From: Rachel Savage To: Neo Senshi ML Subject: [neosenshi] Shadows... Date: Thursday, August 24, 2000 8:12 PM Neo Senshi ML - http://www.angelfire.com/anime/motoki Well, I just thought I'd join everyone and start posting my very own fic. This is still a work in progress, even though I'm up to 11 different parts so far. I welcome any comments or criticisms any of you may have. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at rsavage@caspers.net so that we don't get the ML to crowded. I hope that you enjoy! Disclaimer: This is a sequal to a fan fic entitled "The thorns of balm" written by Anne Johnson.(There's a link to her site from mine--http://www.1freespace.com/rsavage) Just so you know. There is some strong language at points, but no really bad scenes. Unless of course you decide that you don't like it and then they'll all be bad scenes. Shadows from the Burning Sun By Rachel Savage -From the scrolls of ancient times: "In the darkness that is not night, is not natural, resides the evil of evils. Nothing and no one compares to it. Evil so old that it bears no name, and none survie to give it one. The shadows that are not shadows, the bringers of death and destruction." Part 1 Beginning again after the third fall of Queen Beryl seemed like the greatest challenge of their lives, but nothing really mattered to Kunzite and Zoisite except the fact that they were together. Ok, so maybe trying to deal with the baby on its way was a greater challenge, but one they were happy to have. It seemed strange that the only friends they had were their former enemies, but long ago things had been different. Life in the present was an adjustment, with their memories of the past haunting them. Yet they had to make due, there was no way around it. Thankfully though, Usagi wouldn't let them hide away. Every day she would find an excuse to come see them, bringing her baby with her. Usually one of the others came with her, but Zoisite enjoyed the times when it was just Usagi and the baby better. They could share their plans for their children, something the others often felt left out of. One thing at least that everyone could participate in was dreams of romantic weddings, possibly even one taking place soon. Having their daughter come home un-wed and with a baby hadn't pleased Usagi's parents all that much. Not being able to explain the situation made it ever harder for everyone involved. One late spring afternoon, Usagi and Zoisite were enjoying a stroll through the park. Waddeling is more how Zoisite thought of it, but she knew that if she sat around the house all day she'd go crazy. "Oh, I can't wait for this to be over. I can't stand it anymore!" "Yeah, I hated being so huge. Sometimes it felt like I had a bag full of school books strapped around both the front and the back of me. The one nice thing about being in this condition is that everyone offers to do every little thing for you." "Yeah, but I feel so damn helpless. I hate not being able to do what I want to do. I can't even eat my what I want because junior here disagrees with me over dinner. Sometimes I have nightmares that I'll be huge like this forever." Usagi put her free arm around Zoisite's shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. "I know what we should do, let's sit down and rest at that café over there and share some ice cream." "You know, I never really liked ice cream before all of this. Now I can't get enough. You've gotten me addicted Usagi, I don't know if that's good or bad." "I think it's good. Ice cream is therapy food." "Everything is therapy food to you. I've never seen a person eat more." "Wait until that little one is here. I swear that Usa here eats more than I do. I can't wait until she'll take a bottle, my boobs hurt like hell." "Ugh, that's another thing I'm not looking forward to. At least I've manages to make it clear to Kunzite that he will be changing diapers and feeding and whatever else. If he doesn't, I'll make it a living hell for him." The two found a table and ordered the largest possible sundae they could get. Soon enough, a bowl almost as big as their heads was placed before them and in moments it vanished without a trace, spoons clinking lightly against the table top. "I always hate seeing the bowl when it's empty." "I know, I always feel like there should be a never ending supply, like the bowl should never go empty. But then I'd probably be twice the size I already am. Have you and Mamoru found a new place yet?" "No." Zoisite decided not to say anything further. Usagi's father had taken the news about his unwed daughter with a baby rather badly and refused to let her live under his roof anymore. He would have nothing more to do with his daughter if this is how she wished to live out her life. Her mother sneaked a few visits in now and then, but hardly offered her daughter much support. "I feel so bad. Mamoru has to work so hard all the time, and I'd love to help out but we can't afford a babysitter or daycare right now. I never expected this to happen this way. I can't even finish school now. What good am I to anyone?" Usagi looked down at the bundle of pink in her lap, sorrow etched across her face. "Oh Usagi, you're a great deal of good to me. If it weren't for you I would have given up a long time ago. I hate that Kunzite has to be gone all the time with the job he has. I hate being alone so much. You keep me going until the few days off he gets. I'm glad that once the baby is here, he'll be able to stay home more often. His boss just loves children, so he agreed to give him a different position once the baby's born. Maybe you and I can find a way to work and look after each others kid." "Oh, that would be wonderful. I know that Mamoru doesn't care if I work or not, but a little extra each month wouldn't hurt. We could find a part time position somewhere and trade off the kids. Oh Zoi, you're my hope some days. The others don't know what to do sometimes, not having such a burden themselves. 