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

Chapter VIII

Oblivion was coming to claim him. Seiya couldn't let it end like this……but how was he supposed to change this horrid bend in his fate ? He was absolutely powerless in this death grip. His hunters were getting what they desired……and Seiya didn't even know what they truly wanted.

Still unwilling to take his last gulps of air, Seiya's legs swung wildly as his body withered like a dead planet in his enemy's grasp. The black aura suffocated him to the extreme as his fingers feebly tried to unlock the black-plated grip.

His throat and chest felt like they were about to explode. Something was crawling its way upwards inside him.

All of a sudden, Seiya was plunged feet-first towards the ground. The iron grip dropped him so abruptly, he didn’t have time to breathe before he hit the surface. Blindly, Seiya's hand clutched his chest. He lay on the ground, heaving hard at the incoherent scenes that flashed before him.

Seiya's vision was blurred terribly as cold sweat poured down the side of his face. He strained weakly to see Usagi but all he heard was her screams. He tried yelling her name but all that came out of his mouth was a croaked puff of air.

Pain etched Seiya's face as he dragged himself forward to save Usagi. Whatever strength, no matter how little, he would use it to protect her. It was his promise.

Only until after he managed to drag himself one centimeter, Seiya then realized that he and Usagi were not alone to fend for themselves. He strained hard to see the bouncing and sharp attacks that were going on before his eyes.

Two figures on an offensive attack charged at the one that tried to suck something out of him. Seiya couldn't make it out.

After a few seconds, his vision cleared just enough. Seiya almost stopped breathing for a moment. Then he bitterly thought, [ My grief has long taken its toll on me……..] He thought what he was seeing was a cruel illusion that his mind had conjured up against him.

Usagi stared wide-eyed and in pure disbelief. One of the hunters was about crush her with a blow when a powerful kicked had taken it to the side. Usagi wanted to faint at this sight and thought it was just a dream coming to rescuing both her and Seiya from a nightmare.

But it was as real as it came.

" Taiki !" Usagi cried.

" Usagi, get down !!!" Taiki yelled. Automatically, Usagi responded by doing so. She watched from under her hands, and on the ground, Taiki pick up one of the heavy silver weapons that the hunters dropped. He grasped it with two hands and with one mighty heave, he lifted it once and swung it hard. The blade of the sword hit a hunter square in the arm. Black blood etched the silver of the weapon.

Seiya could hear footsteps running across the grass towards him. He couldn't bring himself to move a muscle. The power inside him was still surging like a sickness. He had no strength and hardly any bearings.

The footsteps came closer as shoes appeared in front of his face. Seiya did not look up and his eyes were like slits. All he could emit was a weak croak.

He heard a voice. A masculine voice. The next thing Seiya knew, he was being turned over and he was looking at a blurry vision of a young man with long silver hair. The hairstyle similar to Seiya's own.

" Seiya ?! Seiya !" Yaten shook him, trying to be gentle with his shaking. Concern and worry were coursing through the young man's veins as he tried to revive his long lost comrade. He stared into Seiya's pale face.

Seiya pupils, barely visible through his slit-like eyes, turned themselves slowly upwards. A wave of emotions passed over Seiya that moment as he weakly mouthed Yaten's name.

Yaten felt moisture prickle at the corners of his eyes but he didn't care." Come on. We have to get out of here." Without another word, Yaten stood up and hoisted Seiya up with him.

The pain was excruciating when Seiya was made to stand. Yaten received a dry howl of affliction as he hurried and tried to run with Seiya.

Both Taiki and Usagi met them.

" Usagi, Yaten ! Get Seiya out of here now !" Taiki ordered as soon as he saw Seiya.

" But what about you ?!" Yaten asked loudly.

" I'll hold them off until you three get out of here !"

" What ? Are you sick in the head or something ?! Stop playing hero and let's all just get the hell out of here !"

Usagi felt a stab of worry as soon as she saw Seiya. After regaining her fallen locket, she hurriedly went to help Yaten and shifted his weight onto hers so that Yaten didn't support him completely.

