"Blood Moon- Part 8"





Blood Moon- Part 8
by becca-oneechan
3/10/97

This fic is out of control! I started it as a rather less than serious project, 
from an idea I'd formed when I was kinda depressed, but now it looks like it's 
going to end up as some grand epic or something! Still, it's been fun so far, 
and I even know how I'm going to end it, which is something unusual for me. Now, 
if I only knew *when* I was going to end it.
"Sailor Moon" is the property of Takeuchi Naoko.



--Blood Moon--

"Pt 8- Traitor's Return"
*becca-oneechan*



"What exactly are we doing again?" Minako asked suspiciously as she and Usagi 
followed Kunzite down the umpteenth tunnel. If she never saw a stone wall again 
in her life....
"Yeah," Usagi chirped in, though her tone was less aggressive than Minako's had 
been, and mostly just confused. "The wicked queen, and the hundreds of youma, 
and the battle, and my prince are back that way!" She jerked her thumb over her 
shoulder. "Now, normally I'm the first to try to escape certain danger and 
near-certain death, but don't you really think we should be headed *toward* the 
bad guys?"
"Quiet, you two. I already told you, I have an idea."
"Ooooooh... did you hear that, Minako? He has an idea! Heavens forbid he should 
share it with us, though. We're left to stumble along in his wake, expected to 
be a couple of good little girls, and-- What did you say?!" she snapped sharply 
as Kunzite muttered something not quite audible. Minako was by now struggling 
not to dissolve in a fit of giggles.
"I said," Kunzite said, clearly and concisely, "That you had better watch 
yourself. You're staring to sound more and more like the senshi of Mars with 
every word."
Minako lost her tenuous control as Usagi's jaw dropped open in outraged shock. 
"H-hey!" Usagi managed to gasp out, but Kunzite had had more than enough, and 
with a swirl of his cape, he sped his steps and put some distance between them. 
After trying in vain to catch up to his longer legs, Usagi turned on Minako, who 
was still staggering in mirth.
"It's not funny!"
"Yes, it is! It's funny because it's true! You sounded *exactly* like Rei does 
when she's giving you one of her lectures!"
"I-- But-- I--" Usagi blustered, clenching her fists. Then she deflated. 
"Well... you have to admit, Kunzite-kun is being *beyond* pig- headed!"
Minako giggled again. "You're going to have to dye your hair black and exchange 
Luna for a crow or two, at the rate you're going!" she burbled.
Usagi scowled darkly.
"Are you two brats coming?" Kunzite snapped from just within hearing range. He 
was quite a ways up the tunnel, standing at a point where it seemed to end in a 
blank wall.
Usagi transferred her glare to him. Minako grabbed her hand and dragged her down 
the tunnel after the fretful king. "Why don't you try sneaking his plan out of 
his head through your bond?" she suggested in a whisper.
"That won't be necessary," Kunzite said shortly, clearing nearing the end of his 
patience. "We're nearly there."
"Nearly *where*?" Usagi asked in her best, loudest, most annoying whine. None of 
them had to worry about being heard, as every single youma in the Dark Kingdom 
had been summoned to swell the army camped before Queen Metallia.
Instead of answering, Kunzite turned and held his hands out toward the blank 
wall, his fingers splayed, his brow creased in concentration. Usagi forgot her 
anger as she felt the force and flow of the power he was using. Something bled 
out of her, leaving her feeling weakened, though not in any way she could 
recognize. There was a tremendous rumble, and the wall dissolved, leaving a 
gaping hole of blackness. Kunzite sighed and dropped to one knee, his head 
hanging.
"I hadn't thought it would be so difficult," he gasped in exhaustion. Usagi 
knelt next to him, biting her lip in anxiety at the pallor of his dark flesh. 
His bangs were plastered to his forehead with a sheen of sweat, and even his 
cape seemed to hang limp and lackluster. 
"Kunzite, are you--" 
"I'll be all right in a moment," he assured her, straightening and brushing back 
his hair. "I have to be, don't I?"
