Standard disclaimers apply. Most of these characters belong to
Naoko Takeuchi, and I'm just borrowing them for a while.


HEARTS OF DARKNESS
PART IV: PAINFUL LOSS RE-LIVED
by Judson Chan


	"Is everyone alright?" Luna asked, glancing around the room.
All the girls were present, along with Artemis, Mamoru and Ryo. Rei's
grandpa and Yuuichiro had gone out somewhere, so they had the entire
temple to themselves.
	"Minako was able to find me in time, so I'm okay," Ami said.
	"My apartment's completely trashed," Makoto grumbled.
	"It seems the dark kingdom has discovered our everyday
identities," Ami observed. "That puts a serious risk on our families
and friends."
	"Maybe they won't think to do that," Usagi suggested
hopefully.
	"That's a *really* big 'maybe'," Artemis replied. "We can't
afford to let our guard down now, with stakes this high."
	Usagi sighed. "I guess you're right."
	"Still," Mamoru said, "the news isn't all bad." He told the
others about the fight that afternoon and how Sailor Moon tricked the
chimera.
	"I'm impressed, Usagi," Luna said.
	"Yeah, you actually didn't give a speech," Rei added
sarcastically. Usagi gave her a sour look, but didn't say anything.
	"So, what do we do now?" Minako asked.
	Everyone sank back into their own thoughts. Usagi went over to
Mamoru and laid her head on his chest. Being so close to him was
soothing, and she definitely needed to be calm right now.
	"Rei, has the fire shown you anything?" Luna asked after a
long silence.
	Rei hesitated slightly. "No. . .not really."
	"There's our biggest problem," Luna said. "We know almost
nothing about the enemy, their methods, or their goals. All we can do
right now is react."
	"Ami, can we use your computer to scan for any disturbances
caused by the dark kingdom?" Ryo asked suddenly.
	"I've tried already," Ami replied. "Except during an attack,
there were no abnormal energy signatures anywhere in the city, and we
have no clues to use to predict those attacks."
	"How about further away?" Artemis asked.
	"Everything in a 100 mile radius is clear. My scanners can't
go any further than that. . ." She paused. "Unless. . ."
	"Unless. . .?"
	Ami didn't answer. Instead, she took her computer from her
school bag and started typing. The others watched, mystified, as she
worked silently for several minutes. Then, her face fell.
	"What's the matter?" Makoto asked.
	Ami flushed slightly. "I just hacked into the broadcast
satellite network above us. That gave the scanners enough range to scan
the entire globe, but the results were negative. Nothing at all."
	"Well, there's nothing we can do, then," Minako said. "We'll
just have to wait and see."
	"And pay close attention to those around you," Luna added. "We
don't know if the dark kingdom will target your families, so we
should play it safe."
	Everyone nodded, and got up to leave.
	"Why don't you stay over at my place for now, Mako?" Minako
offered. "My parents are out of town, so it's no problem."
	"That's great! Thanks, Minako."
	"At least now, we have someone who can cook. . ." Artemis
muttered.
	"I heard that, furball!" Artemis grinned and ran off before
Minako could catch him. Meanwhile, Usagi turned to Mamoru, her eyes
betraying her anxiety.
	"Mamo-chan. . ."
	"It's alright, Usako. Go home and look in on your family. We
can go out some other time."
	"Thanks, my love." They kissed, and Mamoru watched Usagi leave
the temple. Then, he went back inside, directly to Rei's room and
knocked. The priestess was understandably surprised when she saw who
was there.
	"Mamoru? What are you still doing here?" she asked.
	"We need to talk, Rei." Slightly perplexed, she opened the door
wider and stepped aside. He went in and sat down on the floor, where
she joined him.
	"So, what is it?"
	"You're hiding something," he accused bluntly. He kept his
gaze steady when she started and the expected look of wariness appeared
in her eyes.
	"What. . .what are you talking about?" she bluffed.
	He couldn't help but smile at her flustered expression. "You
don't lie very well, do you?"
	"I-I'm not lying!" she stammered.
	"If you weren't, you'd be chasing me with a broom already. I
know you just a bit too well by now."
	She stared at him for a long while, then lowered her eyes.
"How did you know?"
	"I felt something wrong when Luna asked you about the fire."
	"Felt?"
	He nodded. "I've always had latent psychic powers. When I was
younger, I couldn't do much about them. But after I moved out of the
orphanage, I started doing research on them, experimenting a bit. . ."
