Retreat into Hell
By Sarah
NOTE: I love Rei-chan. Have no doubt. But she just gets really really really neurotic sometimes in my fan fics. So all you fans of Rei out there... ^____^;;
Rasputin is by far the best 70's disco song created. I don't remember the band name, but for the love of the world listen to it!
And also, I know nothing of bungee jumping. Not that there's anything on that in this part... >)
Part 3A
Her... so gentle, so caring, so quiet.
Golden waves of nothing pass before
my
eyes.
She's laughing on a cloud of silver moon
dust, arms out with long strings of mercury
slipping from her wrists
A war god flies above, raising his sword in
Greeting...
She sighs so content so pure.
So everything.
I am safe.
Until the wolves come.
Vicious teeth of bloody bone
rip apart her shell studded hair
Lightning cracks from the heavens to the ocean
stopping all time.
The pain.
The PAIN.
Her screams as her leg is torn apart from her
as she shrieks out my name, the pack of beasts
dragging her into the abyss.
Yaten. Save me. Yaten.
Save me! SAVE ME!
I stand there. I watch. I see. I do
nothing.
I...
I...
I laugh.
* * * * * * * * * *
"NOO--!" Yaten's scream was stopped short after being kicked in the face. Cringing, he clutched his head, his eyes squeezed tightly shut from the pain and the terror, and he sat up, grinding his teeth to keep from making a sound.
Yaten opened his eyes, giving in to the jump of his stomach as he met pure darkness. He sighed in relief as his pupils dilated, and the dark blue shadows and highlights of his world filled in the empty void.
He looked down next to him, glaring at the foot that dared to attack him, and followed the connections of limbs to stare at the snoring face of Seiya. When the ringing in his ears stopped, he could hear the revoltingly loud snores.
"Baka," he hissed. "Stay on your own futon."
"Nggghhh..."
Yaten harshly elbowed the sleeping nitwit in the stomach, a small cry following afterwards, and much to his surprise, a giggle.
"Odango! I didn't know you liked to play rough." Yaten's eyes narrowed. Oh God, this was just what he needed. A lovesick woman in a man's body having a kinky dream and annoying enough to voice it. "Rowr."
"I'm out of here," Yaten said into the room disgustedly, to no one in particular.
Yaten walked over to the sliding doors, and slid them open, the rush of cool midnight air clinging to his skin. He sighed in delight, and walked over to the railing, sitting down and dangling his legs over the platform, looking out into the black forest and waiting for something to come swallow him up.
*What do you see when you look through the camera?* Mariko had asked. It hadn't been said in a philosophical way, as if she already knew the answer and wanted him to figure it out for himself. It had been said in curiosity, and as he looked away from his shot in surprise, Yaten watched as she titled her head ever so slightly waiting for an answer.
He had thought about giving her a glib answer, something to point out the stupidity of the question, but his heart hadn't been in it. It seemed ever since he got off the train, the urge to cut down everybody higher than him had waned. He only did it out of habit, so no one would suspect.
He thought about just giving her the normal answer. Trees. Sky. Cloud. But when he opened his mouth, something much different came out. Something he hadn't suspected, and something Mariko had.
A place safe from harm. Stopped in time. Untouchable. Unbreakable. Unlike fragile motion and ticking minutes. A picture was trapping this moment forever, and it would never be forgotten.
She had smiled sadly, and nodded her head.
*I like to run away too, when things get overpowering. I don't keep my eyes through a filter... I just come here and don't look back. Keeping my focus on nature.
*That's why I love the bees so much. If you're scared, or angry they can feel it and will try to protect their queen, so you really have to be careful and quiet and calm.
*I love it when it gets this still.*
Yaten came back to the night, the blackness closing in on him before he blinked, and its clutches receded. What was he doing being so open here?
He wanted to get caught. He wanted to pour his heart out to a sympathetic soul, he wanted to have that peace... that peace before his planet had been destroyed.
