Chapter 390

Darrien looked up from the book he was reading as he heard a scratching on his window. He walked over to the balcony to find Luna standing there. He opened it and Luna staggered in.

"Luna are you all right?" Darrien asked.

"Hardly, there's something very strange going on..I think the neighborhood cats have gotten themselves into some evil energy again."

"You're kidding?"

"Do I look like I am," Luna said and fell to the ground. "I..really need to sleep. You have to tell the others...Artemas has gotten himself caught up in this thing again too."

"All right," Darrien said."I'll do what I can."

"Thank you," Luna said and fell asleep.

On a nearby rooftop Horace the cat stood staring at the apartment surrounded by his cat army.

"Meow!" he said pointing.

The cats all meowed angrily.

Horace nodded.

The cats hurried forward, and some of them leapt off a roof landing on the balcony. Luna shrieked as they clawed at the glass door.

"They're insane!" she said and scurried into another room.

Darrien reemerged.

"Jee..they really are angry aren't they?" he said. "What's gotten into them?"

"And Artemas is all a part of it," Luna said.

"Artemas was there knocking on the door as well.

"That's just like him," Luna said. "He really can't keep himself out of trouble."

Darrien picked up the phone.

"I think I know who can handle this."

"The cats have gone crazy you say?" Ayeka asked. "Well that's bizarre. But what else is new right now. Okay..we'll go get them."

"Ayeka you can't heal anyone with your power," "Lisa" said.

"No, but Hotaru and Greg can, they'll come along," Ayeka said.

"Oh..right.." "Lisa" said. "Just making sure."

"Hey, just because you're the worlds greatest tactical genius, doesn't mean I can't run a close second."

"Be careful, cats can be unpredictable," Lisa said.

Ayeka grinned.

"Just stay on the line we might need your tactical knowledge to get us out of trouble," She said with a smile.

The former Patterson sighed.

And in Greg's room above.

"Hmm..so if I lie on this bed is that sexy?" Hotaru asked.

"Hotaru this isn't really something to ask," Greg said.

"Oh..but they say that it is," Hotaru said. "Does it matter how I do so.. I mean..if I turn..is that more sexy then if I just sit.."

"I don't know," Greg said.

"Is something bothering you?"

"Always, but Hotaru I'm not comfortable talking about that kind of thing.."

"I was merely seeking information."

"I know..I'm not trying to be a jerk..I'm just stressed..besides I think you're beautiful bed or no bed."

"Ah...I see.." Hotaru said. "That makes it easier. How would I look in a cheese costume?"

"What?" Greg said.

Ayeka swung the door open.

"Okay love birds, we've got something to do!"

"Love birds?" Hotaru asked. "That's a very pessimistic outlook, birds do not live very long."

"Let it go," Greg said.

"So you fought him?" Taiki asked.

"What else was there to do, I've had enough," Seiya said. "You two would do the same."

"No we wouldn't," Yaten said.

"But I understand you could be frustrated," Taiki said. "Still..was fighting him the correct choice of action?"

"I don't know," Seiya said. "But I did it."

"And what'd he say," Yaten asked.

"He's just been trying to convince me that Lita doesn't love me."

"Well does she?" the two asked.

"I don't know!"

"You had better find out soon," Taiki said.

"That's just what I need, a deadline," Seiya said.

"Is this going to affect your performance?" Taiki asked.

"Of course it is, I'm not going to perform on the same stage as Steve or any of his friends, period," Seiya said. "I have to be alone."

Seiya then walked out.

"In a way I can't blame him, but this situation is rapidly getting out of hand," Yaten said.

"We really should back away as fast as possible," Taiki said.

"I know I want to, but I feel strangely drawn to it."

"Same thing happens when you get near a black hole," Taiki said.

"I know, I know, but I think I'm already beyond the point of no return."

"Me too," Taiki said.

"Well then let's get sucked in together, at least we'll have company."

