Chapter 73

The news spread quickly. Raye's strong sense of duty allowed her enough time to make the proper calls and plan the funeral for her grandfather. The girls had shown up, as did their boyfriends, as well as some other family and it went by. But after it was over, Raye returned to her room and didn't come out, shutting herself off from the world.

The four scouts stood at the base of the temple steps wondering what to do next.

"Poor Raye," Mina said solemnly.

"She didn't need this now," Lita said.

"She didn't need it anytime," Amy said.

"Maybe it was this she was so worried about," Serena thought.

"Maybe," they all said.

"So what do we do know?" Mina asked.

"I don't know..what can we do?" Lita asked.

"We should be with her...even if she tries to push us away," Amy said.

"Yeah..we're her friends," Serena said.

The four started climbing steps.

Down in Patterson's war room.

"She's been hit hard...her parents dying when she was young, now this," Rick said.

"Rick..maybe you should go see her," Mike suggested.

"No...I can't do that.." Rick said. "She'll probably want to be alone."

"Maybe..but she may want to see a reassuring face too," Steve said.

"I think their right," Greg added.

Patterson turned away from the view screen he was studying.

"There's no reason for you to try and train today," he said. "You should go home, Rick..you should probably go see her."

"More textbook advice," Rick said skeptically.

"No, take it from someone who knows about losing family. She needs someone," Patterson said and turned back to his view screen.

"I'm going," Rick said.

"Kaolinite, I have the next target," Doctor Tomoe said.

"Really professor? Who is it this time?"

"Well..I've been thinking and thinking..and well I didn't come up with anything..but until I do..this target will have to do."

"Yes, Professor," Kaolinite said looking at the picture.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Tennis Match," Dr. Tomoe said.

"Doctor...you don't play tennis."

"No, of course not," Doctor Tomoe said. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a match stick in the shape of a tennis racket and slid it across his friction filled table. It lit up in a small flame.

"I'd better go," Kaolinite said and headed for the door. She opened it to find a large group of baseball players standing outside.

"Oh..." she said and let them all come in, before walking out.

"The Professor's Baseball Team of Sanity, about to play the Professor's Football Players of Sanity in the Professor's Basketball Game of Sanity," Kaolinite muttered as a Football team walked passed her down the hallway.

A light rain had begun to fall as it did in times like this. Raye didn't hear it though. She sat there in her room, staring at the wall like she had for the past several hours. There was a knock on the door. She didn't hear that either. Another knock came. She didn't hear it.

"Raye," came Mina's gentle voice. "We're here to help you."

Raye heard that. But she didn't respond. She stared at the wall.

"Raye, we're your friends, we're here to be with you," Amy said calmly.

"Raye..you know you can trust us..." Lita said.

"Raye..I...you know how much we care about you," Serena said.

Raye turned slowly and looked at the door. Then she turned away.

"No, they can't help me. No one can," she said and resumed her staring.

Her four friends soon retreated back to the steps of the temple.

"We can't just break in," Lita said.

"She may not be ready to talk to people yet," Amy said.

"But...we have to be here in case she is," Mina said.

"Even I realize that," Serena said.

They noticed Rick coming up the steps.

"How is she?" he asked.

"We don't know...she wouldn't see us," Lita said.

"She probably won't see you either," Mina said.

"Have to try," Rick said. "You girls go home..I'll call you if she opens up."

"We...need to stay here," Lita said.

"You girls can't help her sitting her," Rick said. "She wouldn't want you doing it. You've got school to worry about."

"Like we can put school above Raye," Mina said.

"Girls..I told you, I'll handle things..there's no reason all of you should stand vigil...I can do it," Rick said.

The girls all looked at each other and realized Rick had a point.

"You promise to call," Serena said threateningly.

"Yes, I do," Rick said.

"How about we stay at Amy's place," Mina said.

The others nodded and Amy handed Rick a piece of paper with the number on it.

The four girls then walked down the steps and Rick headed up them.

"Raye? It's me Rick," Rick said.

There was no answer. Rick glanced at the door.

This could be bad move on my part. But I have to be there. He said and pulled the door open.

Raye was sitting there staring at the wall.

"Raye?" Rick said.

She turned towards him.

"Get out," she hissed.

"Raye...I'm here for you."

"I said...get out."

"You should talk to someone."

"How would you know? Leave me alone!"

"Raye your friends are concerned and they..."

"I could care less whether they're concerned or not! I want to be left alone!"

"But..it's not good for you to.."

"GET OUT!" She shouted and threw a vase at him. Rick backed out of the room.

She's untouchable right now. He thought and closed the door.

"And don't you try this again!" Raye shouted. "I don't need your sympathy!"

Rick thought about saying something, but instead walked to the steps.

Chad sat in the bus looking out the window as it sped through the city.

Raye needs me. I know it. I can't let her deal with this alone. He thought. I should have stayed and watched the old man. I left out of selfishness..how could I do that? And now I've hurt her even more.

"I can't concentrate," Serena said solemnly putting her book down. The scouts had all decided to wait in the same place so they could hear of any news. Amy's studying apartment did the job. The girls really had no motivation to do their work.

