Ithank December Silentvale for helping me.
Snow... So white and pure... Ayame personally liked the snow. Despite often being linked to death and hardships. She preferred it when snow was compared to innocent or unblemished things. Used to symbolize tranquility and beauty.
In places like Japan, they often used the color white to represent mourning and death. Snow was also often used in media to foreshadow upcoming wars. Deep and falling snow was particularly used to represent hardships or death. Melting snow could symbolize a new beginning or the end of hardships. Because snow covers everything and changes a familiar landscape into something new, it can be associated with transformation. Snow was often used to depict a life-changing situation.
As Ayame watched the snow fall from the shop window, she hoped the snow before her symbolized tranquility and beauty. Rather than future hardships, death, or yet another life-changing situation in her life.
Her first life-changing situation with started with a mansion appearing out of thin air, a tan talking cat and a special broach he had given her. Leading her to new friends, old-new friends, a brother she never knew she had, and the love of her life. She fought against evil and remembered her past life. Now that the past had been put to rest, she could finally focus on the present and future.
With only two days before Christmas, Ayame just wanted some peace for herself and her friends. She had been busy ever since the 15th with the fall of the Dark Kingdom and the week after cleaning up after the enemy. She hardly had time for Christmas shopping.
Looking back at the others shopping with her, Ayame couldn't help but smile at the others she had asked to join her on this trip. Along with her was Naru, Usagi, Ami, Makoto and Taura.
All her friends from Juban Middle School were with her. After learning Usagi and her friends no longer remembered meeting each other, Ayame and her team had made it one of their missions to get the girls back together again.
The first order of business had been meeting them again and introducing themselves. Honestly, it wasn't to difficult to meet Ami and Makoto again. Ayame remembered when she was first introduced to Ami and Rei by Usagi and they had all gone to the park Ami frequented.
It was as simple as pretending to bump into her while going through the park. Ayame helped her with her books and they got to talking, which lead to Ayame introducing the blue haired girl to Naru and Usagi.
After that, Taura handled Makoto. They had been in gym class that day when the two had formed a bond of friendship. Both were athletic competed against each other during class. They talked after and they even sat together for lunch. Ayame joined them and eventually introduced them to the rest of the girls.
When Usagi, Ami, and Makoto had introduced themselves, the others had watched with baited breaths. Searching for anything that could show their plan was working. After they had finished introductions, the girls saw it. It had been a brief, tiny spark. But a spark none the less. A brief feeling the three of them had gotten that they had met before. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Ayame hoped spending time together would help jog some memories, but there wasn't much development on that front.
In the meantime, Ayame was getting her last bit of shopping done. She had needed presents for her parents, Jadeite, Chiyu a.k.a. Zoisite, Teiso a.k.a. Kunzite, and Masato a.k.a. her beloved Nephrite. Not forgetting the girls, Naru, Usagi, Jing, Taura, Nanami, and Hiroko. She hadn't gotten presents for Ami or Makoto since it would have seemed strange with them meeting just recently and becoming friends mere days ago. She did get something for Yumemei.
Ami was getting a present for her mother and Makoto was shopping for her Christmas dinner since she lived alone and didn't have any family members. Ayame had offered Makoto was welcome to join her and her family, but she declined the offer.
As they shopped, Ayame had already bought presents for Naru, Taura, and Usagi. She didn't want to spoil the surprise so she had shopped ahead of time for their presents.
She had bought Usagi a Sailor V, a Sailor Moon and a Tuxedo Mask plushie since she was a fan of them. For Naru, she bought her a new racket so she could use it to play more with Rui, her big sister figure and the tennis player. For Taura, she got her a new epee mask for her fencing club.
She had also gotten new drawing pencils for Nanami. For Hiroko, she had gotten her a wind chime Ayame had seen Hiroko looking at days prior. For Jing, Ayame had help from Hiroko picking out an antique music box from China.
For her parents, she bought her mother a set of her favorite scented candles and for her father, a foot massager. For Yumemei, she bought some flower seeds her sensei could plant come spring.