	"So how good are you?" Rei asked curiously.
	"Honestly? From what I've seen and heard from Usako, I'm
almost at the same level as you are."
	"Trying to replace me?" she teased.
	"Oh, I'm sure Usako would love that," he countered lightly.
"Now, why don't we get back to *you* and this little secret of yours?"
	Rei still seemed reluctant. "Why are *you* being so nosy all
of a sudden?"
	Mamoru's expression became dead serious, and that unnerved her
slightly. She had almost never seen him this intent before.
	"Usako's worried sick, Rei. Our souls are linked, and I can
feel what she feels. She's scared of what might happen if the dark
kingdom attacks one of you, or if they go after her family. I can't
bear to let her suffer like this. If there's anything that I can do to
end this, I need to know about it *now*."
	Rei faced her old friend with something akin to awe. . .and
just a little envy. The burning intensity in his eyes, the passion in
his voice. . .he cares about her so much, she thought wonderingly. I
guess I really should tell him about my dreams.
	"Mamoru," she started, feeling at bit awkward. How's she going
to tell him? "Do you. . .remember anything about your past?"
	"My past?"
	"I mean, back during the Silver Millenium, before Beryl
attacked the Moon."
	He shook his head. "Not too much."
	"Do you remember what the four generals were like? Before Beryl
got her hands on them?"
	"I haven't really thought about that." He leaned back, staring
pensively at the ceiling. "My parents assigned the generals to be my
personal guardians as soon as I was born. The conflicts with the dark
kingdom had already started, and they feared for my safety. We became
very good friends, even though I grew to hate them during
training. . ." He smiled. "When I was young, I used to play tricks on
them a lot. Kunzite was usually too stiff to enjoy them, but the
others did. Nephrite even helped me trick everyone else sometimes,
until he fell in love and forgot the rest of us. . ."
	"Who was the girl?"
	Mamoru's smile broadened. "Would you believe me if I said it
was Naru?"
	Rei gave him a suspicious look. "Are you pulling my leg?"
	"I'm serious. Naru was one of Queen Serenity's maids, and the
two of them fell in love on one of our visits to the Moon. Somehow
Naru was reborn the same age as Usagi, but her love for Nephrite
endured."
	"How about the other generals?"
	"Kunzite and Zoisite were in love with each other, but they
kept it a secret. Zoisite wasn't too happy about the arrangement, but
they couldn't afford to bring any negative attention to the Earth. It
was bad enough that Beryl was using *our* soldiers to fight the other
planets. . . As for Jadeite, he was alone most of the time. After
Nephrite found Naru, he was the only one to actively study the arcane
arts. I think he was a bit jealous of the others, since they had lovers
and he didn't. . ." He broke off, his expression going from
uncertainty to wide-eyed shock. He looked at Rei, and she nodded.
	"Ever since the dark kingdom reappeared, I've been dreaming
about the time we first fell in love," she said. "At first, I couldn't
see his face, but after today's meeting, I asked the fire and found
out."
	"What do you think this means?"
	"I don't know," she answered, hugging her knees, a melancholy
look on her face. "I don't even know if he's still alive, or if we're
destined to love each other again. . ." I don't want to know that I've
lost my chance at happiness, she completed silently.
	I've never seen her like this, Mamoru thought, staring at her.
I guess even though she pretends to be self-sufficient, she does need
someone, to love her as a woman. He went over to her and put his hand
on her shoulder. She looked up questioningly.
	"Do you still have feelings for him?" he asked bluntly.
	She nodded slowly. "Yes. . ."
	"Then don't worry about what destiny says. You're one of the
strongest, most determined people I've ever met. If you truly love
him and want to be with him, then nothing can stop you. Believe in
your heart, Rei. . ."
	Rei smiled at him, feeling much better. Problems really aren't
so bad if you have someone to share them with, she decided. "Thanks,
Tux Boy. Even cornier than usual, but it works."
	"No problem." He stood up. "Well, I should get going now."
	She stood up as well, and walked him to the door. After he
left, she stayed there, leaning against the doorway, enjoying her
newfound sense of peace. Then she glanced at the clock.
	"OH GODS, SUPPER'S GONNA BE LATE!!"