Usagi stood and took his hand to attempt to pull him to his feet. But as she 
clasped her fingers about his hand a spark seemed to shoot through her, and 
though she felt that strange weakness once again, it was followed by a second, 
more powerful reaction. She felt suddenly stronger in a different way, and a 
feeling of energy and well-being swept through her. It was as though simply by 
touching him both of them had been revived. But she couldn't figure out why that 
should be. She'd suspect the ginzuishou of working through her to heal both of 
them, but she didn't sense its power in any way. It was more as though the 
reaction was being manufactured by a combination of the two of them.
"Yoohoo! Hey, love-birds! Wake up!" 
Usagi blinked at Minako, then blushed bright red and released Kunzite's hand as 
quickly as he released hers. He stood by himself, a bit weakly, but obviously he 
was feeling much better.
"Arigato," he said, softly and earnestly to Usagi. She flushed again, as he 
turned to Minako. "I must ask you a boon, lady."
"What?" Minako asked, suddenly wary again. 
Kunzite smiled. "Don't worry. It's not much, though it is essential. I am 
weakened from opening the mausoleum. There is no illumination in there, as you 
can see. I would like to ask of you that you try to figure some way to modify 
your beam into a torch. Usagi has no way to create light and I am too tired."
"Oh, is that all?" Minako asked, grinning. "No problem! If I could turn my beam 
into a blade, this shouldn't be too hard."
Usagi and Kunzite watched as she held up her hand and concentrated. There was a 
flicker and a flash, and when their eyes had cleared, Minako stood smirking at 
them, a steady golden beam of circular light floating above her palm. It was 
bright enough to light the area about them, but not painful to look directly at.
"Perfect," Kunzite said, approval warming his voice. Minako pinked slightly in 
spite of herself. Usagi bit back a grin. It would seem everyone had gotten over 
their ill humor, and they were ready to start working as a team once again.
"What's in there?" Usagi asked curiously, peering into the darkness beyond. It 
looked very creepy, and she took a step back, pressing against Kunzite's side.
"Follow me, and you will soon find out."
She shot him a mildly peeved look, but held her temper in check. "Would it kill 
you to give a straight answer once in a while?"
He grinned sideways at her as he led the way into the blackness. She hurried to 
remain at his side, while Minako strode to his left. "Every time I give you a 
straight answer you get angry at me," he said.
Usagi shook her head, but decided not to argue. There was something about the 
way their voices echoed off the walls about them that made it seem even more 
frightening. She glanced about, but couldn't see much. The darkness seemed to 
swallow Minako's beam, leaving only a very small puddle of golden light about 
the diminutive group. Kunzite glanced at her in surprise as he felt her small 
hand creep into his, but she was still looking about apprehensively, not even 
seeming aware of what she had done. His face softened, and he squeezed her 
fingers reassuringly. "There is nothing to fear here, Usagi-chan. Nothing living 
resides within the mausoleum, aside from ourselves. Well, not living in the 
sense that we understand it."
"Oh." This didn't seem to comfort Usagi much, and she gripped his hand tightly. 
Minako glanced at Kunzite curiously, but held her peace. They walked on in 
silence, their footsteps echoing loudly before them, and the light trailing 
almost fearfully behind them.
"We're nearly there," Kunzite finally said.
"We've heard that before," Minako muttered at the same moment Usagi asked, 
"Almost where?"
In answer, Kunzite sped his steps. He shook off Usagi's hand, then came to a 
halt before something tall and bulky that sparkled dully in Minako's light. The 
golden beam wasn't enough to illuminate it, but suddenly Kunzite threw up his 
arms again, and a bright blue fire flared into life, surrounding the entire 
object, and making evident what he meant to do.
"Oh!" Usagi gasped, her eyes widening. Kunzite stood before a large crystal that 
was several inches taller than he was. Its sides were milky and barely opaque, 
but Usagi could still make out the figure trapped within it like an insect in 
amber. "Jadeite!" she cried in startled recognition.
"Who?" Minako asked, peering over Kunzite's shoulder. Usagi heard her give a 
strangled sound halfway between a gasp and a scream, but at that moment Kunzite 
acted, and her entire self was sucked out of her body.
