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 Eighth Part: "Friends to Enemies...." "Who are these things?" Kaen asked rhetorically as she glanced over the article in the paper on how the senshi teams were fighting among themselves. "Who are they and why are they doing this to us?" She turned to face the other Starlights and stared the group of them down. "Why?" "We don't know Kaen," Yaten finally sighed, getting irritated by her attitude. "And I don't know what makes you think that we would. We're not psychic or anything...." "Yea, yea, yea...." She shoved the paper aside and began drumming her fingers on the table, lost in thought. "We've got to do something about this... do you guys know the real identities of any of the Sailor Senshi on this planet?" The others shared a glance and Kaen started glaring. "Well! Do you!?!?" "Yes," Seiya began slowly. "It's... well... it's Usagi and her friends...." "What!?!?" "Usagi is Sailor Moon," Seiya explained simply. "And Ami, Minako, and Makoto are all Sailor Senshi. There's another girl named Rei who's also a member of the set known as the Inner Senshi, but she goes to a different school. And then there's the Outer Senshi...." "Wait a second! Slow down!" Kaen held up her hands. "You know _all_ of them?" Seiya nodded. "Personally?" He nodded again. "And everyone knows about everyone else's secret identities?" "Yes Kaen, everyone!" Yaten snapped. "Then this may be trouble," she sighed. "Big trouble. For us especially.... We have to go talk to them!" "I don't think you should," Taiki cut in. Kaen gave him a hard look and he quickly explained. "Don't you think it would be for the best if the senshi of this planet _didn't_ know that Kaen Kou is actually Sailor Supernova, the leader of the Sailor Starlights." "Kaen thought about that for a moment and finally sighed. "I suppose you're right.... So what do you suggest we do?" "_We'll_ talk to them," Taiki said simply, indicating the three of them. "Hopefully they'll believe us. And if they don't they still won't be against _you_ personaly since they won't know." "It doesn't seem like a very good plan," Kaen sighed. "But it's the only one we've got...." **** **** **** **** "Hi guys! What's up" The group of four girls turned and smiled as they heard Kaen's voice. Smiles that quickly died as they spotted just _who_ was walking right behind her. Kaen glanced behind her at her companions, then back at the hostile looking group of girls in front of her. she reminded herself. "Am I... missing something here...?" she asked slowly, glancing between the two groups. "You guys seem pretty... ah... pissed off about something today." "Oh... it's nothing," Usagi said slowly. "Really. Uhh... come on guys, we're gonna be late!" The group hurried off and Kaen turned back to face the guys. "I believe they're trying to avoid you like the plague," she said simply. "Are you _sure_ you can convince them?" "We have to try!" Seiya said emphatically and the group immediately gave him a weird look. "A little anxious Seiya?" Kaen asked flatly. "Ah... well...." He trailed off nervously. "He's a little anxious for Usagi to think the best of him," Yaten put in snidely. "The poor guy's probably sooo afraid that she'll never look at him again that he's...." "Yaten, enough," Kaen sighed, rubbing her forehead. "We don't care about Seiya's love life... or lack thereof. What's more important is that these guys don't end up killing you because they think you're against them." "You really think that they'd attack us when we're not transformed Kaen," Taiki asked, avoiding eye contact with her. He couldn't bring himself to, not now that he knew who she really was. "Not the Inners so much," she replied softly. "But from the way that you described the Outer Senshi... well... I wouldn't put it past them...." **** **** **** **** "Kaen!" Kaen turned at the accented voice shouting her name and smiled, glad that she could talk to someone without worrying about slipping up and mentioning something that she shouldn't. "Hi Candi! What's... up?" The smile on her face quickly died as she saw the dejected look on her friend's face. "Oh Kaen..." she moaned. "You were so right! I was an idiot not to listen to you!" "I... was right?" Kaen asked slowly, her brow furrowed in confusion. "About Yaten!" Candi quickly explained. "The little jerk finally showed me his true colors!" She hastily rubbed the back of her hand against her eyes, angrily wiping away the tears that were forming there. she told herself sternly. "He... he said that he wanted to talk to me last night. So I went for a walk with him and he... he...." "He what?" Kaen asked slowly, her