Part 11: Shattered

The kitchen was a mess! Shizuru sighed, and walked out of the kitchen, holding a newly-lit cigarette. Yukina was trying. Give her a chance. Shizuru peeked into the kitchen again. Yukina was merrily stirring some strange concotion into the mixing bowl she held.

"Uh, Yukina-chan," Shizuru swallowed. "What are you baking?"

Yukina smiled at Shizuru. "Baking something extra special."

"Mmm, that's nice," Shizuru replied. "Do you know what it is?"

The smile was still pasted on Yukina's face. "No."

Shizuru gave an exasperated sigh, and walked out of the kitchen for the second time. Let Yukina be. She looked so happy. Shizuru smiled, and shook her head. `Kazuma, you are one lucky guy to have her.` Shizuru thought, and took a puff on her cigarette.

A strong feeling. Good. Very good indeed. A mysterious being chuckled, his pendant glimmering in the sunlight. Maja was doing a perfect job with the humans. If they steal all the souls on Ningenkai, then Meikai's kingdom shall be restored, especially the souls of Koenma's followers, Urameshi Yusuke, Hiei, Kurama, and Kuwabara Kazuma. Nobody can help them now, not even Enma Daioh and Hades. He was now ruler of Meikai, and noone would dare stop him.

The being took steady steps towards the two-storey house, as the air filled with his booming laughter.

Everything went still all of a sudden, except the beating of her heart. Yukina dropped the bowl and ladel she held in her arms. They fell to the floor with a loud crash. Shizuru came rushing to the kitchen.

"Yukina-chan, what's wrong?" Shizuru asked.

Yukina stared blankly into space. She felt evil nearing. She looked at the water jug near the sink. The water shook, ripples growing stronger on the surface. Meikai... Meikai!

"Yukina-chan! Snap out of it!" Shizuru held her shoulders, and shook her. Yukina looked up at her, her eyes wide and full of fear. Shizuru felt it too. She sensed what Yukina was sensing.

Shizuru turned abruptly, and sensed something coming their way. She pushed Yukina out of the way. "Yukina-chan, look out!!" They both hit the gooey floor. When they looked up, they saw the sink and the water jug smashed into tiny bits of fragments and glass. They heard someone nearing. Footsteps. There stood a being with a long cloaked cape. He had an eye on his forehead. He towered over them, making them quiver with fright.

Yukina found her voice. "Y-you--!"

"Hoh... we meet again, little girl," He lifted her of her feet with the power of his evil eye. His left eye glowed a fiery red. Yukina's mouth formed a silent scream.

"You!" Shizuru burst out, as she got up. "Let her go!" She picked up a chair, and charged for the menacing being. She knocked the chair over his back. The chair shattered into bits and pieces of splintered wood. The being turned to Shizuru, and eyed her cruelly.

"I don't have time for this," He said, and pushed Shizuru aside with such force that she screamed, and went flying towards the living room, unconscious. "Your strong feeling is nothing compared to this little girl's." He turned his attention back to Yukina. "Now, give me your soul."

This time, Yukina screamed. The power of his third eye was extremely powerful, and was crushing her body. Yukina summoned a bit of her ice energy to build a force field around her, but she knew it wouldn't hold for long.

Laughter escaped the being's lips. "Don't be foolish, little girl. Stop struggling, and give me your soul. It will cost you less pain that way."

"It will cost her NOTHING!!!" Came a voice behind him. "RAIGO!! Let her go!!!" Raigo turned. That voice... His eyes met with fire. Blazing eyes. Hiei! The fire demon threw his black cloak over his shoulders. "I don't know how you survived, but now... you're not going to live to tell about it!!!" He took off the band on his head, and revealed his Jagan. "Kisama!!!" His third eye glowed furiously. "You're going to pay!!!" He took out his katana, the sharp edge shining a deadly gleam.

"Hiei, Hiei," Raigo said. "It would be wise not to interfere. I--"

"URUSEEEEEE!!!" Hiei leaped for Raigo, his katana ready to draw blood. He aimed for Raigo's arm. The arm that held Yukina. The blade went down hard on the arm, but had no effect on Raigo. Raigo still held Yukina in place. Hiei chose a different tactic. He charged for Raigo's shoulder. Raigo grabbed the sword's blade. To Hiei's astonishment, the blade broke in Raigo's grasp. Raigo laughed.

"I feed on the energy of strong feelings, Hiei," Raigo said. "I am much stronger now. You can't defeat me!" And he grabbed Hiei's arm, and tossed him aside. Hiei uttered a cry, and crashed onto the kitchen table, breaking it in half. Raigo looked smugly at the feisty Koorime. "You see, Hiei, my body was destroyed by your Black Dragon, however, I fed on evil strong feelings of humans, and regained my body once again."

Yukina couldn't keep the force field of ice much longer. She opened her eyes, and saw the boy she met up with in the alley. `No, don't come any closer. He'll steal your soul!` Her hands were growing weaker, her head was spinning. Battling Raigo's evil eye was torture. Mustn't give up... Her last ounce of strength... No... Weak...So weak... Her defenses broke. The pain returned. Yukina gave a pained scream; a scream that made Hiei's heart shatter.

"Let her GO!!!" Hiei said again. The bandages on his right arm disintigrated into nothingness. His arm shook from the immense power he was summoning: the Black Dragon.

"Hiei," Mukuro's voice rung in his head. "Let us join souls now. There's not much time!" Hiei's shook his head to drown out Makuro's voice.

"I don't need your help!!!" Hiei shouted to Makuro. He concentrated all his power into his arm. It shook violently as a small flame of dark fire emerged in his palm. "Don't underestimate me!!!" He shouted to Raigo. "JAOU--"

Yukina gave another scream; the longest ordeal Hiei had ever had. It was the last cry Yukina uttered before her head fell limply on her bosom. The kitchen boomed with Raigo's laughter. "Your soul is mine!" He examined Yukina's soul, then put it in the pendant he wore around his neck. Yukina's lifeless body fell to the floor, along with a pearl-like jewel that fell from her eye. Hiei stopped all movement. It was like his heart stopped as well. Yukina... NO!!!

Usagi ran to Mamoru. "Mamo-chan!"

"Baka! Look at his eyes!" Sailorstarhealer yelled to Usagi.

Usagi stopped. "His eyes?" Usagi turned a second too late. Mamoru closed his hands around her neck, and squeezed. "Mamo-chan... don't... please..." Usagi choked back a sob.

"Usagi-chan!!!" Sailorstarmaker and Sailorstarhealer cried in unison.

"STAR GENTLE UTERUS!!!" Starmaker's powerful blast hit Mamoru. Mamoru's body crumpled to the ground, his eyes staring off into the vast unknown.

"Yame te!!!" Usagi shrieked, and ran to Mamoru, wrapping her arms protectively around his neck. "Hidoi yo!! How can you be so cruel??"

"Usagi-chan," Came a voice coming their way. Usagi, Starmaker, and Starhealer turned, and saw Sailorstarfighter, along with Sailorneptune, coming their way. "That was the only way to save Mamoru's body. Unfortunately," Neptune lowered her head, and turned her face away. "His soul has been stolen by some strange and evil force."

"You've got that right!"

The five turned their heads to the direction of the voice. Up on the roof of a building stood an ugly demonic-looking being. It sneered down at them with sharp, fang-like teeth. On its gargoyle ears were several bell-like earrings. They tinkled with every shake of its head.

"Who are you??" The five demanded.

The ugly-looking being continued to sneer down at them. "I am Goho, a new follower of the Meikai."

"The Meikai?"

"The Meikai," Neptune stated. "Is the underworld. Sailorpluto told me about it." She raised her arms in the air. "Stealing people's souls is wrong! DEEP SUBMERGE!!!"

Goho jumped to avoid the tidal wave attack, and landed on the ground before them. He lifted his clawed hand, and swung at Neptune! Neptune managed to move out of the way. Usagi ran for cover behind the bushes. It was time for Sailormoon!

"Let me tell you about my power..." Goho told them, eyeing them with an amused expression, his tongue sliding over his gruesome lips.

"We're not interested!" Starhealer shot back.

"Oh, I'm sure you will be," Goho replied, stepping closer. "I'm sure you will be, because... my power has something to do with your fears."

"Our fears??" Starfighter echoed. The four took a step back.

"You see?" Goho mocked. "You're already cowering from fright."

"We don't need a loud-mouth like you around here," Starhealer snapped. She ran towards Goho, her arms outstretched. "STAR SENSITIVE INFERNO!!!" Suddenly, the park, the buildings, the street... everything... disappeared before her eyes. What surrounded her was a hazy cloud of mist. Even Starfighter, Starmaker, and Neptune had vanished. Where was she? She took several slow steps forward, her eyes searching the place. How weird. She heard a voice calling her name. Her real name.

"Yaten!"

A young girl appeared. She carried a small notebook, her eyes sparkled with delight, and her face was flushed. She wore a camera around her neck. She walked towards Starhealer. Starhealer? Starhealer looked down at her clothes. Everyday clothes! `I-I'm Yaten again! How--?` Yaten thought. `I'm male again!`

The girl stopped in front of Yaten, and looked up at him. "Yaten..."

"What do you want? I'm kinda busy right now, and I don't sign autographs until I'm free," He snapped at her, and turned his face away from her in disgust.

The girl smiled. "I don't need autographs from homosexuals." Yaten looked stunned. She continued, "I just wanted to tell you that your musical arrangement sucks!" She turned around, and was ready to walk away, but she stopped. "Oh, by the way, don't ever bother to touch a camera. I've got it covered. I won first place at the photography contest, and you didn't even make it to the runners-up." With that, she gave Yaten a sweet smile, and left.

"No... That can't be..." An anguished Yaten said, as he fell to his knees. "No..." A sharp pain stabbed his heart. He put his hand to his pained chest, and felt a warm substance. His blood. Yaten stared at his smeared hand in shock. Goho had stabbed him. Yaten's eyes rolled up into his head, and his body fell to the ground.

How strange. Everything had vanished, including Starhealer, Starfighter, and Neptune. It was best to take caution. Starmaker walked through the misty path leading to nowhere. She stopped, as she saw a tall building a few feet away from her. Her school! She took extra steps forward. Leaning on the school gate was Mizuno Ami!

"A, Taiki-kun," Ami said. "At last you're here!" She put down the book she was reading. Starmaker wondered why she had called her by her real name. She looked down at her clothes. A school uniform! She was now plain male Taiki.

"Come on, we'd better be going, or we'll be late for our exam!" Ami insisted, taking a confused Taiki by the hand, and leading him into one of the classrooms. Taiki glanced at the test questionaire that was laid on the table. Such simple equations! He didn't even have to review a single thing. This lesson was entirely familiar to him. A smile formed on his lips. This was, shall we say, a piece of cake! Very soon, the test had begun.

