AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, standard disclaimer. Sailor Moon and all related characters do _not_ belong to me. They are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, Toei Animation, and who knows who else depending on what language you're watching it in.... However the characters of Kaen Kou and Candace "Candi" Martin of this fanfiction are purely creations of my own insanity..... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER THE FIRE MY SAILORMOON SAILORSTARS FANFICTION BY: Immicolia The Seventh Part: "The Betrayal" The four Starlights stared down their new foe. "I knew I would be able to lure you four here this way," it hissed from deep within its hood. "Even the slightest chance of finding your precious princess blinds you to all danger. A pity it was so easy. I was hoping for a challenge." "Fiend," Nova hissed back at it. "Where is she? Where's my sister!?!?" It laughed, none too pleasantly. "That's the wonderful thing my dear. I don't know. You heroes are so gullible. You immediately leap to the rescue without even considering the possibility that I'm evil and this could be a trap. Oh well, too bad for you I suppose..." It raised one arm and a beam struck Nova, dropping her to her knees. "Nova!" The remaining Starlights charged forward, running headlong into a barrier the enemy created with an idle wave of its free hand. "Now no need to get impatient. You'll all get the same soon enough. As soon as I finish relieving her of her power I'll do the same for you." The Starlights watched with an emotion somewhere between horror and awe as the broach was torn from the front of her outfit, and slowly she reverted to a very familiar human form. "Kaen!" "I don't believe it!" "I can't believe it!" It glanced at them, mildly amused. So they hadn't known the identity of the fourth member of their team, how interesting. Not that it mattered. They weren't going to be senshi much longer anyways. It flicked the barrier off for a split second. Just long enough for Healer, who had been pressing forward against it trying to get a better look, to tumble through. She immediately leaped to her feet, looking ready to attack. The hooded figure didn't give her a chance however and idly gestured in her direction, beginning to draw out her sailor powers as well. Kaen watched her writhe with sympathetic eyes. She knew how it felt. It was the ultimate sense of loss. The feeling of losing everything you've ever known. Her eyes widened as she watched her friend revert and she rubbed at them, wondering if this could be possible. The hooded creature finished and released its hold, causing Yaten to tumble backwards. Kaen, still weakened from her own loss, crawled to his side. "Yaten you're...." He nodded. "So that means they're...." She trailed off as he nodded again. "My God, I never thought... Well I did think, but never seriously...." She trailed off again and the two of them huddled together in terror as they watched their foe shift the barrier so now Maker was on the outside of it. She was prepared to fight back, but wasn't fast enough as the power draining beam threw her to the ground as well. Kaen watched, not shocked at all this time, as the female form shifted to a male one. She was beginning to wonder however, why this thing was doing this to them. If it wanted to be rid of the Starlights why not just kill them, it probably had the power to. Why rob them of their powers? She pondered this as she watched Fighter meet the same fate as the rest of them. As the creature finished, Seiya weakly looked up at it and in a voice that was a near whisper asked the question they were all wondering. "Why?" It regarded them all and deep within the hood a pair of eyes could be seen glistening. "You'll see my friends... Oh you will see..." Then it vanished, leaving the four former Star Senshi to wonder how they were going to deal with this new situation. **** **** **** **** The Elementals formed their square and waited for it. "What do you suppose it wants," Brooke asked worriedly, shifting from foot to foot. "Who knows," Blaze answered simply. "But we must obey. We have no other choice." They fell into silence as the darkness in the center grew darker and a vague form could be seen. "Good you're here," it said, as if not expecting any less. "I have something for each of you." It gestured and one of the stolen transformation devices appeared in front of each of them. Blaze snatched the one in front of it out of the air and held it disbelievingly. "You got them? How...?" "No questions!" it snapped, cutting its lackey off. "Will you be able to do as I asked of you?" "Of course," Breeze said simply, gingerly touching the one it had been