Lemonn't, to use the Jillism. "I really must be some kind of masochist," to tell the plain truth. But I WILL keep MSTing this story,... until it actually does kill me. @_@;;; Actually, I confess I can't find this funny any longer -- probably because I've been over it so many times. But feel free to yell at me. Or ... anything, so long as it brings this place back to life? -Sardonyx- Oh yeah, and this belongs to Naru and Pitzy, and stuff, and the MSTers are mine. ================================== "WILDFLOWERS Half 1 Part 2 Book 1" ================================== >Authors: >Naru-chan (astrael@goes.com) >Pitzy-chan (Lumicite@aol.com) > > >_Wildflowers_ >Book One, Part Two >http://www.goes.com/~astrael/Wildflowers/story2.html > >_______________________________________________________________________ > >«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > > Usagi sat up in her bed, biting back a scream. Gomezu: [Usagi] Ooh! I wet 'em! >That dream again...it wasn't a dream, though, it was real, and she knew >it, and it terrified her. Raichi: [Usagi] Naru... Nephrite... ludicrous OOC... oh damn! > She brushed away the tears that flowed from her own eyes and went >to the window, Maryoko: [Usagi] Um... come to my window? >opening it to let in the cool night air. She breathed deeply, then >began to sort things out as best she could. > > "I'm the Princess. I'm Princess Selenity. Gomezu: [Usagi] Actually I'm a gynecologist, but this is my lunch hour. >That's why he called me 'Princess'. And Mamo-chan is Endymion." Raichi: [Usagi] Mamo-chan was a real bitch in his past life. Maryoko: "Mamo-chan"? I thought we were still in the Nephrite episodes? >She paused a moment to consider this. "I loved him then, too, he was >so cold, just like he is now." Gomezu: [Usagi] I'm stupid like that. > She stared up at the moon, a thin crescent against the dark, dark >sky. "Naru." Tears welled in her eyes again. "How could you do that, >how could you? Raichi: [Usagi] This was supposed to be MY show! >It couldn't have been you, you're not like that...are you?" Maryoko: [Usagi] I just didn't know you _felt_ that way about me.... >Usagi closed her eyes tightly, forcing herself to think, remember more >of the dream's detail. "The Queen, who is the Queen? Is it...Beryl, >yes, that's it. Naru with Beryl, not Nephrite..." Gomezu: Wildflowers: Red Headed Lesbian Orgy. >She bit her lip, concentrating. "Beryl must have done something to Naru. >God, how could she have done that, she said she killed him because she >loved him...how can that be love?" Raichi: [Usagi] I guess I'll have to try it and find out. Mamo-chan.... > Usagi opened her eyes again and stared at the sky again, the >beautiful moon, the beautiful stars. Maryoko: [singing] Romantikku ageru yo... romantikku ageru yo.... >"Did you do it because... somehow, you knew...if you didn't, Beryl >would have? Then, that means you were able to break free from her >control, even for only a minute." Gomezu: Or that Beryl really didn't give a care, seeing as he ended up dead anyway. > She stood up suddenly, eyes burning. Raichi: And ran for the Visene. >"He called me Princess! He knows all of this! But...how am I supposed >to find him?" Maryoko: Tried throwing a shoe over your shoulder? >Usagi sat back down on the edge of her bed, thinking. "He could be >anywhere--literally. Gomezu: So he could be out in the icy depths of space? On a monorail somewhere in Pakistan? Shooting billiards in Bolivia? >No! There's one place he can't go, he couldn't, not until I invited >him in--invited *her* in." She closed her eyes, concentrated. If she >could create the negative space before... Raichi: So she looks for Endymion... the singular place she knows he can't be? >_______________________________________________________________________ > >«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > > The rich scent of flowers and earth surrounded her, the sound of >rushing water filled her ears. Raichi: Are you one of the thousands of American men who'd like increased sexual energy? >Usagi opened her eyes to see the garden she remembered from her dreams, >>beautiful flowers all around, ivy gracefully climbing the stone walls. Maryoko: [Usagi] I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Luna. > And another sound, carried on the gentle breeze with the sound of >the water. Someone was crying, sobbing hysterically. > > *How could someone else be here?* Gomezu: Yes, centuries later, Usagi still hasn't gotten a clue. >Usagi took a few steps toward the sound and almost tripped over the >long white skirt of her dress. "What?" She walked over to a birdbath >and stared into it, Raichi: [Usagi] Amazing how much poop can amass over a milennium! >gasping as she saw her reflection. > > Her hair was longer, more golden, her bangs gracefully fell across >her forehead, Maryoko: Negaspace-- for all your instant hairdressing needs. >framing the tiny golden crescent in the center of her forehead. Her >eyes were a deeper, more beautiful shade of blue. Gomezu: [Usagi] Wow, I'm on DVD. > "I am the Princess." she breathed in wonder. Raichi: Thrill as Usagi realizes she is the princess, over and over again! > A terrible wail echoed through the garden. Usagi covered her ears >and squeezed her eyes shut-- Maryoko: [Usagi] I'm hiding! >who was that, who could be here in the garden that existed only in her >mind? Gomezu: It's her poor neglected Logical Thought Process. >She walked in the direction the cry had come from, easily making her >way down the familiar paths to a small stream. A red-haired woman >knelt at the edge of the stream, her hands in the water, Maryoko: Look, Achilles' mom! >rubbing them together frantically. "It won't come off, it won't come >off!" she sobbed. Raichi: Wildflowers: Curse of the Cheap Perfume. > Usagi inched closer. Her foot brushed against a patch of dry >grass. The woman by the stream started at the sound and stared up at >her. Both women gasped at the same time. Gomezu: Jinx! > "Naru!" > > "Princess!" Maryoko: Doctor Scott! >Naru shrank back from the golden-haired woman. "Please, don't hurt me." >She held up her hands in a gesture of peace. "Please." > > Usagi gasped. Her hands were covered in blood. Gomezu: Usagi, Usagi, there you go killing things and performing satanic rituals again. > Naru quickly shoved her hands back into the stream. "You've seen >my shame, Princess. The blood of an innocent man--the man I loved, the >man I still love--is on my hands. Maryoko: It looks like ketchup to me. >It has been for centuries. Raichi: Have you tried soap? >I can never be forgiven for what I have done." > > Usagi knelt next to the beautiful woman, lightly touching her >shoulder. Gomezu: [Usagi] That's all very nice, but get out of my garden. >Naru looked up, blue-green eyes filled with tears. "What do you mean, >you can never be forgiven?" Maryoko: Would someone buy this girl a dictionary? > Naru pulled one hand from the stream and touched the white skirt >of Usagi's dress. She lifted her hand. No mark was left on the pure >white fabric. Raichi: It's magic disappearing reappearing blood! >"The guilt is mine. It still holds to me. I can never be forgiven." > > "Naru...why did you do it?" Gomezu: Because she was hungry? > "You already know. Because I love him." > > "You *killed* him! How is that love?" Maryoko: [Naru] Uhh... it... uhhhh... stop asking questions!! > Naru stared her in the face for a long moment. "You aren't truly >the Princess yet, or you would understand, you wouldn't need to ask. Raichi: Sounds like a cop-out to me. >Beryl had me under her power for years, years, but stepping into your >private garden disturbed her power over me. I had control over myself, >but Gomezu: [Naru] ..that didn't change the fact that I was really stupid. >I still knew everything she had told me. If she could not win his mind >and body, she would take them as she had taken my mind. Maryoko: With a cordless Dustbuster. >She could not have Endymion, she knew that, and she was willing to >settle for my husband to be her king, her slave. Raichi: Super idea. He's the shitennou who routinely pisses her off and is blatantly disrespectful, he'd make a great choice for King. >She would have destroyed his soul! I had to kill him, better that his >body die than his soul." She gave a long sigh. "But Beryl still gained >much from my actions-- Gomezu: She cut Nephrite into steaks and lived on him for a month. >by allowing me to enter your garden, the space was opened to her. That >may be why her attack on the Moon was so successful." Raichi: ... I think she's talking about taxation. > Usagi shook her head...her mind was spinning. "Wait, then you're >saying it was my fault--" > > "Yes, it was." Maryoko: Duh. Everything is Usagi's fault, somehow. >The beautiful red-haired woman returned to scrubbing her bloody hands. >"But you were an innocent. How could you have known?" Gomezu: Maybe she could've used her common sense and not let servants of the Enemy into her