Akiko bit her lip as she stood in front of Serenity's parlor. None of the senshi had ever kept a pet. Okay, so Rei had Phobos and Deimos and there were the mau cats, but they hardly qualified as pets. More like aliens.
"What's wrong, Akiko?" Akiko turned around. It was Haruko; Diana was perched cheerfully on her shoulder.
"I need to ask the Queen if I can bring pets into the palace."
Haruko smiled. "I can't see as that will be a problem around here," she replied. "It's practically a menagerie already."
"That's different. The cats and the crows...they're more like people than animals," Akiko replied. "They're intelligent...our trusted advisors. A pet is like a toddler. You have to watch it and take care of it...you can't expect it to understand detailed instructions...to behave itself perfectly."
Haruko frowned. "I can't imagine Serenity having a problem with a pet."
"Aha, well..." Akiko looked nervously off to the side and straightened the bow on her school uniform. "That's the thing...it's not just a pet...it's um...I was hoping to bring home several."
Haruko raised an eyebrow. "How many? And what kind of pets are we talking about?"
"Cats," Akiko replied. "Um...at least a dozen."
Diana's eyes widened. "That is a great deal of cats, Lady Vesta!"
"Where were you going to put them all?" Haruko asked.
"This place is huge. I figured I'd start them in my room and slowly expand their roaming area. Then we could have a cat or two to any given room in the palace."
Haruko sighed thoughtfully. "Hm. Serenity's a pushover, but Endymion...we'd better get backup."
"Backup?" Diana asked.
Haruko pulled out her communicator. "Usako, of course."
"Hold still!" Usako said, annoyed, looking up from her sketchbook toward Helios. He was supposed to be putting his arms gracefully on the pillar in front of him. Instead he kept putting them around his arms.
"It's cold!" Helios said. As part of her artistic pursuits, Usako had forced Helios to wear nothing but some boxers and an undershirt. "I'm going to be wearing clothing in the picture anyway. Why make me wear nothing but my underwear?"
"I have to have a proper understanding of the human figure," Usako replied. "Even if I won't be showing all of your legs, it's important to know where they go. You wouldn't want your legs all...here and there, would you?"
"I can't say as I've ever had that problem before," Helios replied. "But I guess I wouldn't like to start. Anyway, are you sure this is a good idea? Your father might...well, I'm not sure what would happen if he found out about this."
"Don't be silly, Helios," Usako replied. "This is artistic. Anyway, I didn't have you pose nude. And that's traditional. So you should see yourself as lucky."
"Yes, well..." Helios looked away, realizing he was blushing.
"Stop moving!" Usako growled. "Hands on the pillar! Face toward me!"
Helios cleared his throat and looked back toward Usako. "Sorry," he said.
Usako's parlor was quiet for a long time, filled with nothing but the gentle scratching sounds of graphite on paper. "So, Helios," she said. "What are you thinking about?"
'Eros," Helios said. "All the priests, really. The concept is still so weird to me...there're other priests."
"Well, I don't see how it's so weird," Usako said. "There's other sailor senshi. Why shouldn't there be other priests?"
"When I was in training," Helios replied, "they told us only Earth had a priest....the Moon and the Earth had the three powers because they were...special. Meant to be protected in a way that the other planets were not."
"Does it make you upset to know you aren't as...I don't know...special as you thought you were?" Usako asked.
"No...not really. Maybe a little, but..." he shrugged.
"I kind of feel the same way," Usako replied. "Even though I know I'm not the only one with a crystal..." she shrug. "Maybe I feel a little less important, but I almost feel a little...relieved. I mean some of the Moon Senshi are...well...they have problems. But the planetary senshi have crystals too, and I trust them more than myself with that kind of power. Anyway, I think the Moon Senshi will work through their issues eventually. I'm hardly in a position to criticize other people for having problems."
"Yeah," Helios agreed. "To be honest...I'm curious to get to know them. Was their training like mine? What kind of people are they?"
"Maybe you should go see Eros," Usako said, looking up from her drawing. "I'm sure he'd answer your questions. He seems like an amiable guy. He is Venusian, after all."
"Well, he did work for the enemy..."
"More out of a feeling of necessity, I think, than because he was truly convinced of their cause," Usako replied. "Anyway, Hotaru, the Quartet and I...we're both good people."
"You're right," Helios said decisively. "I should be less intimidated and just talk to him. I don't know what it is about him..." Helios shook his head.
"Neither do I," Usako said. "We're both older than he is in terms of experience. Or is it because he's more experienced with women?" she said with a smirk.
"N-no," Helios said. "You're making me blush again."
"You blush at the drop of a hat, sweetie," she said. "We both know it. You're like a girl."
"That's just..." Helios frowned. "I'll stop posing for you if you say stuff like that."
"Aw," she said, standing up and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "I was just teasing you."
"Good," he said, Putting his arms around her and kissing her.
Usako returned the kiss. She smiled as she pulled away. "Now, Helios, I didn't say you could stop--" Usako's communicator began to beep. She sighed and turned away, turning on the screen as she looked down at her watch. Helios peeked over her shoulder, concerned about what might be amiss. "Hello?"
"Hi, Usako, we--" Haruko blinked and stared.
"Oh, my," Diana said from her perch on Haruko's shoulder. "Sir Helios is not wearing his jacket! We have uncovered a rather scandalous scene!"
"Quiet Diana," Usako said. "You'll make him blush."
"I'm not blushing!" Helios said, annoyed. "I was only model--"
"I assume since you're using the communicator, this is some kind of emergency, so you'd better get to the point," Usako replied.
"Ah...um..." Haruko cleared her throat. "Well, it isn't an emergency. Should we, erm...leave you two to your devices?"
"We weren't doing anything!" Helios interjected.
"Unfortunately, he's right," Usako said. "Go ahead."
"Akiko, come over here," Haruko said. Akiko put herself in front of Haruko's watch-like communicator and smiled awkwardly. "I was wondering if you could help me...get a pet cat."
They interrupted Usako's...drawing session for this? "Why do you need my help to do that? We're not exactly a cat-allergic household."
"Yeah, but...um...I want a lot of cats. And not the talking variety." Akiko replied.
"Well, how many are we talking?" Usako asked.
"Um...." Akiko cleared her throat. "Maybe...between twelve and twenty-four?"
"Sol, that's a lot of cats!" Helios exclaimed. "Why do you want so many cats?"
"Um...could we maybe not talk about this over the com?" Akiko asked. "Why don't you come up to my room?"
"Sure," Usako said. "We'll be up in a minute." Usako pressed the button and Akiko's face blipped into darkness.
"Honestly," Helios said, grabbing his jacket and pulling it over his head. "That was embarrassing..."
