SM Monthly Fanfiction Challenge Theme #65 (06MAR06)
Title: Flames of Anger
Author: Raya
Theme: Villains / Atonement
Genre: Drama / Tragedy
Version: PGSM R (Spoilers. One plot spoiler for Act 13. One ending spoiler.)
Rating: R (violence, although it may not be quite that bad. I'd rather be safe than sorry.)
Disclaimer: All of the characters used below were created by Takeuchi Naoko. Bandai Entertainment also has some claim to them, but I certainly do not. Also, some dialog has been taken from SailorMoon Act 11 as translated by Mixx and modified by me. It has been used without permission.
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism. Please let me know if you see something that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Flames of Anger
ChibiUsa sat on a playground swing and slowly kicked her white tennis shoes back and forth as she rocked herself and stared at the ground. Around her, children of all ages ran and played, laughing happily and yelling with youthful exuberance.
Many of the mothers around the playground gave the young girl curious, worried looks. Several of them, sitting on a nearby bench, put their heads together and began to whisper back and forth amongst themselves. The little princess ignored them all out of habit.
'Mama...' she thought mournfully to herself. She squeezed her brown eyes tightly shut as the sight of her mother collapsing in the garden below her flashed through her mind again. "Ma..ma..." she sobbed. Several small tears fell from her eyes and spotted the pink jumper that Usagi had given her to wear in place of her white dress.
One mother looked up from a nearby sandbox where she was playing with her small son. Her smile was quickly replaced by a concerned look, and she stood up to walk towards the sad child. She had only taken a step, however, when a tall, dark haired man walked in front of her. She stopped, and watched him curiously as he came to a stop in front of the child.
He did not stoop down. He just stood and waited patiently for her to look up.
ChibiUsa rocked her swing for a few more moments, and then finally sensed that someone was in front of her. She looked up with a gasp of fear, and then froze as her brown eyes met his.
A look of confusion came over her face as they stared at each other silently. She had never seen this man before in her life, at least not that she could remember, and yet he seemed very familiar. The fear faded away, and she felt as safe as she did around Usagi, Mamoru, and their friends.
"Shin," the man said abruptly. The little girl jumped and leaned back away from him. "You can call me Shin." He watched her carefully, ready to catch her if she should tumble off the swing, but she kept her balance expertly.
Slowly, she sat back up again. A smile played around the corner of his mouth as she pushed her fear aside and glared up at him defiantly. "And you are?" he finally prompted.
"Usagi," she answered. She watched as he raised one of his dark eyebrows curiously.
"That must get rather confusing," he replied as he stepped back.
The little princess took advantage of his unspoken offer, and began to rock her four year old body back and forth, trying to start the swing. "It's my name," she griped, still a little put out that she had to share it. She kicked her legs back and forth furiously, trying to get the swing to go. She was so focused on that, she did not see him smile and walk around behind her. She jumped as he gave her a sudden, gentle push. "Papa... he said that he would like to call me... ChibiUsa..." Her voice trailed off, and her face looked uncertain. Her short pigtails danced in the breeze as she arced back towards him again.
"Mmm," Shin replied as he pushed her gently once more. "I'm sure it will grow on you." His smile widened when she turned to glare at him over her shoulder, dark hair blowing into her face. "Or not." She faced forward again, and a companionable silence fell between them. Seeing that the little girl apparently knew the man, the mother returned to her son in the sandbox.
Across the playground, Usagi ran up and came to a stop behind the bench of gossiping mothers. Anxiously, she scanned the area looking for the small dark haired child that carried her name and hairstyle. A flash of pink caught her eye, and she focused in on the swings.
Relief flooded her face as she recognized ChibiUsa. When she started to step forward, however, the relief was replaced by surprise and uncertainty. "Shin-san..." she murmured as she watched the tall man push the little girl. She hesitated for another moment, and then slowly began to walk across the playground.
'She's smiling,' she thought to herself as her face relaxed. 'She's so cute when she smiles. Shin-san, too.'
At just that moment, she stepped into their line of view, and both of the smiles disappeared. ChibiUsa's haunted, lost look returned, while Shin's expression became politely blank. Immediately, Usagi stopped and bit her lip. Coolly, Shin bowed his head towards her.
ChibiUsa slipped expertly off the swing at the top of its arc. She stumbled a little when she hit the ground, but immediately began to try and run away again. Shin caught the swing before it could come back and hit her, and watched as Usagi easily caught the little girl.
"ChibiUsa-chan, where have you been?" Usagi asked loudly as she crouched down in front of the child and clutched her shoulders, heedless of their audience. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" ChibiUsa struggled for a few moments, but stilled and relaxed a little as Usagi drew her in for a relieved hug.
Usagi released her a few moments later, and then looked up and over at Shin. Reluctantly, she stood up, and grabbed one of ChibiUsa's hands. "Shin-san... Thank you." The tall man just shrugged and turned to walk away. "Wait! Shin-san..." she called as she lifted her free hand towards him. He paused for a fraction of a second, and then kept walking. "Shin-san." Slowly, Usagi let her hand fall.
ChibiUsa turned and glared up at her. "You scared him away."
Usagi looked down at her in surprise, and then shook her head. Turning back the way she had come, she tugged the child gently after her. "No, I didn't. Shin-san isn't scared of me at all." A small smile came to her lips as she remembered their meetings and battles almost five years before. "I don't think he's scared of anything any more."
ChibiUsa's glare melted into a curious look. "Who was he?"
Usagi smiled down at her as they walked. "He's... a friend of Mamoru." Her smile became a frown as she suddenly remembered what had happened. "ChibiUsa-chan, you shouldn't run away like that," she scolded. "What if you got lost?"
The little girl's face hardened once more, and she tried to pull her hand free. "I won't get lost. I can take care of myself," she protested.
Usagi looked like she wanted to debate that statement, but she pursed her lips instead. "Mamoru would worry about you," she said reluctantly.