garden. > "Can you leave the garden?" > > Naru paused. "No. Beryl has bound me here for betraying her, >keeping Nephrite from her. Maryoko: Except for the time when Nephrite was... with her...? >She killed me for my disobedience." She turned to Usagi, slid down the >>neckline of her dress slightly to reveal an ugly scar over her heart. Raichi: [Naru] I got better. >"See, she killed me with the same knife I used to kill my husband, she >killed me in the same way. Maryoko: No originality at _all_. >The only way I escape the garden is through life. Each time I die, my >soul returns here for its eternal torment." Gomezu: Naru, the Reluctant Soul. > "Could I bring Nephrite here, to you?" > > "That's up to you. It's your garden, not mine." Naru turned back >to the stream, back to washing her hands that would not come clean. > > "If it's my garden, why are you trapped here?" Maryoko: Yeah, doesn't Beryl have any gardens of her own? > "I don't know. I had often wondered. Do you...condemn me for >what I did?" Raichi: [Usagi] I condemn you for not paying rent for a thousand years. > "No. I did, but I can't. You did what you had to." Gomezu: Well, she really didn't HAVE to. I mean, she could've just left him there. Or whatever. Beryl got him anyway, so it's not like it really matters. But sure. > Naru pulled both hands from the stream, holding them up. "Look. >There is less blood than before--thank you for your forgiveness." > > "Who else must forgive you?" Maryoko: [Naru] Hmm, there's Mom, Umino, everyone in the larger Brooklyn area... you'd better get a pen. > "Many others. The princesses. The generals of the blue planet-- >they all died because you let me enter the garden. Gomezu: So... Usagi only gets blamed for things that are in no way her fault. >They could never blame you, who they swore to defend, and so, they hang >the blame on me. Raichi: [Naru] So it's really you who should be sitting here, but I'm fine taking all the blame, you bitch. >And, of course, my Nephrite..." > > "But, he loves you. He has to forgive you." Maryoko: Besides, you guys are even now. > "Not true. I don't expect him to." > > "Why not?" Gomezu: [Naru] Because that would make for a quick, sensible resolution and _then_ where would we be? > "You can't possibly understand." > > "But--" Raichi: [Naru] Ssh! No! > "You'll understand, but not now, not yet. You aren't ready, you >aren't the Princess, not yet. Watch for the crystal." > > "What crystal?" Maryoko: The Dark Crystal? > "I'll say no more. Please, leave me now. I have much to think >about." Naru plunged her hands back into the stream and continued her >>fruitless washing. Gomezu: It hasn't made a difference the first billion times, but what the heck! > "Naru?" Raichi: [Usagi] I've got some shirts and stuff that need washed, if you're just going to be hanging out here. > The red-haired woman didn't answer, just continued with her >washing and sobbing. Usagi hovered helplessly above the wretched >figure. Maryoko: Usagi's got a Kintoun, or what? >Overwhelmed with grief and pity for the condemned woman, Usagi reached >down to stroke the woman's still lustrous curls. Naru moaned piteously >at her touch. Gomezu: Girls, this is hardly the time. >Usagi could no longer bear such anguish. Raichi: So she slapped Naru around and ordered her to snap out of it and just be dead. >Dropping to her knees, she wrapped her arms about the sobbing woman's >>shoulders, burying her face in her luxurious hair. Gomezu: So Naru got her face buried in her own hair? >How fresh and sweet it smelled, like a fragrant field of wildflowers >on a warm spring afternoon. Maryoko: Oh, so it's a really long, really pointless Herbal Essence commercial. >Usagi started, suddenly she knew exactly where Nephrite could be found. Gomezu: He's down there among the lice. > "Princess, please, your tears are useless. They will not wash >away the stain from my hands. Raichi: Not while they're in your _hair_ anyway. >The stain is upon my heart, upon my soul, not even you with your >infinite powers can heal me or console me. Gomezu: ... Should we define "infinite"? Raichi: Nah. >Do not love me. Why do you never listen, princess? Maryoko: [Usagi] I do, but I always fall asleep halfway through! >Please leave me here in my torment, alone. Your presence makes me my >torment all the more unbearable. Gomezu: [Usagi] It's MY garden! YOU leave! >Your love is like a dagger twisting in my heart." > > "Naru," Usagi whispered in her ear, Raichi: [Usagi] That IS a dagger twisting in your heart. >"the dagger. Do you have it still?" > > "The dagger? Yes, I have it. It is part of my punishment. It is >always at my side." > > "Do you remember to whom the dagger belonged?" Gomezu: [Naru] Some Scottish guy, I think. > Naru ceased washing her hands. Maryoko: [Naru] Actually, I got it out of Beryl's kitchen drawer. >She gently removed Usagi's arms from about her shoulders. Slowly she >turned to face the anxious girl whose intense blue eyes met hers >expectantly. > >"Princess, do you know what you ask?" Raichi: Umm... was it... who does the dagger belong to? > Usagi hesitated only for a moment. Her gaze did not waver. "I >know, Naru." Gomezu: But does she know the Muffin Man? > Naru sighed. Her blood-stained hands reached out to wipe away the >tears streaming down Usagi's face. "Usagi, in this time you were my >dearest friend. Maryoko: [Naru] And it was completely your fault that I died. >You would have been a friend to me even in the Silver Millennium >despite my loyalties to the queen. I would have protected you from her. Raichi: Just like you did Nephrite. >You would not have died." Naru reluctantly slid her hand deep within >the folds of her crimson gown. Gomezu: [Naru] I'll give you my bra for protection. >Sunlight glinted on the hilt of the elegantly wrought gold hilt of the >dagger emblazoned with a the coat of arms she knew all too well. Raichi: Macduff...? > Solemnly Naru offered the weapon to Usagi who was loath to touch >it. Maryoko: Is this a Pon Farr? >Through a mist of tears Usagi stared transfixed by the raised letter E >studded with tiny green peridots Gomezu: [Usagi] Ooh... shiny.... >directly beneath the coat of arms. > > "Naru, how? Why?" Raichi: It's the one that comes between D and F, Usagi. > "There are many things, Princess, that I may not speak of. This is >one of them. I am bound to him, as was my husband, I must protect him." > > "Who are you, really, Naru?" Maryoko: Unbeknownst to Usagi, Naru is her long-lost brother, Rex Racer. > "Go to him, Princess, try to warm him. Try to melt his heart. Gomezu: [Naru] Run hot water over it and let it sit on the counter for a few hours. >You were able to do this, once. You must do it again. He above all >must forgive me, he and Nephrite, oh, Maryoko: Susanna, don't you cry for me. >there are so many others, but these two, how could they ever forgive >me? Understand this, Princess. Raichi: Uh... I don't know about that last bit. >When I took Nephrite from him and condemned his blue planet to my >queen's treachery I rendered him helpless. Maryoko: Without Nephrite around boinking Endymion, the Earth goes under? >When I manipulated you into allowing me into your garden I prepared the >way for Beryl to destroy your mother, your kingdom and the only woman >he could ever love. Gomezu: Nephrite. >But there are other things, Princess, that you could never understand. >Not now, you are not ready. There are so many other reasons why I am >bound here." Maryoko: [Usagi] ...I got everything up to "once." > "Don't tell me any more, I can't bear it. Gomezu: [Usagi] I'm turning in my fuku. This is getting too weird. >Nothing is the way it is supposed to be. Everything I thought is all >wrong. I don't understand any of this. I don't want to understand it. Raichi: Oh, good, I was feeling lonely. >How can I make Mamo-chan speak to me about any of this? He barely >speaks to me as it is. He thinks I'm a stupid little "odango atama". Maryoko: Maybe because you're always throwing failed tests at him. >He thinks I'm just a little girl that he can tease and torture. It's >like I don't have any feelings. Like I don't exist. Gomezu: Who's talking? >He is so mean and so cold and so heartless even to Rei, who he is >supposed to be going out with. Raichi: He's going out with Rei and she's calling him 'Mamo-chan'!? >I hate him! He didn't even come to your funeral. He knew you and he >didn't even come." Maryoko: "Knew" as in "was in the same show." > "Usagi, do you think that I am pretty?" Gomezu: Is this REALLY the time? > "What?" Usagi answered, startled out of her tirade. > > "Do you think that I am pretty?" Raichi: [Usagi] What? Maryoko: [Naru] Do you think that I am pretty? Raichi: [Usagi] What? > "You're beautiful. You're everything I wish I could be." Gomezu: [Usagi] Dead, cursed, and miserable. >she answered, slightly recovering from the sudden turn in the >conversation. "Don't you remember, when I first saw you in those >woods, Raichi: [Usagi] Well, you should have