Disclaimer: Rally doesn't own Sailor Moon or any of its characters. Naoko Takeuchi, TOEI, Kodansha & Pioneer do. Rally also doesn't own Sailor Ra\Reina Makobi. Reina is a creation of Ladybug Oblivion (used with permission). Rally also (also) doesn't own Kia Toshi. He's a product of Bubby (also used with permission). Rally does own (finally) Tomo, Nightshade, Hemlock, Belladonna, Tia Cleonia, Osaka and the whole concept of MISQ.
Note: Based loosely on a game that my sisters and brother played through. Hence all the do-not-belong-to-Rally OCs.
The Neo Queen had said what had only been hinted at for the last week. "There is a traitor among us."
Normally Tomo would have thought of some snide remark about the Neo Queen's use of clichés, but he was too sick to be sarcastic. She knew what she was doing though. Break the news, then let the clatter die on it's own. The suspense should be enough to get the traitor to accidentally reveal himself. It might have worked if Tomo hadn't anything to loose or if he were stupid. Being stupid was unacceptable and Tomo had everything to loose from being found out. He waited for the Neo Queen to continue, with a forced outer calm.
As soon as the last of the Senshi finished, the Queen of the Moon nodded to her daughter. Princess Usagi hopped up with a crumpled piece of paper in her right hand. "My sources and I have come up with this list." She brandished the crumpled sheet of paper, scanning faces for a reaction. Her red eyes lingered on Tomo for a second before continuing in their arc. "On this list are four names. Each of these people will be tested by our Queen for plant energy."
They couldn't know it was him. He couldn't be uncovered.
"When I call your name please come forward and bow to our Queen." She checked the first name. "Makobi Reina."
Someone slapped the table. Tomo was forced to catch his tipping glass of water and he wasn't the only one. As soon as the glass was righted, Tomo looked up to find Reina crackling with barely contained rage. "After all that has been going on in the last few weeks, I can not believe you are accusing me of treachery."
Usagi bowed her head. "It is merely a precaution, Reina-sama."
The princess spat incoherently, but she glided up to the Queen, dropped to her knees and bowed.
The Neo Queen placed a hand on Reina's head and smiled. "Thank you Reina-sama. I am so very glad your kingdom and mine are joined."
Reina returned to her seat.
Usagi raised her head, speaking the second name. "Aino Minako."
There were no fireworks, Minako simply allowed herself to be tested and returned to her seat. There were two names left. Maybe he wasn't on the list. Nightshade and he had been very careful. He had to get out of the palace. They'd find him eventually, with Usagi and her "sources" on the case.
"Kumada-" Tomo's heart stopped, "Rei."
Mother? They suspect my mom?
Rei stumbled up the aisle to the Queen. She managed to trip over the floor landing in a sprawled bow at the Queen's feet.
Neo Queen Serenity knelt down, taking Rei into her arms. She whispered something. Even though he was at the other end of the room Tomo could hear what she said. "I'm so sorry, Rei-chan. I'd bring him back if I could."
Fire sprung up to attack Tomo's eyes. No! He squeezed the tears back inside his lids. She deserves this. She let him die.
Suddenly, it became clear why Rei had been a suspect. Yuuichirou. His death had changed her entire personality, just as being taken by Floribunda would. He was the last name on the list. He had to be.
*Nightshade!*
His mental call was immediately answered. *I know. Rise and walk out the door. I will make sure no one will see you.*
He did as he was told. As the door closed behind him he heard Usagi call, "Kumada Tomo."
*I'll be waiting in your room.*
He ran. Polished Moonstone was not the easiest surface to run on, but he made it to his room. There would be bruises tomorrow from all the falls and collisions, if there were a tomorrow. He threw open, and then pulled shut the door before searching the sun-drenched room for Nightshade. She was lounging on the bed like a content cat. Sunlight spilled through her hair.
"Why are you so calm? They know it's me!"
She smiled a brilliant heart-stopping smile. "Who would look for you in your own room? You should be running, hiding, anything but sitting in your own room."
True, but he wouldn't feel comfortable until he was out of the palace. No, he wouldn't feel comfortable until he was off of the Moon. "Maybe we should be running."
"Not while they are all so close. We must wait for them to split up, divide their forces. Then we simply find the weakest group and go straight through them to get out."
"They'll think to look here eventually."
"Not until we're gone." She sat up frowning. "Why didn't you confess?"
"To what? Treason? Are you crazy?"
She shook her head. "The Neo Queen wouldn't put one of her Knights to death. She wouldn't even punish you."
"No, she'd try to 'fix' me. She'd get me to twist my thinking around to what she wants me to think, but that's not why. Why do you want to know?"
Something flashed through her face. "I don't know."