She looked down into the girl's hard eyes, and remembered Rei's warnings. Somehow, she had to avoid upsetting the girl. She still did not understand why, but Rei had been adamant about it. It was hard though. The child was so defensive, especially around Usagi. She didn't understand it, and ChibiUsa refused to talk about it. Any time she asked, the little girl would just yell that Usagi was not her mother and to leave her alone.
ChibiUsa stared up at Usagi, and cringed inwardly as another frown began to appear on her face. She hated seeing the young woman frown. It was almost as unnerving as watching her smile. Instinctively, she tried to draw away again, but Usagi just tightened her grip once more.
"Let's just go home, shall we?" Usagi asked finally as she turned to start walking once more. "No more tricks? No more running away? It's almost dinner time. Oh!" She turned to look down at ChibiUsa. "I almost forgot. There's going to be a festival up at Rei-chan's shrine this evening. Mamoru and I were planning to go. It'll run pretty late, so I asked Mama if you could stay over at her house this evening, and she said yes." ChibiUsa looked towards the ground and did not respond. "Um... So... We'll stop by the apartment, grab you some overnight things, and then head over there. How does that sound? I'm sure she'd be happy to cook you something for dinner."
Usagi looked forward again and smiled as she thought of all the good festival food she could eat. ChibiUsa looked at her out of the corner of her eye and fought back a sigh. 'Just the same. "You're too little." "Go on up to your room." "Maybe when you grow up."' She fought back tears at that last thought. 'When am I ever going to grow up?'
A short while later, Usagi dropped ChibiUsa off at her parents' house. "Here's her nightgown, toothbrush, brush, and change of clothes," she said as she handed her mother a small, rabbit covered backpack. Ikuko was dressed in a pink jogging outfit, complete with a towel around her neck.
Usagi knelt down by ChibiUsa and put her hands gently but firmly on the little girl's shoulders. "You be good and stay here," she said quietly as Ikuko walked away to put the backpack in Usagi's old room. "Mama's really nice, and she knows how to get in touch with Mamoru or I if there's a problem. No climbing out of windows, no hiding in the closets, no running or yelling or screaming... Mamoru and I will come pick you up in the morning. Okay?" ChibiUsa stared silently at her. "Okay?" Usagi repeated, tightening her grip on the girl's shoulders. Reluctantly, ChibiUsa nodded.
"Okay, good," Usagi said with a smile as she stood up and released the child. "Mama! I'm off!" she called as she turned towards the door.
"Have a good time," Ikuko called back. "ChibiUsa-chan? Would you like a snack?"
ChibiUsa watched Usagi dash out of the door, and then looked back towards the kitchen. She back and forth between the door and the kitchen once more, and then with a stubborn expression followed Usagi out onto the street.
"ChibiUsa-chan?" Ikuko called as she walked out of the kitchen and to the entry way. She stopped and looked around. "ChibiUsa-chan? Hmmm... That's funny. Did Usagi take her after all?" She leaned a metal spatula against her chin, and studied the entryway floor. The only shoes there were hers. Finally she shrugged. "Oh well. I guess Mama will have to eat the Yummy Yummy Curry Omelet Extraordinaire all by myself." With a smile, she turned back towards the kitchen.
ChibiUsa followed Usagi to the Hikawa Shrine and then stopped to stare wide eyed at all of the people and decorations. She especially liked the pretty paper lanterns. And her stomach rumbled hungrily when the delicious scent of takiyaki drifted to her on the breeze. She looked to where Usagi had paused, wondering where the woman was going to go first, and then gasped when she realized that Usagi had disappeared. Nervously, ChibiUsa began to creep through the crowds looking for her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Rei-san!" Kotono cried out with a smile. She waved to her predecessor, and then gestured for her to enter a small tent. "Rei-san, I'm so glad you could come," she said still smiling as she handed Rei a simple head scarf. It was red to match the hakama that both young women were wearing.
"I told you the other day that I would be here, Kotono-san," Rei chided gently. "You know I would never miss the Spring Festival." She returned the younger girl's smile as she accepted the scarf and draped it over her dark head.
Kotono blushed a little, and laughed nervously. "Yes, I know. But you've been so busy since you returned to Minato, we weren't sure you would actually have the time this year. And everyone's been asking about you. Your fire readings are one of the biggest draws."
Their smiles faded a little as they remembered the cold, calculating lady who had introduced herself as a rival a few days ago. Then, the coins on the curtain at the front of the tent jingled indicating that a customer had arrived. Quickly, they settled into their routine: Kotono leading the customers to Rei's table, where she read their upcoming fortune in the fire.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Usagi, still looking for Mamoru, could stand it no longer. The smell of fried soba was about to drive her crazy with hunger. So, she slipped into one of the vendor tents and placed an order.
Unseen behind her, ChibiUsa entered the aisle of food vendors and looked around. Her nervous bravado gone, the little girl desperately wanted to find someone she knew. The adults around her were giving her funny looks, but she had managed to avoid all efforts to capture her so far.
As she walked down the aisle, she paid more attention to the food on display than she did to where she was going. Suddenly, she bumped into a pair of long legs, and bounced backwards. She lost her balance and fell to the ground. It was too much. Lost, tired, afraid, and alone, the little princess raised her hands to her face and began to cry.
Shin squatted down beside her with a worried look on his face. "Little Miss? Are you all right? Where does it hurt?" he asked trying hard not to sound anxious.
ChibiUsa drew her hands away from her eyes and peeped towards him. Finally seeing a face that she recognized and trusted, she threw herself at the tall man. Shin fell backwards onto his own rear as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her small body. Dismay, discomfort, and embarrassment battled with the worry on his face as he quickly and smoothly rose to his feet once more.
"Little Miss?" She clung tightly to his neck, and continued crying. "Are you hurt?" She shook her head, and Shin relaxed. Suddenly, he frowned. "If you're not hurt, why are you crying?" he asked, a little disappointed. He had thought she was more gutsy than that.