died thereafter. There would have been time for such a word. >I couldn't speak, I was so amazed at how beautiful you were. I wanted >to know you, I was desperate to know you. Maryoko: [Naru] Keep going, my ego's not stroked enough yet. >But you made me feel so common, so foolish, just like Mamo-chan makes >me feel." Raichi: How does a guy in a pea-soup jacket make somebody _else_ feel foolish? > "How old did you think I was, then?" > > "Older then me, maybe twenty or twenty-one, at the most. Why? I >don't understand." Maryoko: [Naru] I got held back a few grades in school. I hoped you hadn't noticed. > "Twenty or twenty-one. Gomezu: [Naru] I guess I'll buy the keg. >Hmmm. Queen Beryl always keeps her promises, doesn't she? Take this >dagger with you, Usagi, no, don't look frightened. Raichi: [Naru] It's quite fashionable to carry it inside your stomach. >You must take it. Show it to Endymion or Mamo-chan as you call him now. >Ask him how old I am. He remembers. Maryoko: [Naru] Oh, and ask him if I'm pretty, too. >Maybe he will tell you the truth, maybe not. Now leave me here, my >hands are dirty, they must be clean when you return." Gomezu: When she returns tomorrow. And tomorrow, and tomorrow.... Raichi: This creeps at a petty pace, alright. _______________________________________________________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > Usagi returned to her bedroom, holding a sharpened dagger with a >gold hilt, belonging to Prince Endymion of the Silver Millennium. Gomezu: The antiquing is really great in Negaspace. >"How in the world am I going to get Mamo-chan to talk to me? Maryoko: "Hello, Mamoru" might be a good start. >Maybe I should find Nephrite first and tell him what I know. But what >do I know, really? Raichi: Naru's in a negaspace garden washing her hands and angsting, and she kills people with a knife that used to belong to Endymion. >And if I tell him will he only lie to me again? But how will I know >for sure if he is lying or telling the truth? Oh, my head is >spinning, Gomezu: [Usagi] I'd better start masturbating with a crucifix and spitting pea soup. >I can't think here. I know where I can go where no one will find me or >>disturb me. Isn't strange how when I was the princess I had a secret >place and now that I am just me I have one too?" Maryoko: Um... wasn't she just there? > Usagi stepped out of the little copse of trees surrounding the >lake. Raichi: Usagi has a nice bedroom. >Even though this was a public park no one seemed to know that this area >>existed. Gomezu: Maybe it was the signs saying "Dangerous Radiation Levels." >It was very difficult to get to. There was a barely discernible path >off the main pathway that wound downhill through a dense cover of >overgrown bushes and trees. Raichi: Remember to check for ticks when you get home, kids! >At the bottom of the path the lake ended in shady cul Maryoko: -- pable. >de Gomezu: -- adbolt. >sac Raichi: -- rosanct. Gomezu: We all need a few cheap shots. >completely hidden from view. Usagi came here when she wanted to >escape, not even Luna could find her here. She slipped off her shoes >and sat down Maryoko: Then a willow tree tries to eat her, right? >in the soft, moist grass that skirted the banks of the placid water. Gomezu: [makes a squelching noise] >She slid her feet in relishing the slight early morning chill. Maryoko: Nothing like a little hypothermia to ease your troubles. >Ahhh, water. All: [singing drearily] Water, water, cooling streams that batter the coast. Water, water, it's the thing that matters the most. >She loved water. It made her feel so peaceful, calm and relaxed. "I >must always be near water," Gomezu: [Usagi] Sometimes I have to make my own. >she thought as she dipped her hands into the gentle wavelets lapping >against her feet. She sat like that for a short while, her eyes closed, >her head resting on her knee, listening to the music of the Maryoko: Karaoke singers in the bar across the river. >birds hidden deep in the woods, relishing the light breeze that gently >lifted her hair. Absently she toyed with the hilt of the dagger, Raichi: Don't say it, Gomezu-kun. Gomezu: [hurt] I wasn't going to. >running her fingers back and forth across the peridots, tracing and >retracing the hard surface of the raised "E". Gomezu: She probably thinks it stands for "Elessar." > "Why did I bring this thing, here?" she wondered as she cradled >it in her arms like a baby, stoking it, caressing it. Maryoko: My Wrongness Meter just exploded. >She was drifting down into sleep when she was startled by a voice very >close to her ear. Gomezu: Ring a dong! hop along! fal lal the willow! Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo! > "Wake up, sleeping beauty. Or should I say, sleeping odango >atama!" > > "Mamo-chan!" Raichi: You don't even know him yet! Stop calling him that! >She gasped, leaping forward, still clutching the dagger in her arms. >>Panicked, she lost her balance and began to topple headfirst into the >lake. Maryoko: Effectively ramming the dagger into her stomach. >Laughing, Mamoru grabbed her about the waist before she fell and pulled >her back down to where she had been sitting. He could barely control >himself, he released her and lay in the grass doubled over with >laughter. Gomezu: [Mamoru, high-pitched voice] Bedpan! _Bedpan_!! Usagi was beside herself with fury. Not only had he scared her within an inch of her life, Maryoko: [Usagi] These were new pants, too. Damn. >but he had managed to humiliate her and make her feel slow, stupid and >clumsy, all in a matter of seconds. Now he was laughing at her. Raichi: Well, SHE's the one who keeps calling a grown man she doesn't even know '-chan.' > "Mamo-chan, I hate you. You think its funny to sneak up on people >and scare them half to death." This made him laugh even harder. "Its >not funny. How did you get here, anyway? Maryoko: Please refer to lesson 2-A wherein Usagi stated that Mamoru could be "literally anywhere." >No one knows about this place but me. Gomezu: [Mamoru] Half the series did take place in this park. >Isn't there any place on earth I can go where you aren't there to >torture and humiliate me?" Maryoko: Please refer again to lesson 2-A wherein Usagi revealed that she knew one place where Mamoru could _not_ be. > "Odango atama, I 'm really sorry, but you look so funny. Raichi: She's not funny, just drawn that way! >Don't cry now, I'll stop." He sat up slowly wiping the tears from his >face and trying to stop laughing. Her back was to him and her >shoulders were shaking. "Oh, come on, don't do that. Maryoko: [Mamoru] Disco's been dead for years. >I didn't mean to make you cry." He reached out to touch her shoulder >as if to console her. > > "Don't touch me!" Gomezu: Kim Griest is Jill Layton as Tsukino Usagi in "Wildflowers." >she violently shook off his hand. "You are the most hateful creature on >the planet, Mamo-chan." Raichi: Doctor Laura? > "I must be pretty awful then. Do you always call hateful >creatures by such sweet names, odango atama?" Maryoko: [Usagi] No. By the way, the leader of Nazi Germany was Baby Adolphie, right? > "What sweet name, what are you talking about?" > > His voice was again very near her ear. "You called me Mamo-chan." Gomezu: [Usagi] I didn't really call you 'Mamo-chan,' did I, Angel Drawers? >There was a slight hint of wonder underneath the amused sarcasm. "Is >that how you think of me really, odango atama? Maryoko: Hmm... little girlie boy... yeah, that's Mamoru. >And to think that I always thought that you didn't like me." > > "I don't like you, I hate you, Raichi: [Usagi] So just go eat worms! >and you should just disappear right now!" > > "What is that you are hiding, odango atama? Is it a little toy? >Is it a doll? Do you still play with dolls? Let me see." Gomezu: Just thought I'd point out that Mamoru is not really this obnoxious. I mean, he usually tosses out ONE comment and goes his merry way. Raichi: I don't think _Azusa_ is this obnoxious. > "Mamo--no--don't--get your hand off--stop it!" Maryoko: [Usagi] Mamoru for God's sake put your clothes on! Please! > "Oh, this is not a toy for a little girl to play with, this a >danger--" > > "Give it back, it's not yours!" Raichi: [Mamoru] Yes it is. Gomezu: [Usagi] Well okay, fine. >Usagi leaped forward to grab back the hilt of the dagger that Mamoru >clutched in his right hand. Something was very wrong. Raichi: Several somethings, if you ask me. >His face turned deathly white. His eyes widened and changed color, from >pale blue to intense aqua to black. Maryoko: Hey, Kamui has returned to Tokyo! >The air began to ripple about him, his clothes changed. Raichi: Into a beautiful ball gown, and the dagger turned into a coach with four white horses. >For the briefest instant he appeared to be in black armor, a sword hung >>menacingly at his side, he stared right through her. When she reached >him he was as he had been but he was gasping for air. Gomezu: Before, we can assume, he was breathing