At least, that's what it felt like. She fell to her knees, without the strength 
to do more than struggle to continue breathing. There was nothing left inside 
her, her skin was empty, her lungs a vacuum.
Then there was a loud cracking, singing sound, and something shattered. Usagi 
thought for a moment it was her heart, but then strength flooded back into her, 
and she realized Kunzite had just succeeded in breaking the crystal holding 
Jadeite.
She straightened, feeling almost like herself again. "Now I know what an empty 
tube of toothpaste feels like," she muttered, then hurried to Kunzite, who was 
on his knees in the remains of the crystal, his head hanging. She threw herself 
down next to him, hearing shards crunch beneath her knees, and without 
hesitation flung her arms around him, sharing her energy with the man.
Meanwhile, Minako was crouching over the other man, who lay limp and boneless in 
the remains of his prison. Her light fluttered erratically, hovering over her 
shoulder, as she stretched out a hand, but stopped short of actually touching 
him. Her other hand was clasped to her mouth, her face was pale, her eyes wide 
and filled with what looked almost like fear. "Ares..." she breathed.
Kunzite was recovering. The blue flames were gone, and Minako's beam was all 
that was left. It didn't look too certain, however, as though it might flicker 
out at any moment.
"Princess," Kunzite said, joining Minako over Jadeite's prone form.
"A-Ares--" she choked, then raised her anguished gaze to Kunzite's face. "Why 
didn't you warn me?"
He looked ashamed. "Gomen nasai, princess. I wasn't thinking."
She gulped down a sob. "Is he still alive?" 
"We better hope so," Kunzite said grimly. "Or else we just wasted a lot of time 
and energy."
Usagi knelt at his side. Last time she's seen Jadeite he'd been trying to run 
her over with jet airplanes, and she had thought he'd killed Tuxedo Kamen. But 
looking down at him now, she couldn't feel anything but pity. Even in the 
slackness of unconsciousness his face was pulled into lines of pain. His blonde 
hair was flattened against his brow, dull and barely curling, his skin was so 
pale it almost looked transparent. Minako clasped one of his hands to her chest, 
seeming to be fighting tears.
"Minako-chan?" Usagi queried.
Her friend turned wide, wounded eyes to her, but couldn't answer.
Kunzite placed one hand over Jadeite's heart, and the other over his closed 
eyes. Usagi felt the breathless, squeezing sensation again, more briefly than 
before. When Kunzite removed his hands and sat back, Jadeite looked better 
already. The waxen pallor of his flesh was warmed, and Minako exclaimed, 
pressing the hand she held more tightly against her breast.
"Jadeite, wake up!" Kunzite said, in his best commanding voice. Usagi heard more 
than a trace of weariness in his tone, however, and she slipped quietly beneath 
one of his arms, wrapping her arms around his broad chest.
Jadeite's pale lashes fluttered on his smooth cheeks, his brows contracting even 
more tightly. Minako pulled him up into her bare lap, holding his hand up to her 
cheek. 
"He's warm now," she whispered hopefully, gazing down at him with slow tears 
trekking down her pale face.
"Jadeite," Kunzite persisted, when the other king didn't respond any further. 
"Jadeite, wake, now!"
Usagi smiled slightly to herself. Familiar words. They seemed to work just as 
well on Jadeite as they had on her. He moved his head and grimaced, then his 
eyes flickered open. He didn't seem to be able to see anything for long moments. 
He blinked several times, sense slowly returning to him.
"Aph-Aphrodite?" he faltered, gazing up at Minako with confused blue eyes that 
were still more cloudy than clear. 
"Y-yes," she choked, caressing his cheek softly. "You're all right now. Just lie 
still for a little longer." She leaned down and brushed her lips lightly over 
his brow.
"Was-- was I having a nightmare?" he asked, moving his head to look around, then 
wincing and squeezing his eyes closed as he hissed in pain.
"In a manner of speaking," Kunzite replied.