"Hu-hungry," ChibiUsa sobbed out, refusing to admit that she had been scared. Her tears began to die out.
He tried to give her an exasperated look, but her face was still buried in his neck. "That is easily solved, Little Miss. What would you like to eat?"
She sat up in his arms, and gave him a serious look. "You have to pay for it," she informed him. She had been quite surprised when one of the vendors had angrily told her that. At home, she never had to pay for anything.
Shin merely quirked an eyebrow at her and waited. They stared at each other for a few moments, and then ChibiUsa turned in his arms to survey the aisle of food once more. "There. That," she said as she pointed towards the fried shrimp stand. Shin nodded, and carried her over to the vendor.
Unseen behind them, Usagi stepped out of the soba noodle stand. She patted her stomach with a satisfied smile. "Ah. Mamoru!" she exclaimed. Once more, she began to search the festival for her missing husband.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Kotono-san, come quick," one of the younger miko exclaimed as she burst into the fire reading tent. Rei and Kotono looked up at her in surprise. Rei frowned as she stood up and drew off the head scarf. "It's horrible," the younger girl exclaimed as she hurried the other two out of the tent.
"It's that sakura reading fortune teller. She keeps giving out dire predictions. She tells people that they're going to get sick or die or worse!" the girl exclaimed as she led them across the shrine grounds to the old sakura tree. Rei's face hardened.
The three miko pushed their way gently to the front of the shocked and restless crowd that had gathered around the Black Moon Psychic Club's table. Rei's eyes widened when she realized that they had not even set up a tent. All they had was a card table draped with a black cloth. In the center of the table, a small bowl filled with what appeared to be water reflected the old sakura tree and the waxing crescent of the new moon. The psychic herself was dressed in a blood red kimono covered with small, black, crescent moons. A black scarf trimmed with black crystal beads was draped over her head.
A young woman, dressed in a T*A Girl's School uniform, sat in front of the table and listened horrified to the mysterious fortune teller who sat across from her. "You will get married to an alcoholic, who will drink all your money away. You will be forced to work several jobs to pay off all his debts after he is found dead face down in an alley with another woman. The overwork will kill you in nineteen years. Next please." Slowly, the young woman fumbled her way out of the chair. Her eyes wide and her face pale, she walked off into the night.
"Ah, Megumi-san. You are next," the fortune teller said as she glanced into the crowd. Reluctantly, another young girl sat down. "Oh, you poor thing. Your heart is so weak. You only have six more years to live," the fortune teller said.
"No," the girl whispered as she began to shake her head. "No, that can't be! You're lying!"
"Next please," was the fortune teller's only response. She returned the young girl's desperate stare impassively. "Next?"
"She knows everything about them," the younger miko whispered anxiously. "Their names, families, backgrounds... And at the very end, she will predict when they will die. It's horrible!"
The fortune teller looked over to them, and then smiled. The three miko drew back in surprise when they realized that she had a small, black, inverted crescent moon on her forehead underneath a large black crystal. Rei's eyes widened as she remembered seeing that same mark appear on the little girl's face in her dreams.
"It's not so bad," the fortune teller said as she rose. Slowly, she sauntered over to them. "Everyone dies someday. It's a fact of life. There's no reason to be sad about it." She held out a hand towards Rei and gave her a knowing look. "I may not be able to change your fate, but I can guarantee you a gentle death. Come, join the Black Moon. Become one of us, Rei, and use that power that is burning within you."
The two younger girls drew back with a gasp, but Rei met the fortune teller's shining eyes calmly. "Most everyone here knows my name and my gift," she replied, unimpressed. She glanced out of the corner of her eyes and saw Kotono and the other girl relax a little sheepishly.
A short distance away, ChibiUsa, munching on taiyaki as she walked, and Shin spotted the crowd. They gave each other a curious look, and then walked over to see what the attraction was.
The fortune teller just laughed. "True, true... But do they truly know your affinity for fire?" Rei stiffened warily. "Fire and Moon... What an odd combination, don't you think? The moon is so cold, and it burns so steadily in the dark of night. While fire is so hot. Flames are anything but steady as they jump and dance around. Sterile Moon and Passionate Fire." She smirked knowingly at Rei, and then gestured to the empty petitioner's chair. "Come, Rei, let me tell your fortune."
"No thanks," Rei glared haughtily. "I don't need to hear a fortune from a charlatan like you." Around them, the crowd stirred restlessly, and the murmuring increased in volume.
The fortune teller's eyes narrowed angrily. "You refuse?" she asked in a saccharine sweet tone. "Ah, but you cannot. You will die a most horrible death in the very near future. The flames that you think are your friends will surround you and consume you slowly, painfully, until there is nothing left." The crowd shrank away from them, shocked into silence. Shin frowned, while ChibiUsa's eyes widened in shock. Slowly, she inched closer to the tall man.
"Hehehe, do you think you can defeat me?" the fortune teller laughed as Rei clenched her fists. "I am Cooan, the passionate youngest of the Four Ayakashi Sisters of the Black Moon Clan." As the fortune teller drew off her headscarf, her outfit changed. Gone was the simple red kimono patterned with black crescent moons. Instead, a garish pink outfit with black stripes appeared. Around her waist was a black and purple tutu. Her full, shoulder length hair grew a little longer as it changed color to a dark purple. It also became quite wavy. Two shards of black crystal hung suspended from her ears, one on each.
"And you? You are as weak as any normal human." Cooan laughed. "Sailor Mars? I don't think so."
ChibiUsa gasped, and stared at Rei in shock. "Mars?" she whispered.
Rei's body tightened even more, and she glanced around furtively. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied tightly, loud enough for the whole crowd to hear. "You really are a charlatan, aren't you?"
Cooan glared angrily at her. "Me?" she screeched. "You're calling me a charlatan?" She raised her hands to chest height, wrists together and fingers spread. "How dare you!" A burst of black flames flew from her hands towards Rei. Somehow, the former senshi and her fellow miko managed to dodge out of the way.
