Chapter 244

It was night in the palace. Rick and Tijiro in hoods crept along the darkened hallway.

"You know which way we're going right?" Tijiro asked.

"We've been over this," Rick said. "I have it down to a science."

"All right..because if this doesn't work it's your fault."

"Shut up Tijiro..let's just do this thing," Rick said.

"By now Ariton should have finished setting things up with Hotaru," Tijiro said. "Let's just hope this stuff he gave us works."

"Yeah.." Rick said. The two crept to the door to the princess' room guarded as usual. They pulled some dust out of the container and threw it at the guards. They collapsed. They then slowly pushed the door open making sure their hoods were on all the way. Princess Sakuro was asleep in her bed.

"So..Tijiro you want to fight Rick for my love. So be it," She was saying. The two stopped.

"She's just asleep," they said to each other and headed towards the bed quickly.

"Hah..Rick won..now take me to bed..." she said.

Rick shuddered. Tijiro leaned close to her and they blew the dust into her face. She fell even faster asleep.

"Success," the two said. They picked up the princess and were soon racing down the corridor.

"This is going too well," Rick said.

"It's a flawless plan remember?" Tijiro said.

"No plan is ever flawless."

"Now that's not the way to think about it," Tijiro said.

"Maybe not," Rick said. "Still.."

"Halt!" came a shout.

"Told ya!" Rick said. The two took off down the corridor. The sound of stamping feet followed them. They dashed down a stairway quickly.

"You know where were going right?" Tijiro said.

"Haven't we been over this," Rick said.

"Just be careful!" Tijiro said. They raced down stairs, hearing even more guards after them.

"This does not look good you know," Tijiro said.

"I know!" Rick snapped.

They swung open a door and raced into a courtyard. A carriage stood there. Hotaru sat in the back of it.

"Good work Ariton," Tijiro said and jumped into the seat after they had put Sakuro in the back. Rick hopped on and they raced off past already sleeping guards and into the night.

"Yes!" Rick said and the two high fived as Hotaru covered herself and Sakuro with a blanket.

"Hey..you ever kidnap anyone before!" Tijiro said excitedly.

"No..not really," Rick muttered.

"I'm a first timer too!"

"Uh..great," Rick said. "Calm down."

The cart raced through the city and soon was blocks away from the castle.

"Now what we're we going to do next? Tijiro asked.

Rick sighed.

"I'm sorry to say the Princess Sakuro as well as Princess Hotaru have been kidnapped your majesty," Ariton said.

"How? Who could have gotten in here?" King East asked.

"I don't know sir, the guard is investigating. We believe there is magic involved," Ariton said. Of course..mine. He thought.

"Where are Tijiro and Guardian Uranus?"

"Already out searching."

"Hmm..send the guard out, we must find them," King East said.

"Of course your majesty," Ariton said and then turned away.

"We'll find them eventually," he said to himself and hurried out.

In a small house on the edge of the city, Rick was in the process of tying Princess Sakuro to a chair.

"Is that much rope necessary?" Tijiro asked.

"It is for her," Rick said.

Tijiro grinned.

"Will the king have every house searched?" Hotaru asked.

"He just might," Tijiro said. "But I'll jump to the rescue before he gets here."

"You hope," Hotaru said.

"Uh..right.." Tijiro said.

"Okay I think that's enough," Rick said tying a gag over Sakuro's mouth.

"Good move," Tijiro said.

"I guess now it's your turn Hotaru," Rick said. "That is if you still want to be part of it."

"It will be more convincing if she can see I am in her position," Hotaru said sitting in a chair.

"All right..but we could just blast her with sleeping potion occasionaly, untie you and let you walk around.." Rick said.

"No..she might notice that the ropes are not tied the same way, furthermore, I will be a more convincing victim if I am suffering the same way she is," Hotaru said.

"Hopefully it won't be suffering," Rick said.

"Please proceed," Hotaru said. Rick had soon tied her to the chair.

"If you do not gag me she will wonder.." Hotaru said.

"All right.." Rick said uncomfortable with it, but he soon was finished.

"This the first time you've tied up some girls before?" Tijiro asked.

"Well..yeah.." Rick said.

"Me too.." Tijiro said.

"I know," Rick said.

The two headed out.

"Now what?" Rick asked.

"Well..Jari, my loyal retainer is downstairs he will stay hooded and will keep an eye on the two, he will feed them soon, in the meantime we've got to appear like we're searching for them," Tijiro said.

Rick nodded and transformed.

"Now I'm ready," he said.

The two still hooded headed out of the room and then out into the city quickly.

"Search that block! Hurry it up!" King East shouted from atop a horsk.

"They're doing a fine job your highness," Ariton said. "They'll find them."

"These are dangerous people Ariton, I worry," King East said.

"As do I your majesty, but they cannot get far," Ariton said. "No one has been allowed in our out of the city."

"Yes..we'll find them," East said.

Tijiro and Uranus rode up.

