Usagi, Vampire Slayer chptr. 15 By Danielle Nikita1041@aol.com Hey everyone! I am so so so so so so sorry that you all had to wait so long for this part to come out, but with the increase in school responsibilities due to my graduation, I am sure you all can forgive me. Well, I can promise you all that the stories will pick up from here, because I have time this summer before I start college, so stay tuned. I hope this chapter makes you all think the wait was worth it, and please send me comments, because comments keep the story alive. Disclaimer: I don?t own sailor moon, or any other works that I may have borrowed from, knowingly or unknowingly. ************************************************************************ ~ Must be the eyes. ~ she thought to herself. She tried to move away from Mamoru?s embrace, but found it impossible, due to his tight hold on her. ?You don?t need to stay here with me, Mamoru,? She said, using his given name instead of her nickname for him. ?I don?t need your sympathy.? ?You hurt me, Usako. I love you, and so I try to help you with any problems you may be going through, but you wont let me. Why won?t you let me help you?? ?Because even you can?t help me with this. This is the battle I must fight and win alone...? ?Why can?t I help?? ?Because, Mamoru, you are the prize. She thinks of you as a trophy, and thus when the battle happens, you must act accordingly. If you do not, all could be lost. I will fight better knowing that she cannot use you against me in our fight.? Usagi said, no longer struggling to remove herself from Mamoru?s embrace, but instead leaned back into it, her head resting just below his chin. He smiled slightly, and tightened his arms around her. She took this quiet moment to look around at the meadow, and vibrant colors assaulted her senses, making her blink. Everywhere there was green, and they sky was the most beautiful shade of blue that she had ever seen, Mamoru would later remember that sky as the color of Usagi?s eyes before her change. * Bong * ?Usako.....its time to leave.? * Bong, Bong * ?I know, Mamo-chan, but I don?t want to leave you.? * Bong, Bong, Bong * ?I will always be here for you, Usako, just call out to me with your heart, and you will get a reply. * Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong * ?Mamo-chan, I love you.? * Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong, Bong * ?I love you too, always will.? And then her world faded out. ************************************************************************ Usagi woke with a start, and became painfully aware of the cold bathwater, and the candles having all but burned out. ~ I suppose I should get out of this cold water and into my nice warm bed. ~ She thought to herself, and began to pull herself from the bathwater. She stepped onto the fluffy bathmat, and began wrapping a towel around her body to absorb some of the moisture before donning her plush robe. As she re-entered her bedroom, she found Haruka waiting for her. ?Haruka? What is it? Is something wrong?? ?No, Usa-chan, nothing is wrong.? She sighed. ?I just needed to talk with you.? ?What about?? Usagi asked as she looked for her pajamas. ?About the crystal. I know that you need Michiru and I to give you ours, but we can?t. If we could, I would gladly give them to you right this moment, but to do so would mean....? ?Would mean what?? Usagi asked, now sitting on the bed, staring intently at Haruka. ?Would mean Michiru would be taken from me.? Haruka said, running a hand rakishly through her sandy blond hair. Sighing, she continued. ?Michiru isn?t normal, Usa-chan. Your mother created her for me, as payment for my loyal services. After being your tutor in martial arts for all those years, as well as Lady Rei?s tutor, I asked to be set free, and your mother agreed. As payment for my loyalty, she gave me ample payment as means of a pension, and created Michiru for me, and let me free to live in peace and comfort. Michiru?s crystal is her means of life, and to give that to you would destroy her existence.? Haruka finished, watching Usagi?s amazed expression. ?Haruka, I.........I never knew.......I.....I?m sorry.? She stuttered out, still not really able to believe all she had been told. She took a deep breath and then another, and then continued. ?I know all you say to be true, but I can repair this problem. I just need a fraction of the crystal to fulfill the purpose I have for them all.? ?And the portion you leave her will perform the same function it always has?? Haruka asked. ?Yes, it will. With your permission, I would like to bisect the crystal, so that we both get what we need.? ?Yes, yes, if this works as you say, then I gladly give my permission.? Haruka said, happiness clearly written on her features. ?And you still are gonna need my crystal, right?? ?Yes, I still need your topaz crystal, and with the portion of Michiru?s aquamarine crystal, I can be on my way.? Usagi said. ?Good! Well, we will settle all this in the morning, Usa-chan. You and I both need sleep, so I will see you in the morning.? Haruka said, obviously pleased. She left the room, and Usagi climbed under the covers, and as her head hit the pillow, she was asleep. **************************************************************** * Dreamscape * **************************************************************** Usagi found herself in a room, colored in black and blue. It appeared to be a bedroom, and was richly furnished. ~ Well, this is a damn sight different from the meadow. ~ she thought to herself. ?Usako, is that you?? She heard the familiar voice say. ?Yes, Mamo-chan, its me. Why are we here instead of the meadow?? Usagi asked, looking still around the room. ?Because I wanted you here, where I could control things.? Mamoru?s voice said. ?What? What are you talking about? Why would you want to control things?? Usagi asked, her voice conveying her confusion. ?Because my dear,? the voice drawled, becoming more feminine, ?I don?t want you fraternizing with my husband to be.? ?Mother!? Usagi exclaimed. ?Where is Mamoru? What have you done with him?? ?He is safe, ?daughter?, safer than you are right now. The clock is ticking you know, our wedding is set for the night after our ?battle?, in which I am sure to be victorious.? ?Don?t be so sure, ?Mother?. As the saying goes, don?t count your chickens before they hatch. I WILL win, and then I will