Chapter Nine

Hello all from the world of the living (barely). Schools been far too chaotic and thus, this story had sat untouched for a month. Which, really and truly, left me with mounds of guilt and sorrow for there was little but a few pages to write before it was finished. Each time I sat down, I just couldn't write a bloody thing. On the bright side, as the term almost ripens I shall be free to spill the final chapters with renewed gusto.

As a warning, this chapter took a rather negative turn but chin up, the fat lady has not sung. Also, I do not mean to disenfranchise any Rei fans, but I felt her actions were most fitting for her character, please stick around for the end! Umm, ooh, an F-bomb gets dropped in the first few paragraphs so, you have been warned (id that doesn't adhere to ratings, someone PLEASE let me know and I'll change it). Thank you most sincerely to all my readers, your reviews are honestly what keeps me going.

To you!

Chapter 8- Foe, Friend and Foe Again

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Quoted from "10 Things I Hate About You"- you made a difference, RIP

--

Darien watched the sun sink, clouds warping his waning light. Spots of orange and red bled onto the darkening skyline, moving in time with the cry of Mozart's concerto. He raised his arm, slowly bringing the brimming wine glass to his lips.

The juice was bitter, dry and left a burning aftertaste. His vision swam, beside him lay three empty bottles that blurred. Still his heart ached in his chest. A pair of blue eyes danced before him, tears drowning their depths- tears he could not wipe away.

In a moment of waning sobriety, he wondered how she was. A week had passed since he'd escorted her that day, a week he'd waited to see her return to school, return to the hallways that now swarmed in mourning and heedless journalists. Was her heart heavy still? Was she kept from dreams like he, barred by some invisible shield?

The dawning of his revelation appealed and once again, he swallowed from his glass. He had not told the others- it was difficult indeed to admit it. That is, admit what? A mere dwindle of a girl had seen him transform? She reacted with little to no dismay? That, finally, amongst all other facts, her eyes, seemed unsurprised, mostly, expecting of this news?

He sighed and drank again, surprised to find the glass nearly empty. Anger swelled within him.

"Fuck!" the glass shattered against the wall, splintering into thousands of crystal shards and his arm hung limply. "What the hell is going on?" No one answered. No one heard- no one ever would.

Head swimming, shoulders shaking, Darien fell into the sofa, arm sprawled over his head. His mind wandered to the gates of Nod, and, momentarily straddling both realms, gave in finally to sleep.

--

The trot of his horse kept time with his heart. He was miles from the castle now, and it would be hours yet before the guard's would take notice. This made him glad. After a long and hard week, he was eager indeed to be let alone.

A mere recollection was all it took to douse his spirits once more. Overhead the sky was black with the Maiden's belly fully swollen, flickering moon dust where the light fell. He raced on through the forest, wanting to disappear from her dreaded show.

He remembered, in his youth, stories of the shinning night orb, tales made greater by the lips from whence they came.

"Why does she shine so?" his adversity could not quiet his mind, already replaying that final bedside scene.

She looked so beautiful then, even with death's mark. Her eyes, always so warm and wise begged him one final time. He should have cried, should have shown her how his heart bled inside him.

But his father was near, and he needed strength and the Prince is a proud one.

"Hope," his voice, hollow, echoed deeper than any child's ever should. Her face drew into a smile, tight yet content.

"Why does she hope?" He waited for her coughing to subside, then dipped the towel in the basinet and dabbed the blood pooling down her cheeks. His throat had been tight and his eyes prickled at the memory..

"Wife, none of this." The king croaked suddenly, laying a hand on the Prince. "Come lad, she must rest."

"My darling," she protested, reaching to her husband with great effort. He said nothing but nodded and turned for the door.

"As fire burns," he retraced the words his mother had spoken. "As ice cools, as thunder crackles, and the heart loves, so too does hope shine…" his voice broke and he stilled his lips.

She had smiled to him and he to her, and for a moment his heart believed it was true. Then the scythe swept, and her twinkle glimmered from the room before joining the endless skies. Even now, they spread above him, seemingly unchanged through the years. His lips twitched in a wry grin. What of he?

He, aged five and twenty, soon to be the crowned King of Elysian and married to her northern provincial mage.

Was this the future he envisioned when he was a boy? What of life? Adventure? Wonder?

Amidst the years these fancies caged themselves behind battles and wars. Rebellions were all of a days work and despite his best efforts, his people resisted change.

The trees slowed their passing and he saw he had been brought to a clearing. He frowned as the light pooled over the ebbing waves.

"Treacherous beast," he muttered and the horse snorted. With a resolute sigh, he dismounted, feeling the hearty crunch of pebbles beneath his leather boots. The horse watched him head off to the shore, contently snacking on the mix of fauna present.

He gazed out onto the horizon, the taste of spray salting his lips. His people had begun to believe a new art- science. It seemed every sun cycle filled with a new philosopher, who presented new ideas and served only in riling the people before disappearing with what they could.

The newest, and by far most popular, was a mage of the Western coast; Metallia. She claimed their magic were but remnants of the Old Age, a time in which it was without equal.

She claimed the stars, ('Planet's' he recalled) stole from us, crumbled the tower which lies in our court and watch from above, sending down pestilence and plague.

What was of greater concern was her promise of eternal youth.

"To never grow old, to live at thy peak for all ages to come." He mimicked her voice, swallowed to the darkness before anyone could hear. This caused the greatest riots by far. How dire now the age when minds fell prey to such whim.

He sighed and thought once more of the words spoken on the night of the Queen's passing:

"As fire burns, as ice cools, as thunder crackles, and the heart loves, so too does hope shine." The moon brightened, breaths of fog lifting as a bride's veil.

This passed unnoticed to the Prince, lost now in thought. How had the rest gone?

"Aer nahou, sai- na aerou, j-," he stuttered, pursing his lips. "Yesshire zevile zevile." Satisfied, he settled onto the sand, stretching out and following the stars as they passed.

He had never asked his mother the meaning of this latter phrase and it was in this quiet moment, this most ordinary escape that he wished he had. Perhaps it would provide answers for his racing mind?

Somewhere in the distance, the waves splashed, and he closed his eyes and prayed to dream.

--

The Queen did not speak, did not heave her brows in surprise as Beryl had expected. She was the perfect image of calm.

"What do we do?" Nehelenia stared the girl down.

"We wait, child." Beryl stepped back, shocked.

"Wait? We lose that damn cat and time guard and your plan is to wait?" She snorted. "What, you think they're just going to mosey- on back to us, hold up their hands and say: 'Sorry for the inconvenience,'?"

A cold gust blew through the room and Beryl winced, touching her cheek where a mark began to swell.

"Your insolence does not humour me, Beryl." The Queen raised her head, sneering down at the girl. "Do you not think I would have planned for such hindrances? Do you think I would have made the same mistakesss?"

"No my Queen." The apology was strained but sufficed for the moment.

"The orb?"

"Still here," she reached behind her and with great concentration, pulled a large, glowing garnet from behind her. Its light bounced off the gleaming surface and with a hasty hiss, the Queen shielded her eyes.

"Hide it you fool! Do you wish the time witch to sense it?" Beryl snapped and the object disappeared.

"Not that we're any better off with it," her hands moved to cross her chest, settling in a manner both of impudence and disrespect. "She's the only one who can use it. What's more, the soldiers have no doubt been warned by now..."

"Perhaps." Beryl shook her ginger locks, snubbing the Queens words.

"And this does not concern you?" Her voice took on an air of loftiness which failed to settle at the Queen's glowing eyes.