"Aw," Usako said, wrapping her arms tightly around him and nestling her head in his wispy hair. "You aren't embarrassed to be seen with me, are you?"
"Well, I would be embarrassed to be seen with anyone under the circumstances," Helios replied. "It's not like we were even--well."
Usako sighed. "I know," she said. "Better luck next time, I guess."
"Usako!" Helios said.
Usako giggled. "You're so cute, Helios."
Helios sighed. "Let's go," he said, brushing his pants straight as he moved toward the door.
"Mom," Tokimo said, glancing up at her mother's shelf of books, "You read."
"Of course I do," Her mother said, looking up from the novel she was reading on their corduroy couch. "Why do you ask?"
"I want to be smarter," Tokimo announced, sitting up in her arm chair. "I need to read books to be smarter."
"My books..." Tokimo's mother paused, thinking of the saucy romances she usually read. "Are probably not what you're looking for."
"Aw. Well, what should I read?" Tokimo asked.
"Maybe you should work harder on your schoolwork, dear, if you want to be smarter," She suggested.
"That takes too long," Tokimo said dismissively, turning toward the window.
"Well," Tokimo's mother replied, "You could check out the library. Maybe you could look up some subjects you're interested in and read up on them." It wasn't as ideal as Tokimo becoming better at school work, but she supposed it was best to encourage Tokimo to become academic in any way that she could manage. "Maybe the librarian could recommend something."
"Hmmm," Tokimo hemmed thoughtfully. "I bet Yamiko and Seisui would know."
"Oh, yes! Bring your friends along. That could be a nice bonding experience." That was healthy for a teenage girl. Or at least that's what Kichi had read in the parenting magazines.
"'Kay," Tokimo said, moving to their phone.
"Oh! I'll make some cookies," Ms. Joshi said. "Everyone loves cookies."
"Minako," Helios said, waving as Minako straightened her hair. She stood in front of a mirror in the hallway; she seemed to have just stepped out of her office. Her hair was in a black bow; she wore a barely tasteful black tank top and mini skirt.
"Oh, hi Helios," She said. "What are you doing over here?"
"Usako is in Endymion's office....talking," Helios replied vaguely.
Minako raised an eyebrow. "They're going to be in there a while," she said.
"Yeah...so, what are you up to?"
"I'm going out with a girlfriend," she said. "Oh! You might know her. It's Sayoko. She's Yamiko's sister...Sailor Phoebe, you know."
"I know Yamiko," Helios replied. "Not that well. I'm not sure that I've met her sister, though."
"She's a blast," Minako replied. "We're trying to hook her back up with Eros. We're meeting him tonight, trying to make a game plan. Sayoko says she's got an idea."
"You're meeting Eros?" Helios said, suddenly interested.
"Yup. Is he ever fine! Too bad his heart belongs to Yamiko." she remarked. "And he's my uncle," she added under her breath.
"What sort of person is he, exactly?" Helios asked.
"You can come with me," Minako suggested. "I get the feeling she's going to be in there awhile. I'm surprised you're not in there with her, honestly."
"Usako says it's better if I'm not there when she's trying to get him to let her have something," Helios replied. "Something about reminding him of her younger days."
"Ah," Minako said with a grin, "I see."
"But I'd love to come with you," Helios said. "Just let me get in my civilian clothing. I'd like to talk to Eros a bit, myself."
"Curious to meet the priest of the number one planet in the solar system?" Minako asked with a wink.
"Something like that," Helios replied, smiling awkwardly.
"Oh, great," Eros said, appearing in front of the costume museum. "You two are together, and that can only mean trouble."
"I'm hurt," Minako said, pouting. "Aren't you glad to see me, Eros?"
"Maybe a little," he said, smiling slightly as he folded his arms.
"And me?" Sayoko said, smiling at Eros charmingly.
"Of course," he said. "Ah...you're the priest of Earth, right? Helios?"
Helios smiled. "That's right," he said, shaking Eros' hand. "I believe we only met briefly before."
"Well," Eros said, "it's nice to meet a priest that hasn't joined the forces of darkness."
"Um," Helios said awkwardly. "Thanks?"
"Anyway," Eros continued, "I assume you want something, based on the devious expressions on you girls' faces. So what is it?"
"Yamiko saw a dress in this museum," Sayoko said, indicating the costume museum. "I know you have special dress making powers."
"Actually, I had the intention of making Yamiko a dress from scratch," he replied, sitting on a nearby bench. "So this came at rather a good time. I was going to go to a draper in an hour or so anyway."
Minako raised an eyebrow. "What were you waiting for? Did you have a busy schedule?"
He shrugged. "Honestly, I was having trouble motivating myself to do it."
"Well, now you have Minako to motivate you!" Minako said, making a V symbol. "Com'on, Sayoko, show us this dress!"
"This dress is actually quite simple," Eros replied. "The embroidery is the only tricky part, and I'm sure I can do that."
"Why not just magic one up?" Minako asked. "Can't you do that?"
Eros smiled. "I can," he said. "But that's much less thoughtful, don't you think?"
"But Yamiko will never know you did it by hand," Minako observed, looking at the dress. "So really...what difference does it make?"
"It makes a difference to me," Eros said, folding his arms.
"I think it's sweet that you're making it by hand," Sayoko said. "I'm kind of keeping my involvement in this on the down-low for now, but if I get a good opportunity, I'll let her know you did it by hand."
"Are you going to try and make it exactly the same?" Minako asked.
"No," Eros replied. "I think Yamiko would look better in blue. I'll probably make the over dress black, since she's fond of that color. But I was thinking I might make the shift light blue with navy flowers, instead of the green."
"Hm," Sayoko murmured, resting a hand on her hips. "I'm not sure she'll take to a dress that's that light."
"Really?" Eros said, a little surprised. He examined the dress. "But I should think the overall effect would still be very dark. And if I make the shift dark blue, it will get lost in the black."
"Eros is right," Minako agreed. "And I think light blue would be cuter."
"It would bring out those eyes of hers," Sayoko agreed. "Well, If you feel that strongly about it, go for. Besides, Yamiko wears more white than she'd like to admit. As long as it isn't something vibrant. Or pink."
"And honestly," Minako added, imagining the dress in her minds' eye, "It would be so beautiful that I don't think she could resist wearing it, even if it's a little lighter than she's used to."
"Well, I had better go to the draper's now," Eros said with a sigh.
"You need drapes?" Minako asked, confused.
Eros laughed. "No. A draper is someone who sells cloth."
"Oooo!" Minako said, clapping her hands together excitedly. "I want to come along! I bet we can find a good cloth shop in Kyoto. Want to come, Sayoko?"