And what scared him even more was the relief he had felt when he woke up to his scream. Because in his confused state, the first thought that had come to his mind was, *Minako will make it better. She'll make everything alright. And this time, this time I'll tell her EVERYTHING.*
He looked to his right, and out of the corner of his eye saw the door that led to her room. What would he have done if the two ice queens weren't there guarding her? He shook his head and decided he didn't want to think about it.
He didn't want to think about anything right now, especially relationships with these humans. Because he knew that once the princess was found, they would be gone and would never return. It hurt him more than he realized, breaking away from those he cared for. Hell, he had lost over a million loved ones in a minute. He didn't want to lose anymore.
Which was why he couldn't make anymore friends, and yet he couldn't really stop himself with those five... they were magnets... and he was the metal.
"You're out late."
Yaten jumped, and looked up in horror to stare at a pair of silver eyes, and let out his breath when San moved out of the shadows.
"So are you," he answered.
"Mm."
San leaned against the railing next to Yaten and looked out into the darkness. There was a long silence before Yaten got up and stood next to him.
"Hey, um." San turned to look at him, showing no emotion on his face. "About yesterday... at the train station, when we first got here."
"What about it?" San asked.
"What was that thing you did to me?"
San let out a sigh and turned back to the tamed wilderness. "I have an ability to know when a person lies or not. When I saw you, I had to make sure that what my instincts told me was true."
"And what was that?"
"You are more lie than truth." Yaten dropped his head into his hands and groaned. "I'm sorry... about crossing the barrier. I didn't expect to go as far as I did."
"So you know everything?"
"Hmm." San smiled. "I know enough. Your princess isn't here. I think you've figured that out, though."
"Yeah," Yaten admitted. "But it's fun to watch Seiya and Taiki try to hint to Mariko."
San chuckled and nodded his head. "I actually want to thank all of you."
"For what?"
"There's no use being angry anymore." He shook his head and closed his eyes. "It only makes things worse. I'm here to protect someone, like you, and in the process have closed every- body else out of my life. I can see how some of your lies are valid... but there are still others inside you that tick me off."
Yaten's eyes widened.
"You close yourself to too many people, just like I do," San said bluntly. "You hurt them, and you miss out on some incredible opportunities."
Yaten grunted and stayed silent, acknowledging in the still night air that he was right but wouldn't do anything about it. San turned back to look at Minako's room for a moment before pushing off from the railing.
"My shift is over, and I'm tired. Do you think you'll be all right?"
"Yeah." Yaten nodded his head.
"Good night then."
"Good night."
Once San was gone, the night became suddenly eerie. Yaten yawned and shook the shiver from his spine before returning to his room. When he dropped his head onto his pillow, he closed his eyes, wishing the inevitable would not happen.
But sadly, Kakyuu's terrified, blood splattered face was the last thing he remembered before drifting off to a hollow, dreamless sleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
--Day 2--
Minako sat at the table, basking in the glow of the warm sun shining through the open door, and only half listened to the other girls' conversation. Though she tried to look mature and elegant, the truth was she was dog tired after being woken up by a heart wrenching scream, and she hadn't gotten back to sleep until a few hours later.
And somehow... she knew it had been Yaten.
*Like in the dream,* she thought, and regretfully wished she had gotten the nerve up to go over and see him. She probably would have she realized, if she wasn't afraid of that terrible dream coming to life.
That and she was wary of Haruka. She was really turning up the charm, that was for sure. Was she still jealous of that thing with Michiru and Seiya?
"So what's it like having a boy for a lap dog?"
"Haruka! Don't embarrass her so early in the morning."
Mariko blushed as she hid behind her bite of rice, trying to ignore the charmingly curious face of the sandy blonde in front of her.
"Why not? He's finally out of the room, isn't he?"
"Haruka," Michiru hissed as she watched Mariko turn a beat red and sink under the table. "What are you trying to do?"
Haruka leaned down and brushed a stray hair from Michiru's face before whispering in her ear, "There's something odd about those two..."
"Mm." Michiru refrained from commenting by sipping her tea, and brushed some dust off of Haruka's shirt before whispering back, "Minako-chan adores them, so keep quiet."
The couple turned their heads to watch Minako as she began to nod off and her head slipped from it's perch on her hand and came crashing onto the table.