mind whirling the whole time. Was this really Yaten, he _had_ been out last night, or was it his double.... "He kissed me! And not in a nice way either! He grabbed me by the arms, bruising me by the way, and forced me to kiss him! You were so right about him, I'm sorry I doubted you Kaen." "He... ah... he actually did that?" Kaen asked carefully, not wanting to give away her concerns. "Yes he did! Ooooh! I'll be happy if I never have to look at him again! Little two-faced rat-fink...." "Woah! Candi! Easy on the hyphenated insults. I thought Yaten was totally gone on you...." "Why would you think that?" "Because...." She paused for a moment, wondering what she should tell her. "Because... Taiki told me!" she thought even as she continued rambling. "I was talking to him earlier and he said...." "Wait a minute! You're talking to Taiki? Alone like? One on one?" "Umm... yea...." "Taiki doesn't seem like the type to gossip. Actually, I didn't think you were either." "Well...." She glanced around nervously. "It... it was just an idle comment.... You know, we were talking about lots of things and...." "I don't think he told you that," Candi cut in bluntly. "What!?" She blanched, afraid that she had been found out. "I think you're just making this up to try and make me feel better! But I know what happened Kaen. He grabbed me by the arms, he bruised me, and he forced me to kiss him. He's not worth it." "Candi... um... are you sure it was even him?" Candi gave her a funny look and she rushed on. "I mean, there are people out there who go around impersonating idols. Maybe...." "He knew me Kaen." "Maybe it was a stalker...." "Kaen, _why_ are you defending him? I thought you hated him!" "I... I just don't like seeing people getting a bum rap, that's all...." **** **** **** **** "Usagi!" Usagi tensed slightly at the familiar voice and slowly turned, eyeing its owner carefully. "What is it Seiya?" she asked slowly, backing away even as he stepped forward. "Usagi, I have to tell you something!" He tried to quicken his pace forwards, but Usagi immediately quickened hers backwards so he slowed down again. "Usagi, please! I'm not going to hurt you. When you were attacked that wasn't us!" "How can I be sure," she asked cautiously. "You have to trust me. Please Usagi, I swear, we had nothing to do with that. How could you think...?" "Sailor Supernova," she cut him off quickly. "She's your leader. You'd follow her anywhere." "Not against you." They had finally stopped, a few feet apart, and Seiya took another step forward, causing Usagi to fall back another step. "Usagi...." "Get away from her!" Seiya whipped around at the voice and saw Haruka glaring at him, not hiding her hostility. "Haruka..." he began, wondering if there was _anything_ he could say to make her _not_ think the worst of him. "Don't even bother," Haruka snapped, cutting him off with a statement that seemed to answer his thoughts. "Get out of here Invader. Go back to your own planet, or anywhere away from here, if you know what's good for you." "Haruka," he began again. Then, seeing the pointlessness of trying to argue, he sighed. "It wasn't us," he finished flatly. "Why should we believe you," she asked coldly in return. He slowly shook his head. "I have no reason, other than the fact that we were never truly against you before." "Things change. You've said your piece, now leave. _If_ you know what's good for you." Seiya sighed and turned, slowly walking away. But not before daring one more look back at Usagi. "Please," he whispered, knowing that she probably couldn't hear him but hoping that she'd understand. "Please believe me...." **** **** **** **** "Uh oh, here he comes." Taiki looked up from the book he was leafing through and spotted Seiya walking dejectedly towards the two of them. "And it looks like she didn't believe him," he commented flatly, setting the book aside. "So how'd it go," he asked Seiya as he got into speaking range. "Haruka," Seiya replied flatly, not wanting to look at the pair. "What!?!? What the hell is _she_ doing around here?" Yaten started pacing irately. "The Outer Senshi probably decided to keep an eye on Usagi to make sure nothing happened to her," Taiki explained calmly. "Just like before, remember?" "What, they think we're gonna kill her at school or something!? Honestly...." He trailed off irately and Taiki sighed, turning his attention back to Seiya. "Did she at least hear you out?" Seiya nodded slowly. "I don't know if she believed me or not though. But... doesn't Usagi always look for the best in people?" "Yea." "So... shouldn't she trust us? Give us the benefit of the doubt maybe?" "Here's