Chapter 327

"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Zoisite asked.

"You're having doubts," Malichite said.

"The enemy is very strong. I like to believe that I am capable, however, against those odds," Zoisite said.

"We are capable of catching them by surprise. It's either us or them. I have no doubt that they will attack us again until they have what they want," Malichite said.

"And what is that?"

"I have little doubt that they want to turn us to their side," Malichite said.

"Then isn't going to them making it too easy," Zoisite said.

"Not if we beat them," Malichite said.

"Maybe we should tell Nephlite about this."

"No, then he would insist on coming along, and if I'm wrong, I want at least one of us left."

"Why though? It seems like the scouts are the ones who should fight this battle."

"The scouts are growing weary of fighting, I fear that this all taking a toll on them, and it is certainly possible that these new scouts can take advantage of that. Because of that I wish to preempt the fight and take it to them."

"I don't know, going in alone like this seems like the wrong move," Zoisite said.

"If you don't want to do this, I understand, we'll think of something else," Malichite said.

"Well why don't we get together with the scouts and do this. If we know where they are."

"The fewer people involved the better, a whole group like that stands a better chance of being detected. Surprise is key."

"But if we bring the scouts along, the worst we'll have is a stalemate."

"Perhaps you're right. Maybe I've grown a little too self reliant. Let's talk to the sailor scouts."

"All right," Zoisite said.

"But let's hurry," Malichite said. "I have no idea when the new scouts might be on the move again."

And the two quickly moved out.

At Tokyo General Hospital.

"Guard Duty," Guardian Neptune muttered leaning against a wall. "You know I'm not cut out for this line of work."

"You're proving that more and more everyday," Sailor Mercury said with a smile.

"See that's what I like about you, you appreciate my humor," Neptune said.

"I guess, but I'm sure a lot of people do," Mercury said.

"Well it depends on the weather conditions at the time," Neptune said. "I'm serious."

"If you say so," Mercury said.

"So how long are the dead moon guys going to be in the hospital anyway?"

"A couple more days. Until then we have to make sure they don't get surprised," Mercury said. "We should have done this sooner, only we weren't in fighting shape ourselves."

"Yeah, I know," Neptune said. "Guess it's a good idea, can I ask you something though?"

"Sure," Mercury said.

"Have you ever fought an enemy as annoying as what we've got right now?"

"That's a good question," Mercury said. "I usually don't measure enemies on how annoying they are, but I can use other criteria I do judge them on to come up with a composite."

"Go with what works," Neptune said.

Mercury grinned.

"I will agree they are more annoying in the sense, they're harder to hit, and more powerful then any one of us, except Sailor Moon perhaps," Mercury said.

"The difference is that Sailor Moon isn't as agile as they are, she has power, but it's hard for her to use it."

"Exactly," Mercury said. "But then again, these are scouts and Jaedite, we shouldn't need Sailor Moon's power. We just need to bring them under control."

"I know," Neptune said. "We'll get em, it's just a matter of time."

"You think so."

"Yeah, it's always a matter of time," Neptune said.

They heard laughter coming from one of the rooms.

"Wonder what's going on there," Neptune said.

"Go check it out if you like," Mercury said.

"Hah, think I will," Neptune said and walked down the hall. He poked his head into the room. Former Prince Diamond was reading through a book.

"What's so funny there?" Neptune asked.

"Hah, Guardian Neptune you would appreciate this," Diamond said. "Take a look at this."

He handed the book to Neptune who glanced at it.

"Diamond, this is a cookbook," Neptune said.

"Ah yes, but look at that, you actually make food out of this stuff!"

"Well yeah."

Diamond began to laugh again.

"And I suppose you eat it too."

"Well yes, see we kinda need to, to survive. What do you eat?"

"I never realized it before, but I guess that. It is still hilarious, our food is much different in the 30^th century."

"Now don't go getting all snooty on me," Neptune said. "Of course ten centuries later and in a different dimension things might be better, but hey this is what we got, so you'll eat it and like it."

"Didn't mean any offense," Diamond said.

"You're right you didn't," Neptune said with a grin. "Just don't ask me what haggis is."

He then headed out on his way.

"Eggs!" Diamond said and started laughing.

"Glad he's enjoying himself," Neptune said.

And blocks away at Lita's house.

"You know this the tenth time we've met, and you still aren't getting into the wardrobe," Lita said.

"I'm not big on the mystical garb," Steve said.

"I'm just wearing a silk dress you know," Lita muttered. "Anyway, all right, fair enough. We'll just try things out as you are. Okay, let's do this."

The two sat across from each other.

"Now..remember what I've taught you," Lita said.

"Sure," Steve said.

The two closed their eyes and sat silent, facing each other, but not seeing.

"This is strange," Steve said.

"You'll break the concentration," Lita said.

"No..no..I'm seeing things..I'd forget them if I didn't say them."

"What are you seeing?"

"Pink."

"Pink?"

"Everything..now..green..I don't like pink."

"Uh..right," Lita said and tensed up. "Just let it flow a little."

The two sat silent some more.