"I-itai." Minako clutched her bruised face and groaned. "Why does it always have to be me?"
"Did you not get enough sleep last night?" asked Mariko.
Minako shook her head in affirmation, pulling her hair back from her face and clumsily pinning it up, only to have small streams of hair fall in oddly alluring places.
Mariko snapped her fingers as she suddenly got an idea. "We should go to the waterfall today! That would wake you up."
"A waterfall?" That perked up Michiru's attention.
"It's beautiful," said Mariko. "The waterfall drops into this gorgeous natural swimming pool. The water's great."
"Ah..." Everybody turned to see Furui as he padded into the room. "It's a good thing I had planned for you girls to go there anyway. Everything's already set up."
"What?"
"Set up?"
"Today is the day of easing the mind from all regrets and doubts!" stated Furui.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"
"OH MY *GOD*!!!!!!!!!!!"
"COOOOOOOOOLD!!!!!!"
The three boys came rushing into the kitchen, sopping wet, and sat down at their side of the table. Haruka and Michiru eyed them warily at their quite calm nature, and all three shouted in joy when their breakfast was placed before them.
"We'll be splitting off into two groups. Mariko will take the girls to the waterfall, while we'll be going up into the mountains."
"The mountains?" asked Seiya, and Yaten watched in horror as San carried in the ropes, harnesses, and helmets.
"I am NOT climbing up a mountain," said Yaten.
"Who said anything about climbing a mountain? We're taking the Jeep." The Three Lights sighed in relief. "Now coming back down is a different story."
"Eh?"
"Nothing, nothing. All right! Let's go!"
And much to Haruka's pleasure, the annoying whines of celebrities left her ears.
"Did you bring your swimming suit?" asked Mariko to Minako. Minako blushed and nodded her head.
"Now that I think about it, though," she stammered, stealing glances at Haruka. "I must have brought the one that doesn't fit me anymore. Silly me!"
"Is that the string bikini?" asked Haruka as she sipped her tea. "I think Rei-chan said it was a thong."
Minako turned a shade of evil red. *Note to self: Kill the psychic jealous passive aggressive priestess who somehow got copies of my keys.*
Minako pouted innocently and blushed. "I didn't know that when I bought it!"
"Well, I'm sure it'll work fine," said Michiru. "It's only us girls, anyway."
Minako paled as Haruka winked at her. "I can't believe you're saying that, Michiru-san."
"What?" she asked and blinked.
Mariko blushed and Minako only sighed.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Rei-chan..." Usagi asked nervously as she stood beside the intent girl and looked over her shoulder, awaiting their impending doom. "I don't think this is such a good idea."
"Nobody's asking you, Usagi-chan."
"B-but... what if he finds out?!"
"He's in America, you dolt! It's not like he's just going to waltz in here on a whim to check on his car."
"I'm not too sure about this myself, Rei-chan," Makoto said, leaning against the cement column near the sports car's parking place. "You know how Mamoru-san gets if you accidentally scratch the metal on the seat buckle."
"We're not even old enough to get a license!" mewled Ami as she clutched her duffle bag. "We'd be stealing AND illegally driving."
"Look, if you guys don't want to come, that's fine with me, but I, Hino Rei, will once and for all reveal Minako-chan's diabolical plan to keep Three Lights all to herself."
"Mina-P would never do that! She always shares!"
"What are YOU planning, anyway?" asked Makoto. Rei ignored her as she huggled the black car and stroked it lovingly.
"Oh, you beautiful thing, you," she murmured into its ear. "I remember you quite well, old friend. Nights into town, you were a little small, but that didn't hinder anything..."
Usagi pressed her cheek to hers and narrowed her eyes slightly. "Rei-chan... what are you saying?"
"Eh?" Rei immediately sprang from her embrace. "Nothing! Nothing!"
"Ne, I think it's something." Usagi nodded her head and scowled in concentration. Makoto and Ami looked at each other and blanched. "When you and Mamo-chan were going out... you guys never did anything did you?"