"I'd better not," Sayoko said. "Tokimo is watching Yamiko, but I don't feel right relying on her too much. Partly because Yami is my responsibility and partly because, well...it's Tokimo."
"Thank you for all of your help, Sayoko," Eros said.
"Take care of yourself, Eros," Sayoko said, putting a hand on his shoulder. She winked. "It'll work out. Just work that tailoring magic." Eros returned a weak smile and Sayoko headed off toward her home.
"Would you like to come along, Helios?" Minako said. "You two can talk priest...stuff in the train."
"Ah, thank you," Helios said. "If you don't mind, Eros."
"Of course not," He replied. "I get the feeling you have questions for me, Helios."
"So..." Helios began, looking at Eros a little awkwardly. Minako treated them all to Kyoto bentos; Helios poked at his pickles While Eros chewed on his onigiri and looked spacily out the window. "There are priests for all of the planets?"
"That's right," Eros replied, looking at Helios. "There used to be maenads, too. But I can only assume they have all met their end."
"What were they--are they--like?"
"Well, you can imagine that most of us have more than our fair share of problems," Eros said with a smile. "Coeus of Metis is the priest of Mercury. He's a genius--don't ever, ever tell him I admitted that--but he's a cynical, misogynistic prick. Tokimo seems to think she can seduce him and turn him good, but honestly, I'm skeptical. Not to mention I don't really approve of her manipulating people."
"Wait--Tokimo is going to try and seduce the priest of Mercury?" Helios replied. Minako snickered.
Eros shrugged. "That's what she said. I don't know if she plans on going through with it...she asked for my help but I wouldn't give it to her."
"Aw, why not, Eros? The power of love cures all!"
"Because Tokimo isn't in love with Coeus," Eros replied. "She's just trying to make him fall in love with her so he'll switch sides. As far as I know, her interest in him doesn't extend beyond that."
"Aw," Minako said, biting on the end of her chopstick in disappointment. She grabbed a piece of egg before continuing. "But what if she does fall in love with him? Then it's all good, right?"
"Honestly, Eros, I'm not sure it's a chance we can afford to let go," Helios replied. "If Coeus does join us, through whatever methods, we'll have Mercury's three powers reunited as well. That could be an invaluable gain to us against Nemesis...an incalculable loss to her."
Eros sighed. "I hate to admit it, but you may be right, Helios," he agreed. "Nemesis is....monstrously powerful. We may need the aid of all of the three powers to defeat her. I just fear that Tokimo's plan, even if it were to succeed, could make Coeus become even more bitterly misogynistic...unless Minako's right, of course."
"Who is Nemesis, exactly?" Helios asked.
"That's a question we should save for the meeting," Minako interjected. "There's no reason for Eros to repeat himself five times. Why is Coeus a misogynist? There must be a reason. He couldn't have come out of the womb hating girls."
"I'm not sure," Eros replied. "Mercury was never a patriarchy--none of the planets were--so he must have personal reasons for hating them. Many of us were politically manipulated by our mothers. Sol was basically a collection of matriarchal planets; sailor senshi are more powerful than the male knights, so women naturally found their way into positions of power. Sons--at least the sons of a star's crown Queen or King--were considered expendable, used as guards or soldiers. Hence most planetary sons were groomed to become priests whenever possible--a son was gotten rid of and a Queen's power was extended." Eros looked at Helios curiously. "Are you related to the King, Helios?"
"No," Helios replied. "I was the son of a military family. I never really...fit in. I trained to become a priest instead."
Eros glanced Helios over. "I'm not surprised. You don't strike me as...well, anyway. That might have something to do with Coeus' misogyny. Or maybe he had a lover that jilted him....Or a girl got a better score on a test. Who knows?"
Minako giggled, thinking of Ami's intellectually combative streak....especially with male competitors. "He sounds like he has a little in common with Ami--the Princess of Mercury."
"From what I understand, Princess Mercury is a sweet, obliging sort of girl," Eros replied. "Coeus is not like that at all. Coeus thinks he's hot shit and anyone who disagrees can move to Hades."
"Hades?" Helios asked.
"The holy land of Pluto," Eros replied. "A desolate place. They say no one may enter but the priest and the senshi of time, Pluto and Charon. The only holy land with no maenads...not even the senshi of Pluto's periphery moons, Nyx and Hydra, were allowed on those lands." Eros paused a moment, taking a bite of his lunch. "In fact...Mauros, the priest of Hades, is Coeus' brother. Or so he says. I never really knew Mauros, but there is something about him...it's like he looks at things, but he doesn't really see them. I can't even explain it...and Coeus..." Eros shuddered. "It's like he keeps his brother in shackles, almost. He bosses him around and tries to keep him away from the world. It's not...healthy."
"Why do you think he does it?" Helios asked.
"I'm not sure," Eros said, tapping his fingers on the table. "Mauros is powerful. I think Coeus may do it to manipulate him...to use him in battle against us. Coeus may act arrogant, but he's no fool. He knows that this is the toughest front in Nemesis' fight. And he has been preparing himself for that front from the beginning."
Minako frowned. "Fronts? Then that means..."
"Yes," Eros said gravely. "I'm afraid that Nemesis is working all over the world."
"I thought this ominous feeling was only because of the recent events that I knew of," Helios murmured. "But it seems that the rest of Earth is being attacked too."
"It may be because the rest of Earth is being protected as well," Eros replied. "There are Moon Senshi all over the planet right now. Many of them awoke in the wake of our attacks."
"I've heard rumors of that," Minako agreed. "And the two you summoned must have come from somewhere. I just hope they're getting along okay without us."
"They should be fine," Eros replied. "The Moon Senshi are strong...if we get back more of the crystals, they will be much, much stronger."
"Hopefully that's possible," Helios added. "What about the other priests? What are they like?"
"Crius is the priest of Ares, the holy land of Mars," Eros continued. "He's a madman with a taste for blood. He didn't used to be that way, back in the day...when he joined Nemesis, he...changed."
"I suppose our chances are not very good with him," Helios said somberly.
"Unless you were to purify him, I imagine not," Eros replied. "Themis guards Zeus, holy land of Jupiter. He's a drunkard with a horrible temper, but he usually keeps out of everyone's way...probably best that way. Then there's Morpheus...or I should say, Rhea."
"Morpheus...that's the priest of Saturn, right?
"Yes," Eros said. "Well, Cronus. She changed her sex when she joined Nemesis. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. Iolaus represents Ouranos--Uranus' holy land. He's an inscrutable man...serious and brave. I've heard that he's not from Uranus at all, but originated from Saturn."
"Do you know where?" Helios asked.