"No, Beryl." She calmed herself, lowering her stance while her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Why not?"

A cruel smile crept to Nehelenia's blood lips.

"Patience, girl. Patience."

--

She sighed and folded the mask, slipping it soundlessly inside her drawer. Catching her reflection she felt herself drawn back to that strange dream- one of a great series. The room behind seemed disappear into a long corridor formed of walls and materials her fingers itched to touch.

Beyond her the face staring back to was paler than normal, flesh disappearing under thick mounds of platinum locks, some strands waving and others curling messily. Bunny reached forward, and pressed her palm against the cool surface. She held her breath.

It was as though someone were standing there, watching her, face inches from here one. An ominous sensation ran through her arm and without warning she jerked it back, fumbling so hard she met unceremoniously with the carpet.

Were there anyone present, anyone at all, they surely would have laughed at her behaviour, that irrational fear that appeared in the corner of her eye. She caught it more often now- flashes in the window, ripples in the water, sparks on polished metal. Mirror's however, oh mirrors were something altogether horrible. Even now, standing harmlessly out of reach she could feel its shadows radiating toward her.

It was the same dark she felt creep unto her dreams. Dreams, she noted that came with greater regularity and furious intensity.

Still shaken, she forced herself upright, pulling the corners of her night-shift snugly about her shoulders, teetering cautiously toward the door. Still, back turned, she felt it, those eyes simply staring.

Something strange was happening, of that she was sure. She sighed. If only she knew what.

--

Irene rested her head against her daughter's leg. Months had passed since she entered into this unconscious hell. Still, she came every day, brushing her hair, massaging her muscles, turning her over and talking to her.

Usagi always loved to talk. She had a truly unique fascination with people. The willowy woman lifted her head, rubbing the girl's leg in fondness.

"Do you remember that time, Sweetie, you were back in middle school then. You didn't come home straight from school and your father and I, we waited all day." She chuckled. "Shingo urged us to get on with dinner but I said no, you wouldn't have been so late without so much as a call…" Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought.

'I was terrified Usa- and then the phone rang and there you were. Seems you met an elderly woman on the streets and helped her carry her groceries in, then just stayed because you felt she was lonely."

There was no reply, there never was. Irene began to doubt there ever would be.

"Well, honey, now I'm the lonely one, so would you please," she began to cry now and chocked as her voice refused to go on.

A set of garnet eyes watched as the woman stood, shakily and edged against the wall to the washroom. They waited until the door closed.

In one smooth motion, a hand reached out, clutching a silver staff whose edge was sharp and jagged. It stuck out like the bottom of an old fashioned key and seemed to occupy more space than its size suggested.

The body tensed, floated up from the bed. Then, as sudden as the stranger appeared, they both vanished.

Irene Tsukino heard the sustained beep from the heart-rate monitor and burst into the room at top speed. Her eyes, still red, stared in disbelief at the scene before her. The bed lay empty, all the tubes and pads lying as though still attached to a body and yet, and yet.

"Help," her voice was hoarse, cracked and silent. "Help," she screamed again. "SOMEBODY HELP MY BABY, MY DAUGHTER!" A nurse tried to help her off the floor, but nothing could bring catharsis.

Usagi Tsukino was, simply, gone.

--

Jean stepped softly on the ground and watched as it billowed around her. She knew, as the fog encircled her ankles, that her feet touched no surface no more than the air around her was real. She was in a dream- and it was not her own.

Slowly a scene began to grow from the nothing. First, shades of light came in so that above her stretched the heavens in a diamond speckled quilt. Then below her sand appeared, gritty and cold between her toes.

She stood at the edge of an ocean. Her cold waves foamed as she advanced and retreated before the full moon. The landscape, though beautiful, was empty.

"Hello?" Jean felt pulled by the navel, suddenly front and centre. Floating above the water she saw a familiar silver head flailing wildly in the black ebb.

"Bunny?" She called, surprised. Usually the girl kept her mind barred against any possible invasion and yet here she was, a first class ride alongside the drowning girl.

Any sound Bunny tried to make was stamped out immediately by new waves of water. Far off on the beach she saw a figure walking, searching the horizon with unease. Jean cast a worried glance to the sinking girl. The man's calls echoed off the water. He could hear the splashes but not see the source.

As a general rule, Jean preferred to keep out of the way should she drift astray while sleeping. But try as she might, she could not sit back and allow the poor thing to spend yet another sleep in nightmare. So, with a gentle hand and soft voice, she called out and reached for the surfacing fingers.

"I would advise you to leave her be," Jean turned to the source, a tall, mysteriously exotic woman with tanned skin and black hair. Her eyes flashed a dangerous garnet and there was something otherworldly about her.

"Who are you?" The woman remained impassive though dared the mutant to aid the younger girl.

"That is not your concern, nor for that matter, is she." Jean felt an instant dislike swell inside of her and without a second thought, grabbed for the sinking hand.

Quicker than a blink she was restrained, arm twisted painfully behind her.

"She'll drown!" The woman shook her head.

"You are a telepath?" Jean heard a sigh and tried to twist from the impossible grip. "How weak your abilities must be." A stab of fear entered her heart.

"You're with them," she realized, her movements slowing at the shock of it. "You're responsible for all the attacks." Her brows set in a firm line. "Why are you after Bunny?"

The woman clucked.

"Guess again." Jean looked out to the horizon and watched as the man dove in the waters, thick arms ploughing powerfully through the icy depths. He reached her in minutes, diving until her head broke the surface.

With his arm firmly about her waist, he turned to paddle back. Bunny floated behind him, white as china, ivory silk reflecting the moonlight. Jean noticed the skin between her breasts was flat and smooth. There was no sign of a scar.

The woman released her without warning and, like a ghost, they bobbed midair.

"A memory," her eyes widened. "We're in her memory?"

"You spoke earlier of attacks." Jean followed the pair for a moment, watching them collapse on the beach, the woman hunched over and coughing while the man knelt at her side. "You are right to think they are after Bunny."

Jean spun, a mask of incredulity replacing any previous calm.

"How do you-," The woman shook her head.

"Suffice to say I know. I have allowed you to glimpse this for one reason, Jean, and one alone." The redhead stepped back.

"You invited me here?" she searched for any recognition within the woman's almond, slanted eyes or fine, shapely lips. "How? Why?"

"Please, we haven't much time. I have used my power out of my realm; this will not go unnoticed." Jean struggled to keep her questions at bay, driven by the sudden desperation in the woman's voice. "It is imperative that she remember, soon, before they strike. You must help her."

"How?" The girl shook her head and stared to the beach where the two sat side by side, arguing by the looks of things. "I'm not fully matured like the Professor, and even if I were, I doubt I'd ever be able to do what he…" The woman shook her head.

"Take this," a tiny silver bead flew her way. Landing in her cupped palms, Jean marvelled at the tiny key. "When she remembers, the others will find her. They will seek to join her. When this happens, and only then, summon me." Jean stared at the miniscule object

"But how…"

Jean stood alone and watched as the beach faded, as the water faded until she was back within the grey fog. She was on the edge of sleep now, about to wake. Slowly, she felt the weight of her legs, the softness of her blankets and, just barely something cold buried in her fist.

--

Haruka cast a worried glance over her shoulder. Her passenger remained silent, cheek leaning against the cold and frosted glass, eyes peeking from their half-open skins.

"You're lucky you caught me- usually I'm the first to leave." She kept her tone light and shrivelled her face into an expressive mockery. Bunny took no notice. "Of course, I make it a point to be late at least three days out of the week. You know Materson, he's the most anal representative of homeroom on the whole." Haruka forced a chuckle that soured quickly. The girl hadn't heard a word!