"Eh?!" shrieked Rei, and squeezed Mamoru's sports car nearly into oblivion. "Are you kidding me?! That's just disgusting, Usagi-chan. Really. He's how old?!"
"Um... let's not get into this right now, you guys," Makoto started, but Usagi jumped at Rei's insult.
"Are you calling my boyfriend old?"
"No! Well, yes! I mean... Damnit, I want his car!"
"You... you gold digger!" gasped Usagi.
"Look, Mako-chan, do you still know how to hot wire a car?" Rei asked ignoring Usagi's retort. The brunette sighed and nodded her head.
"This is an incredibly bad idea," gasped Ami. "If Luna-san or Artemis-san were here..."
"But they're not," said Rei. "Thank God for Motoki-kun."
"Oh, Mamo-chan... if only you were here," sighed Usagi. "What am I going to do?"
"We're going to go up to that retreat and save Yaten from the evil clutches of Minako!"
"But we're not supposed to leave the city!"
"Seriously, guys," Rei said. "When was the last time the city was attacked when we were on vacation?"
There was silence.
"See? Wherever we go, the enemy goes. We'd be doing Tokyo a service, wouldn't we, by leaving?"
"This has to be the most screwed up excuse for desertion I've ever heard," muttered Makoto. But she zoomed over next to Rei at the car, and fondled the door handle. "But I DO love this car."
"Mako-chan!" cried Usagi and Ami.
"Mamoru-san will get over it," she said calmly and took the little lock pick set Rei handed her and began to work.
"Gotcha!" cried Makoto with satisfaction and opened the door. She began to climb in when she felt a hand fall on her shoulder. "Eh? What is it, Rei-chan?"
"What do you think you're doing?" Rei said, glaring.
"Getting in the car," Makoto stated.
"I'M driving. It was my plan."
"You don't know HOW to drive."
"I'm a fast learner."
"Ohoho!" There was silence. "I don't think so."
"Are you calling me stupid?"
"No! I'm calling you incompetent!"
"How DARE you!"
Usagi paled while Ami sighed and climbed into the front seat while the other two girls bickered. Everyone stopped as they watched Ami place her hands delicately on the steering wheel.
"If we ARE going to take Mamoru-san's car, the least we can do is drive it safely. I don't trust either of you in keeping this gorgeous baby-- I mean... this vintage 1987-- I mean this VEHICLE intact. I'LL drive."
"A-Ami-chan?!" they gasped. Blushing she pulled out a small device, about the thickness and length of a car key and put it into the ignition. The end of the device began to glow red, and a beeping could be heard, until finally a small "ding" dinged, and Ami pulled the device out.
"Dude!" gasped Makoto as she stared at the little cut out outline in the form of the key on the device. Ami gently snapped off the excess metal and put it in the ignition again, this time turning the car on. "So much cleaner than pulling out the wires! I have to get one of those!"
"No!" cried Ami. "I invented it only if somebody lost their keys and needed a replacement."
"That's amazing, Ami-chan!" cried Usagi.
Rei and Makoto only rolled their eyes. "Riiiight. Like anybody would ever use that thing honestly."
Ami glared and closed the door shut, and rolled down the window. "You don't have to come if you don't want to. Let's go, Usagi-chan. We need to make sure Haruka-san and Michiru-san got there safely."
Usagi squealed and hopped into the passengers seat, leaving Rei and Makoto still outside. "Oh no," Rei murmured. "I forgot it was only a two person car."
"Duh, Rei-chan! What were you thinking anyway?!"
"Well you could have reminded me, Mako-chan!"
"You were too busy seducing the thing!"
"Why didn't we just take the train, anyways?!"
"That would be too easy!"
"Oh, yeah..." Rei turned back to Ami and sighed. "Is there any way we can all fit into this thing? Do you have another invention?"
"No, but you guys are all thin enough I think we can squeeze together. Especially if Usagi sits on Mako-chan's lap."
"W-what?!"
"B-but it's a stick shift!"
"I'll be careful!"
This was going to be a very very very long car trip.
* * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, Setsuna packed her bags as Hotaru swung her legs absently, sitting on the bed and watching her mother as she prepared for their trip.
