Stars in a New Sky

Chapter 20: Allies and Enemies

"Mamoru, I need you conscious." Takeshi grunted as he struggled up a flight of stairs. He could feel rivulets of blood from his many wounds soaking into his clothes. Mamoru's limp body sagged against him. Takeshi tightened his hold around Mamoru's waist, trying to jostle him awake. Only a few minutes ago, he had collapsed, clutching his head and crying out Usagi's name. In the time it took Takeshi to run to his side and drag him to his feet, the shadow creatures had nearly cut them to ribbons. 

An adrenaline fueled race to the science lab and pilfering of the chemical cabinet had bought them some time. Lucky he actually paid attention in chemistry. Takeshi gently patted his pocket, reassuring himself that the vials were still there. They did an adequate job of keeping the shadow creatures at bay. However, it wouldn't last forever. He was going to need help, if they were going to survive this. Reaching the top of the stairs, Takeshi's knees buckled. They landed in a heap on the cold tile.

Mamoru groaned and slowly sat up.

Takeshi sighed with relief. "Welcome back. What was that back there?"

Mamoru's muscles protested as he tried to stand. "Usagi's in danger. I have to get to her."

Takeshi raised his eyebrows. "In your condition? Never mind the fact that we're being hunted down by pure evil."

Mamoru scowled at him. "I have to protect her."

Takeshi gave an exasperated sigh. "I admire your determination, but she has her Sailor Guardians to protect her. You can't help her right now. You can barely help yourself."

Mamoru drew himself to his full height, despite the agony it caused him. "I have to try."

Takeshi snorted and shook his head. "I'd forgotten how pigheaded you are."

"What?!"

Dragging himself to his feet, Takeshi seized Mamoru's shirt collar in a tight grip. "You are no good to her dead! Think of how she would feel if she knew you half-killed yourself trying to get to her. Princess Serenity didn't like seeing people get hurt because of her. Do you think her new incarnation is any different?"

"Then what am I supposed to do!" Mamoru shouted back.

"Survive."

Silence stretched between them. Mamoru was the first to look away. Takeshi released him and leaned heavily against the wall. In spite of every cell in his body screaming to find Usagi, Mamoru knew Takeshi was right. He couldn't protect her like this. His tuxedo was stiff with drying blood. Even the simplest movement caused him pain. 

"Mamoru...ohhh...Mamoru..."

Takeshi groaned at the sound of Metalia's voice. "Look, just go. I'll buy you some time to find a way out of here." He shoved Mamoru back a few steps.

Mamoru stared at Takeshi wordlessly. A wave of dizziness and nausea washed over him as the past once again superimposed itself on the present. A grim-faced Jadeite willing to sacrifice himself to protect him. His heart ached. He was tired of their lives being sacrificed. "I'm not leaving you."

A husky laugh echoed, bouncing off the walls. "How noble...and foolish."  From around the corner, dark shadows poured over the floor like brackish water. Mamoru manifested his walking stick. Though it pained him, Mamoru raised his arm, ready for a fresh attack.

Takeshi cursed and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Fine. Get ready." He slipped his hand in his pockets and pulled out the vials. Exposure to light wouldn't kill the shadow creatures, but it would send them back to the Dark Kingdom. 

Just as Masako turned the corner, enveloped in her shadow creatures, a pair of hands seized their collars and yanked them backwards. The boys yelled in surprise as they hit the floor.

Mamoru stared up at Nyx in shock. "What...?"

Nyx shrugged. "You looked like you needed some assistance." Her reply was casual, but her eyes were filled with concern.

"Where's Usagi?!" Wincing from his injuries, Mamoru dragged himself to his feet. 

Nyx caught him as he swayed unsteadily. "Relax. She's fine. Your princess is sleeping it off in the infirmary...which is exactly where you two should go." She nodded at their bloodied and disheveled appearance.

***

Rei accepted the tea from Ami, smiling absently. The dreams that had preoccupied her sleeping and waking hours now finally made sense. They were not dreams, but memories of her past life. She watched Ami tidying up the infirmary and Minako steadfastly watching over Usagi as she slept. Her eyes landed on Usagi. Their princess slept fitfully. Her brows were drawn together as if she were in the grip of a nightmare. 

She sipped her tea and smiled bitterly.  Only a few hours ago, her biggest problem was Mai trying to usurp her position as President of the Event Planning Committee. Now, she had to worry about saving the world and protecting their princess. Their mutual past had rushed to her mind with each demon she immobilized in that alley. Everything seemed to click into place when Usagi managed to raise that barrier. A memory of testing Princess Serenity's battle skills rose to the fore of her mind. 

The princess wasn't one for combat. She could never seem to understand why people couldn't talk things out. Why people couldn't just get along with one another. Her kind and tender heart, though endearing was a liability. But then, she wouldn't be their princess if she wasn't compassionate.

"It's strange, isn't it?" Minako spoke, not looking up. "Remembering the past...who you were and see it reflected in the present."

Rei nodded, staring into her tea cup. "But it's not necessarily a bad thing...it's good to see you both."

Ami glanced over her shoulder and smiled. "Likewise, but we're still missing--"

Before she could finish her sentence, the door to the infirmary burst open. Mamoru stood in the doorway bloody and battered.

"Mamoru! What happened to you?! Are you okay?" Minako rose, reaching for the first aid kit on the nearby table.  

"Where's Usagi?" He panted with exhaustion.

As Minako stepped back, Mamoru lurched across the room and collapsed at Usagi's bedside. She was safe. The tightness in his chest eased. Slipping his hand in hers, he sighed with relief. The various aches and pains he'd managed to push to the back of his mind in his worry for Usagi returned with a vengeance. He passed out cold against her cot.

"Typical. Kicks up a fuss to get here and then immediately passes out." 

The three guardians looked up in surprise to see a second young man standing in the doorway looking just as bloody as Mamoru. Rei gasped, the tea cup slipping from her fingers and shattering on the floor. It was as if all the breath in her lungs had been knocked out of her. Jadeite. One of the four generals who had betrayed Prince Endymion and destroyed Silver Millennium. "You! What are you doing here?!" 

Rei was off the cot and across the room in four long strides. Ami and Minako grabbed her arms before she could attack him. "Now is not the time!" Minako ground out as she struggled to hold her back.

"You know what he did!!" Rei yelled, fight to reach him.

"What's going on in here?"

They froze at the sound of Selene's voice. She towered over Takeshi, her silver eyes quickly taking in the scene. "I'm well aware what this boy did in his past life. If he shows signs of following the same path, I'll destroy him myself. Your job is to protect Serenity." Without waiting for a reply, she swept past the stunned teenagers to Usagi's bedside. 

Selene stopped short at the tableau Usagi and Mamoru made. Hands linked in their sleep. Reaching down, she lifted Mamoru to his feet. Usagi whimpered as his hand slipped from hers. She was loath to cause Usagi pain, but the boy must be treated. Metalia had made a mess of him...and the other one.

She wasn't thrilled to find a reincarnate who had actively participated in the downfall of the Moon Kingdom in their infirmary, but she could hardly blame him for sins he had not committed. "Don't just stand there leaking blood on the floor, get over here."