Shaking her head, she reached up and flicked on the radio. Thunder crashed through the speakers and Bunny leapt from her seat in alarm, crying out as her head met with the low roof.

"Ow!" she mumbled, rubbing the tender area. She caught the teasing eyes reflected in the rear-view mirror. Bunny shifted uncomfortably.

"Glad to see you back," her vision flicked back to the road, a grey stretch of drizzling flakes and slush. "Still dreaming, huh?"

Bunny breathed tiredly, leaning back into the chair and not bothering to tuck away the escaped strands of hair from her toque.

"Yes," she whispered, fiddling with the hem of her woollen sleeves. Bunny tried to calm the hum of insects crawling on her insides- she knew she would have to return to school. She only wished it weren't so soon.

"What of?" Bunny shrugged, her shoulders feeling stiff from their hunched position.

"Nothing." her hand lifted to the window, painting intricate designs onto the fog her breath left. Haruka chuckled.

"I find it hard to believe that of all people, you don't dream." Bunny scrunched her nose in focus, looping and curving the shapes until they formed a patterned ballet.

"Of course I do! Only," her hand paused, as though deciding whether or not to add accents. "It's a little silly."

"I won't laugh," Haruka's grin spread. "Though, I might tease." Bunny ignored her. The radio blared on, and the driver flicked the car into silence. Now it was just the two of them, sitting side by side with only a gear shift to separate them.

"There was this pyre, tall, crystal pyre surrounded by pearl and diamond floors, with these drawings… only they weren't drawings, they were words." Haruka kept her gaze forward, trying not to show too much interest. Bunny stared the mosaic of her finger trails and lifted her hand to continue. "I was, kneeling before it, talking to it and then, it was like being sucked in by a vacuum, and the world went all dark and bright at the same time and then…"

Haruka prompted her gently.

"Then?" The younger girl did not hear, instead kept her eyes strained on the intricate weavings of her skin against frost.

"Wet, very wet. I was in the sea and the moon was above, full, and there was a man laying, sleeping in the sand." Bunny chewed her lip. "On earth, he called from earth yet he spoke the Old Tongue, how," her hand paused, dropping suddenly. "How could he have know the Call of Gathering?"

Ignoring the rush in her chest, Haruka pursued.

"The what?" Bunny's lips were moving, slowly, slipping out sounds both new and familiar. "What Bunny?"

The first half of the phrase was inaudible, barely more than puffs of air. The second half, Haruka caught with difficulty.

"… Zevile,"

--

Rei sat unmoving in her seat, wearily eyeing those few who passed through the temple gates. It was a small crowd; smaller, that is, then in Tokyo. Then again, it was a Shinto Temple. Nonetheless there they were, and here she was.

Her quiet was interrupted every so often by the shuffling of feet, or tingling of the bell as more prayers were dropped into the covered box. Still, she would nod as each visitor passed and return to her thoughts. Thoughts of which, currently were consumed with last night's dream.

What little she recalled shone with blaring clarity- a large silver dome, a shinning tower rising from its centre, great gem carved tapestries racing by her as she ran. Some of the scenes she knew to be true, memories of her life on the moon. Others- she sighed. Perhaps they were best left unresolved.

"Dinner for two," a white plastic bag plopped on the desk before her. Rei lift her tiered face. "What," Jadeite frowned. "That's all I get?"

"Thank you," she pecked his cheek, lingering a moment. His cheeks swelled.

"So," he swung round the table, opening the bag so that the scent of Thai noodles wafted upward. "What's new, sugar lips?" Ignoring his comment, she reached for the chopsticks and swallowed a mouthful.

"Slow today," she motioned to the now empty room.

"Might be a good thing. You look exhausted." The priestess rolled her eyes and reached for another heap of noodles.

"Such a charmer," but Jadeite remained serious.

"You haven't been sleeping." Rei clucked.

"I try."

"Visions again?" She chewed thoughtfully before answering.

"I… I think so." He leaned forward.

"They've never been this clouded before." Rei caught his hand, and he stopped mid-thought.

"What if, what if these memories are buried for a reason?" Jadeite pursed his lips, worried.

"Why would the guardians hide something from us?" Rei shook her head.

"I don't think they have anything to do with it. I mean our memories, yeah, they could, but you, Darien and the others," her chopsticks poked idly at a lone broccoli crown. "You weren't part of the Silver Millennium. I think," she paused again, lifting the legume to the light and watching as sauce dripped into the Styrofoam container. "I think whatever it is we've forgotten is big… big enough to tear us, all of us apart if we found out."

Jadeite considered her words, eyeing the graceful dip of her neck as she leaned back, the soft planes of her face as they caught the waning light. For a terrible moment, there was a flash, and he was back in a time best forgotten, and they stood opposite, at war, in fear. He blinked and the image was gone. His eye caught the twinkle of a mirror behind him.

"I can't promise I didn't hurt you in the past," he cringed and prayed the apparition was dredged from his own fears. "I can't hold any of us responsible for events I don't remember but," he caught her chin beneath his and traced the smooth line of her jaw. "I know, without a doubt in my mind, that there is no force strong enough in the universe to keep me from you."

"Nephlyte's turned you into a romantic now?" but her breath was shallow and the intensity of his words brightened the shadowed revelation. Jadeite kept his face still.

"I will never betray you," and it was sealed in a kiss. Pressing her forehead into his shoulder, Rei felt a tear slid into the woven cloth separating their skin.

It's not from you I fear betrayal.

--

Diamond watched Bunny edge along the back of the class, slipping into the gymnasium quiet as a mouse. She had been avoiding everyone as best she could for the better part of a week, and he was growing weary of her clouded behaviour.

"You're not late." He chuckled as she leapt ten feet high, tripping over her feet and landing noisily on her back.

"Diamond!" she hissed, flaming red as snickers tittered from her audience. Waving his hand away, she stood, straightened her blouse and promptly ignored him.

"I was kidding, Bunny." She sniffed and stared at him crossly.

"Well, you aren't very funny."

"I think that's the most you've talked to me all week," feigning insult he watched her hands drop guiltily. Stepping closer, he wrapped an arm around her. "How are you holding up?"

She shrugged and dropped her shoulders.

"How is Beryl?" Diamond leaned down.

"Went to the funeral this weekend. All things considered," tilting his head he caught her eyes and stared into their depths. "She's doing pretty well." Bunny gulped under the intensity of his gaze. A weight tugged around her neck and he lifted the tiny star pendant from where it hung over her chest. "What's this," he asked?

She caught the light as it glinted of the metal but found it hard to turn from his gaze. Her head felt light and foggy. When she didn't answer, Diamond doubled his focus, reaching for the power the Queen had awakened.

In the back of his mind, a sensation quite like guilt tingled where the soft metal met his skin. Then, power ripped through him and it was gone. Bunny's eyes darkened in response.

"A gift," the wings of her heart beat against her bone, shaking her body. Diamond kept his gaze and smiled.

"From who?" Bunny's lips parted, but no sound escaped. "Do you have a lot of necklaces like this?"

His words wrapped her in a fuzzy blanket, and it was then she noticed how quiet it had become, how far away the classes chatter seemed to be. Necklaces, she thought briefly, why yes, I used to have a great many…

Diamond smiled. This was far too easy.

"Any diamonds?" Bunny reflected a moment. Then suddenly, she saw a long chain, shinning and made of many pearls and onyx. Tiny silver hoops weaved in and out and in and out. The binding extended for miles and miles, the end disappearing to some invisible point.