After several scribbling sounds from the pen, Taiki finally finished his exam, proud to have been able to answer every single question. He smiled triumphantly at Ami, who had just finished submitting her paper.

A few minutes later, it was time for the test results. Taiki sat up straight, a confident expression playing on his face. Ami eyed him like a critic would. The papers were distributed. Ami got her exam paper before Taiki did, and seemed very happy to receive such a score. Taiki looked over her shoulder to glance at her paper. It was a 98. Taiki sat back. He could do much better. He'd probably get a 99 or even a hundred. He waited for his paper. After awhile, his exam paper arrived on his desk.

He turned tha paper over, a conceited smile still glued to his face. His score was... Taiki gasped. No! It wasn't possible! He had received an F for 11 points! Only 11?? But...

This time it was Ami's turn to glance at his paper. She laughed. "What a low grade, Taiki-kun! Too bad. You know, even Usagi-chan could get a much higher score!" She tsk-tsk'ed, and walked out of the room.

Taiki was stunned. He couldn't believe this was really happening. This was a lie! Nothing was real here! He was going to fight to prove it! He stood up, knocking his chair over. He never made it outside the so-called classroom. His limp body lay sprawled on the floor as blood flowed from the wound on his left chest. In the background, Goho laughed cruelly.

Part 12: Fire and Ice

What a classy place this was. Yusuke had never seen such an elegant coffee shop. He looked around in awe. Such beautiful framed paintings and tapestries.

"Are you done stalling, or do I have to repeat what I asked?"

Yusuke stopped looking about, and fixed his eyes on the girl in front of him. Keiko. She put down her coffee cup, and closed her eyes to ward off the irritation she was feeling.

She took a deep breath. "Well?"

"A..." Yusuke faltered. "Ano... What did you ask anyway?"

Keiko rose, and so did her temper. She slammed her hands on the table so hard, that Yusuke almost jumped out of his seat. "Weren't you listening?? I asked you..." Her tone softened, "What happened at the park this morning?"

Yusuke looked up at her; at those big brown eyes of hers. They were looking at him, not with anger or spite, but with concern and... love. Yusuke felt a lump in his throat. He knew he was being unfair to her, as he neglected to regard her feelings.

"I..."

"Rei-chan says to meet her at the Hikawa Shrine by three," Meiou Setsuna interrupted, walking towards their table. She had entrusted Yusuke, Keiko, and Botan with the senshi's identities. Behind her, Tomoe Hotaru, along with Botan, followed, looking curiously at the couple.

Keiko sat back, and dropped the topic by exhaling sharply. She knew it was pointless to try to pursue the topic; to corner Yusuke. She looked down at her coffee, both her hands wrapped around the cup. Her hands shook with every breath she took, making the dark brown liquid ripple.

Yusuke's hands covered hers, making Keiko look up at him. His mouth formed a smile. A sincere smile worth more than all the money in the world. "Keiko, I'll explain everything when this is over. I'll make it up to you, I promise." Keiko just smiled back in reply. There weren't any other words to say. She trusted him, and understood him completely.

Botan glanced at her watch. "Well then, it's quarter to three. We must get going." Everyone nodded in reply. Just as they were about to head for the door, someone kicked it abruptly, startling everyone. Kuwabara stepped inside, carrying the lifeless body of Hinageshi.

Botan's eyes widened. "Hinageshi!!!" She ran to her body, tears forming in her eyes. "What happened?" She asked Kuwabara, her voice like a whisper.

"The Meikai bastards got her," Kuwabara replied, his expression unreadable. Kuwabara explained everything that had happened. He also told them what Hinageshi had told him. Yusuke felt his heart drop. He knew that that must have been hard for Kuwabara to see Hinageshi die before his very eyes.

Yusuke felt this sudden urge to punch the wall. Damn those Meikai scum!! Damn them all!!! He turned to Setsuna. "Setsuna, do you know where the Meikai passageway is located? I'm gonna make those assholes pay for what they've done!!" He cracked his knuckles.

"You don't intend to stop the cause by going IN the passageway, do you?" Setsuna said skeptically. "You know that that is out of the question." Yusuke mumbled something in reply, and put his hands in his pockets.

"Kuwabara-san?" Hotaru said, stepping forward. "I shall be in charge of Hinageshi-chan's body. I may not be able to bring her back to life, but I shall be able to heal her body just in case we get her soul back." Kuwabara nodded, and put Hinageshi's body down on one of the cushioned seats of the coffee shop.

"Well then," Botan said, as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "We'd better go now. We mustn't waste time."

Tears. Yukina. Kuwabara remembered. My God, he hoped and prayed Yukina was alright. Please, let her be alright...

Time stood suspended. Hiei closed his eyes. This can't be real. No, it can't be. He slowly opened his eyes, and saw Yukina's limp body by the kitchen sink. No... Yukina! Hiei bowed his head, both fists clenched. His Jagan had lost its glow.

Raigo continued to laugh. "Why is this girl so important to you, Hiei? Are you getting soft? You've been with the humans too long!"

Hiei kept his head lowered. "Urusai..." He said softly, his voice shaking with emotion. Yukina was gone, and it was all his fault.

"Because of this girl, Hiei," Raigo continued. "You became weak!"

"Urusai!" Hiei said much louder, but still kept his head lowered.

"She had very strong feelings anyway, Hiei," Raigo added. "Such a gentle creature. Cooking for her loved ones, and... the search for her brother. She was your sister, Hiei?"

Hiei's eyes shimmered. Unshed tears. Sadness engulfed him, as he clenched his fists tighter; much tighter, till they were sore and bleeding. Yukina... Hiei couldn't restrain himself any longer. "URUSAAAAIII!!!!" He finally raised his head, and charged for Raigo.

Raising his fists, Hiei tried as much as possible to punch and hit the cold-blooded murderer called Raigo, but to no avail. Raigo floated like a breeze out of Hiei's reach whenever Hiei would lunge at him. Raigo chuckled. Such an emotional fool!

With his energy spent, and his heart broken into several thousands of pieces, Hiei collapsed on his knees. He gazed blankly at the messed up kitchen floor; the only remainder of Yukina. Sweet Yukina. His sister. He didn't even get the chance to tell her... Hiei took out a blue pendant from his pocket. It was the only thing that kept the memory of his past alive. He eyed the icy-blue color of the rounded talisman for awhile, then placed the necklace over his head, and wore it on his neck.

Hiei turned to Raigo. "Kisama!! I'll never forgive you for what you've done," He meant it as a threat, but he said it in such a soft, low, and somewhat calm manner, that Raigo took a step back. "You're such a low-life scum!" Hiei added. He lifted his hand again, and this time, a bigger flame of dark fire appeared in his palm.

Hiei's Jagan glowed furiously now. Vengeance blazed in his eyes. "Now you're going to pay! JAOU ENSATSU KEN!!!" He attacked Raigo with his black fire sword. Raigo took a quick step back, but Hiei was quicker, and hit his chest. The powerful rei ki sword had burned Raigo, and at the same time, cut the pendant he wore around his neck. It fell to the floor, and cracked, freeing Yukina's soul from captivity.

Raigo eyed Hiei with spiteful rage. "Kisama!!!"

"Now feel the deadly power of the Black Dragon!" Hiei said. "You should never underestimate me!! JAOU ENSATSU KOKURIYUUHAAAAAaaa!!!!"

"Hiei, dame!!!" Mukuro's voice sounded again. "You'll kill youself!!! Hiei, DON'T!!!" It was too late. Raigo was much too powerful. Raigo absorbed Hiei's Black Dragon with his evil eye. Hiei collapsed on the floor for the second time. His enegry spent, and he was exhausted. He couldn't keep his eyes open.

Raigo laughed. "Pathetic simpleton! I thank you for making me stronger! Now you die!!!" He grabbed Hiei by the neck, and lifted him off the ground. Hiei was too exhausted to move, and too exhausted to know what was going on. Raigo gripped his neck tighter.

Yukina slowly opened her eyes. The pain had gone, but she still felt whoozy. She looked up, and saw Raigo squeezing the life out of the boy who had saved her. No! Stop it!! Yukina couldn't stand it. A cry escaped his lips, "YUKINAAAaaa...". The tears flowed from her eyes now, as the boy's body fell from Raigo's grip. Raigo disappeared, followed by his evil laughter.

Yukina struggled to get up, and ran to the boy's body. Please, don't be dead. She prayed for this to be a dream; a nightmare. One by one, her tears dropped to the floor with a clatter. This can't be real! Please... Yukina lowered her head to the boy's chest, and sobbed.

Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback

"Good morning, my friends! How are you today?"

They chirped in reply. Their songs brought happiness to the little snow maiden Yukina. She smiled at them, and they fluttered to her shoulder. Her friends, the birds. They were the only ones who understood her. She petted one with her finger, and very gently, kissed it on its little head.

"There's a snow storm coming later," Yukina told them. "I want you to stay in a safe place until the weather is alright, ok?"

Instead of chirping a reply, they flew away. Something scared them. Yukina looked up at a thick branched tree. A boy. He stared at her, surprised, and was about to leave, when Yukina stopped him.

"Please don't go," Yukina pleaded. "I don't have any friends here. Just the birds. It would be nice to have a real friend to talk to." She smiled up at him.

The boy still looked surprised. "You wouldn't want to have me for a friend." He looked away, but sat down on the stable branch instead of leaving.

"Why not? Have you been watching over me all this time?"

The boy looked thoughtful, rolling his eyes a bit. "I..." His sentence was cut off by the unfamiliar sounds of humans. They were on youkai territory, the idiots! They were trespassing, and that was more or less a mortal sin to the boy. There were five of them. Four of them were armed.

"Yukina," The boy said. "Get away from here!"

`How did he know my name?` Yukina thought. She felt extremely puzzled.

Yukina didn't know what happened next. She didn't know how it happened. The last thing she knew, she had passed out. She had smelled a strong aroma before doing so. Such a strange scent. She awoke with a piece of cloth on her nose and mouth. Her mind was fogged, but she heard the boy utter a cry. "YUKINAAAaaa..." After that, she had passed out again. It was only until she woke up again did she find out she had been kidnapped.

End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of

`I was young then, but,` Yukina thought, as she lifted her head from the boy's chest. `It was you in the tree, wasn't it? You always watched over me, and whenever I'd be in trouble, you'd always be there for me... like you were my...` She stopped. Her lips formed the word. It came out barely more than a whisper. "...brother..." She moved her hands to her mouth, a small gasp emerging.

Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback

The burn on her left arm hadn't healed yet. The way they held her was unbearable. Yukina winced. They held her arms tighter, as they watched Toguro fight with the young man named Kuwabara Kazuma, from above. Yukina didn't know the name of the other two; the other boy, and the blue-haired girl. They intended to save her from the hideous man named Tarukane Gonzou, who made a fortune from the tears she produced.

After the long battle, Kuwabara Kazuma had won, however Tarukane intended to escape along with Yukina. The door to the exit opened. There stood a boy clothed in black. Tarukane's men pulled out their weapons. Human weapons. But the boy was extremely fast, and took them all with his deadly-looking sword. They crumpled to the ground in a heap. The last thing Yukina knew, she was free from Tarukane's painful grasp, and was now behind the boy.

"I've finally found you, Tarukane," The boy said. "You're going to pay for all the pain you've caused!"

Tarukane took a step back. Fear. "No! Have mercy! We can work things out, right?" Sweat poured down his panic-stricken face. "I know what you want!" He pointed a finger at Yukina. "She's the one you want! Her tears are worth millions. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

The boy lost his temper. It snapped like a wire, and cracked like a whip. Yukina stared in horror, as the boy gave Tarukane a slug in the jaw, then another, and another, until Tarukane's face was bruised and bleeding.

The boy looked at Tarukane with digust, his face grimacing at the ugly sight before him. He took Tarukane by his shirtfront, and said, "You think it's THAT easy to forgive?? THINK AGAIN!" He raised his fist for a deadly blow. His fist was now inches away from Tarukane's ugly face.

"Don't!" Yukina cried, and hugged the boy's fist to her breast. "That's enough, please..."

The boy, surprised, turned abruptly to look at Yukina. "You can't be serious! This human is the one responsible for making your life miserable, isn't that right, Yukina??"

Yukina continued to hug his arm. "But... I don't want any more violence, any more hardships. I have seen and felt so much of those. I don't want to be a part of it anymore! Please, have mercy on him, please..." As she said this, her jewel tears fell from her eyes, and landed on the floor like marbles.

His anger diminished. He took a deep breath, and looked at Yukina with gentle eyes. "Now I understand. You don't have to be sad for this person, Yukina." The boy let Tarukane go, putting him against the steel wall.

Yukina let go of the boy's arm. "Thank you so much."

The boy looked through the glass window, and down at the three people who helped save Yukina. Yukina eyed him intently. "Who are you? What's your name?" She blinked at him curiously.

Startled, the boy looked back at her, his eyes wide. She asked again. He looked thoughtful, rolling his eyes a bit. Then he answered, as he looked back at the three people below, "I'm with them."

End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of

"Hiei-oniisan," Yukina said softly, like a feather to her lips. "Is it you?" She put her hand on his cheek, tracing his fine features. She wiped her eyes, and snifled. "I could heal your body until the others rescue your soul. I just wish I could do more."

Yukina took a deep breath, and placed her hands on his chest, summoning all her strength to heal the body of her dear departed brother. She concentrated all her power onto her hands, and a moment later she passed out, her head falling on Hiei's chest.

He didn't want to leave her alone, but he knew he had to check on his family. Yusuke and the gang could take care of themselves, he knew. Kurama ran, barely feeling the snow-covered cement walkway beneath him. Makoto would be alright if she stayed in the apartment. She'd be safe there... for now.

"Kurama," A voice in his head called. "The girl is in trouble."

Kurama stopped running. "Who are you??"

"It is I, Kurama. Yomi."

"Yomi! What are you doing in my mind?"

"If we join souls, Kurama, we shall become invincible, and shall be able to defeat Meikai."

"The girl, Yomi," Kurama said. "How is she in trouble?" A wave of uneasiness swept over Kurama.

"Maja--"

Kurama didn't even wait for Yomi to finish his sentence. He took off, running towards Makoto's apartment. He didn't even bother to knock when he got there. He checked the rooms, the bathroom, the kitchen... she wasn't there. Dammit! Stubborn girl! He told her to stay put! He stepped outside, and looked around. Where was she?? It was probably his sixth sense, but Kurama had a sneaking suspicion that she went east, to the direction of the mall. He rushed to the direction of the bridge, and stopped short when he saw the evil Meikai warrior Maja, and Sailorjupiter. To Kurama's horror, Sailorjupiter made a feeble attack with her leg, and gave Maja the opportunity to kick her off the bridge! Sailorjupiter screamed, and plunged into the icy water!

"MAKO!!!"

Maja turned around to face Kurama. Maja looked as pleased as Sunday's punch. A moment later, he laughed. "The girl's soul is mine now! Tough luck, buddy!" He put Makoto's soul in one of his bracelets.

`The bracelet! If I could just get the bracelet...` Kurama thought. He glared at Maja, clenching his fists until the knuckles cracked. `Got to get near him...` Kurama suddenly ran towards Maja. Startled, Maja wasn't able to react right away. Kurama took out a thorned rose from his long red hair, and turned it into a whip. "ROSE WHIP!!!" The deadly whip cut through Maja's defenses, slashing his arms, the bracelets breaking off his wrists. They fell to the ground, and broke into tiny pieces.

"Yaro~! You're going to regret that!!" Maja spat out, and disappeared.

"Mako!!!" Kurama cried. He had to save her body, or else what was the use of saving her soul if there wasn't a body to go with it? There wasn't much time to think. Makoto would drown if he wasted more time! He dove into the icy water, bearing the cold that numbed him.

After a few minutes, Kurama dragged Makoto out of the frozen lake. She was no longer Sailorjupiter. Kurama layed her on the snowy bank, trying to catch his breath. It was cold, so cold. He looked at Makoto. Her lips were a bluish color. No! She wasn't breathing! She couldn't die! He had to do something! He produced a plant to keep her warm for awhile, then he tilted Makoto's head back, and placed his mouth over hers, while pinching her nose. He breathed into her mouth; twelve breaths a minute. Nothing. Breathe! Breathe, dammit! He moved to her chest, and pushed downwards with his hands. Still nothing. He placed his mouth over hers again, and breathed the same twelve breaths a minute. "C'mon, Bright-Eyes, fight!"

A sound escaped her lips, then a cough. Her body shook violently from the cold. Kurama gave a sigh of relief. "Bright-Eyes..." He whispered, a smile forming on his face. He had never felt so relieved in his life. Now that that was over, he had to get her to a hospital fast before she got hypothermia. The plant he produced wasn't going to keep her warm for long.

Part 13: Fear Not

Thank goodness she was breathing normally now, but she was still shivering uncontrollably. The nearest hospital was about five miles west. There was no time. Makoto needed to get warm as soon as possible. Kurama had to do it himself. He ran as fast he could to her apartment, carrying her in his arms.

Kurama laid her down on her bed, and looked around. Damn, no fireplace! Where was the furnace? There wasn't even time to heat up some hot water. Blankets. There were two of them across the room. Makoto probably forgot to send them to the laundromat. Dirty or not, he had to use them, although they weren't enough to bring her temperature up.

He looked down at her, her clothes soaking the sugar-pink-colored fabric of the bed sheet. He had to get her out of those wet clothes. `Gomen, Mako,` Kurama thought, as he unbuttoned her slacks, and pulled them off her long legs. It burned Kurama's hand just to touch her. He didn't want to violate her in any way. He shook his head to brush the thought aside. This was Makoto's life we were talking about! He moved his hands up her belly to her shirt. She was still shaking uncontrollably. That was good. Shivering was good. Shivering increased heat production.

She made a sound; a half cry, half whimper. "Kurama-san..."

"Sshh... I'm here," Kurama whispered in her ear, gently sweeping the soft strands of hair away from her face with his fingertips. "I'm here, don't worry."

"...S-so c-cold..." Makoto said weakly, her voice just above a whisper. Her eyes remained closed, as Kurama took off the green shirt she wore. Over and over, he apologized, his heart drumming wildly in his chest. He shut his eyes tight as his trembling hands moved down her arms, and fumbled on the clasp of her brassiere, and freed her breasts. Again, he apologized. He reached for the unwashed blankets, and covered her with them.

The blankets weren't enough. Her skin still felt unbearably cold, and her teeth chattered involuntarily. She kept drifting in and out of sleep, her breathing growing fast and raspy. Kurama couldn't just stand there, and do nothing! He had to raise her temperature somehow. He clenched his fists, then looked at them. Ki. The heat of ki was the answer. But, the heat from his hands weren't sufficient enough to warm her entire body, and if he used up his ki, his body would be susceptible to Meikai and the spirits of Makai. That was dangerous, since Makoto was involved. Kurama swallowed. He knew what to do, but he would betray her trust in him. For God's sakes, her life depended on it, dammit!

Kurama gathered a bit of his courage. He nervously pulled his damp shirt over his head, and hastily unbuttoned and unzipped the soaked jeans he wore. He didn't even bother to fold the wet denim material. He took off his shoes, and approached the bed where Makoto lay. Every step he took was an effort; as if there were anvils attached to his feet. Slowly, Kurama lifted the blanket, and joined Makoto on the bed. It was the only way to thaw her out of her state... by the use of body heat.

"Forgive me, Bright-Eyes," Kurama said softly, his warm breath on Makoto's neck. "You're going to hate me after this." He wrapped his arms around her trembling body, feeling the swell of her breasts on his bare chest. He tensed. To touch a woman as intimately as this was driving his senses wild. He shook off the feeling. He shouldn't be thinking of such thoughts! His gaze wandered down her body; it was a masculine instinct he couldn't fight, he couldn't refuse, and couldn't control.

As the fox youkai, Youko Kurama, he would have eyed her hungrily. He had seen many wenches in Makai. However, this naked human female in his arms meant something to him. Something special. For once, he didn't know why. Human emotion, perhaps? Or the fact that her friendly, bright, green eyes captivated him? No, it was more than that. Or maybe it was because of her exquisite body... Kurama reddened. He turned his face away, and fixed his eyes on something else.

The air had become foggy. Or was it just their eyesight that was becoming blurry? As the two, Sailorneptune and Sailorstarfighter, were about to walk through the perillous cloud of mist, they heard two anguished cries. They stared in horror as Sailorstarhealer and Sailorstarmaker, who were now Yaten and Taiki, collapsed on the ground, clutching their hearts. The misty atmosphere vanished.

"You monster!" Starfighter burst out, looking at Goho with eyes of defiance. "You killed them!"

"That was the idea," Goho replied sarcastically.

Starfighter couldn't take it. She charged towards him, preparing to attack. "STAR SERIOUS LASER!!!" A series of laser-like stars appeared, and was about to hit Goho, when the fog returned.

