Chapter 310
"Mina...about this whole trip we're on," Yaten said. "We've been gone for hours. We completely skipped the battle..and.."
"Aren't you having fun though?" Mina asked. "They did okay didn't they?"
"Yes, but," Yaten said.
"Yaten listen, things are going fine. You're more important," Mina said. "Now..where do you want to go next?"
"I don't know..we've been a lot of places."
"Have you ever been up on Tokyo Tower?" Mina asked.
"Sure plenty of times," Yaten said.
"Good, because we aren't going there," Mina said taking off at run.
"Well where are we going," Yaten said.
"The subway," Mina said.
"And then where?"
"Wherever it takes us," Mina said.
"Uh...can you be more specific?" Yaten asked.
"Nope."
Yaten sighed. Still..this is kinda fun. If I didn't fear for
my life.
"Nice of you to show up Haruka," the man said.
"I'm sorry sir, a friend of mine really needed my help," Haruka said. "That comes first."
"Yeah well whatever," the man said. "You're fortunate you're as good a racer as you are, or else I wouldn't have kept ya, but still we need to do some tests. We've got a new bike for you."
"Oh..good," Haruka said. "Can I see it?"
"Well..Shadow Racer's bringing it over."
"You gave him responsibility over it?" Haruka asked worriedly.
"Sure, didn't think it was a problem. Listen shadow racer's only crazy on the racetrack. He really is a nice guy."
"But he wears that dark helmet and dark fire suit wherever he goes doesn't he?"
"Well no..he doesn't want to look like a killer or something, he only dresses like that around us."
"Why?"
"I'm afraid to ask," the man said.
Haruka sighed.
A horn honked and a small truck pulled in. Shadow racer hopped out and started laughing.
Haruka sighed again. I really hate him. She thought.
Elsewhere.
"Isn't this nice?" Mina asked.
"Yes," Yaten said. "But whoever came up with the idea of having a restaurant in a tree?"
"No idea, but I think it's more important to ask another question," Mina said taking a drink.
"And that is?"
"Who is it, who would build a restaurant in a tree, and then after it was destroyed in a battle between evil and the sailor scouts, decided to spend more money to rebuild said restaurant?"
"Oh..good point," Yaten said.
"Still it is a nice view," Mina said.
"I agree," Yaten said. "It was a good idea to come here."
"I like to think of myself as an ambassador of good feelings," Mina said.
"O...kay.." Yaten said.
"I love it when you looked scared like that," Mina said and started laughing.
"Uh..good.." Yaten said. "Mina..could you just tone it down a bit, I mean..you're worrying me."
"Yeah I guess.." Mina said. "I'm just excited that you would spend all this time out like this. I've got to see parts of you that I haven't seen before."
"Yes...I guess it was good. This is a nice city."
"And there's more to it," Mina said. "We've only begun."
"I think that's enough for today though," Yaten said. "Sooner or later I have to deal with Seiya and Taiki."
"Sure..sure.." Mina said. "I'm sure they won't be very pleased with me either."
"Don't worry about it, I'll say it was my fault."
"No it wasn't, it was mine. If anyone should take blame it was me. But you deserved to come out Yaten. You weren't enjoying yourself. I was tired of seeing you so depressed like you were. See now you're happy, if not a little scared."
"That I am," Yaten said. "But Mina, I think you're a nice girl, you've got a few problems, but you seem committed to helping me."
"That I am," Mina said.
"So..I guess I have to thank you for that. And I guess it's not a bad idea for me to see more of you, since you seem to understand me at least," Yaten said.
"Wow! Great!" Mina said. Everyone turned and looked at her.
"Hi everyone!" She said. They all turned away quickly.
"That usually works by the way," she added. Yaten
nodded in surprise.
Later.
"Nice of you to run off like that Yaten," Seiya said. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes," Yaten said heading for his room.
"Hey, don't you walk away like that," Seiya said.
"Seiya, I'm tired," Yaten said. "I'm going to rest. We'll talk later."
"I need to know now. Are you going to quit or not?"
"I don't know," Yaten said.
He walked into his room and shut the door.
"Jerk," Seiya said and headed out. "You could destroy us Yaten."
"So..Lita's sounding okay isn't she?" Alina asked.
"Yeah, she'll do fine," Mike said.
"I'm so glad I'm part of the group, I mean even if it just to run errands. I really think it's something special."
"Special? Four jerks playing rock music?" Mike asked.
"Well..it's about excitement," Alina said. "See...the best kind of music is that which gets inside of you that can affect you in a good way. That makes your blood pump faster that you want to react to."
"Yeah..I know," Mike said.
