Sailor Moon Millennium – Dark Sun Rising
Chapter # 16 – Astronomy: A Star –
Created August 10th, 2002
By K.W. Isenor (sailor_sun_@hotmail.com) & Jason (Omartin6@home.com)

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Jessica leaned up against her locker; she let out a frustrated sigh. "Stupid school, stupid teachers, stupid life."

Brooke walked over to her and looked at her, "are you alright?" she asked her friend in concern.

"Just having a bad day." Jessica said as she slammed the locker door shut.

"Want some company?" she asked before both of them noticed a very nervous Tasha walking into the school, Bianca and Kat on either side of her, acting as support for their friend, Bianca giving everyone else the glare of death.

"Yeah, that would be great." Jessica said as she looked towards Tasha. "What do you think is bothering her?" She asked her friend who was also looking at Tasha with concern.

"I don't know" Brooke said slowly wondering that herself, before she looked over at Jessica then back at Tasha, who was trying very hard not to notice Jessica or Brooke for that matter.

"Should I say something? Or just pretend she isn't there?" Jessica questioned while she looked down at her shoes, not wanting to put Tasha on the defensive by looking at her.

Brooke was about to comment before Tasha looked at Jessica once, then quickly went to the bathroom, Bianca starting to go after her friend before Kat said something to her and the neon hair colored girl bit back a nasty retort, and nodded once in agreement when Kat said something else, both of them obviously concerned for their friend and fellow troublemaker.

Not thinking, Jessica took off after her cousin - much to Bianca's ire and dismay, the taller girl was about to go after her but refrained when Kat said something else to her, something that caused her to stare at the door, in concern for her friend.

Brooke watched the small exchange unsure of what to do, she wanted to talk to them but she did not know how. It was one thing to watch them, but it was another thing altogether to try and talk to the Apocalypse Scouts; simply because the entire group seemed to hate her and the other Stellar Scouts mainly because they were their enemies...

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The first thing she heard as she slipped into the bathroom was the sound of tears, the second being the sound of metal on flesh and for an instant Jessica fearing the worst, her suspicions now being confirmed as she saw Tasha sitting on the floor, the knife in her right hand, a thin trickle of blood even now emerging from her left arm.

She was about to say something when she realized that the cuts themselves had formed words. Tasha cried as she slashed her arm repeatedly, so many people she had failed, her mother, her father, her cousin and the rest of her family, Reptile, Shang, De'mitri and Skorr rounding out the many faces that kept flashing through her mind as she continued to slice the names into her arm.

She never should have come back, she never should have tried to stand up to Jessica that way, her cousin was stronger then she was, and she knew it. Jessica had the things that Tasha had missed, up until now anyways. And who knew for how long her relationship with Skorr would last.

She had just finished "writing" the name Jessica in her hand when her cousin took the knife away from her.

"Leave me be cous" Tasha said, as she tried not to cry, "I aint's worth yer time" she said before Jessica sat down beside her, and gently wrapped a small tissue around her cousin's arm. "Please, just go" Tasha pleaded.

"Tasha, I am sorry, but I won't be going anywhere." Jessica smiled down at her cousin. "Besides you need me."

 "I aint's worth yer time Jess, it'd be better ta just kill me - like ya did her" she said, the last part filled with hate and instinctively Jessica knew who she was talking about.

"Tasha please, you aren't like that. And I am not going to kill you, I care about you too much."

 "Da's what Skorr said, neider o' you care enough to put me outta dis hell dat I've been livin' in."

"Look Tasha, nothing is going to be easy if you keep on thinking like this." Jessica replied as she smiled, glad to actually be talking to her cousin again, though she was worried about Tasha’s mental state, it was clear she wasn’t thinking right.

"You wouldn't know, you may have read m’journal but it wasn't you dat all dose tings happened to.”

"I know Tasha, but there is a chance to turn your life around."

At that Tasha snorted, "an' how's dat possible?" she asked sarcastically.

"Tasha it is, look how much you have been through and you are still standing. If I was put through any of the events that you have gone through I wouldn't have come out walking, but you have come out running Tasha. You are so strong."

"Ya call dis strong?" Tasha asked as she removed her shirt and Jessica's eyes widened upon seeing the self-inflicted knife wounds on her body.

Jessica smiled then gently helped her put her shirt back on, "why do you do it?" she asked hoping and praying for an honest answer, she was starting to get scared, Tasha’s diary had told her everything but the Tasha she was looking at with concern, seemed so foreign, scared and so terribly alone.

"I do it 'cause I need ta, dey all mark my failures,” she said as she looked at the ground.

"No you don't have to Tasha."