"None of this makes any sense right now," Mina said.

"Yeah, I know," Lita said.

Amy looked at what she had written on the page and then quickly erased it.

"I'm good at these math problems...but not today," she said.

"Should we go back there?" Serena asked.

"What good would it do?" Lita asked.

"You wouldn't think Raye would take it so hard..it's happened before," Mina said.

"What?" the other three said.

"Well...I..maybe that's not right..but I just thought she had to deal with it once, she could deal with it again," Mina said.

"I don't know..she was extremely close to her grandfather," Lita said.

"Yeah...you just don't become immune to the pain by going through it once already," Serena said.

"I just wish there was something we could do," Mina said.

"Didn't know the guy," Steve said as the other three guys sat on Mike's front steps.

"Me neither," Mike said.

"Met him once," Greg said. "Nice, a bit weird."

"Well..we really don't have any mourning to do..but it seems everyone else is pretty shaken up about it," Steve said.

"They knew him better," Mike said.

"Yeah..and Rick's only trying to help Raye," Greg said.

"So what do we do at times like this?" Mike asked.

"No clue," Steve said.

"We just stay out of it and let things run their course," Greg said.

"Death..hmm...Raye's had her share of it," Patterson said as he typed things into his computer screen. "Fate is not always a kind thing. Unfortunately destiny can destroy as well as create."

He then realized something. A paranoid fear that formed.

No, that would not happen now. Then again....this is reality. He thought and stood up and hurried out the door.

Rick stood there in front of the door, and there he saw Chad running up the steps.

"Where's Raye?" Chad said urgently.

"In there, but she isn't talking to anyone," Rick said.

"Maybe she'll talk to me," Chad said.

"Won't work, I wouldn't lie to you about matters this grave."

"I know," Chad replied, but moved to the door anyway.

"Raye? It's me Chad."

"GO AWAY! How many times must I yell at all of you!" Raye shouted.

"See?" Rick said not the least bit teasingly.

"Yes I see," Chad said and turned away. "I came as soon as I heard."

"It was sudden."

"You had no warning?"

"Raye might have, but we wouldn't know, she didn't tell us anything. Me, her friends.."

"Hmm..yeah..well if something was bothering her she probably wouldn't tell anyone, and somehow if something was bothering her grandfather, he wouldn't tell her."

"That sounds about right."

And then Kaolinite appeared in the air above them.

"Oh my god," Rick said.

"What? Hey! Who are you! Leave this place now..this is a place of mourning!" Chad shouted.

"I don't care," Kaolinite said and blasted Chad with energy. He began to transform into a monster. Kaolinite floated up into the air.

I will wait here...and if any of those scouts show up..I'll get them. She thought.

Rick thought about things and dashed towards Raye's door. He kicked it open.

"How dare you!" Raye shouted.

"There's a monster out there!" Rick shouted.

"Do you think I care!" Raye shouted back.

"But it's..no..you're right," Rick said and pulled out his power stick. "I will defend you. Uranus power!"

He transformed and immediately hit his communicator.

"This is Uranus..major emergency at Raye's. We're under attack, she's in no state to fight...I'll do my best in the meantime," Uranus shouted as Chad walked to the doorway. Uranus drew his light sword.

"Sorry, I have to do this," he said and shot a blast out. Chad staggered back several feet.

"Uranus! Fire Spikes Attack!" he shouted. The attack hit Chad and knocked him further backward, but the creature charged at him.

"Can't let him get to Raye," Uranus shouted and leapt forward swinging his sword. Chad ducked out of the way and hit Uranus with a seemingly high powered swing. Uranus flew ten feet and hit the ground.

"Just one...I'll wait," Kaolinite said. "Finish him off!" she shouted. Chad turned towards Uranus who stood, his sword drawn.

"I'm not afraid of you," Rick said.

"I don't care!" Chad shouted and formed his own light sword.

"Oh..very good," Kaolinite said happily.

Not very skilled with a sword, but I'll have to make due. Uranus thought. Chad charged at him. Uranus slid under him and did his spin kick catching Chad right in the jaw. Chad spun around and despite his pain swung at Uranus, who managed to duck under it and make his own swing, which Chad jumped over. Uranus rolled under the jumping Chad and swung his light sword hitting Chad with a bolt of energy. Chad whirled around and threw his light sword, it flew right into Uranus' leg. Uranus fell to one knee, but swung his sword again. Chad stepped back and narrowly missed it.

"Hmm..looks like the game is over," Chad said.

Uranus stood up, grimacing in pain. Chad lunged at him. Uranus used his good leg and jumped away.

I should retreat, but I can't, Raye could be hurt. Uranus thought and turned to face Chad who was once again charging at him. With his leg hurt, Uranus had very little offense. He rolled again trying to keep the pressure off his knee, but Chad quickly blasted him with some form of energy.

"Good, this one realizes the energy it has within it," Kaolinite said. "Very useful..still..it has it's hands full with one scout......."

Uranus swung his sword again. Chad grimacing in his own pain stuck his hand through the energy blade grabbed a hold of Uranus and picked him and swung him down onto the ground hard.