	"Would you care to explain yourself, General?"
	Peridot cringed with fear as lord Adamantite's baleful gaze
burned into his soul. The supreme ruler of the dark kingdom sat on his
throne, absently toying with a crystal shard. Only his eyes betrayed
the fury he felt at the moment.
	"M-my lord," Peridot stammered, "I-I never expected the Sailor
brats to be so strong! They shouldn't have been able to defeat my
warriors alone!"
	"But they did, General. Perhaps my trust in you was misplaced?"
	"I beg of you, my lord, give me another chance. I swear I will
not fail you again!"
	Adamantite continued to glare at Peridot, who was cowering to
the point that he was almost curled up on himself. The dark lord
snorted in contempt and waved his hand dismissively.
	"You may leave, General, but mark my words. On your next
mission, you will bring back their heads, or I will have *yours*."
	Peridot whimpered, and quickly backed out of the throne room.
	"You seem to be going soft, my lord," Selenite observed from
behind the throne.
	"Watch your tongue, Selenite!" Adamantite snapped. "Peridot is
going around wasting precious troops against the Sailor Scouts. My
patience is wearing thin, and not even *you* can survive my wrath."
	"I suppose not. . ."


The next day. . .


	"Man, I'm exhausted!" Usagi said, stifling yet another yawn.
Strangely, the street was almost deserted, as if some feeling of
impending disaster kept the people away. If that was the case, though,
Usagi was too tired to notice.
	"No kidding!" Naru replied. "You nodded off three times today.
If Miss Sakurada didn't have a date tonight, you'd be in detention for
sure!"
	"I've just had so much to do these days. . ." Usagi sighed.
Three major attacks in three days, not even Beryl was that bad, she
thought.
	"Does this have anything to do with that guy you call
'Mamo-chan'?" Naru asked, eyes sparkling.
	"What? Oh, no, it's not him," Usagi answered quickly. It'd be
nice if it *were* just him, her mind added.
	Naru giggled knowingly, and was about to pursue the idea
further when a scream froze the words in her throat. Further down the
street, a chimera had appeared, and it was heading directly towards
Usagi. This one was vaguely catlike, with a horn on its snout and
tentacles instead of arms. It screeched when it saw the two girls and
started running.
	"Aww, another monster? Why me again?" Naru wailed.
	"Come on, Naru!" Usagi shouted, grabbing her friend and
dragging her into a side alley. They ran to the end and turned, only to
find themselves trapped in a dead end.
	It's all my fault, Usagi thought despairingly, slumping against
a wall. Naru's in danger because of me. . . She looked at her friend
who was nervously watching the corner where they came from. A
high-pitched scream could be heard, getting closer and closer. . .
	Well, I guess I have no choice, Usagi thought. Standing in the
middle of the alley, she raised her brooch.
	"MOON CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
	Naru watched, stunned, as her best friend transformed into
Sailor Moon in a flurry of ribbons. "No way. . ." she whispered.
	Sailor Moon smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Naru. I'll
protect you. Now try to find someplace to hide. That thing's only after
me, so you'll be safe if it doesn't see you."
	Naru nodded and went behind a dumpster at the end of the alley,
just as the chimera sprang into view. Sailor Moon struck her pose.
	"Listen up, sleazebag! You can come after me all you want, but
I will not allow you to put my friends in danger. For love and justice,
