Shayla knelt next to the Princess and reached out. Serenity grasped her hand an together they sent healing into the fallen Star Knight. Normally Serenity alone could handle anything. Together they should have been able to bring Suteko to full blooming health but due to her nature and the creature who inflicted the wound it was not a complete heal. The skin grew over her back, the awful burned flesh smell receding but the Star Knight stayed unconscious. This was too much like her first coma.
Finally Serenity powered down to Usagi and sent a troubled look to Shayla. The bubbly princess was worried. Mamaru moved forward and gently picked up Suteko and they all moved back to Setsuna’s home.
Mina lagged behind with Rei and Makato. They scanned the street for any more pieces of the Tengu. Years of fighting had taught them to do a complete follow through after each battle. Venus was troubled by the demon figures.
“Rei, was that beast being normal for Tengu?" As the most experienced fighter of the inner Senshi, Venus had fought many monsters. She knew that the traditional creatures and monsters existed but generally they didn’t attack anyone associated with the Moon kingdom.
Rei shook her head. "No. Tengu don’t go after creatures of Light. They usually attack those who are selfish or greedy.” She turned troubled eyes back toward the house. “It makes no sense. Unicorn is far from those things. Ami spent a week with her and she found her sad but just like one of us. That Tengu should have gone after her enemies, not her.”
The two Senshi headed in for a much different meeting than they had been told.
Mamaru gently lay Suteko down on the guest bed, resting her on her stomach. When she transformed back the t-shirt she had worn was as burned as her uniform. Usagi and Shayla had managed to heal the massive burn to something more like a bad sunburn. He was gently ushered out of the room by his bride, Shayla and Ami. It was obvious they planned on doing more for the Star Knight. He turned back to scan the outer room. The groupings about the room showed that the teams still hadn’t managed to mesh. Walking over to the Kouhei he started asking questions directly to Sailor Rage. It was obvious that in this battle the Kouhei would be strategically important.
Gregor stifled, his usual reaction to the lone male of the Senshi group. He pulled out all his politeness and answered the questions of the Prince of the Earth. It was obvious that Mamaru was not just a token male. He had a head for details and he had spotted Jaeoh during the battle. He had recognized the leader of the Kouhei.
“Why didn’t he join in the fight, Gregor? His powers would have been very useful.”
Gregor darted a look toward Hana. The Time warrior looked up and slowly shook her head once before turning back to her quiet conversation with Iriko.. “Jaeoh has no powers, Prince. He lost them in the battle with the Negaverse.”
Mamaru lifted a brow and crossed his arms. “Did he? Are you sure?” He understood losing his powers. He also understood still wanting to help. He went through a time much like the Leader of the Kouhei’s. “I have a feeling powers or no he ill be around a lot more.”
Over the past few weeks he had seen the dark haired man watching the diminutive Star Knight. Though he rarely talked to her the look on his face as the woman collapsed in his arms was clear. It was only by chance that Tuxedo Mask had looked over as the Star Knight pushed away from Jaeoh and leapt into battle.
The former Draco had automatically reached for something and looked torn. Like he desperately wanted to protect the Star Knight but knew he shouldn’t reveal himself.
“Why was he there Matten. Could it be he has gotten attached to someone?”
Gregor started to deny the idea but paused. Over the past few weeks had had been sparring with Jaeoh. While it seemed they never met he had noticed a distraction whenever she had been in to practice. The Senshi and Kouhei had been given a room to practice in exclusively but Gregor had noticed that Jaeoh had allowed Suteko into the more private training room. It was small, no more than ten by ten but the small knight had been working on some type of contained yoga thing. It was extremely slow but it definitely was a workout.
Not sure how to deal with his questions and his nominal ruler, he debated just what to say. He had heard of the battle for the Prince and even understood the quiet Minervan was vitally important to the release of the prince.
Leaning back against the wall he studied Mamaru before answering. “Draco has always been a loner but he was a strong leader. Some how he gathered together the Kouhei and molded us into a working team. It could be he is trying to fit the Knight into a team.” That didn’t sound right to either the Prince or Rage. While she was now a lone Star Knight, she was still part of a whole.
“Neither of you are right you know.” The men looked over to Iriko and Hana. Iriko blushed but continued. “Jaeoh, your leader, he is reacting with a mix of man and leader. He feels the need to contribute and by letting us all train in his private dojo he has made a start.”
Hana nodded, hiding her smile behind her hair. “Have you seen that always the teams are mixed together. A few at a time?”
Mamaru smiled at the two shy women. “It makes for interesting conversations.”
Silently Gregor agreed. So far he had sparred with Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus. Each warrior had distinctly different styles and powers. He had yet to be paired up with the Prince or the gentler senshi. Mercury could most definitely outthink him but his power would overwhelm her weaker powers Neptune’s ocean powers were extremely strong and his being more direct made battle lopsided. Pluto and Saturn’s powers were devastating and he didn’t want to spar with them. He had worked with Time and they were too close at times.