"Starfighter!!" Neptune called. "Don't let the mist touch you!" But the white smoke was already enveloping Starfighter to her doom. Neptune rushed to Starfighter's side, and pushed her out of the mist's reach. The mist swallowed Neptune instead!

"Neptune!!!" Starfighter lay on her knees on the park's sidewalk, her blue eyes wide at the sudden rescue. "NEPTUNE!!" She cried, and banged her fists down on the pavement.

The sound of her heels was all she heard. Everything else was white, cloudy. Neptune gasped. This was the mist of doom! She looked from side to side, and hoped that she wouldn't have to face her greatest fear. She folded her arms against her bosom, as a chill flooded over her. She didn't feel her gloves, instead, she felt the cold tingle of her skin beneath her palms. Her fuku had gone, and she was now wearing a soft sea-green blouse, and a long grandmother skirt. She was now Kaiou Michiru. `It's happening,` She thought. `My fear is coming.`

Michiru heard something behind her, like a motor. She turned, and saw a race track... and a very familiar face. From the sandy blond hair, to the sparkling green eyes, to the tall, athletic figure, it wasn't hard to recognize her. `Him` to those who didn't know hew too well. Tenou Haruka. She seemed younger, more carefree. Then Michiru realized that she had gone back in time where Haruka and she had just met. And there stood, from the corner of her eye, was the young Michiru, standing near the bleachers. She watched Haruka from afar, admiring her for her skill and strength. It was rather ironic that two Michirus were eyeing the spirited Haruka, as she leaned on her race car carrying a shiny, gold trophy, to have her photo taken.

Without much hesitation, the younger Michiru approached Haruka, carrying a bouquet of perfect dark pink roses, and handed them to her. Haruka nodded in appreciation. The next scene made Michiru jolt. The photographer pushed the younger Michiru away, telling her not to disrupt the photo session. Haruka laughed at this. Michiru put her hand to her mouth. That wasn't supposed to happen. Then again, there wasn't supposed to be any photographer nor photo session.

The scene suddenly vanished in a cloud of whitish smoke. The mist was acting up again. Michiru stood her ground, and was prepared for any fear to come her way. She put her arms down as the mist cleared, revealing a huge room, with a wonderfully decorated setting. Haruka's room. There on the floor, cowering from fright, was Haruka. In front of her was a daimon of the past. A voice sounded, then a splash, as Sailorneptune's Deep Submerge cut through the air, and hit the daimon. A younger Sailorneptune stepped forth, and looked down gently at Haruka.

Neptune took out a strange-looking stick, which glowed a bright shade of gold. It floated in front of Haruka's face. Haruka stared at it in awe. "What's this?"

The daimon was regaining consciousness. Neptune said to Haruka, "If you take the stick, you can save yourself and the world, however it'll change your life forever."

Haruka swallowed. "It means I can't be a normal person ever again?" Neptune nodded. Haruka lifted her hand to the stick, but hesitated. The daimon was already getting up.

"You must choose your fate," Neptune added. "Quickly."

Haruka put her hand down. "I do not wish to change my fate. There are so many dreams I want to fulfill as an athlete, to be the best in motor sports, to hang-glide every single day of my life, and probably to teach little kids how to play basketball. I don't need someone nor fate to change that."

Michiru fell to her knees. `Haruka didn't say that. She took the stick, and became Sailoruranus. We became partners. Partners.` A tear dropped to the floor. This was not real! Before anything else, Michiru was on her feet. "This is NOT real!! NEPTUNE CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE-UP!!!" Her fuku had returned, as she transformed once again into Sailorneptune. She heard faint laughter in the background. Goho's laughter.

"Goho! Don't you dare twist Haruka's and my friendship!" Neptune said, her eyebrows lowering. "That's not how it happened, and you know I know it!" Goho's laughter continued, as the scene changed again.

This time, Neptune saw herself, Michiru rather, sitting all alone in her room. A canvas sat near the window sill, its colors were dull and unrefined. Michiru gazed sadly into the aqua mirror. That was the day she was leaving for her violin recital in London, the day she was leaving Haruka. The day she was leaving behind the memories of her beloved family, Haruka and Hotaru, her only family. Hotaru had grown up. She had Setsuna, and her real father now; not a girl she called "Haruka-Papa". Michiru didn't want to speak with anyone. She didn't even want to see Haruka. Instead, she wanted to paint Haruka's portrait, but she didn't feel the slightest bit inspired.

Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback

The rain tapped on the window. It had a nice rhythm to it, like a happy yet sad song. That was the irony of it. Did rain give a happy or sad tune? Haruka took a breath. She didn't even bother changing into normal clothes from her school uniform. She just needed time to think. The last thing on her mind was people complaining about what her wardrobe looked like. She leaned against the window pain of her apartment. It overlooked the city streets of Tokyo. Quite an interesting view, since she loved heights. She crossed her arms, and watched the rain outside. What was depressing her? She sighed. The message on her fax and answering machine didn't help cheer her up either.

Michiru, who had just come from the indoor swimming pool, walked up to the machine, and took out a piece of fax paper. On it was a map to a small island not far away. She continued to dry her hair with the bluish towel she held, and looked at Haruka.

"Are we going to go through with this?" She asked Haruka.

Haruka glanced irritatingly at the machine, then turned away, her arms still crossed. She closed her eyes. "No choice."

Michiru felt the coldness and the hurt in her voice. Haruka looked down at her slender hands. "I can't believe these hands are capable of killing. I hate these hands!"

Michiru stepped closer to her friend. A sad expression settled on both their faces. Michiru put her hand over Haruka's, and ever so gently, entwined her fingers with Haruka's fingers. "Haruka... I love your hands."

End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flsahback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of

That day... Sailorneptune wiped her eyes dry. ...The day they died to retrieve the talismans, the space sword and the deep aqua mirror. They promised each other to continue the mission even if it caused one of them her life. Neptune bit her lip. The deep aqua mirror... Of course! It would be able to drive away this evil. She took it out, and gazed into it. Haruka...

Neptune raised her head in determination. It was time to move on. Haruka had her own life now. She had hers. It wasn't right to depend on others to make one's self happy. Her hands clasped the mirror's handle, and lifted it into the air.

"SUBMARINE REFLECTION!!!"

A blast of light encircled the place. Neptune closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was back in the mist of doom. The mirror worked, but not entirely. Neptune heard Goho's laughter again. This time it was near.

"I admire you for breaking free of my illusions," Goho remarked. "But now, enough toying around. It's time to finish you off!"

Neptune turned as the cloud of mist diminished again. She saw herself as Michiru. She was with Haruka by the window again on that rainy day. "...I love your hands."

Haruka slapped her hand away. "I don't need your disgusting emotional plays!"

Michiru moved her hand away as if she'd been burned. Tears flowed down her face, as she ran from the apartment and into the street, the rain pouring down on her. It soaked her hair and her clothes, but she didn't care.

Neptune sobbed. "No! NO! That's not how it happened!" She fell to the ground. She suddenly heard a voice.

"Neptune! Fight it! Don't succumb to it!"

Neptune's sight was blurry from the tears. "Seiya--?"

Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback Flashback

He presented to Michiru a bouquet of a dozen thornless red roses.

"Arigatoo," Michiru sincerely said, and scooped the roses in her arms. She turned away from him, and walked over to the kitchen.

Seiya put his hands in his pockets, and looked around the room. "This is a real nice room you've got here."

"Yes, it is," Michiru replied from the kitchen. "I was supposed to have a two-bedroom suite, but I prefered a room with a balcony overlooking the sea."

"Why were you supposed to have a two-bedroom suite?" Seiya asked, and walked over to the balcony window, overlooking the sea. What a beautiful sight it was!

Michiru stepped out of the kitchen. "Well," She answered, her voice growing soft. "Just in case I got lonely. America is a very lonely place if you don't know anybody there."

Seiya faced her. Michiru kept her head lowered, starlight shining on her soft sea-green hair. Seiya placed his hands on her shoulders. Michiru looked up at him, her ocean-blue eyes meeting with his. Slowly, their faces inched closer together. Michiru closed her eyes and turned her face upward. He smelled so masculine. His scent was like fire and roses; so strong, yet so gentle. Michiru waited, her heart filled with emotions new to her. Seiya leaned down to kiss her. His hands, which were on her shoulders, moved to her back. He pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around waist. He, too, closed his eyes, as his lips neared Michiru's...

End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of Flashback End of

"Seiya..." Neptune whispered.

"Neptune... Michiru..." His voice was heard through the mist. "I may not be Haruka. I may not be able to take her place in your heart, but... please give me a chance. I loved Usagi once, but she didn't love me back. After that, I thought I'd never love again. I was wrong. It IS possible to love again after you've lost someone. Don't be afraid to love again."

Neptune felt a warm feeling settle in her heart, which gave her strength and courage. She got up on her feet, and was ready to face her fears. There wasn't anything to fear because she knew she was loved and needed. Haruka did have a special place in her heart. But they had gone their separate ways, and emptiness was all Michiru had ever felt since then. She knew she was attracted to Seiya a long time ago, but it never did blossom... till now. It was definitely time to move on. Nothing remained the same, and change was for the better. It was time to prepare a special place for Seiya in her heart.

Goho's ugly presence appeared before her. "I shall have your soul one way or another. You will not be able to escape this mist!" Neptune took out her mirror again. "Wrong! I have had enough of this evil trickery! Your mist of doom and silly games are over! CRYSTAL... SUBMARINE REFLECTION!!!"

The mist disappeared. With all her energy spent, she collapsed on the ground, happy to feel the cold cement beneath her knees. When she looked up, she saw Seiya looking down at her. He had transformed back into his normal self, so that his familiar male voice would be able to reach her through the mist. It began to rain.

"No! This can't be! How did you escape my mist??" Goho stepped back. A panic-stricken face had never looked so good to Neptune and Seiya.

"It's time to take out the garbage!" Came a voice from atop the roof of a building. There stood Sailormoon, her winged figure silouhetted against the pale light of the night. With her arms crossed, she looked like she meant business. "By the power of the Ginzuishou and Mamo-chan, I shall right wrongs, and triumph over evil! The souls of human beings is a sacred thing. Without it, our hearts wouldn't be whole, and love wouldn't exist! Not even hatred would exist! I won't forgive you, Goho! I am Sailormoon!" She jumped off the building, and made a perfect landing on the pavement. Her hair glistened a shiny golden color from the silver raindrops that fell from the cloudy evening sky.

She took off the brooch she wore which contained the Ginzuishou, and used its power to heal Yaten's and Taiki's body. The wounds on their chests had vanished. She eyed Goho intently. "Give back their souls!"