through gills. >Usagi grabbed the hilt of the dagger but he wouldn't let it go. A >blinding light erupted from the dagger as she made contact with it. > > "Let go, Mamo-chan, let go!" she screamed. Maryoko: [Usagi] You're giving me cooties! > "It's mine," he gasped, "where did you get th--" The dagger >erupted again. The two sank unconscious to the ground their fingers >entwined, locked to the hilt of the dagger. Raichi: When Love's Electricity goes bad. >_______________________________________________________________________ > >«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > > Prince Endymion was sleeping. The sun warmed his face; somewhere >far off in the distance, birds were singing as if just for him. The >air was fragrant, Maryoko: Put the hash away, Endymion. >sweet with smell of wildflowers. He shifted slightly then opened his >eyes. He smiled up at the sweet face that gazed lovingly down at his. > > "Was I asleep long?" Gomezu: [Endymion] You drugged me again, didn't you. > "Yes, quite a while. You looked so peaceful. I didn't want to >wake you." > > He reached to take the hand that tenderly caressed his face. Raichi: Thank you, Thing. >He pressed her fingers one at time to his lips. > > "I love you, Endymion." she murmured. Maryoko: [Don Lockwood] I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you!! > "You should not. I have told you more then once. You must not >love me, Princess. You waste your love on me." He held her hand >against his heart stoking her fingers tenderly. Raichi: [Endymion] This little piggy went to market. > "Endymion, how can I believe you? Why, then, do you allow me to >come to you? Gomezu: I dunno, because you're pert and bouncy and wear little skirts? >Why do you allow me near you when you allow no one near you? Do you >not love me? Even the slightest bit?" Maryoko: [Endymion] Ask Miss Cleo, I'm busy. > He turned his face so that he could bury it in the folds of her >dress. He wrapped his arms about her and hugged her tightly. She laid >her head atop his, Raichi: CLONK. >kissing his hair and stoking it gently. He rolled her over so that he >could lay atop her. Gomezu: See, class, another good way to avoid answering questions is to engage the questioning party in sexual intercourse. >He lay her down gently on the carpet of flowers. Cradling her head in >his arms, Maryoko: [ahem] FFUUUUUUMMMMAAAAA! Gomezu: Almost, just a little girlier. >he gazed down into her beautiful blue eyes so filled with adoration. >He kissed her forehead, lingering lovingly over the golden crescent >moon at its center, Raichi: [Mr. Wonka] Lick a crescent moon, it tastes like a crescent moon! >his lips traveled down to her eyes, her cheeks then rested on her lips. >He clasped her body to his as he kissed her mouth. He made his way down >to her throat and then Maryoko: Unveiled his vampire fangs. >her breast. There he stopped. Gomezu: Too bad, he only hit a double. >They were well hidden, the wildflowers in this meadow were uncommonly >tall. Raichi: Well, they get a lot of fertilizer, if you know what I mean. > "You would give yourself to me right here, wouldn't you, Princess?" >he whispered, kissing the inside of her ear as he spoke. > > "I gave myself to you long ago, Endymion. Maryoko: [Selenity] YOU just don't know how to get it in. >I belong to you. You have only to claim me. I am yours." Gomezu: [Ash] I choose you, Sailormoon! > "Do not give yourself so easily away, Princess." > > "Endymion, let me in. Raichi: [Endymion] I'm afraid it just doesn't work that way. >Why do you do this?" > > "You must leave me now. Maryoko: [Selenity] Why doesn't anybody EVER answer my questions!? >You do not really love me as you think you do. You are only infatuated >with me, that will pass. It must. Raichi: [Endymion] Please, God, please don't make me have to marry her. >I will only hurt you. If I told you that I loved you, you would do >best not to believe me. Men are liars. Never believe what men tell >you." Gomezu: Bingo! > "Am I to believe you now, Endymion, or are you lying? I love you, >>Endymion. I knew it the moment I saw you there on that very hill above >us. Raichi: [Selenity] What were you singing? >You were arguing with Nephrite over a girl. You were cruel and >vindictive but still I loved you. You were cold and unreasonable but >still I loved you. Maryoko: [Selenity] I'm stupid like that. >I love you now and I will always love you." > > "Nephrite." The Prince reluctantly released her and rose slowly. Gomezu: [Selenity] Do you absolutely _have_ to call me that? >He gazed out toward the hill that he had stood on only nine months >earlier trying desperately to save Nephrite from what he knew was >certain doom. Raichi: [Endymion] Birth control, Nephrite, or you'll never be rid of her!! > The princess came to stand beside him. She took his arm. "Do you >know where he is, Endymion?" Maryoko: [Selenity] Because I'm not about to tell you. > "No," he said sadly, still gazing out across the field, "I have no >idea. She took him away. He's gone. I'll never see him again." Raichi: He's in another dimension. > "How can you be so sure, Endymion? He seemed very loyal to you. >Maybe he'll return." Gomezu: Didn't Serenity just watch Nephrite get killed? Where the hell are we in this timeline!? > "No, there is no chance of that. She will see to that. It is her >way." He muttered bitterly. > > "Do you hate her, then, Endymion? I don't see how anyone could >hate her. She was so beautiful." Maryoko: Something to do with words... "skin"... "deep"...? > He turned to her in surprise. "You saw her, Princess, you saw her? >>When?" Raichi: The only saw I saw is this saw I saw with! Gomezu: I think we all SAW that one coming. > "That day, she was hiding with me. I spoke to her. Maryoko: Oh, THAT day. It's all totally explained now. >She said that you were foolish. She told me that Nephrite was arguing >over her. That she was his wife. I suppose you could hate her for >taking him from you. I suppose that is good enough reason. Gomezu: Selenity or Mojo Jojo? You make the call. >Because she was his wife and he didn't tell you till it was already >done." Raichi: [Usagi] And there was the whole her being evil and killing him thing, I guess. > "No, Princess, that is not why I hate her. Not because she is his >wife. Gomezu: [Endymion] No, that is not the reason why I hate her. I do not hate her because she is his wife. No, no, no. I do not hate her for this reason. No. >I hate her because she is my mother. Do you think that that is a good >enough reason? Do you, Princess?" Maryoko: Mother, gave you life... sure, good enough. > The space surrounding the Princess began to break up. Prince >Endymion's hard, angry eyes began to fade, the whole scene began to >vanish like a mist. Raichi: Saaaaaammmm.... >The last thing that Usagi saw before regaining consciousness was a man >with flowing red hair leaning against a tree at the top of the hill that >rose above the sun dappled meadow filled with wildflowers. Maryoko: Breathe, breathe!! Gomezu: [Nephrite] How long until I get a scene, already? * * * End Half 1 of Part 2 of Book 1 ___________ "This's Nothing" (my fanfiction page): http://sardonyx.virtualave.net/ "The Dark City of Mecha" (the epic clash between the forces of Good and Evil!): http://sardonyx.virtualave.net/HAPT/ Etc etc etc. Please point out any errors, as my brain's falling asleep with this thing. -Sardonyx- critting shark-chan RIGHT AFTER THESE MESSAGES. ================================== "WILDFLOWERS Half 2 Part 2 Book 1" ================================== >_______________________________________________________________________ > >«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > > "Usagi, Usagi, wake up. Come on little odango atama, that's the >girl, open your eyes. Come back to me, come." Raichi: The Mamo-Clock -- being even more fucking annoying than even C-ko, since 1892. >Mamo-chan's voice seemed far away. He was urging her to do something. >What did he want? Gomezu: Something about waking up or something, I dunno. >Why was he being so sweet? He was usually so awful, but now his voice >was tender. She felt so nice and warm. She didn't want this to end. > > "No, no, just a little longer. Let me sleep a little longer." Raichi: Longer with Big Red! >she moaned. > > "No, you have to wake up. Come, come to me." Maryoko: [Endymion, singing] Come to me, Cosette, the night is fa-ading...! > Usagi returned abruptly. She remembered the dagger and the sudden >>explosion of light, and Mamoru's almost imperceptible change right >before her eyes. She remember the field Gomezu: .. needed threshing. >and being in Prince Endymion's arms and hearing him tell her something >that could not possibly be true. Raichi: [Endymion] Pigs fly, Selenity. >She remembered seeing Nephrite in exactly the spot that she knew she >would find him, atop the hill looking down at them. Maryoko: Cranking his video camera. >Was he there now, or had she seen the past, or was she seeing