Eros just shrugged. "We were pretty caught up in our own plans...when I talked to the others, it was usually to annoy them or vice-versa. The last priest is Oceanus of Poseidon. He's even more self-absorbed than Coeus, which is saying something. He's crafty, though--a man I wouldn't put anything past. Coeus makes out like he's a monster, and maybe that's true enough, but I fear he does not have half the cruelty in him that Oceanus does."
"Oceanus...he attacked Seisui that one time," Helios remarked.
"That's true," Eros replied. "He's ambitious, wanted to get in on my front. Seisui is a powerful target for Nemesis."
"Why?" Minako asked.
"I'll wait until this supposed meeting to get into it," Eros repiled. "But suffice to say, we take energy from miserable people. Seisui is very miserable."
"Do you think we can get the rest of the crystals?" Helios asked.
Eros sighed. "It's hard to say. On one hand, most of us have...a lot of problems. There's a reason why we were willing to join a madwoman. But on the other hand...our reasons often had more to do with survival than enthusiasm. For many of the priests, I believe if you convince them that they are safer and happier on your side, they will join you."
"Let's hope you're right," Helios said. "Of course...I hope if we are able to convince them to join, we will find a way to get along."
Eros shrugged. "If you get them far enough along that they're willing to join, I'm sure we can work something out," He said. "Besides--you're so good natured, Helios, it's hard to believe that anyone wouldn't get along with you.
Helios smiled. "Thank you, Eros."
"All right, you guys," Tokimo said, leading Seisui and Yamiko into the public library. "Here's my mission. Become smart, seduce Coeus! So. You guys are smart. Find me a book that'll make me smart, too!"
"Hopeless," Yamiko said. "You could read every book in this library and you'd still be dense as a rock."
Tokimo stuck out her tongue. "Just wait, I'll be smarter than you by the time I'm done!"
"You should start with literature," Seisui replied. "If you try to read something too informative, you'll just get bored and give up. If you read literature, it will challenge you to think about the world around you but it will still engage you in a story. Sometimes I've even become interested in real-life subjects because of the literature I've read."
"Huh," Tokimo said. "What kinda book should I read? Is there any classic literature with fish?"
"Fish?" Seisui raised an eyebrow. Moby Dick immediately came to mind, but as well as being a real slog of a read, it was technically about a whale. No, Tokimo would need something exciting. "How about...20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? Erm, that's not exactly about fish, but..."
"Okay," Tokimo said. "But let's get some fish books too. I need to learn about fish."
"Why are you so interested in fish all of a sudden?" Yamiko asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Coeus likes fish," Tokimo said. "And I want Coeus to like me. Oh! Boto dolphins, too."
Seisui looked surprised. "Coeus likes Boto dolphins?" Seisui said. "I wonder if they lived on Mercury."
"I dunno," Tokimo said. "Maybe I should get him a little pink dolphin plushie."
Seisui smiled. "I have to admit...that's adorable."
"You could make a little card that goes with it," Yamiko replied dryly, "That tells what you've learned about Boto dolphins."
"Oooh! That's a great idea! I could write it in glitter pens with stencils!"
"Maybe you should get videos instead of books, Tokimo," Seisui suggested. "We could watch some documentaries on fish and sea life. That would probably be more stimulating than reading a book by yourself."
"We could do it at Yamiko's house! She has a big TV, and it would keep her from thinking about killing herself!"
"No," Yamiko said. "Absolutely no--"
"Let's go pick out our documentaries!"
"Daddy," Usako said, stepping into Endymion's stately office. He was typing something on a laptop at his huge ebony desk. He glanced over at her, his eyes tired and thoughtful. He smiled weakly.
"What is it, Chibi-Usa?" he asked. Usako let it slide; she was trying to get on his good side, and anyway, it mostly only bothered her when everyone was around.
Usako smiled hopefully. "Well, you know how we give all that money to the Ark shelter every year, right? You and Mom even go to their annual dog walk and everything."
"Do you want a dog...?" Endymion said a little hesitantly. "Dogs are a lot of work, Chibi-Usa, and you have--"
"Just a cat, actually," Usako interjected. "Well, it's actually Vesta who wants the cat."
"Oh, well...that should be fine. As long as she takes care of it."
"And well...she wants a few cats."
"Well, how many?"
"....a couple dozen?" Usako said hopefully.
Endymion raised an eyebrow. "Why does Princess Vesta need as many cats as that?" he paused. "She's not planing on training them all, is she? Some kind of....cat circus?"
Usako didn't think so, but she thought that was kind of a fun idea. "I think she wants to give them a home," Usako replied. "People just leave them in the park. We have a lot of room here, so I guess she figured that she could make a place for them in the palace." Usako sat down on a chair across from her father's desk. "I think it would be nice to have cats wandering around the palace. I mean, she's right--this place is huge. It's not like there would be five cats in the same place at the same time. This place is big, dad, and there's a lot of us, but most of it is still empty. I think having some cats around would make things more inviting."
Her father sighed. "I suppose."
"Thank you daddy," Usako said, hugging him tightly. Mamoru smiled warmly as Chibi-Usa left the room.
"How did it go?" Akiko asked timidly.
Usako put her thumb up.
Akiko hugged her. "Thanks, Usako!" she said happily.
"Eh, it's no big deal," she replied.
Yamiko grimaced as Tokimo and Seisui joined her in the elevator to her apartment.
"We can make popcorn!" Tokimo said. "Maybe Yamiko will have to, or else we'll burn it."
"You can make your own damn popcorn," Yamiko said dismissively. Tokimo frowned. There was a long, awkward silence. "You know, Tokimo...." Yamiko could feel a lump forming in her throat. She couldn't decide whether to continue or not. Part of her screamed that it was none of her business, but when she thought of Kane...
Kane...
"Yamiko?" Tokimo asked, frowning as she saw teardrops swimming delicately in Yamiko's eyes.
"You're just using someone, Tokimo," Yamiko said unevenly. "You're no different than him. Trying to get inside Coeus' head and get him to fall in love with you, when you don't even care about his feelings. You're just...using him."
Tokimo frowned. "That's not true," Tokimo said. "What, you think that Coeus is gonna be happier with Nemesis? With the bad guys?" She shook her head. "Way I see it, I'm doing him a favor, helping him get over whatever priesty angst he's got. And anyway, what makes you so sure I don't care about him, huh? I mean, yeah...he's kinda a jerkface and I wouldn't have chosen him first for a potential date. But he's...he's not all bad. I'm enjoying spending time with him." Tokimo folded her arms. "Honestly. Am I the kinda person who would spend so much effort on a guy I hated?"
"You're the kind of person who, once you get some idea in your head, will pursue it relentlessly," Yamiko replied. "You got the idea in your head that Coeus was your new project and you were going to 'fix' him. So yes. You are the kind of person to spend so much effort on a guy you hated. As long as you think you're on some big adventure, you'll do whatever you think you have to."