I am the pretty sailor-suited soldier Sailor Moon! In the name of the
moon, I'LL PUNISH YOU!"
	The chimera had started charging halfway through the speech,
and Sailor Moon jumped just in time to avoid its tentacles. She landed
behind it and kicked it in the back. Unfortunately, the beast was too
strong even for Sailor Moon's enhanced strength. It whirled and lashed
out with its tentacles. Sailor Moon ducked under the first one, but the
second one was aimed low and swept her off her feet. She landed on the
ground with the chimera's tentacles coiling around her neck.
	"Sailor Moon!" Naru screamed. Sailor Moon barely heard her.
She was barely even conscious at the moment, as the chimera's grip
tightened inexorably and a feral grin appeared on its face. Then, a
rose struck the beast, paralyzing it. Tuxedo Kamen landed next to
Sailor Moon and jabbed his cane hard at the chimera's throat, causing
it to loosen its hold. He quickly picked up Sailor Moon and jumped
back.
	"Are you alright, Sailor Moon?" he asked worriedly.
	Sailor Moon took a while to get her breath back. "I'll be
alright. Thanks for saving my life again, Tuxedo Kamen."
	He smiled. "Anytime, Sailor Moon. Now why don't you call the
others?"
	"No time," she replied, seeing the chimera rising and preparing
to charge. "I have to keep it from noticing Naru."
	"Naru's here!?" Tuxedo Kamen exclaimed.
	Sailor Moon nodded, stepping forward to face the chimera. She
raised her hand and whispered the words 'Moon Tiara'. Her tiara came
off and started glowing in her hand, but she did not throw it. As the
beast charged, intending to impale her with its horn, she dashed
forward as well, ignoring Tuxedo Kamen's warning. At the last instant,
she stepped aside, holding out her hand. The glowing tiara opened a
large gash at the creature's side as its momentum carried it past
Sailor Moon. It turned around, screeching furiously, only to see Sailor
Moon already spinning her scepter.
	"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!"
	Sailor Moon sat down, panting hard as the dust slowly settled.
Tuxedo Kamen and Naru both came over to her.
	"Are you alright?" Tuxedo Kamen asked.
	"Yeah, just tired," she replied. "That took a lot out of me."
	"You were great, Usagi!" Naru told her. Tuxedo Kamen's head
came up sharply in surprise.
	"I'm just lucky I didn't trip on something." Sailor Moon turned
to Tuxedo Kamen. "Sorry, Mamo-chan, but I had to transform in front of
her," she said contritely.
	Tuxedo Kamen glanced at Naru, then detransformed and held
Sailor Moon tightly. "Don't worry about it, Usako. You did what you had
to."
	Sailor Moon nodded, and detransformed as well. The three of
them got out of the alley.
	"Maybe I should walk you girls home," Mamoru suggested.
	Usagi was about to agree, but Naru shook her head. "Usagi,
remember what your father says."
	Usagi looked disappointed. "Oh, yeah. . ."
	"What's the matter?" Mamoru asked.
	"My Dad always gives these speeches about how I'm too young to
date, how I should wait until I'm mature enough to know what love is
before dating, and on and on. He'll have a fit if he sees you with me."
	"Oh. . ."
	"Don't worry, Mamo-chan. We'll be fine by ourselves."
	He didn't look quite convinced. "If you say so. But promise me,
if you're ever attacked again, call your friends. I don't want you
risking your life alone like that."
	"I will, Mamo-chan."
	He leaned down and kissed her, and then headed for his own
apartment. Usagi watched him walk away, her eyes sparkling. Someday, my
love, she promised. Someday we will be together, with no fighting, no
dark kingdom, nothing to stand in our way. . .