Instead of replying, Goho ran, hoping to escape with the souls of the victims and Mamoru.

Sailormoon chased him. "Oh no you don't! MOON TIARA ACTION!!!" The tiara sliced through the humid air, passing the droplets of moonlight rain, hitting Goho's lower ears. His bell-like earrings crashed to the ground with a tinkle and a shatter, freeing the souls of the innocent people, including Yaten's, Taiki's, and Mamoru's.

The fire blazed its fiery color, cracking wildly, its heat nipping at their noses. The Shinto priestess clasped her hands together, and chanted some sort of hymn; some sort of prayer. She knelt there like a lovely witch concentrating on a spell. Her fingers danced, her voice came out in a hushed mumble. Her eyes remained closed, as the flames of the fire before her grew larger. Still, she continued her chanting.

The floor creaked, as he peeked into the room. Kumada Yuuichirou sighed. He never got anywhere with Rei. He respected her, he would gladly die for her... he loved her. But he absolutely did not know if she loved him back. This were the times he wished he were braver, more determined. He heaved his chest out, straightening his shoulders. Yes, that's it. He'd be brave. With all the unusual things happening in the world, he'd do his best to protect Rei. He grasped the small velvet case in his hand tighter. Maybe it would give him goodluck. All he needed was guts...

"Rei-san..." He stepped into the brightly fire-lit room, where in the air, a haunting essence rung. A chill ran up his spine. The girl beside her, Ami, turned to look at him.

"Yuuichirou," She said. "What is it?"

Yuuichirou lifted his hands, and shook his head. "Uh, nothing, nothing..." He stepped outside, closing the door behind him, still clutching the tiny blue container. Nothing went right with him. Again, he sighed. Was it meant to be, he wondered.

"...Rin..." Rei repeated the verse again. It was amazing how she had memorized the finger and hand movements, and the chanting. The fire began to crackle loudly, making Rei's eyes opened suddenly. That wasn't part of it. Something was amiss on the grounds of the shrine. She stood up, her psychic sense trying to point out the direction of the force.

"Rei-chan?" Ami got up as well. "The enemy?" Rei nodded, but kept her face tightly drawn. Her eyes turning to slits as she kept her guard up.

`Such a powerful energy,` She thought. `I hope we'll be able to stop them.`

She stepped out of the room, the wooden temple floor creaking with each step she and Ami took. `I'd better warn Grandpa. He could be in serious trouble if I leave him alone.` Rei thought, as she walked slowly down to her grandfather's room.

She slid the door open. "Granpa..." And gasped. Her grandfather lay on the floor unmoving, his fingernails a bluish tint. Someone or something had cut off his oxygen! No!

Rei rushed to his side, and knelt down, taking his head in her arms. She couldn't stop the tears that touched her eyes. Whoever did this, was going to regret it! She lowered her dark head onto his forehead, and cried. Silent weeping. No sobbing, no snifling, no hiccuping.

Ami came into the room, and gasped as well. "Ojii-san!!" She clamped her mouth with her hands. The enemy was definitely going too far!

"Rei-chan, let's do it!"

Rei wiped her eyes on her sleeve, and nodded. "Right!" But the tears still flowed down her cheeks. "We'll show those scum balls what we're made of! I won't forgive them!" She took her transformation stick out from her gi. "MARS--..."

Something grabbed a hold of her neck, cutting her off. Its hands were scaly, fish-like, with claws. Rei tried facing her head upwards to catch her breath, but the thing only tightened its clawed hand on her. If the thing didn't let go of her soon, she'd be a goner! Such pain... Rei held her breath, but it wasn't going to last. `Try. Try!` She ordered herself. She was already getting dizzy...

Part 14: Gone Too Far; No turning Back

"Rei-chan!!!" Ami, who just came into the room, exclaimed. She raised her transformation stick in the air, and yelled, "MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!!!" The blue fuku she had worn earlier returned, as Sailormercury took the place of Ami.

"You let her go!" Mercury demanded to the fish-like monster. The monster sneered back at her, and continued to hold Rei's neck. Mercury knew that she had to be careful with using her attacks. One wrong move, and Rei could get hurt. She touched her earring, and the visor she had on awhile ago, rematerialized across her face. With her mini computer at hand, she calculated the distance, the angle, and the direction of the monster and the blast she was going to do.

She found them. "SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!!!"

Just as she thought she'd hit it right on the spot, the monster leaped from its post, along with Rei. Mercury made a small sound which was half gasp, half cry. She had missed!

The monster laughed. "Too bad your weapon is water. I can sense water from a mile away." Rei struggled in its arms, her face contorting into a look of anguish. "And even if you hit me with your pitiful blasts, there wouldn't be any effect."

"Oh, no..."

"Now, it's my turn!" The monster declared, readying its clawed hand, so that it was aimed towards Mercury. Just as Mercury was beginning to think that there wasn't any other way to save Rei, Yuuichirou rushed into the room, and knocked the monster down to the ground, freeing Rei from its grasp. Rei tumbled to the floor, her hand on her painful neck. Yuuichirou flailed wildly at the monster. Punching it, scratching it, kicking it, kneeing it... everything to keep it away from Rei. The monster struggled back. The two rolled on the floor for countless minutes. Still, Mercury and Rei couldn't make out who the victor was going to be... until the ugly fish raised its clawed hand at Yuuichirou, slashing his back, making him cry out.

"Yuuichirou!!" Rei exclaimed.

Yuuichirou fell to the floor, unable to move because of his back. Rei's eyes teared as she saw the red markings on his torn garment. The monster got up, and prepared to give Yuuichirou another taste of its clawed hand. Rei saw the blood; heard the cries of anguish; felt his pain. She couldn't stand it. "You can't do that to Yuuichirou!!!" She bellowed to the sea-denizen- like creature. "Yurusenai!!!"

"Rei-chan..." Mercury said.

Rei raised her transformation stick high in the air. With a confident voice, she yelled, "MARS CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!!!". A wave of electric fire swept over her in a vigorous motion. She felt her energy returning, and increasing even more. Her priestess outfit disappeared, and was replaced by a fuku of vivid red. A tiara with a bright ruby encircled her forehead, and a scarlet choker with a single golden star on her neck. She placed a gloved hand on her hip, and glared at the monster.

Yuuichirou, who was half conscious, stared in awe at the girl whom he loved and respected. "Rei-san... Sailormars..." He passed out completely after that. "It's payback time, fish-face! In the name of Mars, I shall punish you!" Sailormars declared. With a swift movement of her arms, a pair of long objects emerged from her hands. A flaming bow and arrow!

"MARS FLAME SNIPER!!!"

The blazing arrow pierced the air, and scored a direct hit. The monster cried out in agony, but didn't crumple to the ground. "What's wrong?" Mars said to it. "Why don't you just die already??"

Mercury punched some keys on her mini computer. "Mars, according to my computer, the place where your flame sniper had hit wasn't a vital part, that's why the monster's still standing!"

"Nani?" Mars gasped. "Where is its weakness?"

The monster laughed, as the fire arrow disintigrated into nothingness. "Weakness? What weakness? I don't have a weakness!"

"Don't listen to it, Mars!" Mercury said, and continued to work on her miniature data processor. "Its got one somewhere... found it!" However, the monster had decided to attack them before Mercury had the chance to figure out where its vital part was. Mars and Mercury gave a cry, as the monster's sharp claws were about to embed themselves into the two senshi's bodies!

"REI KEN... GET LONGER!!!"

A sword of powerful spirit energy flashed before Mars and Mercury's eyes, as it plunged into the ichthy-like monster. They gave a sigh of relief, as they saw Yusuke, Sailorpluto, Botan, and a weird-looking guy, step forth from outside. The monster screeched in pain, but was still on its feet. Yusuke was ready to zap it with his rei gun.

"Yusuke-kun, aim for the gills! On its neck!" Mercury said.

"Yosh! All right, you're sushi, Meikai scum!" Yusuke aimed a finger at it. "REI GAAAAaaaN!!!"

A powerful blue light emanated from Yusuke's fingertip. The monster's loud scream filled the air, as the spirit gun did its role, and finished off the monster. "Yata ze!" Yusuke cheered to himself.

Mercury put away her computer and visor. "That'll show that ichthyology specimen!"

"Yusuke-kun, arigatou," Mars thanked Yusuke. Yusuke grinned at her.

"Who's this?" Mars pointed to Kuwabara.

"A, him? He's just a big-mouthed buddy of mine," Yusuke replied.

"What was that?? And who do you think you are?? Mr. Perfect himself??" Kuwabara countered.

"Hey, hey, calm down you two," Botan chided.

"What a bunch of noisy teenagers! Can't an old man get some rest around here?" An old man stepped into the foyer. "Oh, I didn't know there were that many of you..."

Mars' face lit up. She was overjoyed that her grandfather was all right. However, she couldn't run to him and hug him, because she wasn't Rei at the moment. She didn't care. Fighting against the Dark Kingdom, Black Moon, Death Busters, Dark Circus, and Queen Galaxia, was finally over. They were very powerful enemies. But now they were dealing with a much more powerful force. What if she never got to see her grandfather again because of this battle? As if reading her thoughts, Pluto nodded to her. She sucked in her breath, and walked up to him. "Grandpa," She said, and leaned down to hug him. He stared at her in bewilderment for quite sometime, before realization sunk into him. With eyes tearing, he hugged her back.

"Rei... is that you?" He asked.

"Hai, Grandpa..."

Kuwabara sniffled. "Gee, this is very touching."

Botan nodded, wiping her eyes. "Soo."

"Ne, what are we going to do about this guy here?" Yusuke pointed to Yuuichirou.

"Ack!" Mars exclaimed, almost forgetting about that. "Yuiichirou!"

Zoom. Bap. Zoink. Gonk. Bop. Ka-boom!

She gave a frustrated cry, as she pulled on her hair. Try again! Pulling up her sleeves, she cracked her knuckles, and inserted another coin into the machine, for Aino Minako was not a born loser. The two, Tenou Haruka and Minako, who had transformed back from sailor senshi, went to investigate the Crown game center to check if all the people were safe indoors. Evidently, nobody was there, but had left the center unlocked and unattended. They had decided to go inside, and take a break from all that sailor sleuthing.

"Yaaaah!!!" Minako yelled, as she punched wildly on the buttons. "We're supposed to be scouting the area, not playing video games!" Haruka grumbled, folding her arms. She leaned on the arcade machine, and dully watched the screen where the game, Sailor-V, was taking place. "Couldn't you have picked car racing?"

"Car racing?!" Minako answered disbelievingly. Another `Game Over` flashed across the screen. "Darn! This game is rigged! You always beat me in car racing, Haruka-san!"