"Yeah well--" Tokimo paused awkwardly, trying to gather her wits. "Isn't love the biggest adventure of them all?!"
Yamiko scoffed. "I suppose you're right," she said. "And just like real love, it only looks good in your stupid comics. In real life, love is dismal and miserable."
"That's not true," Tokimo said. "My parents fell in love and they've been happy all along. Seisui's mom and dad woulda been happy too, if--well anyway, the Queen and King are a happy couple too, and so are Helios and Usako." Seisui frowned as Tokimo said this, but said nothing. "So there's all kinds of happy love stories. And I bet yours'll be one too, if you stop lying around and moping."
"Don't blame me if this whole thing ends with Coeus spitting in your face," Yamiko said.
Tokimo shrugged. "Like I said," she replied, "I think Coeus will be happier with me than he ever was on Nemesis--than he has been anywhere. If I can prove to him that girls kick ass, I think I've done him a favor."
"I think Tokimo is right, honestly," Seisui said a little timidly. "I can't imagine Coeus is happy living on that dismal place. Anyway, Tokimo has good intentions, whatever the outcome."
The elevator dinged and they got off on Yamiko's floor; Yamiko sighed as she led them to her apartment. Really, what did it matter? Coeus was a monster, so what did they have to lose? She remembered when they had fought him...no...more like...she had fell victim to him. The cage, the youma...his cold blue stare. His icy pale skin that looked as though it could freeze you. A frown that looked disdainfully on the world.
"She cheered when they died and went on a big shopping spree. Bought those weird black clothes she wears. They cost a fortune, you know."
"As if she doesn't look creepy enough already--like she's made of snow."
Yamiko stopped at her door, her hand frozen on the cool doorknob.
"Are you all right, Yamiko?" Tokimo asked.
"Yeah," she said, trying the doorknob. It opened; Sayoko must be home. "It's nothing."
"Hiya," Sayoko said. "Glad to see you went out. Where did you go?"
"We went to the library and got a documentary on fish!" Tokimo said enthusiastically. "Coeus likes fish, and I want Coeus to like me, so I'm learning about fish."
"I-I see," Sayoko said awkwardly. "Well, why don't you guys watch it on the set? We'll order take-out tonight. What do you want, Yami?"
"Not sushi," Yamiko said.
"That's not an answer. That's a....not answer. Give me something to work with."
"I don't know...pizza I guess," she said disinterestedly.
"I think I'll get cod roe pizza!" Sayoko said happily.
"Broccoli and black olives," Yamiko said hastily. "And eggplant."
Tokimo popped in the video and a cheery young woman's voice came over the speakers, along with brilliant pictures of river fish and murky waters. Seisui sat down next to her; Yamiko reluctantly slinked over and watched the projection of gently moving water on the screen.
Mayumi frowned as she sat at her desk. Writing lyrics was not as easy as it looked. She knew that she would have to have roughly the same amount of syllables in the same places in the melody line. Her composer had given her a song that hadn't been lyricized yet, so she at least had something to work with. She had asked for something romantic, and he gave her his newest piece, which was appropriately wistful and warm.
"Oh, Kuro," she said, stopping the music on her computer. "It doesn't matter. You're way too dense hear my feelings through a song." she smiled to herself. She wasn't even sure he would hear her feelings if she was upfront about it. He seemed so childlike that he might not even know about such things.
But of course that was silly. She shook her head and tried to concentrate. Even if he didn't know, she had to try her best. How would she write a song that would really speak to him...to them?
"Hm," she said. What did she think of when she thought about Kuro? "He's tall and dark and handsome," she said, blushing a little. "And he has a warm smile. And he's sweet and innocent. But..." She wished she knew more about him. She always felt as though there was something he was hiding. Something he was afraid of. "I hope you're not afraid of me, Kuro."
There was a knock at the door. "Sweetie, can I come in?"
"Come in, Daddy," Mayumi said, blushing a little as she put Kuro out of her thoughts.
"Memorizing the lyrics for your concert?" he asked.
"I was," Mayumi said, "But now I'm trying to write some lyrics. I want in time for the concert this Friday."
"Mayumi...I really don't think you can have a whole new song ready by then."
"I know it's ambitious," Mayumi said hastily. "But I really want to do this. Give me a chance, okay? If I can't sing it perfectly by dress rehearsal, we'll wait."
"Remember that you need to be able to sing all your other music properly, Mayumi," he replied. "It's no good if you sing this song perfectly and everything else sounds rough. And if you're taking piano lessons on top of everything..."
"Piano lessons can start after the concert," She said. "Between shooting and prepping for this concert, it's not the best time to start up a new instrument anyway. We'll wait until the concert is over, then start lessons. All right? Please?"
"Okay," Her father said uneasily, patting her on the shoulder. "Work hard, sweetie. And get plenty of rest and munchies!"
"I will," she said, smiling back at him.
"I have something for you," Seisui said. They were eating outside on Erik's porch; the weather was approaching summer warmth, and it was pleasant in the shade of the maple and beech trees overshadowing Erik's home. Ikkoku watched Erik as he looked at Seisui with a peculiar expression; Even Ikkoku was not sure what it meant, but she hoped it betrayed some sort of feeling toward the young girl. He said nothing as Seisui reached in her bag--she had left it lying nearby--and pulled out a golden music box. "I think this is yours," she said, handing him the box.
Erik took the box so delicately Ikkoku almost thought, for a moment, he believed it was made of paper. He looked at the black lettering on the top--his family name emblazoned in bold lettering--and opened the lid of the box. Ikkoku swore that something flickered across his face, just for a moment, as Greenleeves gently played. Erik snapped the music box shut and put it aside. "It....it is mine," he said at last.
"I don't believe that your parents were really in debt," Seisui said. "I...I know what it's like for all the things that remind you of home to be taken away."
"It doesn't matter," Erik replied. "What's gone is gone. Things can't bring them back."
"I--I'm sorry," Seisui said. "Maybe I shouldn't have brought this."
"No," Erik replied hastily. "I'm glad you did. I..." he shrugged indifferently. "Well, it would be nice to have a few more of the things that I lost." He smiled weakly.
They were silent for a long time as they ate the dinner Erik had brought outside and laid elegantly on a blue linen cloth. Ikkoku forced herself to keep quiet. If she wanted this damn boy to connect to anyone, she'd have to butt out for once.
"Thank you for teaching me to fence," Seisui said. "I don't think I ever thanked you properly."
"It's all right," he replied. "It's my duty as a knight to help you."
Seisui smiled weakly. "Glad to know you care."
"I didn't mean--" Erik cleared his throat. "Well. It's not like I wasn't worried about you at all, either."