"Ya read dem? Read da words?" she asked indicating the ones that said. "Jessica", "the walkers", "sailor sun", and "princess cassandra" that she'd carved into herself. "Know why dere der? I's 'cause you were right. You an' yer mom an' da an' sibs are family an-an-and I failed," she said before she began to cry.

Smiling warmly at her cousin Jessica looks into Tasha's eyes. "You are worth it Tasha, so many people care about you so much. As do I, and you know it!"

Tasha tried to look away from her cousin, "den why don't ya kill me?" she asked slowly.

"Because I do care Tasha, it would hurt if you were gone" Jessica said as she hugged her cousin, who at that point lost what was left of her cold exterior and broke down, crying even moreso in her cousin's arms.

Jessica wrapped her arms around her cousin and held her close. It took several minutes before she stopped crying, Jessica wondering yet again why her cousin just kept so much bottled up, abusing herself so much.

"Tanks" Tasha said, her body language changing from the girl she'd once been, and back to the girl she was now.

"I-I-t-it was the least I could do Tash." Jessica said calling her by her old nickname.

"Ya know dat dis can't change anytin' 'tween us right?" Tasha said slowly. "I'm still gonna work wid Skorry and his dad's army."

Jessica nodded. "I understand, but when we aren't fighting from each other can we be friends?"

She paused mulling over that response. "I dunno, I mean ya don't even like half da tings I like an' I dunn like.

Tasha paused for a few moments then smiled, "guess we can try, yer guardians ain't gonna like it d'oh."

"I don't care what they think, you are family and that is that."

Tasha smiled before she took out a cigarette, then lite up. "How much did ya read?" she asked indicating her journal.

"All of it" Jessica said before she looked at her cousin. "I'm so sorry,” she said slowly as she looked up at her cousin. "I'm so sorry that I wasn't there,” she said as she hugged her cousin, “that no one was there for you.”

Tasha remained silent for awhile, trying hard not to cry, she was just so tired and alone, "Just wish it'd stop" Tasha said before she bent to pick up her knife, only to stop as Jessica picked it up and then threw it into the trash. "Lemme guess ya ain't gonna lemme keep it."

Jessica shook her head, stubbornly. "No" she said with a smile.

"Just wish it'd stop" Tasha said before she bent to pick up her knife, only to stop as Jessica picked it up and then threw it into the trash. "Lemme guess ya ain't gonna lemme keep it."

"You know the answer." Jessica said as she slowly stood up and offered her hand to her cousin.

Sighing Tasha got up, fidgeting a little bit. "Why can't ya stop lovin' me?" she asked. "I aint's worth it Jessica."

Jessica just turned and glared at her cousin. "Do not tell me who is and isn't worth it."

“Why? Ya know I'll have ta fight yas. An’ dat I aint’s da girl you know no more. Hell not evertin' is screwed right in m'head and even I know dat."

"Because you are my cousin, you are family and I love you Tasha, no matter what you think of yourself, no matter if you happen to kill me or hurt me I will still love you." Jessica told her cousin, whose face softened ta little bit before it hardened a bit as they reached the door as Tasha put on that “cold front” of hers, causing Jessica to sigh as she looked at her cousin. "You don't have to do that." She began.

"Do what?" Tasha asked her.

"Hide who you really are from everyone" Jessica replied as she looked at her cousin slowly. "Your so strong and beautiful and funny - whether you believe that or not" she said as she looked at Tasha, trying to encourage her.

Tasha looked at Jessica and offered her a rare smile. "Tanks Jessy but I can't do that anymore not after-" she said before she trailed off and looked down.

"'cause I'm not dat Tasha anymore, parts o' her are here but da rest is gone. Hell I know dat tings ain't right wid my head but dere's no way Imma going ta go back ta being helpless" She replied as she looked at the floor, clenching her right hand and making a fist. "Dat lille girl can't come back no'more Jessy. Alls I do is survive, all the while what's left o' me is chipped away 'cause o' life."

"I understand that Tasha. I really do."

"How can you? I dunn even understand myself no’more."

"Because I care,” Jessica said as she cupped her cousin's face, wiped away the tears and gently hugged her. "No matter what you do, I love you Tasha. Yo-your-you-you are like a sister to me," she said with a small smile.

Tasha smiled back, "den I guess dat makes you an aunt" she quipped as she got up and looked at Jessica, "tanks."

"Yeah I suppose so." Jessica said with a smile.

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                                                  ***********Nightfall*********

 Takai smiled as he looked around his room, for the moment he was much too tired to go and launch another attack, though he figured his brother Skorr would do just that (Shi still needing to ascend before he could return to the earth).