"Ah...what have you two found?" East asked.

"Well..your higness we have some leads," Tijiro said. "A few people saw what looked like the princess earlier this evening. We're going to search some areas."

"We just wanted to let you know," Uranus said.

"Of course..of course..on your way then," East said.

The two nodded.

"Good luck gentlemen," Ariton said.

The two nodded again and rode off.

"This almost fun," Tijiro said.

"Glad someone's enjoying it," Uranus said.

"So do we let them stew some more."

"I'm sure Princess Sakuro could use it."

Sakuro's screech was muffled by the cloth in her mouth, but it still had some resonance. Hotaru would have smiled if she could at the sight. Sakuro began to rock back and forth and then glared at her. Hotaru just gazed back. Sakuro then began to bite into her gag.

What would be torture is having to hear her. Hotaru thought. Still if I could get this cloth out of my mouth I might be able to drown her our somehow and Hotaru began to try and get her gag off, all the while faking trying to escape.

"How long has it been?" Rick asked.

"Twenty minutes," Tijiro said.

"We can give them longer then that," Rick said.

"Certainly," Tijiro said.

"How long do you think?"

"I don't know. I've never done this before."

"I know that."

"What do you think?"

"I don't know. Anytime is good I guess."

"Still..if she hasn't felt helpless, then the rescue won't be as big a deal," Tijiro said.

"What are you thinking?" Rick asked.

"Days.."

"No you fool."

"Uh..well..let's see...it'll take the king most of the day to search the city. What about six hours?"

"Why so long?"

"The longer she waits, the more glad to see me she'll feel."

"I know that, but let's not go overboard."

"Two hours," Tijiro said.

"Fine..unless East starts getting closer."

"Right," Tijiro said. "You want to go investigate some restaurants?"

"Let's not be blatant about this all right?" Rick muttered.

Tijiro grinned.

"Worth a try," he said.

Rick sighed.

"You're missing the point."

"So?" Tijiro asked.

Rick sighed again.

"Who did this?" Sakuro screeched. "And why would they kidnap you too?"

Hotaru worked at her gag even harder.

"Jeez..it's one thing for me, a famous princess to get kidnapped, but what could they get for you?"

Hotaru sighed. I may just kill her. She thought. I should have when I had the chance. Am I joking with myself? I don't know. That's unerving. I'll figure that issue out later. Right now....

She spit out her gag.

"Please do not make this worse then it already is," Hotaru said.

"Well who's behind it, and how'd they get out of the palace?"

"I have no idea," Hotaru said.

"That's just what I'd expect," Sakuro said continuing to struggle.

"They are quite tight. I wouldn't suggest struggling so much," Hotaru said.

"Oh..you wouldn't, I'll show you," Sakuro said and kept struggling for a good seven minutes before stopping and gasping.

Hotaru grinned.

"What are you doing?" Sakuro snapped.

"Making the best of a bad situation."

"So you find this funny?"

"Not really, but is slightly amusing."

"You are enjoying this? Only you could enjoy being kidnapped?"

"One might as well," Hotaru said.

"What an insane girl you are," Sakuro said.

"I agree..now shut up," Hotaru said.

"Can't make me," Sakuro said.

"I will hobble over there and bite you if you do not shut up," Hotaru said.

"Try me," Sakuro said.

Hotaru began to work with her chair.

"I'll meet you halfway," Sakuro said angrilly, and the two girls, although tied up, tried to move into a position to bite each other.

"I wonder how they're doing," Rick said.

"Jari's keeping an eye on them," Tijiro said.

"You want to buy a fruit?" a merchant said running up beside them.

"Not really," Rick said.

"How much?" Tijiro asked.

"Forty two sids."

"Seven sids," Tijiro said.

"Fine.."the merchant said. Tijiro bought the fruit.

"That's a bit of markdown," Rick said.

"I'm only savin thirty five sids on the deal," Tijiro muttered and took a bite. Rick sighed.

Jari meanwhile was creeping up the stairs hooded, he peeked in the peehole and saw the two girls trying to bite each other furiously.

"Uh oh," he said. "But just what am I supposed to do about it?" he asked himself and hurried back down the stairs. The door swung open. Jari froze. Another hooded figure entered.

"Who..who are you?" he asked.

The figure stopped and stared at him.

Seconds later Jari was thrown out the door.

"Uh oh.." he said. "I've got tell the others," he said and hurried off.

The figure then moved up the stairs and to the door.

Sakuro lunged at Hotaru, who pulled herself back. Sakuro's chair fell and she with it. Hotaru started laughing.

"You are just a pathetic girl," Hotaru said. "I am sure of that."

"Yeah..well..I'll get..." Sakuro began to say. The door swung open. The two looked up in surprise. The figure pulled off their cloak.

"Oh no," Hotaru said in shock.

"I think we should check up on them," Tijiro said.

"Yeah, good idea," Rick said.

"Race ya.."

