Absence � By Kirika
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Chapter 17 � Destiny�s Hold
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Makareus leaned on the guardrail of the observation deck, taking in the sprawling metropolis that was Tokyo.
Humans� all going about their pitiful lives, what a waste of their last days of freedom he thought with disgust.
The wind picked up, blowing the grey suited man�s tie wildly while the breeze grabbed onto several nearby tourists hats and took them off into the sky. The wind died and Makareus watched as a baseball cap fell down to the streets below. He carefully straightened his wind swept tie with a black- gloved hand.
Makareus had recently got word from his youma infiltrators in the north that Khairephon�s entire company was destroyed, not to mention the berserker himself. Makareus� youma, the only youma to have apparently survived, had pulled out from the human city of Yokohama shortly after his brother�s fall, rejoining the main group in Tokyo. The youma said that a lone human female had killed the others. Makareus found that very hard to believe. His little brother was incredibly annoying, but his fighting skill was second to none. Except for perhaps Makareus. To think that Khairephon had met his match -and- been killed was unthinkable.
Is it possible this is just some sort of ploy? But to what end? And who would dare try to match wits with me? Makareus thought, no stranger to the politics within his youma ranks.
The master of deception snapped out of his thoughts as his right-hand youma, Iason, approached the guardrail. The youma was disguised as a human dressed similar to his master, in a dark blue business suit and light blue tie, his long black hair tied back in a neat ponytail.
�Reports from Laodameia my Lord,� said Iason, ignoring formal titles for Makareus� sibling. The youma knew how much he despised his family.
Makareus merely nodded, continuing to watch the thriving city below him.
�She states that one Sailor Senshi and their male ally have perished,� continued Iason, the high winds masking the conversation from casual human listeners.
Makareus turned his head towards his youma. �It is about time. The amount of youma resources the harlot has consumed should have been enough to kill the Senshi thrice over,� he growled.
Iason gave a barely noticeable flinch at the mention of his kind being referred to as �resources�. �Yes, my Lord��
�But still,� Makareus went on, ignoring Iason, �the engagement has gone on long enough. She had her chance and as I thought she has failed. It is time I took a hand in events.�
Thrinakie was a fool to entrust our sister to take care of the Sailor Senshi. That old goat� you would think someone so interested in collecting knowledge would be wiser>
�Iason� these �Sailor Senshi�� I have heard that they are young, for humans. This is true, yes?� Makareus asked.
The youma nodded. �Yes, my Lord. Some are,�
Makareus smiled coldly. �The senshi are concentrated in this ward. They must use the education facilities in the area; it is compulsory from young humans. You will plant agents in every centre of learning in Minato-ku, and into other nearby wards if the resources allow it. I will strike the Sailor Senshi from the shadows, where they least suspect��
�Yes, my Lord,� Iason replied predictably.
The grey suited man stepped away from the guardrail and looked around the highest observation deck of Tokyo tower, idly taking in all the people.
�The time is close to open the largest dimensional portal,� Makareus said, still gazing around the deck, �I do not want the senshi breathing down my neck when the time comes.�
Iason nodded. �Yes, my Lord,� he said, but his master had already walked away.
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Rei sighed in frustration, having failed to gain insight from the Fire once again. She had been sitting in front of the great Fire for almost two hours now, trying to find out where Minako and Mamoru were being held with no results. The miko wiped the beads of sweat off her brow and stood up, stretching her aching limbs. Rei was once more dressed in her priestess attire, the traditional Chihaya and Hibakama, the white and red parts of her clothes respectively.
The fire senshi didn�t know what was wrong; her focus was strong, or so she thought. Rei sighed again, this time in realisation. Her concentration was clear and unwavering to aid her princess, but to help Mamoru� that�s where her mind clashed. The only way Rei was going to be able to successfully get a vision was to let go of her hate for the man, the thief of her only love. She didn�t think that would happen anytime soon. The mere thought of Mamoru made her seethe. But there was also Minako to think about, and Rei didn�t want her friend to suffer in the hands of youma. The miko cursed loudly.
Why are things always complicated for me? Rei fumed, rubbing the back of her neck. The calling inside her was still there, never having left. It was even easier to feel now however, always pulling her somewhere. But she had gotten used to it, and barely acknowledged its existence.