A hunter swung hard in Taiki's direction. Taiki ducked and came up with a hard blow with the sword to its stomach. The silver metal dripped with black blood as the tip of the sword presented itself from the back of the hunter.

The hunter's face was still soulless and cold as it staggered back only a few short steps. Taiki broke into a run and headed towards Yaten, Usagi and Seiya.

Although because of a limp Seiya, their getaway speed was indeed low.

" The mall is only a short way from here." Usagi explained as they continued to run." My car is parked there and we can get away."

Taiki could only nod as they rounded a turn.

Yaten looked back briefly. The sound of tearing metal was growing faint and soon relief was starting to weave in.

Usagi was more than troubled at the experience. First-hand, she had experienced Seiya's position of the past year. This is what it felt like to run from them. It felt like you were going to die and only running was pushing back the exact time of your death. Now what even worried her more was the scene she had just witnessed.

Seiya's helpless body had been dangling in front of her and she had been totally powerless. The black aura…..his screaming…….the visions………

The four didn't take anymore glances behind them as they rounded another corner and headed for the mall parking lot.

* * * * *

" Hello may I please speak with Ami-chan ?……Arigatou." Minako waited patiently as the phone was put down temporarily. Then it was lifted up again and Ami's voice had come through.

" Minako-chan ?" Ami said." Hello, how are you ?"

" I'm…..fine." Minako hesitated. She swallowed the hollow feeling in her throat.

Instantly, Ami's face grew worried. Her friend sounded grim." Minako, what is it ? Are you alright ?" she asked again in a more serious tone.

" Listen Ami, do you think you can come to the temple in about an hour ?…..It's really important."

Minako's voice sounded hushed and not at all like her usual bright note.

" A-alright. I'll be there." Ami held the phone in quiet distress.

* * * * *

" Here. Hurry, put him on the couch."

Taiki had taken Seiya off Usagi's throbbing shoulder and with Yaten, deposited him on the couch. Usagi ran to Seiya's room for the bandages and the bottle of ointment. She set them down on the living room table and went to the kitchen for a wet rag.

Yaten gave Taiki a look of dismay as they both kneeled close to Seiya.

" It was too close this time." Taiki said suddenly." I've never seen the black aura flicker so rapidly."

Yaten nodded." They've been chasing him for it."

Seiya's eyes opened fully but it cost him a definite amount of soreness. He groaned at his ailment and peered up at the two grim faces that looked over him." Usagi ? Where's Usagi ?" he immediately croaked out.

" Seiya, calm down." Came Taiki's voice." It's alright, she's fine." The young man on the couch winced at the sound of the voice.

" Yaten……Taiki……." Seiya didn't have much of a look of disbelief but his hushed tone was more than enough to convince them that he couldn't believe what he saw. Attempting to sit up, he tried not to wince at the ache in his body as both his companions pushed him back down.

"….What…..how……please……" he said pleadingly as he looked up at them. [ ……Please don't let this be a dream…….], he thought as moisture gathered at his eyes. Despite the immobility of his body, inside, Seiya was screaming for joy.

" Later." Yaten said as he smiled down.

Usagi returned with the rag. She knelt down as she started to dab at Seiya's forehead. The cut from before had reopened and the red slit looked like an angry wound.

Taiki fetched the role of bandages that Usagi brought. He unbuttoned his shirt and tried not to grimace as he stared down at the cut at his side. [ And I thought it was just a scratch. ]

Usagi had also brought in another set of rags and a bowl of water. Taiki himself cleaned the wound and proceeded to the strap the bandages. Meanwhile, Yaten was nursing the gash on his forearm with the ointment.

Seiya stared up at Usagi with great relief and worry at the same time. He lifted a shaking hand to put it to her cheek." You're safe…….." he said as Usagi wound her fingers through the hand that touched her face. She nodded numbly as tears filled her eyes.

" Oh Seiya……I'm so sorry…….please forgive me."

He shook his head, making the world around him spin." No. Odango, it wasn't your fault……they…..they came out of nowhere."

" I---shouldn't have pulled you to go to the mall……I feel so foolish……I was so stupid !...Seiya, I'm sorry….." Usagi sobbed quietly. Her tears began to soak his hand as every terrible scene with the hunters flashed through her mind.