Diamond gazed with her, silently guiding her to reach for that end. Then, there was a light. Small, at first, yet it glowed of power without equal. A gasp escaped his lips.

"Line up!" The shout surprised him and in that moment's hesitation, he felt nauseous as the light snapped before him and he stood back in the gymnasium, still holding Bunny close. Kunzite glared at them both, his gaze rivalled by Diamond's fury. "I won't repeat myself."

Bunny felt sick as Diamond stepped away, falling into line where the room was divided by the centre line. She too fell back, guiding herself to the group of girls standing giddily beside Kitty.

"Bunny, you naughty girl," she giggled, ruffling her crown with her fingers. Bunny swallowed her retort for fear of becoming sick. "You were hanging all over Diamond," someone beside Kitty laughed but Bunny hadn't the strength to see who. "When did this all happen?"

She ignored the comment as the surrounding clique hungrily dived in with their own divulgences. Across the room, Bunny watched him slip into a red jersey, pulling the material over his head. As if sensing her, he turned and caught her eye.

Blinking immediately, she doubled over, clutching her stomach.

"Hey," the room spun faster, warping faces into pools of flesh and floor and eyes. "Bun, you okay?" Her knees crashed into the wood and a set of alarmed wails reached her ears. Weakness surged over her in waves and she felt nauseous. Through this, a deep voice spoke to her.

"Smith, come on, you alright?"

"She's prolly just ridin' the red wave Coach!" Bunny didn't see the face of the commentator but by the silence in the room she was sure Kunzite had already served his punishment.

A pair of strong arms guided her quickly from the gymnasium and into the hallway.

"N-no," she protested weakly, fearing momentarily it might be Diamond. Then, recognizing the feel of his grip, mumbled: "'M fnnn…"

Darien rolled his eyes.

"Very convincing. Tip, Dumpling?" With his hands as her guide, she felt eased against the wall and onto the floor. Pulling her knees up, she rested her head between her knees and breathed shallow as he rubbed her back. "Don't get into acting. You're not very good."

She tried to reply, but still unsure of her stomachs wish, squeezed her lips and waited instead for her head to clear.

Several minutes passed with the two in silence. Darien crouched beside her.

"You should try and have some water." He lifted a bottle to her hand and she grasped it feebly, dousing her shirt as she spilled the contents onto her lips. She was grateful he did not tease her, instead pressed a towel to sop the water from her skin.

"How do you do that?" his curio came in veiled exasperation.

"What?"

"Appear right when I need help…" Darien felt his gut knot tightly. It was inevitable- he knew the time would come for him to explain his transformation. Still, he wished it wasn't so soon. He had no idea how to tell her, or even what to tell her. Glancing up was a mistake. He could not lie to those eyes. "In the elevator, how did you, I mean," she swallowed with difficulty. Her skin was still far too pale. "What…"

"There are forces in this world," he began. "Things that aren't supposed to be here, but they slip through the cracks."

"You fight with them, the lights I saw when that creature attacked, with the X-men." He nodded.

"How did you know where the Youma would be?" She leaned back and closed her eyes, pressing the half-drained bottle to her temple.

"Is that what they are called?" She heard his nod and continued. "I had a dream, I was running the rooftops and I saw them…"

"Them?"

"I suppose I was you," she mused, cracking open her eyes a smidge. They were watery and unfocused. "Tell me, Darien. Is it normal to dream like this?" Unsure what to say, he shrugged and dropped his eyes. Bunny lolled her head against the wall. "I suppose neither of us would recognize 'normal' if it were to grab us by the neck."

Darien caught a flash of light from her movement and tracked its source. A golden chain hung from her neck, dangling between her breasts. He recognized it from the day of the masquerade. Yet something was not quite right. Instead of catching the light in its reflective centre, it seemed cloudy- tainted.

"May I?" he motioned to the hanging jewellery and with a slow nod, she lifted the shape into his hands. It was heavier than it looked and burned his skin to the touch.

"Is something the matter?" she asked at his wince. Darien looked at the tiny star and it shone as brightly as ever. It opened with a click and churned a gentle melody that made them both smile.

"Does it always do that?" he motioned to the singing star, happily whistling away in his palm. His wry grin met her beaming smile. The colour had returned to her cheeks and her eyes sparkled as they caught his.

"Only around you."

--

Jean stood there, her hand hovering over the door and curled into a fist.

"Knock Jean, knock on the door." But her hand refused to listen, content instead to remain midway between its destination. What was she even going to say? Hey Bunny, wound up in your dream the other night, some lady told me I'm supposed to help you get your memories back- she gave me a key, see?

Her arm dropped listlessly to her side. Sometimes real life was too unreal to handle.

"Hello Jean, were you looking for Haruka?" Nearly leaping a foot from her skin, Jean spun, meeting face to face with the very person she was hoping to avoid. "Sorry," she remarked as Jean sighed, hand to her cheek. "I believe she went out with Michelle."

"Oh, no, actually I was looking for you Bunny." The blond tugged her scarf free from her neck.

"Me?" she squeaked, eyes popping wide. Then, suspiciously, added: "Scott sent you didn't he?" Jean laughed.

"Hardly. If he sent me after you brats every time you skipped practice, I'd never get anything done." Bunny scowled.

"You needn't say it like that." Jean grinned and ruffled her hair.

"Just kidding, girlie. Think we could grab some privacy?" She motioned to the door and Bunny nodded.

"Am I in trouble?" Jean shook her head.

"No."

"Are you going to talk about Mandy?" Hearing the pain in her voice, Jean again shook her head.

"Not unless you want to." The door shut and sunk them in darkness. Feet shuffled along the carpet and moments later, light flooded from a small Tiffany lamp propped over the dresser. Jean noticed the naked railings climbing the wall, where at one time a mirror hung. "What happened?" She motioned to the blank spot and Bunny looked anxious.

"It broke," she lied, but Jean chose not to press further. After all, she had more than enough questions for now.

They sat a moment in uncomfortable silence, both growing more anxious with each second that ticked.

"Ha, funny dream I had the other night," Bunny glance up uncertainly at her words. Jean hoped her assured smile covered her lumbering speech. "Don't remember much but there was this woman; tall, with long hair and ruby eyes…"

"Was she someone you knew?" the younger girl fiddled with her pendant, urging Jean to continue.

"No," she said, carefully. "But she seemed to know you." Bunny perked.

"Was I also there?"

"Well, yes and no." Jean saw her face cloud in confusion and tried to elaborate. "She had this staff, like a long old-fashioned key- silver. Looked almost like something was missing from it… a gem, or ornament or something." Bunny's face warped.

"I was the key?" Clearly Jean would have to change tactics. None of her descriptions seemed to be stirring the girl's thoughts.

"No, no you were in the water. Ocean actually, and there was this guy and he swam in- I guess he must have heard you splashing from the beach." Bunny jumped, startled. "Something wrong?"

She laughed nervously, then dropped her head timidly to the side.

"Not 'wrong', no. Only," she scrunched her nose, fingers intertwining in the chain of her pendant. "It is strange, I had a dream rather similar a few nights ago." A dawning lit the girls face inside out and she turned to meet Jean's eyes with a new wariness. "It is strange, also, that in my dream I felt as though I was being watched."

Jean understood the accusation and steeled herself. Already her mind sensed a shift in the room.

"Bunny, I- I don't think it was a dream."

"What else could it have been?" Her back straightened and her face reflected one of betrayal. "What are you not telling me, Jean?"

