The scenes from this chapter are taken from Episode 13-14 of the PGSM Live Action.
Chapter 6 – SHIN (Part Two)
I had gone to Shin's house the next morning to pass him the items Usagi bought and collected. I was still reeling from my epiphany the day before, but as I tossed and turned in bed the night before, I had decided one thing. I was not going to do anything about it. I couldn't. Hina was the one I was supposed to love and I was going try to do just that for the rest of my life. My obligations were to her. She deserved that from me, her future husband.
In any case, Usagi did not see me in that way. I was probably just an annoying jerk to her, though the day before did prove we could spend time together without arguing all the time. As for Sailor Moon, I would continue protecting her. And also continue to compete with the senshi for the Ginzuishou. So it was an impossible situation anyway. It was not as if I was in too deep. I could rein in my feelings. I had to. I had to believe I could do it. And I was not going to be melodramatic about it.
I had taken a deep breath and gritted my teeth as I stood before Shin's house. For the moment, I concentrated on Shin.
"I know what's it like to be afraid to remember. I was the same at first. But I can't run from myself. Even without my memory. That's why... I'm going to keep trying to find myself."
I had known I could not really be of assistance, but hoped my personal experience could help a little. My search was probably much more complicated than his, what with princesses, crystals, youmas and magical girls, but the theory should be the same.
His answer puzzled me though. "What I' truly afraid of is of losing myself, the part of me that likes these things... if I said I wasn't human, would you believe me?"
It seemed almost prophetic. After those words, Shin did lose himself. A strange wind whipped out of nowhere and I was thrown to the floor. Shin collapsed as well. I tried to get to him but the gale in the house was too strong. I had not understood what was going on, but I was sure it was nothing good. There was a stench of evil to it. Then I saw Shin's eyes. Youma. They looked like the eyes of the youmas the senshi had been battling, filled with mindless hatred.
As I crouched against the wall, protecting myself from the punishing force of the wind, I suddenly thought of her.
Usagi.
Usagi was coming to Shin's house at any moment.
I had to stop her.
Painfully and almost excruciatingly slowly, I had made my way to the door. I shoved the door open with my whole body and finally managed to get it open. Casting a helpless look at Shin who was curled up in agony on the floor, I had stumbled out of the house. I could not help him then. My priority was to first save Usagi.
I was in time. Spying her at the gate, I just managed to intercept her before she reached the house itself. I was relieved when she accepted my lies easily and even more so when she received a call that made it impossible for her to stay any longer. I wanted her out of harm's way.
As soon as she was out of my sight, I rushed back to the house. It was too quiet, a contrast to few minutes before. The unnatural storm was over. In place of Shin, was a man dressed in a similar attire to the Shitennou I had been battling. Yet there was a subtle difference. With him, I could feel his deadly power. His whole stance had spoken of a readiness to battle. I had the distinct feeling he was more powerful than the rest of them combined. I had known I was facing my most dangerous opponent. I was right. Even as I got ready to defend myself, he attacked so swiftly I did not have time to react. Then he had disappeared.
It was then I felt Sailor Moon in danger. I seemed to have developed a link with her during the past weeks. It had not been very strong but it was there. I was able to sense it when she was battling youmas and I had found that if I concentrated hard enough, I could feel a slight pull which would lead me to her. That was how I managed to get to her in the I.O.Z Hall before Zoisite could harm her. I did not know then why this link had appeared and could only assume that it was part of my magical abilities. Something that came along with the transformation, speed, healing abilities and fighting skills. Whatever the case, it was convenient.
After transforming into Tuxedo Kamen, I sprinted to where she was. The Juban Performance Hall. I was too late. Shin, or more fittingly, Kunzite, had already gotten to her. I was not fast enough. As Sailor Moon fell, I could only stare in horror. For a moment, I thought she had died. I had wanted to die. Then, as I rushed to her side, I realized she was breathing. Relief had overwhelmed me as she stood up on her own.
It was then I saw her eyes. I was in a nightmare. It was the exact same eyes I had seen earlier. With Shin.
No... no... no!!!
"Sailor Moon," I had whispered. I refused to believe what happened to Shin would happen to her.
I could only retreat as she advanced towards me, eyes filled with hatred. My mind was a blank. It was something even my worst nightmares could not conjure up.
Then she stopped.
Her eyes returned to normal. She returned to normal.
I thanked all the gods I never believed much in.
"Are you really fine?" I still worried though. Her hatred-filled eyes were a sight I would never be able to forget. Was she really going to be able to suppress the evil energy?
That worry bothered me all through the New Year holiday, though I had assumed she was fine since I did not feel anything from my link to her. So, I found myself at the Crown Karaoke the next day, my feet unconsciously leading me to where I wanted to be, instead of to the library where I had originally intended. I promised myself I would take one look to ensure she was fine and walk away. Instead, I had seen her slumped over her friend, Ami, a slight girl who was obviously having difficulty supporting Usagi's weight.
As I rushed over to help, my worst fears were confirmed when I glimpsed the hair on the back of her neck. She was losing the battle with the demon within. She was going to change into a youma. I had to stop that from happening. I did not know how to but I was not going to leave her at that point. On impulse, I offered to carry her back home.
As we walked to Ami’s home, I felt Usagi getting colder and colder. She was unconscious and entirely limp. It was a Usagi I was not used to. She had always been full of energy and life. Then, it was almost as if she were dying. I could not shake off the grim thoughts.
As I left Ami's apartment after settling Usagi there, I had stationed myself near the building. I wanted to be there if anything happened. Usagi was turning into a youma. I felt useless. The only thing I could do was wait.
Minutes turned to hours. Each minute was a torture. Then, as the first stars appeared in the night sky, I sensed Sailor Moon in danger. At almost the same moment, Ami ran past me. What I feared had happened. I shot off in an instant, following the pull. I was going to be there for her.
She was not going to turn into a youma.
I had been desperate to believe that. I would believe that.
And by some miracle, my wish came true.
When I got there, Sailor Moon was there, not Usagi. She had not turn into a youma. I did not even have time to feel the relief and joy when Kunzite attacked. I blocked it. I was not going to let him hurt her a second time. Once was more than enough.
As we pitted our strength against each other, I could feel the dark power emanating from him. He was truly no longer Shin. The man who had liked white flowers, greenery and the sea was gone. Or at least hidden so deep that he could not be found. After Sailor Moon blasted her power at him, he disappeared once again.
Sailor Moon was back. Usagi was back. I smiled.