Drawn by the crowd, Usagi arrived just in time to see the attack. Her eyes widened in shock, and her hand reached instinctively for her transformation pendant. Nothing but bare skin met her questing fingers.
The crowd screamed in fear and began to run in all directions. Shin scooped up ChibiUsa before she was run over, and fought to hold his place against the small stampede.
"How dare you!" Cooan screamed again. "Die, Sailor Mars! Be consumed by my Dark Fire!" She threw another gout of flame at Rei, who dodged once more. This time, she was not quite fast enough, and the edge of her left pants leg caught on fire.
"Rei-chan!" Usagi yelled.
"MARS!" ChibiUsa screamed. The remainder of her taiyaki fell from her hand as she struggled to get out of Shin's arms. A shining crescent moon appeared on her forehead. Just as she managed to break free and fall to the ground, Cooan turned to look at her in surprise.
"Well, well, well... If it isn't Rabbit. This is my lucky day," Cooan gloated as the little girl scrambled to her feet once more. Shin bent down to grab her, but she dodged him and ran towards Rei who was smothering the last of the flames on her clothes. "Mars and Rabbit, both together." Her eyes gleamed maniacally as she raised her hands once more.
Shin dove desperately for ChibiUsa as Usagi dove towards Rei. Cooan cackled as the large black flames flew from her hands towards the defenseless princess from the future. Shin managed to intercept them just in time. ChibiUsa's brown eyes widened in horror, as he was surrounded by flames.
He clenched his jaw against the pain, but finally he was forced to cry out. He opened his eyes wide as he yelled, but he refused to budge from his protective position. "R-run," he finally managed to yell out. "Little Miss... RUN!" Stunned, ChibiUsa just stared at him and shook her head helplessly as Cooan continued to laugh.
"How much longer can you last?" the purple haired fiend asked as she continued to pour the black flames into his unprotected back.
Rei glared at her from Usagi's arms, and then pushed her way free. Before her friend could stop her, she threw herself at Cooan. Caught by surprise, the enemy stumbled backwards and let the flames die out in her hands. Unfortunately, the flames that already surrounded Shin continued to burn, eating their way through his clothes and into his skin.
"Why you..." Cooan turned towards Rei and threw a gout of flame towards her as well. This time, the flames formed a ring around their victim and began to work their way inwards. Rei screamed as they licked at her skin and hair.
"No!! Rei-chan" Usagi screamed as she reached for her friend.
"NO!!" ChibiUsa screamed as she squeezed her eyes shut. "NO!!" A ring of bright gold energy pulsed out of her, followed closely by a second.
The flames eating at Shin blew away and vanished. Severely burnt, the man collapsed to the ground. He struggled to remain conscious.
Usagi jerked upright, her eyes wide and blank, as the first ring passed through her. When the second ring passed through her, a ghostly crescent moon formed on her forehead and then disappeared.
When the first ring reached Cooan, she screamed and shattered into pieces. Shards of black crystal flew everywhere. As the second ring reached them, the shards of crystal faded into nothingness. ChibiUsa collapsed, gasping and spent.
"So strong," a masculine voice said. ChibiUsa and Usagi stared wide-eyed at the crimson-haired man that appeared in front of him. He wore a sleeveless dark purple shirt over a pair of camouflage green pants, and he also had two black crystal earrings. ChibiUsa whimpered as she tried to force herself to her feet. "To blow away Cooan, truly this must be the work of the Silver Crystal."
"Wh-What?" Usagi asked weakly. She shook her head, and spoke again in a stronger voice. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"I am Crimson Rubeus of the Black Moon Clan," the man replied with a smirk. "And what I want is the Silver Crystal. Give it to me, and I will let you live."
"That's impossible," Usagi said as she shook her head once more. "The Crystal is gone..."
Rubeus' face darkened. "Give me the Rabbit and the Crystal, or I will..."
"You will what?" a strong masculine voice cut in. Usagi gasped, and looked towards her husband in relief. Her eyes widened when she saw that he wore his princely raiment. Stepping deliberately, Prince Endymion walked over to stand beside his wife. When he reached her side, he raised his sword and pointed it at the intruder. "Release Rei-san. Now," he ordered.
ChibiUsa gasped and stared around as three other men surrounded her and Shin protectively. She cowered away from them at first, too weak to defend herself. Then, she slowly realized that they were like Shin, familiar but not.
Rubeus laughed. "No one can break Cooan's ring of fire," he smirked as he raised his hands. "But you can join her!"
Rubeus. The crimson haired warrior stopped instantly as his master's voice filled his head. Return now. Bring Sailor Mars.
"As you wish, Highness," he replied out loud.
Usagi looked at him in confusion, thinking that he was talking to Prince Endymion. When he and Rei started to fade out, she realized that he was leaving. "No!" she cried racing forward to try and grab her friend. "Rei-chan! No!!" They winked out before she could reach them.
Prince Endymion gave his warriors a significant glance. The three who remained standing nodded their acknowledgment and disappeared. They would attempt to trace them or give chase, although the scent of dark magic was already beginning to fade.
"Shin," ChibiUsa said weakly as she crawled to her friend's side. "Shin!"
Giving Usagi a concerned look, Prince Endymion hurried to his fallen warrior's side. "Kunzite," he said softly as he touched Shin's shoulder. He closed his eyes in concentration for a few moments, and then opened them once more. "He is severely wounded," he told the little princess as she stared anxiously at him. "We will have to get him to a hospital."
"M-Mas-ter," Shin said weakly. "L-Little...?"
"She is fine," Prince Endymion said reassuringly as he tried to catch Usagi's attention. He frowned when she ignored him, continuing to stare into the place where Rei had disappeared. He got up and walked over to borrow her cell phone.
"M-Miss...?" Shin asked again.
"Right here," ChibiUsa replied as she placed a small hand on his face. "I'm all right, Shin. You saved me. You saved me." Tears rolling down her face, she stroked his cheek over and over. He smiled in relief. His little princess was safe.