'Course, a baby isn't such a burden, it's everything else that comes with it. All this growing up so soon." "Yeah, I know. After a while, maybe the two of us could even go to school, once the little ones are big enough. Well, I suppose I should be heading home. I think the baby is ready for a nap." Grunting slightly, Zoisite maneuvered her way out of the chair and waited while Usagi paid for their treat. "Do you want me to walk you home Zoe?" "No, you go ahead. Go home and have Mamoru take care of Usa for a while." "If I do that I'll have to cook dinner. Are you sure you'll be?" "Yeah, Usa looks beat. You better take her home. I'll call you tonight if I need any help. The doctor said that everything looks fine, and that it shouldn't be too long now before the big day. He also told me to stay off my feet more, but I just can't do that one." "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then?" "Yeah, only one more day until Kunzite comes home. I think I can manage. I can't believe how excited he is over this baby. He can be, he's not fat and miserable." "Don't hesitate to call, even if all you need is to talk to someone. You'll do that won't you?" "Yes, now go home! It's getting late." They gave each other a quick hug and then parted ways. Zoisite didn't really feel like being alone, but sometimes it was good to be alone with her thoughts. A kick from the baby brought her back though, and she started on her way. Disgusted that all she could manage was a moderate waddle and distracted with thoughts of seeing Kunzite soon, she didn't see the three people coming up from behind until one of them grabbed her arm and dragged her in to an alley. "Well, what a prize we have today. What'd you think boys, should we be nice and let this fat little piggy go?" Zoisite tried to get away, but froze as one of them pulled forth a knife and pointed it at her stomach. "We'll have none of that now. We just want to have some fun with ya. Why do you want to run away?" "What do you want with me? I don't have anything of value." "We'll decide what value you'll bring, don't you worry none." Again came their hideous laughter. Trying desperately to think of a way out of the situation, Zoisite came up with nothing. Anger began to well up inside as she thought of all the things she could have done had she not been with child. Suddenly there was a brilliant burst of light from further down the alley. "What the hell is that?" A husky female voice seemed to come out of nowhere. "You people disgust me. You have nothing better to do than show how cowardly you are by attacking a pregnant woman." "Come out and show yourself bitch and I'll show you cowardly!" "My pleasure. But you won't like me very much." "Oh, yeah?! Well you'll like me plenty enough to beg for mercy." "Oh please. Enough of this." Even though Zoisite didn't have her powers of old she could feel an immense amount of energy being drawn forth. A little voice next to her told her to cover her eyes and turn her head away. Without questioning the situation she did what the little voice said. "BLIND RADIATE!" A brilliant flash of light suddenly surrounded everyone in the alley, it was followed by a wave of heat that seemed to go around Zoisite. She dared not open her eyes, but she could hear the screams of the thugs, and three solid thuds as they hit the ground. Suddenly she felt hands on her arms and swung out. "Hey, careful there. Is that any way to treat your rescuer? You need to keep your eyes closed until we get out of this alley. If you can just trust me for a few seconds more we'll be out of here." Zoisite couldn't explain it, but the woman's voice seemed vaguely familiar. She decided to trust the stranger and allowed herself to be led out of the alley and down the street a ways. "Ok, it's safe for you to open your eyes. I just didn't want you to get any residue of what I did. Small spaced don't work all that well with what I had to do." Blinking slowly Zoisite opened her eyes and took in the woman standing before her. She was tall, with flaming red hair that made Zoisite think of Nephrite briefly. Flashing blue eyes regarded her with concern, but a pleasant smile washed any doubt form Zoisite's mind that she had anything to fear from the woman. "I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Zeeda Helios." " I'm Zoisite. I guess I should thank you." "Oh, don't mention it. I'm just glad that I happened by. Those idiot's didn't hurt you did they? If they did I'll go back and take care of them some more." "Oh no, all they did was threaten to hurt my baby if I tried to get away. Luckily you stepped in though." "Stupid assholes. I do hope that you'll let me walk you the rest of the way you're going." "I guess I should. Kinda stupid for me to be going anywhere alone." "Don't think like that. Too many women are too timid while they're pregnant. You've certainly got guts." "They certainly would've gotten worked over if I wasn't in this condition. That's for sure." "Shall we be off then? I'm sure whoever is waiting for you at home is worried by now." "Oh, there's nobody at home today. My partner is at work. He won't be home for another couple of days." "Now you really have guts. You're going through this alone?" "No, I have a friend, but I told her to go home after she offered to walk with me." "Well, I'll be your friend for this walk home. And I won't take any kind of refusal either." With that, Zoisite allowed herself to be escorted home. People on the streets gave them interesting looks and often gave them a great deal of space on the sidewalk. It seemed kind of amusing to Zoisite, the way people were reacting to her new "protector". ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to neosenshi_ml-unsubscribe@listbot.com Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb