All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form by all means. Sailor Moon is a product of Bandai, Toei, and Naoko Takeuchi. Now that I have all the disclamers out of the way, I can stop worrying that someone will sue me. I had this one floating in my head for sometime and now I have it in ink and paper. Tell me what you think. If you like it I might make more. My address is Ladyjupiter@sailorjupiter.com Unlike my other fics, this time, I'm using Japanese names. There are a few Japanese terms in here, but you can look it up on this page on the web. The address of that page is on the bottom of this fic. Here are the Japanese names for those who watch the NA version: Serena - Usagi Tsukino Rei - Rei (duh?)Hino Lita - Makoto Kino Mina- Minako Aino Ami - Ami Mizuno Darien - Mamoru Chiba (Tuxeedo Kamen) Ken- Shinosaki Miyake This takes place after my Jupiter Knight series and isn't in the Sailor Moon timeline by Naoko Takeuchi. Any resemblence to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. (Sorry, I just HAD to say it. It's so fun to write!) If you want to read Jupiter Knight, go ahead, then you'll have a better background with this series. You can get Jupiter Knight from wherever you found this, maybe. Okay, I'll stop babbling now. Oh! One more thing, this is Jupiter based, for all you Jupiter fans. What do you expect? I'm a Jupiter fan. NOW I will shut up. UNDER THE MYST 1: UNNATURAL CHANGES OF THE HEART "Sailor Jupiter? Are you okay? Hold on, I'm trying to get you out!" Sailor Venus continued to pry the lid off of the large pipe. "Watch out!" Tuxeedo Kamen threw one of his roses at a youma going for Sailor Venus. "Thanks!" Sailor Venus said, still trying to pry the lid off. The rest of the senshi were fighting the hundreds of youmas on the streets. "Mars Flaming Mandala!" Sailor Mars threw her fire at a couple of youmas coming her way. "Hey watch it!" Sailor Mercury dodged a poorly aimed tiarra, thrown by non other than...Sailor Moon. "Moon tiarra!" Everywhere, powers were going off and trees were falling. The people had already fled to safety, leaving the senshi to do their job. "Jupiter Thunder Lance!" Jupiter Knight drew out his lance and stuck it into the belly of the youmas attacking him. "Ehh! I need some help!" Sailor Venus was saying, still not getting the lid off. "I'm coming...ouch...move it!" Jupiter Knight dodged youma's struck them with his lance and everything else to get to Sailor Jupiter. "Did you try your Jupiter Thunder?" Sailor Venus shouted into the pipe. Jupiter Knight finally reached them, "No, don't! The thunder might reflect off and hit her. Let me try." He took his lance and used it like a crowbar to pry off the lid. The lid opened with a pop. "Thanks! It was getting stuffy in there," Sailor Jupiter said and joined the others in fighting. Jupiter Knight looked down at his hand. He had injured it trying to reach it, but only now did it start to bleed. He forgot about it and went to fight some more youmas. "Venus Love Me Chain Encircle!" Sailor Venus threw her chains at a few youmas and caught them. This went on for almost an hour when finally, the youma's dissapeared. The senshi sat on the ground, exhausted. "What was that all about?" Sailor Moon asked Luna. "I don't know, I didn't see any generals. It seemed that it was just a total chaos." Luna said, confused. Usaully, the youmas were controled by a Negaverse General. But today, there was no one else. Just a bunch of youmas. "I'm going home. This is wearing down my nerves." Sailor Moon yawned and transformed back into her regular clothes. The others transformed back also. Mamoru said he would drive the girls home. "Maybe there was an overload of youmas and then they decided to attack, ne?" Mamoru suggested. "No, impossible. Youmas don't attack unless they have an order from someone." Artemis said. "Let's go, it's pretty late," Rei started to follow Mamory and Usagi. Makoto got up, "You guys go without me, I'll walk home. It's such a beautiful night." "I'll walk you home," Shinosaki said, trying to ignore his throbbing hand. "Thanks. Bye guys!" Makoto started to walk the other way out of the park. "Bye, see you tomorow," Shinosaki followed her. "It's such a wonderful night, it's a shame to let it waste by riding a car," Makoto sighed, leaning on Shinosaki. "Mako-chan, you are such a romanticist." Shinosaki laughed. Makoto looked down to see Shinsaki's bleeding hand. "Oh my gosh, Shinosaki, you hurt your hand." She took it and brought it up to her hand to inspect. There was a long cut in his palm. "It's nothing," Shinosaki started to pull it away. "Wait, let me bandage it for you, Shino-chan." Makoto ripped a part of her white shirt and wrapped it around Shinosaki's hand. Shinosaki watched as Makoto lovingly wrapped the bandage, tying it tightly. He sighed at how lucky he was to have such a caring girlfriend. "I hope you're not getting spacy on me, Shino-chan? To much lost of blood?" Makoto asked, still tying the