Haruka chuckled. "You wanna give it a try again?"

"Car racing? Are you challenging me? Yosh, You're on!" The two seated themselves down in front of the arcade game, ready for a cyber race. "Mou~! Don't pull your starting last, and finishing first technique, Haruka-san!"

"Heh-heh... All right. We start at the same time then."

With their hands on the steering wheels, Haruka plopped a coin into the machine. They revved their motors, and soon, a checkered flag waved on the screen. They were off! Vroom. Screech. Zoom. Rurr. For continuous minutes, their cyber automobiles sped through various dirt roads, and highways. Minako was getting better, Haruka observed. She shifted gears, and slowly stepped down on the accelerator. Minako saw from the corner of her eye what Haruka was doing. She wasn't going to let Haruka beat her again. The last time she did, Minako thought she was a guy. Haruka would have been the perfect guy for her, but turns out, Haruka wasn't a boy at all. It was such a big disappointment. Everybody among the inner senshi had boyfriends. Usagi had Mamoru. Ami had Ryo. Rei had Yuiichirou. Mako had... Kurama had plenty of potential. Minako smiled. Makoto and Kurama... quite a nice ring to it. Minako was so happy for everyone, but couldn't help feeling a bit envious about it. She had all the rotten luck in the world when it came to men! Why, she wondered, was it always that way? She was pretty, witty, vivacious, and cheerful. What more did guys want? Her heart mended bit by bit from the pain caused by Allan and her bestfriend Katareena. It did not bother her much now, but then...

"Allan, I'd like you to meet my friend, Katareena." She introduced the tall, dark-haired man to the auburn-haired woman, who had her hands folded behind her.

It was the perfect day for a nice ride on the ferris wheel, or the carousel, or the roller coaster. In other words, an absolutely great day to be at an amusement park. 13-year-old Aino Minako had invited her two close friends, Katareena and Allan. London breeze was the finest on a nice October afternoon, and her birthday was coming up. Oh, she was so excited! It didn't matter if it was going have just a small party, just as long as Allan and Katareena were there. She loved Allan; he was very special to her. She had encountered dozens of men, and none of them were as kind and as caring as he. He was her brotherly figure, and at the same time, her prince. Allan knew that, though how it came to be was such an embarassing situation. Katareena was like her sister; an older sister who always listened to her, and talked things out with her, and had even taught her how to speak English. Being an only child, Minako had always wished for someone to talk to now and then. The only company she kept was Artemis, the strange white cat who appeared out of nowhere. He could talk, yes, but he was always way too serious, and he was in Tokyo. Only Artemis and Katareena knew of her secret identity as Sailor-V, the mysterious crimefighter who was wanted by the Tokyo police. However, she did not travel to London to flee. She had received word that forces from the Dark Kingdom were extremely powerful in England. She met Allan there. He had showed her the way around, and had been the most gallant person she'd ever met. She had also met Katareena, one of the best police officers in the London district. Because of their friendship, Katareena and Minako became partners in the field of crimefighting. Allan and Katareena were the dearest people to her heart, so she had decided for the two to meet.

After the carousel, Minako cheerfully shouted, "Katareena, Allan, hurry up you two! Last one on the ferris wheel is a rotten egg!"

Allan chuckled. "She's a good kid."

The view from the ferris wheel took Minako's breath away. It was beautiful! She smiled at Katareena and Allan, who were deep in conversation, then turned back to lean her hands on the glass window of the cable car.

Trips to the park, and many other events similar to that took place whenever Minako was with the two. They had so much fun. She was so glad that Allan and Katareena had gotten along very well. In fact, they were inseparable. It was wonderful that Katareena approved of Allan. Minako would even daydream now and then about walking down the aisle in a glorious wedding dress, with Katareena as her bridesmaid; and of course, Allan, the groom, waiting patiently at the altar for his bride to come to him. Only one day to go before her birthday. Minako was ecstatic.

After several days of enjoying picnics, amusement parks, and sightseeing, Katareena and Minako suddenly received word about a bombing incident in the northern district. According to the data, the criminals' hideout was an old abandoned warehouse. Minako and Katareena nodded to each other. It was time for the heroine, Sailor-V.

They were on to the case. Before midnight, Sailor-V and Katareena headed towards the warehouse. They silently circled the building. There wasn't a trace of movement anywhere. Katareena motioned for Sailor-V to investigate inside. Readying her gun, Katareena said she would wait outside, her radio ready just in case she had to call for backup. Sailor-V swiftly entered the building, wary of the danger lurking about inside the dark warehouse. She went deeper into the blackness of the house, taking quick, silent steps. Her eyes searched the place, and rested on a figure trying to run away. Before Sailor-V could holler to him to stop, she heard the sound of metal rolling on the warehouse floor. She dropped her gaze to a round device, which made her eyes widen in horror. A bomb! She uttered a gasp, then a scream, as loud BOOM and a blinding light filled the building.

Katareena was thrown from her post by the strong explosion. She let go of her gun, and lay on the pavement, dirt and soot on her skin and uniform. She turned her head towards the warehouse, which was now burned to ashes by the blazing fire. NO!!! Minako!!!

Katareena sobbed, and cried, "MINAKOoo!!!"

Trying her best not to cry, Sailor-V, or Minako, limped to a narrow alley filled with graffiti. She leaned on the brick wall, and sunk to the ground. It hurt so much. She was sore and bleeding, and her Sailor-V costume was totally ruined. She smiled despite the pain. It was time to get a brand new look anyway. She tried gritting her teeth to stop the tears. She held her head high. Aino Minako does not cry. She repeated that phrase over and over in her head. How lucky she was to have survived. She could still have that birthday party she planned. Only a few minutes to go before the big day...

She heard a familiar voice outside the alley, with a well-known figure and dark hair. Allan. Minako was so happy. 'Allan, I'm over here. Please help me.' She wanted to say. When this case was over, she vowed she would tell Allan the three special words she felt and meant: `I love you`. The clicking and clacking of a woman's heels sounded on the pavement. Katareena. She was crying, and ran to Allan.

'Katareena, it's okay', Minako thought, 'I'm alive.'. She tried to get up, but found no strength to do so. What Minako saw after that made her suck in her breath.

Allan embraced Katareena. "Don't cry," Allan crooned, hugging her to his chest, and stroking her auburn tresses. "I'm here. I'm always here for you."

Everything shattered before her eyes. Minako bowed her head, and sobbed. They had fallen in love; fallen in love without even letting her, the slightest bit, know. It was a cruel world. She was wrong; Aino Minako does cry. The tears flowed freely down her cheeks. The pain she felt from the injuries on her body could not compare to the pain she felt in her heart. The clock struck twelve. It was her 14th birthday.

"Oi, oi, Neko-chan," Haruka's voice broke through Minako's train of thoughts. "It's just a game."

Minako gripped tbe steering wheel tighter, and realized what Haruka was saying when a single tear dropped onto her arm. Minako quickly wiped it away with her sleeve, and fixed her attention back to the game. Haruka was in the lead by 5 miles.

"Hey, are you all right?" Haruka asked. "You don't look so hot."

"I'm fine," Minako snapped, then bit her lower lip because of her outburst.

Haruka had stopped holding on to the steering wheel and the gears, and shifted her eyes to rest on Minako. Conscious of the pair of green eyes watching her, Minako let out a cry and a groan, as her cyber-car went flying out of the road, and fell down with a CRASH. Another `Game Over` flashed across the screen.

"Great," Minako muttered. "Looks like you win again."

"Well?" Haruka persisted. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing's up!" Minako replied defensively, slamming her palm onto the arcade machine. She knew she was being childish, but the topic was making her extremely grouchy. As if Minako's hand had triggered a secret button, the arcade machine began to shake convulsively. However, Haruka and Minako were too busy arguing to notice.

"You don't have to be so touchy about it!"

"Touchy?! And tell me what your idea of touchy is, Miss Know It All!"

"You want me to spell it out for you, Miss Schizoprenic??"

"Schizoprenic?! At least I don't go around teasing and flirting with girls, and breaking their hearts, like some people I know who's a girl herself!"

"Well, at least I don't go around donating every last ounce of blood from my body just so I could prove to everyone I have a pure heart, and have my heart crystal taken!"

"Why you---!!" They bit back in unison.

The two exchanged dagger glares for a long while, until they heard a soft rumble coming from the arcade machine. Averting their eyes towards the machine, they gasped when they saw it shaking violently. The two took a step back, as the machine started to shift shape. The monster of a machine slowly grew hands, then legs, and suddenly a head. Haruka and Minako stared in horror, as the arcade machine changed into a monster completely!

"Minako, henshin yo!" Haruka ordered.

Minako was about to complain on who's the leader, and 'who gives the orders around here', but there was no time. In times of crises, dilly-dallying was not a very good trait for a leader. She took her transformation stick without hesitation, and raised it high above her head. "VENUS--" Minako was not able to finish the phrase. A strong force, like a blast of wind and light, pushed her back, sending her flying and crashing out the game center's window. She screamed, and protected her face from the broken glass shards.

"Minako!!" Haruka cried, and glared at the monster who did the unforgivable act. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size??"

The monster sneered back at Haruka, its body framed with metal, its eyes glowing like twin lights. It took a step towards her, as it pressed a button on its hard-framed body, and a futuristic kind of gun appeared in what used to be its hand, and aimed it at Haruka.

"See you in Meikai." It said, and fired. Haruka's eyes widened in alarm, and she uttered a low cry, as a zapping beam of electricity, from a Sailor-V game, headed towards her with lightning speed.

"VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN!!!" A chain of golden hearts appeared, wrapping itself around Haruka. Before Haruka knew what was happening, the chain dragged her off to safety. The bomb exploded a few feet away from her. Haruka breathed a sigh of relief, as she looked up at her savior, Sailorvenus.

Venus winked down at Haruka. "Saved your butt twice now."

Haruka got to her feet, brushing her pants clean. "Yeah yeah, thanks."

"Well, aren't you going to transform, Miss Superiority Complex?" Venus asked impatiently.

"Yes, your highness," Haruka replied sarcastically, and raised her transformation stick up in the air. "URANUS CRYSTAL POWER... MAKE UP!!!" Haruka became Sailoruranus. The boyish attire now gone, she was now wearing a dark blue and yellow fuku, and boots.

Uranus stepped forward, one hand on her slender hip. "I am the guardian of the sky, Sailoruranus!"

"And I am the senshi of love, Sailorvenus!" Venus provided.

Side by side, they stood ready. "You're not going to get away with this!" They said to the monster.