"Good idea," Taiki said.

Soon afterward.

"Oh..look at them all," Maverick said staring at various cats trying to break into Darrien's apartment.

"What a wild looking bunch," Guardian Saturn said.

"It seems they are not themselves," Sailor Saturn said.

"To say the least, you should have seen what they were doing," Luna said.

"Well let's take em out," Maverick said.

"Just heal them will you? Try to prevent casualties," Luna said.

"All right, all right, we'll get to it," Maverick said.

The three headed out into the hallway.

"MEOW!" came a shout. They looked. A large group of cats were facing them.

"Saturn Healing.." Guardian Saturn began.

The cats charged.

"Duck!" Sailor Saturn said. The cats all leaped.

"This is embarrassing," Maverick said. "And just how are we supposed to get rid of these things anyway?"

"Try a few sword blasts.." Guardian Saturn said and gently blasted a cat away.

"We're going to need to do better then that," Maverick said.

A cat leapt at her face. She ducked.

More cats swept into the hallway.

"This is annoying," Sailor Saturn said.

"I can't believe these cats are a threat,"Maverick muttered.

A cat tried to scratch her arm.

"Jerk," she said and knocked it away.

"We should call for help," Guardian Saturn said.

"We'd never live it down," Maverick said.

"So true," Sailor Saturn said. "More creative means are necessary."

She ran through the mob of cats knocking them away. She grabbed a fire hose.

"Be careful with that!" Maverick said.

"Oh I will be," Sailor Saturn said and blasted water all over the hall.

"What did I just say!"Maverick shouted. The cats all screeched.

"Another wonderful chapter is written in the history of the scouts," Guardian Saturn muttered.

"How pathetic," "Lisa muttered witnessing the scene. The door buzzed. Amy walked in.

"Hello D.V. how are you today?"

"I'm a man in a girl's body, which added to my already negligible self confidence and overall self worth puts me in about a good position to be suicidal..you?"

"I'm feel wonderful," Amy said. "Oh..what a joy it is to be alive."

"Amy..did you get a love letter?"

"No..no..of course not..I just feel great!"

"That's good."

Amy spun around.

"I never knew how good it felt to spin around before, it's such a free movement."

"Uh..yes, the taxes are still being debated in the lower house on spinning."

"Oh..you're no fun," Amy said. "You've got to learn to go with the flow."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Yes well so what's happening there?" Amy asked.

"Don't ask."

"It looks messy."

"It is."

"Oh well...have they got it under control?"

"More or less."

"That's good. Well I've gotta go. Taiki's meeting me.."

"Enjoy yourself."

"I will," Amy said and hurried out.

"Either she's in love or on crack," D.V. said. "Or both."

"It's time for an intervention," Rick said.

"I don't want one," Steve said.

"No one ever does," Rick said.

"Much less from us," Mike said.

"But look Steve, how are you going to keep this up," Rick said. "Chasing after Lita when she's taken."

"Don't you understand, I must.." Steve said. "It is the noble thing to do."

"I'm not sure about that," Rick said.

"Yeah, I mean there's such a thing as tact," Mike said.

"I hate tact, tact is for the weak," Steve said.

"Ah...yes...a common misconception," Mike said. "Look Steve you already fought Seiya over this, Lita isn't particularly happy with you and the band's in disarray."

"So I shall be a martyr for my cause," Steve said.

"That's is not the way to see it," Mike said.

"In fact that's just looking for trouble," Rick said. "Look Steve you can't just bust in and take Lita by force. You'll hurt yourself."

"And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?" Steve asked.

"Anything else," The two replied.

"She's fixated in my mind."

"Ah, an obsession," Mike said.

"Those are always fun," Rick said. "But this is bad, you gotta let go."

"That's not the way I operate," Steve said and headed for the door.

"Steve, this is no time to walk away," Rick said.

"Sorry..that's what I'm doing," Steve said.