bandage. "No, I'm alright," He slipped his other finger in to help her with the knot. Makoto finished bandaging it and looked at her work, his hand was now wrapped nice and neat in the bandage, "There, I think that should stop the bleeding. You're lucky it's only a surface cut and not a deep one. When you get home, remember to change it. I don't think my shirt is very sanatised, but it will have to do." Makoto noticed how much she was starting to sound like Ami. She started walking again felt Shinosaki put an arm around her and walk with her. "Don't worry, Mako-chan, I can take care of myself." Shinosaki squeezed her shoulder. They continued to walk in silence, constantly looking up into the sky at the stars. They didn't really need to say anything to each other, since the silence was comfortable and peaceful. "Back home," Makoto said and started to open her door, "Do you want to come in and I can clean your cut?" Shinosaki looked at his hand, it was feeling much better, "No, it's alright. I'll do it when I get home." The stood there infront of the doorway for quite some time, not saying anything. Shinosaki finally broke the silence, "Good-night." "Good night," Makoto gave him a short goodnight kiss and watched him walk down the hall to the stairs. At the end of the hall, Shinosaki turned around and waved, "Ja ne!" Makoto put the key into the door, "Ja ne." When Makoto went into her apartment, she noticed how tired she was. It was like all this fighting wiped out all of her energy. She didn't know how she could do this day to day. A hot shower is what I need! Makoto thought. She got into the shower an took a long steamy shower, relaxing her nerves. Out in her pink robe, Makoto looked over her balcony while she watered her plants. The skies were getting cloudy which meant there would be rain sometime tommorow. She got under her blankets and curled up in bed. **************************** Brrrrriiing!.....turn off the clock.......brrring......find the clock!..........rrrrrriiiiiiinnnng........find the clock!...... Bam!.......dropped the clock. Makoto opened her eyes to see peices of her alarm clock strewn all over her floor. I better by a new clock, Makoto thought to herself. She threw a glance at the clock mounted on her wall. She had fifteen minutes until school started. Makoto flew out of bed, zoomed into the shower, gobbled down some breakfast, grabbed her books, locked the door and ran to school. On the way, she passed Serena who was also running to school. Makoto made it to school on time just as the first bell rang. She took her seat and tried to catch her breath. Then, she remembered her homework sitting on her coffee table under her cup. She forgot it! "Makoto-san, can you please collect the homework?" The sensei asked. Trying not to look guilty, she went around and collected everyone's homework. She handed them to the teacher and took her seat, hoping she wouldn't look guilty. "Makoto-san? Where is your homework?" The sensei asked, flipping throught the papers. Makoto looked down at the floor, "I...um, I forgot it on my coffee table, sensei." The sensei looked up with a frown, "That is the oldest excuse in the book, can't you just be orginal?" A few snickers wandered in the class. Makoto coudn't believe the sensei didn't believe her, "It's true. It IS on my coffee table!" "Next time don't forget it!" Snapped the sensei and she started the day's lecture. ************************** Makoto, Ami and Usagi walked to Rei's temple. It was only about a mile and a half away from school so there was no need to ride the bus. Around them were other students walking home from school. "What happened when Shinosaki walked you home?" Usagi asked with a questioning tone. "Nothing," Makoto told her. "Are you sure? You two were all alone, at night?" Usagi insisted at something. "Usagi-chan! What are you trying to imply to Mako-chan?" Ami asked. Usagi immediatly blushed and looked back down, "I'm sorry. I just wanted to know why he wanted to walk you back." "Nothing happened. We just talked on the way home, not much though. I had to bandage his hand because it was bleeding really horrible." Makoto said. "Oh," Usagi, sounding kind of dissapointed. "What did you guys do on the way home in Mamoru-san's car?" Makoto asked Ami. "Nothing, just listen to Rei-chan and Usagi-chan bicker like children," Ami said smiling. "Hey!" Usagi cried out. "I'm sorry, I just had to say it," Ami apologized. When they reached Rei's temple, the noon crowd had started to thin. They went straight to Rei's room, trying to avoid her ecchi grandfather. They knocked softly on Rei's door. "Come in," Rei said. Rei was sitting on the floor in the lotus position. The three girls took a seat on her mat. "Mina-chan is late again," Rei said. Usagi let out a sigh of relief, "For once, I'm not the late one." "Luna is not here either?" Ami asked. "No, Luna said she would be late. She's at command center with Artemis," Usagi said. "Let's start on our homework before