both time >>periods simultaneously? Gomezu: You know, if illusion is real, the love that I feel is all that the mystery's about. >She suddenly realized that she was being held very tightly in Mamoru's >arms. He was looking down at her in a very uncharacteristic concerned >way. > > "Are you all right, odango atama?" Maryoko: [Usagi] Except for the disgusting man touching me, yes. > "What about you?" she asked, "What about you, Mamoru? Aren't you >hurt?" > > "Why on earth would I be hurt? I am fine. Why shouldn't I be?" Raichi: He's as convincing as that guy in "Catalina Caper." > "Don't you remember what just happened?" > > "Of course I do. You cut yourself trying to take this knife, Gomezu: [Mamoru] Which I was busy stealing from you.... >which you have no logical reason to be carrying around with you, Maryoko: [Mamoru] And I have even less reason for trying to steal, but nevermind. >away from me. You, being the silly little odango atama that you are, >fainted when you saw all the blood." > > "What?" she violently twisted out of his arms. "That is a lie! >You are lying. Raichi: Kids, would anyone like to share what we keep being told about men? Gomezu: Ooh, ooh, I know! >You know very well that that isn't what happened!" She screamed at him >>furiously. > > He smiled sweetly and patronizingly at her. Maryoko: One Flew Over the Mamo's Nest. >"Calm down, Usagi, that is what happened. Look, your hand is bleeding. >Give it to me, I'll make it all better." Raichi: [Mamoru] Look, it's fake blood, taste it! > Usagi glanced down at her hand, it was covered in blood. Before >she could stop him, he took her hand and raised it to his lips. He >kissed it. Gomezu: [Usagi] You are so going to jail for this. >"There, look, all better." > She angrily snatched her hand away from his lips. There was >nothing there, Maryoko: [Usagi] Great, now I'm going to be Sailor Hook. >it was as if it had never been cut. She stared at him, speechless. > > "That will be our little secret now, won't it, odango atama? I >don't really like people to know what little things I can do. You won't >tell, will you?" Gomezu: [Usagi] Oh, fine, I'll keep your magic spit a secret. > She shook her head back and forth in wordless agreement. > > "I knew that I could trust you. Well, you seem to be all right now. >I have to get going. I'll see you around. Oh, and you really should >get rid of that dagger. Raichi: You know where you can put the dagger, Mamo-chan. >It could cause you all kinds of trouble, if you know what I mean. Maryoko: Not that they seem to do any kind of murder investigation here in Japan. >And one more word of advice, odango atama. You should never talk to >men in lonely, out of the way places, Raichi: Especially if you're in a teen slasher flick. >even men that you think you know. And if you do chance to converse >with them, Gomezu: [Mamoru] Not like any man will talk to you, ever, >never believe what they tell you. Men are liars. We can't help >ourselves. Raichi: Yes you can, you stupid bastard. Try thinking with your other head. >I'll see you." > > He turned around, stepped back into the trees, and was gone. > > "Mamoru!" Usagi shouted at his retreating figure. Maryoko: [Usagi] What was the point of this whole scene, again? > He turned around, walked back to the edge of the woods. Gomezu: [Mamoru] You ruined my dramatic exit! >"What?" he demanded. > > "Endymion--how did Naru get your dagger?" Maryoko: [Endymion] She got me drunk and -- oh, _that_ dagger. > "I gave it to her, of course. Do you think she could have stolen >it from me?" Raichi: So what was with the big floating head bellowing "Return the Dagger"? > "Why did you give it to her?" > > "I gave her the idea. Gomezu: Like everybody hasn't thought about murdering Nephrite now and then. >I told her that Beryl would control him as she controlled her, she knew >it was true." > Usagi gasped. "You *wanted* her to kill him! I thought--" > > "Don't think, odango atama. You will hurt yourself. Gomezu: The Wildflowers motto. >He deserved to die." > > Usagi was shocked at his icy, final tone. "*Why?*" Maryoko: [Mamoru] He looked really stupid in a Tuxedo Kamen outfit? > "He chose her, that witch, my wicked mother, over me." > "*Mamoru!*" she gasped. "Who are you that people should die for >choosing someone else over you?" Raichi: [Mamoru] I'm the fscking leading man, and don't you forget it! > He didn't answer, but turned back to the trees, disappeared into >the night. Usagi stared after him for a full minute before running >after him. "Come back here! Gomezu: [Usagi] Damn you Mamoru, come back and be in this bad fanfic!! >I want to know what makes you so damn special that people should die >for loving someone more than they loved you!" she screamed. She ran >and ran, but it was as if he had melted into the trees. Maryoko: Poor Usagi, lost in the Wild Wood. >She stared around--lost, she had no idea where she was, or what >direction she had come from. Slowly, she turned around, Raichi: [Usagi] Hmm... am I stupid, or just really dumb? >stopping when her direction felt *right*. The blonde girl set off >through the woods, quickening her pace as the feeling of 'rightness' >grew stronger. Maryoko: [singing] Lest awe should dwell, and turn your frolic to fret.... >The ground sloped up, as if she were climbing a hill. The trees >changed from the oaks and maples of the warmer forest to tall firs and >pines, evergreens. Gomezu: What, is she following the Oregon Trail!? > Suddenly, she ran out into a clearing that was almost completely >filled by a large building. Moving closer, she saw that it was an old >>cathedral, probably left over from a christian missionary project. Raichi: Did the missionaries build many _cathedrals_? >Though the building was old, it wasn't run-down--all the stained glass >windows were intact, the stone walls were chipped and stained from age, >but none had collapsed. > > Usagi shivered. The cathedral had a strange aura, not threatening, >but unusual. Gomezu: Kind of bacony. >The stars shone overhead, illuminating the clearing with a pale light. >She knew she would need a place to spend the night, Raichi: [Dr. Frank] Or how 'bout a bite? >and the old church was a much better alternative to camping out in the >woods, or wandering around in the darkness, trying to find her way back >to the park. Gomezu: [Torgo] The MASter wiLL be PLeaSed to SEe yOu, mISs. >And she was very thirsty from her run, maybe the church had running >water... Maryoko: Yeah, the missionaries probably had indoor plumbing installed back in 1700. Raichi: Maybe the church has a bowling alley. >the rest of it was in good shape, after all. She cautiously approached >the double doors in the front, noting with surprise that one was >half-open, then slipped inside. +Gomezu: Ladies and Gentlemen... American McGee's Usagi. > The single room inside appeared to be much larger than the walls >of the abandoned church could contain. Maryoko: Look, it's spilling over the edges. >Multi-colored light filtered in through the large stained glass windows, >>forming colorful patterns on the wall and floor. Gomezu: [Usagi] Wow, what a great place for shadow puppets! > Usagi walked forward, but kept staring at the beautiful windows, >filled with unfamiliar images. Raichi: [Usagi] O mystic Pokemon... what are you? >She shrieked as she walked into someone, jumping back, heart pounding. Maryoko: [Torgo] I MeANt no hArM, mAdAM... I WIll proTECt yOU. > Nephrite stood before her, looking like a fallen angel in the >loose white robe he wore. Gomezu: All the fashionable fallen angels are wearing terrycloth nowadays. >"Welcome to my home." > > Usagi forced herself to breathe normally, to remember that he was >no longer someone to fear. Raichi: No, now he's just a murderer of little girls. No worries. >At least not as much as she had before. She stared up into his deep >blue eyes, then held up the dagger. "Do you know what this is?" Gomezu: [Nephrite] Ummm... a cat? No, let me try again. > He took one step closer to examine what she held, then jumped back >with a hiss. "Where did you get that?" > > "Naru gave it to me." she paused. "Or should I say, Endymion's >mother?" Maryoko: [Nephrite] I don't care what she told you! I am not Endymion's mother! > "*What?