"Our interventions never work," Mike said.

"Wonder why?" Rick muttered.

"Hey you two," Serena said sliding into the booth. "Wait no..you can't help."

She slid back out.

"Serena," Mike said. "We can at least buy you something."

"Oh..well..then that's better," Serena said and slid back in.

"Why'd you say that?" Rick asked.

"She's obviously after something," Mike said. "I want to hear."

"You're paying," Rick said.

"No problem,"Mike said. "So what's up Serena?"

"All right I'll tell you," Serena said.

"Ehh.." Maverick muttered staring at her soaked uniform and the cats lying scattered about the hallway.

"I'm glad that's over," Guardian Saturn said.

"Yes, I seem to be glad of that too," Sailor Saturn said.

"I wonder why?" Maverick muttered."I'm still not sure that fire hose was a good idea."

"Whoa..are you all right?" Darrien asked sticking his head out the door.

"Darrien, do we look all right?" Guardian Saturn asked.

"Scouts, we've still got a few trouble makers over here," Luna called from inside.

"All right, let's take care of them," Maverick muttered.

"Uh..just don't drip on the floor there.." Darrien said.

Maverick glared at him.

"Word has it you're feeling a little down," Setsuna said.

"Not really," Haruka said. "I'm managing."

"That's not what I hear."

"Look..I'm allowed to feel down occasionally aren't I?"

"I suppose so."

"So that's what I'm doing?"

"Anything I can do?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"Yes," Haruka said.

"Haruka..I mean it.." Setsuna said. "I want to help if I can."

"I never doubted it," Haruka said.

Well there is certainly something wrong there. I wonder what though? Setsuna thought.

"HAH!" Sai said swinging his sword.

"Oh....impressive," Akiro said parrying it. "But what are you going to do about this?"

He stabbed. Sai recoiled and swung towards him. Akiro blocked it.

"It's only a matter of time Akiro," Sai said.

"Then let's see how long then," Akiro said and the two charged at each other swinging and spinning quickly attack each other again.

"Take this!" Akiro said.

"No," Sai said sidestepping. Akiro spun off balance and caught Sai's attack.

"You are good at defense Akiro, but I don't think you're going to last long," Sai said.

"Shut up and fight!" Akiro said. The two swung at each other again.

"Oh how cute, they're fighting again," Ai said.

The two swung at each other again and hit hard.

"You know Sai, I've been practicing too."

"I hadn't noticed Akiro."

"You will!"

The two stepped back and faced off.

"I really doubt you've acquired the skill to face me,"Sai said.

"Sai...do you know that the breath you use up gloating could probably be better used in combat!" Akiro said.

"Yes, but if you can't have fun, then just what's the point," Sai said.

"Sai, you've become an even bigger jerk then before," Akiro said.

"Yes, well that comes with the territory," Sai said.

"It does not, you've always been a jerk," Akiro said.

The two shot at each other and hit again, spinning to face each other.

"Strange how most fights end up like that," Ai said. "Guess they just like the thrill. I think there should be more spinning."

The two raced at each other again. Sai dived under Akiro sand jumped into the air. Akiro looked up and swung into the attack. The two cracked into each other and fell, quickly standing again.

"Hah..that was just the beginning," Sai said.

"You always say that," Akiro said. "Halfway into the fight I might add."

Sai grinned.

Akiro grinned back. They shot forward.

"Ah..great that you figured this all out," Artemas said. "I wasn't sure when I was going to get out of there."

"And just what were you in?" Luna asked.

"Well, you see I noticed all these cats gathering one day and decided I had better see what it was. I kinda got drafted into it," Artemas said. "But I was never taken over by the energy."

"So you were faking trying to kill me?" Luna asked.

"Uh..yes.."

"You jerk!"Luna said and hit him.

"Uh..sorry.." Artemas said. "But it was kinda necessary, couldn't blow my cover. See Horace there was a little crazy right now, with all that energy, but you healed him scouts."