Jadeite's eyes popped open, and he lifted his head a little off Minako's 
shoulder to look in shock at the other king. His eyes grew wider, and his 
expression was indescribable. It was a very unlikely tableau. Kunzite knelt 
before him, a golden haired girl who Jadeite finally recognized as Sailor Moon 
tucked up against his side, looking as at home there as Zoisite ever had. She 
wore a tight black undershirt and a pair of uniform pants, and her long hair 
flowed free about her face and down her back like liquid gold. She looked at him 
with an expression mingling equal parts pity, concern, and caution.
"Am I still dreaming?" he croaked, struggling to sit. Minako helped him, and 
then stood on her knees behind him, bracing his weak torso against her own, her 
arms clasped about his shoulders. "Where's Zoisite?"
An expression of agony flashed across Kunzite's face, and Usagi answered for 
him, her voice husky with his pain. "Queen Beryl killed him."
Jadeite's eyes widened, as memories returned to him, of his final failure 
against the senshi, and of Beryl's punishment. "Why did you release me?" he 
asked Kunzite apprehensively.
"Because we need you." Once again Usagi was answering for Kunzite, who was still 
trying to get his grief under control. "Beryl's dead and we need you to help us 
destroy Queen Metallia. At least, I assume that's what Kunzite had in mind."
Jadeite was just staring at her in disbelief. "B-Beryl's dead? H-how-- ?"
"Usagi-chan killed her," Minako said softly in his ear. Usagi flinched, pressing 
her face against Kunzite's chest.
Jadeite didn't know how to take this news. "And Nephrite?"
"He's dead too. Zoisite killed him." Kunzite was recovered, and seemed back in 
command. He squeezed Usagi gently, then pulled away from her and stood. "All 
that's left is you and I, Queen Metallia, and Prince Endymion, who has been 
wiped of all memories and turned to the Dark Kingdom, to serve Metallia. I awoke 
you for two reasons. The first is that it would have been cruel to leave you 
encased in eternal sleep when I had the power to free you. The second is a 
choice I give you. Join us in destroying Metallia, and if we survive, forging a 
new life on Earth, or die now."
Minako gasped and glared up at Kunzite, and Usagi looked a little shocked as she 
climbed to her feet, but Jadeite only gave his colleague a long, measuring look, 
then nodded briefly and struggled to stand, with Minako's assistance. 
"Very well. I have no loyalty left to the Dark Kingdom. It seems to be in 
shambles anyway. I have a feeling I'm backing the wrong side, but the way I feel 
right now, I think I'd almost welcome it if Metallia killed me."
"Ares!" Minako protested. Jadeite turned to her and looked down into her face, 
blinking in confusion once again.
"You're...?"
Kunzite smiled crookedly. "Yes, that's the princess of Venus. Reincarnated, the 
same as the other senshi and Endymion. But she has a few years yet to catch up 
to the age she was when you two were lovers."
Usagi gasped and Minako turned a brilliant shade of red. Jadeite nodded 
thoughtfully, then placed a hand under Minako's chin, raising her gaze to his.
"Can you forgive me?" he asked softly, his voice shaking.
Kunzite gripped Usagi's shoulder and steered her back toward the opening, 
calling his own blue flame into existence to guide their way.
"Let's leave them alone for a little while," he said. Usagi peered over her 
shoulder in time to see the two blondes embrace and kiss warmly. She blushed, 
ashamed to have intruded. Kunzite was right.
"What's going on?" she asked in consternation as she walked beside Kunzite to 
the open entranceway, where they came to a halt and stood.
Kunzite sighed. "Can I tell you later?"
"We may be dead later," Usagi said with unaccustomed melancholy.
Kunzite looked at her in startlement, and gazed silently into her large blue 
eyes. She suddenly looked fearful. Not the way she always was during a fight. 
Now she was afraid for not only herself, but for Kunzite, Minako, her other 
friends, and her entire world. 
"We can't fail," she husked, her chin trembling. Kunzite struggled within 
himself, tried to stop himself, but as she took a step forward, he drew her into 
a warm embrace. They both needed and wanted it so badly, and were bonded so 
closely to one, that neither could resist. She rested her head against his 
shoulder, fighting tears of despair.