	Rei sat down wearily in front of the fire. It was evening
already. Her grandpa had gone to bed, and all her chores were done.
Now she could finally get down to some Sailor business, and hopefully
Yuuichiro would hold off on playing long enough for her to get
something done.
	She shook off her fatigue and cleared her mind, as she so often
did. The flames roared in response as her psyche poured itself into
their embrace. Her body completely still, Rei reached out with her
mind. Even as the fire was fueled by wood, her will was fueled by the
power of the flame, allowing her to reach out into the distance,
searching for signs that Ami's computer might have missed.
	* * *
	"Rei. . ."
	Rei tensed up in surprise. The spirit she encountered was
familiar somehow, but she knew of no one who could reach her like this,
while she was communing with the fire.
	"Rei, can you hear me?"
	The mental voice was so familiar. She was sure she had heard it
recently, but couldn't quite place it. Then, it dawned on her.
	"Jadeite? You're still alive?"
	She could feel his spirit smiling. "I'm glad you remembered."
	"How did you reach me?"
	"Magic. Even with my body encased in crystal, I can still cast
a few spells. We really need to talk, Rei."
	"That we do. What's going on with the dark kingdom? They were
never this active before."
	"There's a new commander in charge. His name's Adamantite. He's
planning on destroying you Scouts, and his trap is already set. . ."
	Rei tensed up again. "A trap?"
	"Yes. He sent his henchman Peridot to find out your identities,
and then. . ."
	* * *
	Yuuichiro was heading towards the meditation room. He'd hoped
that Rei would be finished by now, and that they could talk. He
stopped abruptly as he turned the corner. There, standing in front of
the door to the great fire, were a pair of monsters. The smaller one
was a female with white skin in a lion tamer's outfit. She held a whip
in one hand and wore a deliacte crystal crown. The hulking beast behind
her resembled an armadillo with the head of a horse. It stood there
motionless, as if awaiting orders.
	"W-what the hell. . .?"
	The female turned at the sound of his voice and raised her free
hand. Her lips curled in a savage grin as a bolt of energy flew
towards Yuuichiro. He jumped back out of the way, just as Rei opened
her eyes.
	"Minako. . ." she whispered, still a bit shocked. Then she saw
the pair at her door, and quickly pulled out her wand.
	"MARS POWER, MAKE UP!"
	The youma snarled and came into the room, followed by the
chimera. "Well, well. It's nice to finally meet you, Sailor Mars."
	"What do you want?"
	"General Peridot knew you were most likely to be trouble, so he
told us to keep an eye on you. It seems he was right."
	Mars glared at her. "Do you *really* think you can stop us? I
know your plans now, and we'll deal with the dark kingdom once and for
all!"
	"Not if you die here! Chimera, attack!"
	The crown on the youma's head flashed, and the eyes of the
chimera lit up. It sprang over its mistress and landed in front of
Sailor Mars, claws raised. Mars jumped aside, calling out her attack.
	"FIRE SOUL!"
	The stream of fire struck the chimera's arm and dissipated
harmlessly. It roared and charged her again, tearing through the
floorboards as Mars jumped out of the way.
	Maybe if I aim for the face, she thought. As the chimera turned
around, she prepared to hurl fire again. Suddenly, she felt something
wrap around her foot and pull her down. She glanced behind her and saw
the youma's whip binding her right ankle.
	"Now you die, Sailor brat!" the monster screamed triumphantly,
even as the chimera raised its arm to strike.
	CRASH!
	The crystal crown shattered in a hundred pieces. The youma
whirled around angrily to see Yuuichiro holding his smashed guitar,
ready to strike again.
	"You pathetic human!" The youma extended her hand again and
shot out another energy bolt. Mars screamed as Yuuichiro was slammed
into the wall, his clothes smoking and torn. The youma turned around to
finish Sailor Mars, and saw the chimera approaching her menacingly.
	"What are you doing? Kill her!"
	The beast ignored her and continued advancing, claws
outstretched. The youma's energy bolts did no damage to the chimera,
and soon the two of them were locked in a deadly wrestling match,
oblivious to their original mission.