"You guys do that so well, it's as if you know exactly what to do," Alina said.
"Well..I guess."
"I know I may not seem like the ideal person to recognize it. But I do. You guys do sing a lot about weird stuff and beating people up, but that's just part of it. I mean the music itself is great. I never was a fan of vocals anyway."
"Neither were we, the record company demanded it."
"Oh..and you listened," Alina said dejectedly.
"You think we shouldn't have?"
"Well you had no choice, but I went to see you guys with deep six, and that was really great," Alina said. "Even when Raye sang it really did well. But see I've always felt she matched well," Alina said.
"You did?" Mike asked.
"Uh huh. I mean sure she couldn't sing every song, I loved the instrumentals. But on those songs she did sing, she did them so well. It's a shame she preferred to be an idol," Alina said.
"I guess," Mike said. "Yeah I don't exactly like vocals either. Why does the music have to have a point you know? I mean..if it's just instruments, people can make their own judgements, apply it to whatever feelings they want. But if you're explaining it to them..well..that narrows it down. Guess it's why the lyrics usually don't mean anything."
"Of course most of your audience just likes to rock," Alina said with a smile.
"That is true," Mike said. "Wow Alina, I didn't know you were so into this."
"Yes well..I've been a fan for a while," Alina said. "Guess..this is so exciting, I have trouble containing myself."
"But you're making a lot of sense too," Mike said. "In a way you're right. Our band exists for different reasons to different people. I've just been there to have fun. I guess that's why I came up with the Lita parody idea. But..it also meant something. We were in control of it. I can't explain it."
"I know what you mean," Alina said.
"Yeah well..guess we've sold out sort of," Mike said.
"Not really," Alina said. "I mean sure you've been paid money to do what you're told, but that's not selling out."
"I thought that's exactly what it was."
"It only is if it changes you so you can't go back. But if it doesn't. You're fine."
Mike grinned.
"We really should go out more," He said.
"Good," Alina said. "I'm so glad you said that!"
She leapt out of her chair and shouted. Mike grinned.
"Never knew I had this power over women," he added.
And at a restaurant.
"So..Yaten went AWOL with Mina, and now Seiya's mad," Taiki said.
"I see," Amy said. "How do you feel?"
"Yaten's been pretty uptight for a while. I think he's really sick of the job. And if he is I can understand why he would be this way," Taiki said. "So I'm not angry. I'm just hoping we can work something out."
"It would be too bad if you guys broke up," Amy said. "So many people like you, and for good reasons too."
"I know that now," Taiki said. "There are people we really reach out there. Of course I don't know if that means anything to Yaten or not. He's very complex."
"I can see that," Amy said.
"So what time do you get off work?" Taiki asked.
"Around five, but then I have to rush over to the battle."
"Oh yes," Taiki said. "That should be entertaining."
"I doubt it, my brother will probably be seriously hurt whether he wins or not."
"He has a habit of pulling that off," Taiki said.
"Taiki...you two really should stop feuding," Amy said. "You two never got off on the right foot. I really think it would be best considering our relationship, if you learned to respect each other."
"I've tried that."
"Both of you should try harder," Amy said.
"Okay," Taiki said. "If you say so."
"I do," Amy said.
"All right," Taiki said with a smile. "I'll see
what I can do."
"Ouch," Serena said.
"You still hurting?" Darrien asked with concern.
"Yeah, but it'll pass, I hope... pray it will," Serena muttered. "Guess I really didn't plan that move too well."
"No," Darrien said. "But you really aren't supposed to fight battles like that anyway. Leave that kind of fighting to us."
"I used to be better in the fights. Of course the enemies were easier. But..ouch," Serena said.
"Maybe you shouldn't be up and about with this kind of pain," Darrien said.
"No, no, it's better to be up and about, then in bed and in pain, especially when the pain keeps you from sleeping."
"I suppose you have a point," Darrien said.
"Yep I do. But you know what would help my pain?"
"Can you eat it?"
"Uh huh," Serena said.
"All right," Darrien said. "There's going to come a day when being cute isn't going to get you everything you want."
Serena laughed.
"Yeah right," she said. "Men are putty in my hands when exposed to my cuteness."
"Well I am anyway."
"You're right, and that's why I'm going to marry you," Serena said.
"That the only reason?" Darrien asked with a grin.
"No..you're going to make a lot of money someday too," Serena said and started laughing.
"You're mean," Darrien muttered.
"So how'd I do?" Lita asked.
"All right I guess," Steve said. "I mean you and I both know you'd need a lot more work to be considered serious right?"