"We won't fail, Usagi-chan," he said fervently, forcing her to feel it, driving 
away the darkness that had inexplicably come over her thoughts. "I won't fail 
you!"
She raised her head, gazing wordlessly up at him, her eyes more eloquent than a 
speech of a thousand words could ever have been. Kunzite caught his breath, and 
slowly lowered his head, fighting against the feelings rushing through his 
blood.
Usagi instinctively raised her chin, but in the last moment before their lips 
touched, there came a stifled curse. They jumped away from one another, and 
turned to the entranceway.
Jadeite was hopping on one foot, having stubbed his toe. He seemed greatly 
recovered from his long imprisonment, and almost looked himself again. He hadn't 
noticed anything, but Minako was staring at the two in shock, her mouth hanging 
open.
"So, what's the plan?" Jadeite asked Kunzite.
* * *
"My queen, I have brought you your vessel," Prince Endymion said, kneeling and 
lowering Sailor Mars' limp body to the stony floor. He felt a strange twinge of 
reluctance, but dismissed it easily.
"Ah, very good. It has not been damaged in any way?"
"No, I was very careful."
"Excellent. Now, we must ready the ceremony of transference. You know what to 
do?"
"Um.... No, great majesty. I'm afraid I have no idea."
"Oh, very well. I shall have to guide you. The first thing we need is a 
sacrifice of blood. A dozen youma should serve very well for this. Gather 
together a few 'volunteers'."
"Yes, my queen." Prince Endymion hurried away.
* * *
***
"So, now what?"
"I vote for finding Usagi and Minako," Sailor Jupiter said firmly. "They seemed 
to know what they were doing, the both of them."
"But we can't just abandon Rei!" Sailor Mercury protested.
"She's beyond our help now," Luna said grimly. "Her only hope is held in those 
with more power than we possess. I agree with Jupiter. The best thing we can do 
is find Sailor Moon and join our forces with her and her allies. She's--"
She suddenly broke off and arched her back, her fur standing on end, her 
whiskers bristling, her claws springing forth, her red eyes glowing. She hissed, 
and seemed almost to levitate off the floor. Artemis reacted much the same way. 
Then the moment was over, and both cats relaxed.
"What the hell was that?" Sailor Jupiter asked, staring at them in shock.
Artemis took a deep breath. Luna was too winded to reply, so he did.
"Someone used a great deal of raw power just now. Didn't you feel it?"
Sailor Jupiter shook her head as Sailor Mercury whipped her computer out and 
started tapping at the keys. "Afraid not. Do you have any idea who it was?"
"It wasn't the ginzuishou," Luna said, sitting and cleaning her whiskers 
nervously. "I'm certain of that. But it must have had to do with Usagi, or it 
wouldn't have affected us so strongly."
"Maybe it was Kunzite," Sailor Jupiter suggested. "He and Usagi seem to have 
some sort of...."
"Bond?" Artemis supplied, his brow furrowing in thought.
"Yeah. I mean, remember how she collapsed when Rei blasted him? It was like it 
hit her too!"
"Oh no!" Artemis gasped. "Tell me they didn't!"
"Didn't what?" Luna asked, turning worried eyes to her colleague.
"Use the--" Artemis broke off, and suddenly looked evasive. "Um... never mind. 
You-- you probably wouldn't remember anyway."
"What wouldn't I remember?" Luna asked dangerously, rising and stalking toward 
the white cat, her tail lashing. "Artemis, if this involves Usagi-chan, you 
*will* tell me!"
"Hey, you guys, knock it off!" Sailor Jupiter demanded, plucking Artemis up out 
of harm's way. "I think Ami's found something."
Sailor Mercury looked up. "Well, sort of."
"What is it?" Artemis asked. 
"I wasn't able to discover what the power surge was, but I was able to trace its 
residual effects, and have pinpointed the exact location of its occurrence."
"You wanna say that in Japanese?" Jupiter requested dryly.
"She means she's figured out where Usagi and the others probably are," Artemis 
supplied. "But whatever they were doing, I doubt they'll be hanging around there 
for long, so we'd best hurry and follow the trail. If we're lucky we'll run into 
them on the way."
