Miru by Black Beyond ******************* It was two days later, and we were very nervous. Very very nervous. By this time we were certain the Neo Senshi were senshi. They knew I was a senshi. Maybe not exactly the one they expected, but a senshi, nontheless. They were going to introduce me as Neo Sailor Saturn, and somehow I was stuck, by Sailor Pluto's request, (that woman loves to screw around with my life) as the leader of the Neo Senshi. Neo Sailor Moon was not going to make an appearence. She was still in the coma. Diana was sobbing somewhere in the palace. She truely did love her mistress. Luna and Artemis sat, sober-faced, beside Queen Serenity, who was staring at the throng of people with unseeing eyes. King Endymion was reassuring her, trying to tell her everything was going to be alright, and that she had to introduce us, the seven nervous kids with henshin sticks concealed in their hands that were spread throughout the crowd of people, talking to old friends while keeping an eye on the Elder Senshi and King and Queen, who in turn were keeping an eye on us. "Miru-chan, I haven't seen you in ages! When you didn't come to school, I asked, and they said you'd been transferred!" Beth was really getting on my nerves. "Yeah, I kind of was." "Well? When I asked your aunt she said she'd gotten notice you were living with another realitive." "Beth, after the ceremonies I'll tell you. I want to watch the senshi." "I heard that the new senshi never go out of the palace because there's some new gung-ho attack on Crystal Tokyo." Beth whispered. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Hiko give me a sympathic look. It seems she was having problems with her boyfriend. "Where did you hear that?" "Oh, there's been thousands of rumors!" Oh, really? Add to 'Kill After I Kill Person Who Put Princess Into Coma' list: People who started nasty rumors. "The ceremonies are starting! Come on, Miru!" Yumi rescued both Hiko and I and we ran up to stand off in a corner, away from the rest of the people. Our 'friends' followed us. I pointed to the podium, where Serenity had stepped up to the microphone. "May I have your attention?" She asked. Everyone looked her way. She continued with a slightly sad expression, "As some of you have now heard, we have found the Neo Sailor Senshi. They are in the crowd somewhere, but as I call your Senshi name, please come up to the podium after henshining." That was our cue to move throughout the crowd, remained semi-close to the podium. Beth, of course, followed me. "Neo Sailor Mercury!" I heard gasps as Tenshi transformed and made her way up to stand beside Elder Mercury. "Neo Sailor Venus." Hiko was closer to me than the others, and as she henshined and went to stand beside the Incredibly Ditzy Sailor Venus, Beth rolled her eyes. "Oh my god! I can't believe she's a senshi" "Hiko is a friend of mine, Beth." I said, so she'd shut up. And so it went, to Mars, Jupiter, skipping me, to Uranus, and then Neptune. I grinned at Hotaru, who smiled ever so faintly back. "The leader of Neo Sailor Senshi, Neo Sailor Saturn." The Queen's eyes went to me, and I stepped away from Beth, raising my arm in the air. "Here's your answer, Beth." I muttered to her. "Saturn Planet Power, Make up!" Just before the fire dome enclosed me, I saw her eyes go wide. She deserved that. The crowd parted for me as I made my way to the podium, the lights glinting off my extremely noticable glaive. I took my place beside Hotaru-chan. Everyone had fallen deathly silent. I don't think anyone expected a Neo Sailor Saturn. I mean, sure, one senshi of death and rebirth? Sure, no problem. She loves the Queen to damn much to destroy the world. But a new, unpredictable senshi of death and rebirth? That's something to fear. We waited patiently until the Queen finished explaining that the new assault was unknown, and that no panic was needed. And then we were able to go into the crowds again. Super Sailor Saturn and I remained frozen. I knew why I was frozen. If I moved, I was going to get sick. The death smell on the winds was so strong that it was like being locked in a ten by ten room full of dead, decaying bodies. Haruka and Michiru were at our sides when they noticed that we weren't moving. I couldn't move. "Haruka-papa, get the queen out of here..." Hotaru whispered, just as Elder Mars grabbed Serenity and dragged her from the room. I thought I was stronger, but I collapsed to my knees. I couldn't help it. It was making me sick, all true and reality. "Miru, are you alright?" Michiru asked. I nodded. It was beginning to grow weaker, and I was able to stand back up, using my glaive as support. There were two seconds of silence. And then the ever recognizable breaking of