The Minervan he knew little about. Other than the fact that this lone woman had been a deep cover spy for centuries he wasn’t sure she had physical attacks.
“Have you been sparring with these two,” he pointed a thumb at Hana and Iriko.
The ladies looked at each other and smiled. Mamaru nodded. “It is a learning experience,” The four settled down and chatted over techniques and powers.
Ami was deep in conversation with Michuru and Haruka about Tengu legends and how this beast had not reacted like it should when Mina and Makoto returned. The two headed directly to Setsuna and reported all clear before asking after Suteko.
“Usagi and Shayla are still with her. The wounds have closed up but she is still unconscious.”
“After Serena and Shayla healing her?” Mina let out a low whistle. “How long had that demon been on her?”
“That is hard to say. The beast normally would not have even seen Unicorn, her light powers would keep it at bay. From what Sweet Water and Minerva can tell the creature leeched itself to Unicorn at some point when she had drifted into a nap. It has been draining her, looping her painful memories over and over, growing fat on her pain." Venus and Jupiter both winced in sympathy. They both understood pain and loliness but they had each other and the rest of the Senshi to help them. “The battle earlier tonight must have caused the Tengu some trepidation. Unicorn pulled on her heritage. The light harp would have been damaging to it and it waited till she was alone with me to lash back. Each time it drew energy it made sure to pull it through her bones. Dragging dark poison right inside of a being who can't stand it.”
Usagi and Shayla came out of the guestroom, closing the door softly. Shayla went directly to her team mates. Gently she rested a hand on Iriko’s arm and whispered to her. Iriko then politely excused herself and headed to the room. Shayla nodded to her friends and introduced herself to the Prince. Noting the tension in the room Usagi did her bubble headed best to distract her people, tripping over the table and scooping up Persephone as the cat tried to slip past.
Iriko walked over to her short term room mate and winced at the red skin of her back. Though it was many times better than the wound she had seen on the streets, it was going to be painful to move she was sure. Remembering the tale fr
om Suteko’s ancestor she had to wonder if things were to repeat themselves. Suteko was not a mother like her ancestor but the image of her being blasted into Jaeoh’s arms had been eerily familiar. Sitting on the edge of the bed she placed her hand on Suteko’s shoulder and mind slipped inside. The images running through Suteko’s mind were of old battles. Iriko did not try to control the flow at this time but watched as Suteko’s memories played out.
She did gently steer them to just this lifetime. The early memories of her stern and beautiful mother and her loving great uncle were touching. Suteko had shown great promise as a young child. Her life was loving and structured with secrets that she shared only with her elderly tutor. When she hit high school things started to change. Her mother had become cold and angry and pushed her to become a strong martial artist. When her Uncle died things started to move faster. Suteko’s unconscious mind flashed through scenes of loss and of hardship. They paused as she focused on her younger brother but then flew past the battles until the one where she lost him to a spell. The pain once again surfaced. Her mother had been the one who cursed her and the double blow had sent Suteko out to the world again.
The memories moved forward again as she met Chris and Akuma, how they became friends and how they fought and triumphed. Again the memories flew by as she returned home to her destroyed dojo and the first battle with Kaneda. The innocent Senshi shied away from the memories of Kaneda having his way with the dazed and injured Star Knight. She saw the expressions on Phoenix and Dragon’s faces when they found her broken and bleeding. They cared for her for two days before she came back to herself. It was interesting that Suteko had images when her mind had been blank after the rape of her body and mind. Iriko placed a mental bandage over that memory and others, easing the old suffering but better understanding why the Star Knight tried to avoid being alone with men. The second battle was more dangerous but she did win that one. She once more bandaged and eased the damage of the loss of her team mates. While nothing would truly heal that wound she tried to help Suteko turn her mind to others who wanted to help her. The bone weary sadness from a month ago was deeper now thanks to the Shadow Tengu. She needed someone to focus on. Someone to help her past the secret longing for death.
One thing that surprised her was how in the current memories the former Kouhei Draco would appear. Images of watching him teach and of him sparring with even herself made Iriko think. Somehow Jaeoh remained her of Hiro. It was like he was meant to be more than a friend.
When she felt a stirring in Suteko’s mind, pulling out of the dark sleep of fear and pain into a more natural sleep Iriko removed her hand. This travel through the Star Knight's memories had given her some perspective. Loneliness came in many forms and each could be solved if the right person was found. Iriko smiled. It was time to talk to Hana and see if she was right.
***
Suteko floated inside her mind once more. It was different this time. She knew she wasn’t dead, just visiting this realm. She was walking in a floating mist that covered her to her knees. Each step caused the white mist to billow around her in little tufts. It was eerie yet soothing here. There were sounds of small animals and bird song. So different from last time.
She kept walking, humming softly, till she felt a form next to her. She turned her head and then stopped, bowing deeply. Standing in the mist was Usagi’s long dead mother. Queen Serenity was as lovely as her daughter but she exuded a sense of peace that even her daughter had not mastered. Suteko didn’t know exactly how to react to the former Queen of the Moon Kingdom.
