Chapter Text
Title: Heavenly Scales pt. 15/37
Author: Deathangelgw
Disclaimer: same as always! Hush up…I know they ain’t mine!
Warnings: sap and such.
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: TK/SM and added hints of SU+SH+OC, SU+OC, SN+OC, SP+OC, and SPxSN
Note: And on we go!! Woot! Enjoy and please review!
‘thoughts’
/telepathic speech/
Dreamscape
Running a hand through her hair as she stepped out of her apartment complex, Kimiko smiled as she looked up at the sky. It had been three days since her ribs had been broken and the revelations that had flipped her world around, but they had been three wonderful days. She even admitted to herself that she hadn't felt this happy since Haruka and Michiru had gone. She had spent two of the last three days at her brother's place since she couldn't move very well and during that time they had caught up on each other's lives. In between their time together, the Inner Senshi had visited often, seemingly very eager to fully get to know the one who had been guarding them so much in the last year and a half.
The other day though, Mamoru had taken her back to her place, where they had exchanged keys so that they could visit often and whenever they could. Parting had been hard for then she'd had to realize how alone she felt, but then she had dreamed that night of being with her three best friends and then later being alone with Yaten and Haruka. It had eased the loneliness briefly. She and Haruka still were curious about who Yaten Kou was and she wondered why he felt so strange to her, like he was two people but not. Stranger still had been that she couldn't read him, but then again that had been in the dream world. Her power might not have extended to the subconscious.
'Listen to me philosophizing so early in the day,' she thought to herself in amusement as she headed towards her work to report in. She was going to take the rest of the week off to fully heal, which she knew they'd forgive. Being of such aid to them and making herself valuable usually had the good side effects of her getting what she wanted. Not that she asked for much.
When she arrived, she smiled as her boss greeted her enthusiastically before carefully hugging her. She returned the hug cautiously and luckily only had a twinge of pain, but she hid it as they parted. Her co-workers came out as well to greet her and ask her how she was doing, since she'd had to call in and explain that she had fallen down some stairs and broken a couple of ribs. Mostly true, but they didn't need to know everything.
They were also very excited to hear that she had been reunited with her brother, a thought that still made her jump inside with happiness. Knowing who she was truly and where she belonged had been the side line act compared to finding her aniki. It felt like everything had finally clicked into place and opened the door within her to what she really was. She just hoped that things didn't backfire.
After talking with everyone for a while, Kimiko finally asked off for the next few days to heal, which her boss gave her after fussing over her for a bit. It amused her how much the older man cared, though luckily it wasn't the creepy kind of caring. Nevertheless she was grateful for his understanding. She could barely keep herself upright much less try to give a massage. Finally, she excused herself so she could go over to her brother's place for tea. When she got there, she stopped outside as she heard Usagi and Chibiusa arguing again and grinned. 'Those two...so competitive...' she thought in amusement before ringing the doorbell.
Sure enough, the arguing stopped and a few seconds later the door opened. "Kimiko-oneechan!" Usagi cried happily and pulled Kimiko into the apartment, not seeing the pained wince that Kimiko struggled to hide as the yank jerked her whole body. "Mamo-chan! It's Kimiko-oneechan!"
"When did you start calling her that!? You barely know her!" Chibiusa shot back as she ran over and took Kimiko's other hand. "Kimiko-chan is not your family!"
"She's Mamo-chan's little sister and so I must be deferential to her for approval for when we get married!" Usagi declared dreamily before gulping as silence fell over the gathered, which included two strangers.
"Married? Tsukino-san how old are you?" the young woman asked politely in curious amusement.
Laughing lightly in embarrassment as she put a hand behind her head, Usagi looked to be unsure on what to say. Kimiko stepped over and bowed in greeting. "Konnichiwa. Chiba Kimiko desu. And you are?"
"Oh, my manners. Imouto, this is Saori and Kobayashi, two friends of mine since high school. We're going to college together. Saori...Kobayashi, this is my little sister, Kimiko," Mamoru introduced them as he wrapped an arm around Kimiko's waist, holding her up lightly.
"Konnichiwa! I didn't know Mamoru-san had a little sister!" Saori exclaimed as she bowed to Kimiko along with Kobayashi.