He was almost to the couch when someone tackled her and he shook his head upon seeing Brooke. "I should never have given you the key."

"Well you did, and here I am." She said with a smile.

He smiled back at her then planted a quick kiss on her lips. "How was your day?"

"Good, except for my math test today."

"Ahh yes math, what a frightening concept" he joked as he hugged her. "I missed you."

"As I you! So what have you been up to lately?"

"Nothing much, computers, match and that's about it."

"Sounds fun! So are you busy tonight?" Brooke looked up into his eyes and pouted, hoping that he didn't have anything to do.

He shook his head, "not really." he said before he smiled, "want to get something to eat?"

"I want to do something with you. I haven't seen too much of you lately." She said sadly.

He nodded. "I know, I- I had a family matter to attend to," he said slowly wondering how she would react if he told her that his father had resurrected Shi-ryuu.

"Oh, one of those. My brother was asking about you again. Wondering where you were, what you were doing and if you were treating me well."

He nodded slowly taking her hand in his. "I'm free now so we can go and get something to eat, there's this really good seafood restaurant I know over in San Diego that I think you would like."

"San Diego, and how do you suggest we get there?" Brooke asked, in astonishment. Was he crazy?

“I can open a portal for us both” he told her before grinning. “And no I’m not crazy, I prefer to think of myself as misunderstood” he joked.

"Really?" Brooke asked as her eyes lit up. "I have never been outside of Nova Scotia."

He nodded slowly before he looked at her. "Do you want to?"

“Yes!" She said as she literally jumped up and down. "But should I get dressed up?" She looked down at herself; she was still wearing her school uniform and she didn’t know if she had a thing to wear.

He smiled as he looked at her. "Say the word and I'll give you whatever clothing you wish."

Brooke looked wide-eyed as she stared up at him. "Can I picture the dress in my mind?" She asked.

He nodded. "I can read your mind remember?" he asked leaving unsaid that she could do the same.

She nodded and pictured the dress in her mind; it was a very classy white dress that she had seen in a magazine, one, which seemed to have called to her, saying that it was for her.

In an instant there was the sound of his fingers snapping and she blinked as she noticed that she had that white dress on.

"You are so perfect!" Brooke hugged Takai. "So what are you going to wear?"

He smiled, hugging her back before his clothes merged then shifted and changed into a tuxedo. "So long as I don't have to wear the mask and that stupid top hat I am fine,” he joked.

Brooke laughed as she took his arm. "Oh no Tuxedo Mask?" She pouted.

Takai shuddered, "no way, besides the black markings on my face are better anyways."

Brooke smiled and got herself ready to be transported all the way to San Diego.

He took her hand in his, smiled then opened a portal which swallowed them both and she felt cold before she then felt a fiery sensation before the two of appeared near a small section of buildings, one of them having a sign that read "Soup Plantation" while another building nearby said "Anthony's Fish Grotto."

"Wonder if it's named after me" he said with a wink.

A trolley's horn sounded pleasantly from behind them alerting them to the quaint little cable car, which took one to the Birch's fish aquarium and marine life park, which was out in .

Brooke looked around in amazement. Takai meanwhile smiled as he looked at her, there was no question she was happy, he was glad that it was he who had made her feel happy and he hoped that he would be able to make her happy always.

"I hope you are hungry," he told her as he looked at her, "and that you will not mind perhaps some sight seeing."

"No not at all, and I am starving. I didn't get a chance to eat lunch because I had to stay behind class to finish the test."

He nodded, took her by the arm and led her inside the restaurant, and upon entering her eyes widened as she saw the huge glass aquarium containing many fish, and an eel. The walls of Anthony's Fish Grotto were a creamy white in color, ships wheels, plaques and various other things from a ship hanging up on them, shining brightly, as if to steer ships from a potential hazard almost like the lights of a lighthouse.

The tables were black with a table clothe over them that was the same color as the walls, the chairs too were black, baskets filled with bread sat in the middle alongside some vases with flowers in them, people sitting in various chairs, waiters going to them, politely taking orders, smiles on their faces.

Brooke hand a wide smiled on her face and she couldn't find the words to describe how happy she was to be out and about. But then again she didn't have to, Takai knew what was inside her…

He smiled back as the waiter lead them both to a table in the back. "You're welcome," he told her almost shyly, happy that she was happy.

Brooke looked through the menu and could pick what she wanted to eat. She sighed and leaned on her elbows, looking at Takai. "What do you suggest? I can't pick something."

"I'd suggest the fish and chips,” he said with a small laugh.

"Fish and chips it is." She said happily.

He smiled then ordered two plates of fish and chips along with a Dr pepper for himself and a root beer for Brooke.