*" > > "Naru is Endymion's mother." > > "That's *not* possible. She's younger than he is!" Gomezu: [Usagi] Ssh! > Usagi shook her head. "Naru said something about Beryl always >keeping her promises." > > Nephrite nodded slowly. "The promise of eternal youth." He paused >for a moment. Raichi: [Nephrite] Wasn't there something with Naru going on, or... something? >"How old do you think I am?" > > Usagi studied his face for a few moments, his hair, his eyes. >>"Maybe...twenty-four, five." Maryoko: [Nephrite] Do you think I'm pretty? > "This year will be my thousandth." > > "No!" Gomezu: [Usagi] And Naru slept with you? Gross, you're old enough to be her great-grandfather! > "I may be a liar, and the worst of those, but that is the truth, >>Princess." Maryoko: [Nephrite] I lie all the time, but I'm not lying THIS time! Honest! >He sighed, staring up at the ceiling high above for a moment. Usagi >studied his face again, the robe he was wearing. Raichi: [Usagi] You ordered that from SkyMall, didn't you? >He looked so much like an angel that she caught herself looking for a >pair of wings arching from his back. Gomezu: Yeah, Nephrite's the spitting image of a pudgy little cherub. > Nephrite looked down, meeting her eyes. "Princess, don't *ever* >think of me in that way. Maryoko: [Nephrite] You might let on that you're blindly obsessed with me to a thoroughly unhealthy degree... oh wait, you are. >I may have been innocent and pure once, but I am not any longer. I >never will be again." > . "Yes, you will." Usagi asserted. Gomezu: [Usagi] The authors _like_ you. >"I promise you." > > He laughed. "Then you may be as much of a liar as I am. No one, >not you, not anyone else, can change me." Raichi: [Nephrite] My diaper is superglued in place. > "Of course not." Usagi agreed. Seeing Nephrite's strange look, >she quickly explained, "No one can change you but you. Nothing I do, >or anyone else does, can change you. Maryoko: [Usagi] But we _can_ rip off your testicles if you don't play nice. >You have to decide that for yourself." > > Nephrite stared at her silently for a few moments, then held out >his left hand to her. Gomezu: [Nephrite] Pull my finger. >"Come with me. We must talk." He laughed as she looked at his hand >>distrustfully, as if it were a poisonous serpent instead of simply a >hand. Raichi: I shudder to think where it's _been_. >"Princess, I'm not going to do anything to you. I promise." > > "How do I know you're not lying?" Maryoko: [Nephrite] Look at this sincere face! > "You don't. But if you don't want to talk..." > > "Yes, I do." Usagi reached with her right hand to take his left. >>Everything shimmered for a moment, then she found herself Gomezu: On the Starship Enterprise. >out on a small balcony. Nephrite released her hand and sat down in a >white wicker chair at a round glass table, motioning for her to sit in >the chair across from him. Raichi: [Nephrite] My aunt Linda does all the decorating. > Usagi settled down nervously. "Where are we?" > > "This is my balcony." Maryoko: No, it's his laundry room -- how hard is it to look and see that you're on a balcony!? >He held up his left hand, and offered her the long-stemmed glass that >>appeared. > > Usagi stared at the deep red liquid in the glass. Wine, most >likely. Raichi: My bet's on cherry Kool-Aid. >She shook her head. "Uh, no thanks. I don't drink." > > He set it down in front of her anyway. "You may change your mind." Gomezu: [Nephrite] But I'm not up to anything. >Then he conjured an identical glass for himself and placed it in front >of himself on the table. "Well, I can see it on your face, Raichi: [Nephrite] You had eggs for breakfast, didn't you. >what do you want to ask?" > > "I...I want to know...if you've been around for almost a thousand >years, Maryoko: [Usagi] Who's your plastic surgeon? >why couldn't you forgive Naru? Don't you love her?" Gomezu: He killed her! Doesn't that mean love in this twisted altiverse? > He turned away, staring out into the forest, then up at the stars. >"I don't know. I used to know. It used to be something that no one >needed to ask, it was so obvious. But now..." Maryoko: [ahem] 'Uncertainty is the natural state. You're nobody special.' >He sighed, settling deeper into his chair. > > There was a long, uncomfortable silence. Usagi shifted nervously >in her seat, staring down at the gold-rimmed goblet in front of her, Raichi: [Usagi] Could somebody go off on a rambling monologue or refuse to answer a question, please? >realizing just how thirsty she was. She picked up the long-stemmed >glass. A little bit couldn't hurt. It wasn't like she was trying to >get drunk or something like that, Gomezu: Nevermind that one swallow of punch knocks Usagi under the table. >and with Nephrite brooding like he was, she wasn't about to ask for a >glass of soda. She took a small sip. The wine tasted strange, but not >>unpleasant. Raichi: [Usagi] Rich and fruity, with an aftertaste of arsenic. I like it. >Her throat felt funny, almost warm. She was still thirsty, even more >so now that she had a little bit to drink. Before she realized it, she >had finished the entire glass. Maryoko: It's your fault that I drank too much! Raichi: The childishness of a weak woman. Maryoko: It's your fault that I drank too much... Raichi: The bold front of cute little you. >She felt very strange, warm and dizzy, very tired. The balcony was >moving, everything was blurry. Gomezu: Look out, this is bat country! >Her head hurt, her throat hurt, everything hurt. She moaned in pain. > > Nephrite turned back to her. "I'm sorry, Princess, but I had to >do it." > > "What, what did you do to me?" Usagi gasped, Raichi: [Nephrite] I thought maybe you wouldn't notice the Caffeine Free Diet Coke. >trying to curl up into a ball on the chair. Her stomach hurt, >everything hurt. > > Nephrite didn't answer, only stood up from his chair to catch her >as she fell out of hers. Maryoko: [Nephrite] She'll go beautifully in the sitting room. >_______________________________________________________________________ > >«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > > Nephrite settled down among the wildflowers that covered the hill >by the woods. To his left stood the dark forest, to the right, a >flowered field stretched as far as the eye could see. Gomezu: To the north was a small white house with a mailbox out front. >He laid down on top of the hill, stretching out and placing his hands >under his head, face turned up to the warm sun. "To think that this >little flowered hill was where it all began." Raichi: And now they're turning it into a Kwik-Mart. >he murmured to no one but the grass and flowers. "Naru..." Maryoko: I just met a gal named Naru. > He closed his eyes to the sky that matched them and let his mind >wander and remember the first time he had met the beautiful red-haired >woman. Raichi: At the Silver Millennium Laundromat. >_______________________________________________________________________ > >«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > > He was walking with Endymion, he was always with Endymion, now that >he thought of it. Raichi: Maybe the duct tape had something to do with that. >They were walking back to the Palace of the blue planet, Earth. He >couldn't remember where they had been... Gomezu: Somewhere around Branson, Missouri. >he had forgotten everything when he met her. She had been there as he >walked up the steps, talking to Endymion. Maryoko: Steps? I thought they met on a flowered hill... only he didn't remember where it... uh.... >He wasn't been watching where he was going, and he literally fell over >onto her. Raichi: Ladies and gentlemen, we HAVE a "meet cute"! > "Well, hello." she smiled up at him. Her blue-green eyes sparkled >>merrily as she laughed. "Look at this, Endymion, now I have people >literally falling all over me." Gomezu: [Sam Lowry] Mother, please.... Maryoko: [Ida Lowry] Stop calling me that! > Endymion didn't answer, just turned away and walked into the >palace as if she weren't even there. Raichi: [Nephrite] Oh, no, I'm fine, you can leave... fine.... > He stood up, murmuring apologies, offering his hand to the >red-haired woman. Gomezu: [Naru] Thanks, I've already got one. >She took it and allowed him to pull her up. "No, no, don't worry, I'm >fine." She smoothed her pale blue gown, pushed her long red curls back >behind her shoulders again. Raichi: [woman, singing] It's the hard knock life for me, it's the hard knock life for me! >"Well, since you were already lying on top of me, I don't suppose I >could know your name?" Maryoko: Rei Ayanami she isn't. > He blushed. "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching--" > > "That's an interesting name." she laughed. Gomezu: Wah wah waaaahhh. >"I'm Naru." > > "Lovely name." he recovered. "I'm Nephrite." > > "Nephrite? You mean, like these?" She pushed back her thick, >luxurious hair to show him her small green earrings. Raichi: I may be blind, but I have acute -- Maryoko: [elbows him] >"No, you can't see unless you get closer." Gomezu: [Nephrite] I may be blind, but I -- Maryoko: _Guys,_ can we go _one_ MST without using the Yellowbeard joke, please!? > He stepped closer, held back her hair with one hand, held her ear >between two fingers of his other hand. Gomezu: Yes, that's a human ear all right. >"Yes, that's it." > > "Well, then, how did you get such an...interesting name?" Raichi: [Nephrite] My mom was trying to "get back to nature." > "Nephrite!" Endymion's angry call echoed out over the stairs. >"We're going to be late!" Gomezu: [Endymion] We're going to be late for having wild, kinky gay sex on my balcony! > "You had better leave." Naru murmured. "If you could, I'd like to >talk more, say, in