"Then why did you say that?"
"I guess..." He looked out at his broad, shady yard. There were patches of fern and moss everywhere, and a small pond had modest white lilies blooming on its surface. "I guess I'm not really used to thinking about someone's welfare in more personal terms."
"There's nothing wrong with connecting to someone," Seisui replied. "...as long as you know you can trust them."
"I suppose I have just fallen out of the habit."
"Of trusting people?" Seisui said a little skeptically.
"Yes," He replied. "When you've lived as long as I have...seen the things I've seen...it's often seems better not to."
"That's a hopeful thought for my future," Seisui said sourly.
"Oh?" Erik replied. "I would think you would be anxious to agree. But...don't let my past discourage you. Most people have a better go of things."
"How so?" she asked.
"Do you remember your past life, Seisui?"
"A little," she said. "Only hints. I remember my death and little else."
"You should feel lucky you remember only that," Erik replied.
Seisui looked at him, expecting him to say more, but he never did. "So...your grandfather, he was he from Japan?"
"Yes," Erik replied. "My mother was half American and half Japanese. We used to travel a lot, around the world, when I was younger. And I...traveled a lot when they died, too."
"Where did you go?" Seisui asked.
"When I was older, I stole a horse from my parent's stables--she was ours, but the debt collectors were going to take her away--and traveled the southern coast from western Spain to Korea. Well, I hugged the Mediterreanean and worked my way down afterward. The Ivory Coast isn't exactly balmy."
"That must have taken you a very long time!" Seisui said, a little shocked.
"Indeed," he replied, "I spent a good forty years doing that. I wasn't exactly on a schedule. And of course I wasn't in a hurry to make my way east during the war. Not that I count myself a coward, but that enemy was a little beyond my abilities at the time," he said. Most people tried not to talk about the Black Moon family, but the shadow of that war still hung in the air now and again.
"You must have met a lot of people..." Seisui said. "Seen a lot of things."
"Yes," Erik replied. "I saw the pyramids, the parthenon, the churches and mosques of Toledo...Angor Wat and the Forbidden City. It was impressive, I suppose."
"But it would have been better if someone was there to see it with you," Ikkoku said. "Right?"
Erik gave her a look before continuing. "Perhaps," he said evasively. "Perhaps not."
"Well," Seisui said, "Maybe someday I can travel the world, too." They ate in awkward silence for awhile before Seisui continued. "I'm a little envious of where you live," she said. "When I'm here, I feel at ease."
"You can come here whenever you like," Erik replied. "I know you're struggling right now. If this is a place that brings you comfort, I encourage you to visit often."
"R-really?"
"Of course," He replied. "It's not like there's not enough space."
Which was true. Erik's home was huge, as big as a typical Japanese inn, so it was perfectly possible for Seisui to stay the night in a seemly manner.
"Thank you," she said, with the faintest hint of a smile. "I appreciate that."
Fuyuko was beaming as they walked into school. Her hair was braided in a semi circle around the top of her head with four small accent braids hanging freely, their ends terminated in little rose barrettes. It had taken her three hours, struggling with her short hair, but she did it.
"Your hair looks nice today, Fuyuko," Haruko remarked.
"Kazeko taught me," she said. "It took me 3 hours."
Usako grinned. "Is that more or less time than your normal one?"
Fuyuko stuck out her tongue. "More," She said. "My other one is just a bun with a hairpiece on it. You should see how long it takes Natsuko to do her hair. She just leaves it up days at a time 'cause it's such a pain."
"Did Kazeko teach you that hairstyle?" Usako asked.
Fuyuko nodded. "Yeah. It's a mega-hard one. I can do it on your hair sometime if you want. It'd be tons easier with your hair, 'cause you have a lot more."
"Sounds like fun," Usako said. One of the nice things about having a civilian life is that you could change your hairstyle more often. They were expected to wear their hair in their typical, most recognizable style when they wore their royal attire.
"Kazeko!" Fuyuko shouted, waving toward her friend. Kazeko smiled and walked next to the window where Usako and her friends had stopped.
"Where are the other two?" Kazeko asked, curiously.
"Track," Fuyuko replied. "Check it out!" she said, turning around and pointing to her braid.
"Oh my," Kazeko said, impressed. "You've managed half a crown, and with your short hair!"
"It was awful," Fuyuko admitted. "My arms still hurt."
Kazeko smiled weakly. "You'll get faster at it."
"Hey," Fuyuko continued, "What are you doing after school today? We could hang out again!"
"I was going to go hiking on Mount Mitake," Kazeko said. "But you're welcome to come along."
"Mount Mitake?" Fuyuko repeated.
"It's a famous mountain near here," Usako told her. "There's a shrine at the top; Rei goes there to pray occasionally."
"Huh," Fuyuko said. "I don't really have hiking clothes, though," she said.
"Just buy some after school," Haruko suggested. "Shouldn't take too long."
"Hm," Fuyuko replied. "Maybe I will go. Do you mind if we grab some things beforehand?
Kazeko tried not to frown. She hated clothes shopping. A lot. "Sure, sounds like fun," she said with a weak smile.
"I'll try to be quick," Fuyuko said, looking hard at Kazeko. Kazeko felt her heart beat a little faster; did Fuyuko pick up on her lie? If she did, what would she think of her? She hoped that she hadn't.
"Anyway, we better get to class, huh?" Fuyuko said, smiling at Kazeko.
"Yes," she said. "See you at club, Fuyuko."
Mauros walked up to the concert hall, where a man was taking people's tickets. Mayumi had very kindly told him where the concert was and what to do when he got there. He quite was sure he wouldn't have known that he had to go up to a special window where they took people's tickets when they already had them. The man took his ticket and directed him to the stage; Mauros walked there by himself, feeling awkward. Doing things without his brother was difficult. He knew so little about the world, especially about this modern world. Were his clothes funny or out-of-place? They looked similar to other people's clothing to him, but it would be easy for him to miss some all-important detail of dress. Everyone glanced at him, but he wasn't sure why. He hoped it was just because he was so much taller and lighter than they. But he feared it was for some other reason. He entered the dim lighting of the concert hall and sat down; he instantly felt more at ease. He was less visible here, more...at home. And with all of these people, he didn't feel that crushing desolation....
Two girls who sat next to him were staring at him with an intense gaze. "Do I look strange?" he asked them, concerned.
"N-no," one of them said, blushing. "You look fine."
Mauros wasn't sure if he was satisfied with this answer, but it was too late to go back and change clothing now. As it stood, he was really quite afraid that Coeus would find out where he was. He told his brother he was going to sleep for the night and piled some pillows on his bed under the covers. Hopefully that would be good enough.