"Why are we leaving again?" she asked.
"We're going on a... vacation of sorts."
"Why?"
"Because Usagi and the others will need us more than they think. It will be a hard battle, but a good change."
"Change?"
"Something just as perilous as Galaxia..."
* * * * * * * * * *
Haruka stared at her bare arms as the deepest green she had ever seen danced over her skin. The light filtered through the tree leaves, creating an unimaginable tint to this walk. And for the first time in a long while, hearing only the birds, Haruka felt safe. Until Usagi's counterpart glomped onto her.
"Please?"
"No."
"Pleeeease?"
"No."
"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaasssssseeeee?"
"Haruka," Michiru warned. The sandy blonde sighed and then nodded to Minako, who squealed and leaped onto Haruka's back.
"I thought you said you were tired," Haruka huffed as they walked up the trail.
"Affirmations give that little boost of energy."
"Let's not say 'yes' too many times today."
"Pffft. Mariko-chan?"
"Yes, Minako-chan?"
"How much longer until we get there?"
"Hmm." Mariko stopped walking, waiting for the others to halt as well. When everything was completely still, she closed her eyes and relaxed her features.
The three other girls stared as Mariko's ears seemed to rotate, as she listened. Haruka and Michiru looked at each other while Minako just watched the lone girl intently.
"I... think I hear..."
"Yes?"
"70's disco?"
* * * * * * * * * *
"RA-RA-RASPUTIN, RUSSIA'S GREATEST LOVE MACHINE!"
Furui and Seiya grooved to the old man's greatest hits album in the front of the Jeep, while San, Yaten, and Taiki groaned and begged the two to stop.
"He'll be listening to this when we jump, I just know it," muttered San. Yaten, who was holding all the equipment in his lap and nearly falling into San's had the misfortune of hearing him loud and clear.
"WHAT?!"
"N-nothing!"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Oh my God," gasped Minako as the roar of the waterfall rushed into their ears. "It's like paradise!"
The other girls were speechless as they looked up, watching the fall of the clear water, the droplets separating as they came crashing to their doom in a small but very deep pool of water.
Michiru stared into the depths of that water, wondering if there was an end... and if that end held any secrets she desperately needed.
Haruka on the other hand was staring intensely at the top of the waterfall, where a yellow something perched enticingly at the top. A prize.
Yes? She looked over to Mariko who nodded her head in affirmation, and Haruka began to the climb up the rocks to the top of the waterfall.
Michiru pulled off her shirt and shorts, leaving her always impeccable taste in clothing to show in her new swim suit and dove into the water as Minako just stood on the grass and watched them hesitantly. Obviously they knew what they were doing, and why they were doing it... but...
What about her? Didn't she come here to do these things? She looked at Mariko who smiled sadly at her and shook her head.
"Not yet," was all she said, and before Minako opened her mouth to start pleading, she heard a scream.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Haruka halted in her climbing as the two girls looked up at the massive cliff in the distance. And as Michiru swam to the bottom of the pool, she swore she felt a vibration in the water.
* * * * * * * * * *
"I'M NOT DOING IT!"
"It's the only way to get down!"
"NO."
"Come on Yaten, don't be such a sissy."
"I'm not doing it. Forget it. I refuse. I could die!"
"The chances are quite unlikely," Furui said helpfully. Yaten only held onto the Jeep, kicking at Seiya who held up the harness and tried to get the silver haired Light into it.
"Do you know how long I've been dying to bungee jump?"
"You've been dying to die, that's what."
"You know," Seiya said. "You're really ticking me off. Look! Even Taiki's agreeing to do it!"
They turned to stare at Taiki as San checked the harness and fittings, making sure everything was secure.
"Because he's suicidal!" He looked over to Furui. "And YOU! You said we would be easing our minds."
"You WILL if you jump."
"Um, Furui-sama," murmured San. "That didn't come out too well."
Furui thought about that for a moment before flushing. "That's not what I meant."
"Well, that's what'll happen."
Seiya sighed and walked away, leaving Yaten to fume alone.
"He's not going to do it," he said to the others.