Mina-chan comes," Ami suggested. All the other girls formed sweat drops but agreed to it. Makoto and Usagi both couldn't concentrate on it. Makoto finished hers quickly and waited impatiently. "Where are they?" Rei asked, looking at the clock. Suddenly, someone's communicator went off. Ami reached into her backpack, "It's mine." "Ami-chan? Come quick to the Over Look Cliff! Youmas!" Sailor Venus's voice sounded urgent. "Let's go!" Makoto lept up. "Transform!" Ami told them. "Moon...Crystal....Makeup!" "Mercury....Star.....Makeup!" "Mars....Star....Makeup!" "Jupiter....Star.....Makeup!" When the four other senshi got to the location, Tuxeedo Kamen, Jupiter Knight, Sailor Venus, Artemis and Luna were already there. Luna and Artemis were watching from a tree. There were youmas everywhere. The senshi fired their powers blindly, since the chance of hitting a youma was far greater than hitting one of their own. After a few blasts, the youmas seemed to dissapear. "Moon Tiarra!" Sailor Moon threw her tiarra. Now only a few youmas remained. Jupiter Knight was getting closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. "Don't fall off, Jupiter Knight!" Sailor Jupiter warned in between hitting youmas. "Don't worry," Jupiter Knight said and struck a youma with his lance. Soon, there was only one more youma. It was keeping it's eye on Jupiter Knight. "Mars...Flaming..." Sailor Mars, who was closer to him started. "No, I got it." Jupiter Knight raised his Thunder Lance, ready to strike. Suddenly, Jupiter Knight doubled over. It looked like he was in pain. The youma took this chance to charge. "No!" Sailor Jupiter rushed forward, "Jupiter...Wide...Pressure!" It was too late, the youma rammed it's head into Jupiter Knight's stomach and both of them stumbled off the cliff. "Shinosaki!" Sailor Jupiter ran to the edge of the cliff, almost falling off herself. "Careful!" Sailor Mars took Sailor Jupiter's hand and steadied her. Five stories below the cliff lay Jupiter Knight's body, unmoving. A dark pool of blood started to form, soaking his clothes. The senshi slowly made their way down to the bottom of the cliff. "No, he's okay." Sailor Jupiter said to herself. She slowly walked toward the unmoving body. The others followed behind her. Sailor Jupiter could see most of the blood was coming from Jupiter Knight's head. His clothes were soaking up most of the blood. She knelt down and touched his back. "We need him to transform back so the ambulance people won't ask any weird questions," Luna said. Sailor Jupiter placed her palm on his back, "Jupiter Power." The two of them were now in normal clothes, but Shinosaki's clothes were still soaked in blood. Off in the distance they could hear the sound of an ambulance. The other senshi also transformed back. Makoto didn't even notice she was crying. Her vision was clouded and she felt as if something was threatening to choke her. Usagi clung to Mamoru. "He's going to be alright," Minako tried to assure her friend, but she wasn't even sure if she was right. "Don't worry, the ambulance is coming and everything will come out fine," Mamoru told everyone. Makoto only wished it was that easy. The next thing she knew, men in white were putting Shinosaki in a stretcher and asking everyone questions. "We need someone to ride with us so we can get some info," one of the ambulance drivers said. Everyone turned to Makoto, "I'll go. I'll meet you at the hospital." She told the others. Makoto hoped into the back of the ambulance and watched the still body. Her vision was starting to get blurry from staring so much. "He's going to be alright isn't he?" Makoto asked desperately "We'll see. It looks like he lost a lot of blood. First thing we have to do is run some blood tests to see what kind of blood he has, then we'll go find the blood." The amublance man explained, bandaging the wound on Shinosaki's forehead. Makoto remebered, "He had type O blood, positive. Can you give him blood right now?" "Gomen, we don't have the blood here with us," the man apologized. Makoto rolled up her sleeves, "I have the same type as he does. I don't have AIDS or anything, can you give him the blood right now?" The ambulance man examined Shinosaki's wound, "It looks like it stopped bleeding. We should be able to do the transfusion fairly quick." "Go ahead," Makoto put her arm out. The doctor took a needle hooked up to an IV bag and started extracting blood. Makoto watched in fascination as the lifegiving fluid filled the bag. "That's enough," the doctor said and removed the needle. He handed Makoto a bandage. Then, he connected the bag into a vein on Shinosaki's arm and the blood started to slowly flow. Makoto noticed how pale Shinosaki's skin was getting. When they reached the hospital, Shinosaki was rushed into the emergency room and Makoto was told to wait outside. She paced back and forth for what seemed like an eternity before the others came. Usagi was running down the hall, followed by the others. "How