"Yatta!" Sailor Jupiter plunked the white cat on her shoulder. "All right, 
Mercury, grab Luna and lead the way!"
* * *
"That's not much of a plan."
Kunzite scowled at Jadeite. "And I suppose you can come up with something 
better?"
They were striding swiftly down yet another tunnel. The two kings didn't dare to 
warp anywhere, because that would tell Queen Metallia immediately where they 
were, so they were making their way back to the huge cavern the slow way. Minako 
didn't seem to mind. She trotted along next to Jadeite, clutching his hand, her 
eyes gleaming with happiness. Usagi was grateful that her friend -- and sister 
-- was now so cheerful, but she couldn't help but be a little jealous. Her 
Mamo-chan was still the enemy, and Kunzite hadn't dared to come too near to her 
ever since they had almost kissed. And it worried and confused her that she 
would group those two men together. Her love for Mamoru was destined and 
eternal, wasn't it? And her bond with Kunzite didn't have anything to do with 
love... did it? She rubbed the groove that was etching itself between her brows, 
and bit her lip. She was so confused! What was happening to her? She didn't even 
understand her own emotions anymore. And what had she done?! She had almost 
kissed Kunzite! Her enemy -- or, well, former enemy. A man she could barely 
stand, that she clashed with in anger half the time they were together. She 
glanced surreptitiously at him from under her lashes as he continued arguing 
with Jadeite.
He certain was handsome. She had to admit that much to herself. But she wouldn't 
have thought he was anything like her type. Now she was surprised to find her 
mind dwelling on his broad shoulders and slim hips. She remembered how the firm 
contours of his stomach had felt under her hand, when they had shared his bed. 
How his heart had beat beneath her cheek. How his hand had.... She squashed that 
memory, tried to squash all her thoughts. Her face was hot, she knew she was 
blushing. She lowered her gaze, letting her hair fall to curtain her from view. 
The heat from her face seemed to be spreading through her entire body. Her chest 
was tight and her heart beat too fast. Her stomach hurt again. Her body, arms 
and legs were radiating warmth, but her hands were ice cold and shaking. She 
wondered what was wrong with her.
His hair fell like silver moonbeams, in contrast to her sunlight gold tresses-- 
No! What was she thinking?! Any second now he was going to pick up her feelings; 
it was a wonder he hadn't already, but he was deeply immersed in his fight with 
Jadeite; and she didn't think she could stand it if he knew what was going 
through her mind.
So she resolutely turned to wondering how Jadeite knew Minako if he had been 
locked away long before she had joined the senshi. Not only knew her, but 
Kunzite had said they had been lovers. How was that possib-- Oh! Of course! She 
flushed again, but this time in embarrassment. Duh! How stupid was she? They'd 
been lovers in the Silver Millennium, of course! Why else would he have called 
her by that strange name? Why else would Kunzite have refused to say where 
Jadeite was when he and Nephrite had been infiltrating the Moon Kingdom? It made 
a certain amount of sense now. And she'd figured it out on her own, without 
having to drag the story out of Kunzite, or dip into his mind to get it. But why 
had Jadeite asked Minako's forgiveness?
After a moment further of thought, Usagi blushed again. Jadeite had been serving 
Beryl, had helped destroy the Moon Kingdom and kill most of its subjects, 
including the senshi! If that wasn't something to beg forgiveness for, then 
Usagi didn't know anything that was! She smiled, glad that he had asked Minako's 
forgiveness, and that she had been willing to give it. It was so romantic. She 
sighed happily, then caught Kunzite's look of disgust.
She flushed lightly, then stuck her tongue out at him. He didn't have any right 
to judge! It *was* romantic, and Usagi *liked* it that way, and she didn't care 
*what* he thought! 
"*So there!*" she shot at him in the wake of these thoughts.
He looked surprised, then grinned and chuckled quietly. "*You're hopeless.*"
She pulled a bitter face. "*At least I can admit my feelings!*"
His face took on a slightly hurt expression, and he turned away. Usagi felt a 
little ashamed of that crack. He was honest enough about his grief over 
Zoisite's death, and she hadn't been very honest when she had driven away the 
confusion she felt over his presence in her life. She blinked back sudden tears, 
then hurried forward and grasped his hand. 