Author: Raya
Theme: Villains / Atonement
Genre: Drama / Tragedy
Version: PGSM R (Spoilers. One plot spoiler for Act 13. One ending spoiler.)
Rating: R (violence, although it may not be quite that bad. I'd rather be safe than sorry.)
Disclaimer: All of the characters used below were created by Takeuchi Naoko. Bandai Entertainment also has some claim to them, but I certainly do not. Also, some dialog has been taken from SailorMoon Act 11 as translated by Mixx and modified by me. It has been used without permission.
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism. Please let me know if you see something that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Flames of Anger
ChibiUsa sat on a playground swing and slowly kicked her white tennis shoes back and forth as she rocked herself and stared at the ground. Around her, children of all ages ran and played, laughing happily and yelling with youthful exuberance.
Many of the mothers around the playground gave the young girl curious, worried looks. Several of them, sitting on a nearby bench, put their heads together and began to whisper back and forth amongst themselves. The little princess ignored them all out of habit.
'Mama...' she thought mournfully to herself. She squeezed her brown eyes tightly shut as the sight of her mother collapsing in the garden below her flashed through her mind again. "Ma..ma..." she sobbed. Several small tears fell from her eyes and spotted the pink jumper that Usagi had given her to wear in place of her white dress.
One mother looked up from a nearby sandbox where she was playing with her small son. Her smile was quickly replaced by a concerned look, and she stood up to walk towards the sad child. She had only taken a step, however, when a tall, dark haired man walked in front of her. She stopped, and watched him curiously as he came to a stop in front of the child.
He did not stoop down. He just stood and waited patiently for her to look up.
ChibiUsa rocked her swing for a few more moments, and then finally sensed that someone was in front of her. She looked up with a gasp of fear, and then froze as her brown eyes met his.
A look of confusion came over her face as they stared at each other silently. She had never seen this man before in her life, at least not that she could remember, and yet he seemed very familiar. The fear faded away, and she felt as safe as she did around Usagi, Mamoru, and their friends.
"Shin," the man said abruptly. The little girl jumped and leaned back away from him. "You can call me Shin." He watched her carefully, ready to catch her if she should tumble off the swing, but she kept her balance expertly.
Slowly, she sat back up again. A smile played around the corner of his mouth as she pushed her fear aside and glared up at him defiantly. "And you are?" he finally prompted.
"Usagi," she answered. She watched as he raised one of his dark eyebrows curiously.
"That must get rather confusing," he replied as he stepped back.
The little princess took advantage of his unspoken offer, and began to rock her four year old body back and forth, trying to start the swing. "It's my name," she griped, still a little put out that she had to share it. She kicked her legs back and forth furiously, trying to get the swing to go. She was so focused on that, she did not see him smile and walk around behind her. She jumped as he gave her a sudden, gentle push. "Papa... he said that he would like to call me... ChibiUsa..." Her voice trailed off, and her face looked uncertain. Her short pigtails danced in the breeze as she arced back towards him again.
"Mmm," Shin replied as he pushed her gently once more. "I'm sure it will grow on you." His smile widened when she turned to glare at him over her shoulder, dark hair blowing into her face. "Or not." She faced forward again, and a companionable silence fell between them. Seeing that the little girl apparently knew the man, the mother returned to her son in the sandbox.
Across the playground, Usagi ran up and came to a stop behind the bench of gossiping mothers. Anxiously, she scanned the area looking for the small dark haired child that carried her name and hairstyle. A flash of pink caught her eye, and she focused in on the swings.
Relief flooded her face as she recognized ChibiUsa. When she started to step forward, however, the relief was replaced by surprise and uncertainty. "Shin-san..." she murmured as she watched the tall man push the little girl. She hesitated for another moment, and then slowly began to walk across the playground.
'She's smiling,' she thought to herself as her face relaxed. 'She's so cute when she smiles. Shin-san, too.'
At just that moment, she stepped into their line of view, and both of the smiles disappeared. ChibiUsa's haunted, lost look returned, while Shin's expression became politely blank. Immediately, Usagi stopped and bit her lip. Coolly, Shin bowed his head towards her.
ChibiUsa slipped expertly off the swing at the top of its arc. She stumbled a little when she hit the ground, but immediately began to try and run away again. Shin caught the swing before it could come back and hit her, and watched as Usagi easily caught the little girl.
"ChibiUsa-chan, where have you been?" Usagi asked loudly as she crouched down in front of the child and clutched her shoulders, heedless of their audience. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" ChibiUsa struggled for a few moments, but stilled and relaxed a little as Usagi drew her in for a relieved hug.
Usagi released her a few moments later, and then looked up and over at Shin. Reluctantly, she stood up, and grabbed one of ChibiUsa's hands. "Shin-san... Thank you." The tall man just shrugged and turned to walk away. "Wait! Shin-san..." she called as she lifted her free hand towards him. He paused for a fraction of a second, and then kept walking. "Shin-san." Slowly, Usagi let her hand fall.
ChibiUsa turned and glared up at her. "You scared him away."
Usagi looked down at her in surprise, and then shook her head. Turning back the way she had come, she tugged the child gently after her. "No, I didn't. Shin-san isn't scared of me at all." A small smile came to her lips as she remembered their meetings and battles almost five years before. "I don't think he's scared of anything any more."
ChibiUsa's glare melted into a curious look. "Who was he?"
Usagi smiled down at her as they walked. "He's... a friend of Mamoru." Her smile became a frown as she suddenly remembered what had happened. "ChibiUsa-chan, you shouldn't run away like that," she scolded. "What if you got lost?"
The little girl's face hardened once more, and she tried to pull her hand free. "I won't get lost. I can take care of myself," she protested.
Usagi looked like she wanted to debate that statement, but she pursed her lips instead. "Mamoru would worry about you," she said reluctantly.