"They're memories. They're memories you've been suppressing and somehow they're all tied into what's going on here and," Jean looked beseechingly to her friend. "Bunny I know what you're thinking but I haven't been reading your mind, I swear! The only reason I was there that night was because of her." Bunny kept her face still.

"The woman you spoke of?" Jean felt a surge of relief.

"Yes, yes, exactly. She told me to help you remember, and when you did to use this," she grappled for the tiny key from the folds in her pants and all but shoved her palm before the guarded youth.

"A key." Jean nodded enthusiastically.

"Bunny I don't know what this means, I don't know what any of it means, but all the signs here are pointing that you, someway or another do!" Her voice turned desperate. "The X-men are used to going up against the strange and the strong and the homicidal, but whatever these things are… I've never seen the Professor worry like this. If there's even a chance this may be true," she motioned to the key.

Bunny stared at it, laying there, harmless glints of lamplight on the unmarred surface. Her vision made it passed the two silver prongs, up the slim, curved handle and to its end where the tiny rivulets curled and knotted in and around themselves.

"You think I could be responsible for what's been happening? Those attacks on Logan?"

Her eyes reached Jean with an intensity the telepath had never seen. These were not the eyes of a teenager. These were the eyes that witnessed the birth and destruction of all. The skin tingled on Jean's arm and in that second she felt that same force that brought this mysterious girl into their lives all those months ago.

"Bunny," she reached out, surprised and frightened by the sudden change. Jean watched as Bunny focused on her, eyes wide and brimming with tears.

"Do you think I could be responsible for what happened to Mandy?" Jean shook her head.

"No, of course not," she hardly had a moment to finish her phrase and Bunny was out the door, footsteps banging down the hallway, settling in a decrescendo until she was all but gone.

Jean felt a pile heavier than lead settle in her stomach, crushing her organs and tightening each breath.

"Huh," she muttered accusingly to the tiny piece of metal in her palm. "That went well."

--

Logan glanced up lazily from the table, beer resting in his paw.

"She back yet?" Jean refused to return his look, choosing instead to gaze into the darkness of the front lot. "I'll take that as a no. Whaja' say to 'er Jeanie?"

"Nothing," she sighed, dropping her head to her hands. They settled over a cooled cup of tea. Her stomach still hadn't removed the lead pegs causing each movement to pass in slow and sluggish circle.

"Didn't sound like nuthin'," He watched her face, eyes wrenched with worry, lips tightened. Logan felt a sudden urge to wrap her in his arms. Instead, he took another swig from the bottle.

"Thanks Mister Logan," he choked.

"Think yer old enough now ta' drop the title." Her lips tugged upward.

"Logan," He smirked.

"Jean?" But before either one could speak a banging sounded from across the house. Logan recognized the sound of the entry way doors slamming shut and dropped his feet with an exasperated sigh. "Don't slam the door!" he hollered before standing up.

Jean followed closely at his heels, catching only Haruka slipping her fingers from her leather gloves. They spun just quickly enough to catch a pale figure disappear upstairs.

"She doesn't want to talk to you," she motioned to Jean, her eyes hard and unreadable.

"Where the hell were you? Ya know the kids need to be in by curfew!" If Logan's growl frightened Haruka, she made no show of it.

"It's midnight."

"It's one-fifteen." She shrugged.

"Close enough." Jean stepped forward.

"Where'd you guys go anyway?" Haruka kept her mask in neutral.

"I don't see how that's any of your business," then, catching Logan's increasingly cross stare added: "but if you're so curious, why don't you ask her?" Jean grumbled.

"You know why." Haruka frowned.

"Damn right. Word to the wise, Red. Watch who you start accusing around here." Logan took a step forward.

"That's enough, shut it or scram it. I'm too tiered to deal with you." Though Haruka seemed as though she had more to say, they were interrupted by noise from the living room.

The news was cranked to the highest volume, cheesy trumpeted scores bouncing through the empty first level of the mansion. Seated in the farthest corner of the great leather couches was Hank MaCoy, remote in one hand, spectacles perched pensively on the brow of his broad nose.

"Hank," Logan started his voice slightly hoarse from exhaustion. "It's one in the mornin', think ya' could turn it down?"

He received a 'hush' in reply and nearly sliced all three around him. That is until he saw a familiar face pop on screen.

"And we are back at Bayville Hospital where earlier today a young girl was kidnapped from her hospital bed while her mother was only feet away."

The four stared in shocked silence as a picture came to screen. She was seventeen at the most with large, slanted eyes that reflected the brightness of a spring day and pale, luminescent skin that glowed. Golden blond locks curled at the end of her fringe while the rest was pulled back in two familiar and unique buns with the ends cascading over her shoulders.

"But, that's impossible." Haruka shook her head.

"It's her, I mean the hair's darker but no doubt," Jean's vision swam before she remembered to blink. Logan held out his hand to silence them both as the newscaster filled the room with his thunderous voice.

"Usagi Tsukino disappeared mysteriously from her hospital bed while her mother Irene was only feet away in the adjacent bathroom.

The seventeen-year old had just moved from Japan with her family and was to begin at Bayville High when she collapsed, inexplicably, into a coma late this summer. She had rested here," the screen flashed to an empty hospital room, police tape guarding the small cramped area around the bed. The voice continued. "

'Officials are baffled. No medical equipment was moved during the process, nor were there any suspicious activity in the vicinity at the time of the disappearance.

'I'd gone to the bathroom for a minute, not even,' sobs the girl's mother. 'I came running as soon as I heard the heart monitor, I thought she was…' "

They watched uncomfortably as the tall woman collapsed into her husband.

"Please," the father began, his chestnut eyes watering staring from behind a set of thick glasses. "We'll pay, do anything," he choked. "We just want our daughter back."

The family disappeared and they were left with two stoic news anchors, both shuffling their papers mournfully.

"Terrible thing, Terry, isn't it?" The woman bobbed her head.

"If anyone has any information, they are urged to contact their local police department as soon as possible. In other news," Hank flicked the switch and the room was plunged into a silent darkness.

"Well," he said finally, his face mirroring those around him. "Curiouser and curiouser I'd say."

No one had the mind to answer.

--

Darien hurried down the corridor, cursing his unusual tardy state and tightened the grip on his shoulder bag. At least he'd the sense to wear his trunks before hand, no matter the ridiculous pair they made with half-laced boots.

Just as he was to reach the pool's main entrance, he collided with a smaller form. Instinctively, his bag dropped and caught instead the shocked figure.

"Oh," she gasped, hands raised protectively and now pressed against his chest. They stood a moment before reality zoomed back and they stepped awkwardly about. "Uh, s-sorry,"

"Sorry," they looked up, surprised by their unison and laughed. Bunny touched her cheek, surprised to feel a lost grin upon her cheeks.

"Late, Coach?" she teased, noticing with glee his lack of manner and he responded with a decisive frown.

"I could say the same for you," he nodded to the doors and through them, to the gathered students loitering about the water's edge. She shrugged, and smiled again, feeling decidedly brighter for the first day since the incident.

Darien dared not ask about the event, content to see her pleased and led the way to where the rest of the class already gathered. Already they could hear the other Coach talking, his voice amplified and echoing in rippled delay.

"As you all know, we are diving this week." Bunny slipped to the back of the group, towel clenched tightly about her chest so that only the bottoms of her legs and arms peeked through. Kunzite, spotting his friend, merely nodded at their entrance.

"Some of you may have experience," Darien added, kicking his shoes off to the side and walking quickly to join his friend. "Some of you may never have stepped a foot in water." Several chuckles emitted from the crowd as some of the boys pushed the smaller ones to the edge.

Darien ignored them while Kunzite sent a contemptuous gaze.