	In his apartment, Mamoru suddenly felt a jolt of psychic
energy, like something momentous was about to happen. That wasn't
Usako, he thought. It felt more like. . .Rei! He dropped his pencil
and ran to the phone, then began digging in his pockets. Taking out a
piece of paper, he dialed the first number he saw.
	"Hello?"
	"Minako? It's me, Mamoru."
	"Mamoru?" She sounded surprised. "What is it?"
	"Rei's in danger. Call the others and go to the temple,
quickly! Trust me!" Without waiting for an answer, he hung up and
transformed into Tuxedo Kamen. Running out onto his balcony, he leapt
onto a nearby roof, and disappeared into the night.


	"Yuuichiro! Answer me!"
	Rei knelt next to her fallen friend, urgently shaking him by
the shoulders. His eyes slowly opened.
	"Rei?"
	"I'm here, Yuuichiro. Don't worry, we'll get you to a hospital,
everything will be alright. . ."
	"I'm glad you're safe, Rei. . ." He coughed. ". . .and. . .I
always knew. . .you were special."
	"Shhh, don't talk," she told him. She caressed his face with a
trembling hand, parting his unkempt hair to look into those clear blue
eyes of his that she never saw, and that she feared she will never see
again.
	"One last thing, Rei," he said, his voice weak but firm.
"Promise me, you'll keep going. Don't let me drag you down. Promise
me."
	"I promise," she whispered, and then she bent her head and
kissed him, letting their bodies communicate their feelings without
words. When she pulled away, his eyes were closed.
	"At least," he said almost inaudibly, "this time, I can die in
your arms. . ."
	"NO!!! YUUICHIRO!"
	She collapsed atop him, crying out in the familiar agony of
lost love that has plagued her for two lifetimes. For those final words
had unlocked her memories, finally showing her who she had been
mourning when she had fallen in love with Jadeite.
	At that moment, the other Scouts and Tuxedo Kamen burst into
the hallway. They stared in shock at Sailor Mars sobbing over
Yuuichiro's lifeless body, while the youma and the chimera still
fought each other in the meditation room. Sailor Moon moved to kneel
beside her friend, and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
	"I'm very sorry, Rei," she said. "I know how much he meant to
you. We'll all miss him very much." Perhaps unconsciously, she had
used the exact same words Prince Endymion had. Sailor Mars straightened
and stood up.
	"Thank you, Sailor Moon," she said, and turned to look inside
the room. The youma had finally managed to kill the chimera with
several bolts in its face, and was trying to catch its breath. "She's
mine," Mars said, anger rising within her. Sailor Moon nodded and
stepped back, allowing Mars to face the youma alone.
	"Well Sailor Mars, why don't we finish up what we started?" the
youma said, beginning to gather energy.
	"Yes, why don't we?" Sailor Mars dropped into a slight crouch,
ready to fight. "You have taken away someone very precious to me,
monster, and that I cannot forgive. In the name of Mars, I WILL DESTROY
YOU!" She felt the power rushing through her veins, filling every inch
of her body with burning heat. Beside her, the sacred fire surged and
reached out to her with a line of fire. She calmly accepted it,
letting the dancing flames envelop her body, adding their power to her
own.
	The youma yelled and flung a barrage of energy at Sailor Mars,
only to have it deflected by the shield of fire. Sailor Mars regarded
her enemy calmly until the youma broke off the attack, its energy
spent. Then, she raised her arm, and the flames streamed upwards to
gather in her palm.
	"FIRE SOUL. . .BIRD!"
	Her arm snapped forward. From her pointed finger emerged a
brilliant creature of fire. Spreading its burning wings, the bird flew
straight towards the youma, and engulfed it in an inferno of vengeful
heat. Then it disappeared, leaving only a pile of ash on the floor.


	"Sailor Mars, are you alright?" Mercury asked.
	"I'll be fine," she replied. She was kneeling next to
Yuuichiro, stroking his hair. "He gave his life to save mine. The least
we can do is give him a proper burial, but I don't know how to contact
his family. . ."
	"He sacrificed himself for you?" Venus asked, an odd tone in
her voice. Mars raised her head in alarm, remembering what Jadeite had
told her. She was about to speak when Venus interrupted her.
	"You treat him like dirt and he still died for you?" Her voice
was becoming hysterical, and the other Scouts all stared at her.
	"Venus. . ." Sailor Moon started to say.
	"Why!? Why did he do that for an stuck-up, stubborn bitch like
you? Why do all of you have someone to love, and I don't? Why!?"
	"That's going too far, Venus. . ." Jupiter reached out to grab
her friend's arm. Venus jerked away and, to everyone's horror, raised
her hand to attack.
	"CRESCENT CUTTER!"
	The crescents of her attack had turned black, and instead of
becoming a beam, they separated and flew forward. One blasted the wall
next to the Scouts, showering them with pieces of plaster. The other
one hit Jupiter squarely in the face, sending her crashing into the
other wall.
	"Jupiter!" Sailor Moon screamed as they gathered around their
fallen friend. Sailor Venus had disappeared.
	"We have to get her to a hospital!" Mercury said.
	"*We* have more important things to do," Mars declared. The
others looked at her in shock. She turned to Tuxedo Kamen. "Can you
take care of her, please?"
	He nodded, and she addressed the two other Scouts. "We have to
catch Venus before she can hurt anybody else. I'll explain on the way."
They both nodded reluctantly.
	Tuxedo Kamen watched as the three girls leapt into the night
after their friend. Be careful, Usako, he called out silently, and
somehow he knew she heard him. Please, Gods, let them overcome this
obstacle safely. He stayed there for only a short moment, and then went
to call an ambulance.


To be continued. . .


AUTHOR'S NOTES:	So, how was it? What'll happen to Sailor Jupiter, and
Sailor Venus? Stay right there, and I'll show you in the next part.
o_O

Again, any comments are welcome at h_chan@sympatico.ca.