"Gomen nasai," she whispered as he looked down at her in startlement, gazing 
back at him with all the sincerity in her heart.
He flushed slightly, looking uncomfortable, but he was mollified. "It's all 
right."
Jadeite was watching them curiously. Minako stood on tiptoe and softly spoke a 
few words in his ear.
"SHIT!"
Kunzite and Usagi were startled from their distraction. They looked at Jadeite 
in shock.
"You are a complete idiot!" Jadeite declared, his blue eyes wide as he gazed at 
the two mismates. "A total idiot!"
He was looking from one to the other, but it was clear he was speaking to 
Kunzite. The taller king bridled, then sighed mournfully. "How many more times 
am I going to have to hear that?"
Usagi released his hand and counted on her fingers. "Let's see.... Luna, that's 
one. But she'll probably be yelling mostly at me. Artemis, that's two. I'll bet 
Mako-chan will bitch one or both of us out. That's three. Ami-chan wouldn't be 
so rude, but, ooh, Rei-chan'll be loud enough for two, so let's say you'll be 
hearing it at least three or four more times."
"And that's provided we don't get a chance to talk to Prince Endymion before we 
turn him back to good," Minako put in. "As it is, you may even hear it twice 
from him!"
Usagi flinched painfully, and Kunzite took her hand again, squeezing it, before 
releasing it in slight embarrassment.
"Like you've never done anything without thinking, and regretted it later!" 
Kunzite said to Jadeite in defense. Usagi felt a sudden stab of hurt at his 
words, even though intellectually she agreed whole- heartedly. She looked away 
from Kunzite, her face pale. It shouldn't have hurt. She felt the same way... 
didn't she? If she had it to do over...? Would she have? Why was she even 
considering any answer other than a resounding "no"? She gritted her teeth, 
feeling like tearing her hair out. What was wrong with her? Why was everything 
her heart was telling her the opposite of what she knew she should be feeling? 
She stifled a groan of despair, and let the sudden stream of tears flow hot and 
searing down her cheeks, still keeping her face averted.
"Usagi?" Kunzite queried, something odd and hesitant in his tone.
"*Leave me alone!*" She didn't trust herself to speak aloud, didn't want the 
others to know she was crying.
She felt a small stab of pain from Kunzite, and smiled bitterly. Turnabout was 
fair play. So... why did she suddenly feel worse, not better? Her heart ached, 
and there was nothing she could do to ease the pain. She gulped back a sob, 
grateful Minako was so immersed in Jadeite. She didn't think she could take any 
more embarrassment.
Kunzite and Jadeite returned to their interrupted quarrel as Usagi cried 
silently, and they grew closer and closer to the hour of destiny.
* * *
"It is as you have commanded, queen," Prince Endymion said, restraining an 
expression of disgust. The bitter tang of blood assaulted his nostrils, flooding 
them until it seemed to fill his other senses as well. A dozen youma had been 
slaughtered on the makeshift altar they themselves had built before Queen 
Metallia. The floor was awash with the crimson liquid, and the girl intended to 
be Metallia's new body now lay in their place, her back and long, raven hair 
sticky with the shed blood. 
"Well done. Now comes the difficult part. It would be simple if we had the 
ginzuishou, but as the point of this is to protect ourselves from the one who 
bears it, there is no point in even attempting to appropriate it. So, what you 
must do is this...."
Endymion listened with a sinking heart. This had better be worth it.
* * *
"Ah!"
"What is it, Mercury?"
She was smiling at her computer screen. "They're just ahead! I can pick up 
Venus' readings almost as clearly as our own. Though there's still no sign of 
Sailor Moon."
"Jupiter, wait!" Artemis called as Sailor Jupiter took off running down the 
tunnel. He cursed and dashed after the girl.
"Come on, Ami-chan," Luna urged.
"Oh!" Sailor Mercury tucked her computer away and started running.
End Part 8