Eventually, the lights dimmed and Mayumi came on stage admist smoke and excited clapping. Mauros thought he had better clap too, since everyone else was. Mauros smiled as Mayumi waved to the people gathered in front of her. She was wearing a very puffy outfit. It reminded Mauros of the pastries they shared. He smiled at the memory; just thinking about that moment, eating pastries in the park on that warm day, made him feel warm and happy. He cheered her name as she walked up to the microphone and waved animatedly, hoping that she might notice him in the crowd. He was sitting near the front, but he didn't hold out much hope anyway. There were a lot of people here.
"This is a special song for someone important to me," she said. Mauros felt his heart race as he sat down. She couldn't mean him, could she...? He shook his head. Mayumi must have thousands of admirers, and even if she didn't...why did it matter so much if it was him?
"I can see your dark profile
standing in the sun
My
heart will jump a mile
hoping you're the one," she sang. She
continued to sing about the hope that her strong feelings would be
returned. Before long the melody changed and she moved on to the
chorus.
"You're
an engima
with long hair and dark eyes
Your words speak of
innocence
but your eyes say they're lies," she sang. Mauros
hung on her words anxiously. He had long hair and dark eyes. He was
pretty sure he had to have longer hair than anyone else she knew. But
there was an ominous bent to her words. It's clear that she liked
whoever she was talking about in this song, and if it was him, it
made him happy. But if it truly was him, it meant that she could tell
he wasn't being honest with her. Mauros wanted to be honest with her.
He wanted to tell her that his name wasn't Kuro and he wasn't even
from Earth. But he was afraid of what Coeus would do. So afraid....
"Flowers you picked yourself
mean much more to me
Than
a diamond off the shelf--"
Mauros stood up at once and stared into Mayumi's eyes. Everyone else had sat down during this slow song, so for a brief moment, he was the only one standing in a sea of people. He was almost certain she returned the gaze and blushed even as she continued the song. The moment was over as quickly as it came; all of the other fans stood up and began waving their electronic devices in the air, the screens glowing ominously. Mayumi began to sing to the crowd again, instead of at him.
Mauros had been realizing more and more recently that he felt quite differently toward Mayumi than he did toward anyone else, even his brother. He loved his brother very much, but when he was with Mayumi, he always felt warm and happy. When he was away from her, he always felt an overwhelming desire to see her again, even if he had been with her minutes before. He simply couldn't account for why he felt so strongly toward her. He started at her warm smile. It was--
A loud crash resounded throughout the auditorium. A huge, mechanical songbird dove through the rafters of the auditorium, bringing lights and stage equipment with it. Mayumi's backup performers screamed; a dancer was about to fall under the rubble. Mauros could see a stage light falling straight toward Mayumi's head as he watched helplessly on....
"Chronos, stop!" he screamed. The world turned suddenly silent; Mayumi gasped for breath and moved out of the way of the stage light.
She turned toward him, the only other moving figure in a sea of statues. He teleported to Mayumi as his vestments appeared around him and his hair streamed behind him. "K-Kuro...?" she said.
Mauros didn't waste any time explaining. As it was, he knew he could only stop time long enough to move her. He would just have to hope that her friends would be healed later. He took her in his arms as he teleported again, this time to the back of the room; Mayumi turned toward him as the crashing sounds resumed on stage.
"W-who....are you...?" She said wonderingly, staring at him.
"I'm sorry, Mayumi," Mauros replied. "I promise I will tell you everything later. "But please tell me the truth, Mayumi. You are a sailor senshi, are you not?"
Mayumi looked a little guilty. "Yes," she replied. "I am Sailor Io. How did you know?"
"Time never stops for a senshi," Mauros replied. "My brother has made a horrible mistake. I must correct him." Mauros teleported to the stage; the bird opened its mouth and a melody of infinite sorrow burst forth. All of the people on stage began to weep, a dark, misty smoke curled upward and wafted toward the bird.
"Brother!" Mauros shouted. "I know that you are here. I must speak with you!"
Coeus jumped down from the beams of the stage and looked towards Mauros in surprise. "I thought you were asleep," he said darkly. "Why did you deceive me?"
"Coeus, you have to stop. This isn't a game at all. We're hurting these people! Just like I was hurt! We have to stop this!"
"Who told you this?" Coeus said, narrowing his eyes and walking up to his brother. "Who told you these lies!?"
"My guardian planet is a diety floating in time and space...the soldier of revolution, Sailor Pluto!" Sailor Pluto appeared before them, her Garnet Rod in her hand. "Someone has broken the final taboo. That will not be countenanced!"
"I'm the senshi of time and stuff, too! Sailor Charon!" Charon announced. "Time stopped and it was freaky! So I came to figure out what the heck was going on!"
Pluto put a hand to her forehead. "Charon..." she said, sighing.
"There will be time for explanations later," Mauros said dismissively. "Coeus...tell me...why did you lie?"
"It's whoever has told you otherwise that lies," Coeus. "Who told you this wasn't a game?"
"It's a secret," Mauros said stubbornly. "It was someone that wouldn't lie."
Sailor Pluto did not waste time involving herself in what seemed a personal conflict any longer.. "Chronos Typhoon!" she shouted, sending a gray tornado toward the nightingale. It's wings were ripped apart but it continued its ominous song half-broken.
"Chaos compass!" Charon cried. She appeared next to the youma and speared it's head with her naginata. The naginata was stuck in the machine's head, but its song became distorted and the fog dispersed.
"Oh, honestly!" Coeus said, irritated. He held out his hand and a burst of icy wind flew toward Tokimo. She screamed in pain as her lower legs were frozen in a block of ice.
"Sailor Charon!" Pluto cried, teleporting to her side. "Take more care," she said, frustrated.
"One of us is lying," Coeus replied, turning away from Charon and back toward his brother. "Me, or your mystery friend. Do you trust this person more, even when I've taken care of you all these years? Even when I saved you from Hades?"
"If they aren't in pain," Mauros said, "Why are they screaming?"
"Senshi don't scream when they're in pain," Coeus said hastily. "They just do it because they're angry that you've beaten them."
"This is bad," Pluto said, looking at Charon. "There's no way I can use my powers to release you safely."
Charon grimaced as the ice moved toward her chest. "Can't you just go back in time or something?! You're the senshi of freaking time!"
"Manipulating time in that way is forbidden," Pluto replied.
"What good are super powers if you can't use them?" Charon scoffed.
"Double drill!" Io's voice cried out. She pulled apart the spiral of fire and ice that rushed from her hands. From one hand, A roaring fire streamed forward and melted away the ice at Charon's feet. She aimed the ice half of her attack at the back wall, where it ineffecutally froze the drum set. "Kuro!" Io cried, running through the now-empty auditorium seats and up to the stage. "Tell me...have you been attacking the sailor senshi?"