Tomo took her hand. "I did it because I don't want to live if I can't live with you."
"Tomo, I-"
"Tomo, what are you doing!?!"
Tomo swept Nightshade behind him. "Osaka, stay out of this!"
The silver serpent shook his head. "I'll ask you one more time. What are you doing and who is she?"
"You wouldn't understand. Please just leave and don't tell anyone you saw me." A hand rested on Tomo's shoulder.
"It can't be true... Luna said you were a traitor. I defended you. You can't be a traitor. Your mother-"
"My mother?" Tomo dropped to one knee to get better eye contact with the snake. "What has my mother ever done for me, except let my father die? What has the Queen? Or this kingdom? Or even these bloody powers I have?" A sob forced it's way into his voice. He choked it back. "Nothing. Nothing at all."
Osaka straightened his neck, making himself taller. "You have me."
Osaka? He did have Osaka. And Nightshade. Tomo fell forward catching the snake in a hug. "I do have you. How could I have forgotten?"
The snake squeezed his head free. "This doesn't explain or excuse you, Tomo."
"What?"
"You have betrayed this kingdom and the Queen. I am your friend but-"
"No." He didn't have Osaka. The Queen had Osaka. He had no one but Nightshade. Tomo released the snake, turning tear filled eyes to Nightshade.
She raised a pink eyebrow and then flashed her bracelet. Tomo gave a small nod and Meinohana lashed out to coil around Osaka's gaping face.
"Wait!" Tomo gently placed his fingers on Nightshade's arm. His eyes remained fixed on her shoes. They looked like they were made of soft pink leather. Or rose petals. "Please don't kill him."
She pulled tight the slack on Meinohana. "I can do something even better."
"Better? What?"
She closed her eyes. "Meinohana, lend me your guidance." The vine/bracelet began to glow a faint yellow. "Think of that which you shared with your guardian, Tomo. Love. Friendship. Think of what you long for from him now. Then... Touch Meinohana."
Tomo's mind floated to the day he first met Osaka. A tiny snake curled up in his father's hand.
"Hey, dad. What's with the worm?"
"Worm?" screeched the snake. "I am a serpent. I am a very powerful being. I am..." He paused and then turned to Tomo's dad. "What was the rest of it Yuui-sama? I can't remember all of it."
A charming laugh escaped his dad's mouth. It carried a peculiar melodic undertone that had always accompanied his father's laughter. "That's all right, little one. I think I've made my point about my son."
"My son..." Tomo heard himself echo as the air abandoned him. The vision broke, but Yuuichirou's scent still filled Tomo's nose. Nowhere else in the universe was that particular combination of fresh turned earth, peppermint and burning wood.
Tomo's hand rested gently on Nightshade's left hand and not so coincidently Meinohana. The glow dimmed, then faded all together. Meinohana retracted gripping around Nightshade's arm almost affectionately. She fainted.
Tomo caught her from behind, setting her on the bed like a china doll. "Nightshade?" he asked, caressing her face with one finger. She didn't look sick as she leaned into the caress. "Nightshade, wake up. Nightshade?"
Her silver eyes blinked before opening fully and spilling tears down her face. Any relief Tomo hoped to gain was spilling away with her tears. "What's wrong, Adeko?" The nickname sent a shiver through Tomo, but it seemed to cool when Nightshade buried her face in his shirt and wrapped her arms around his waist. Tomo tried the name again. "Adeko, what did I do to have hurt you so?"
"It wasn't you. It was me."
"What was you?"
She shook her head. "I just wanted you to have Osaka. I didn't think. I just want you to be happy."
She avoided his question. "Have Osaka? What do you mean? What's wrong?"
"We must go, Tomo," Osaka said, pulling up next to his ward. "The Senshi will think to look here soon."
What was going on? And why wasn't she answering his question?
"Osaka is with you now." Nightshade pushed herself away. "He will never abandon you again. Meinohana has shown him the truth. He is right, you must go now."
"I'm not going without you."
"Please, Tomo," Osaka begged.
"What ever happened to 'we'? I meant what I said about not wanting to live without you."
"If I go with you, you'll be caught. The Neo Queen can trace my plant energy. You're safer on your own, until you get off of the palace grounds."
"Then get out of here first and I'll follow you."
She stared at a spot on the bed between them. "I can't. I don't have any power left. Before with Meinohana... It drained me."
No power left? Then how was she going to get out? "But-"
Her fingers closed over his lips. "Just go. Even if I am caught, I'll get back to you. I just need time to replenish my strength."
She dropped her hand. "But-"
"No 'buts.' Just go. I'll catch up, I promise."
"Adeko, I love you."
She started. "I... love you too, Tomo."