be rid of you.? Usagi returned, full of quiet anger. ?Just remember, ?daughter?, the clock is ticking. You only have a few more days until the day of reckoning.? The queen said, then disappeared, causing the dream to fade out. **************************************************************** Usagi awoke with her fists clenched, ready for a battle. She got out of bed, and walked into the bathroom so that she could prepare for the day ahead. She filled the sink with warm water and began to wash her face, only stopping when all the soap had gone. She grabbed her towel and as she dried her face, she glanced into the mirror, and gasped slightly. ~ I really have changed! ~ she thought to herself. Her reflection was an exact copy of that in her dream, right down to the shade of her eyes. Glancing away, not allowing herself to peer into to mirror longer, she finished drying her face, and re-entered the bedroom the find clothes for the day. She decided on a pair of black khaki pants, a dark blue under shirt, and a navy overshirt, buttoned toward the bottom. After putting her hair up into a high ponytail, she set out barefoot towards the solarium. When she arrived, she headed towards the center, near the fishpond, and sat down near it to meditate. ?Ra Tsu Chi Ra Tsu Chi.........? ************************************************************************ A few hours later Haruka walked into the solarium only to find Usagi sitting rigidly upright and staring into the fishpond. She walked over to her and shook Usagi gently. ?Usa-chan, are you all right? Usa-chan............Usagi!? Usagi still didn?t budge. After a few more attempts to wake Usagi, Haruka all but ran from the solarium to find Michiru. She ran out of the solarium and down the hallway to the music room, where the sweet strains of Michiru?s violin could be heard. Without any warning, Haruka burst into the room, startling Michiru. ?Haruka!! What?s wrong??? Michiru asked, worried at her partners behavior. ?Its Usagi, she.....she won?t wake up! I tried and tried.......? Haruka could barely speak, and was shaking all over. Michiru took Haruka into her arms immediately, whispering comforting words until she stopped shaking. ?Michiru, you must help her, I don?t think anyone else can.? Haruka finally said. ?Of course I will help Usa-chan. Show me where she is.? Michiru said, and waited for Haruka to guide her. Haruka took her back to the fishpond where Usagi still sat peering into it, unmoving. Michiru motioned for Haruka to stay behind as she walked toward Usagi. ?Usagi, Usa-chan, can you hear me?? Michiru asked calmly. ?I can hear you, Michiru. I am not deaf.? Usagi dazedly replied. ?Why won?t you respond to Haruka?s calling?? ?I was unable to respond.......I was not ready......? ?What do you mean not ready? Was someone stopping your responses?? ?No one but myself, Michiru. I am readying myself for the next phase in my journey, I am sorry to have caused alarm.? ?It is no problem, Usa-chan. Can you wake now?? ?If that is what would make you most comfortable. I am almost done anyway.? Usagi replied, eyes still riveted to the fishpond. ?Please do wake up now, Usa-chan. Then I think we will have breakfast.? Usagi?s form nodded, and a moment later Usagi stood up and smiled at Michiru, and then hugged Haruka and apologized. ?I am sorry, Haruka. I did not intend to frighten you.? ?Its all right, Usa-chan. No apology needed. Now lets go eat.? Haruka said, smiling at Usagi, who nodded enthusiastically, and taking Michiru by the hand, they went to the kitchen. ?Oh by the way, Usa-chan, I like the new look. Especially the eyes.? Haruka said, and then winked, causing Usagi to color slightly. Haruka laughed and draped her arm over Usagi?s shoulders. **************************************************************** Later, after breakfast had passed, and Michiru had excused herself to the Music room, Haruka and Usagi sat talking in the livingroom. ?So, Usa-chan, do you still want to try and bisect Michiru?s crystal?? ?Yes, Haruka, but only if you are OK with it. I really need that crystal, but I will respect Michiru and yours wishes.? ?I talked it over with Michiru, and she has agreed to let you do it.? Haruka said, and handed Usagi the citrine and aquamarine crystals. ?I warn you, however, that should anything happen to Michiru because of this, you should leave immediatly. I love you like a sister, but I will not be responsible for my actions should you delay much afterwards. But I trust you, I know you wouldn?t do this if you didn?t think Michiru would be all right.? ?I am sure she will be fine, Haruka, there is nothing to worry about. Now, why don?t you go keep Michiru company while I do this.? Usagi said, and with a nod, Haruka left to join Michiru in the music room. As soon as she was gone, Usagi looked down at the two crystals, sighed, and changed. Now in her vampire form, she could cut the crystal. Using her nail, she sliced off a rectangular portion of the aquamarine crystal, and a rectangular portion of the citrine crystal. Then she touched the two portions together, and they instantly joined, forming the crystal Usagi needed, the citramarine crystal. Smiling to herself, she pocketed the citramarine, and went to the music room to return the citrine and aquamarine crystals to their rightful owners. ************************************************************************ *Florence international airport* ************************************************************************ ?Thankyou for everything Haruka, Michiru. I won?t forget the kindnesses you gave me during my brief stay with you.? Usagi said, embracing the two women tightly. ?Usa-chan, there is that little thing about us needing to breathe......? Haruka managed to get out. Usagi immediatly let go and laughed, Haruka and Michiru joining in. ?I am really going to miss you both, but I will be back, and this time, I?ll bring Mamoru with me. I promise.? ?Take care, Usa-chan. We know you can fulfill your destiny.? Michiru said, smiling at Usagi, who smiled warmly back. ?Flight 45673 to New York is now boarding at gate 34g. All passengers.......? ?Look like my flight is ready, so I have to head out.? Usagi said. ?I?ll be sure to tell Setsuna that you send your greetings.? And with a final hug and a wave, Usagi decended the ramp and entered the plane. ************************************************************************