Brooke fidgeted in her seat, she was so happy and excited tha the thanked the waiter a handful of times when he brought out the food.

Takai just smiled as their food was brought to them.

Brooke dug right in, enjoying every bit of the fish and chips platter. She took a swig of her root beer and continued on until she noticed Takai watching her.

He smiled at her, "you look like a goddess," he told her honestly, because to him she did look like one and he wondered if things would always be this good between them both.

Brooke blushed; she didn't know what to say so she gently rubbed her foot along his leg. "So where are we going to go after this?" Brooke asked as she finished off her fish and chips.

"There is that marine park," he said as he rubbed his own foot against her leg.

"Are there any whales and dolphins there?" Brooke asked excited.

He shook his head, "there are over at sea world, the place to where that cable car was going is a bit smaller."

"I don't care, lets go!" Brooke stood up.

He chuckled then placed some money on the table before he finished his own and smiled.

"Where to?" he asked her.

"You seem to know this place better then me!" Brooke said with a smile. "Surprise me."

He smiled as well then took her by the hand and they both walked out the door, "the cable car should be here in a few moments."

Brooke look around, she was trying to take everything in. The only thing was she wasn't able to tell her friends about this when she got back, her mood suddenly switched as she thought about that.

He then gently squeezed her hand. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." She sighed before she continued. "It-it-it-it just sucks." She told him, “I wish I could tell them but I can’t because of all the questions they would ask.”

He hugged her gently. "I'm sorry," he told her.

"It isn't your fault." She replied as she watched the cable car move towards them.

He hugged her close to himself. "Why do I feel like it is?" he asked her.

"Well it isn't like I can tell my friends that you teleported me to another country on the opposite coast. I think they would be asking a lot of questions." She sighed.

He chuckled a bit then kissed her, "maybe someday" he promised her.

She forced a smile as she followed him onto the cable Car.

He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, *I promise you that everything will work out for the best.*

She smiled up at him as they continued to tour the city, seeing places like Sea World and the Zoo.

By nightfall, Brooke was tired and he teleported them both home, both of them appearing near her house. "Did you have a good time?" He asked her, hoping that she did have a good time, hoping that she was happy with him.

"I had a wonderful time Takai. Thank-you so much!" She hugged him close.

He hugged her back, then kissed her gently before handing her a corsage.

"You really are very sweet Takai." She said happily - she was debating if she should invite him to come out with her and the girls sometime.

He shook his head. "You should have fun with them, you know spend time with your friends" He said as she blushed before he then kissed her gently. "My point is that you should have time both with your friends, me, and by yourself, so that you can well balance it out."

Brooke nodded. "Alright then, but they do want to meet you, so maybe you should make an appearance, I think they are starting to think that I am making up the fact that you are my boyfriend. The only ones that have really met you are Jessica and Kevin." Brooke explained.

He nodded once, "when though?"

"How about this weekend? I am sure they all want to meet you. We are going on a picnic. I even think Jessica is going to invite Tasha, Jason, Kat and Bianca. But I don't know how well that will go over." Brooke said as she looked at him hopefully.

"Uhhh that wouldn't be a very good idea since Jason's Skorr's human form" he said slowly, hating to hide his relationship from anyone, let along his own family.

“Ohh” was all Brooke said, trying to hide her disappointment. “Maybe some other time?” she asked him.

He nodded, “defiantly” he told her before he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips deeply, before they broke the kiss as the stars came out to play. “I love you,” he said as he looked at her with a small smile.

Brooke smiled, tears of happiness falling from her eyes, “and I love you” she said before she returned his kiss with one of her own before she headed inside.

Takai smiled as he watched her go, he felt so lightheaded whenever she was around, and he honestly hoped that things would always be that way between them…

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                                                      ********Neatherealm*******

Reickon Tou watched as the Apocalypse Scouts trained inside the large cavern, watched and listened to De’mitri’s prattle with disdain – soon he wouldn’t have to put up with them or any of the others, soon he would have the one thing he truly wanted, the one thing that would give him what he desired the most…

…Absolute power. With a smirk he turned then headed for his quarters, it was time to get rid of the Apocalypse Scouts, time to destroy the unity that made them who they were he thought to himself…

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© 1999-2002. Sailor Moon Millennium: Dark Sun Rising is copyright material of K.W.Isenor also known as Sunrose and Jason along with any characters mentioned excluding the original Sailor Moon characters. Pretty Soldier Sailormoon is copyright of Takeuchi Naoko-sensei, TOEI animation, and other companies. This site and its stories are non-profit and are only for free entertainment purposes.

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