given. Its eyes slid closed as it sensed some of the previous owner's spirit. "Oooh, this one had a strong will..." "Then you will be able to take their human forms as well, to discredit them further," the hooded shadow continued, ignoring Breeze's obvious pleasure at being able to see into that particular Starlight's soul. "No problem," Blaze replied, over it's initial shock and already beginning to reform itself as the previous owner of the broach it now held. "You can sense almost everything about them through these things. Once we're done they won't have a friend left in the world..." **** **** **** **** Kaen sat on the couch, a picture of dejection. "Why?" she asked for the two hundred and fifty-third time. "Why would it do that? Why not just kill us?" "It had a reason," Taiki replied, continuing the conversation as it usually went. "It said we'd see." "But see what!? This is driving me nuts! This whole thing is just too weird." "Kaen," Seiya sighed, "we're not going to figure anything new out by asking the same questions. Why don't we give it a rest for a little while?" Kaen sighed and leaned back. "Okay." She looked them all over and shook her head. "I still can't believe that you guys are... well, guys... I mean I know we discussed it, but I never thought you'd go through with it." Seiya smiled at her. "We were shocked to see you too. You don't know how worried we were about you. Wondering if the next senshi under Galaxia's control we fought would be you..." He trailed off and Kaen put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Now you shoulda known that that could never happen to me. I'm just too plain thick headed to fall under anyone's control." She smiled and looked behind her at the stack of boxes against the wall. "It was nice of you guys to let me move in here. You didn't have to." "Sure we did," Taiki said, putting his arm across her shoulders. "We're a team. And now that we're back together we're not letting you out of our sight." "Oh, so I'm under house arrest then?" Yaten glowered and attempted to ignore their snappy banter by focusing on the TV. He didn't want her here. They _weren't_ a team anymore. They were nothing. Those three were just deluding themselves, but he knew. They had lost it all and they were never getting it back... He suddenly jerked to attention as something on the TV screen finally registered. For a minute there he had thought he had seen... himself.... The other him, the female him. "Guys," he said slowly, not turning away from the TV set, as if looking away would cause what he was seeing to vanish. "I think you should see this..." The other three turned their attention to the TV set and jaws dropped at what they saw. "In a bizarre turn of events, one set of senshi has turned on another and..." "Turn that down!" Kaen snapped. "In fact, just turn it off." "But..." "I said turn it off! We don't need to see anymore." Yaten glared at her, but obliged and the former Starlights sat in silence for a moment. "Well, now we know why it stole our powers like that," Taiki said carefully. "But it leaves us with an even bigger 'why.' Why would it send someone out to impersonate us?" Yaten listened to their discussion with half an ear, something more important going through his mind. Candi. She had probably seen that. And she knew that he had been Starhealer. In fact, as far as she was concerned, he still _was_ Starhealer. She was probably thinking the worst of him right now. He had to talk to her. To explain how that hadn't been him. Without a second thought he got to his feet and started to the door, shocking the other three. "Yaten, where are you going?" Kaen called after him. She was answered by the slamming of a door. **** **** **** **** "Breeze, you are brilliant!" The Elemental looked at his reflection in a window and smiled at the flawless image of Yaten Kou that was smiling back. "That little twit of a girl that's sweet on him won't know the difference. I could really have some fun with this. It's going to be quite enjoyable dragging the name of a semi-famous idol through the mud." He continued to walk down the street, towards the house where the young exchange student was staying. "Now let's see... how am I going to be able to get myself alone with her? I know! I'll ask her to go for a walk with me. Then I can get her nicely alone..." He lightly tapped on the door and inwardly smiled as he saw that it was the little twit herself who answered it. "Yaten," she said in shock, falling back a step. "Candi..." He began his well practiced speech. "I have to talk to you. It... it's important. Could... could you come with me? Please." She nodded. "Alright, just let me get a jacket." She turned away and the