"Of course," Lita said. "I'm not deluding myself. But I figured my weaknesses would be useful for making fun of Mina and Raye."
"You really don't have a problem making fun of them?"
"Well..I know they don't mind."
"That's what they say, but."
"My friends tell me what's on their mind. If Mina and Raye say it's okay with them, it is."
"Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure," Lita said.
"Oh..." Steve said. "Well you should do fine."
"That's good," Lita said.
"And if works out the record company will give you some good money. I don't know how much though. It depends."
"I'll take what I can get," Lita said. "I don't plan on making a career of this. But if I could just make some huge cash, my father would retire for sure."
"Have you talked to him about this?"
"No way. He might not understand."
"Okay," Steve said. "Not trying to tell you how to run your life. Just wondering. Say..Seiya's in a pretty bad mood, and there's just a little time till the battle, you wanna..go get dinner or something? You know as friends."
"Sure.." Lita said. "You don't have to be scared of me misinterpreting it."
"I worry anyway," Steve said.
"Oh well," Lita said. "No problem. Let's get burgers, but let's go somewhere where they're cooked this time."
"Ahh hah..you still remember that.." Steve said with a grin.
"Yes I do," Lita muttered.
The two began to laugh and headed on their way.
Haruka and Michiru were walking down a hallway in the rehab clinic.
"Shadow racer what a strange name," Michiru said.
"It's worse than that," Haruka said. "He's my teammate."
"I didn't know they had someone that mysterious on the racing tour."
"He's not the least of them. Half of the racers out there have strange personalities," Haruka said.
"Are you sure you know what you're getting into?" Michiru asked.
"I thought I did," Haruka said. "Still I've got to give it a try."
They knocked.
"Come in," Came a voice.
They walked in to find Setsuna leaning against a wall.
"It's good to see you're still here," Haruka said.
"Well why not?" Setsuna said. "At least it gives me a break."
"Good to see you're in better spirits," Michiru said.
"Yes, well the Sailor Pluto from the distant future is a little annoyed with me for slacking off, but I'll deal with her later," Setsuna said with a grin.
"Setsuna you know this is for your own good," Haruka said.
"Of course I do," Setsuna said. "I have no doubt of that. It's just annoying. But you two don't worry. I'm going to stay here until I'm okay. You two do what you do."
"We're going to check on you," Michiru said. "But..we really care."
"Or else we wouldn't have taken such drastic steps," Haruka said.
"Girls I know. I don't blame you. I'm no good to anyone if I'm a drunk," Setsuna said. "How are we doing anyway? With the battles."
"We're doing pretty well," Haruka said.
"Yes, they're formidable, but we're keeping at it," Michiru said.
"Good," Setsuna said. "I hope you can keep it up."
"We'll win," Haruka said. "As all the scouts are fond of saying. We always do."
"Right now we've got a battle to get to ourselves," Michiru said.
"Oh..who's fighting?" Setsuna asked.
"Maverick and Gala," Michiru said. "The sword fighting half of her."
"Keep an eye on Gala," Setsuna said.
"Why?" Haruka asked.
"There's more to her then what you see..I'm sure of it," Setsuna said. "Just keep an eye on her.."
"All right, we'll do our best," Haruka said.
"Keep at it Setsuna," Michiru said.
"Well I keep trying," Setsuna said.
"Yeah, we'll be waiting," Haruka said.
"Good luck," Michiru said.
And the two scouts headed out.
A day later.
Gala stood on one side of the field facing her enemy. Maverick stood on the other side holding his strongest energy sword. Gala's eyes narrowed as she faced him.
"You are..not afraid of me are you?" Gala said starring him down.
Maverick said nothing.
Gala grinned slightly.
"No I suppose you wouldn't be," she said. She swung her sword around into an offensive position and leapt forward. Maverick did the same. They met and swung past each other landing and spinning. Both of them faced each other again.
"Did either of them get hurt?" Guardian Saturn asked.
"I don't know," Sailor Mercury said. "It's hard to say."
The two stood facing each other again.
"Well..now we know you have an average skill level," Gala said and rushed forward. Maverick leapt forward too. The two groups watched. The two's swords met and crackled. They landed on their original sides and turned.
Gala grinned and faced him.
"It appears you are better then average," she said. "However, I have tested and refined my skill in countless battles against foes such as yourself."
"I do not care," Maverick said.
"You don't care?" Gala asked. "I hand you a piece of tactical knowledge, albeit in the form of a boast, and you don't care."
"That's correct," Maverick said.
"Why?"
"Unlike you, I do not give out free hints on how to fight," Maverick said.
Gala frowned.