crystal glass windows. Elder and Neo Venus took action, helping the people leave the room. But I was pissed off. "Saturn, I'm powering up." I told her. She nodded. "That would be wise, Century." She answered me, and I smiled. I don't think Serneity would have minded, because this time, the youma had a leader. "FOREVER CENTURY MAKE UP!" Elder Neptune, who was standing more or less beside me, jumped away at the shock of another, a new, transformation. "The senshi of mists and thunder, I stand for Death and Life, Healing and Destruction! I am the Imperial Sailor Century!" Everyone froze. It gave Saturn and I time to attack. "Death Ribbon Entangle!" "Silence Glaive Apply!" This gave the senshi a cue, and they sent their own attacks forward, a mess of thunder, fire, ice, water, and electricity. But it worked effectivily. But their leader, a man only too familar to me, his name on the tip of my tongue but not quite there. "So, you've discovered the weakness of my army, Sailor Senshi. Oh, well. It does not matter. I care not for your Crystal Tokyo." His laugh rose above the noise, his youma falling silent. "Then what do you want?" Elder Venus shouted. "Her." His gloved hand was pointed at me. Deja vu.... "Kiori!" I gasped. "Oh, you do remember me, Sailor Century! I'm so pleased." A flash of thunder... a man reaching towards me... I retaliate... he throws an attack of white power... Sailor Pluto cries out in terror as it slams into me... the Time Dome shatters.... The Senshi run for cover, not knowing what happened... the Queen stepps up to face his minion... Where are these flashbacks coming from?! "Did you do that to Chibi-usa?" Neo Mercury was asking, as I came back to reality. "Of course!" he laughed. Suddenly, like someone had thrown a bomb at a floodgate, everything hit me at once. I had lived before. I realized that before anything else. I had been reborn. This was my reborn form. And Kiori... "Back off, you jerk." I moved to the head of the senshi. He'd killed me once. Not again. "Oh, my dear sister! Why, pray tell, would I do such a thing?" "Death Reborn..." I began to chant. I raised my glaive and moved it like one would stir something, dark clouds forming in it's wake. "You wouldn't dare..." Kiori gasped. "Oh, I would. Watch me. You know all too well I do not make idle threats. The first time, the time streams. This time, this whole reality. It's your move." "Century, don't!" Terror shone in Hotaru's eyes. She knew I would. I knew I would. Think of it. A year ago, I was a schoolgirl that thought her dreams were the only things keeping her alive. Right then, I was a warrior with no heart, ready to destroy everything dear and everything not. "Leave now, Kiori." I whispered. "I'll be back! Youma, charge!" Kiori shouted, and disappeared in a flash of black thunder. Would Fate allow his return again? I didn't have time to ponder, for the next thing I felt was a sharp pain-- And then ever so blessed blackness. ****************** "Miru? Miru-chan, wake up, please." I could hear a faint voice. Slowly, the feeling returned to my body, but I gave no indictication of such. It was Haruka speaking. "Miru, we didn't really get off on the right foot, did we? With you scaring the shit out of me and all. WHich was your fault. But The Neos really seem to care about you, girl. And we all know you're stronger than any of the Elders. Pluto told us everything yesterday. I can't believe that you're older than Sets. Oh, well. The impossible does happen. "Off of that, though. I just thought I'd come in and see if you were awake yet. You've been out for an awfully long time though-- but that youma konked you on the head pretty good. I just hope you do wake up-- you know? You're as good a leader as Sailor Moon was to us--" She paused for a minute, and I felt a drop of water hit my hand. It took me a minute to realize that Haruka was crying. "You're just like I was, Miru. When i started out, I was just as confused and screwed up as you are. But you adjust fast. So did I. You don't have any real family. Neither did I. We're so alike-- but so different. A puzzle with the solution so close you can't even see it." I was awed. No offenense, Haruka-lovers out there, but my impression of Sailor Uranus was the same as the one I've got of a brick wall. A brick wall made of ice. Where's a tape-recorder when you need it? "I hope you get better, Brat. You're the only one than can fight Kiori. You're the only one with the strength and power to. And maybe-- when you wake up-- I'll tell you again how sorry I am for avoiding you these past weeks." There was a rush of air in the room as she stood up. I felt her pause just as she opened the door. "You know what? I've never told anyone before--" she