The guys were a little difficult and what she would have liked to do was get something for her brother too. Either way she managed. For Jadeite, she bought him a collar with his name on it. For Zoisite, he would get some flower seeds as well since he had taken gardening as a hobby much to her surprise. For Kunzite, she had gotten him a name plate for his new desk as CEO of one of the many corporations left over from the Dark Kingdom. One being a producer, helping new idols rise on their way to stardom. For Nephrite, his was easy and difficult at the same time. It would be their first Christmas together in this new era and she wanted something absolutely prefect.
In the end, she had gotten photobook. It was empty for now, but she intended to fill it together with Nephrite with new memories. Each year, taking a new photo to celebrate and look back on what they had accomplished.
"Hey, Ayame. Have you found what you needed?" Ami asked as she interrupted Ayame's thoughts.
"Oh, yes I have. Thanks for coming along, Ami." Ayame replied.
"It's fine. It's nice of you to have invited me along. I rarely go shopping with others and it's been quite fun. Especially Usagi." Ami answered as they both turned to look at the girl.
She was looking at all the Sailor Guardian merchandise and gushing about how cool and cute they were. Naru was with her critiquing the toy copies of the Sailor Guardians of Earth's weapons.
Ayame sighed at the sight. It was too bad the other Sailor Guardians wouldn't make an appearance anytime soon. Seeing Uasgi being her oblivious, goofy self at times angered her so much. The times Usagi and Shingo messed with each other made Ayame want to throw a fit in jealousy.
Usagi had her own brother, why must she be denied her own? Ayame would think to herself. She was able to reign in and manage such resentment with the consoling thought of Nephrite introducing them later on.
She doubted she would get anywhere close to the strong relationship they had in their past lives, but at least she could still be a part of his life. Both of them were no longer the people they once were. They had changed and Ayame was honestly looking forward to meeting and getting to know her brother again.
She was worried about him, he was like Makoto. Neither of them had family to spend Christmas with. The guys however assured her they wouldn't let Mamoru get lonely and be there for him.
"Are you okay, Ayame?" Makoto said as she joined them, snapping Ayame out of her thoughts this time.
"You keep spacing out on us." Ami observed.
"Again, sorry. I'm okay. I just have a lot on my mind these days."
"That's true. We can't forget exams and stuff coming up. I need to study even harder." Ami said as Makoto and Ayame sighed.
"I wished Usagi was as determined as you when it came to school." Ayame grumbled. "I've known her for years and the only thing she gets serious about is food, sleeping, manga, and boys."
"How and why did you become friends if you don't mind me asking." Makoto asked.
"Usagi has many faults." Ayame answered lowly. "But she has other qualities that can make up for it." Not elaborating on the matter.
Ami and Makoto backing off, seeing it was a touchy subject.
"Um, who are all the presents for? Do you have a large extended family?" Makoto said, changing the subject and noticing all the bags.
"No, only two of them are for family members. The rest is for some of my close friends, my boyfriend, and his friends." Ayame answered.
"You have a boyfriend? So lucky!" Makoto whined as she began imagining all the fun things Ayame and her boyfriend could do to celebrate the festive holiday.
"I truly am. I wouldn't trade it for the world." Ayame told them.
Seeing Makoto's longing and pining look, Ayame could tell the girl was thinking about the guy that had broken her heart.
"Don't worry, Makoto." She assured her, breaking Makoto's thoughts. "One day, you'll get a boyfriend someday as well."
Makoto ginned at the encouragement. "Thanks, Ayame. I'm amazed we've never hanged out before. You're pretty cool."
"Y-Yeah." Ayame said, caught a little off guard by the comment.
'If only you knew the truth.' Ayame thought.
"I don't have time for romance. I have cram school and tests to prepare for. We may be in middle school, but we must take our studies seriously now if we want to succeed in life." Ami said passionately before her expression turned sheepish.
"Honestly, I'm practically allergic to romance. Just getting love letter causes me to break out in hives." Ami confessed.
Both girls turned to the bluenette in shock. Neither of them had hear of someone being allergic to love letters.
Ayame could only pity poor Ryo. He certainly had his work cut out for him if he wanted to become an official couple with Ami. On the bright side, it meant only guys that were really determined would catch her eye so Ryo didn't have any rivals to deal with.
"You do have a point. School is important for one's future. However, there's nothing wrong with finding someone special that makes you feel special." Ayame spoke as she checked on Usagi and Naru.
Seeing Taura join them, from having stopped at another shop that had caught her eye and after looking around had was now looking at some of the Sailor Guardian merchandise.
