Title: Crucifixion. By Jerry-rose Email: sleeping.soul@hotmail.co.uk 3 anyways enjoy ^^> Sailor Saturn was leaning against the roof door of the crystal palace, her eyes narrowed as she shifted so her ear was pressed to the door. She waited in silence and then sighed, nothing. "We're safe for now minna, it didn't follow us here." A few of the Senshi nodded, but the others were leaning over King Endymion and Queen Serenity. The king was kneeling on the ground with the Queen in his arms, leaning over her protectively. She had a smile on her face, however it was pained. As the King leant back it was obvious why, half a broken off arrow was protruding from her chest, hampering her breathing. Sailor Saturn stepped forward and the other Senshi cleared a path to let her through, the King looked up as she knelt beside them and rested Serenity flat of the floor as Sailor Saturn signalled. She was not as good as she used to be at healing, as she'd learnt well under Setsuna's teachings. Her healing took longer now, but it meant she was able to recover quickly the energy lost. Her hands reached out over Serenity and she hovered a hand over the arrow. "Gomen ne, my queen, but I'll need to pull this out from beneath, so the head isn't left inside…" Serenity nodded and Endymion took her outstretched hand. Sailor Chibi-moon was standing behind Endymion and looking over the three. Sailor Saturn looked up to her briefly and then smiled encouragingly. Chibi-moon nodded and looked away as Saturn dug her fingers deep into the wound, clasping the point of the arrow and pulling it back the way it had come. She cried out in pain and Saturn felt a pang of guilt, throwing the arrow aside she quickly put her blood soaked hand over the wound, against the flesh, then her clean over that one. She closed her eyes and began to concentrate. With a quick flash of white light and then a soft glow she began the long process of healing her Queen. A heavy bang against the door told her that her time was almost up. She clenched her eyes tighter and tried to focus as the banging became louder. Sailor Pluto put a hand on her shoulder gently and squeezed. "Don't rush, Saturn, you know the consequence. Take the time you need, we'll hold it off." Sailor Saturn nodded and unclenched her eyes, relaxing as she went back to her focus. If she was interrupted now, both she and the Queen could be in danger of loosing their lives. The Outer Senshi knew the danger, as did Chibi-moon, and took their stances in front of the door, the Inner Senshi taking places in front of the King, Queen and Saturn. Sailor Saturn continued working as the doors burst open, reducing the solid oak to kindling. The Outer Senshi and Chibi-moon sprung into action, launching their attacks simultaneously. The three Outer Senshi's combined as one and hit it hard, the bright light blinding them before receding to show a smoking youma. Chibi-moon's attack hit after and in a pink light the youma was forced back out the door and sent spiralling down the large marble staircase. Everyone stayed put, they knew it was a bad idea to leave their protective circle, and so stuck close to the three behind them. Sailor Saturn was almost finished, the wound reduced to a small bleed. With a sigh she felt Serenity relax beneath her but knew it wasn't over yet. They needed just a little more time. With an almost demonic scream the youma rose from its fallen place and ran up the stairs at full speed, not allowing the Outer Senshi to throw their attacks as they were all knocked aside. The Inner Senshi quickly began and threw it back once more down the stairs. They all stood tightly in place, resisting the urge to run to their friends. This time the youma seemed to stay down, but its body was pulsating ominously. The four Inner Senshi took the opportunity to run to their friends, Mars to Neptune, Mercury to Uranus, Venus to Pluto and Jupiter to Chibi-moon. With a hand the four girls stood and rested on the supporter's shoulders, watching as Hotaru finished and leant back, the wound gone and the hole in her gown repaired. Serenity smiled thankfully and Endymion hugged her tight. The three Outer Senshi and Chibi-moon all smiled and they looked down to the youma. The body was still in spasm and kept jerking worryingly. The Senshi took their opportunity and ran down the steps, moving past it and moved into the corridor. Serenity raised her crystal above her head and without a word bright white light as pure as silk stretched forward and illuminated the youma, causing it to scream its demonic scream, making the girls all cover their ears. The ones who didn't were the King and Queen, Saturn and Pluto. The King and Queen had their own reasons, they had faced many demons in their time, and Saturn and Pluto also faced demons on a daily basis when they guarded the time gate. Frowning, Saturn looked into the glow to see the body disintegrate into numerous pieces, then the pieces all seemed to feed of the silver crystal's energy, growing to be the same size as the youma was before. However these all had a pentagram over their left eyes. Sailor Saturn grabbed Serenity's wrist to stop her "What are you doing, Saturn?" Venus asked but got her answer as she was blasted away with a youma's energy. Suddenly many blasts came their way and the Senshi all ran through the corridor, turning into the thrown room and stopping. Dead end, no way out. Silently cursing themselves the Senshi all formed battle positions and faced the door, but as the youma came into sight they all backed up. So many had been made from the single youma, and they seemed to keep on multiplying. More and more surged into sight until their numbers were well into the hundreds. Saturn ran forward and slammed the doors shut, grabbing into the air to catch a small metal point which somewhat resembled a stake, only was metal with a hook on the end. She grabbed four smaller ones of perhaps ten inches in length and then a larger one of fifteen. She held them in her left hand and grabbed a hammer in her right, holding them out to Uranus. "You're the strongest, do it." They all froze. Each one of the Senshi knew what she intended, but none wanted to be the bearer to make the sacrifice. Saturn pulled the wooden rod over the door just as the youma slammed into it and turned urgently around the group. "Someone has to do this! Do you all want to die?!" Serenity had her head bowed, likewise did Endymion. Their hearts were too pure for sacrifice to be an option. Saturn could almost see the cogs turning to find another way. Bangs came hard and fast on