paused. "But, if I could have anything, I want to be the wind. I've seen a bunch of movies, and yeah, I know this is the part where I 'weakly' open my eyes and say, "I didn't know ya cared, Ruka-chan." And then she was gone, and the door shut after her. Sorry. There wasn't any use to tell haruka I heard every word of her speech. There was no need. Because even if she never repeated it when I was 'awake', the point was that she felt the way she did, and that she really did care. I opened my eyes and styared up at the ceiling. "I really didn't know you cared, Tenoh Haruka." I murmured softly. It felt good to talk, like I hadn't done so for a long time. I wondered just how long I'd been in here-- a room I recognized as one of the many 'special' infirmiary rooms that only palace people were allowed to occupy. It looked just like a hospital room, damn cheery looking windows and all. I felt so sleepy... ~*~*~* I awoke some time later, minutes, hours, days, who knows? This time, it was Yumi talking to me. And I was sick of sleeping. "Yumi, my throat's dry as hell. Could you get me something to drink?" I demanded hoarsely. She shrieked. "Shh, quiet down, would you? I don't want anyone seeing me until I can walk." "You're awake?" "It's not the first time. I just didn't feel like telling Haruka I was awake. She was pouring her heart out, and I didn't want to spoil it." I muttered, ripping the many curious needles out of my arm. "Anyway, Yumi, how long have I been asleep?" "Well-- Haruka was only here once, and that was about a week ago." "WHAT?!" "Yup. Before that, it was almost a month, Miru. We've been so worried about you. You suffered a concussion and a thousand other brain and spinal damages. Ami and Tenshi are half scared you'll never wake up." "Any youma attacks?" "A few. Kiori seems to know you were in a coma-like state. He seemed really pissed about it too." Yumi watched doubtfully as I pulled myself up into a sitting position. "He should be, that sadonistic bastard." "You remember him?" "Crystal clearly. If I didn't feel so damned sleepy-- what kind of drugs have you guys been feeding me-- I'd go temporal his ass out of this dimension." "Ami put you on a real heavy drug. I'm not sure what it's called." "Well, she's gonna get an earful." To get the drugs out of my system, I transformed into Sailor Century, and then dehenshined, the fire burning away any inpurities. I felt a lot better, and ten times stronger as I stood up. "Remind me to kill Tenshi." I said to Yumi. "Now, you're going to tell me everything about the last five weeks, and the statis of the princess. Got it?" She nodded. There had been no change in the Princess's condition, and there had been a total of seven youma assaults. They'd been easy to take care of. Saturn had been here every day, along with bi- daily visits from the Neo senshi and more or less daily from the others, with hourly visits from either Ami or Tenshi. Haruka had been busy training the Neos. I didn't mind. I was just happy I woke up for Haruka's visit. I remembered her last words. "You don't have to wish, Haruka. You already are the wind." I whispered softly, before taking the support of Yumi's shoulder. Hello, world! Didja miss me? ~*~*~* The reaction I got from Tenshi, when I stepped out the room, Yumi at my side, was an extremely loud 'EEEEEEEKK!' and then 'THUMP!', which was the sound made when she fainted. Yumi started laughing, while I tried to decide whether I could stand up on my own. I finally thought I'd rather look weak that end up like Tenshi. Where is everyone, Yumi?" I asked. "Well, all the Neos are training or looking over the princess. The Elders are somewhere... who knows? And the Starlights are standing gaurd over the Queen and King. You know what?" She leaned in close to tell me a secret. "I think that Seiya-- Sailor Star Fighter-- has a crush on Serenity." "That's a dream that will go no where." But I giggled, in spite of myself. "Hey-- Miru-- what was that transformation you used when Kiori attacked?" Yumi asked, as she led me to the East Wing of the palace, where Serenity's bedroom was, where Serenity had been for over a week. "It's my highest form. Like this," I held up my henshin stick in one of those crazy poses that the Elder Senshi used to do in First Tokyo. "A pretty soldier in a sailor suit, I fight for Love and Justice! I am Sailor Century! Accept your punishment in the name of the Mist!" We broke broke into uncontrollable laughter. "So glad to know you apreciate our carefully worked out speeches." We whirled around, just in time for me to catch a glimpse of Rei before she wrapped me in a bear hug, choking me. ~*~*~*~* Once again, any questions, comments, complaints, etc, Send to black_beyond@hotmail.com.