She looked down into the girl's hard eyes, and remembered Rei's warnings. Somehow, she had to avoid upsetting the girl. She still did not understand why, but Rei had been adamant about it. It was hard though. The child was so defensive, especially around Usagi. She didn't understand it, and ChibiUsa refused to talk about it. Any time she asked, the little girl would just yell that Usagi was not her mother and to leave her alone.
ChibiUsa stared up at Usagi, and cringed inwardly as another frown began to appear on her face. She hated seeing the young woman frown. It was almost as unnerving as watching her smile. Instinctively, she tried to draw away again, but Usagi just tightened her grip once more.
"Let's just go home, shall we?" Usagi asked finally as she turned to start walking once more. "No more tricks? No more running away? It's almost dinner time. Oh!" She turned to look down at ChibiUsa. "I almost forgot. There's going to be a festival up at Rei-chan's shrine this evening. Mamoru and I were planning to go. It'll run pretty late, so I asked Mama if you could stay over at her house this evening, and she said yes." ChibiUsa looked towards the ground and did not respond. "Um... So... We'll stop by the apartment, grab you some overnight things, and then head over there. How does that sound? I'm sure she'd be happy to cook you something for dinner."
Usagi looked forward again and smiled as she thought of all the good festival food she could eat. ChibiUsa looked at her out of the corner of her eye and fought back a sigh. 'Just the same. "You're too little." "Go on up to your room." "Maybe when you grow up."' She fought back tears at that last thought. 'When am I ever going to grow up?'
A short while later, Usagi dropped ChibiUsa off at her parents' house. "Here's her nightgown, toothbrush, brush, and change of clothes," she said as she handed her mother a small, rabbit covered backpack. Ikuko was dressed in a pink jogging outfit, complete with a towel around her neck.
Usagi knelt down by ChibiUsa and put her hands gently but firmly on the little girl's shoulders. "You be good and stay here," she said quietly as Ikuko walked away to put the backpack in Usagi's old room. "Mama's really nice, and she knows how to get in touch with Mamoru or I if there's a problem. No climbing out of windows, no hiding in the closets, no running or yelling or screaming... Mamoru and I will come pick you up in the morning. Okay?" ChibiUsa stared silently at her. "Okay?" Usagi repeated, tightening her grip on the girl's shoulders. Reluctantly, ChibiUsa nodded.
"Okay, good," Usagi said with a smile as she stood up and released the child. "Mama! I'm off!" she called as she turned towards the door.
"Have a good time," Ikuko called back. "ChibiUsa-chan? Would you like a snack?"
ChibiUsa watched Usagi dash out of the door, and then looked back towards the kitchen. She back and forth between the door and the kitchen once more, and then with a stubborn expression followed Usagi out onto the street.
"ChibiUsa-chan?" Ikuko called as she walked out of the kitchen and to the entry way. She stopped and looked around. "ChibiUsa-chan? Hmmm... That's funny. Did Usagi take her after all?" She leaned a metal spatula against her chin, and studied the entryway floor. The only shoes there were hers. Finally she shrugged. "Oh well. I guess Mama will have to eat the Yummy Yummy Curry Omelet Extraordinaire all by myself." With a smile, she turned back towards the kitchen.
ChibiUsa followed Usagi to the Hikawa Shrine and then stopped to stare wide eyed at all of the people and decorations. She especially liked the pretty paper lanterns. And her stomach rumbled hungrily when the delicious scent of takiyaki drifted to her on the breeze. She looked to where Usagi had paused, wondering where the woman was going to go first, and then gasped when she realized that Usagi had disappeared. Nervously, ChibiUsa began to creep through the crowds looking for her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Rei-san!" Kotono cried out with a smile. She waved to her predecessor, and then gestured for her to enter a small tent. "Rei-san, I'm so glad you could come," she said still smiling as she handed Rei a simple head scarf. It was red to match the hakama that both young women were wearing.
"I told you the other day that I would be here, Kotono-san," Rei chided gently. "You know I would never miss the Spring Festival." She returned the younger girl's smile as she accepted the scarf and draped it over her dark head.
Kotono blushed a little, and laughed nervously. "Yes, I know. But you've been so busy since you returned to Minato, we weren't sure you would actually have the time this year. And everyone's been asking about you. Your fire readings are one of the biggest draws."
Their smiles faded a little as they remembered the cold, calculating lady who had introduced herself as a rival a few days ago. Then, the coins on the curtain at the front of the tent jingled indicating that a customer had arrived. Quickly, they settled into their routine: Kotono leading the customers to Rei's table, where she read their upcoming fortune in the fire.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Usagi, still looking for Mamoru, could stand it no longer. The smell of fried soba was about to drive her crazy with hunger. So, she slipped into one of the vendor tents and placed an order.
Unseen behind her, ChibiUsa entered the aisle of food vendors and looked around. Her nervous bravado gone, the little girl desperately wanted to find someone she knew. The adults around her were giving her funny looks, but she had managed to avoid all efforts to capture her so far.
As she walked down the aisle, she paid more attention to the food on display than she did to where she was going. Suddenly, she bumped into a pair of long legs, and bounced backwards. She lost her balance and fell to the ground. It was too much. Lost, tired, afraid, and alone, the little princess raised her hands to her face and began to cry.
Shin squatted down beside her with a worried look on his face. "Little Miss? Are you all right? Where does it hurt?" he asked trying hard not to sound anxious.
ChibiUsa drew her hands away from her eyes and peeped towards him. Finally seeing a face that she recognized and trusted, she threw herself at the tall man. Shin fell backwards onto his own rear as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her small body. Dismay, discomfort, and embarrassment battled with the worry on his face as he quickly and smoothly rose to his feet once more.
"Little Miss?" She clung tightly to his neck, and continued crying. "Are you hurt?" She shook her head, and Shin relaxed. Suddenly, he frowned. "If you're not hurt, why are you crying?" he asked, a little disappointed. He had thought she was more gutsy than that.
"Hu-hungry," ChibiUsa sobbed out, refusing to admit that she had been scared. Her tears began to die out.