With a sigh, Ayame noticed the time and knew they needed to head back soon.
"Come on, if we don't leave now, it'll take forever for us to drag Usagi away from the Sailor Moon stuff." Ayame said as the others nodded.
"It's kinda odd, isn't it?" Makoto asked.
"What's odd?" Ami asked.
"There hasn't been any sightings or rumors about Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, or Sailor V. The last major thing was that article in the Weekly Dokkiri. When they were all fighting. There have been some of the other guardians. Like Sailor Gaea, Sailor Zephyrus, Sailor Notos, Sailor Eurus, and Sailor Boreus. It's been a while since there was anything about that Tuxedo Mask dude either. Do you thing the Planetary Sailor Guardians disbanded or something?" Makoto asked.
"Hmm. Seems possible." Ami answered. "What do you think, Ayame?"
Ayame was silent as she thought best to answer. "Maybe they have, but not because of an argument. The Sailor Guardians appeared when strange things were happening in Tokyo. It's been pretty quiet these days, maybe they solved the problem and disbanded because they're no longer necessary. Or they're taking a vacation. It is close to Christmas." Ayame offered her explanation.
"That makes sense, I guess." Makoto said as they walked up to the others.
"Hey, girls. Are you about done here?" Ayame asked.
"I guess, but seriously Ayame, these toys don't even come close to the real things!" Naru complained as she held a toy version of the Earth Defender Blade.
"How do you know, it doesn't?" Ami asked, making Naru scramble for an answer.
"Um, well, you see," She said before calming down and answering. "I've unfortunately have had to be saved by the Sailor Guardians multiple times. So I've seen them up close and saw their weapons. These just don't do them justice."
"You're so lucky, Naru. You've meet the Sailor Guardians and their so cool!" Usagi whined. "I wish I could get all of their merchandise, even if you say they're not like what they actually look like. They're still cool."
"Come on, Usagi. That's enough for one day. We all need to head home. Santa is coming soon so you best be on good behavior or he won't get you anything." Ayame threatened, making Usagi easily comply.
After paying for their purchases, the girls bundled themselves as they headed out into the cold. To Ayame's surprise, Nephrite was parked outside waiting.
When Usagi and Makoto saw him both were gushing.
"Wow! He's hot! He looks like a model or something." Usagi said as Ayame could have sworn she saw hearts in the blonde's eyes. "Who do think he's waiting for?"
"He reminds me of they guy who broke my heart..." Makoto muttered as her cheeks flushed and her eyes glazed over as she went into her own little world.
Ayame sighed at their reaction. Usagi's was just like the one she had when she first saw Nephrite and Makoto was being her regular boy crazy self when she met about that reminded her of her senpai.
"Hold you're horses, Makoto." Naru said with Ayame joining in.
"He's taken." Ayame said as she walked past the others and headed over to Nephrite along Naru.
Looking up, Nephrite smiled at them before meeting them half way and hugging first Naru and then Ayame along with a quick kiss on the lips.
Looking back at the others, Usagi and Makoto's jaws had dropped and stood there in shock. Poor Ami was blushing and had covered her eyes though she peaked between her fingers.
"What are you doing here, Masato?" Ayame asked.
"I thought since I was done with work and in the area, I would swing by and pick up my little sister and my girlfriend." Masato answered as he mussed up Naru's hair affectionately at the little sister part and held Ayame closer at girlfriend.
"Thank you Masato, that was very sweet of you." Ayame replied as she hugged him again.
"Sister?!" Usagi yelled confused. She never heard of her best friend having such a gorgeous elder brother.
Turning to the others Naru began reintroducing them. "Allow me to introduce everyone. Masato, you already meet Taura." Naru said as both nodded in greeting to each other before Naru continued. "This is Ami Mizuno, the smartest girl in our school. Makoto Kino, the strongest girl in school and a good cook. And Usagi Tsukino, the biggest klutz."
Usagi yelling in protest.
"Everyone, this is Masato Sanjouin. Ayame's boyfriend and my big brother figure. So no, Usagi, by blood we are not related." Naru explained.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm glad Naru and Ayame have so many interesting friends." Nephrite greeted them.
To which the others politely returned. Though, Makoto's wasn't a cheery as the others due to being slightly disappointed he was already taken.