Rei decided to give up for the night. It was late and she was tired after Usagi had dragged her all over the city. Not that Rei hadn�t enjoyed herself, of course. But the raven-haired girl also had school tomorrow, with god only knows how many make-up tests to take. With Rei�s apparent resurrection, her Grandpa had informed the T*A Private Girls� School that she was indeed alive and well and �eager� to return to school. Rei was not looking forward to it; school was a distraction from protecting her princess. The fire senshi would have preferred to stay by Usagi�s side all day and all night every single day of the week to make sure she was safe; Setsuna�s �moment� may occur at anytime. But then, Rei would have gladly stayed with the blonde forever even if she weren�t in danger.
Rei turned away from the large, constantly burning flames and spotted Yuuichirou�s head dart back away from the door. The idiot had been spying on her ever since she had returned to Hikawa Jinja. It was starting to grate Rei�s nerves. She heard Yuuichirou�s footsteps as he ran away quickly in his version of �stealth�. Rei put the man�s antics out of her mind and left the Fire room, heading to the bathroom for a long soak in the tub. The miko had to think of a way to locate Minako and Mamoru. A way that would actually work, that didn�t involve having fuzzy feelings for the prince. Rei refused to let Usagi down. But time was running out� she could sense it.
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Sailor Venus watched Tuxedo Kamen pull hard on his chains, trying to force the manacles behind his back under his legs. Venus thought he should just pack it in; the chain connecting the manacles to the wall was too tightly bolted for that to work. The two of them were in a small storeroom, not more than three metres by three metres in length. The only things in the room besides the senshi and the prince were lots of fluffy towels. Sailor Venus sighed blissfully as she looked at nice big pink towel.
It�s the shade of the dress she wears the blonde reminisced.
Venus returned her gaze back to Tuxedo Kamen. He was now on his feet, his arms stretched behind his back due to the chain connecting to the wall. The prince�s feet were close together, the manacles on his ankles making him have to hop to get to the mistresses� appointments. Venus smiled slightly. She didn�t have chains on her ankles; she had been favoured.
�I don�t know why you�re doing this� why do you want to leave?� Sailor Venus asked, genuinely confused.
Tuxedo Kamen merely gave her a worried look then closed his eyes, appearing to concentrate. Venus looked on curiously. Suddenly he jumped up, flipping over in a somersault, causing his arms to be pulled back over his head. Tuxedo Kamen smirked confidently and turned around, his chained wrists no longer behind his back but in front of him. He moved one hand inside his jacket and produced a lovely red rose. Sailor Venus� first impression was that the flower was to be a gift for the mistress in the next appointment. Instead, Tuxedo Kamen jammed the stem into the keyhole on one of his manacles, attempting to pick the lock. After several minutes, there was a click and he pulled off one cuff and started to work on the next one. Sailor Venus shook her head. She couldn�t understand why he was trying to leave.
Maybe he�s just an idiot. Or doesn�t like women. Oh, but there is Usagi, the princess. But the princess is just a single petal on a flower compared to the magnificent orchard that is Laodameia� thought Venus, her eyes glazed.
Venus was brought out of her musings as Tuxedo Kamen�s second cuff clicked open, his wrist manacles falling against the wall with a clink, hanging by the chain. He spread his ankles as far as they could go, pulling the chain connecting them taunt. Tuxedo Kamen raised his arm high, and brought it down fast and hard, throwing the rose at the chain links. The rose stem snapped the chain easily, freeing his legs. Tuxedo Kamen smiled in triumph then looked at Sailor Venus.
�What will you do if I release your arms?� he asked without emotion, the smile leaving his face.
What a stupid question thought Venus.
�I would go to her, of course,� she said.
�You mean the princess? Usagi?�
�No, I mean -her-, our mistress� Laodameia,� Venus replied, frowning. It was without question that she would go to the goddess.
Tuxedo Kamen looked at Sailor Venus, his eyes full of pity. Venus� brow creased further, perplexed. The prince knelt down next to the blonde and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
�I�ll come back for you, Minako, do you hear me? Don�t think I won�t come back with Usagi and all of your friends. We won�t leave you like this, we�ll find a way to free your mind,� he swore.