the garden this afternoon?" Maryoko: [Nephrite] Talk all you want, but don't expect me to show up. > He nodded, smiling at the red-haired woman. "I--" > > "Nephrite! I need you here *now*!" Raichi: [Endymion] Nephrite! It's time for my fruit snack! > Naru shook her head. "Go on before he gets too angry. He doesn't >really need you, you know, he just doesn't want you to be anywhere >near me." She waved off his questions. "Just go!" Gomezu: Go, Speed Racer; Go, Speed Racer, Go! >_______________________________________________________________________ > >«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > > Nephrite was snapped out of his thoughts by an annoying, >high-pitched laugh. Maryoko: [voice] Another Kirstin Bishop singing telegram! >"You're so useless, Nephrite. Beryl's quite annoyed with you...and not >just because you're lying around in the flowers." > > "What do you want?" Nephrite squinted up at Zoisite. Gomezu: [Zoisite] I dunno, just to bitch a little, I guess. > "Not much." The blonde man held up his arm, and a long crystal >blade appeared in his hand. "Just here to do my job. Beryl ordered me >to terminate your useless existence." Raichi: No Zoisite. Try it again, vaguer and more long-winded. > Nephrite closed his eyes. "Fine. I won't be missed. Gomezu: Yep. He's right there below the people who eat peppermint and puff it in your face. >Do what you want." > > "Gladly." Zoisite turned his crystal blade and placed the point to >the center of Nephrite's chest. "Any last words?" Raichi: [Nephrite] I regret that I have but two lives to give for no real reason. > Nephrite didn't move. It was as if he was already dead. Maryoko: That's not Nephrite, it's Ayanami Rei in a wig! > Zoisite moved, positioned his weight over the blade, and... Gomezu: [Zoisite] Um... how does this work exactly? > "No!" a girl's voice screamed, startling him, causing the blade to >slip to the left before he bore down on it. Raichi: [Naru] I'M supposed to kill him! Didn't you read the script!? >Nephrite gave a strangled cry. Zoisite laughed, but stopped laughing >as something small, black, and furry landed on his face, claws out and >>scratching. Maryoko: "Critters V: Wildflowers." >He jumped back, crystal blade disappearing a his concentration was >broken, grabbing the small animal and flinging it to the ground. Gomezu: Now the ASPCA's gonna get involved, and it's just going to be a big mess.... > "Get away!" the same girl's voice called. Zoisite brushed blood >from his eyes and looked up to see the girl, Sailor Moon. Raichi: Didn't Nephrite just poison her a minute ago? Whatever happened to that? >"Nothing gives you the right to attack someone, even if you hate them, >while they are peacefully resting!" Gomezu: [Zoisite] Oh, shoot the messenger. >She easily moved through her usual motions and speech. "The >sailor-suited soldier for love and justice, Sailor Moon! That's a >punishment in the name of the Moon!" Maryoko: Her speech was a punishment? > "Oh, you are too scary." Zoisite snorted. > > "Sailor Moon, use the wand I gave you!" Luna shouted. Raichi: [Usagi] Thanks Luna, I don't know what I'd do without you. > Sailor Moon pulled out the strange wand. It was a golden crescent >moon on top of a short pink shaft. Gomezu: Kinky. >She pointed it at Zoisite. "Moon healing escalation!" > > A bright light sprang from the wand, blinding Zoisite. Maryoko: So it's a Taiyoken, only it requires a sissy wand. >*It's not worth it...* He disappeared, calling out, "It doesn't matter >what you do with your little toys. He's still going to die!" Raichi: [Zoisite] Yeah, just you wait! Another two billion years and he'll be tottering and old and liable to just collapse any minute! So there! > "No!" she shouted, but he was already gone. She quickly shifted >back to herself, still in her school uniform, and ran to Nephrite's >side. Nearly the entire front of his white robe had been turned red, >>saturated with his blood. Gomezu: The "Mermaid Forest" school of artistry, I see. >Usagi felt faint but forced herself to move closer to examine his wound. Raichi: Now class, that there is the aorta.... >The sight of the blood repulsed her as had the sight of Naru's bloody >fist wrapped around Endymion's dagger when she had shoved it directly >into Nephrite's heart. Maryoko: And as had the sight of her period. >Why this man? Raichi: 'Cause other people usually resist somewhat when somebody tries to stab them. >He was like a sacrifice, perpetually stabbed, perpetually bleeding. Gomezu: Sacrifices are for a reason. Nephrite's more a pincushion. >Biting back her fear and loathing, Maryoko: I thought this 'fic was something of a bad acid trip. >Usagi dropped to her knees beside his unconscious figure. A jagged rip >where the crystal blade had torn the fabric of the white robe revealed >a deep, jagged wound oozing dark red blood. Raichi: [Usagi] What could have caused this? > "Oh, my God, Nephrite, why didn't you fight him? How could you >let him do this to you?" Gomezu: [Nephrite] It's more melodramatic this way. >Usagi wailed over the prone figure. "One thousand years and this is >what you have to show for it, hacked to death by a maniac and left to >die like a beast on a hill in a time and place that no longer exists. Maryoko: [Nephrite] Well, I also played some mean tennis, and drove a neat car. And I killed a kid. >No, I won't let this happen!" > > She leaped to her feet, threw her right hand up and furiously >cried the words to begin her transformation. She would heal him with >the new wand that she had been given. Gomezu: The Wand of Nephrite-Healing. >Her fingers tingled with power, she felt herself becoming lighter, >>transparent, she soared up into the air, twisting and turning, no longer >the little school girl but a Sailor Soldier sworn to fight for love and >>justice! Raichi: Wow, you mean Usagi transforms into Sailormoon? >Light streamed into the place on her forehead, one more revolution and >she would raise her hand to retrieve the wand, she would pull Nephrite >back form the brink of oblivion Maryoko: How? Throw her tiara at his neck? >and then she would give him a piece of her mind. > > Suddenly a wave of entropy Gomezu: So we can use words like "entropy," but we don't understand the sentence "I can never be forgiven." >began to course throughout her body, her limbs felt heavy, her sight >began to blur, to her dismay she realized that she was falling, >plummeting rapidly through the air. She landed in a heap next to >Nephrite's body. Maryoko: Super! Nephrite is saved. Great job, Usagi. >So concerned for him was she that she barely acknowledged the pain of >her fall, she scrambled Raichi: Two eggs and had fried Nephrite on toast for breakfast. >up on her knees, grabbed his wrist to check for a pulse. She fumbled >for a while trying to find the point. "Why didn't I pay attention in >first aid class?" Maryoko: Venus Wars... Venus Wars... paging Maggie to take over the story. >she admonished herself savagely. Finally, she was able to detect the >faintest of rhythmic beating in his wrist. > > "Oh, God, what am I going to do, I can't transform! I can't let >him die, I can't!" Gomezu: [Usagi] Think of the girls he could've poisoned and killed! >Usagi frantically threw herself across Nephrite's body. Maryoko: Perhaps suffocating him will help! >She took his face in her hands, staring down helplessly at the >deceptively peaceful expression on his face. Tears of frustration >streamed down her cheeks. "Damn you, Nephrite, don't you dare die on >me. Raichi: [Usagi] I'd never get the smell out of this sweater! >I don't know what to do but you can't just give up like this. You have >to help me here, you have to hold on till I can get you out of here. >You coward, you liar, you would abandon your wife, Gomezu: Should I point out for the twentieth time that HE KILLED HIS WIFE!? >you would leave her a prisoner forever because she tried to save you, >save your soul. You must live and forgive her. Do you hear me?" Maryoko: Kono mune no atsui kodou ga? >Usagi in her fury began to shake Nephrite's body as if to awaken a >child too deeply asleep. Raichi: ... I'm glad I'm not Usagi's kid. >Her own body was shaking uncontrollably, her words were barely >intelligible through her torrent of hysterical tears. She finally >collapsed against his shoulder, wailing forlornly. Maryoko: [Usagi] UUUUWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! Gomezu: Just to remind you all how romantic that is. > Behind her she heard the crack of a twig, she froze. Someone was >looming over her, she was filled with terror. Raichi: Heeeeeeere's Johnny! >It was the blond-haired man who had attacked Nephrite, it must be, he >was coming back to finish the job. Maryoko: Winston Churchill! >How could she defend Nephrite or herself; she couldn't transform. Raichi: She could try monologue-ing, I guess.... >She heard him take a tentative step toward her, then bend down. Strong >hands grasped her about the shoulders, pulling her