"Shall we get going?" Nephrite asked, addressing Naru, Ayame, and Taura to which they nodded.
Looking at the others, he apologized. "Forgive me. I would offer dropping you all of home, but I'm afraid we all wouldn't fit."
"Oh, ah, thanks okay. We'll be fine." Ami assured him.
"You should all walk home together and hang out some more." Ayame suggested. While it was an unexpected turn of events, it was the prefect opportunity for the three of them to get to know each other and Ayame didn't want it going to waste.
They agreed and saying their farewells Usagi, Ami, and Makoto headed home. Going to the car, Taura, Ayame, Naru, and Nephrite hopped in.
As he started the car, Taura spoke up. "So, why did you came after us and picked us up? And don't just say it was because you couldn't wait to see your girlfriend, either."
Nephrite glanced as her using the rearview mirror before looking back at the road. "Something had been going on near Hiroko's place. She didn't tell me what exactly was going on. She wanted us all together so she could explain and not have to repeat herself and waste time telling the same story. What I do know is that whatever's going on and casing trouble involves her uncle and the graveyard."
"Is he showing any signs of remembering his time as a monster?" Ayame asked.
"No. The problem isn't the uncle. He's been doing fine from what Hiroko did tell me. He is, however, the one that brought whatever is going on to Hiroko's attention."
"Something happening in a graveyard so close to Christmas? What is this? The Nightmare Before Christmas? The Christmas Carol? Don't tell me we have to fight some ghost. Someone, call the Ghostbusters!" Taura joked.
"Could it be a monster?" Naru asked.
"I doubt it. But, there's no real way to be sure unless we look into it ourselves. It's best to be safe just in case." Nephrite answered before changing the subject. "On a lighter note, are you all looking forward to the Christmas party?"
Reminding them of the party they planed to have soon at the mansion. It was going to be a party for all of those from the former Golden Kingdom of Earth. While the Four Kings of Heaven were the hosts, Ayame and the girls would be coming along with Mamoru. The guys having invited him. Even Helios was going to show up. The story for Mamoru was going to be Helios was Kunzite's relative.
Ayame was looking forward to being formally introduced to her brother and being surrounded by her old friends. She was sad she couldn't spend it with the rest of her old family from the Golden Kingdom and her brother didn't even remember her, but she tried to not let it bother her.
She was happy and thankful for the parents she had in this era and happy she was soon going to spend time with Mamoru.
"I'm looking forward to it." Taura answered.
"I'm sure you two are excited. I remember Zoisite telling me he got some mistletoe the other day." Naru teased the couple.
Making them both slightly blush. Before Naru could continue to torment her brother and friend, Nephrite pulled up beside the side walk and parked the car in front of Hiroko's family shop. Piling out of the car, they saw Hiroko come out of the sidedoor of the shop and greet them.
"Hey, guys. Sorry for making you come over unexpectedly, but I'm glad you could come on such short notice. Follow me, the others are already waiting." Hiroko said as she led them through the door and inside.
Ayame sighed in relief at the warm temperature as they walked up the stairs to the home above where Hiroko and her family lived.
"Will we be bothering you parents with all of us here?" Ayame asked.
"No. They're out at the church with uncle." Hiroko answered as they entered and were directed to the dining room where the rest of the Four Kings of Heaven Jadeite, Kunzite, and Zoisite stood leading against the walls or in Jadeite's case, sitting on the table. Nanami and Jing were also there drinking hot chocolate as they waited.
Seeing them enter the others acknowledged them and once everyone was settled down, Hiroko didn't waste a moment to start explaining.
"Thank you all for coming. I'm sorry to do this when we are all busy cleaning up after the Dark Kingdom and getting ready for Christmas, but something has come to my attention and I thought it would be best to inform the rest of you and get your thoughts on the matter." Hiroko said as she leaned on the table.
"What's gotten you all worked up?" Jing asked.
"Is it a ghost~! Whooow~" Nanami joked as she made the sound effects and pretended to be menacing.
"You might be right." Hiroko answered as she sighed, the others shocked as they settled down and grew serious.