hoping she does," Yaten put in, over his brief rant and showing a pair of crossed fingers. "Come on, let's go home. We don't have a reason to stick around here...." "What about Kaen?" Taiki asked simply. "Ah, she knows where we live. Besides, she said she had a few loose ends to tie up at her old place, remember?" "Still... shouldn't at least one of us wait for her?" "Jeez Taiki, the way you're talking I'd swear you still had a thing for her...." Yaten stopped short as the obvious truth of what he had just said sunk in. "You do, don't you!?" "Of course not!" Taiki snapped at him. "That's brainless! I never had a thing for her in the first place...." "That's debatable," Seiya mumbled under his breath. "And even if I did," Taiki continued, glaring at the two of them. "It's just wrong for me to feel anything for her anymore. She's our leader. We can't be distracted by in-group romance. We have more important things to deal with." He turned and started storming down the street. "Come on! Let's go!" "What about Kaaaen?" Yaten called after him tauntingly. "Screw her!" Taiki snapped back over his shoulder. "She can get home on her own!" "I bet ya he'd like to..." Yaten began whispering. "Don't even finish that," Seiya cut him off. "And if you want to live to see seventeen don't you _dare_ say that to him...." "She does bring out the worst in him doesn't she?" Yaten asked, watching the tension in Taiki's back. "And then some," Seiya agreed. "But she also brings out a little of the best...." "Yea," Yaten agreed softly, thinking about the night before when he had found them curled up together on the couch. "Do you think an in-group romance would really hurt the team that much?" "I dunno. Why?" "Because." He gave a small wistful sigh, thinking about Candi. "It would be nice to see at least two of us happy and in love." "What do you mean?" Seiya asked, catching his friend's wistful tone. "Aren't you happy and in love?" "Well...." He didn't get a chance to finish that thought as the three of them where stopped by the Outer Senshi. Uranus and Neptune were in the forefront, looking extremely pissed off, and Pluto and Saturn were standing further back, obviously ready to get into action if needed. "What do you want?" Taiki was asking them, with as much calmness as he could muster. "We just want to be sure that you're leaving," Uranus replied simply. "We can't leave," Taiki countered. "Didn't Seiya tell you. We have no powers. That hooded thing that appeared in the sky a few days ago took them. That wasn't us that attacked you, it was whatever has our powers now. I don't know why these things are doing that but you have to believe us when we say that it wasn't us attacking you." "And what about your fourth member?" "Nova? She is who she said she is. But she got her powers stolen too." The Outer Senshi regarded them skeptically and Taiki's slow burning temper, which was at the moment shorter than usual because of the way Yaten had been teasing him about Kaen, finally snapped. "It's the truth!!!" "Just leave now, and nobody'll get hurt," Uranus said simply. "I just told you we can't!!" "We'll give you ten seconds. Ten... nine...." "Uranus, why is it so hard to believe us?" "Eight... seven...." "Uranus...." He took a step forward and Uranus immediately fell into a defensive position, drawing out the Space Sword. "Don't come any closer," she said flatly, pointing it at his chest. "You won't be able to transform before I could hit you anyways." He raised his hands in a sign of defeat and stepped back. "And I told you that we can't transform anyways. Do you really want to destroy us while we're defenseless?" "Just leave. That's all that anybody wants." "Have you asked the Inner Senshi about this?" Yaten finally put in tauntingly. "They may have different opinions about how this should be handled than _you_ do...." "Leave now or we'll be forced to destroy you." "We heard you the first time ya broken record!" "Yaten!" Seiya hissed at his friend. "Don't piss them off. They could kill us if they wanted to...." Uranus didn't get a chance to retaliate as Kaen showed up. And the three young men present inwardly groaned as they realized that a bad situation had just gotten worse. "Wh... what's going on?" she asked carefully as she strolled slowly towards the two intense looking groups. "Kaen, get out of here," Taiki said simply in reply. "Leave," Uranus added coldly. "This isn't your concern." "Like hell it isn't!" Kaen snapped, glaring at her as she spotted the sword pointed at Taiki's chest. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Pointing that thing at him like that!?" She stormed forward and tried to position herself in between the two of them. "Kaen! Get lost!" Taiki hissed in her ear. "No! I'm not leaving you to be butchered by this...." She eyed the group of Outer Senshi critically. "Pack of freaks," she finally finished. "You're my team and I'm sticking by...." She trailed off and gasped as she realized what she had just said, her eyes widening. "I knew it!" Uranus growled, glaring at the redhead. "I knew that you were one of them as soon as the Inner Senshi mentioned you. Are you going to leave this planet or are we going to have to destroy you." Kaen drew herself up to her full height and stared Uranus down coldly. "I'm sure my team has already made you well aware of our circumstances, so I'm not going to repeat them. But I will remind you that we _can't_ transform and therefore _can't_ leave this planet, much less return to our own. But if you wish to slaughter us in cold blood while we're defenseless so be it. I suppose there isn't much we can do about it is there?" She tuned her head to the side and closed her eyes. "Whenever you're ready Madame Executioner...." Uranus looked about ready to carry out her threat and Taiki quickly acted out of desperation. "Leave her alone you...." He didn't finish as he threw himself into her, driving his fist into her stomach. Uranus fell back, more from shock than anything. And Neptune immediately did the first thing she could think of to get him off of her. "DEEP SUBMERGE!" The attack was weakened since she didn't want to hurt Sailor Uranus with it, but it was enough to fling Taiki, in his untransformed state, aside and to the ground. Kaen gaped at his prone form with wide eyes and turned back in the direction that the attack had come from. "You," she hissed, tears filling her eyes. "You rotten...." She ran at her blindly, her fingers curled into claws. "Rotten little...." "WORLD SHAKING!" Kaen let out a cry of pain as the weakened attack struck her, throwing her to the ground as well. Yaten and Seiya started forward angrily and the Outer Senshi turned to face them. "Do you two want the same?" Uranus snapped at them. They shared a glance and slowly stepped back again. "I thought not. Now that you know we're serious I think it's best for all concerned if you just go. And remember, we'll be keeping an eye on you." The Outer Senshi turned to leave, and after sharing a quick glance Seiya and Yaten immediately dashed to their friend's sides. "Taiki?" Seiya asked softly, gently patting his friend on the cheek, trying to wake hem. "Come on, get up." "Kaen?" Yaten asked in a similar fashion to the redhead, gently shaking her every so often. "Come on Kaen, I know you're tougher than this." Finally Taiki let out a low groan as he came to. "Kaen," he whispered hoarsely. "Is... is she okay?" Seiya glanced over his shoulder at where Yaten was still trying to wake Kaen up. "I... I think so..." he replied carefully, not knowing what he should say. "I don't know why I did that," Taiki sighed, realizing just _what_ he had just done. "I probably just made things worse for us...." "Hey, I'd do the same for Usagi. And I'm sure Yaten would do the same for Candi...." Taiki eyed him coldly. "Very funny," he replied flatly. "But I do not have a thing for Kaen Kou." "Oh really? Then you shouldn't care if I tell you that she might not be alive right now...." "What!?!?" Taiki's eyes widened in panic. "Seiya, you had better be joking." Seiya sadly looked down. "I'm afraid not. Sailor Uranus hit her with her 'World Shaking' because Kaen was going after Neptune for hitting you...." "She... she did that for me?" He sat there in silent shock. "What, you don't think that she'd do that for all of us?" Seiya asked, hiding his smugness from the fact that he was slowly getting Taiki to admit his true feelings. "Well... for you maybe. For Yaten... she might applaud them. But still... she did that for me...." He attempted to struggle to his feet. "Kaen!" he called out. "Kaen are you okay?" "Taiki?" Kaen called back, slowly sitting up. "Kaen!" He rushed to her side as quick as he could despite the pain he was in and hugged her tightly. Seiya and Yaten sharing a smug glance as they watched them, proud of how well they had played matchmaker. "You shouldn't have done that," he whispered into her ear. "I had to," she whispered back. "You're part of my team. And _nobody_ pushes my team around. Nobody...." END THE EIGHTH PART..... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Immicolia... immicolia@hotmail.com Immicolia's Fanfiction Nebula http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/8671 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------