But it was totally worth it to get to talk to Neo-Queen Serenity herself. He had to admit that there was something about her that was special, and part of him was glad that Team Eclipse hadn't succeeded in taking over her kingdom.
The only problem now was that the transporter system had to be recalibrated to send him to Earth. Usually, any transportation went through the Moon's station first, and then the party would take a shuttle to Earth. At this point, he was beginning to think that would have been quicker.
But it was too late for that - he was finally being transported to, not just Earth, but the Mizuno's household.
The sensation was totally different from what he had experienced when he teleported using his former Eclipse powers. He closed his eyes to keep himself from growing too dizzy as he rematerialized in his new location.
When he opened the royal blue beauties, he found himself in a kitchen - the Mizuno's kitchen, he assumed. He had never been in their house, and was trying to figure out the quickest way to find Neko, when he saw a blue-haired lady lying on the kitchen floor. Guessing that that was Mizuno Ami, Neko and Mi-chan's mother, he ran to her and sat her up. He put his hand to her hot forehead, and felt his lifeforce begin to transfer to her. When he felt the pull on his chi subside, he attempted to wake her up.
"Mizuno-sama. Mizuno-sama!" he called until she opened her eyes a few seconds later.
Still a little groggy, Ami looked up at her unknown savior, asking, "Who are you?"
"I'm Jasper. I came to save Neko-sama. Um, where-?"
"She's upstairs. Michiru too."
He made sure she was okay before dashing out of the kitchen and up the stairs. He lucked out, choosing the correct path the first time, and soon he was in the twins' room.
It didn't take him long after reaching the room to figure out which twin was which. Neko lay on the bed, her loose green hair framing her pallid face. Her breathing was much more labored than that of her twin, whose head rested on Neko's stomach. As usual, Mi-chan's hair was twisted into a braid, and her rolled-up sleeves clearly showed off the tattoo that banded her left arm.
Jasper's eyes traveled down that arm to where Mi-chan's hand clasped Neko's. It was like a testament to the bond the two of them shared - a bond that they seemed to be challenging this disease to break.
Neko was his first priority, but he had planned to heal Mi-chan too, and as he lifted Mi-chan up off of her sister, his bare hand on her bare arm was enough to start the healing process. It was somewhat of a shock when the warm connection of his chi healing her hit, but he didn't pull away. It would be a waste of his energy not to finish healing her at that point, so he waited, his hands on her arms, until he felt the sensation subside.
Instantly, he sat her up against the bed and went to Neko's side. He hoped that he had enough lifeforce to save his beautiful sleeping princess. He was beginning to get a little drained, but if it would help her, he would give his last ounce of energy to Neko this time.
He braced himself for the searing heat of Neko's forehead, as he placed his hand on it. It was even hotter than Ami's, but he supposed that was to be expected since Neko had been sicker longer.
She moved into his touch, like a cat being stroked, and he supposed that his cool hand was a welcoming feeling for her. But he knew something was wrong. Sure he felt the heat from her forehead, but the warmth that usually accompanied the use of his power was missing. But even though he couldn't feel he was doing any good, he still felt a drain on his lifeforce. How could he know if he was even making a difference?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The last non-painful sensation Neko could feel was Mi-chan's hand. It still held hers, but the pressure she felt from it seemed to grow more and more distant. The pain was beginning to consume her, and she was aware only of that and the peace she could find if she were just to let go.
Until, suddenly, she did feel something else. A sweet serene feeling as someone other than Mi-chan had touched her forehead. She welcomed that feeling as it brought her back to a tranquiller surrounding - one filled with pastels and somewhat hazy, but certainly not with the harshness of where she had been previously.
"Jasper-kun?" she asked the guy she saw in front of her.
She felt his hand leave her forehead and her hopeful, illuminated world started to slip away. She instinctively grabbed his hand - slightly confused about how she was doing so without seeing it. The Jasper she saw before her had never had his hand on her forehead. Was he real?
"Neko-sama, I came for you, but- but I don't think I can help you."
"You came for me?" she asked, touched that he would do so.
"I'm sorry I couldn't heal you, but I did save Michiru-san and your mom."
Neko's heart filled with gladness. Mi-chan and Ami would be okay. She hadn't killed them, they'd be safe. Tears of relief filled her eyes.
"I wish I could stay. I'd be by your side forever, if it would save you, but it won't. Ame poisoned your soul, and I can't heal that. I wish I could. I wish-" He looked away. "I just wanted you to know that Michiru-san would be okay. I thought you'd like to know that."
He pulled away from her, and she had to bid him goodbye, barely managing before her vision went dark again, this time pulling her deeper than before.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jasper knelt by Neko's bed, enduring the pain of holding his hand to her forehead for as long as possible. Amethyst had done something deep, something that affected Neko's soul even, something that nobody could heal. Her symbol burned on her forehead where he had touched his palm. Knowing he was wasting his time and energy, he pulled his hand away.
To his great shock, her hand shot up and grabbed his. He felt his energy continue to drain, an ineffective transfer of his lifeforce to her body. The disease just continued to eat it up, more quickly than he could supply it.