"Recently, according to my uncle, weird things have been happening recently in the nearby graveyard at night. It all really started a few nights ago when some idiots got into their heads that it would be a good idea to sneak in late into the graveyard as a test of courage. Daring each to spend the night in there. They saw something and it attacked them. My uncle had heard them screaming and unlocked the graveyard gate to let them out. The guys were alright for the most part, but even Uncle can tell something was going on in there. He could feel it. Others have gone in over the last few days and the same thing happened over and over again. My uncle is worried."
"Do you have any idea what attacked them?" Kunzite asked.
"From the boys own accounts, I do have a basic idea of what attacked them. There's also something my uncle told me that matches the boys description and that happened the same day as these incidents. There is a high possibility of the two stories being connected."
"The same day these incidents occurred, there were three burials. According to uncle, it all began with a beautiful young woman. Previously, Uncle was going to perform the wedding ceremony for her and her fiancé. Whom she was very, very much in love with. When he had meet her to make arrangements and such, Uncle could tell how much she loved her fiancé."
"She had been counting the days until they were to be married. Her fondest dream was that they would always love each other, and live happily ever after with their future children they would have later on."
"Finally, the day arrived whereupon she was to be married. Uncle, himself, was looking forward to it. When the bride arrived to the sound of the wedding march, she looked absolutely radiant, as she stood at the altar, in her white wedding dress. But, the groom wasn't there. Uncle hadn't seen him for an hour or two when he excused himself earlier. Uncle had thought it was the groom being nervous and needing air."
"The bride waited, along with all their family and friends. However, the maid of honor was also missing, who was the bride's sister. As the hours went by, the bride realized what everybody suspected: her husband-to-be had skipped out, and left her standing at the altar!"
"Later, the bride found out why the groom had never showed up, along with her sister... he had fallen in love with her maid of honor and twin sister! The next day, the bride found out they had eloped and were now married!"
"The bride soon found out where they had gone on their honeymoon and withholding this information, told her friends she wanted to go there to get away from it all. They were sorry for her and agreed. That night, according to one of her friends, the bride went to her closet and gotten out her wedding dress. The bride told them she was going to go burn it and wanted to be alone."
"What she really did was that she went down to the hotel's gardening shed, and found a big, sharp axe. She hid it along with her dress and pretended to be her sister. Telling the staff she had lost her key and walked to room thirteen where her sister was. Outside the room, the bride put on her wedding dress. Inside, her sister and her husband were asleep in their bed; they never saw the terrible event coming!"
"The friends had gotten worried and searched for the bride, after talking to the staff, they all opened the door and found her sitting in the rocking chair next to the bodies, rocking herself, and smiling, while she hummed the Wedding March!"
"In her hand was the head of her former fiancé. Then, in horror, they could only watch as she jumped from her chair, and leaped out the window, resulting in her demise!"
"Afterwards, her family had them all transported back home and had the remains buried out in the cemetery. The bride in her wedding dress, as her last wishes on a note her friends found dictated."
"According to the boys, each account they had given, they had been walking through the graveyard when they saw woman dressed in a wedding dress, she rose from the grave, and was wandering around among the headstones, humming the Wedding March, and in her hands, instead of a normal bouquet of flowers, was a human skull with flowers sticking through the eye holes. When she saw the boys, she threw the skull like a bride would sometimes throw her bouquet for single women to catch behind her back. The skull had hit some of the boys and chased after them, biting them and nipping at their heels."
"The bite marks have been confirmed to be humans." Hiroko informed them, finishing the story.
"So this all began with an unfaithful groom. What a creep!" Ayame said.
"The guy did have it coming." Zoisite added.
"Now hold on a minute. I wouldn't rush to judge so fast. We don't know the full details. It takes two to get married. The sister of the bride might have been to blame. She could have tricked the groom like the bride tricked the hotel staff. Though, if the groom had really loved the bride, he should have known it was a trick. The sister was cruel to marry the man her sister was about to marry. Both the groom and the sister are to blame for what happened. Anyway, based on what we know, I would have to agree with you guys."
"No matter who is to blame, that doesn't matter right now. We have a bigger problem." Taura reminded them. "Whoever or what ever it attacking those boys needs to be dealt with."
Turning to the Four Kings of Heaven, Taura addressed her question to them. "Does this story and the description of what the boys claim remind you of any monsters from the Dark Kingdom?"