"Actually, I didn't know I had a brother until a couple of days ago. But he helped me with some groceries, saw my ID card, and grilled me before revealing who he was! Ah, but he's such a taskmaster!" Kimiko explained and giggled as Mamoru protested.
"Yokatta. I'm very happy for you both. Having family is so important," Kobayashi said with a nod and grinned.
"Well I think it's also important to have tea, so sit down," Mamoru gently ordered his sister and helped her over before going into the kitchen with Saori to get the tea and the pastries that Saori had brought along.
Usagi and Chibiusa sat on either side of Kimiko and argued lightly about who could be next to her and Mamo-chan, but then Kimiko gently put a finger to both of their lips and, with a look, silenced them before smiling serenely at Kobayashi, who was watching in bemusement. They all looked over as Mamoru and Saori returned with the refreshments and they served up. Mamoru sat between Usagi and Kimiko as they drank tea, talked, and shared cake.
At one point though, Chibiusa asked Saori warily what her relationship was with Mamoru. Kimiko eyed her little charge with amusement, sensing the insecurity and suspicion that was brewing within as she noted how Saori acted about Mamoru. She placed a soothing hand on Chibiusa's back as the discussion moved to other topics, like how Mamoru and Kimiko had found each other and their past.
After a while, Saori and Kobayashi left and Kimiko sighed as she relaxed. She smiled as a glass of water and two pain killers were handed to her by her brother and downed them in a couple of gulps. "Arigato, aniki. Wasn't sure how long I could sit like that," she murmured tiredly.
"I think I need to get a new couch," Mamoru stated and she giggled as Chibiusa and Usagi both exclaimed in surprise.
"Daijoubu, aniki. Don't waste money for that stuff. You need to take care of your own stuff," Kimiko retorted as she poked her brother in the side.
"Wouldn't be a waste..." Mamoru mumbled and Kimiko snickered again.
"You two look like you could be married," Chibiusa commented lightly and Usagi squawked.
"Maa maa...first, are you promoting incest, Chibiusa-chan?" Kimiko asked and grinned as Chibiusa wrinkled her nose. "And second, our hearts belong to others," she added gently.
"Mamo-chaaaaan! You love me!" Usagi cried with shining eyes as she snuggled into Mamoru's side.
"Hai hai, don't doubt that," Mamoru replied with a roll of his eyes. He wrapped his arm firmly around his sister's waist. "Have you told her yet?" he asked knowingly.
Kimiko was silent for a bit as Usagi and Chibiusa looked at her in curiosity. Finally though, she sighed and shook her head. "Iie. I don't know if I could handle such rejection," she replied sadly.
"And you know she'll reject you how?" Mamoru pointed out as he gazed at his sister. "Kimiko, love is everlasting in our fleeting lives. You didn't tell her before the Dark Kingdom attacked the last time. Don't lose your chance this time," he chided her and grinned as she looked up at him sheepishly.
"Nani nani? Who are you talking about?" Usagi asked as she leaned in, eyes shining. "Oooo is it a secret love interest?" she added and giggled naughtily.
Smiling sweetly, Kimiko tilted her head. "Betsu ni," she said in reply and giggled as Usagi proceeded to whine and beg to be told. Kimiko looked over and smiled as Chibiusa looked at her, her young eyes shining with knowledge. She wondered just how much the young one knew, but then shrugged it aside. If she knew, she knew. It wasn't going to hurt anything.
After a while, Kimiko left for home and was delighted when Chibiusa joined her. Technically, Usagi's home was on the way with a small detour so it was no trouble. They talked quietly as they walked along, laughing softly over a joke or comment here and there. Eventually, Chibiusa looked up at Kimiko and said, "It's Haruka-san, isn't it? The one you love."
"Hai, Chibiusa-chan. I had a feeling you knew," Kimiko responded with a fond smile as they came to a stop before the Tsukino residence.
Beaming, Chibiusa gently wrapped her arms around Kimiko's waist and hugged her. "I want you happy, Kimiko-oneechan."
