*-----[ Supernova ]-----*

Chapter X

Seiya stood quietly with both his companions. His eyes didn't seem to move as Setsuna's words provoked him to the core. Every explanation bothered him too much to even think about anything else.

" What am I ?" Seiya barely whispered through his lips. His tone gave off exasperation.

Yaten turned," Seiya…..don't."

But his friend looked at him with a tormented look of confusion and partial self-disgust. Seiya's arm went up to lay a hand to clutch his own chest." It's right inside me…...now I could feel it surging in and out through my being…….Yaten, it's practically APART of me."

" No. Even if this thing is in you doesn't mean it's you completely." Taiki said sternly. His deep purple eyes reflected concern and determination." You wouldn't even BE the Seiya we know anymore. "

Taiki looked as if he was going to grip Seiya's shoulders from the way he observed him." The last time it tried to come out……" Seiya said disheartened." I…..I was about to let go of it……for awhile I felt as if I wanted it to come out….so it could leave me alone."

" But you can't do that !" Yaten said." Let it out and you're giving those Diviners an early birthday present !"

" Do you REALLY understand what's happened inside me ?!" Seiya suddenly burst out angrily." You --"

For awhile Yaten was shocked at his friend's blow of words. Recovering, he countered," Look, I may NOT get what the hell is with your internal battle but I know this ! I know how it feels to be hunted down EVERY moment of the present for something that's inside you ! I can't explain it either but you, me and Taiki are in similar positions !…….don't lose it now Seiya……..please……." Yaten trailed off.

There was a long pause as Seiya stared at the ground, silently clenching his teeth at the circumstances. He never felt so horrible and confused before.

" Yaten I…….." he said." I'm sorry…….I just……."

" It's alright…….we feel just as frustrated as you." Taiki mused." Besides, you have your strength."

Seiya regarded Taiki with questioning eyes.

" Usagi." His friend concluded.

* * * * *

Usagi sat quietly. She didn't bother to join the others outside. It had been awhile and they could be making their way in any minute. She knew Seiya wouldn't mind. He probably wanted to have a few words with Taiki and Yaten.

Setsuna still stood at the door. It was puzzling how she stayed so unmoving and managed to look so provokingly thoughtful. But then again the Guardian of Time hid many secrets and one of them she told to the Senshi.

By her news, Usagi was confused. What did Usagi herself have to do with the Nova ? So far, it only involved Seiya, Yaten and Taiki. A few moments ago, Setsuna told her that SHE would be the one to decide the destruction of the Nova. Very perplexing.

Sighing, Usagi stood up the moment Minako and Ami came back through the door. Rei and Makoto followed the two a few seconds later.

Minako gave Usagi an encouraging smile as her hand came up to touch her friend's shoulder." Are you okay ?" she asked.

Usagi only nodded, forcing a smile." I'm alright…..just a bit shaken though."

" I understand."

Makoto moved toward Setsuna. The look on her face told Pluto that she had been lost in thought the whole time they were outside.

" Setsuna ?……There has to be a possible way that we can fight off the Diviners." The brunette said. She watched as Setsuna cast her eyes down, going into her enigmatic phase of thought.

" But you don't even know how it is just being in their presence." Usagi answered her quietly." You feel too helpless."

" If we can just get passed that." Makoto pushed further.

" Ordinary forms of offensive attack don't work very well." Taiki said as he stepped through the door. Yaten and lastly, Seiya, who was bringing up the rear, accompanied him." You don't even get to finish your first blow when they seize you."

Yaten silently remembered the black-plated grip. It was so cold, draining him of every emotion and every feeling that kept him sane and what he was. His essence of life, his soul, leaving his body through his eyes at the Diviner's smoldering gaze. He couldn't shut it out.

" How did you fight them off ?" Makoto asked." There's SOME method in it."