"Stop enjoying this so much!" Rick snapped and the two hurried off. They were met halfway by Jari racing down the street.

"Jari!" Tijiro said. "What happened?"

"This..figure..came in and threw me out..dangerous.." Jari said.

"Uh oh," Tijiro said. "We've gotta hurry."

The two galloped forward towards the room and hurried up as they did. Princess Sakuro went flying out the door, Hotaru leapt after her and the two began brawling in the street.

"What is going on?" Uranus said.

"No idea," Tijiro said.

"Uranus?" came a voice. Uranus whirled. Sailor Jupiter stood in the doorway.

"Jupiter," Uranus said in shock.

"Did you free them!" Tijiro shouted.

"Uh..yeah..they were kidnapped weren't they?" Jupiter asked.

Tijiro and Uranus glanced at each other.

"Yes," The two said. Jupiter looked at them.

Hotaru and Sakuro continued their catfight.

Later back at tha palace.

"Sailor Jupiter you have done us a great service returning my daughter as well as Princess Hotaru," King East said.

"Uh..well thank you sir," Sailor Jupiter said.

"But how did you know where to look?" East asked.

"I had arrived in the city yesterday, I was looking around for my friends, I didn't find them, but what I did see was Hotaru and the Princess getting pulled inside a building by some hooded figures. Then I tried to track down the kidnappers, but it didn't work, so I went back in and saved them," Jupiter said.

"Good work Jupiter," Uranus said. "You really came through."

"Yes worthy performance," Tijiro said.

"Uh well..I just sort of stumbled onto it," Jupiter said.

"Uh..King East," Hotaru said.

"Yes Hotaru?"

"Earlier Princess Sakuro challenged me. I wish to meet her challenge."

"What? Really?" East asked. "But it isn't really proper for girls to settle their disputes with a duel."

"Nonetheless, I want it," Hotaru said.

"Me too," Sakuro said.

"Uh..well all right," East said.

"Tommorow," Sakuro said.

"Done," Hotaru said.

"How'd this start?" Jupiter asked.

"I'd be more concerned about how it ends," Uranus said.

"Well..that plan didn't work," Rick said.

"Nice of your friend to show up when she did," Tijiro muttered.

"Yeah..that stuff's been known happen when we run an operation," Rick said.

"So now what?"

"No idea," Rick said.

"I'm out of them too," Tijiro said.

"You two waited to long," Ariton muttered walking by.

"We didn't notice that!" the other two snapped.

"So..Hotaru..uh..how's it going?" Jupiter asked.

"It was going better till your arrival," Hotaru said.

"Uh..sorry..what'd I do?"

"The kidnapping was false," Hotaru said.

"It was?"

"Yes...we planned it. It was a plot to get Princess Sakuro and Tijiro in love. He was going to jump in and save us," Hotaru said.

"Oh..and I messed it up. I'm sorry..I was trying to help."

"It's all right," Hotaru said. "I suppose I would be more concerned if you didn't jump into action."

"Uh..well..I guess," Jupiter said. "But what is it between you and Sakuro?'

"I hate her."

"Any reason why?"

'Plenty, ask Rick."

"I will..I'm sorry."

"It's all right," Hotaru said. "But now I must prepare to defeat her tommorow."

"Right," Jupiter said and headed out.

Minutes later.

"Rick, Hotaru told me. I'm sorry," Lita said. "I didn't mean to mess up your plan."

"Yeah no biggie, me and Hotaru were going to make a break for it too, but it's okay," Rick said.

"Oh..you want to escape?"

"Yes...these are nice people. But we want to find the others. There's a war going on out there, and this country isn't involved. It's also true that Sakuro wants me, so I've gotta get out of here."

"She's in love with you?"

"She has a crush on me."

"Oh.."

"She used to be nice, btu I want nothing to do with her, especially now that she's gone insane."

"She's gone insane."

"Yeah, you know how you girls get."

"No.." Lita said.

"She's worse," Rick said with a grin not acknowledging Lita's rejection.

"I see," Lita said. "Why don't you just leave?"

"I suspect they'd have ways of stopping us," Rick said. "Tijiro stopped me the first time, he's fast."

"Oh..okay.." Lita said. "Guess that's rough."

"So where have you been?"

"I landed out in the countryside. Found out where the capital was..figured I work my way there, had no idea what I was doing, but the residents were helpful. It took me a while to get here," Jupiter said. "Any idea why we're here?"

"See Ariton, he'll tell you," Rick said. "I could try and explain it, but..it's a little complex. Needless to say we're on another planet in another dimension."

"Oh..is that all?" Lita said.

Rick grinned.

"Just more of the same ey?" Rick asked.

Lita nodded.

"I think I should get some sleep," she said and headed out the door. Sakuro was heading down the corridor.

"You.." Sakuro said.

"What?" Lita asked.

"Are you the one?"

"The one what?"

"The one Rick cares for?"

"No..that's Raye.."

"Raye? Who is this Raye?"