Kimiko smiled tenderly as she brushed her fingers through Chibiusa's hair. "I want the same for you, Chibiusa-chan. Daijoubu. It'll all work out just fine," she whispered gently before kneeling and hugging Chibiusa fully. "Now go on in and sleep well, ok?"
"Hai! Oyasumi, Kimiko-oneechan!" Chibiusa cried before running into the house after a final wave good night.
"Oyasumi Chibiusa-chan," Kimiko murmured before turning and heading for home. But she stopped about halfway as she felt the cold presence of the Dark Moon and somehow knew that their next target was Saori-kun. When she got home, she called Mamoru and warned him of the impending attack. He solemnly said that he would keep an eye out, and then promptly told her to go to bed. Amused, she went to bed and hoped that she would dream happy dreams again that night.
*~~**~~*
Laughing, Kimiko dodged Haruka as the other woman chased her in the field of flowers. It was just them that night since Setsuna and Michiru had gone to be together in their own dream. Not that they minded. For Kimiko, being with Haruka alone was joy in and of itself. She felt safe and loved with the one she secretly loved and adored with all her soul. Sometimes she had a feeling that Haruka felt the same, but she could never pin it down in her friend. Haruka could keep her feelings quite bottled up when it was something very private, so she was never sure. Sometimes, it shook the base of her convictions about whether or not things would work out, but then she would shrug and shake her head, brushing it off as just loneliness talking.
She squealed with laughter as she barely dodged Haruka's lunge and squeaked as she tumbled into someone, sending them both flying to the ground with grunts of surprise and pain. She leaned up as she held her head and looked down at the person she was straddling. "Yaten-kun! Gomen!" she cried as she both giggled and bit her lip in concern as he looked up at her in bemusement. "Daijoubu?"
"Hai haaiii. Are you ok?" Yaten replied then smiled over her shoulder as Haruka ran over.
"Are you both ok? Gomen, Yaten-kun. Didn't see you there," Haruka apologized as she helped them both up.
"Daijoubu. To be honest, I did enjoy being on the bottom of that pile," Yaten teased and Kimiko blushed brightly as she swatted at his shoulder.
"Moouuu, you are such a tease!" she retorted and huffed. "Where've you been?" she added as she crossed her arms over her chest in a huff.
"Gomen gomen. It's been so busy that if I get any sleep it's brief and not very deep," Yaten explained and the two women saw in concern the exhaustion that even penetrated his dream state.
"Daijoubu. Kimiko has been the same. It's been lonely here without either of you," Haruka said as she sat with them in the field. It had been several weeks since they had first met in the dream world and it had become almost an escape for them to be together. They had revealed much to each other, but not what was important, this Kimiko knew. She and Haruka kept quiet about being Sailor Senshi and Yaten held back some things as well. But it almost didn't matter because they were happy together. And, if they were maybe a little honest, she was slowly falling in love with Yaten as he grew closer to them.
'He almost seems to yearn for our company. Like we are a link he doesn't have. I wonder what he does for a living or what his secrets are?' Kimiko wondered as she listened to Yaten talk about what his brothers had done the other day during a rehearsal of some sort. She and Haruka had figured out that he was some kind of performer, but that was it. It was almost like he wanted to leave that part of him behind in the real world when he came to them and they let him, knowing what it was like to want to forget while being with others they cared about.
She smiled as she listened to Haruka laugh at the story Yaten was telling and thought to herself, 'Yes, I could love them both easily. I hope we meet up soon in the real world.' After that, she focused on them as they goofed around before dawn came and took them from each other. Before he woke up though, Yaten kissed them both gently. He disappeared with a light blush on his face as they watched him go, stunned. Looking up at Haruka, Kimiko tried to decipher the storm of emotions within her beloved's eyes. She smiled as she found herself waking up and sighed longingly.
*~~**~~*
Sighing softly as she woke up, Kimiko touched her lips and felt herself blushing with heat as she remembered Yaten's kiss. Her mind almost immediately put in if Haruka had kissed her and her blush deepened. Could it be that she really was falling in love with Yaten while still loving Haruka deeply? 'Well, stranger things have happened,' she decided and smiled before stretching. She winced as it pulled at her injury, but she ignored it as she got up and went to take her shower.