"I don't care," Ayeka muttered.

Greg and Hotaru just sighed.

"So what exactly was going on?" Luna asked.

"I have no idea," Artemas said.

"That figures," Luna said. "You are such a fool."

"Hey, I was way ahead of this when you showed up," Artemas said.

"Well I was worried about you, I didn't want to leave in case it was some sort of suicide cult."

"A suicide cult for cats?" Ayeka asked.

"That is insane," Hotaru said. "Luna are you getting enough sleep, nutrients, and other essential elements."

"I'm going home.." Luna muttered.

"I'm for that too," Ayeka said.

"Oh..Seiya I'm glad I found you," Lita said.

"Are you still mad?"

"No, not really, but I learned a few things. We need to talk about them," Lita said.

"Oh all right," Seiya said.

"Anyway..we need to put all this behind us with everyone."

"Everyone?"

"What's the problem?"

"Why don't you talk first then I'll fill in anything I need to," Seiya said.

"All right," Lita said. "Anyway let me try and explain this, will you listen carefully and wait for me to finish?"

"Of course," Seiya said.

"Okay then let's give this a try."

"Uh..Amy?" Taiki asked.

"What is it Taiki?" Amy asked.

"Well you seem a little upbeat today. I mean more so then usual."

"Yes I am..why?"

"Well are you all right?"

"Of course I am, why would being happy be a cause for concern?"

"I've never seen you this happy before," Taiki said.

"I guess I just feel liberated."

"Oh.." Taiki said. "All right." I don't know what to make of this.

"You should lighten up a little, there's plenty of time to be serious when we're studying."

"That's true," Taiki said. "I'm just surprised at how you've become."

"I fell great."

"Any specific reason?"

"Because I'm with you silly. We have some great times together, and I love it."

"Oh..that's good," Taiki said.

"It's better then good. Aren't you enjoying this?"

"Yes, obviously not as much as you though."

"That won't do, you've gotta really let go."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Come on..let's go dancing."

"Dancing? You and me?"

"Right...you know how to right?"

"Of course..I was a three light."

"Then what's your problem?"

"I..don't know.."

"Come on, let's roll!" Amy said pulling him forward.

There has got to be something in the water. Taiki asked.

At the Anderson Patterson Thomson house.

"Hmm...the water checks out," Lisa said starring at her watch. "So it's not that. It couldn't be..some sort of stimulant..coffee..no..Amy doesn't need that kind of stuff, but...what is happening..can love do this to a person? I guess it might do it to Amy. But I didn't think her reaction would be that over the top. Then again...

The door swung open and Greg walked in.

"Wonderful day isn't it?" he muttered.

"Sorry about that."

"No, no, it needed to be done," Greg sighed. "That stunk."

"I know."

"So what have you been doing?"

"Trying to figure out why Amy seems to be on a permanent sugar high."

"Any luck?"

"None."

"Whatever she's got I want it," Greg said.

"So that's it," Serena said.

Rick and Mike glanced at each other.

"You're one of them aren't you!" Mike shouted.

"Pod person!" Rick cried.

The two raced out the door.

"Hmm...it was worth it," Serena said staring at her finished plate. I should do that more often. Or maybe not. That might not work. But I still don't have an answer to my question. Just what is going on inside my head?

"HAH!" Sai said. "Victory at last."

"Ehh..whatever," Akiro said. "I got tired after the forty minute mark."

"Your weakness not mine," Sai said.

"Yeah, but I also stopped caring," Akiro said.

"Also not my problem," Sai said. "I win."

"Enjoy your victory fair prince!" Akiro said snidely and headed off.

"You did fine Akiro," Ai said.

"I know," Akiro said.

"So what do you think Ai, can I beat him now?"

"Who?"

"You know."

"Of course not, who are you kidding?" Ai said with a grin and walked away.