Uranus grunted.

I'm going to die. He thought to himself. He held tight onto his sword and spun it in his hand, it smashed into Chad's weakened arm, and caused him to step back and gasp for breath.

"Uranus Fire Spikes Attack!" Uranus shouted bringing on his power as quickly as he could and blasted Chad back towards the steps which he immediately fell down.

"No! Enough of this!" Kaolinite shouted and drew a massive plume of fire into her hands. She swung it downward and it flew right at Uranus. He looked up to see it at the last second.

"It's the end," he said as he was hit with it. Kaolinite looked on anxiously to see him fall to the ground.

Inside her room, Raye's eyes opened widely.

"Rick," she said somehow sensing it. "Rick!" She shouted and ran out the door and towards his limp body.

"Rick!" she shouted. Uranus managed to turn his head towards her.

"People still care.." he said and then his eyes closed. She felt the anger burning inside of her, but then..it collapsed, as she did around Uranus and began to sob.

"Well...looks like I've killed a scout," Kaolinite said. She was hit with four blasts of energy, one gold, one green, one blue, and one multicolored. She fell to the ground in shock. There stood the other male scouts.

"Hmm...so you are all ready for the fate of your comrade...death!" Kaolinite said.

"What?" Neptune said.

"He's...what?" Pluto said.

"Ehh..." Kaolinite said and hit the two of them with a minor wave of energy. They both were thrown backward into a pile of bushes, leaving only Saturn and Maverick.

"How dare you!" Maverick shouted. "Attacking a place of mourning! Have even you no respect for the dead. You..dare take another life on this hallowed ground! For this you will receive extreme punishment!"

"From you?" Kaolinite said and laughed.

"I'm just the beginning," Maverick said.

Chad staggered out of the bushes.

"Look out!" Saturn said and blasted Chad with his sword, the monster staggered back. Saturn quickly charged towards the monster.

"I'll handle him, you make her pay!" Saturn shouted.

"I intend to," Maverick said the emotion once again disappearing. "I must say Kaolinite, you made such an easy target just hovering up there...like all the other times."

"That was you!" Kaolinite shouted angrily. "Do you know you've given yourself a death sentence!"

"Really...are you sure Kaolinite...are you really sure about that? Why would I dare attack you unless I had the power to destroy you? You see me, I'm not like those other four, I have real power. Power you couldn't understand...you think Sailor Moon is powerful..she's got nothing on me."

"I do believe you're bluffing."

"Bluffing?"

"Yes."

"Well you can play it safe and disappear right now..or you can take your chances and also have to deal with the fact that you have just killed a fellow scout, something that will make me quite motivated to destroy you," Maverick said his eyes narrowing.

"I think I'll take my chances!" Kaolinite said and unleashed an energy bolt. Maverick jumped into the air unleashing a sword attack as she did so...Kaolinite stepped backward and avoided it only to launch her own attack. Maverick spun his sword. The attack blew up in front of him.

"I warned you," Maverick said.

"We shall see," Kaolinite said and readied another attack.

"MERCURY ICE STORM BLAST!"

"JUPITER THUNDERCLAP ZAP!"

"VENUS LOVE CHAIN ENCIRCLE!"

The three attacks slammed into Kaolinite and knocked her straight into the house whose wall she easily crashed through. The other Sailor Scouts had arrived.

"Hmm...I've done my damage," Kaolinite said and disappeared.

Chad rumbled towards them. Maverick blasted him with his sword and Chad fell to the ground.

"Take care of him!" he shouted.

"Uh..right," Sailor Moon said. "Moon Spiral Hearts Attack!" she shouted. The creature inside of Chad disappeared, and the human dropped to the ground of weakness. Neptune and Pluto emerged from the forest and ran over to Uranus and the sobbing Raye.

"What..what's going on?" Venus asked.

"Kaolinite killed Uranus...that's what," Maverick said the anger quite visible on his face.

"She what?" the four other scouts said in shock.

"Saturn...let's go," Maverick said.

"Where?" Saturn asked.

"To find a murderer!" Maverick shouted. The two hurried away.

Tuxedo Mask arrived at that point.

"What..."

Sailor Moon pointed before he could finish it.

"Oh..my..." he said.

"Rick..he..died...defending me," Raye said still sobbing. Neptune and Pluto were crying, in their own way. The other scouts wiped tears from their eyes.

"This isn't supposed to happen! We're invincible," Raye sobbed.

CHAPTER 66 CHAPTER 67 CHAPTER 68 CHAPTER 69 CHAPTER 70  CHAPTER 71 

CHAPTER 72 CHAPTER 73 CHAPTER 74 CHAPTER 75  CHAPTER 76 CHAPTER 77

 CHAPTER 78 CHAPTER 79 CHAPTER 80  CHAPTER 81  CHAPTER 82 CHAPTER 83

CHAPTER 84 CHAPTER 85  CHAPTER 86 CHAPTER 87 CHAPTER 88 CHAPTER 89

 CHAPTER 90 CHAPTER 91 CHAPTER 92 CHAPTER 93 CHAPTER 94 CHAPTER 95

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