worried look on the psudo-Yaten's face slipped to something akin to an evil grin. he thought. Candi turned back and smiled as she saw Yaten waiting with a mildly impatient look on his face. she thought as she started toward the door. The two walked in silence until Candi figured that they were as alone as they were going to get. "Yaten," she began, carefully pondering how she was going to ask this. "Why did you and the Starlights turn on the other senshi like that?" she asked finally, deciding on the direct approach. The Elemental in Yaten's clothing smiled slowly at her. "Candi," he breathed, running a finger lightly along her cheek. "I did it because I've seen the light. We all have." Candi stepped away, not liking the change in him one bit. It was almost slimy the way he was acting now. "Seen the light? Yaten, what are you talking about?" He stepped closer to her again, cupping her face in his hands, staring deep into her hazel eyes. "It doesn't matter Candi," he breathed, enjoying her obvious fear. "I didn't come here to talk to you about that. I came to see you." She struggled, trying to move away, and he gripped her tighter. "Yaten!" she squeaked in pain. "Please! Let go! You're hurting me." "And you love it, don't you?" he stated in a near whisper, regarding her through narrowed eyes. She started to protest again, and he immediately leaned forward, capturing her mouth with his. She began struggling and he roughly grabbed her arms, bruising the skin. Finally he pushed her away, causing her to fall to the ground. She looked up at him with hurt filled eyes, and he smirked at her. "That was quite enjoyable Candi. Good night." He turned and walked away, idly whistling, and Candi watched him go, tears rolling down her cheeks, wondering what had happened. **** **** **** **** Yaten hurried down the street, wondering how he was going to explain this. He stood outside of Candi's house for a few moments, collecting his thoughts, and was surprised to see her walking up from the other direction. "Candi!" he shouted, running up to her. She glared at him and he was taken aback by the pure hatred in her eyes. "Candi?" he repeated softly, standing a safe distance from her. "What's wrong?" She stormed up to him. "What's wrong? You know perfectly well what's wrong you pig!" She slapped him, causing him to step back in shock. "Candi... wh... what...." he began stuttering, holding his stinging cheek. "Don't play innocent! You bruised me you know. Right there." She rolled up her sleeves and pointed at the bruises beginning to form on her pale upper arms. "What...?" He looked at the ugly purple marks in shock for a moment, then suddenly it clicked. Whoever it was that had attacked the senshi as him had gone after Candi as well. "Candi... that wasn't me... I..." "Oh don't give me that! Who was it then? An evil twin?" "Yes!... No... I don't know... Candi...." She started walking away. "You know Yaten Kou," she began coldly, "I would be happy if I never had to lay eyes on you again. Unfortunately we are in a couple of the same classes so that isn't possible. Instead I'll just have to settle for you keeping as far away from me as possible, given the individual circumstances. And never call me Candi again. My _friends_ call me Candi." She stormed into the house and Yaten watched her in a state of shock. She hadn't believed him. Whoever had been impersonating him had gotten to her first so she didn't believe him. He felt something tighten within his chest and turned away from the house, finding it too painful to look at anymore. He started to walk. Not having any particular direction or destination in mind, just having to walk. Not only did she not believe him, she hated him. She didn't even want him calling her Candi anymore. Only her friends called her that... He didn't even notice that it had started to rain... **** **** **** **** Kaen watched the rain coming down, gnawing worriedly on her lower lip. "Where is he!!" she finally said, turning away from the window. "It's getting worse out there, you'd think he'd be back by now!" Taiki walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders to reassure her. "Don't worry Kaen, I'm sure he's fine." "But he was in such a weird mood when he left. And he's been gone for over an hour now. We should go look for him!" "Kaen." Taiki tightened his grip a little to stop her from dashing to the door. "Think of the size of Tokyo and consider your chances of finding Yaten on a nice night when he's his usual self. Now throw in the fact that it's pouring rain and that he's _not_ himself right now. What do you think your chances are?" "Slim to zilch," she sighed. "Try zilch to none," he corrected her gently. "He could be anywhere, we