"None that particularly come to mind. What about you Jadeite? You used the most of your own monsters than the rest of us. Zoisite only used a handful of his own minions, Yasha, Grape, Suzuran, Housenka who almost killed me and the Seven Great Monsters." Nephrite listed. "Kunzite turned humans into monsters to fulfill his schemes and I used a few of my own. Are there any monsters that remind you of this particular case?" Nephrite asked.
"Not really." Jadeite answered with a shake of his head. "Either way, monster of the Dark Kingdom, a real ghost, or some civilian causing trouble, we need to look into the matter. We can't let something like this go unchecked."
"We can't let a monster run amok so close to Christmas!" Taura added. The others nodding their sentiments. Everyone turning to their leader for the final verdict.
"If everyone is in agreement then we must take action. Tonight, we need to go to the cemetery and get to the bottom of this." Ayame declared. "Hiroko. Do you think your uncle will let us in to the cemetery and let us investigate?"
"I think so. With Kunzite, Zoisite, and Nephrite with us, I'm sure he will let us in." Hiroko answered.
"Then what are we waiting for!? Let's go!" Jing said as she got up and headed for the door.
"Let's go get that ghost!" Nanami cheered as she followed her friend.
Everyone emitting an amused chuckle or giggle as the piled out of the house and headed to the cemetery.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
The night time winter wind nipping at their noses as they slightly huddled together and walked to the church by the cemetery. Few stars could be seen due to the light of the city around them and the moonlight above. Going in to the church, Hiroko went to get permission and came back quickly with the key and a flashlight.
"Uncle gave us permission. He gave me a copy of the key so we can let ourselves in and out. I just have to make sure I return it later." Hiroko informed them.
Leading the way, Hiroko lead them to the gate and unlocked the door. The door creaking as it opened wide for them. Naru held back as the others entered.
"What's up Naru?" Nanami asked.
"You guys go ahead. I'll stay here and make sure no one else enters the cemetery. If there is a monster in there, I won't be able to fight and just get in the way. It's better this way." Naru reminded them.
"Stay safe. We'll be back soon." Nephrite told her as he hugged his sister and headed in.
Hiroko handed Naru the key and after they all entered the graveyard, Naru locked the door behind them.
"Let's go. The grave of the bride, the groom, and the sister are this way." Hiroko said as she lead the way acting as their guide.
As they walked, Ayame glanced around and found the graveyard was pretty much the same as the time when she came there before. The weather, season, and time of day being the only key differences.
As they walked, the graveyard was mostly well kept. The grass hidden under snow and the cover of darkness. Some of the older graves had been taking the test of time and failing. Some of the tombstones tumbled and broken with weather-worn inscriptions. Ayame could make out bouquets of wilting flowers some family members had placed in remembrance for those long gone. There were even some candles lit on some graves. White or gray granite tombstones glowing in the moonlight and light reflected off of the snow.
Except for the sound of the snow crunching under their feet, the graveyard was silent as the...well...grave. They couldn't make out any sounds of the city that surrounded them.
As they walked the graves began to close in on them and the path narrow. Before them, they came to a type of plaza in the graveyard. On their sides, they looked to see nothing but tombstones. In front of them was open space for more graves to be placed. In the center however, were three new graves. Mounds of dirt piled in front of each marker.
There was a couples grave marker with the names Etsuko and Kin Hayashi. The presumed groom and sister of the story they were told earlier. The grave beside their was Katsumi Mori. The betrayed bride and sister.
Gathering around, the others were silent as they observed their surroundings. The world quiet, holding it's breath for something to happen. Anything.
Nanami was the first to break the silence.
"What do we do now? Wait for whatever is out here to show up? What time did whatever is her show up?" She asked Hiroko who just shrugged.
Looking at they guys she addressed the next question to them. "Does anyone sense anything? Like it having the similar energy to one of your monsters?"
Concentrating, the guys said nothing until Kunzite gasped, drawing everyone's attention to him.
"I think I'm beginning to detect something. It's faint and not as strong compared to it, but it's similar to the energy emitted from that Lake Yokai!" Kunzite exclaimed.
"Why is it not as strong?" Jing asked.
"I believe because Katsumi Mori only became a ghost recently. That Lake Yokai had been sealed away for years. Her hate having accumulated over the years of her imprisonment. The bitterness growing stronger as it was bottled up. Katsumi Mori has not been sealed away and in terms of time spent as a ghost is young. She hasn't had the time to let her hate fester so she doesn't possess that much power as the Lake Yokai." Kunzite explained.