Sailor Venus raised an eyebrow. Had he finally cracked? Maybe she should just agree with him, isn�t that what your supposed to do with people in his state?
�Uhh� sure Tuxedo Kamen, Mamoru�� Venus replied, looking at him warily.
Tuxedo Kamen nodded, his expression grim. He stood up and took out another rose. Venus saw him take several deep breaths, as if preparing himself for something. Tuxedo Kamen abruptly threw the rose at the door lock, smashing the mechanism apart. He roared out a wordless cry and kicked the door open, while pulling out his black cane and extending it to full length. Sailor Venus watched as a man appeared in the doorway and took a crushing blow to the face, the cane pulverising his nose. The man staggered backwards and was pieced in the heart with a rose. He fell to the floor, his human fa�ade fading away as he clutched at the flower. More people appeared, coming out of doors down the hallway. Tuxedo Kamen charged forward, throwing roses at anything that moved and bludgeoning anybody that came near him with his cane.
Sailor Venus watched Tuxedo Kamen fight his way down the hall as more and more people appearing. Some weren�t even people. Venus sighed. It was a shame it never worked out between Tuxedo Kamen and the mistress. Maybe it was better it ended this way. Sailor Venus heard the prince cry out again as he made his last desperate stand. She absently heard glass breaking mixed with monstrous roars, her sight of Tuxedo Kamen lost due to the overwhelming number of youma behind him. Sailor Venus shrugged her shoulders, dismissing the man and returning her gaze to the nice pink fluffy towel.
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Artemis leapt out of the way as an object fell out of the sky and imbedded itself in the grass. The white cat had been out in the city everyday and night since Minako and Mamoru were captured, constantly searching for anything that could even remotely lead him to his charge. Minako�s parents had been going out of their minds with worry and had called the police to report her missing. With Rei alive, the miko would probably have more luck locating Mamoru and Minako through a fire reading, but Artemis couldn�t just sit in Minako�s room doing nothing.
As Artemis looked at the rose sticking in the ground, its petals falling, he realised that luck had shined on him tonight. He looked skywards, trying to see where the sign from heaven had come from. Artemis heard tinkling sounds as many glittering objects hit the pavement across from him, bouncing around slightly.
Glass�
The white cat scanned the top floors of the building across from him and spotted a broken window. It didn�t take a genius to sum up what happened. Artemis glanced at the rose once more and then ran off as fast as he could to Makoto�s apartment.
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Rei yawned as she stood out on the balcony at Makoto�s apartment, bathed in moonlight and looking at Tokyo�s nightline. Her long hair and coat caught in the wind, fluttering about. The raven-haired girl could hear the other Sailor Senshi and the two cats argue about how to approach the situation. Artemis had come bearing news of Minako and Mamoru�s whereabouts: some flashy hotel whose name escaped Rei at the moment. All the active senshi had been called to Makoto�s apartment, including Rei.
The fire senshi could hear Makoto vehemently cry that they should charge in there, and fight their way to their friends, destroying everything that dared oppose them. Haruka had siding with the brunette, fiercely saying that time was short and they had to strike now or Minako and Mamoru could be killed. However, Ami was suggesting that they should approach the situation carefully and take a more stealthy approach; the youma might harm the prisoners if they hear them coming, or lure the rescuers into a trap. Luna and Artemis had also agreed with Ami, neither wanting to endanger the prince and the leader of the princesses� bodyguard. Usagi merely sat on the couch; her head turning back and forth between the arguing groups, looking like she didn�t know which idea was the safest for the captured pair.
Rei heard footsteps as someone came out on to the balcony. She surmised it was Ami; her voice was missing from the arguing group. The blue-haired girl stood beside Rei and looked at her.
�You haven�t suggested how we should rescue Minako and Mamoru yet,� Ami said.
Rei just shrugged her shoulders. She had other thoughts on her mind, namely how she would take seeing Mamoru with her princess in his arms. The fire senshi had no doubt that she would succeed in rescuing the senshi of love and the prince. She simply refused to fail Usagi ever again. Rei heard Ami release a small sigh. The genius looked out at the city�s lights.