"So be it!" she shouted and took up a stance. The two leapt forward once again. Their swords met. They spun and charged at each other leaping yet again. They swung and met before landing. They spun again. Gala charged. Maverick charged but slid under her leap and came up behind her. She spun meeting one of his parries. The two both sparred smashing their energy swords against each other.
"He's even faster when he has power behind him," Sailor Neptune observed.
Gala swung. Maverick blocked it with his own spin using the momentum to build up speed, Gala blocked it and swung upwards. Maverick slid back out of the way of it. Gala pounced swinging her sword. Maverick dodged it and swung back another way. The two met and began to swing again, blocking each other with their own strikes. They traded the advantage back and forth. Gala took another risk she stabbed straight on. Maverick swung down. The two both connected. Her sword smashed into his chest. He swung right through her. The two both let out shouts of pain and pulled back both catching their breath.
Maverick stood upright despite the pain.
Gala was injured, but didn't let it show. The two both started at each other again.
A second sword appeared in Gala's left hand. Maverick drew his second sword.
"This is a problem," Mercury said.
"Why?" Guardian Uranus asked.
"Well Maverick's second sword is of a lower power then Gala's second sword," Mercury said.
"But Maverick can still block her sword with it right?" Uranus asked.
"Most likely," Mercury said. "Still she is using a superior weapon."
"I see what you mean. With both of them at what seems to be an equal skill level that could be the difference," Sailor Neptune said.
The two warriors, both holding two swords now readied themselves.
Gala grinned.
"Very effective," She said. "You use your anger effectively to add to your skill, rather then a detriment. I have never met anyone who has been able to do it as well as you have. And they were all angry. Angry over what my mother was going to do to their precious planet. Or what I was going to do to them, or what I had done. You however..you are different."
Maverick said nothing and watched her.
"Oh well," Gala said and leapt forward. Maverick did too. The two met and swung their swords using the various techniques of two sword fighting that they knew. They blocked and swung, each of them trying to get in a hit despite the other efforts. Both sides watched intently as the battle progressed, the two warriors matching each other, time and again. Maverick threw a punch still holding onto his sword. Gala dodged it and swung her second sword upward. Maverick leapt away and lunged from that position. Gala stepped back and blocked the attack. Maverick spun his swords very quickly, forcing her to take the defensive. She swung back with her own speed. The two were soon backing up and advancing across the field.
"How long can they keep this up?" Sailor Moon asked in wonder. The two leapt backwards.
Gala put one of her swords away. Maverick did the same.
"This isn't going to be settled that way," Gala said. "This is a matter of skill versus skill with the blade. I'm surprised that you have lasted this long. Still..that wound will continue to inhibit you. I have learned to deal with pain."
"Unfortunately for you. So have I.." Maverick said.
Gala's surprise at the comment was quickly replaced by a grin.
"Maybe so," she said. "But I am better than Materic was..you know..I can take more and give more. Can you face that?"
Maverick said nothing and readied his sword.
"What's that now?" Gala said looking at him in surprise. "A new stance entirely."
Maverick said little and shot forward. Gala spun away from the attack and countered. Maverick swung around with his sword. They met again and continued to spar.
"Why won't you give up!" Gala shouted as the two continued to block each other's blows. She slid back. He charged her. The two met again and continued to parry.
"You cannot keep up with me!" she shouted and swung back with great force. Maverick met it and the two went at even a faster pace.
"They're going faster then I can keep up with," Tuxedo Mask said.
Gala flipped backwards and fired her sword. Maverick slid under it and fired back.
"I was wondering when they were going to get to this," Guardian Pluto said.
The two now traded laser attacks across the field, each avoiding the other and launching their own barrage. Maverick swept his sword firing several blasts at once. Gala dived out of the way and fired a blade of energy from her own sword. The fight continued.
"Well this has gotta end sometime," Sailor Venus remarked.
"Enough of these games!" Gala shouted and charged forward. Maverick fired at her. She took the hit and in mid stream fired back. The wave of energy hit him. Gala stumbled to the ground. Maverick fell back. The two stood up quickly and fired at each other, each knocking the other one back.
Gala stood on one knee.
"Wait!" She shouted. " This is a draw. We will continue this later."
Maverick nodded solemnly.
"There will be a winner eventually," she said.
The two sides withdrew.
"Great, now you're involved in two ongoing battles at once," Guardian Pluto said.
"Not something I'm proud of," Maverick muttered.
As the two sides left, Sailor Saturn remained starring across the battlefield at the retiring enemy. "Are you coming Saturn?" Sailor Neptune asked.
"I suppose I am," Saturn said and went with her.