“Rise child,” Serenity lightly brushed her fingers through Suteko’s hair. “There is no need for protocols between us here.”
“Where is here, Majesty?” Suteko had thought she was in the Land between sleep and death but she wasn’t sure.
“It doesn’t really have a name. It is just here.” Serenity gently guided Suteko to walk at her side. “It is a waiting place, that sometimes I visit.”
"Waiting? For who?”
Serenity gestured and a moon pool appeared. She smiled leading Suteko to the edge. “Take a look. There are people waiting here for the right time to act.”
Puzzled Suteko leaned down. In the pool she could see five shadowy forms. Three were close enough to see their features. One was a tall, slender native American man, dressed in traditional buckskins, his hair in long black braids. The second was stocker, dressed in shorts and a baggy shirt. He had dark brown shaggy but short hair. The third was a lean, beautiful woman with a shock of pink hair. All three floated with their eyes shut. In this realm between sleep and death Suteko knew who they were. “The other Kouhei,” Suteko nodded. “They are true warriors. Seeing them will make Rage and Hana very happy.” She then turned her eyes to the two figures that were fuzzy to her sight. For a brief moment the mist cleared enough for a flash of red hair and of a crystal earring.
Eyes widening in hope she tuned back to the Moon queen. She didn’t dare ask the question on her lips, afraid those figures were not who she hoped. Queen Serenity just smiled then gestured. “You need to wake up child. You will not remember this when you awake. No,” She stopped Suteko with a word. “I know it hurts child but the others can’t know of this place.” She brushed fingers through Suteko’s hair again. “This was to help you heal, and nothing more. We can’t have you knowing the future.”
Suteko tried to argue but found herself being drawn back out of the mists to the darkness of sleep again.
Two days later Suteko came out of her deep sleep. She was alone in a darkened room. Lying on her stomach. She let out a quiet moan as she shifted. Lying for days on your belly can cause even the most fit person to be stiff. She carefully rolled over and then slid out of bed. She found she was dressed in light cotton pajamas. She winced and did a series of stretches. The skin of her back was tight. Mostly likely from the wound she received during the last battle. She was thankful that Sweetwater had appeared. The woman definitely would be an asset in the coming battles. After she felt more like herself she padded to the nearest door. The room was huge in her opinion giving her the idea that she must be in Pluto’s home.
She slipped the door open and glided into the hall. It was dark everywhere and she could tell that everyone in her range was sleeping. She trailed one hand along the wall and headed toward what she hoped was the kitchen. No matter whose house it was the kitchen should be the hub. Never mind that she used too much energy over the past few days, some juice and food would be a major help.
She came out into a large dark room. The light filtering in the big windows threw up shadows. After the last few weeks she found that she could sense shadows watching her. This room while shadow filled was empty of life. Sighing , she padded across to a hall and followed it to the kitchen. Here a light was on.
Chapter seven
I’ll do anything for love but I wont do that
In the dark throne room of the Shadow Master's creatures were starting to get restless. The Shadow Master had “eaten” many of them repairing the damage done by She who is. Being men and creatures whose focus was all that was dark in the human psyche they wanted to be out stirring up fear and pain.
They wanted out to play but the tight control by the Shadow Master and his right hand Shadow general Aki was keeping them in limbo. Only a wizard would release them without the Master’s approval.
Aki came striding through the throng, kicking those who were to slow getting out of his way. The shadow general had a nasty smile on his handsome face. Like he had news that would make the Master’s plan move forward.
He dropped to one knee waiting to be acknowledged. It was best not let Kaneda believe he wasn’t fully in charge these days. The hood turned from its contemplation of the black mirror shard to Aki. “So, you come with news, Shadow Hound?” There was an edge to the Master’s voice, like he knew what Aki had to say.
L
ifting his head, Aki nodded. “The Kouhei has decided to join our side. Your offer of the Senshi of Mysteries as his gift was eagerly accepted. He will join his team in the next few days. He will get Rage to turn and do our bidding.”
Kaneda slowly rose from his throne, brushing aside the clinging women. Somehow even as a form of pure darkness and shadow Kaneda still attracted women The current two were reflections of the one the Master desired. Petite yet having a fully rounded figure they dressed in wisps of darkness. The two women had eyes black as sin and powers to rival Aki’s but they were totally under Kaneda’s control. “So Sailor Kouhei Star Ocean is going to distract the brute?” The black robe flowed down the throne and stepped forward. The Shadow Master’s power flowed over his general and Aki could feel his strength being drained. “Did you think that one Kouhei would make up the loss of not one, not two but THREE of my minions!!”
The Shadow Master reached down and lifted Aki up by the throat, growing larger till the General’s feet danged a foot off the floor. On the Earthly plane this would be nothing but here in the Shadow realm he found himself gasping. He clawed at the bone strong fingers closing about his windpipe. “I had to test Rage, Master, how else could we know…”