"I will tell you everything soon, Mayumi," Mauros replied.
"Is this the harlot that's been telling you lies, Mauros? It figures that I would have a woman to blame," he spat.
"Leave her out of this!" Mauros snapped.
Sailor Pluto held her Garnet rod aloft. "Dead..."
"No!" Charon shouted, summoning her naginata to her hand and hitting the Garnet Rod, interrupting Pluto's attack. "Don't hurt Coeus!"
Pluto looked at Charon, alarmed. "Why are you so reluctant to attack now...? You've never been known for your forbearance."
Charon couldn't tell Pluto it was because she was dating him. "'Cause..." she stammered, trying to think of something to say. But all she could think of was Coeus' deep, blue eyes as he looked into the aquarium so sadly...
"Charon is right," Io said. "Kuro's brother is dear to him. We musn't hurt him!"
"R-right!" Charon agreed.
"You're all fools and weaklings," Coeus said with a smirk. "It will be easier to kill you this way." He held out his hand again and a blast of cold air flew toward them.
"Garnet ball!" Sailor Pluto cried, and a dome appeared around the three senshi. The air blew around the stage, freezing more equipment and the floor and walls.
"Chaos compass!" Charon cried. She appeared in front of Coeus and held her naginata toward his throat. "I don't want to hurt you," she said. "So unless you're going to join the good guys, get out of here, Coeus!"
"You are weak," he scoffed. "I can tell you're bluffing."
"N-no..." Tokimo stuttered.
"She's bluffing," Sailor Pluto said, looking at Coeus coldly, her Garnet Rod aimed toward him. "But I'm not."
Coeus stared into her burgundy eyes. "You have my brother's eyes," he said at last. "Mauros, we will talk more at the castle," he added before disappearing.
"Mayumi..." Mauros murmured, his eyes dark and sad. His long, robe-like vestments hung about him like a cowl.
"You must go," Io said, taking his hand. "Meet me tomorrow at the park. Tell me everything then."
Mauros nodded. "At the park," he repeated, looking into her crimson eyes.
But as he disappeared, he feared he would not be there tomorrow.
Sailor Pluto looked toward Charon and Io with a face that was half-concerned and half-accusing. "Who is that man that stopped time?"
"That was Mauros, of Hades," Charon replied. "The priest of Pluto."
"So," Pluto said. "The priest of our holy land has shown himself."
"He's kind and gentle," Io protested. "He's just lost because his brother is lying to him. Please, Sailor Pluto...don't hurt him."
"Why does his brother lie to him?" She asked.
"To protect him," Charon replied. "...I think. Because he doesn't want Mauros to suffer, knowing he's hurting someone."
"He will only suffer the more for that in the end," Pluto replied. "Why does he not suffer the consequences of breaking the final taboo?"
"Wait, wait, back up. What's the final taboo?" Io asked.
"To stop time. To break that taboo is to forfeit one's life," Pluto explained.
"Maybe it's only taboo for you," Charon suggested. "Maybe it's not for me and Mauros."
"Can you stop time, as well?" Pluto asked.
"No," Charon replied instantly. She was not sure how, but she was completely sure that she could not stop time.
"Hm," Pluto said. She turned toward Io. "Do you think that Mauros will leave Nemesis and join the sailor senshi?"
"I...I think so," she said. She felt a painful surge in her chest. "I hope so."
"You and Mauros are in love, aren't you, Io?" Charon said sympathetically.
Without warning, Io could feel teardrops sliding down her face. She nodded. "I...I didn't know...I feel...so foolish..." The tears turned into sobs. "Kuro...I hope it doesn't end like this..."
Charon took Io in her arms and her fuku dissolved in a flurry of ice and fire. All that remained was a young girl in a frilly, disheveled dress. Mayumi returned the hug, even though she didn't even know this stranger. She had perfected a stage persona over the years she had worked, trained herself not to react around strangers...but now...
"It's okay," Charon said. "He loves you. Didn't you see the look in his eyes?"
"But does he love me more than he loves Coeus?" she asked.
Pluto frowned but said nothing. She was more than useless in matters of love, cloistered away at the Gate of Time-Space.... "Sailor Charon...when you are finished here, come to the Gate of Time and Space. We have matters to discuss." Charon nodded her head. "For now, I must inform Lady Serenity that there are injured people in this place." Pluto disappeared.
"He's just afraid of Coeus, I'll bet," Tokimo said, her own fuku dissolving around her. "Or afraid not to depend on him after all this time. Once he realizes you'll be there for him, he'll be there for you. That's always the way it works."
"I hope so," Mayumi sobbed. "I hope so."
"Come on," Tokimo said, taking Mayumi's hand and leading her through the rows. "Come meet my friends and have some cookies at my house. Cookies make everything better."
~EPISODE EIGHTEEN: FIN~
Kokoro kareteru you ni asu ga kuraku naru kara
Koe ga kurushiku
kasureru hodo sakebitai
Donna toki mo kimi no ibasho
sagashite
Setsunai omoide mo mune ni motte
Sorazorashii wake no
kage ni kakureteru boku mo iru
Sadame wo kowaseba mirai nante aru ka na
Demo maketaku nai kara
akiramenai yo donna aite demo
Sadame to iu mono ha michi wo kimeru
dakedo
Kaiki gesshoku demo kimi wo me ni suru
Kimi ha
umarekawattemo boku no Radiance dakara
Because, as if my heart's withering, tomorrow will get darker
I
want to scream until I get painfully hoarse
Searching for where
you are no matter when it is
And holding painful memories in my
chest
There is also a me who's hiding behind empty reasons
If
I destroy predestination, will there be a future at all?
But
because I don't want to lose, I won't give up, no matter who my
opponent is
That which is called predestination decides our paths,
but
Even during a total lunar eclipse, I'll remember you
Because,
even though reborn, you are my radiance
NEXT EPISODE
Mauros: My brother, or my love...? In the end, it is you who decide it, Coeus.
Eros: Gifts are so meaningless. What thing could bring back the glimmer in your dark heart? I would sew until my fingers bled to bring back that warmth....
Erik: There is hope and life in you once more.... but I still feel an ever-present shadow.
Fubuki: As things worsen for Jirou, I see him withering before my eyes...
Setsuna: As we return to the land of Hades, a hidden veil is pulled aside...
Tokimo: Coeus...you're so close to your brother, but your heart is still filled with loneliness. Please, let me closer...
Natsuko: I won't let you beat me at something so small...!
Next time, on MOON SENSHI: UNMEI NO KODOMO--
"The Blood of Chronos"
Mayumi: Everyone needs a little forgiveness.