"Well, that's nice to know and all, but what are we going to do about it? We don't have all night to battle a ghost no matter how strong or weak it is. Can we even physically hurt a ghost? That Yokai was physical. Even then she could regenerate." Nanami pointed out.
"Like Kunzite said, the ghost isn't as powerful as that Yokai. Even if it was physical, it wouldn't have the power to regenerate due to it being weaker. That ghost still has energy. If we can exhaust it, then we can possibly defeat it." Zoisite commented.
"Then how do we get the ghost attention?" Nanami asked.
"Well, in the case of the Yokai, Dark Endymion broke the seal and unleashed her. But there is no seal here." Kunzite recalled.
"We could call for her, or try to summon her somehow. She keeps attacking men right? Maybe you guys could be bait." Taura suggested, an evil grin on her face.
Making the men look uncomfortable with being bait until Nephrite came up with a joke.
"I offer Zoisite as tribute. He should already be used to being bait." Nephrite joked as he nudged the man. Referring to the time Zoisite had dressed up as Sailor Moon to lure Tuxedo Mask into a trap.
"Hey! Can't you go for one day without insulting me!" Zoisite yelled as he punched his fellow warrior.
"Wait a sec. Couldn't Jadeite touch her? He is a soul after all. He could probably attack her and have no trouble defeating her." Jing asked as they looked at the cat.
"Whoa, whoa, there! Do you have any idea what you are asking here!? I may be a spirit, but I'm not going anywhere near her. I'm still alive. She's a spirit of the dead. We are total opposites. I might get whisked away to the afterlife! Despite looking like a cat, I don't have nine lives. I'm not taking any chances here!" Jadeite rebuked.
"What are you, a scaredy-cat?" Zoisite taunted this time.
"I am not!" The cat yelled back.
"Prove it then." Zoisite tried to provoke him further.
"I see what you're trying to do and I'm not falling for it! I don't have to prove anything to you!" Jadeite yelled.
Before a bigger argument could break out, Ayame shushed them. Looking towards their princess in confusion, Ayame motioned for them to be silent. It was faint at first, but slowly and surly, the distinct tune of the wedding march was being hummed and growing louder and louder. The sound originating from the grave of Katsumi Mori.
Seeing this as their cue, the group nodded to each other as they transformed.
"Gaea Founding Power! Make Up!"
"Zephyrus Power! Make Up!"
"Notus Power! Make Up!"
"Eurus Power! Make Up!"
"Boreus Power! Make Up!"
As the girls transformed, the Four Kings of Heaven transformed into their true uniforms as the knights of Prince Endymion.
By now, the humming had grown louder as the ghost finally appeared. Rising up from her grave like morning mist, the ghost of Katsumi Mori appeared before them.
Floating in the air, the ghost was transparent and lacked color. Her form simply in monochrome. Her hair and eyes were black and her cheeks and lips were a shade of grey which may have been blush and lipstick. Her hair was cut in a short bob cut and Katsumi also wore a shot veil that draped behind her head. Like the story said, Katsumi was wearing a white wedding dress, but it was slightly torn here and there. Presumably from her fall which lead to her death. Her neck was also crooked at an odd angle, which was probably where her neck snapped.
Despite her deathly parlor, Katsumi was a lovely woman.
In her arms, was a human skull, in the eye sockets were flowers. Looking at the flowers, Ayame could make out a few of the flowers. Forget-me-nots representing true love. Lily of the Valley meaning the Promise of Happiness. Tiger Lily for Wealth and Prosperity. Peony for Nobility, Respect and Good Fortune. Tulip for Trust.
It was sad that promises these flowers represented didn't come to pass for the poor bride.
The girls readied themselves for battle, but the ghost's eyes weren't on the girls. Instead, the ghost was solely focused on the men.
Katsumi smiled at them before her face twisted into a look of pure hate and loathing. Turning her back to them, the ghost threw the skull like the bride she was meant to be. Throwing the bouquet and skull behind her back.
The skull had almost hit the men as they backed away from it only for skull to chase after them. Attempting to bite them. Seeing the ghost had thrown her only weapon at the men, the girls rushed forth to attack.