is he?" she asked the minute she reached Makoto. Makoto broke out into fresh tears, "They won't tell me! They just went in there and didn't come out yet. I saw all these people go in, but none of them came out!" Ami noticed the bandage on Makoto's arm, "Did you donate some blood, Mako-chan?" "It's the least I could do. I owe him so much," Makoto said. Mamoru pulled a chair up for Makoto, "Here sit down. I think it's going to be a while before they come out." All of them sat, worrying over the same thing. Makoto kept her eye on the clock. The hands seemed to be moving so slowly that they even moved backwards. Each minute was like and hour to her. There was nothing but silence. No one felt like talking. Luna and Artemis were waiting outside, since they couldn't get pasts the security guard. They paced back and forth, trying to think of something to past time. "Do you think he's going to make it? Tell me the truth," Luna asked Artemis. "To tell you the truth, I don't know. He looked pretty bad and he was bleeding a lot. But I know he's a fighter. Just like in the Moon Kingdom, remember he never gave up no matter what?" Artemis said. "I hope he's alright. Mako-chan won't go on living without him now that she now they're destined with each other." Finally, the double doors to the operating room opened and tons of doctors walked out. They were smiling, so Makoto guessed everything would be alright. "Is Shinosaki going to be alright?" Makoto rushed forward, asking a doctor. "He's going to be fine in a few days. He was just unconscious and lost a lot of blood. Luckily, we gave him another transfusion." The doctor explained, rushing off to somewere else. "Can we go see him?" Makoto asked. "No visitors right now. He's still unconscious. Come back tomorrow, maybe he'll be awake. Someone should inform his parents. Are you his sister?" The doctor asked. "No, but I'll tell his parents," Makoto told him. Ami walked up to the doctor, "Will the head injury affect his brain? Lost of memory or anything?" "No, he's going to back to normal. Just wait and see." The doctor dissapeared into another operating room. Makoto sat back down. Everything was going to be alright. Shinosaki would be okay. Usagi came back to her happy self again and started to be cheery. "I'm going to go tell Luna and Artemis. Are you going to stay here?" Usagi asked Makoto. "I'm just going to call Shinosaki's parents, wait for them, explain what happened and go home." Makoto said. "Okay, we'll come tomorrow," Minako said. "Are you sure you're going to be alright? Do you want me to stay with you?" Ami asked. "No, everything's going to be fine," Makoto insisted. Everyone but Makoto left to go outside. Makoto thought about what she would tell Shinosaki's parents. She didn't want to lie, but she also didn't want to endanger the scouts. I'll just tell them to come here to the hospital, then when they get here, I'll tell them he fell off the cliff, Makoto thought. "No, they would want to know how he fell off," Makoto said to herself. She looked around and made sure no one saw her talk to herself. "I'll just say that he slipped when he got too close to the edge." Makoto went to the public telephone down the hall. She dialed the home phone number and hoped someone was home. "Moshi-moshi?" Someone on the other line picked up. "Hello, Mr. Miyake-sensei?" Makoto asked into the phone. "Hello, Mako-san. I was just about to call you. Do you know where Shinosaki is? He's suppose to be home by now. I was wondering if he was with you?" Mr. Miyake asked. (sensei means a form of respect to older people." Makoto gulped,"I'm at the hospital right now. Shinosaki is here." "What? Is he hurt? Did he get into an accident?" "No, he's going to be okay. Can you get over here?" Makoto asked. "I'll be right there. Which hospital are you at?" "Westside. Third floor, south wing." Makoto gave him the directions. "Thank you, I'll be right there." Makoto hung up the phone and returned to the waiting room. She saw a nurse come out of Shinosaki's room. She stopped the nurse, "Excuse me, when can I go in and see him?" The nurse smiled at Mako, "I'm sorry, he can't have visitors besides relatives right now." "But I really have to see him!" Makoto practicaly screamed. The nurse backed down, "I'm sorry, I have orders. You can see him through the window." Makoto walked up to the tinted window and looked in. Shinosaki was lying in bed. His head was bandaged and he looked peaceful. There was a tranquil expression on him, almost as if he was enjoying this. Makoto placed her hand against the cool glass, as if she could touch him by touching the glass. Thundering footsteps echoed through the halls. Mr. and Mrs. Miyake were here. Makoto turned around and faced them. A doctor followed them, telling them about the injury. After the doctor left, Mr. Miyake turned to Makoto, "How did he fall off the cliff?" Makoto looked down, ashamed of what she was doing, "It's all my fault. We were on the mountain and he