The monster did not flinch or run away. Instead, it clicked on a small switch on its body. A bazooka-like gun emerged from its hand, replacing the laser gun. The monster pulled the trigger, and a bullet, which appeared to be a bomb, popped out of the gun's barrel with a loud 'BANG'. It headed towards the two senshi with tremendous velocity.

"Venus! Split up!" Uranus commanded.

Of all the conceited--! Who did she think she was, ordering her around like that?? Venus complied, but frowned deeply at Uranus' bossy statement. Uranus ran left, Venus went right. Their intention was to dodge the small missile heading their way. That way, the bomb would not be able to touch them. Unfortunately, and very surprisingly, the bullet-bomb turned right, and followed Venus!

Uranus stopped running, and turned. "Venus!! Behind you!! No, don't turn around, you idiot!! Keep running!!" Venus hardly felt the floor beneath her. All she heard was the loud clacking of her orange heels, and Uranus' frantic voice. The bomb was right behind her! Like a heat-seeking missile, the bullet-bomb trailed her. But why didn't it come after Uranus? Great dynamite, how long was she going to keep running away like this? She was already trying her best to catch her breath.

"Venus!" Uranus called. "Think of physical education!"

'That baka!' Venus thought, fuming. However, Uranus did have a point. Venus thought back to the days when she was the best marathon-runner in her class. Physical education was her favorite subject. Hooh, boy, she sure needed recollections of past lessons, and adrenaline at this very moment.

Uranus faced the monster. �The game�s over for you! WORLD--!�

The monster laughed. �Go ahead. You can kill me, but that won�t save your friend.�

Uranus put her arm down, and cursed. Now what? 'Venus, hold on,' Uranus thought. 'I'll get you out of this somehow.'

Venus knew she was tiring. Her breath was coming in short pants, and her calves were starting to feel numb. Like cat and mouse, she continued to run around the game center, with the bomb of a bullet chasing her. Her legs grew weaker with every step she took. Then, as if an imaginary light bulb lit up in her brain, she smiled. She had a plan. She hoped that it would work; it always worked in movies. Summoning a tad bit of strength, she swiftly ran towards the monster. As soon as she was a nose away from it, she jumped and tumbled over it. Landing gracefully on her low-heeled, orange shoes, she looked back at the monster, hoping that the bomb got it instead. No such luck. Venus screamed, as the bomb went down on her, ending in a loud, explosive KA-BOOM.

�VENUS!!!� Uranus screamed.

Part 15: Revelations P>The monster laughed hysterically. �That bomb wasn�t heat-seeking. It was �strong-feeling-seeking�.�

�Kono--!� Sailoruranus clenched a fist.

Uranus heard a muffled voice under the thick layers of smoke. �Venaas Roring Haat Vaibraesion!!!� The smoke began to clear. Uranus� eyes grew as wide as saucers. �VENUS!!�

Uranus� shock disappeared, and her gaping mouth formed a smile. There stood Venus with her hands on her hips, tiny scratches from the explosion on her legs, but she looked perfectly fine. Uranus was about to wonder how she had survived, when she saw a series of hearts rotating around the golden-haired sailor like some sort of forcefield; the �Venus Rolling Heart Vibration�!

Venus flipped her hair over her shoulder, and glared at the monster. �I�m back! It�s gonna take more than just a bomb to outwit me! Lightning never strikes the same place twice!�

The monster looked flabbergasted, but regained its composure. It aimed its gun at Venus again, preparing to shoot. Venus glared at the monster. The shield of hearts disappeared, as she raised her arm for a blast to counterattack the gun. The monster fired, and so did Venus. �CRESCENT BEAM... SHOWER!!!�

It ended in a loud explosion, but neither of them got hit. Venus placed her hands on her hips again, and smiled smugly at the monster. The monster gave a cry of disappointment, and took out another kind of gun. It laughed, and pointed it at Venus. �This is my lightning bolt gun!�

Venus raised an eyebrow. �Lightning bolt gun?� (A large sweat drop appears at the back of her blonde head.)

�Geez, couldn�t it come up with a much better name?� Uranus thought out loud, tapping her booted foot impatiently on the game center�s marble floor. �I mean, �Venus Love-Me Chain� is bad enough as it is!�

�I heard that!!� Venus frowned at Uranus.

�Damare!!!� The monster shouted to them, and fired. Much to Venus� amazement, it was a lightning bolt that came out of the barrel. It looked similar to Sailorjupiter�s Supreme Thunder, but Venus thought Jupiter�s to be far cooler, and better. Venus did not move from her spot, even as the lightning bolt was headed towards her. With a swift turn of her arm, Venus conjured up a long, angled weapon in her hand, and threw it at the lightning bolt.

�CRESCENT BOOMERANG!!!�

The boomerang and the lightning bolt collided, and POOF, the two blasts stopped each other. The monster stomped the ground in frustration, baring its teeth at Venus.

Venus took an aggressive step towards the monster. �Are you quite done yet? In that case, I�ll be able to finish you off now! VENUS--�

She stopped, and turned to look at Uranus. �Uh... what other attacks do I have anyway?�

Uranus groaned (while collapsing to the floor, with a big sweat drop on her head). �And I thought your nifty gadgets were pretty neat!�

Venus scratched the back of her head. �A-hahahaha! This time I�ll do this without gadgets! You just watch!�

�What do you think I�ve been doing for the past few minutes? Yoga?� Uranus gave an exasperated sigh, and leaned on the game center�s glass door. �I�m gonna take a snooze. Wake me up when you�re done.�

�Hey! Don�t fall asleep on me now! I�ve just begun!�

�And as usual, you�re hogging all the fun!�

�Why you---!!� They bit back in unison.

Without warning, a loud, booming rattling noise sounded. Venus and Uranus turned abruptly, and jumped out of the way... just in time to dodge the monster�s attack. It carried another strange-looking gun in its hand. It looked similar to a funny, odd-shaped armalite gun. Uranus and Venus gaped at the new weapon that the monster held.

�What�s wrong? Are you amazed at my invincible strength and power?� The monster jeered at them, waving its �gun� in the air, grinning widely.

Venus gave a sigh. �Why did we have to get stuck with a looney, gun-freak monster like this?� She looked at Uranus from the corner of her eye. Uranus looked half-asleep, her arms crossed. Venus nudged her, and Uranus� eyes flew open. �How can you sleep at a time like this???� Venus hollered.

�Uh... practice?� Uranus replied casually, a bit distracted.

The senshi of love groaned in exasperation. �You always say the wrong things, at the wrong---� She went crashing onto the video game arcade machines before she finished the sentence.

Uranus was more than awake now, as she saw Venus fly into the air, and knocked over three or four arcade machines. Uranus quickly turned to face the assailant, but the next thing she knew, she too was pushed back by an incredibly powerful force. She gave a low cry from her throat, as her back rammed into a drink rack. Uranus could hear the tinkling and shattering of glass, as her body slid to the floor, her eyes wide. She landed on her chest, her eyes still wide open. A few cans of softdrinks fell from the rack, and rolled on the floor.

Gritting her teeth, Venus sat up. She gasped, as she saw Uranus lying on the floor, glass shards and tin cans scattered everywhere. Who was their attacker? It could not have been that gun-crazy monster. That was impossible! Venus winced. Her right arm ached plenty. Placing her left hand on her right arm, Venus got up, and limped towards Uranus.

�Haruka-san,� Venus said through clenched teeth. She knelt beside the short-haired senshi. �Haruka-san!�

Uranus did not even blink, but she uttered a soft sound. Venus gave a sigh of relief. She glanced around. The monster was gone! And there was no trace of their attacker anywhere! Venus turned back to Uranus. �Haruka-san, daijiobu?�

�Sure,� Uranus slurred, able to get herself off from the floor. �These are one of my better days.�

�It is one of mine too.� Came a voice, which was not the monster�s, from the corner of the game center.

Uranus and Venus averted their eyes to the direction of the voice. There, standing among the shadows, was a figure of a man.

�You!� Venus said, standing abruptly, and taking on a Sailor-V stance. �What have you done to that looney monster?? I won�t forgive you!!�

[Uranus collapses on the floor with a very big sweat drop]

�Baka!!� Uranus burst out, bonking Venus on the head.

�Hey!! But what if he DID kill off the monster?� Venus countered. �The poor---�

�You boke!! That guy could be our attacker!!� Uranus pointed to the man.

�Oh. That�s right!� Venus took on a pose. �You there! Come out! In the name of love and justice, I�ll make sure you are executed!�

The man slowly stepped out from the shadows. He was tall, lean, and good-looking, much to Venus� dismay. Brown strands of hair fell to his forehead. Venus peered closely at him, as her gaze rested on a mark on his forehead. She could not make out what it was, but she thought of it to be unimportant. A cape was draped over his broad shoulders. He looked at Uranus, then at Venus, as he walked towards them, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

�Who are you??� Uranus demanded.

He stopped nearing them, but the smile remained glued to his face. �Your death!�

Birds chirped loudly among the trees at the Hikawa Shrine, as the sky took on an orange hue. The snow had vanished, leaving the late afternoon setting dry and humid. It felt like summer. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Sailormars, Sailormercury, Sailorpluto, and Botan sat around the small table at the center of the living room.

�We have no choice.�

�But if the gate closes...�

�...You�ll be stuck in Meikai forever.�

The discussion turned tense, as everyone grew quiet; questions and contradictions playing in their heads. Yusuke crossed his arms, a frown creasing his face and forehead.

Pursing her wine-red lips, Pluto awaited his decision.

�I don�t think Hades is a very friendly person... err... individual,� Botan said nervously. �Mou~! I hope Koenma-sama is all right.�

�Don�t get your tassles all in an uproar, Botan,� Mars chided, continuing to hold an ice pack to Yuuichirou�s temple, after tending to his wounds. He was still oblivious to the conversation taking place, but Mars thought it seemed better that way that he did not know what was happening.

She suddenly felt something hard in his pocket. Curiosity jabbed at her. She was itching to find out what that bulky object was. She could not hold back the impulse much longer. Making sure no one was looking, Mars slid her gloved hand into Yuuichirou�s pocket, and pulled out a small, deep blue, felt case. She paused. What was this? Her inquisitive nature wanted her to open the case, and see for herself what was in it. She did so, ignoring the small voice of conscience in her head. Evidently, to her, what Yuuichirou did not know, would not hurt him. Mars took a peek, slightly opening the case, and almost gasped. Resting majestically on a smooth, satiny-blue velvet, was a ring. It glittered beautifully under the light of the setting sun. Mars felt a pang of jealousy welling up in her, as she continued to stare at it. The ring was gold-plated, studded by four, exquisite, blood-red rubies; and at the center was a brilliantly-cut diamond. There was no mistake about it; it was an engagement ring. Mars� heart fell, however she felt happy for the girl Yuuichirou intended to marry. Mars gave a sigh, and returned the case to Yuuichirou�s pocket.