" Normal shots of power--I'm predicting--are close to null when it comes to fighting them." Taiki answered." Seiya, Yaten and myself had no opportunity to use our usual attacks against them, seeing that they destroyed that part of us in the beginning. Fighting them physically is even more challenging. It was only when I got a hold of one of their weapons, I was able to subdue them for a time being."

The brunette nodded." See ? There might be a way."

" Not particularly." Yaten countered." Trying to get a hold of those weapons is one thing, trying to USE them is another. The only thing I was able to use was that dagger that they threw into my leg. That was just small, go try a sword ! It's even mind-boggling how Taiki managed to even wield it for a FEW seconds !"

Ami sat in a corner, contemplating the odds of destroying a Diviner." Maybe we could defeat one if it's alone. There would be more of us and the odds would be on our side. It's all strategy."

" Nice try." Said Yaten again. There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice." Diviners are pack hunters. A year's worth of being chased has taught us that. Even if we end up cornering one of them, what are WE going to do with him ? Destroying him ? How ? Not to mention, we'll only have a few short seconds to take him out before the rest of the cavalry arrives."

[ The rest of the cavalry arrives……. ] Rei thought. [ Arrives ?……..From where ? ] " Where do they come from ?" She voiced her question.

That was something Yaten couldn't answer so Taiki stepped in for him." Well……in truth, we have no idea. We just hear it and feel it. They come out of nowhere, that's why it's so dangerous."

" Setsuna ?" Usagi said." You said when the Diviners entered into the atmosphere, they brought their reality with them."

The others turned their heads toward Usagi. They noticed that Setsuna did have a word with her while they were gone. This piece of information was new.

Setsuna nodded affirmatively. Usagi continued," Would that be of any help as to how they get here ?"

Taiki at once thought for a moment." Actually, that's of great help."

" How so ?" Ami eyed him interestedly. This was one of the very few times that Mizuno Ami wasn't offering information about the enemy and its whereabouts.

" The only way for them to bring their reality here is having access to a doorway somewhere."

" A doorway ?" asked Yaten puzzled.

" In other words, a gateway or portal." Taiki said." Yaten, you should know. Even if we don't use that mode of transportation at all, you should still know. Anyway, the source of where the Diviners come from are just mere seconds on the other side of the portal they use. It most likely would allow them to bring their reality easily to Earth's atmosphere. They draw strength from that portal."

" So you're saying if we could cut off that supply of where they come from, we could prevent them from coming back." Ami said." All we have to do is locate the gateway they use here and figure out a way to close it."

After a long time, Setsuna spoke." The Diviners have desire to appear wherever they want. They control the location of the portal. How do you think they were able to find Seiya so fast ? The portal opens and they appear almost instantly. We would have immense trouble locating it."

" I agree. Even if we do pinpoint the location, the Diviners will be filing out after the portal opens. We'd be forced into a head-on battle. We'd never be able to close it." Said Rei huskily.

Everybody in the room looked down. It looked like there finally could be a solution but it was blocked, just like all the other ones.

Sighing, Minako muttered," Great, what do we do now ? We can't close it here."

Seiya was deep in thought for a moment. All they've hit were dead ends, unless………

" What about on the other side ?" he asked, his voice quite low. It penetrated the sudden silence of the room.

Makoto looked positively perplexed. She was able to take in the fact that the Diviners had a gateway here and they, the Senshi, couldn't close it. What Seiya was asking seemed a tad vague." What do you mean ?"

" Look at it this way." Seiya said." Earth is the Diviners' destination. The portal is their way to it. The OTHER side is where they come from and where the portal leads. If we can't close the portal here, we could close it on the other side at the source."

Yaten gave his friend a dry laugh with a disbelieving expression." Seiya, I understand what you're telling us but here's the problem…….HOW ? HOW do we get to the other side ? Use the portal itself ? We can't, do you know why ? Because the DIVINERS use the portal ! They use it to come here and go back and I believe the portal will be VERY occupied when it's able for use."

Seiya's silver-haired friend's outburst of frustration didn't seem to bother him that much. Instead, Seiya looked to Taiki for some input.