"Is this supposed to happen?" Steve asked.

"What?"

"The seeing things."

"Sure. It's part of it."

"Evil...everywhere."

"You see it too."

"Too?"

"I see it," Lita said. "It's all around us."

"No..it's not..not now.."

"Now.."

"No..it can't be now..I don't see it now."

"I'm not sure," Lita said. "But we shouldn't be seeing the same things."

"And if we are?"

"I'm not sure we'll ever know that."

"Oh," Steve said. "This is so strange."

"What?"

"I see you."

"You do?"

"Yes, I can see things..no..I don't want to."

Steve's eyes snapped open.

"What?" Lita said in surprise.

"I couldn't go there..it was taking me inside."

Lita opened her eyes.

"You okay?"

"Sure," Steve said. "I just couldn't go there," Steve said. "I felt strange, I felt like I was invading."

"That's odd, it's strange when we do this together."

"Yeah," Steve said. "I felt something else."

"You did, what?"

"No..maybe I'm wrong, it might have been..nah...not sure anymore..guess we'll have to wait and see huh."

"Yeah I guess," Lita said.

Steve looked at his watch.

"Got guard duty soon," Steve said.

"Oh..right," Lita said.

"Gotta go," Steve said.

"Sure," Lita said.

"Thanks again."

"We'll have to try this again."

"Yeah, I'm up for it," Steve said.

"Me too," Lita said.

Steve then headed out the door.

Lita's eyes widened.

So he felt it too, he knows what it is, and I do too, but why did we feel it? It can't mean anything.

"So how long you been in training?" Rick asked chopping some wood.

"Twenty seven years," Motoki said.

"Long time," Rick said.

"I have chosen a route that involves more challenges, besides, you can train and learn that way, but by applying your training over time you are also learning."

"You're pretty skilled then?"

"Yes."

"Probably explains why you faced down those scouts a couple of days ago."

"I tried. It is the least I can do. It is a swordsman's duty to defend others, even with the change in times."

"I know what you mean," Rick said. "I've never been truly devoted to the art. Everyone in my family's pretty skilled, but we don't keep up with it."

"Do you wish to be skilled?"

"I can't devote myself to it, really, I've got too much else."

"I see, well there is the path to being a master, and the path to being good at a skill, would you like to take the second?"

"I guess."

"Let me train you, it will help. Especially now."

"You think?"

"Training can assist you in dealing with your emotions. You cannot run from your feelings, however, you can use them when necessary, and keep them back when not of use."

"I see, but feelings can be useful in a lot of settings."

"Yes, that's true, however, sometimes that is not the case."

"I can guess when."

"It is not wrong to feel what you feel though. The world is not meant for everyone to be highly trained warriors."

"Yeah, I guess so," Rick said.

"Are you all right?"

"Just thinking that's all."

"Would you let me say one thing more regarding your personal health?"

"Sure."

"You and Raye, yesterday, I observed, something special. I have traveled far, I have seen it before."

"Well..I.."

"You do love that girl."

"I'm seventeen, love is subjective, it's so hard to know yet. Give me a few more years."

"In a few more years you will know for sure what you are pretty sure you know now, but I will tell you this, the way you two spoke yesterday, it was obvious you share the same feelings, and that is always a good sign."

"I guess," Rick said.

"Believe me, if nothing else, she is a girl you should remain good friends with."

"Now that I know," Rick said.

Motoki nodded.

"Ah..good to see ya," Neptune said.

"We're not late are we?" Pluto said.

"No, no, not at all," Neptune said. "Just good to see ya, I've gotta hurry."

"Where are you going anyway?" Pluto asked.

"Gotta date," Neptune said and hurried off.

"I'm sure this is going to be fun," Venus muttered.

"The time goes by quickly if you think of other things," Mercury said.

"Thanks for the advice," Venus muttered.

Mercury headed off.

"So how have things been with you?" Venus asked.

"Strange," Steve said.

"In what way?" Venus asked.

"I can't go into it."

"Wimp."

"Venus, we're spending the next four hours together, I suggest we try not to get into an argument."

"Oh yeah?"

"Why don't you talk and I'll listen," Pluto said.

"All right," Venus said. "Fair enough. Who is this girl Neptune's dating anyway?"

"Haven't you met her?"

"I've avoided her, but now I'm curious, he's been with her so long."

"Two months is a long time?"

"Of course it is," Venus said. "We're in high school remember?"

"I guess I forgot seeing as I'm no good at this romance stuff!"

"That's your problem, not mine."

"Didn't say it was."

"So there," Venus said. "Now just what does he like about her?"

"Why do you care?"

"I do, it's my perogative to wonder about my ex."

"You're weird."

"Yes, yes, I've heard it all before, but give me the lowdown on this girl."

"I don't know why he likes her, he doesn't tell me, you know he doesn't get into that sort of thing."

"Guess you're right," Venus said. "But you must have some idea."

"Not really, I don't care."

"You don't care...well good for you," Venus said.

"You're not jealous are you?"

"Jealous of her! For having him! What do I need him for? You know who I've got and he's much better!"