got a little too close. I told him to be careful, but he slipped and fell. When I saw him, he was covered in blood and he was unconscious." Mr. Miyake put a hand on Makoto's shoulder, "It's okay. We know you didn't mean it." Mrs Miyake was drying her tears, "The good thing is that my son is going to be okay." "I'm sorry, Mrs. Miyake-sensei. I should have told him to be more careful." Makoto apologized. Mrs. Miyake looked at Makoto, "It wasn't your fault. You did all you could do. I heard you donated some blood to him. You did the right thing. Don't apologize for it." "You should get some sleep," Mr Miyake said, "You look beat." "I will," Makoto promised, "I'll come by after school to see if he's alright." "You are such a giving person. Shinosaki is so lucky to have found you." Mrs Miyake said as Makoto left. When Makoto got home, she sat exhausted on the couch. It felt like all this was a dream. A bad dream. Maybe everything from becoming a sensei till now is just a long dream. She didn't think that she would ever wake up. Makoto opened her textbook and tried to take her mind off of Shinosaki and concentrate on her work. She got halfway done when the phone rang. "Moshi-moshi?" Makoto said as she picked up the phone. "Mako-chan? This is Minako. How are you handling all of this? Are you okay?" Minako knew how much Shinosaki meant to her. She didn't want her friend to be alone and hurting at a moment like this when Shinosaki wasn't here. "Everything is fine," Makoto told her. "What did you tell his father?" "I told Shinosaki's parents that he slipped off the cliff. I hate lying to them, Mina-chan." Makoto confessed. "I do to, but we have to. If others find out about us, they can be in more danger than we would be in." Minako explained. Usually, she wasn't this smart, but she heard Luna say that once. "Are you going to visit him after you get off of school? I think he would be awake then." "Of course. I'll tell the others too." "Thanks. I have to go now, I have tons of homework." Makoto said. "Bye, see you tommorow." "Bye." Makoto looked down at her work. She didn't feel like doing it, but felt she had to. Shinosaki wouldn't want her to get a bad grade from worrying about him. She finished it off in another ten minutes. "I'm so tired," Makoto said to no one in particular. She took a quick shower and went straight to bed. ********************************************************* Shinosaki woke up with a pounding headache. He couldn't tell where it was. Everything was dark. There was a smell of alcohol and antibiotics in the air. His bedsheets were cold and uninviting. He reached up to rub his head and was surprised to see that his head was bandaged. He sat up and almost screamed from the ache in his head. He instinctivel reached over and felt for a lampswitch. Shinosaki couldn't find one. He could hear a dull ringing in his ear and tried to shake it off. Every inch he moved his head, the pounding in his head would get more intense. Out of the corner of his eye he could see an eerie light. "Don't attempt to turn on the light," a scratchy voice said. "What?" Shinosaki looked around. The eerie light took on a blue hue, growing lighter. Maybe I'm going crazy, Shinosaki thought. "You're not going crazy," the scratchy voice said sarcastically. "Where am I?" Shinosaki asked toward the light. "The hospital you fool." "Who are you?" "Loen, loyal sevant to the Negaverse." The blue light dissapeared and revealed a figure in a dark trenchcoat. Shinosaki immediately started his transformation, "Jupiter Po..." Shinosaki froze. He couldn't move. He couldn't even talk. It was as if he was paralyzed. Loen came face to face with him, "Don't you dare try that. I've been alive for centuries. I know what tricks you play. Now listen!" Shinosaki had no choice but to listen. "You are going to love what I cooked up for you," Loen continued, "You are going to serve the Negaverse. I know all that you could do. It's a shame to let all that energy just sit there and rot. You will no longer be Jupiter Knight." How does he know who I am? Shinosaki thought. "I know everything about you, I've been studying you." Loen said, reading his thoughts, "Now, I will know even more now that you will work for the Negaverse." I'm never going to turn to the Negaverse, Shinosaki thought angrily. He still couldn't move. "You'll go to the Negaverse weather you like it or not!" Loen said in a deathly tone. Shinosaki glared back defiently. He didn't even know how powerful this Loen was. "Prepare for the transfer!" Loen laughed evily, and took out a clear crystal the size of a dime on a leather rope. Shinosaki eyed it curiously. What was he going to do? Was he going to put jewelry on me? Shinosaki thought and almost laughed, if only he could move. Loen put the necklace around Shinosaki's neck and fastened it tightly. He stepped back and looked at it. It was just the right size. Loen pointed a crooked finger at the crystal and mumbled some words. Suddenly, a bright