�Yuuichirou no baka!� She thought sadly. Nobody had seen her take the case, and she was grateful that no one had. She turned her attention back to the discussion.

Mercury had her mini computer ready as usual. �According to this, the gate to the underworld, Meikai, is only 25.2 inches high, and...� She punched on some more keys. �...32.7 inches wide. It�s slightly spherical in shape.�

Kuwabara and Yusuke started to calculate, as they silently counted their fingers.

Botan groaned. Mars rolled her eyes. Pluto looked at them, amused.

�There is still a chance for all of you to enter the passageway, but it�s getting smaller and smaller, so we must act now.� Mercury added. �It closes 2.54 centimeters every 30 minutes!�

�Yosh! We�d better move it!� Yusuke got to his feet, and clenched his fist in determination. �You coming, Kuwabara?�

Kuwabara straightened, but did not say anything. Then he remembered Yukina, and he stood up. �I have to check on Yukina-san. I want to see if she�s all right.�

As if the heavens had heard him, Yukina appeared, walking up the shrine�s steps, along with Shizuru, Keiko, Hotaru, and... Hinageshi! Hinageshi looked extremely well, her shiny red hair bobbing up and down, as she climbed the steps to the shrine. Kuwabara, Yusuke, and Botan ran to them, smiles pasted on their faces, happy to see all of them alive and safe... except for one... and their smiles faded. The four girls carried a dark, immobile, and dead-weight figure, which looked strangely familiar. Hiei!

�Somebody help us out here! This guy is no feather-weight!� Shizuru complained.

Kuwabara and Yusuke took it from there, scooping Hiei in their arms. They carried him to the inside of the shrine, and laid him down on the wooden floor. Yukina looked particularly sad, as she gazed at the boy whose life was taken away by the Meikai. Yusuke took one look at the ice maiden, and realized that she had finally found her long-lost brother.

Botan and Hinageshi shared a long sisterly hug. Kuwabara was more than glad that Hinageshi was right before him, healthy and smiling with glee. It was too good to be true.

�Oi, Hinageshi, how did you--?� Kuwabara tried to ask.

Hinageshi smiled. �We have Kurama to thank. Though he didn�t know it, he freed my soul from one of Maja�s bracelets.�

�Kurama? Where is Kurama now anyway?� Botan wondered out loud.

Hinageshi�s face took on a bemused expression. �...But I don�t know the girl he was with. She was tall, and had long, brown hair.�

Mars and Mercury exclaimed in chorus. �Mako-chan!�

He opened his eyes. He was not on familiar ground, but the apartment room he was in had an air of hominess and warmth. Averting his eyes from the room�s surroundings, Kurama rested his gaze on the girl he had rescued earlier, and sucked in his breath. He had almost forgotten about... this. How long had it been since they�ve been that way --- in the way that made his face heat up, and his heart race? Makoto was breathing normally now, and her cheeks were tinted with a touch of pink. A lock of brown hair fell to her forehead. Unable to hold back the urge, Kurama gently swept it away with his fingertips. His hand went lower, and traced the curve of her cheekbone.

He stopped short. What was he doing?

He fixed his eyes on a wall clock not far away from the right-side wall. Makoto had been unconscious for over two hours now. Thankful that he had saved her life, Kurama carefully and quietly slipped away from her, as not to awaken her. Before he could get himself off the bed, he felt her stir. He froze, as he heard a soft sigh escape her lips. Much to his bad fortune, Kurama saw Makoto�s eyelids slowly flutter open.

Blinking once, twice, Makoto�s eyes regained its sparkle and shine. When she saw Kurama sitting by the bed, she forced a smile. Her mouth and cheeks felt unbelievably numb. �Kurama...� She tried to say, but it came out as a croak.

Kurama still did not move. Makoto probably did not notice the fact that they were both unclothed. Kurama took a deep breath, and crossed his fingers, preparing for the dire consequence he was about to face.

He swallowed. �Mako, gomennasai.� It came out like a squeak, instead of an apology. He did not look at her. He looked at the floor, at his feet, at his toes, at the potted plant at the far end corner of the room... everywhere, except directly at her.

Then it hit her.

Her hands could not feel the slightest trace of fabric on her body. Her skin felt exposed and chilly, even under the covers. Her trembling hands moved to her mouth, as it formed a silent gasp. Her eyes, under those lush fringe of lashes, grew wide, as her face contorted into a look of shock, surprise, and vulnerability. After a long, tense while, she finally found her voice. �Y-you... YOU JERK!!! YOU ECCHI!!!�

The flat of her palm found his cheek after that.

The warm reunion over at the Hikawa Shrine brought hidden, joyous tears to many of them; Yusuke, Kuwabara, Botan, Sailormars, Sailormercury, Sailorpluto, who were joined by Shizuru, Keiko,Yukina, Hotaru, and Hinageshi. Yusuke saw the way Kuwabara lit up when he saw the petite spirit guide. He knew it must have been traumatizing seeing a friend die. He looked at Yukina. How much more if it were a brother...? He glanced at Hiei�s unmoving body on the floor.

�Yukina,� Yusuke said softly, while placing one hand on her dainty shoulder. �I�m sorry. I�ll make those Meikai scum pay, don�t worry.�

Yukina�s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she nodded her head slightly.

�Yukina-san,� Kuwabara cut in, still unknowing of the fact that Hiei was her brother. �Don�t tell me you feel sorry for this shrimp!� But deep within him, Kuwabara did feel a certain sadness knowing that the fire demon was dead.

Yukina was about to reply, when Pluto said, �Yusuke, there is no time to lose. If we are to pass through the gates of Meikai, we have to go now. The passageway will not wait for us.�

�I know.� Yusuke nodded. �Where is the gateway leading to Meikai anyway?�

The Crown game center, which was usually filled with noisy, game-obsessed kids was now deathly quiet. The handsome man eyed Sailorvenus and Sailoruranus, evil intent in his expression. �You are on Meikai territory. Your souls are mine then!�

�Ha! Sez who?� Venus scoffed. �You may be a hunkmeister, but you�re still an enemy! VENUS... LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!!!� Venus fired her blow-kiss attack at the man. He did not move from his place. Venus knew she was going to make a direct hit with the heart-blast headed towards him... until it disintigrated a few millimeters away from him.

�Nani?!� Venus exclaimed. �My attack didn�t work?!�

�He�s stronger than that monster we saw earlier,� Uranus observed.

�Duh. He�s the one who attacked us just a moment ago, right?�

The man eyed them closely, darting his eyes from the orange-suited fighter, to the tall, cobalt-suited one. He raised his arm, and pointed at Venus. �You are the one with the strong feelings.�

�Me?!� Venus squeaked. �Strong feelings? You can�t be serious! How can I have strong feelings?? I can be sentimental and a hopeless romantic, but...�

The man walked towards Venus, his eyes gleamed dangerously. Venus could barely make out the mark on his forehead. Were they letters?

Uranus stepped in front of Venus. �Listen, pal, I don�t know who the hell you are, but Venus� soul stays put, you understand?�

�No, no,� He replied. �I don�t think so. You see, you�re on Meikai territory, and intruders are destroyed.� He snapped his fingers, and the monster they had seen a while ago reappeared. �Bring me their souls!�

�We�re trespassing??� Venus said disbelievingly. �How?? This is the Crown game center, my favorite hang-out spot!� The monster fired its famous armalite. Venus screamed, as Uranus dragged her away from her post. Venus looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.

�You baka! This is no time to cry!� Uranus snapped. �Don�t be a crybaby like Odango-atama Usagi!�

Eyebrows lowering, Venus puffed in her chest, and turned bravely to the monster. Where did the attractive man go? Venus shook her head. No matter. It was time to deal with this looney monster once and for all!

�Uranus, let�s combine powers!�

�Wakatta!�

But just as they were about to do so, the monster attacked again, making them jump and evade. A combined attack would take too much time. Again, and again, the monster fired, clicking on the buttons on its body. Uranus and Venus dodged every blast, leaping into the air; and landing steadily on their senshi heels, their shoes meeting with marble. Uranus and Venus looked at each other, and nodded. Time to split up! Uranus, with her long and athletic legs, went left; Venus took right, and as planned, the monster followed Venus. Venus� legs were not as long as Uranus�, but she was still a good runner. Then, as soon as the monster was in range, Uranus raised her arm high above her head.

�WORLD... SHA---�

�Uranus!!! Behind you!!!� Venus screamed, but she did not slow down her pace.

Uranus rotated herself to catch a glimpse of the person behind her, but she did not quite catch that smug and evil grin on his face, for she felt her body being slammed onto a wall. She gave a loud cry, as the pain shot up and down her nerves. A powerful force held her pinned to the wall. She could not move a muscle. She opened her tightly-drawn eyes, and saw him. It was the same man who threatened she and Venus just a minute or so ago.

�Uranus!!!� Venus yelled. She glared at the man. �Let Uranus go!!�

The man smirked in reply, but did not free Uranus. With a slight upturn of his hand, Uranus cried out in pain, making Venus� blood boil.

�Let her go!!!� Venus shouted angrily, but she was in no position to beat the living daylight out of the man, because the gun-freak monster was still chasing her.

�You,� The man said to the monster, then pointed to Uranus. The monster stopped running after Venus, and went towards Uranus, aiming the armalite gun at her.

�NOOooo!!!� Venus screamed, rushing towards where Uranus was.

�You idiot!!� Uranus said. �Stay back!!�

As if a split second had gone by, the monster pulled the trigger. The continuous sound of gunshots surrounded the game center. The last thing Uranus heard before that, was Venus� voice: �Abunai!!!�. Uranus wanted to shut her eyes tightly. She wanted to block out what she was seeing. Venus was taking every single blow! Her body was now bruised and bleeding, but she still tried to stand.

�I... won�t let you...hurt Haruka-san!� She declared weakly.

�I don�t think it�s wise to fight,� The man said. �If you stop resisting, you won�t feel any more pain.�

�Let Haruka-san GO!!!� Venus cried at the top of her lungs. Then, she saw them; the letters on the man�s forehead. The letters...

And the monster fired again, making Venus utter a heart-wrenching scream. She crumpled to the floor, her clothes and flesh torn. Laughter escaped the man�s lips. Uranus could not take it. She clenched her fists, as a salty tear dropped from her eye, and wet her cheek. To her horror, the monster was about to fire again!

�YAMEROOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!� Uranus screamed, her voice echoing throughout the building.

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