away from Nephrite's >body. Gomezu: Hrrrmmm, Friend, hrrrmmmgg. >She was too petrified to struggle. She allowed herself to be turned >about to face her assailant. Her eyes were shut tightly, she could not >bear to look. Maryoko: See no fanfic, hear no fanfic, _be_ no fanfic. >She felt his fingers lightly brush her cheek then rest beneath her chin >which he raised so that she would have to look into his face. Raichi: Um, not if her... eyes are... closed. >So startled was she by this action that her eyes involuntarily flew >open. She gasped in utter disbelief. Gomezu: [Usagi] Bicycle Repair Man! > "It seems that you were doing more damage then good here, Princess. >I thought it might be wise to intervene. Raichi: [Man] This is getting boring even for _us_. >I hope that I didn't frighten you too much. That was not my purpose." > > She stared at him, unable to make a sound. > > "Poor Nephrite, doomed to repeat the same death for all eternity. >When will he get this right? Maryoko: [Nephrite] ... When you die, what do you do? >Princess, you have witnessed this; you know the outcome. Why do you >persist in trying to change that which cannot be changed?" > > "Endymion. How are you here? Why are you here, to gloat over >the body? Raichi: [Endymion] Yeah, I reserved my seats a year ago. Scooch. >What, did you miss it the first time, do you hate him so much that you >want to watch him die this time? Is that why you are here?" Maryoko: [Usagi] I am. Popcorn? > "I am here to protect you from yourself." > > "I don't need you to protect me!" she shrieked at him. Gomezu: Ordinarily I'd question Endymion's credentials, but this girl _is_ the stupidest and most irrational creature on Earth. >She tried to push him away but he held her fast. > > "Yes, you do. You don't understand anything. You don't know >anything. Raichi: It'd help if there was _any_ continuity at _all_! >Your heart rules what your head should rule. Now you listen to me, you >now will do exactly what I tell you to do and you will do it silently >and without question." Gomezu: [Endymion] Take off your underwear, pull up your skirt, and bend over. [Maryoko hits him] > "And what if I refuse?" > > "Then this man's blood with literally be on your hands." Raichi: [Usagi] Ew, icky, gross! > "I don't understand, Endymion, I--" All: GET USED TO IT! > "There is no need for you to understand, just help me to do this. >Look, you are covered in blood. We will take care of that in time. Maryoko: [Endymion] We will use a color-safe bleach and let the articles of clothing soak overnight in cold water. Then we will rub at the stains with a soft brush.... >Go kneel in back of him, take his head and rest it on your lap. Hurry, >>Princess, there isn't much time left for him." > > Usagi stared up into Endymion's eyes, they were as dark and cold >as Gomezu: Frozen poo. >she always remembered them. He did not blink as he gazed down at her. >"Hurry, Princess." Raichi: There isn't much time left for him!! >He let her go. She rose and moved swiftly to do as he requested. >Endymion knelt down beside Nephrite. For a moment he merely looked >down upon the unconscious man, expressionless, Maryoko: [Endymion] Alas, poor Nephrite. I knew him, Usagi.... >then he sighed, taking Nephrite's limp Gomezu: Not in front of the girl! >right hand into his left hand. Then he deftly eased his right hand >down inside the bloody wound. Maryoko: [Endymion] Oohh, squishy. >Endymion closed his eyes as he lifted Nephrite's palm to his lips. >Usagi gaped at him, awed by what she was witnessing. Raichi: Several people in the larger Tokyo area reported sightings of a man kissing somebody's hand. Clearly this is the most exciting thing to happen since we had Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup for lunch. >Endymion whispered Nephrite's name, pressed his lips to the upturned >palm and plunged his right hand deep into the wound in Nephrite's >chest. Maryoko: Where it already was. >Usagi was unable to stifle a scream at the suddenness of the action. >It was over in a moment. Gomezu: [Endymion] He's healed, but unfortunately my hand's stuck. Oh well. Endymion laid Nephrite's palm gently on his chest where it rested against the pure white fabric of the robe. Raichi: Not only does he have magic healing powers, he also secretes bleach. >There was nothing there. It was as if the entire incident had never >happened. Nephrite's eyes fluttered, then opened. He smiled weakly >in Endymion's direction. Gomezu: Nephrite-- modern equivalent of the girl who pretends to drown at the beach party. > "Endymion." > > "Nephrite." Raichi: Brad. Maryoko: Janet. Gomezu: Rocky. > "Is it true?" > > "It is true, I tried to tell you. You never listen." > > "I am sorry for--" > > "It's too late for apologies." Maryoko: Should they-- Raichi: Don't speak. Gomezu: We could try.... Maryoko: But I don't think it w -- Raichi: Thank you. > "Why did you save me?" > > "You know very well why. How could I not? Gomezu: [Endymion] Author's pet. >I always save you, or at least try to when you let me." Raichi: [Endymion] When I'm not killing you, that is. > Usagi could no longer keep silent. Maryoko: [Usagi] To be, or not to be-- that is the question. Whether tis nobler.... >This was just not what she had been led to expect. "Um, excuse me, but >could one of you please explain what is going on here? Raichi: It's quite simple. Nephrite was lying here, Zoisite came to stab him, you and Luna stopped him, Luna mysteriously vanished, Endymion appeared, you had a long wandering dialogue, Endymion used his special powers and then he and Nephrite said random things to one another. >Endymion, I thought--" > > "Don't think, Princess." Endymion chided absently. > > "You will hurt yourself." Nephrite finished weakly. Maryoko: _Komedy_! > Both men chuckled, smiling into each other's eyes. Gomezu: [Endymion] Ooh, it's fun being gay. >_______________________________________________________________________ > >«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤» > >¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ > >End Book One, Part Two [Exeunt] * * * In the main sitting room of our heroes' mysterious prison, a rigorous game of Questions was in progress. Gomezu's green eyes bored into his fellows. "So this "Wildflowers"... what is it about? Raichi tried to be helpful. "What do you _think_ it's about? Maryoko stared. "How are we supposed to know?" Raichi shrugged. "Haven't we read the first two chapters?" Sidekick snorted. "Didn't it seem like we read a lot more than that?" Token love interest looked forlorn. "Did you think so too?" Hero scratched his head. "Shouldn't we know what it's about, if we've read it?" His best friend rounded on him. "Did the authors have any concept of that?" Maryoko put in tentatively: "Do you suppose they were on drugs?" Asked Gomezu, "Shouldn't they have distributed drugs to the readers, then?" Raichimanotakaru frowned. "Could it be that the Dark Lords are keeping them from us?" His girlfriend blinked. "The authors, or the drugs?" Blond sidekick was becoming irritable. "Why didn't they keep the STORY from us?" Raichi shrugged as if it were obvious. "They're evil, aren't they?" Maryoko looked worried. "Do you think they'll send us more?" Gomezu's voice was tinged with despair. "It'd be typical, wouldn't it?" There was a lengthy and miserable pause. Gomezu cringed and massaged his temples. "I'm getting a headache." Eternally cheery, the magical girl piped up, "Statement! One --" But today, the sidekick was deadly serious. "I'm not playing anymore!" he shouted, jumping to his feet, "Not until this tripe starts making _any_ sense! I mean, what the hell, Naru and Nephrite killed each other, only one was Usagi's fault except we don't blame her and the other wasn't Usagi's fault so we do, and Naru is Endymion's mother because she's eternally younger than he is, and Endymion wanted her to kill Nephrite except that he always saves Nephrite, and Nephrite poisoned Usagi or he didn't, and Nephrite's house is somewhere in the park, and Luna disappeared into thin air, and Zoisite is eeee-vil and Endymion has magic spit and Usagi keeps fucking calling him 'Mamo-chan' except he's going out with Rei and he never shuts up... none of them __EVER__SHUT__UP__!!" Gomezu wilted, sitting down again to bury his face in his hands. Raichi laid a concerned hand on his friend's shoulder. "Gomezu-kun..." Maryoko patted his other arm, offering a wavery smile. "It'll be okay, Gomezu-kun. We can't be broken by Evil. Besides, this fic can't go on forever... can it?" ~ ========================================== STINGER: "Why did I bring this thing, here?" she wondered as she cradled it in her arms like a baby, stoking it, caressing it. ========================================== ___________ "This's Nothing" (my fanfiction page): http://sardonyx.virtualave.net/ "The Dark City of Mecha" (the epic clash between the forces of Good and Evil!): http://sardonyx.virtualave.net/HAPT/ Back to the Index