flash of light flew from his finger and to the crystal. Shinosaki felt nothing at first, then felt the fire. From the crystal, he felt the fire soaring through his body. There was a light bursting behind his eyes. For a minute, he was blind. Then, he could move. Shinosaki reached up and rubbed his eyes. When he took a look at his hands, he gasped. There was nothing different about his hands to regular people, but Shinosaki saw something different. He looked up at Loen, who was smiling the sinister smile. Everything looked different. No one could describe what he saw. It was like describing color to someone who's blind their whole life. Everything was so clear. He could define the different smells, color and shapes were now distinct, and he could see everything clearer. He could see the framed picture of a coastline on the wall, even thought everything was dark. "Looks different doesn't it?" Loen asked. "What did you do to me?" Shinosaki demanded. "When I need you, you'll come. Right now, just live your normal life. If you ever try to squeal about this, you'll be sorry." Loen dissapeared in a flash of light. Shinosaki still couldn't get use to what he was seeing. He noticed that there was no longer any pain in his head. He didn't feel any pain at all. He reached for the necklace. As soon as he touched it, a sharp pain shot through his body. He tried to take it off, but never managed to get even close. "Don't even try to do that," Loen's voice echoed through his mind. A brief image of him flashed through his head. Shinosaki tried to take it off using a scissor, but it was impossible to cut. He didn't know how to take it off. Everytie he reached for it, the pain was so unbearable he had to stop. Finally, too tired, he laid down in bed and went to sleep, hoping all of this was a dream. The minute he closed his eyes, thing weird things happened. He didn't remember falling asleep, only remembered dreaming. He had a disturbing dream that just wouldn't let him go. He was standing in a cave, the senshi were all around him, preparing to fight. He looked around to see what they were fighting and could see no enemy. Then, he realized they were all glaring at him. They were fighting him! He couldn't control his actions. He took a swing at Sailor Mars and knocked her to the wall. Shinosaki woke up sweating gallons. His pillow was soaked and he was panting. It was daylight and someone had come and opened the curtains. The light look especially bright. He could see the spectrum of colors in the usually white light. "Doesn't everything look better when you're with the Negaverse?" Loen's voice echoed. Shinosaki didn't bother answering it. The door to the hospital room opened. His parents walked in, both smiling. His mother rushed to him and hugged him. "I was so worried! When Makoto told me there was an accident, I thought it would be the end of you! Don't you ever dare slip off a cliff again!" A display of emotions flowed through his mother. First relief, then happiness, then anger. "Good to have you back, son." His father hugged him after his mother. "What happened while I was gone?" Shinosaki asked. "Nothing much. Makoto was worried about you. She'll be coming after school to visit you." Mrs Miyake told him. "Really?" "Yes, she really cares for you, Shinosaki-san. You take good care of her. It isn't everyday you meet someone so unselfish as she is." Mr Miyake told him. "I know. She's the greatest." Shinosaki started to drift off into the clouds again. "Does your head hurt, son?" Mrs Miyake asked. "I had a headache, but it went away." Shinosaki remembered WHY it went away. "We'll let you get some rest before the doctor comes in. You still look tired." Mrs Miyake and Mr Miyake left the room. Shinosaki tried again to pull the necklace off, but it hurt him too much to even reach for it. Whenever his hand got close enought to touch it, it was like a nine volt battery shooting through his whole body. ***************** Makoto shifted her bookbag to her other shoulder. She was walking as fast as she could to the hospital. Apparently, she missed the bus there and the next bus wouldn't be until 5:45. She could get there before then if she walked fast enough. She checked her watch, she could make it just before visiting hours are over. "Did you move Shinosaki Miyake to another room?" Makoto asked the orderly at the counter when she stepped onto the third floor. The orderly checked the computer and looked at her, "Yes. He's now in room 3D. I think his parents are in there right now." Makoto rushed to the room at the end of the hallway and looked in. Mr and Mrs Miyake were there, talking to Shinosaki. Makoto decided to wait outside in case they wanted to be alone or anything. After five minutes, her friends came and they all waited outside. "Is he awake?" Usagi asked. "Yes. It looks like he's wide awake now." Mamoru peered through the glass. "Don't spy on them, Mamoru-san." Ami said. "Sorry, uhh-umm!" Mamoru indicated the Usagi should