Seiya pulled the shaking girl towards him and hugged her tightly, willingly, protectively. He stroked her hair with weak fingers as she buried her face into his chest. Usagi continued to mumble quiet and tearful apologies as Seiya whispered incoherent comforts into her ear.

A look of pure surprise crossed Yaten's face after he finished wrapping his gash. He watched as Usagi clutched Seiya for dear life and Seiya returning the gesture by placing a soft kiss on her temple. Yaten gave Taiki and blank look.

Taiki responded with an even more surprised look. Things have indeed taken quite a turn. Every action and presence in this room owed an explanation to each one of them.

After several minutes, Usagi had drawn back slightly from Seiya. Seiya spoke, willing to smile at the two people that were near him once again.

" Taiki……Yaten……how did you ?….." He trailed off. There were too many questions that were trying to come out all at once.

Usagi had also looked eagerly at them as well as had joy." Seiya……told me you had……"

Yaten put a hand on Seiya's shoulder to try to calm his eager look." After the fallen stone archway fell between us……" Taiki started.

------- FLASHBACK -------

Seiya pounded the harsh barrier of rock until he could endure it no more. " YATEN ! TAIKI ! NO !!!" He could do nothing, being as helpless as he was. Trembling, his red-stained fingers scratched the surface once more." DAMMIT !" he cursed, screaming.

Taiki gasped wildly as he whirled around. He had hit the ground pretty hard and the aching in his knee felt terrible. This was too be the end, wasn't it ? And Seiya was on the other side……

Yaten heaved himself up from the floor using the fallen barrier of rock as aid. He saw as Taiki looked back at the barrier. Though fear was in his violet eyes, there was also a determination. Yaten watched as Taiki screamed, " SEIYA ! GO !"

" WHAT ?!!! TAIKI, NO ! I-I won't leave without either of you !" Came the bewildered response from the other side.

But Taiki wouldn't take it. " SEIYA, YOU FOOL GO NOW !!!" He shouted desperately," If you don't leave now there's no chance !"

" No, I won't--"

Yaten put both his straining hands on the barrier. One of them had still a chance to survive. It was Seiya. He came to his brown-haired comrade's aid. " Seiya, if you don't get the fuck out of here you are dead !!! NOW GO, DAMMIT ! Leave us, go !!!" He screamed loudly as tears marred his vision.

The two who were about to be cornered didn't hear anything more of their companion after that. The sounds of the tearing metal were coming closer. Taiki could see the dim glow of Kinmonku's moon reflecting off the deadly silver of the weapons. He heard Yaten suck in a tight breath.

A sharp whizzing sound blew its way through the air. It flew stealthily by Taiki's ear and landed straight in Yaten's thigh. Yaten gave a cry as he fell to the floor once again.

" YATEN !" The silver-haired youth gasped loudly as he tried to grasp the small silver dagger. Blood matted Yaten's fingers as he grasped it tightly.

" Taiki….." he gasped." There may still be time…..leave…..now."

His comrade didn't listen. Instead, Taiki stayed by his side. He watched the lines of pain start to work its way into Yaten's forehead. Yaten squeezed his eyes tightly shut as he gave a pull. The dagger came loose out of his leg but at an ailing cost.

Taiki ripped his sleeve and was about to tie Yaten's leg when one of the hunters had charged its way up to them. Taiki was punched heavily to the side. He groaned loudly from the metal that connected to the side of his stomach.

Yaten was left staring up at his enemy. Its sword was being raised high above his head for one crushing blow. But Yaten gritted his teeth tightly. He would not go down this way, he had to fight even if this looked like the end of his rope. Just like Kakyuu, he would never give them the satisfaction of his surrender before his death.

With this in mind, Yaten gave a shout as he clutched the bloody dagger that he took from his leg. He drew strength from his fear and anger and launched the silver blade right into the hunter's eye.

The response was staggering. Yaten had to drag himself quickly away to keep from being trampled on. He grabbed the tear of Taiki's sleeve and quickly hoisted himself up. Limping, he called for Taiki and helped him stand.