He tried to give her an exasperated look, but her face was still buried in his neck. "That is easily solved, Little Miss. What would you like to eat?"
She sat up in his arms, and gave him a serious look. "You have to pay for it," she informed him. She had been quite surprised when one of the vendors had angrily told her that. At home, she never had to pay for anything.
Shin merely quirked an eyebrow at her and waited. They stared at each other for a few moments, and then ChibiUsa turned in his arms to survey the aisle of food once more. "There. That," she said as she pointed towards the fried shrimp stand. Shin nodded, and carried her over to the vendor.
Unseen behind them, Usagi stepped out of the soba noodle stand. She patted her stomach with a satisfied smile. "Ah. Mamoru!" she exclaimed. Once more, she began to search the festival for her missing husband.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Kotono-san, come quick," one of the younger miko exclaimed as she burst into the fire reading tent. Rei and Kotono looked up at her in surprise. Rei frowned as she stood up and drew off the head scarf. "It's horrible," the younger girl exclaimed as she hurried the other two out of the tent.
"It's that sakura reading fortune teller. She keeps giving out dire predictions. She tells people that they're going to get sick or die or worse!" the girl exclaimed as she led them across the shrine grounds to the old sakura tree. Rei's face hardened.
The three miko pushed their way gently to the front of the shocked and restless crowd that had gathered around the Black Moon Psychic Club's table. Rei's eyes widened when she realized that they had not even set up a tent. All they had was a card table draped with a black cloth. In the center of the table, a small bowl filled with what appeared to be water reflected the old sakura tree and the waxing crescent of the new moon. The psychic herself was dressed in a blood red kimono covered with small, black, crescent moons. A black scarf trimmed with black crystal beads was draped over her head.
A young woman, dressed in a T*A Girl's School uniform, sat in front of the table and listened horrified to the mysterious fortune teller who sat across from her. "You will get married to an alcoholic, who will drink all your money away. You will be forced to work several jobs to pay off all his debts after he is found dead face down in an alley with another woman. The overwork will kill you in nineteen years. Next please." Slowly, the young woman fumbled her way out of the chair. Her eyes wide and her face pale, she walked off into the night.
"Ah, Megumi-san. You are next," the fortune teller said as she glanced into the crowd. Reluctantly, another young girl sat down. "Oh, you poor thing. Your heart is so weak. You only have six more years to live," the fortune teller said.
"No," the girl whispered as she began to shake her head. "No, that can't be! You're lying!"
"Next please," was the fortune teller's only response. She returned the young girl's desperate stare impassively. "Next?"
"She knows everything about them," the younger miko whispered anxiously. "Their names, families, backgrounds... And at the very end, she will predict when they will die. It's horrible!"
The fortune teller looked over to them, and then smiled. The three miko drew back in surprise when they realized that she had a small, black, inverted crescent moon on her forehead underneath a large black crystal. Rei's eyes widened as she remembered seeing that same mark appear on the little girl's face in her dreams.
"It's not so bad," the fortune teller said as she rose. Slowly, she sauntered over to them. "Everyone dies someday. It's a fact of life. There's no reason to be sad about it." She held out a hand towards Rei and gave her a knowing look. "I may not be able to change your fate, but I can guarantee you a gentle death. Come, join the Black Moon. Become one of us, Rei, and use that power that is burning within you."
The two younger girls drew back with a gasp, but Rei met the fortune teller's shining eyes calmly. "Most everyone here knows my name and my gift," she replied, unimpressed. She glanced out of the corner of her eyes and saw Kotono and the other girl relax a little sheepishly.
A short distance away, ChibiUsa, munching on taiyaki as she walked, and Shin spotted the crowd. They gave each other a curious look, and then walked over to see what the attraction was.
The fortune teller just laughed. "True, true... But do they truly know your affinity for fire?" Rei stiffened warily. "Fire and Moon... What an odd combination, don't you think? The moon is so cold, and it burns so steadily in the dark of night. While fire is so hot. Flames are anything but steady as they jump and dance around. Sterile Moon and Passionate Fire." She smirked knowingly at Rei, and then gestured to the empty petitioner's chair. "Come, Rei, let me tell your fortune."
"No thanks," Rei glared haughtily. "I don't need to hear a fortune from a charlatan like you." Around them, the crowd stirred restlessly, and the murmuring increased in volume.
The fortune teller's eyes narrowed angrily. "You refuse?" she asked in a saccharine sweet tone. "Ah, but you cannot. You will die a most horrible death in the very near future. The flames that you think are your friends will surround you and consume you slowly, painfully, until there is nothing left." The crowd shrank away from them, shocked into silence. Shin frowned, while ChibiUsa's eyes widened in shock. Slowly, she inched closer to the tall man.
"Hehehe, do you think you can defeat me?" the fortune teller laughed as Rei clenched her fists. "I am Cooan, the passionate youngest of the Four Ayakashi Sisters of the Black Moon Clan." As the fortune teller drew off her headscarf, her outfit changed. Gone was the simple red kimono patterned with black crescent moons. Instead, a garish pink outfit with black stripes appeared. Around her waist was a black and purple tutu. Her full, shoulder length hair grew a little longer as it changed color to a dark purple. It also became quite wavy. Two shards of black crystal hung suspended from her ears, one on each.
"And you? You are as weak as any normal human." Cooan laughed. "Sailor Mars? I don't think so."
ChibiUsa gasped, and stared at Rei in shock. "Mars?" she whispered.
Rei's body tightened even more, and she glanced around furtively. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied tightly, loud enough for the whole crowd to hear. "You really are a charlatan, aren't you?"
Cooan glared angrily at her. "Me?" she screeched. "You're calling me a charlatan?" She raised her hands to chest height, wrists together and fingers spread. "How dare you!" A burst of black flames flew from her hands towards Rei. Somehow, the former senshi and her fellow miko managed to dodge out of the way.