not peek into the window either. "When are they going to come out?" Minako asked imapatiently, looking at her watch. The door opened and Mr and Mrs Miyake came out. "Hello Makoto, Shinosaki was just asking for you." Mrs Miyake said. "Good afternoon," Makoto said, trying to be polite. "Who are your friends?" Mr Miyake asked. "Oh, this is Minako, Usagi, Ami, Rei and Mamoru. They are friends of Shinosaki." "Hello. We have to leave now, sorry to be in such a hurry. Shinosaki is scheduled to check out tomorrow morning and I have to clean his room." Mrs. Miyake started to go. "Bye," they all said. "Good bye." Makoto and the others went into Shinosaki's hospital room. He was staring at his hands and moving them as if he never saw them before. "Shino-chan!" Makoto went over and hugged him. "Mako-chan, good to see you." Shinosaki put down his hands and hugged her back. "How are you feeling, Shino-san?" Mamoru asked. "Just tired. My whole body feels like a wreck, though." Shinosaki joked. "Did you have any loss of memory or anything?" Ami asked, concerned that he might forget he's a shenshi. "No, but something weird happened." Shinosaki was about to tell them about Loen, but stopped. A sharp pain shot from his feet up into his head and his muscles clenched up. "Don't you dare tell!" Loen's voice said to him. "Shino-chan, what's wrong?" Makoto asked with a frown. "I-" Shinosaki stopped. He saw Makoto start to shake. "What's wrong, Mako-chan?" Usagi asked, also noticing Makoto shiver. "I don't know, all of a sudden it got really cold." Makoto exclaimed. "Are you cold right now?" Shinosaki asked. "Not anymore," Makoto said. "Try it again and your girlfriend is a popsicle," Loen said to him. "What were you going to say?" Minako asked. Shinosaki couldn't risk Makoto's life on this so he lied, "Nothing. It wasn't important." "VISITING HOURS WILL BE OVER IN FIVE MINUTES." The intercom outside boomed. Makoto turned to her friends, "Can I talk to Shinosaki alone for a few minutes?" "Sure, we'll leave." Mamoru tugged on Usagi. "Bye Shino-san, Get well soon. We'll see you tomorrow." Minako said and walked out the door with the others. Shinosaki looked at Makoto who was just studying him closely, "What are you doing?" "There's something wrong isn't there?" Makoto asked, surprising him. "No." "Shino-chan, we've known each other too long. You're hiding something." Makoto could read him like a book. Shinosaki was thinking about telling her about Loen, but he saw her begin to shiver again. "Cold?" Makoto relaxed, "No, just a case of the chills." "Are you sure?" "Not really. C'mon Shino-chan, what are you hiding?" She asked, smiling at him like it was a joke. "Nothing!" He surprised the both of them with this outburst. "Okay, if you want to talk about it, I'm here." Makoto said when she got over the outburst. Her's eyes shifted to the necklace, "Hey, what's that?" Just as Makoto was about to touch it, Shinosaki grabbed her wrist, "Don't touch it." "Why?" "Just don't." Makoto tried to reach it with her other hand, but Shinosaki was too quick for it. "Where did you get it? Another girlfriend?" Makoto asked. Shinosaki looked down he hated lying to her, "No. My parents gave it to me." "So why can't I touch it?" "I don't want fingerprints on it." Shinosaki gave a feeble lie. Makoto was silent for a while. She was thinking hard, he could tell. "ALL VISITORS NEED TO LEAVE NOW" the intercom boomed. "Bye," Shinosaki said to her. Makoto bent down and gave him a kiss on the forehead, "Bye. I hope you feel better." Or more like yourself, she thought and left. She didn't know what was wrong with Shinosaki. He changed. Maybe it was the head injury or something. On the bus home, Makoto tried to think what was wrong with Shinosaki. It was like he was a different person. His eyes didn't sparkle the way they use to. Maybe getting this close to death does that to a person. But Mamoru and Usagi didn't change even though they've been in danger a lot. "Isn't this your stop?" The bus driver asked Makoto. He was wearing a big straw hat that his his face. "How did you know?" Makoto asked, surprised that this bus driver knew where she got off. "I am an experienced driver. I take my job seriously." The man said in a scratchy voice that resembled scratching a black board. "Thank you," Makoto got off and waited for the bus to pass her. She didn't want the driver to see which house down the block she lived in. The bus driver waited for her to enter a house, but she was too smart for her own good. She just stood waiting. Finally, he started the bus and glared down at Makoto. The bus took off with a roar. "He looks so familiar!" Makoto said the second the bus left. She had seen a peak of his face and knew that she saw him somewhere. She just couldn't remember where. In the comfort of her own home, Makoto took off her shoes and changed into more comfortable clothes. She set the rice steamer to cook dinner and went into her room to do some homework. Luckily, she didn't