First up was Sailor Eurus. "Harvest Vines." Vines springing forth from the frozen ground reaching for the ghost only to go right through her.
Next came Sailor Boreus, "Crushing Blizzard!" Only for the attack to do the same.
Even with Sailor Notus using Rage Fireworks, Sailor Zephyrus using Gentle Hurricane, and Sailor Gaea using Dawn's Rose, all their attacks did nothing to the ghost.
"Darn it! At this rate we won't be able to defeat her no matter how much we attack!" Sailor Boreus yelled.
"We can't give up yet." Sailor Zephyrus said, before a thought hit her.
Looking back at guys, Sailor Zephyrus noticed the skull was tangible even though it was the same as the ghost. The skull transparent. But if it was the same, then how was it able to attack them? Looking back at Katsumi, the ghost was now sitting on her fiancé's and sister's tomb stone, covering it with her dress. The Ghost still wasn't looking at the girls as she watched the skull continue to torment the guys with sadistic twisted glee.
"The Skull! It's the source of her power! She moved it to the skull to it had to power to attack the material world! If we destroy it, then Katsumi will be weakened," Sailor Zephyrus yelled, the ghost finally turning her attention to the girls as she glared.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I'm saving girls like you from sharing my fate! These men must pay before they hurt anyone else!" Katsumi shouted, the skull going berserk as it went after the men with vengeance.
Now that they knew her weakness, Katsumi started running towards the skull, possibly to retrieve it.
"Oh, no you don't!" Jadeite shouted as his cat form transformed into his human form and restrained Katsumi.
"Let me go, you beast! You vile man! Let me go!" Katsumi screamed.
With the ghost distracted, Sailor Eurus restrained the skull "Harvest Vines!" The vines quickly trapping it.
With the skull at last restrained, Nephrite, Zoisite, and Kunzite took out their swords and each of them thrusted them down. Breaking the skull beyond repair.
"NO!" Katsumi yelled as her power weakened.
To their surprise, from out of the skull two more ghosts appeared. Both were dressed in night clothes. One was a woman that looked exactly like Katsumi, which they assumed was Etsuko. The other ghost was a man, slightly taller than the twin sisters. He had a mustache and short, neatly combed-back black hair. Lines around their necks from where the ax had severed their heads.
Katsumi had gone limp in Jadeite's hold, seeing she wasn't going anywhere, he let her go. Shivering as he tried to warm up his hands.
Looking around, the ghosts seemed confused until they settled on Katsumi. Taking in the situation, the ghosts politely nodded to the Guardians of Earth. Approaching Katsumi, the married couple drew close to her. Their faces sad and regretful.
"We're sorry, Katsumi. We really are. We're sorry to have caused you so much pain." The couple said.
"We should have explained... Before things went out of control... " Etsuko started.
"Miss Katsumi... I'm afraid you have everything all wrong... I'm not Kin... I'm his twin brother... Gin..." The man now known as Gin explained.
Katsumi and the others gasping at this revelation.
"We meet a long time ago after you had met Kin. We eventually fell in love. I'm sorry I never told you. We were going to surprise everyone with Gin being the best man. Gin was going to propose to me at your wedding party."
"My brother... Your fiancé... On the day of your wedding... he had tried to hurt Etsuko... He had tried to take her by force... I happened to be there and stopped him. I killed my brother. I didn't mean to, but I did. We took the body and disposed of it. I knew I would be accused of murder, even with Etsuko's word to back me up... People would think I forced her...I would be found guilty and go to jail. We eloped. We were planning to tell you, but..." Gin gestured to their necks.
Katsumi gasped as she realized what she had done, tears flowing from her eyes as she hugged her sister and brother-in-law. Begging for their forgiveness. Soon the tears calmed. After the crying had settled down, the three ghosts turned to the others bowing, the three of them thanking them for releasing Gin and Etsuko and helping Katsumi.
With that done, the three shot up into the air and like the Lake Yokai, disappeared into the sky.
"Well, that happened. Who's up for calling it a night and going home to warm beds?" Sailor Gaea asked.
The group letting out a collective assortment of agreement as they transformed back and headed out of the graveyard. Meeting back up with Naru, they locked the gate and all headed home to rest. After all, Christmas Eve was tomorrow.