" Actually, I think it makes sense." Taiki said, to Yaten's dismay." Disabling the portal at the source could deny the Diviners any future passage to Earth, or anywhere else for that matter. All we have to do is go there and get the job done."

" Taiki," Setsuna addressed him. She was impressed at the workings of solutions but she needed to bring up a point that she hoped wouldn't discourage them all." The source of the portal is located on Eidoran itself."

The room fell silent once again. A sick feeling struck Minako in the stomach. She tried to speak.

" What ?" she sputtered. She turned to Taiki." Taiki, YOU said we'd have to close the portal at the source. The source is Eidoran. Not only would we have a fun time trying to find it, we'd be fighting off Diviners along the way because they live there !"

" Exactly." Taiki replied. He seemed too calm." Think of it from the Diviners' perspective. What better place to connect their destination with a portal ? From where they are, Eidoran, to Earth making the trip easy."

" You are NOT suggesting we park our asses on Eidoran soil." Yaten stood up and walked straight to Taiki." That's the plan ? It's ludicrous !"

" But it's the only way !" Seiya intercepted." How else are we going to close it ? Do you have any suggestions ?"

Yaten sighed. He was completely out of ideas. This last suggestion that came out from Seiya and Taiki was crazy." Seiya…..listen to me. I don't know why you're supporting this idea. Going to Eidoran, where ALL the Diviners currently RESIDE, is as good as offering yourself to them on a silver platter. They've been after you most of all and after you've been running from them forever, you've finally decided to commit suicide !"

" That's not it !" Seiya protested." Who else is going to close that portal ? We can't just stay here and send the Senshi by themselves to Eidoran ! Eidoran is in OUR galaxy. They've never been there !"

" Seiya. I just don't want this to be a one-time suicide run. We're risking all, everything, by going there. We're good as dead as soon as we step on the ground."

" I know…..but how else are we going to end this ? We can't keep running forever. You know what I know Yaten." Seiya said in a pleading voice." I don't want to go anymore than you do."

" And I'm coming with you." Usagi said to Seiya. She held a firm standing next to him. The look of determination on her face was serious, opposing the bewildered glances on Seiya and Yaten's faces.

" Odango--" But Usagi cut him off.

" Please don't give me the usual line 'no Usagi, it's too dangerous' !" Usagi said with a rising tone." If you hadn't already forgotten, I made you a promise that I swear to God I'll keep. If you think you're going to Eidoran without me, you are so wrong because I'm not leaving you."

Seiya stared at Usagi. He didn't know whether to feel worried or warm and happy. Worried because it was highly dangerous, even after their latest encounter with the Diviners. Warm and happy because he knew that Usagi never wanted to leave his side. He had no choice. Seiya wanted to see this through to the end with her.

" She's right." Said Rei. Rei gave Usagi an encouraging smile." We're going with you too."

Yaten heaved a sigh." Fine then." He said huffing." If you want to get yourself an early grave on Eidoran, then please feel free for the one-way trip."

Taiki gave a small grin at his friend's comment, in spite of the perilous journey they were about to discuss. Somehow he knew the Senshi of Earth wanted to come along. Actually, he was relieved that they agreed.

" Then I guess it's settled then." Taiki said." It's very unfortunate that we are pulled into a task like this, but since there aren't anymore options……..this is pretty much it." He caught the others in the room nodding their heads slowly and apprehensively.

" But what about the Outer Senshi ?" asked Ami, remembering Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru." This is highly dangerous, shouldn't we be informing them ?"

Yaten gave Seiya a doubting look that made Seiya remember Haruka. She was one stubborn Senshi that was hard to get through to. One-track minded, Haruka's deepest beliefs and loyalty stayed firmly with future of Crystal Tokyo. But now that things were headed in the different direction…….

Makoto hesitantly regarded Ami's inquiry." I'm not so sure about that," She told her friend." Just look at the way WE took this news. It's going to be unpredictable the way they're going to take it. And Haruka……."