Once done, she got dressed and went out to meet with Mamoru for breakfast, a new ritual that they were going to start up now that she was back in her home and would hopefully be returning to work soon. She waved at her brother as she arrived at the small café that they had decided on and went inside and slid into the booth that he had picked. He kissed her cheek in greeting before they ordered, and then started talking about their days and other random things. She loved that they were still learning about each other and was fascinated with how he had met Usagi and their rocky start. It amused her to hear his exasperation with Usagi's antics, but the love underneath belied his irritation. She knew as well as he did that he and Usagi were meant to be together. Afterwards, they went shopping and he bought her a fleece blanket that had an image of the Earth on it. She adored it and bought him some massaging slippers since he was on his feet so much.
She took him to where she worked and couldn't help giggling at how all of her coworkers flirted with him, even the men, which made her brother just a touch uncomfortable. She showed him her room, which was decorated with soothing colors and accents of nature. He loved it and asked for a massage when she got better, which she, of course, said yes to. After that, they went for lunch and then wandered around until his meeting with Saori. At the park where he was meeting Saori, Kimiko smiled at the other young woman as they went over to her. They talked quietly in greeting before Kimiko turned to go. But then a cold wave of dread washed over her and she turned back just as she heard, "Excuse me. What time is it now?" She bit her lip when she saw Tiger's Eye and ran towards her brother. "Aniki! Look out!" she cried out as she reached for him and Saori.
A whip snapped out, hitting her and Mamoru away from Saori and suddenly daggers flew out and pinned them both. They struggled as Saori's dream mirror was forced out and Kimiko felt pain zap through her and she choked suddenly on the blood that welled up in her mouth. She vaguely heard her brother's call for her and she looked up at him as she tried to breath. Suddenly, Super Sailor Moon and Chibimoon appeared to try and save them, but the Lemures that suddenly emerged beat them back.
But it unexpectedly focused on her brother and Kimiko knew she had to move when Sailor Moon blocked the Lemures' attack. With her brother's screams for Usagi echoing in her ears, Kimiko suddenly surged forward, screaming an attack as power shot out and hit the Lemures. Weakened, Kimiko collapsed to her side as Super Sailor Moon finished off the injured monster and struggled to breathe through the blood that was drowning her. She vaguely heard her brother and Chibiusa screaming her name as she started blacking out and reached out a bit, whispering Haruka and Yaten's name. She suddenly wished that she'd gotten to be with them one last time.
*~~**~~*
Chibiusa looked up at Mamoru as they sat next to Kimiko's bed in the ICU at the hospital. She tried to ignore the machines that were whirring around them, helping her future aunt to breathe and live, but the sounds kept coming into her awareness. She watched as Mamoru looked up briefly to stare at his sister, tears slowly rolling down his face as he held tightly to the hand that wasn't covered in IVs and monitoring attachments. It hurt her deeply to see him in so much sorrow and she didn't know what to do.
They'd managed to get an ambulance just after Kimiko had passed out from the extreme attack that she had suddenly done. It had shocked them all at the sheer power that had blasted from her future aunt, but that thought hadn't stayed with them for long when Kimiko had passed out with blood coming from her mouth. Usagi had called an ambulance while Mamoru and Chibiusa had frantically tried to get Kimiko to revive, but she had remained unconscious even when the ambulance had arrived.
They'd found that she had punctured a lung when she'd been struggling and her heartbeat had been very weak, most likely from the supreme surge of power she'd exhibited. Usagi and she had followed the ambulance while Mamoru had gone with them and the last that Chibiusa had seen of Saori had been her watching them go sadly. When they had gotten to the hospital, Mamoru had been frantic as the staff had worked anxiously on Kimiko. She had gone into cardiac arrest twice before finally being stable enough for surgery.
That had been five hours ago and they had just put her into ICU before now. Five hours in surgery and they weren't sure how she was going to be. Chibiusa wiped at her face again, telling herself not to cry for what seemed the umpteenth time, but the tears just didn't want to stop. She was so scared and she knew the others were as well. Kimiko was always so strong. Why did bad things keep happening to her?