wouldn't even know where to start." "You're right. But I'm still worried about him. For those exact reasons. The fact that he _isn't_ himself and he _could_ be anywhere. Oh Taiki..." She started sobbing against his chest. "I'm so scared. What if he doesn't come back. What'll we do? We just finally got back together and now this happens. It's so unfair..." "He'll come back Kaen." He started stroking her hair, trying to comfort her. "Why don't you try to get some sleep. I'll wait up for him." She looked up at him, vibrant blue eyes glistening with tears. "Then I'll wait up with you. I'm not going to sleep until he's safely back here...." Her look hardened. "And when the little runt _does_ show himself I'm gonna _permanently_ make him a girl... in a very painful way...." **** **** **** **** Yaten paused and looked up, as if finally realizing that it was pouring rain. Then he looked around, mildly disorientated. How long had he been walking for? He felt his legs weaken under him and leaned against a nearby post for support. he told himself. He felt that uncomfortable tightening in his chest again at the thought of Candi and immediately cast her from his mind. He wasn't going to think about her ever again. It just hurt too much. He glanced at the street signs again and realized that he wasn't too far from the apartment. he thought. He reluctantly gave up the support of the post and started down the street again, stumbling a little from exhaustion. He let himself into the apartment as quietly as possible and was taken aback as he saw Taiki and Kaen huddled up together on the couch, both fast asleep. he realized with a rush of guilt. He carefully tried to sneak past, not wanting to wake them. But the hours of being out in the rain finally caught up with him and he started coughing uncontrollably, causing the pair to jerk awake. "Yaten," Kaen gasped disbelievingly, regarding him. Her wide blue eyes rimmed with red. "You're all right." Yaten realized with another rush of guilt. "Yea I'm fine," he croaked hoarsely, shrugging. "Just a little soggy." "Well get into some dry clothes before you catch your death!" she said sternly, leaping to her feet and shoving him towards his room. "I don't want you all sick and whining because you're too dumb to come in out of the rain!" Despite himself he had to smile. "No matter what you're still the same old domineering mother hen-esque Nova, aren't you?" he asked teasingly, suddenly realizing what those other guys had meant when they said that the team was back together. "Shut up Yaten!" she snapped at him in reply. "You scared the crap out of us you know. We had thought you were gone for good. Maybe we'd be better off without you if you're gonna act like that. And another thing...." Yaten smiled as he tuned her out. They were a team again, no matter what. **** **** **** **** The next morning Yaten was fortunate enough to wake up with the sort of headache that only comes with a severe cold. He drug his sorry carcass out of bed and was planing on downing half a bottle of cold medication and crawling back, when he was met at the door by Kaen holding a steaming cup of something. "I knew you'd be sick this morning," she sighed. "Here, drink." He gingerly took the cup and looked at it. "What is it?" he finally asked with a croak. "Something to make you feel better. Now drink it! Or am I gonna have to tie you up and pour it down your throat?" Knowing that she was serious he gave up on questioning and downed whatever it was in one gulp. Choking a little he forced a smile and handed her the empty cup. "There, happy?" "Ecstatic. Now go get dressed. We got stuff to do today." "What!?" "You heard me. We've got things to do, and you're not getting out of it just cause you took a nice little stroll in the rain last night. So go get dressed." "Jeez... who died and put you in charge," he muttered under his breath. "No one died," she replied coldly, causing him to start in shock that she had heard him. "I've always been the leader. I'm the younger of the twin princesses of the Kingdom of Dankei of Kinmoku Sei, it is my birthright plain and simple. You know it, I know it, and they know it. And powerless or no, I'm still gonna lead our team as best I can. Now get dressed." Yaten nodded slightly. "Right..." he said softly, fully chastised. "And Yaten...." "Yea?" "I'm sorry I had to rub your nose in it like that... but it's true." "I know Kaen...." "Let's go." "Okay...." END THE SEVENTH PART..... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Immicolia... immicolia@hotmail.com Immicolia's Fanfiction Nebula http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/8671 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------