The sound of more tearing metal was making its way down the hall from the corner." To the throne room !" Taiki said as Yaten grasped his shoulders for support." By the other passage we can get to the Transport Chamber !!!"

Yaten could only nod once as both of them fled as fast as they could.

They both dodged bolts of silver lightning that were right at their heels. Left and right they staggered crookedly through the broken halls to the throne room.

Kakyuu's immaculate throne room, once adorned with red and white magnificence, was now nothing but rubble. Taiki and Yaten made their way around the jagged rocks of destruction. They reached a door with an archway that look ready to crumble. Hurriedly, the both fled before the archway had a chance to move.

Taiki pushed Yaten in front of him as they ascended the narrow stone stairway to the top. The sounds of crumbling rock behind them started to go off. Yaten dragged himself to the top and quickly turned around to offer his hand to Taiki. His companion grasped it tightly and was pulled upward. They stumbled into the stone chamber.

" Taiki, look out !" Yaten yelled. Two hunters came from the other stairway on the other side of the room. Taiki moved to the side just in time before a dagger hit him.

Yaten limped towards the transport panel. His eyes widened when he saw that it was smashed. The beam of light wavered and blinked in front of them. If they wanted to escape, it had to be now. By the looks of it, it seemed that Seiya had a great deal of trouble getting to the chamber. He must have vanished a few seconds before.

Where Seiya must have landed, Yaten had no clue and neither did Taiki.

" The panel !" Yaten cried as he looked back at Taiki. He saw that his friend was wielding one of the heavy silver weapons and giving a hunter a mighty thrust.

" What ?!" Taiki replied.

" We have to go NOW ! The panel's smashed and the beam's going out !"

Taiki gashed his enemy's leg and threw down the heavy weight of the sword. He quickly whirled around and put an arm around Yaten's weight to support him. At that point, both limped into the beam before the final light of transport faded out forever.

------- END OF FLASHBACK -------

" Kinmonku isn't the only planet in our galaxy." Taiki told Usagi who was truly shocked by his and Yaten's story." The Transport Chamber was our last hope to escape. It didn't matter that we didn't know where we would land as long as we got away from them."

" You could also guess why the panel to the Transport Beam was badly damaged." Yaten said, looking at Seiya from the corner of his eye.

Seiya didn't notice but instead looked at them." Where did you end up ? I've been-- "

" We've been searching for you for a year now." Yaten cut him off." Why do you have to be so damn hard to track down ?" That comment made Seiya smile. He had to because he missed Yaten and Taiki too much.

" We landed on a neighboring planet unexpectedly. Kinmonku had its long alliance with the people of that world and we were fortunate enough that they recognized us. Immediately after we started to look for you." Taiki said, looking at Seiya." I had a feeling that those things weren't going to leave any of us alone."

" I too ended up on a planet that was apart of the alliance." Seiya explained." Lucky for me the people on Kaiv were the ones that had an interest with galaxy travel. They took me in but I knew I had to leave…….I should have left sooner because those soulless beings came after me again. They destroyed a city on Kaiv all because they were looking for…..me. From then on, I did nothing but blame myself after I used Kaiv's main Transport to escape. It brought me to a neighboring galaxy."

Seiya looked up at Taiki and Yaten, some tears gathering in his eyes. He gave them a lop-sided grin, feeling foolish to start getting emotional." I thought you guys were dead."

" Well, there were a couple of times that we could've been dead." Yaten replied." Even if they were looking for you, they were also harassing us. And every time they just got better at trying to kill us."

" But how did you manage to find a way to leave Kinmonku's galaxy ?" Usagi asked the two.

Taiki responded." After some time on that neighboring planet, we had to leave because of an extreme offensive from those hunters. They terrorized the people to an awful point. Normally, with the power as a Star Senshi, it would be much easier to travel from place to place. Now that the Star Senshi are…..gone……we had to do it by the Transport beam. We landed on Kaiv and were shocked to see that one of the cities was pounded to destruction. Seiya had already left and we had no idea where he went."