She looked over at where Usagi and the other four were standing and watching, tears and worry clear on their faces. She felt a sudden surge of anger at the three people that should have been there, but she pushed it away. Kimiko had accepted that fate and she knew that those three would have been there if they'd known. But it just didn't seem fair at all. "It's not fair," she whispered tearfully and rested her arms on the bed as she cried softly. She turned into the body that pulled her close and cried as she was hugged tightly, taking in Mamoru's warmth. "Why won't she wake up, Mamo-chan? Why won't Kimiko-oneechan wake up?" she sobbed out softly as she looked over at her guardian and friend.
"I don't know, Chibiusa. I wish I did," Mamoru replied and his voice cracked at the end as his own tears rolled freely. Gentle arms wrapped around them both as Usagi came over and held them, but it was a small comfort as the sounds of the machines surrounded them.
"Chiba-kun?"
The gentle inquiry broke through their sorrow and Mamoru stood up with a nod as he wiped his face a bit. The nurse who had come in smiled in sympathy. "You are her brother?" she asked gently and Mamoru nodded again as he looked down at his sister. "Chiba-kun, we all care about her dearly and promise to do everything we can for her," the nurse said with compassionate smile.
"Sou ka. She volunteers here..." Ami whispered in remembrance and the nurse nodded once.
"Arigato," was all Mamoru could say before looking up and managing a small smile through his tears. Smiling sadly back, the nurse nodded again before leaving them. Sitting back down, Mamoru took the hand that he held and pressed it to his forehead. When he didn't move, the others knew that he wasn't going to be going anywhere.
The other four Inner Senshi left quietly while Usagi and Chibiusa snuggled close to Mamoru. They stayed that way for an hour or so before Mamoru suggested gently that they head home since they still had school the next day. Neither even protested, knowing he would not be leaving his sister any time soon. With gentle kisses to his cheeks and to Kimiko's cheek, the two left their loved ones, not even certain if things would work but hoping in some way that they would.
When they got home, they were very quiet and subdued and went to bed without a fuss, confusing and concerning the rest of their family. But they couldn't seem to find much joy. The enemy was winning and, with a heavy heart as she fell asleep, Chibiusa had a bad feeling that it was only going to get worse.
*~~**~~*
Haruka walked around the dream world with Michiru and Setsuna, looking around warily for Kimiko. They had all felt their friend's extreme pain and were very worried, but so far they hadn't seen the one they were to protect with their very lives if necessary, hence why they were away. Recent activity had suggested that things outside of Tokyo were affecting what could harm their Queen and only they were honestly powerful enough to take care of it. However, with Setsuna gone on her punishment on the Time Paths, it was proving just a bit more difficult than they had thought.
But within the last couple of days, they had sensed a disturbing lack of presence from their dear friend and every night had searched for Kimiko's presence to no avail. Even Yaten had been unable to help since he too had not seen or heard from her.
Coming to a stop in the field, Haruka sighed softly, feeling depressed and very worried. "Maybe we should go back to Tokyo," she whispered as she looked around desperately for Kimiko. But she stopped when she saw a large crystal nearby with a figure in the center. Walking slowly over and then faster into a run as the figure solidified, Haruka ran to the crystal with Michiru and Setsuna next to her, all of them frantic with hope.
When they arrived at the large crystal, they stopped and pressed against the crystal. "Kimiko!" Haruka shouted and pounded on the crystal as she saw her friend sitting inside of the crystal, staring at nothing. But Kimiko didn't even move as they all pounded on the crystal, trying to get her attention. Frustrated and scared, Haruka beat her fist hard on the crystal. "Why can't she hear us!? What's going on?!" she cried angrily, ignoring the tears that rolled down her cheeks in fear. Slowly, they stopped and leaned against the crystal, unable to push aside the fear that was hurtling through them.
/She cannot answer./
The soft words broke through their despair and the three Outer Senshi looked up to find a Pegasus unicorn gazing at them sadly. To their shock, they saw Chibiusa standing next to it, her cheeks shining with tears as she watched them. "Chibiusa. What's going on? What has happened to Kimiko?" Haruka demanded as they went over swiftly to the two.