"No matter," his stern voice cut their laughter, "you level of ability, you shall, by the end of this week, be asked to perform three simple dives."

At this, all heads turned to the highest of the boards, looming a great many stories above. Several gasps and sounds of awe filled the room as a figure walked to the end and in a simple (but graceful) move, turned backward, jumped high and straight and touched her fingers to her toes before stretching into a smooth dive. Her fingers broke the surface with only the glimmer of a splash.

Bunny gulped fearfully as the class erupted in nervous applause, the diver popping out of the water as fluid as the liquid itself.

"Thank you Ami," Darien nodded to the slim, pixie-like girl while handing her a towel. "This class, is the most difficult, a reverse pike, and will require the greatest amount of attention to succeed."

Kunzite nodded.

"Luckily for you, Ami Muzuino has been kind enough to offer her expertise on the matter." Another of his sharp looks cut silent any boisterous calls the boys enjoyed exuding. "For your sakes, I advise you pay her attention."

Bunny could not remove her eyes from the girl before them. Her short hair curled around her ears and though her lips were set tight and rigid, she held a gentle gaze.

Deja- vue crept up Bunny's spine, and she shivered, tightening the towel around her shoulders. Darien caught the motion and smiled her way. She warmed inside and straightened her shoulders, staring up at the teetering monster of death they were too face.

A voice broke her concentration and it was then she noticed a lingering figure at the base of the ladder.

"You there!" called Ami her voice quiet but sharp. The figure paused, her red form leaned innocently against the great steal posts. "There'll be no dives unless I approve them."

The form approached and Ami recognized the Ember-Oil heir slither simply forward.

"Sorry, thought it'd be okay for me to steal a quick dip" her voice dripped in a tone suggesting she was anything but. "I've dove for years, used to train every summer in Germany," she sighed, eyeing the new woman before her. "That is where all the best coaches are, you know." Ami frowned.

"Most introductions begin with a name, Ms. Sanskrit." Darien looked up from his clip board and nodded toward the icy and silent woman. Bunny could feel her dislike radiate for miles. She scratched at the sudden burning between her brows while Darien continued. "This is Miss Mizuno,"

"Mrs?" she started, staring with disbelief at the shorter girl before clasping her hands in glee. "Well, congratulations! Let's see the ring" she directed to the stoic woman before tossing over her shoulder: "She's hardly any older than us!"

The laughter stopped almost as it began. Bunny marvelled as the fair crowned man stepped forward, finding it humorous how soft Darien seemed by comparison.

"Yet look how much farther she has come- early acceptance in a pre-doctorate programme, studying beneath Olympic level coaches," his eyes narrowed and one brow shifted dangerously high. Bunny could not help but feel a twitch pull at her lips. "Though I suppose it's not nearly as impressive as a 'contributing' socialite."

Beryl looked stunned a moment before shrugging demurely and hiding a yawn with her hand. Darien nearly groaned aloud as a tall, dense looking git relieved her arms from the thick towel he carried preciously to a bench.

"Right, everybody partner up. I don't care with whom but do it fast and quiet, good." Darien nodded, jotting the pairs onto his clipboard while Kunzite barked the rules.

Kitty idled up to her friend and tugged the long locks currently trapped beneath her cloak-hung towel.

"You swim a lot, Bunny," she asked? The blond shook her head, fear sinking like stones from the proud mask she held.

"No."

Kitty raised a brow, shocked. "Never?"

There was no chance of reply. Kunzite blew hard on the whistle and bodies whizzed past the startled girl, hurtling themselves like suicidal lemmings into the sloshing, blue water. She held her eyes closed a moment, fingers still clinging to the terry-cloth saviour, unwilling to leave it or solid ground behind. Were they all insane?

"Oh, don't be such a wuss!" Bunny straightened, eyes popping open at the familiar voice. Beryl stood before her, head shaking incredulously while the others bobbed merrily in the mirthless depths. Kitty sputtered atop the surface, one of Beryl's pawns clinging to her arm. The brunette shrugged gloomily before phasing through the girls insistent grip.

Beryl stole forward, hips swaying advantageously beneath her low cut, no-sided suite. Her arm was a pale snake over Bunny's reluctant shoulders.

"Ah!" she cried, shocked at the cold as the red-head ripped the towel from her grip and crushed her fingers between her palms. "N-no, r-really Beryl," she insisted, eyes widening as the liquid licked the deck temptingly. "I think I would much prefer to watch," she pleaded.

Beryl shrugged.

"It's not even cold. Here," she affirmed, raising their hands like a queen before her court. The class watched, entranced, from their places. "We'll jump together."

A gleam of want glimmered from those emerald depths and Bunny pulled more insistently. Bunny yelped and covered one arm across her chest, suddenly very aware of the black suite's low neck, and the bright scar that poked just within sight. Her call pulled the attention of the two Coaches.

"Girls!" Kunzite bellowed. Darien handed his clipboard to a very stunned Ami.

"What did we just say?" But he noticed too late and in slow motion Bunny watched the clear surface rush towards her and sound disappeared. She opened to scream.

"N-," the water hit her full force, sucking the heat from her flesh and closing around her ribs so that air was forced from her lungs. She squeezed hard on the hand clenching hers, her nails pressing into the skin, her arm twisting as she tried to head for the surface.

Bunny cringed as the hand pinched her back and nearly screamed, her lips sealed against the water.

Pieces of skin floated up from the arm, grey and black and rotted revealing sinew and bone. It rattled mutely and another hand reached out, skeleton fingers grasping above the elbow, attached to shoulder and cradling a sunken, laughing skull

She kicked, screamed and bit and kicked and flailed until at last it relinquished its grip and then, she kicked some more.

The light began to disappear from her and water filled her lungs. She coughed, wanting only air, sweet, lovely air. Her lungs burned, seared and separated with each gasp, her chest seizing and convulsing and she kicked wildly, to the side, around in circles until she no longer knew which way was which.

Something splashed beside her and fearing the demon, Bunny lashed out, thrashing weaker now as her vision blurred.

It grabbed her, and pulled and suddenly the intense pressure seemed to lessen and the dark to recede until light burst forth and tears soaked her eyes.

Ground, hard and tiled felt even colder against her body and she tensed, her stomach seizing and water spilled from her mouth, followed by deep, chesty coughs.

"There there," a soft hand patted her back and she knew already her rescuer. "Don't try and speak yet, just keep coughing."

Bunny lay on her side moments longer and remained oblivious to the succession of screams resonating within the room.

"I was trying to help!" Beryl cried, framing her scratched arm tenderly between her breasts. "I thought it would be easier if we both went in, then s-she just f-freaked out!"

Darien ignored her crocodile tears as Kunzite escorted the hysterical girl outside. He rushed to the other two and wrapped his towel around his gasping charge.

"She's alright Darien, just a little shocked I think." Bunny squeezed her eyes, wiping them with damp hands while calming her shaking pants. It was then she remembered the audience her classmates. All of whom currently stared rather disapprovingly at her dramatics.

"Come on Buns, I'll get you checked out in first aid." She thanked her already flushed face and shook her head, pushing herself into a sitting position.

"No, I'm fine really," her voice croaked and she stared shakily to where her classmates bobbed easily. "J-just, have never swam before…"

Darien rolled his eyes at her stubbornness and placed his arm around her as she slowly stood.

"Ami, would you mind getting these guys started? Just get them doing some laps, asses where they're at…" She nodded impishly, noticing the deepened crease in his brow and his daring stance.