"Then why are you acting like you are jealous?"

"And what would you know?"

"I've been jealous before."

"Of who?"

"None of your business."

"Then I don't believe you," Venus said.

"I'm not going to play the game, but I know you're jealous."

"I am not, I'm just interested."

"Don't you have anything better to do?"

"At the moment..no," Venus said.

Pluto sighed.

At the A.P.T. house.

"You wanna do what?" Serena said in surprise.

"Sneak attack the enemy," Malichite said.

"You know where they are?" Serena asked.

"Yes," Malichite said. "We have our ways to find this out."

"We figure if all of us got together for a preemptive strike," Zoisite said.

"I don't know," Serena said.

"I'm not sure about this either," Nephlite said walking into the room from the kitchen, Greg trailed behind.

"Come on Nephlite, we need to strike them," Malichite said.

"They're more dangerous on the defensive," Nephlite said. "Our better bet is to lure them out."

"And that gives them more of an opportunity to counter plot," Malichite said.

"There are other issues," Serena said.

"Like what?" Malichite said.

"Here's one," Darrien said. "The dark moon family's still injured, if we were to abandon our guard of them to try an attack, and the enemy was moving to attack them, we risk all their lives."

"It's a small risk," Malichite said. "There are always casualties in war."

"I am not going to risk their lives like that," Serena said. "Now once they're healed and able to defend themselves, sure I'm all for it, assuming the other scouts agree."

"By that time they could have already struck again!" Malichite said.

"Maybe in that time we'd be able to mount a more effective defense," Nephlite said.

"All right, all right," Malichite said. "So it's a no go then."

"For now," Serena said. "Believe me Malichite, I know what you're saying though."

"If we can capture the initiative it will give us an advantage," Darrien said.

"Still, we can't risk innocent lives," Serena said.

"All right," Malichite said standing. "We'll wait to hear from you."

Zoisite followed him out.

"I don't blame him," Serena said.

"Yes, we're all a little nervous over this," Nephlite said.

"So what should we do next?" Serena asked.

"Wait and see," Darrien said.

"A better strategy than it immediately sounds," Nephlite said.

"Information's important," Darrien said.

"Which is something we have little of," Nephlite said.

"Greg, do you have anything to add? You haven't said anything," Serena asked.

"No..I think you've got it covered," Greg said. "I'm really no good at this."

"Yeah too bad your brother isn't around huh?" Nephlite said.

"Well he isn't around is he?" Serena said. "Off girl chasing."

"That's not how I would put it," Darrien said.

Nephlite let out a laugh.

"I understand what they were saying," Malichite said. "But I believe we must strike now."

"So we're going anyway?" Zoisite asked.

"Yes, are you okay with that?"

"Uh huh," Zoisite said. "Maybe we can do some damage."

"That's what I'm hoping."

"Are you scared?"

"Only as much as I should be."

"That's hardly an answer."

"Well that's how I feel."

"Me too," Zoisite said.

Back at the hospital.

"And just what makes her any more interesting to his weird personality anyway?" Venus asked.

"Well it's obvious you don't have any fixation," Pluto muttered.

"What?" Venus said. "Just what do you think he and his girlfriend are talking about right now?"

"So Alina, you ever have those dreams where you're naked?" Mike asked.

"What kind of question is that?"

"Aw come on, it's a spiritual question."

"Sure, all the time."

"I don't," Mike said. "Sure, everyone else gets them, but can Mike? No, no, he can't. No nudity for Mikey."

"Why do you care?"

"Well I don't care about the subject matter, but it worries me, why does everyone else you know....and I don't?"

"I think you're answering your own question."

"Probably," Mike said.

"But at least your back to the Mike I learned to expect."

"Oh I am, well that's ah...good, I'm not even trying."

"You're cute when you're like this."

"Uh..well that's good, I like cute."

"So do I."

"Then we're in agreement!" Mike said and started cackling.

"Mike?" Alina asked in surprise.

"Sorry," he said.

"No, keep going, your cute when you don't make any sense."

"Ah...so that's what it is."

"What?"

"No idea."

Alina grinned.

Elsewhere at a hidden base.

"You feeling better?" Guardian Moon asked.

"Sure," Guardian Earth said. "I heal."

"Excellent," Moon said. "And how are you Sailor Earth?"

"I have learned to take injuries in stride. But we will not have much longer to wait," Sailor Earth said.

"Let me handle this," Jasen said.

"No Jasen, we handle this as a team, it's better that way," Guardian Moon said.

"I guess you're right," Jasen said.

"Of course," Guardian Moon said. "I usually am. Now come Malichite and Zoisite we are awaiting you."

"Do you think it's possible they know we're coming?" Zoisite asked.

"Why would you suspect that?" Malichite asked.

"I just wonder.."

"Hmm...it's always a risk."

"Yes, I guess it is."

"It's more than a risk!" came a shout. The two took a defensive stance as they were surrounded by the four enemies.

"I give you points for effort," Guardian Moon said. "But we will be the victors after this battle!"

Malichite and Zoisite tensed and launched their attack.

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