"This DOES create a complication. By the time we reached the bottom, we would be able to meet the girls and eat."
Seiya's face suddenly turned dark, and touched San's arm. The blue haired boy stood silent for a moment before nodding his head, and all the while Yaten had let down his guard, assuming he had won this battle and began to climb into the car.
Unfortunately, he felt hands grab a hold of his ankles and haul him out of the Jeep. Yaten screamed and tried to fend Seiya off but realized when one had two really strong athletic men pinning one down, and one happened to hate exercise, one was at a disadvantage.
But he wouldn't let his imminent death come with out a fight.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Oh my God. Is that... is that Yaten?" They were barely larger than specks, but anybody could see silver hair when they wanted to.
"They're about a ten minutes walk away from here," said Mariko. "You want to go meet them? The trail's just straight ahead. Once they were at the bottom of the cliff, they had intended to come here."
"Just that way?"
"Yup."
"Great. See you soon!"
"Kay!"
Minako headed down the trail at a jumpy speed, almost skipping with the thought of having something more to do than just watch as other people fulfilled their plans.
She watched the cliff as she walked down the path, and her skip turned to a sprint when she watched the silver head drop.
* * * * * * * * * *
Fear falling down down down what am I doing here why am I doing this what's going on why did I let them drop me what's going to happen to me am I going to die before I find her will I die beautiful will I die before I see their faces again what about my photographs I haven't finished my last roll of film I don't want anybody to develop them only me they're private they're secret if they find out that I'm terrified but I'm going to die what does it matter they'll all know now there's nothing to hide I want to get rid of the pain but I don't want to die I want to tell them I'm sorry I just want to see her face one last time I need to make sure she's safe what about them I'm going to live falling alive I will live but I'm scared is that okay to be scared is it all right will they think less of me will they make fun of me how can I let them know I love them I never told them I loved them I never told myself that I loved ME.
Up again I feel so free I love it when it gets this still why am I screaming I feel so free I've never felt this way before is this what everybody felt before they died back home or was it only terror olives I smell olives are you there princess?
Down again stopped... I'm back. I'm back.
"I AM NEVER DOING THAT AGAIN!" Yaten shrieked hysterically. "NEVER DO THAT AGAIN! I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!"
And with that, he burst into tears, dangling, staring at the ground below through his tears, sobbing in relief. There was something more to his life, something he had just figured out, something that made it all worth while now. And he knew what it was finally, this thing he had been searching for.
Choice.
* * * * * * * * * *
Down, it's so dark. I can't look back up but I can see the light dancing on my skin as I move forward. I have to move forward, I have to finish this, to see what's down there. It's singing to me, singing into my soul, and if I don't find out what it is, I'll regret it for the rest of my life.
My lungs are burning, burning. This is heaven.
* * * * *
Up, it's so light. I can't look down but I can feel the water clinging to my legs as I keep on climbing. I have to keep on going, I have to continue this, to see what's up there. It's crying to me, crying to my soul, and if I don't find out what it is, I'll regret it for the rest of my life.
I hate going this slow. This is hell.
* * * * *
So dark, I can't believe it... I can't even see anymore. What am I doing, what am I thinking? Am I crazy? Just keep on going down, there's something down there. I just need to trust. That's all I need to do.
My fingers scrape against the ground... don't look up, don't look up, you'll lose your direction. You'll lose everything, so just don't look up.
* * * * *
Don't look down. Don't think about how fast you'd go if you just jumped into the water. Just keep on moving... up. That's where this thing is. Crawling at a snail's pace, I'll get there. Damnit.
* * * * *
There's nothing here. I have to go back up. Can't go too fast, you have to conserve this oxygen in your body, even though you're begging, begging to breath, you can't panic... I can't panic. I can't panic I can't panic I can't panic.
* * * * *
I'm almost there.
* * * * *
Just let the water take me up.
* * * * *
I have no choice.
* * * * *
Just close my eyes and stay calm.
* * * * *
I just have to let it take me wherever I'm going.
* * * * *
I can feel the light against my eyelids... I'm so close...
* * * * *
I just have to pull myself up. That's all I have to do.
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