"Of course, please don't worry about a thing Darien." She winked just as Kunzite strode in, shaking his head and muttering beneath his breath. "Looks like Kunz is back just in time."

Bunny caught the friendly title which served to confirm the ideas that had begun to brew in her head. With a groan, she settled thankfully in Darien's warm embrace and marvelled in the fates kind frame to allow them this window of discussion.

The embrace made her think of the other times she had wound up like this- what an annoyance she must be, in constant dramatics. She tried to spout an apology, but found not all the water had cleared from her throat.

"Hey," he hushed her glottal moan. "Still clearing the pipe, huh?" He led them straight to a white door marked with a small red 'x'. The air hung thick and Bunny forced a smile.

"Buns?" Darien stiffened, closing the door faster than he had intended. "Well," she caught his face in the cabinet window. He was blushing. "It's much better than 'dumpling head'."

Darien controlled his movements, slowly opening the cupboard and retrieving the needed instruments.

"You're obviously feeling much better." She only shrugged as he approached, wielding a strange metal and rubber combo shaped into a long 'Y'. Bunny frowned, eyeing him carefully.

"What is that?" Darien chuckled, sliding the two metal arms around his neck.

"A stethoscope- don't tell me you've never been to the doctor?" He strolled to her, lowering down to stare her evenly. She straightened and he noticed a twinge of pink in her skin. "With you're propensity for danger, I'm surprised you aren't sent more often." Then with a smile, he added: "You know, most girls just ask me out for coffee."

She smirked, or at least attempted to, but it was very difficult as he hovered very closely over her, nose almost grazing hers and breathe teasing the peach of her skin. Taking note of her discomfort, Darien smiled. "I'm going to shine a light in your eyes, okay? Try not to blink."

And a black wand whipped forth, stabbing her eye with a small but bright beam and she felt her muscles contract and adjust around it.

"Ah!" she cried as he switched eyes and the other was left to stare with a bright, flaming mark in its centre. The moment he flicked off the light, her hand rushed to rub both dizzied orbs. "Are you trying to blind me?" He chuckled.

"Just checking the reaction," She snorted.

"Aren't you always?"

But he hadn't yet backed away and Bunny saw his hand come toward the tiny mark on her brow. The skin prickled as his fingers approached and Bunny gasped as though the air was sucked from her lungs. Darien paused, hovering over the mark.

"What…" they touched, and he swore on his life the spot flashed.

"I-it's a birthmark." Bunny tried to settle the fluttering in her belly but it only seemed to surface as a burning on her cheeks. She gulped.

"I've seen this before…" his voice trailed and Bunny shivered at the intensity in his eyes. She told herself it was from the cold.

As his fingers grazed it, again, she felt a sweet rush and a blaze reflect upon his own. Their eyes met.

"Well," Darien cleared his throat, suddenly aware of their growing proximity. Linking the stethoscope to his ears, he pulled up the rubber tail and presented a small, round disk. "Never mind. This'll be cold for just a minute." He didn't mention the pleasure he sensed in watching her gasp and curve into his touch.

"It's ice!" she yelped, one hand quickly knocking the utensil from his hands. Feeling the pull round the neck of her water-suit, she tugged it high and attempted to disguise the movement as a means to cross both arms. "What is it for?"

Her voice had taken on an almost whining tone. Normally this sort of behaviour would have riled his last nerve, but Darien found a quiet glee in finding excuses to prolong their conversation.

"Checking your pulse." he watched as her eyes rolled snootily and he felt a swell of pride for his influence.

"I am still breathing, it can't be too lost can it?" He shrugged.

"To our own misfortune." Bunny tightened the towel around her shoulders and watched as he grabbed a blanket from the counter behind him. "Here," he tossed the grey, woollen sheet. "You're going to catch yourself a cold." Then beneath his breath, mumbled: "honestly, you're more trouble than you're worth."

Bunny felt sobered by his words, remembering suddenly the reason she had such urgency to see him again.

"Just what am I worth to you?" He stopped immediately, the gnawing stab of the elephant in the room charging full force into him. "And the girls," she added quickly then to herself; and the Professor.

"I don't know what you mean." The wet towel met the floor with the sound of a dripping sponge. Darien turned part-ways in time to catch her wrap the blanket around her.

"I mean, you all think I've something to do with these," she gestured to the door. "These things. The Professor, Haruka, you and whomever else you team with."

Darien kept his face straight and tone even. The lines came out smooth and rehearsed better than Zoi would have expected.

"What things?" She glared at him. He met her gaze, surprised to see such strength, a fire rivalling Rei's death eye.

"You know what they are; at least, you've been against something rather like them."

"Why would you say that?" Bunny felt her jaw drop. The shift in his demeanour was obvious for anyone and yet there he stood, cock eyed and no doubt in awe of his theatrical aptitude.

"Onye- hse." She seemed as surprised as he at the word then shook her head. "I- I meant the other day, you said they 'slipped between the cracks',"

Darien watched the world freeze in motion, ears prickled by her words. He had heard them, once, long ago.

"W-what did you say?" She blinked, taken aback by his response.

"Shadow dwellers- or, whatever it is you call them. The point is you all seem to think I am at fault for their presence here when you all clearly know more of them than I-," But he heard nothing and took two urgent steps forward.

"No, no," he shook his head, fervently. "That's not what you said. That's not the word you used." Bunny was ready to pull every ebony blade from his perfectly formed skull.

"It does not matter what I called it! It matters that you all know more of my involvement in this then I do!" Her voice grew high and frantic. "I cannot help what I do not remember, but I am perfectly capable now to-,"

"TELL ME WHAT YOU SAID!"

His voice was deafening and no sooner did he roar did she flinch. Her jaw clenched tightly, eyes betraying a hurt she tried to blink away. Neither moved, nor spoke for half and eternity and then Darien felt his senses crash back to him.

"I- I should return to class," she voice shook and she didn't bother to wipe the confused tear hanging from her chin. Throwing off the blanket she nodded. "Thank you for your help, Mister Shields."

Her feet landed with a slap against the linoleum and he watched in surprise as she toddled to the door.

"Where are you going?" Bunny refused to halt.

"I am far too tiered of having people tip-toe around me and lie to me and tell me half-truths." Her hand on the knob, she cast him a side-glance. "Did you think I wouldn't guess what you were up to?" She sniffled. "You, Haruka, Michelle…" her lids fluttered briefly and a sad chuckle graced her lips. "I suppose Kunzite and Ami- how many more I wonder?"

He didn't concede to talk to her, in fact he had no desire to betray the steps so preciously set forth by the diviners. And yet, and yet he could not stand to let her leave like this, run out without knowing at least his intentions, however they may be faulted.

Darien pushed the door close before he had time to register the movement.

"Don't go." He whispered. Her eyes turned upward, locking with his.

"Why? Because like this I am a hazard to your watchmen? Your plans?" lowering her voice, she shrugged her head toward the pool area. "As though I could be of ruin… I still haven't a clue as to why you're so interested in me. Don't you know I would have told you anything you wanted to know?"

Through the door they could both hear the shrill screams and chatter of the students. Darien blanched at her honesty

"You lost your memories." She sent a pointed glance, eyes red and puffy. Darien wiped her cheek and she scowled.

"Life is created in the present. The past is of mere consequence."

"Isn't that more the case of the future?" Bunny laughed, harder now, shoulders hunching forward and Darien felt for a moment that she was ageless.

"What is tomorrow without today?"

"I wasn't worried about you because of that, you know." Bunny glanced up attracted by the shift in his tone.

"Oh?" she swallowed the resurrection of butterflies already batting against her chest. He met her gaze.