" Setsuna, you're coming with us right ?" Minako said gingerly.

A smile shifted onto Pluto's ageless face. Strangely, she didn't answer Minako's question. Instead," The location of the portal's source on Eidoran lies within the center of the battlefield. You'll be able to feel it because the soil is infested with hate-lodged combat."

Yaten shook his head." Setsuna…….we haven't been to Eidoran. I know that sounds stupid but nobody trespasses there at all. As far as I know, the planets alongside Kinmonku had always neglected it. They've must've known as far as the battle of the Stellar and the sentinel union. But I doubt they know much about what happened after."

" I understand." Setsuna replied." Eidoran has quite a reputation and most prefer to ignore it. Their fear is what keeps them away. I have not been to Eidoran myself but I have been within your galaxy. The only other knowledge I could offer you is the way to the battlefield."

" Don't get us too wrong. We've monitored Eidoran a few times on excursions. The planet looks like a ball of dead nothingness aside from its three suns and moon." Taiki informed the Guardian of Time.

Setsuna gave a gesture to the young man's comment." You'll be able to find the battlefield that way. After each sun makes its passing, the other one follows. Daylight may seem to last longer but it's not what it seems. The moon replaces the third sun and bathes the planet in red. Follow each orb in the sky, it will lead you to the battlefield."

The rest listened intently to Setsuna's words. The information seemed to play over and over within their minds, adding to the steady apprehension in their stomachs. Seiya sat silently in his inner turmoil, trying to forget it.

Just like before, Minako's question came again." Setsuna, please. I need to know, are you coming with us ? I'm just so scared that we'll get lost and--" Minako stopped when Setsuna shook her head.

" What ?" echoed Makoto.

" I can't come with you as I'm unable to leave my post." She said, still with that smile full of wisdom." The rest of the Outer Senshi and myself will stay here to ensure Earth's protection."

" But what about Haruka ? I have no idea what she'll think."

" I'll tell her."

Makoto doubtingly looked at Setsuna." I'm just worried, that's all."

" I know."

Yaten reverted back to the subject at hand. Glancing at Seiya and Taiki. He said," So when do we leave ?"

Taiki answered him." Two days."

It was much later in the evening when each one of the Senshi decided to say good-bye. Setsuna had left earlier then the rest, giving an encouraging smile to Seiya, Taiki and Yaten. She promised whole-heartedly to see them off in two days to Eidoran. With a graceful turn, Setsuna walked away into the darkness.

It turned out that Taiki and Yaten chose to stay at the temple with Rei. Taiki insisted after hearing from Rei that Usagi only had one guestroom, which was already occupied. Yaten agreed as well, saying that it would be better in case they found themselves in the Diviners' shadows once again. The Diviners wouldn't be able to connect the Nova if the two keys were away from the heart.

Seiya had also agreed to see Taiki and Yaten early tomorrow. Taiki said he wanted to discuss with them their past monitoring of Eidoran. The rest of the Senshi didn't need to be present. Seiya was hesitant at first about leaving Usagi, but she encouraged him to go, saying that she'd be all right.

After one last attempt of convincing Taiki and Yaten to stay with her, Usagi finally let the decision be. She also had inkling that they didn't want to be a nuisance around herself and Seiya. Besides, it was all right that they wanted to stay with Rei because Usagi needed to be alone with Seiya. With a dangerous journey ahead of them, she had a desperate urge just to be with him.

Usagi and Seiya bid Makoto, Ami and Minako good-bye as they left first. As they got into Usagi's car, they waved back to Taiki, Yaten and Rei.

The trip was silent back to Usagi's apartment. Both were deep in thought but Usagi kept darting worried glances back at Seiya. The streetlights roamed over his troubled face as they made their way through the roads. Usagi could only guess what he was thinking about.

The young woman shut the door to her apartment when they were finally in the building and upstairs on her floor. The lamp on one of the tables gave the small living room a dim glow. The rest of the room was illuminated by the streetlights down below. The only noises were distant honking horns from cars on the street.