�It would be better if you told her how you feel,� Ami said quietly.
Rei turned her head sharply to Ami, one single thought racing through her mind: how did she know?! The miko opened her mouth to deny everything, but was cut off by her friend.
�Don�t say you don�t love her. Minako told me after your� funeral. She had been getting strange feelings from you for a quite while; you know how good she is when figuring out matters of love,� Ami smiled sadly, remembering their imprisoned friend.
Rei turned her head back to the city, a blush creeping up her face. �She shouldn�t have told you, she had no right,� she growled under her breath.
�It wasn�t her fault. She was very upset after your funeral, at the wake,� Ami said and then sighed. �I really should thank you for �dying�, it gave me the push I needed,�
Rei returned a questioning gaze to the girl. A small blush came to Ami�s cheeks.
�Minako� at the wake, she approached me and told me that I should tell� tell Makoto how I felt, before it was too late� like it was too late for you and Usagi,� Ami said quietly, her cheeks reddening more. She obviously wasn�t used to talking so openly about her relationship like this.
Rei blinked at Ami for a few seconds. Ami and Makoto? She thought back to the night she had returned to Tokyo, seeing them so close to each other, the looks shared between the two girls. Rei smiled ruefully, she should have seen it a mile away.
�I didn�t know,� the fire senshi said honestly, �I�m glad it worked out all right for you.�
Ami gave a smile of her own. �Well, it didn�t exactly go as smooth as you think; Luna still disapproves� but in the end, yes, everything worked out all right,� she grinned broadly and glanced back in the apartment at the still arguing Makoto.
Rei sighed wistfully. �You have more courage than I do,� she whispered, causing Ami�s blush to return, �but then my situation is different� you know that.�
�But who can say what could happen? You never know� don�t merely wait; it took your �death� to make me realise that we can still die, still lose our loved ones� our time is not infinite� even if Usagi doesn�t feel the same way, wouldn�t it be better if she knew? If I were to die tonight, at least I would die knowing I took the chance with my feelings, and that Makoto knew I loved her at the end� the future is not written, our destiny is not certain, anything could happen,� Ami said emphatically.
Rei smiled bitterly and shook her head, Ami�s last statements echoing in her mind, nearly mirroring Setsuna�s. �No� this destiny -is- certain, this future has already been written� this secret, I take to the grave,� she said without emotion, �If -I- were to die tonight, I would die knowing I gave my life for the one I love so that she might live� and that�s enough,� She finished in a whisper.
Ami looked at Rei strangely. �You are� different� since you came back from Yokohama,�
The fire senshi smiled, but Ami thought it looked sinister in the moonlight. �I�ve gained a new understanding on things,� she stated.
Rei looked back at Usagi, who was still sitting on the couch. The blonde looked up and met Rei�s gaze. The miko couldn�t help but smile at her princess, a genuine one this time. Rei took a deep breath and released it slowly. She would play the cards life had dealt her, she would stand by the choice she had made, no, had been forced to make. Rei would rescue her friend and save the prince for the princess, and smile and laugh appropriately when the two lovers reunited. It was her lot in life� the bonds of fate, destiny, whatever you wanted to call it held the fire senshi tight, but she wouldn�t struggle. Rei would do what she was meant to do, what her destiny called for. The fire senshi would protect her princess until her last breath left her body. If, by some impossibility, Usagi died, they die the same death.
Rei marched into Makoto�s apartment purposefully, stopping the arguments in mid breath. Ami walked in warily behind her.
�This is how we do it,� Rei stated in a no-nonsense voice, �we go in there, we find the youma, and we kill them all and save our friends. It�s that simple� besides, I have a promise to keep.� She smiled at her princess, but it never reached her eyes.
They all stared at her for a second, then Makoto grinned and nodded shaking a fist eagerly. Haruka agreed readily as well, followed by a reluctant Ami. Usagi merely looked at Rei with a peculiar expression on her face. The fire senshi couldn�t identify it, but she found it slightly� disturbing.
�Come on, lets go kick some youma butt!� called Makoto, as the Sailor Senshi left her apartment.
Part eighteen |
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