us are here,� she continued in Japanese.
�Hello Rei,� Haruka greeted lightly in English. �We�re going to use English today for our guest�s benefit.�
�Your guest?� Rei asked, switching to English. As she spoke, several other faces filled the screen.
Koby took this as her cue to get off of the couch and join Haruka and Michiru at the computer. She did so, wincing slightly at a cramp in her leg, then stood behind the chairs that Haruka and Michiru had seated themselves in.
Michiru felt Koby�s presence behind her and smiled. �Everyone,� she said, �we would like you to meet our adopted daughter, Koby, or Sailor Centauri.�
Koby blushed wildly. It was the first time she had ever heard Michiru refer to her as her �daughter.� �Hi,� she said with a small wave.
�Hi Koby, I�m Rei,� the girl who had first spoken said as an introduction. �Sailor Mars.�
�I�m Makoto, Sailor Jupiter,� a tall brunette said next. �It�s great to finally meet you. You can call me Mako-chan�
�I�m Ami, also known as Sailor Mercury,� continued a girl with short blue hair. �I�m fluent in English, so don�t be afraid to speak your mind Koby. I can translate for the others.�
�Especially Usagi,� Rei said, smirking.
�What?� cried a blond girl whose long hair was tied back into two parts, held in place by two large, meatball-shaped portions of her hair. �Rei�� she whined.
�It�s the truth Usagi. You know the least amount of English out of all of us.�
Usagi�s eyes bulged. Seconds later she had tackled Rei, causing both of them to vanish from the screen. Sounds of their scuffle could still be heard however.
Koby laughed at their antics while Michiru and Haruka rested their foreheads in their hands and looked bemused.
The next to introduce herself was another blond with long hair. �I�m Minako, Sailor Venus. Perhaps you�ve heard of the Sailor V merchandise?� She held up handfuls of merchandise all bearing the same logo.
Makoto pulled the merchandise out of Minako�s hands with an exasperated look on her face. �Koby doesn�t need to see that just yet��
�Well,� Haruka said, �that�s everyone.�
Suddenly Usagi was back in the screen looking rather disheveled. �Heeeeeey, what about me?�
�Of course, who could forget our Princess,� Rei said sarcastically, rubbing at a mark on her forehead.
�You�d never guess it, but those two are best friends,� Michiru informed Koby as Usagi stuck her tongue out at Rei. This incited more laughter from Koby.
Turning her attention back to the screen, Usagi announced, �I�m Sailor Moon! Well, not now. I�m Usagi now. It�s great to meet you Koby. You have to meet my boyfriend Mamo-chan. He�s Tuxedo Kamen. Oh, he�s soooo gorgeous��
The four inner Senshi grabbed Usagi and wrestled her down to the ground, burying her face in a pillow as they did so.
As they attempted to stop Usagi�s blabbering, Koby asked Haruka and Michiru, �How old are they?�
�They�re a couple years younger than we are. Nineteen,� Haruka told her. Then, to the bickering inner Senshi she said, �We have some important information for you whenever you�re done smothering Usagi.�
Instantly the girls stopped fighting and looked at the screen innocently. From underneath a jumble of arms and legs Usagi�s angry eyes glared out. �Get off of me guys! I want to hear too!�
Reluctantly the four other girls released Usagi and settled down to hear what Haruka had to say.
�Better. We have some information on the Soul Stealers for you. Apparently their attacks can be used to steal souls as well. Once someone is hit they not only feel the effects of the attack, but they lose their soul as well.�
�That would explain their ability to take out large groups of people at one time,� Ami said, a look of enlightenment dawning on her face.
�That�s right,� Michiru said. �They are more dangerous than we assumed.�
�How did you find that out?� asked Minako.
Grumbling, Koby said, �They decided that I�d make good target practice.�
�They attacked Koby today at her soccer practice,� Michiru explained when she noticed the other girls� puzzled faces. �Have there been many attacks in Tokyo?�
�More than there were before you left,� Makoto said, scowling. �It�s so hard to keep up with them, they attack so quickly.�
�I�m so tired. Every time I start to fall asleep, Luna sends me running off to fight more of those disgusting things,� griped Usagi.
Ignoring Usagi�s whining, Rei asked, �Have you found out anymore about this Galactic Empire?�
�No,� Haruka answered, shaking her head. �Nor have we found out why they�re stealing souls in the first place. But it sounds like these Soul Stealers are just the beginning of the attack.�
�You mean there are more ugly things coming?� Usagi fell over backwards with a loud groan.
�Fortunately we have Koby on our side. Her powers will be of great use,� Michiru said, smiling.
�Aw, shucks. I�m not that good.� Embarrassed, Koby ducked her head so that the others could not see her blush.
�So modest.� Haruka glanced over at Koby, who was trying her best to hide the red tint on her face. �You will be a great help whether you believe it or not. I mean, look at Usagi. I still laugh when I picture Serena saving the world. But she�s done it more times than you�d believe.�
Recovering immediately from her backward tumble, Usagi popped back into the screen, scowling at Haruka. �You�ve forgotten to mention the time I beat you and Michiru in a fight.�
Haruka flashed a weak smile at Usagi, then checked her watch. �Would you look at the time!� she exclaimed suddenly before Koby could ask what Usagi was talking about. �Koby, I�ve got to get you home before your mother starts to wonder where you�ve gotten off to.�
Abruptly, Haruka got out of her chair and pulled Koby with her.
�I�ll just say goodbye for her then, shall I?� Michiru called after Haruka�s retreating back.
Haruka waved to acknowledge that she had heard her, and before Koby knew it, she was sitting in the front passenger seat of Haruka�s convertible, the wind rushing against her face.
�I wasn�t going to say anything,� Koby told her with a smile.
�Sure you weren�t.�
Koby knew that asking Haruka what fight she had lost to Usagi would touch a raw nerve and would probably be hazardous to her health, so she just leaned back in her seat and was silent the rest of the way home.
�Even though I still have a lot to learn about these people, I feel at home around them,� Koby thought as she waved goodbye to Haruka and headed for her house. �More at home than I�ve ever felt here, that�s for sure.�
Chapter 10
Chapter List
Home