Usagi watched as Seiya slowly drifted towards the glass window that separated him and the city down below. He laid a single hand on its cold surface.

The sadness on Usagi's face grew at the sight of him as she followed his footsteps. Gently, she slipped her hand in his. She needed to be with him and she knew he needed her.

Silently, Seiya pulled her into a tight embrace.

* * * * *

Haruka sat at the table with a book propped open in front of her. Her eyes scanned thoughtlessly over each word, not bothering to think about anything else around her. Everything was fine. No more battles, the existence of Crystal Tokyo almost seemed at hand. Everything was good.

Michiru's voice cut through Haruka's reading after the sound of the ringing phone." Haruka ?" The green-haired beauty stuck her head out from the other room, holding the cordless phone in her hand." Phone. It's important."

" Oh ?" Haruka said, leaving the table. She smiled as she took the phone from her companion.

" Moshi moshi ?" She spoke. The voice on the other end emitted another smile from her." Long time no see…….really ?…….oh sure………………tomorrow ?……….all right………"

* * * * *

The next day was just as bright and hot as the other days. It was after mid-day when Usagi pulled open her curtains the rest of the way to let the sunlight in. She frowned slightly at the beautiful display the orb of light was putting on. To agreement with the others, they were leaving for Eidoran the next day.

Usagi called her parents a few short hours ago. She told them she was going on a little trip with her friends. Her father had his usual suspicious look on his face when she told him about the trip. He insisted to know where Usagi was going, when they were going, WHO exactly was going and when they were coming back. An annoyed Usagi tried answering his twenty questions to the best of her ability. Tsukino Kenji even asked if there were boys going, in which Usagi denied quickly.

After a small lunch, the young woman bid a good-bye to Seiya. They both stood at the door, trying to say good-bye. While holding onto Seiya's frame, Usagi willed her hands to let go of him but somehow they wouldn't listen. Finally she watched him walk away, hoping at the back of her mind that nothing unfortunate would happen.

True, Seiya had assured her that nothing bad would come out of him going to see Yaten and Taiki at the temple but Usagi couldn't help but worry. So she tried busying herself with normal things like cleaning up. It had been a long time since she did that last.

Usagi looked around for something more to do. She vacuumed, cleared the table, washed the dishes, cleaned her room and even fixed a few things in the guestroom. She just needed to take her mind off the heavy weight on her shoulders. Thinking twice, Usagi headed for the kitchen and decided to put back the dry dishes she washed a while ago.

As her hands were careful not to be clumsy in putting the dishes back in the rightful place, Usagi's thoughts bothered her again.

Last night when she arrived back with Seiya, as soon as they approached her front door, she wondered what became of Luna. After all, Usagi had left the black cat on the floor and obviously very upset. Usagi felt some surging guilt but in a way also felt better because she told Luna her real views and feelings.

But Usagi had no idea where Luna went. That wasn't important as of now was it ? She had other things to think about. What if Luna went straight to Artemis and told him ? Minako would call immediately upon hearing it. Usagi stood for awhile trying to push down her nervousness, figuring out Luna's action.

The black cat was liable to: A) Run to Artemis, B) Tell Haruka or maybe C) Talk to Setsuna. Nothing happened yet, meaning Luna could be anywhere.

Usagi put the last of the glasses away in the cupboard. Suddenly, the chime of her doorbell rang.

" Coming !" she yelled to the door, putting her drying towel back on the rack. She ran a hand through her hair once and proceeded to the front.

Yanking the door open, Usagi's voice caught tight in her throat. Her faced paled just a little, feeling as if a stone hit her in the stomach.

A mournful and hollow look had replaced the once happy complexion." Hello Usako." Said Mamoru, his voice was barely audible. He stood at her doorway, his shoulders slightly hunched. The hollow look in his face told Usagi quite clearly that he had been crying. Seeing this caused an awful lump in her throat.