have that much homework that day and was done a few minutes earlier than planned. She went into the kitchen and checked her rice. * * * * * * "Are you going to the hospital afterschool to see Shino-san go home?" Usagi asked. "Yes," Makoto thought about the way he acted yesterday. He acted like a stranger, "Are you going?" "We're not all that familiar with Shino-san. I think he would rather talk with you alone. He would be more comfortable that way." Ami suggested. Makoto thought about what she said. It was true. If it wasn't for her, Shino-chan wouldn't know her other friends. He went to another school and lived at another district. They wouldn't even know each other if it wasn't for the senshi business. "I'll go straight after school. Then I'll meet you at Rei-chan's temple and we'll do homework." Makoto said once she realized they were staring at her. She probably got spacey again. "I already finished half of my homework during study hall. I think I should be at least twenty chapters ahead by the end of the school day." Ami declared. "Ughh!" Makoto and Usagi hung their head in shame. They weren't even a chapter ahead. Usagi was actually a chapter behind the rest of the class. "Ami-chan! I command you to stop going ahead of the class!" Usagi shouted. "But I like to study. It keeps my mind busy." Ami replied. "Ami-chan, how can you do this. You are making us look bad." Makoto asked. If the teacher was grading on a curve, Usagi and her would be failing. * * * * * * * Makoto entered the hospital for the second day. On the way up on the elevator, she had a rendezvous with Shinosaki's parents. "Konnichiwa, Mr Miyake, Mrs Miyake." Makoto bowed in respect. "Konnichiwa, Makoto. We were just bringing Shinosaki's things down." Mr. Miyake lifted up a medium sized suitcase. "Is he ready to go?" Makoto asked. "Yes. To save an extra trip, can you bring him down on the wheel chair? We will be waiting in front with the car." Mrs Miyake asked. Makoto was surprised, "Is something wrong with him? Can't he walk anymore?" Mr Miyake and Mrs Miyake exchanged glances and laughed, "Ofcourse he can walk. It is just a policy that patients come out with a wheelchair to avoid further accident." "Oh," Makoto blushed at her ignorance with hospital policy. Ami should have told her that, since Mrs Mizuno was a doctor. When Makoto got off the elavator, she headed for Shinosaki's room. She stopped at the door an knocked. "Come in." "Konnichiwa, Shino-chan. How are you feeling?" Makoto asked as she pranced over to his bed. Shinosaki was sitting on the edge, trying to button his shirt. Much to his dismay, he couldn't. His ribs were wrapped in gauze, which made it hard for him to move. "I'd feel better if I could button my shirt," Shinosaki muttered. Makoto stood infront of him, "Here, let me help you." She buttoned it one by one and straightened his collar. She was careful not to touch the strange necklace to avoid the sudden outburst he had yesterday. "Arigatou," Shinosaki said when she was done. Makoto didn't get up. She looked up into his face, seeing if he truely was himself yet. Shinosaki took her hands in his and brought it up to his mouth. He kissed the tip of her fingers and looked into her eyes. Shinosaki was about to kiss Makoto when a voice rang out in his head. "So, you like this girl don't you?" It was the same scratchy voice. He knew it was Loen. Shinosaki didn't want to put Makoto in danger so he did what he had to do. He let go of her hand, and turned his face as cold as stone. "Can we go yet?" he demanded. Makoto looked strangely at Shinosaki to see if he was playing a trick on her or not. The expression on his face turned into a sneer. "Well?" He demanded again. Makoto went to the other side of the room and brought over the wheelchair. Shinosaki got into it without a word and sat. "Shino-chan, you're not acting like yourself." Makoto said while she wheeled him out, "Are you having a problem?" Shinosaki growled, "Maybe you're the one with the problem! Faster!" Makoto stopped dead and faced him, "I don't know who you are anymore, but I want my old, sweet, nice Shinosaki back." "Maybe you should just leave then," Shinosaki said dead calm. Makoto didn't say anything until they got to the lobby and Shinosaki was in the car. "I hope you get better," she said sarcastically and walked away. Shinosaki's parents stared after her, having no idea what happened. "What's between you two?" Mrs Miyake asked. Shinosaki looked out the tinted windows at the figure of Makoto walking away, her ponytail bouncing almost angrily. "Nothing, she's just in a bad mood," he lied. He hated lying, but they came to him so easily now. He hated treating Makoto this way, but if he showed affection to her, Loen might use her to blackmail him into something. "Are you sure?" Mr Miyake asked. "Yes!" Shinosaki snapped at his father. * * * * * * That's it. Wait for my other chapter. You should know the mail by now. I love getting mail so mail me as much as you want.