" Now that our searching for Seiya was expanded to probably the whole universe, we've been going from place to place and dodging attacks for a year." Yaten repeated." Then I suggested to Taiki that maybe we could have a look here."

Yaten then looked at Usagi solemnly." I knew why we should look here……..because of you………and I was right."

Seiya then took his turn to explain his battle with his hunters before he met up with Usagi. He told Taiki and Yaten the reasons behind coming here to Juuban. Seiya knew the risks but he still came to see Usagi. He told them about how he met up with her. He was in bad condition and could hardly stand on his feet. Usagi had taken care of him.

The blonde mentioned how she told Minako. Yaten was intent to hear about her friend. Usagi said she wanted nothing more than to help Seiya.

The story ended when Usagi told them about the day's events. Herself and Seiya had gone shopping and were unfortunate to run into those beings. Usagi still felt shaken up by the experience.

" I also told the others to meet at the temple today." The young woman said." I wanted to tell the rest of them about Seiya. But now that you're here," She eyed both Taiki and Yaten." It should be better."

" Usagi……." Taiki said." You shouldn't get involved-- "

" I'm already involved !" Usagi shouted suddenly. She looked at them both fearfully." When one of those hunters saw me for the first time, it gave me such a feeling. It KNEW me. It KNEW who I was…….Taiki, I'm sorry…….but……I remember Seiya telling me that they knew EVERYTHING about Seiya. Who he cared about and who he knew. Taiki, it KNEW me and it seemed that it really wanted me dead."

Yaten said quietly." I understand that Seiya never wanted to put you in danger."

" And I tried to leave." Seiya answered." But I just couldn't. They knew I wouldn't leave her. If I did for a second, they'd use that second to kill her."

Usagi spoke to Yaten." I had to plead with him to let me help him that's why I wanted to talk to the other Inner Senshi today. Please you two……"

Taiki sighed. It seemed that they were stuck. Usagi had already accepted this danger in spite of her fear but she couldn't help the three of them without the aid of her Senshi. That meant risking more innocent lives……

" Alright." Said Taiki. Besides, he and Yaten had also missed Earth. And wasn't it time that this mess ended ? " We'll see the other Inner Senshi." An image of a blue-haired female flashed in Taiki's mind. [ ……It's been too long……], he thought.

Suddenly Usagi's communicator went off. Jumping up, she realized that she had left it on her vanity in her room. It had been there for ages." That must be them. They're probably wondering why I'm late."

Usagi leaned over and kissed Seiya's cheek and gave his hand a tight squeeze. She left the living room, knowing that Seiya probably wanted some time alone for a reunion. After she made her way to her room and fetched the communicator.

The screen in front of her blue eyes flashed once and an image of an annoyed Rei looked up at her.

" Usagi….." Rei's voice had that impatient warning tone. Her eyes were closed and she seemed to be shaking in a fit." Everyone's here and you said six o'clock !"

Usagi scratched her head." Uh, sorry Rei ! Listen, I'll be there in a bit." Her voice took such a serious turn." There's something that needs explaining."

Rei looked at her friend in surprise. She was stunned at the quick change of face." Well. Just hurry up."

Meanwhile, Seiya was now sitting on the couch. He had to admit that he felt a little woozy but he felt better. He had been talking to Taiki and Yaten about every little bit of the past year. Just then Seiya's voice turned grim.

" Do you know why this is happening ?" He asked his companions quietly." Why is this happening ?"

Yaten glanced at Taiki, who shook his head slowly in his direction." Seiya….we had to get you away from them……and Usagi too."

" Why did I feel it ?" Seiya asked them." This….this thing…..I felt it…….it was tearing me apart….inside me. I couldn't see anything, it was like black fire."

[ …..black aura…….] Taiki refused to say anything to Seiya. He had made a promise to Setsuna. The Guardian of Time told him that Seiya was to find out on his own. So Taiki changed the subject.

" What brought about this with Usagi ?" Taiki asked Seiya.

" What ?"

" Where's Mamoru ?" Yaten asked him.

Seiya looked down. That remembrance just had to come back again. He tried to swallow the automatic lump that formed in this throat every time that name was mentioned.

" He's studying in America." Seiya said softly.

" Again ?"

" Yeah……he wants to be in the medical field."

" And you came just in time didn't you ?" Yaten said.

Seiya gave him a puzzled look." What do you mean ?"

" I mean, you should be careful. Look Seiya. MAMORU, Usagi's BOYFRIEND, is gone for a second time. You just happen to drop by and this is some sort of warped replay of what happened four years ago. We don't want you to get hurt."

" Mamoru's gone again Seiya." Taiki said with concern." And Usagi's lonely. Tell me if you know that she really loves you."

Seiya couldn't say a word. In the time that they've spent together, Usagi had never told Seiya that she loved him. But that didn't matter did it ? As long as they both felt it……then those three words didn't matter. Actions speak louder than words.

" I'm not a replacement for Mamoru." Seiya said with an edgy tone.

" I didn't say that."

" But you were implying it."

Taiki sighed and replied." We just want you to be careful. We've seen the way you are with her. You're so vulnerable but at the same time, I've never seen you so happy. I want you and Usagi-chan to be happy together but……..it may not be what it seems."

Seiya understood what Taiki meant. What if the only reason why Usagi was showing affection to him was the fact that Mamoru wasn't there and she was just lonely ? That thought hurt more than ever. It had crossed his mind before. Seiya was just too vulnerable in this position. He opened up and bared his very heart to Usagi. Just by going back to Mamoru, Usagi could destroy him completely.

" I…..don't know." Seiya said." I don't want to jump to conclusions."

" We know." Yaten answered him." I know Usagi would never hurt you intentionally but…..just in case. Be careful with this."

Unknown to the three young men that stood in the living room, Usagi herself that been listening from around the corner of the hall. She was just coming back to tell them that they should be leaving for the temple when she heard Yaten ask about Mamoru. Usagi stepped quickly aside and decided to listen.

An awful ache wrapped itself around her heart at the thought of Seiya doubting. The fact that she was bound to Mamoru was affecting her too and she had been troubled. Usagi didn't want to hurt Mamoru but had such a strong bond with Seiya. And with Seiya, she felt free. She loved Seiya.

Usagi ran a quick hand over her tears and stepped out from the hall. She forced a smile when she saw the three of them stand up." I……just have to straighten up a bit here. Why don't you three go down and wait for me at the car ? I'll be there in a bit."

Seiya looked questioningly at her." Odango, are you sure ? I'll wait with you." He started towards her.

" No." she stopped him. Then she said quietly," Just wait for me okay ?"

There was something in her voice that was making Seiya curious but he agreed." Alright."

" Don't be long." Yaten said as he walked out the door." You know how fiery Rei-chan can get." He smiled a little smile to himself as he thought about a certain blonde basket case with a red bow. Taiki who gave Usagi a reassuring smile followed Yaten out the door. Seiya was the last to leave.

Usagi headed for the phone the moment the door closed. With trembling fingers she picked it up and dialed long distance to America.

A few rings were heard as she mindlessly clutched the phone in her hands. Already her heart was beating wildly in her chest.

Somebody picked up." Hello ?" Said the voice in English.

After a long pause came,"………..Mamoru ?"

" Usako ?" His voice sounded surprised but then turned joyful." Hey, how are you doing ? This is a nice surprise !"

" Mamoru ?" Usagi said again, trying not to let her sad voice get out of control. While still hanging onto the phone, Usagi walked over to her decorative table near the hallway. She stared sadly at the picture of her and Mamoru and slowly traced it with her thumb.

" What is it ? Is there something wrong ?" On the other end of the line, Mamoru was starting to grow worried. He remembered the last time he called her. It was a grim conversation and he had a sick feeling. He also noticed that Usagi called him " Mamoru " instead of Mamo-chan this time.

" Are you alright ?"

Usagi sniffed silently as a tear rolled down her cheek. [ ……I'm sorry Mamoru…..one day…..please forgive me…… ] She picked up the picture of her and Mamoru on the table and pulled open the small drawer.

" We need to talk……" Usagi put the picture in and closed the drawer tightly.