" Mamoru…..what….." She stuttered helplessly." What….are you doing here ?"

He was silent for a moment, trying to compose himself." Can't I come see you ? To see if you're alright ?" Even more sadness marred his already hurt look. It hurt to look at her.

Usagi didn't know what to say. His visit was obviously unexpected. Her eyes wandered down, trying not to see his eyes.

" I have a small break from school, if…..you remember. I arrived this morning, Haruka dropped me off……." He said quietly." I…..I just wanted………."

Usagi shut her eyes tightly. Even if she wasn't looking straight at him, she could feel his voice on the verge of breaking. The once composed Chiba Mamoru was starting to crumble in front of her.

Mamoru inhaled heavily, stepping forward." Why Usako ?……..Please tell me……please…." He pleaded, remembering the sort of half-word answers that Usagi gave him over the phone when she bid good-bye to him and their future. He was confused and scared. The very platform of what his life was based on fell apart. Mamoru was reaching back desperately to save it.

" Please tell me what I did wrong…….Usako….I don't want this to go away…..please……don't."

She could only hear his pleading. It was true she couldn't give straight answers on the phone. It had been hard letting him go on the phone, what more right in front of his face ?

" Mamoru…..I'm sorry." She whispered, for what may have been the hundredth time. Usagi meant it with all her being and guilt flooding over her like a wave." Please try to understand…….."

" Understand what ? That you stopped loving me just like that ? Usako, I don't understand that." He said." Tell me what I did wrong……we still can fix this…….please tell me."

[ I didn't fall out of love with you…….I fell in love with a future I couldn't have………]

" Mamoru……" Usagi's voice was on the verge of shaking." I……haven't been completely honest with you." She said, trying to avoid his fixed gaze." There was something bothering me………something at the back of my mind the moment I saw him leave."

All of a sudden the hollow feeling in the pit of Mamoru's stomach became larger and heavier. Usagi said a "him". He felt an awful foreboding, trying feebly to swallow the lump in his throat.

Usagi inhaled again, attempting to keep her voice as steady as possible. It dropped to almost a low whisper as another wave of guilt washed over her. Usagi couldn't lie to him anymore." It's Seiya." She whispered." Ever since he went away I couldn't just let go of him. When you came back, everyone just expected things to be the same……..but they weren't…….." She forced herself to look at Mamoru's face, eyes moistening.

" I-I felt trapped……this destiny that binds us together……..it's Serenity, I don't deny that she's apart of me but it's this…….torment……of being apart of her." Usagi said.

Mamoru's conclusions from the start were right. A drastic change HAD occurred in Usagi. His small memory of Seiya had unleashed its painful blow as realization began to set in. The memory of a young man with long hair. There was certain mourning within his eyes as he said good-bye to Usagi.

He didn't understand why Usagi was dancing around the subject. In a way it made him angry and grief-stricken at the same time. She had lied to him. But her position was possibly even more difficult than his.

A tear rolled down Mamoru's cheek as he kept a straight face. His eyes seemed to glass over as he spoke with a voice so devoid of emotion." Do you love him ?" he asked.

Usagi stopped. What was she supposed to say ? She loved him…but to declare it in front of someone with a broken-heart ?

" Mamoru--" But he interrupted her.

" Answer my question Usagi…….please don't make this worse…….I want to know…….Do you love him ?"

She was silent for a moment, somehow scared of the broken look in Mamoru's eyes."……Yes."

" Then that's all you have to say." He replied in that same stale voice. Mamoru turned to leave.

As his back turned towards her, Usagi let out a struggled sob and leapt for his hand. Pulling him back she cried," Mamoru please don't leave like this ! I don't want it to be this way……I need him Mamoru……."

Mamoru turned back to look at her, trying to smile." Somehow I believe you……" He then touched her face softly, preparing himself for a final good-bye. This was the way that things had to be because he couldn't hate her. Her happiness was all to him and she had made her decision.