Drawn by the crowd, Usagi arrived just in time to see the attack. Her eyes widened in shock, and her hand reached instinctively for her transformation pendant. Nothing but bare skin met her questing fingers.
The crowd screamed in fear and began to run in all directions. Shin scooped up ChibiUsa before she was run over, and fought to hold his place against the small stampede.
"How dare you!" Cooan screamed again. "Die, Sailor Mars! Be consumed by my Dark Fire!" She threw another gout of flame at Rei, who dodged once more. This time, she was not quite fast enough, and the edge of her left pants leg caught on fire.
"Rei-chan!" Usagi yelled.
"MARS!" ChibiUsa screamed. The remainder of her taiyaki fell from her hand as she struggled to get out of Shin's arms. A shining crescent moon appeared on her forehead. Just as she managed to break free and fall to the ground, Cooan turned to look at her in surprise.
"Well, well, well... If it isn't Rabbit. This is my lucky day," Cooan gloated as the little girl scrambled to her feet once more. Shin bent down to grab her, but she dodged him and ran towards Rei who was smothering the last of the flames on her clothes. "Mars and Rabbit, both together." Her eyes gleamed maniacally as she raised her hands once more.
Shin dove desperately for ChibiUsa as Usagi dove towards Rei. Cooan cackled as the large black flames flew from her hands towards the defenseless princess from the future. Shin managed to intercept them just in time. ChibiUsa's brown eyes widened in horror, as he was surrounded by flames.
He clenched his jaw against the pain, but finally he was forced to cry out. He opened his eyes wide as he yelled, but he refused to budge from his protective position. "R-run," he finally managed to yell out. "Little Miss... RUN!" Stunned, ChibiUsa just stared at him and shook her head helplessly as Cooan continued to laugh.
"How much longer can you last?" the purple haired fiend asked as she continued to pour the black flames into his unprotected back.
Rei glared at her from Usagi's arms, and then pushed her way free. Before her friend could stop her, she threw herself at Cooan. Caught by surprise, the enemy stumbled backwards and let the flames die out in her hands. Unfortunately, the flames that already surrounded Shin continued to burn, eating their way through his clothes and into his skin.
"Why you..." Cooan turned towards Rei and threw a gout of flame towards her as well. This time, the flames formed a ring around their victim and began to work their way inwards. Rei screamed as they licked at her skin and hair.
"No!! Rei-chan" Usagi screamed as she reached for her friend.
"NO!!" ChibiUsa screamed as she squeezed her eyes shut. "NO!!" A ring of bright gold energy pulsed out of her, followed closely by a second.
The flames eating at Shin blew away and vanished. Severely burnt, the man collapsed to the ground. He struggled to remain conscious.
Usagi jerked upright, her eyes wide and blank, as the first ring passed through her. When the second ring passed through her, a ghostly crescent moon formed on her forehead and then disappeared.
When the first ring reached Cooan, she screamed and shattered into pieces. Shards of black crystal flew everywhere. As the second ring reached them, the shards of crystal faded into nothingness. ChibiUsa collapsed, gasping and spent.
"So strong," a masculine voice said. ChibiUsa and Usagi stared wide-eyed at the crimson-haired man that appeared in front of him. He wore a sleeveless dark purple shirt over a pair of camouflage green pants, and he also had two black crystal earrings. ChibiUsa whimpered as she tried to force herself to her feet. "To blow away Cooan, truly this must be the work of the Silver Crystal."
"Wh-What?" Usagi asked weakly. She shook her head, and spoke again in a stronger voice. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"I am Crimson Rubeus of the Black Moon Clan," the man replied with a smirk. "And what I want is the Silver Crystal. Give it to me, and I will let you live."
"That's impossible," Usagi said as she shook her head once more. "The Crystal is gone..."
Rubeus' face darkened. "Give me the Rabbit and the Crystal, or I will..."
"You will what?" a strong masculine voice cut in. Usagi gasped, and looked towards her husband in relief. Her eyes widened when she saw that he wore his princely raiment. Stepping deliberately, Prince Endymion walked over to stand beside his wife. When he reached her side, he raised his sword and pointed it at the intruder. "Release Rei-san. Now," he ordered.
ChibiUsa gasped and stared around as three other men surrounded her and Shin protectively. She cowered away from them at first, too weak to defend herself. Then, she slowly realized that they were like Shin, familiar but not.
Rubeus laughed. "No one can break Cooan's ring of fire," he smirked as he raised his hands. "But you can join her!"
Rubeus. The crimson haired warrior stopped instantly as his master's voice filled his head. Return now. Bring Sailor Mars.
"As you wish, Highness," he replied out loud.
Usagi looked at him in confusion, thinking that he was talking to Prince Endymion. When he and Rei started to fade out, she realized that he was leaving. "No!" she cried racing forward to try and grab her friend. "Rei-chan! No!!" They winked out before she could reach them.
Prince Endymion gave his warriors a significant glance. The three who remained standing nodded their acknowledgment and disappeared. They would attempt to trace them or give chase, although the scent of dark magic was already beginning to fade.
"Shin," ChibiUsa said weakly as she crawled to her friend's side. "Shin!"
Giving Usagi a concerned look, Prince Endymion hurried to his fallen warrior's side. "Kunzite," he said softly as he touched Shin's shoulder. He closed his eyes in concentration for a few moments, and then opened them once more. "He is severely wounded," he told the little princess as she stared anxiously at him. "We will have to get him to a hospital."
"M-Mas-ter," Shin said weakly. "L-Little...?"
"She is fine," Prince Endymion said reassuringly as he tried to catch Usagi's attention. He frowned when she ignored him, continuing to stare into the place where Rei had disappeared. He got up and walked over to borrow her cell phone.
"M-Miss...?" Shin asked again.
"Right here," ChibiUsa replied as she placed a small hand on his face. "I'm all right, Shin. You saved me. You saved me." Tears rolling down her face, she stroked his cheek over and over. He smiled in relief. His little princess was safe.