"What can I say?" Darien reached to the dropped blanket and draped it around her shoulders. "I have a serious shortage of enemies in my life. Who needs attention when I have blind hatred?"

Once she was seated, he rolled a seat forward and sat opposite her. Her tears had dried, and now the only trace was her ruddy flush and shinning eyes.

"How did you know about Ami and Kunz?" ready for the spar, she cocked her head slyly.

"Answer my questions and I will answer yours." Darien studied her face, her large, bright eyes, high arched brows and proud bone structure. Finally, with a sigh he muttered.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Bunny stared him evenly.

"How do you know you cannot?"

And the both jumped as a bolt of deja vue ricochet through them, and suddenly they were not in a medical room at a community pool but somewhere dark, green and fertile. Silver lights painted their cheeks and there they stood, just as defensive, just as startled, just as wary.

Then, the flash was gone, but their glares remained equal and unapologetic.

--

No one bothered to state the obvious, and for this, Rei was grateful. She hadn't touched her steaming tea cup and sat stiffly to fight her exhaustion. Michelle watched her beneath a veiled anxiety.

"Well?" Haruka released her bated breath. She could not hold her curiosity any longer. What could have been so urgent as to rouse them all from slumber at such an hour? Jadeite shot her and angry look. Luckily, she had no qualms in ignoring him. "If you called this meeting to reinstate your status as Queen Bee, none of us are amused."

Half-hearted chuckles broke the growing tension though she noted Darien seemed more subdued than usual. A strange look marked his face. For her part, the raven priestess seemed unperturbed by Haruka's comment and shifted so that she leaned onto the coffee table.

"As you all know," she began slowly, eyes never lifting higher than the china rim of her mug. "A great many things have occurred these past months, including the appearance of a new enemy."

She heard a sigh from the back of the room and chose to ignore it, letting the whisper of her voice draw their attention. She continued:

"Within this time, I have received visions, disguised as dreams. It has taken me some time to piece them together and though the picture is not yet complete I believe I have information of great pertinence that will aid us in winning this battle."

Silence fell over them like a glace and Darien glanced up, a knot forming tightly in his stomach. Could she know his identity had been compromised? Would she tell the other's? Kunzite's voice rolled like thunder in the dim lit room.

"What sort of information?" Rei strolled forth as though nothing was said.

"I believe a certain addition to our circle was in fact a member of the court in the days of the Silver Millennium." A flood of gasps flicked every candle in the room. Lita shook her head- impossible.

"You couldn't mean," Mina mirrored the shock on her face.

"Bunny?" Their unison vocalized the doubt in the minds of the other's. Rei clenched her jaw, as though bracing herself.

"From what I gather, she was- is," she stressed, brows stretching high into her forehead. "The Princess the guardians told us about."

Darien was sure his breath was stolen from him. Yet, moments later, there it was, filling his chest to relieve the stab of tightness though around him, he felt the same disbelief.

"T-that's not possible…" Mina clenched the leather of the couch, pulling wrinkles in the valley of her fingers. Kunzite rested a hand on her. "We, I mean, we would have known- sensed it." Rei, ever the bearer of good news shook her head sorrowfully.

"There is much they forgot to tell us." Darien pictured the woman from his dreams, her face a floating mystery, her hair a puzzle of mist and fog.

"Forgot?"

"You must remember their powers were bound, bound still until her awakening." Nephlite gaped.

"The stars have told me nothing of such." Rei gave a bitter laugh and reached finally for the cooling mug.

"They did not know- no one knew. As far as I can see she was meant to stay in the past as she deserved." Startled by the harshness in her voice, Darien straightened.

"And what do you mean by that?" A fury arose in him. Deserved? What could have cost her the right to suffer an eternity in frozen time?

"It's like I feared," her eyes were again downcast, but he did not care. How could she say such things? "You don't remember then?" one hopeful glance was all it took to confirm her fears.

"Remember what?" Ami was not accustomed to this position, to be waiting for knowledge in place of the all- knowing. The priestess sighed once more and felt comforted as Jed knelt at her side.

"You're not going to like what I have to say," she bit her lip. "I have asked the fire for any other way, but it is certain…"

"What?" Haruka felt Michelle beside her, clutching her hand. All seemed surreal, pieces of a drug induced dream and she was sure with enough force, she could break through.

"She is the one who stole the crystal and left the Queen defenceless. She claimed the Crystal Sword and left our leader defenceless. She destroyed her closest defender, Guardian of the moon, and she," Rei forced herself through their doubt. "She was in league with the Dark Moon." Darien snorted, shooting straight up from his seat.

"Bullshit!" his roar echoed the room, dispelling his stunned compatriots. The raven haired woman stood in rival.

"It's not. I've seen it Darien; secret meetings in the gardens, travel from the moon to who knows where… We confronted her, did you know that?" He laughed.

"You're trying to tell me that this, this orphaned, amnesia high school klutz is not only the Princess we've been searching four years for but single-handedly undid the most powerful realm in known time?" He searched the room, incredulously. "We can hardly even remember what went on and for all we know," his hand swung sternly her way. "This could be sent by the enemy, or did you never pause to consider?"

Rei bit her tongue hurt by his words but felt her rebuke come faster than she could guard.

"You may have loved this woman in the past, Prince," she spat. "But don't forget no one knew her better than us! She was everything!" She screeched, eyes growing livid. Ami stood intent on calming them both.

"Enough you two, this is not the time-," Darien chuckled bitterly.

"Everything, huh? Well great to see how much value you place on it- tell me Rei, how much of her do you really remember? Her face? Her eyes? Her laugh?"

"We were more than just some passing fancy, more than an empty love affair driven only by your own childishness!"

"You don't even know her!" His voice grew dangerously quiet and Ami sat as Zoicite tugged her arm. "Have you even met Bunny? Why not ask someone who knows?" and immediately they both spun to face Haruka who wore a murderous expression.

"Don't," she shook her head. "I'm not looking to mark my territory here. Rei, whatever it is you saw, I would think you'd have more caution than bringing it like this."

"Of course," she muttered, throwing her arms up dubiously. "You outer scouts always have to stand on your lonesome, be the independent? Well she was yours too, you know. And we all know we've felt it, Michelle," she nodded. "That day you played." Darien stopped.

"What are you talking about?" All eyes turned to Michelle who immediately straightened. She felt Haruka slip her hand into hers and together, they challenged the group before them.

"Months ago," she started, deliberately avoiding Rei's stare. "When Haruka brought her to my performance I felt," she licked her lips in a thoughtful pause. "A connection- like another scout." Darien remained firm.

"Any surge like that and we all would have felt it." Haruka shrugged.

"We're in a different league, you know that. The soldiers are connected to theirs, you to yours." A sea of gasps filled the air.

"Haruka," Ami started. "Surely you don't mean that! We're all," she glanced around in desperation. "We're all on the same team, aren't we? Against the enemy?"

"The choice is clear," Rei coughed, head splitting in a million directions. "I," tears burned her eyes, but she refused for them to fall. "God, I wish it was a lie. But the fire doesn't lie."

"Neither does the past," quipped Jed, his arm wrapped comfortingly around her. Darien refused to meet either of their gazes.

"I guess that's that," he said, without a trace of emotion in his voice. He left the room quickly, without another word, and refused to turn at any of their cries. The outside air hit him like millions of icy explosions as an icy rain started to fall. Up ahead, a new moon blinked her tiny eye and he saw a sudden vision of white, twinkling eyes and pouting lips. She's not the enemy, he knew the truth of his words ran deeper than any psychic could read. They were, after all, etched in his heart.