A soft sob left Chibiusa before she ran into Haruka and wrapped her small arms around the older woman's waist and buried her tear streaked face into Haruka's waist. Haruka automatically wrapped her arms around the young girl, but she was even more alarmed at how upset the little one was. She looked up along with Michiru and Setsuna and focused on the Pegasus, asking silently for an explanation. With a bow of its head, the Pegasus went towards the crystal and touched it with its horn. At once, pictures came to life within the crystalline walls and showed what had happened. /In battle, she gave too much, her despair making her careless. She is currently in a coma after a battle with a Lemures,/ the Pegasus explained softly as the images ended with an image of Kimiko hooked up to machines in a hospital and Mamoru sitting next to her, despair on his face. /We do not know if she will make it,/ he added sadly.
"Urusai! She'll be fine!" Haruka shouted angrily, but her own fear was spiraling out of control as she stared at the near motionless figure within the crystal. She released Chibiusa and went to the crystal and placed a hand on it. "Kimiko..." she whispered as another tear rolled down her face. Her hand clenched into a fist on the crystal. "Uso da! Kimiko! Hang in there, damn you!" she cried as she pounded on the crystal and slid to her knees.
"Gomen nasai, Haruka-san...gomen nasai," Chibiusa sobbed as Setsuna and Michiru tried to soothe the little girl. "She was protecting us and her ribs punctured her lungs and she used some kind of attack we've never seen before and...and...and..." Chibiusa sobbed even harder, nigh inconsolable.
/Her power as the Balance has awakened far sooner than expected and has weakened her life force. Whatever it is you are doing in the waking world you must finish and return to her side soon. Or else, she will lose all hope. Your fates are tied. The truth must be known,/ Pegasus said softly as he nudged Haruka. When she looked up at him, he nodded once. /All truths must be known. The bond must be completed so that her power will be balanced./
"I don't understand what you mean, but we will come home soon, I promise," Haruka whispered firmly before wiping her face and standing slowly. She leaned against the crystal, resting her forehead on the smooth surface as she reached out to her beloved one with her heart and mind. She felt the gentle presence of her friend and smiled as the figure shifted a bit within the crystal, seemingly aware of her. "Kimiko, you're never alone. Don't give up ever," she said firmly. Two hands joined her as Michiru and Setsuna mirrored her on either side.
"Kimiko, daijoubu. We've got things. Just wake up soon," Michiru said with a small warm smile.
"We will be together very soon. It's a promise," Setsuna added and they nodded as one as they glowed softly: orange, turquoise, and maroon.
*~~**~~*
Outside in the real world, the other Sailor Senshi glowed in their sleep, united in their purpose to protect their future Queen. In the hospital, Mamoru looked up and gazed at his sister, glowing softly as he held tightly to his sister's hand. He glanced up at the machines and noticed that they were higher than they were before and he smiled softly. "Imouto, we're here for you. Get better soon," he whispered tenderly before resting his head on the edge of the bed and going back to sleep.
But in the hallway, a pair of green eyes watched them as a tear slipped down a pale cheek. The door opened silently as Yaten moved into the room and went to the bedside. Carefully so he didn't wake Mamoru, he took the other hand and held it to his heart. He closed his eyes as he sensed the other presences that were watching over Kimiko and smiled as he picked up Haruka. He had seen everything they had and had come immediately to the hospital, sneaking in through the darkened halls to where he could sense where Kimiko was.
Sitting in the nearby chair, he kissed the palm of the hand he held. "Kimiko, I know you can hear us. You are not alone. We are with you," he said softly before reaching up and caressing the pale cheek carefully. He leaned up then and pressed his lips to her cheek before resting his forehead against hers. "Wake up soon, my love," he added barely before kissing that pale cheek again. Cautiously, he placed her hand back down and silently left the hospital. He and his brothers still had a search to conduct, but he felt a bit better now that he had seen one of the girls from his dream. He hoped to soon see the other one. 'Haruka, daijoubu. I am with you in your heart,' he sent out silently as he gazed up at the moon and stars before heading back to their hotel. Much had to be done before any kind of reunion could be had between him and the two women he had come to love deeply.
TBC