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Chapter 13
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“Nanako. You’re awake! Are you alright?”
She could see Setsuna’s worried face in front of her. Taking a quick glance around, she could see they were all still in her realm. Lying on her bed, she could feel the pounding pain in her head.
She forced a smile to her face, and tried to alleviate any worries they had. “I’m fine. Just a little worn out.” Pushing herself up, the pain doubled itself, and Nanako thought better of getting up. “And I’ve got a bit of a headache. That’s all. I’ll be fine.”
“Good. I hope you finished what you wanted us for.” Haruka’s gruff statement received negative looks from all but Nanako.
“Yes. The enemy is presently just outside of our system, close to Pluto. The barrier should buy us some time, but how much, I can’t say. I’ll keep it up as long as I can, but my energy is depleted. It’ll find a way past it sooner or later, even if I could
keep it up. We’ll only have a week after it falls before it reaches Earth. I’ve moved an asteroid, and put it in a near Earth orbital. It should be within Transport range for the time of the battle, which
means we can hopefully keep the destruction on Earth at a minimum. That’s all I can do for now.” Face drawn with exhaustion, she looked at those around her.
“Thank you for all that you’ve done. Hopefully we’ll be prepared when the time comes. Hotaru smiled gratefully at Nanako. “And ignore Haruka. She doesn’t trust people she doesn’t know.”
“I don’t trust people whose agenda I don’t know,” she growled in her defense.
“My agenda is to protect the Earth, to keep it’s Destiny on track.”
“Oh... is that so. You looked pretty cozy with Mamoru there. You’ve even admitted that’s there’s still a bond between you two. Are you sure that saving the Earth is your only objective?”
“Haruka. Stop it... how could you,” Michiru was abruptly cut off then by Setsuna.
“Stop it. How dare you accuse her of anything! You have no right!”
“How well do you really know this girl Setsuna? She could be using this as a ploy to get to Mamoru, to steal him away from Usagi!”
“I’ve known her for nearly a millennium. I clearly know her better then you. I can’t believe you could be such a...”
“Please everyone, stop arguing!” Nanako forced herself to sit up on the bed. Putting her legs over the side, she felt the pain at her temples increase. Afraid that she’d pass out again, she
remained seated there. “I have no hidden agenda. I plan on doing everything in my power to keep Nokaru... Mamoru and Usagi together, to assure that their destinies are realized. I couldn’t have wished
for a better person for either of them to be with. You have no fears of interference on my part.” Nanako was clearly hurt by her comments, and the subject itself brought tears to her eyes.
“Nanako would never cause either of them pain. If that’s all she wanted, she could have done it eons ago, in one of his past lives... She’s risking everything to help us! And all you have to
say is this! Do you know what her punishment will be for helping us!?” Setsuna could feel the anger irradiating from herself.
Haruka fell silent, her face reddened from anger and embarrassment. She had never before seen Setsuna mad, and now she was furious at HER. In a hushed voice, she turned her addressed Nanako. “I’m sorry.” Quickly looking away, she turned to Michiru.
“Perhaps we should leave now.”
“I am sorry. And thank you Nanako, for what you are doing.” Michiru laced her arm around Haruka’s, and turning to Hotaru, she asked, “Are you coming as well?”
Not knowing if she should, Hotaru looked at Setsuna for advice. Nodding, Setsuna smiled at the young girl. “Just go through the gateway, and it will lead you to my dimension. You know where to go from there.”
Now alone, Setsuna turned to Nanako again. “Are you sure you’re alright? You seem to be getting weaker each time you use your powers. Perhaps you should stop using them for the time being.”
“No. I’m fine. All I need is a little bit of rest, and I’ll be as good as new. Besides, I can’t stop using them. The barrier will fall if I do, and the shield I’ve placed around me would as well, and then I couldn’t return to Earth. There’s not much time
left. I’ll be able to last until the time comes. Don’t worry so much.” She rubbed her eyes, hoping to ease the pain there a little. A good long nap sounded great right about now. She definitely deserved one.
“Are you certain though?” Setsuna could tell that she was in worse shape then she was letting on. *Her powers have to be more depleted then I thought for her to pass out. I should have known that she was taxing herself. *
“I’m sure, so can we please leave this place now. I’ve spent more then enough time here already. I just want to go to my new home, and crawl into bed.”
“Sure, let’s get you home then.”
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