the door and Saturn turned over the Senshi, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Neptune, and Pluto. Not strong enough physically. She turned to Uranus and Jupiter. "One of you two! You know you're the only ones strong enough!" They both shook their heads, but another smash on the door and one of the bottom hinges broke off. Saturn cried out in frustration and glared around the group. "Will you sacrifice everyone for weakness of the heart?! Someone!!" She stopped abruptly as the room went black, the power was out. Another clink of a hinge blowing. Saturn felt someone take the things from her and smiled, hugging them tightly. Her heart stopped. "Chibi-moon…" It etched deep into her soul as her lover took her hand and walked her to the slowly falling door. Soon it would be down and the Senshi would be destroyed. Chibi-moon had thought it only right she do it. Who else should suffer so much? She'd be the one to crucify her love. The room was in dire silence as Saturn stood with her back to the door, then spoke hoarsely. "I need to be off the floor…" Chibi-moon nodded, both seeming emotionless as the others looked on. Uranus felt silent tears run down her cheeks before she stepped forward, taking her daughter in her arms and holding her to the door, her feet off the floor. Chibi- moon clenched one of the smaller rods tightly and put it to Saturn's palm. She took a deep breath and slammed the hammer into the end, driving it deep into Saturn's hand up to the hook, which held it in place. She heard a small noise as Saturn bit back a cry of pain, and grimaced as she moved to the other side. Saturn's hand was clenched into a fist by her side, shaking slightly. Chibi-moon felt her heart crack as she took her hand and put it into place, finding no resistance she silently cursed herself and Saturn. This would be so much easier if only she'd lash out and hurt her. Another hard smash with the hammer and the pole was driven deep into her palm and into the door. Uranus had her head to Saturn's chest and felt her suppress another scream. She stayed quiet, in silent admiration of her daughter. Chibi-moon felt her own hands shake beyond control as she raised another short pole to Saturn's wrist, hammering it once. However she felt it crack into the bone of her wrist, but not pass through to the door. Bracing her heart she struck again and felt it enter through, feeling Saturn's blood seep over her fingers. The second blow caused Saturn to let a small cry of pain escape her lips and the whole room seemed to close around them, everyone's very hearts tightening. Chibi-moon moved again and with two swift hits the fourth smaller pole was in place on her other wrist. The youma were still banging on the door, yet it was holding out just about. A few hinges left here and there to hold it in place. With each hit Saturn felt the poles move and had to suppress a cry. She had to hide this pain from the others. She had to. She looked down to the silhouette of Uranus and whispered as softly as she could. "Haruka-papa, you must let go now…" Her voice broke at the end and she just barely held her tears inside. With a tighter hug, Uranus let her gently go. As Saturn's weight fell onto the poles she flinched and bit deep into her bottom lip. She was determined to stay silent. Uranus stepped back and Saturn saw Neptune hold her tightly, and smiled slightly. She looked down to see Chibi-moon kneeling before her, pulling her legs in position with her right ankle in front of the other. Hotaru smiled slightly and enjoyed the touch of her lover's hands before she felt the small touch of the cold metal contact her skin. She watched as Chibi-moon's silhouette swung her arm back and then clenched her eyes shut tight, not able to hold back the scream of pain as the pole sunk deep into her right ankle, but barely touched her left. Her heart wrenched and she tried to struggle, only causing herself more agony as she cried, tears falling down her cheeks. She couldn't do this. It hurt too much; she was only a girl after all. Barely 18 she shouldn't have to endure this pain. She tried to pull her legs away, but Chibi-moon held them tightly in place with shaking fingers. "O-onegai… U-usagi… I can't take it… S-stop…" Chibi-moon's heart splintered as she heard the frail girl's plea, but knew it was the pain talking. Saturn knew of this when she began to summon forth the crucifix poles. Chibi-moon pulled her arm back for the last time and hammered the pole hard into place, piercing into Saturn's ankles and through into the door. The bones cracked to make way for the pole and the sound filled the chamber, echoing off the high walls along with Saturn's screams. Her scream silenced as Chibi-moon kissed her deeply, and a purple glittering spread over the room, creating a barrier over the door and illuminating them all. All the Senshi fell to their knees, their heart's breaking. The sight was not meant to be theirs. Sailor Saturn's blood was streaking down the wooden door and to the floor; the metal prongs that held her captive were spreading crimson down her pure white gloves. Tears streaming down her face to meet an expression of such pain, yet through the blurred vision and tears falling there was Chibi-moon. With their lips and hearts entwined nothing could hurt Saturn. Nothing. Screaming was heard down the corridor as the youma were dusted, the hall falling silent once more. After what seemed like an eternity the lights returned and knocks were heard on the other side of the door, it was the palace staff, all calling out to their protectors in praise. "Onegai, Minna, Step away from the door and go back to your business." Serenity's voice was soft as usual but tears were running down her face. Chibi-moon and Saturn broke the kiss, their transformations disappearing to reveal their usual forms as Hotaru and Usagi. Usagi quickly leaned down and pulled the pole from her ankles. Hotaru made no sound, her head bowed and her eyes concealed behind that beautiful raven hair. Usagi pulled out the poles from her palms in one go and threw them aside. As they skidded across the floor they left a trail of blood. With one last yank Usagi pulled the remaining two poles from Hotaru's wrists, threw them aside, and caught her in her arms before she touched the floor, throwing the doors open and running down the halls with her. Neptune and Serenity moved to follow, but Uranus and Endymion grabbed their upper arms and pulled them back. Back in their shared room with wounds bound, Usagi sat on the side of the bed, watching over Hotaru as she had her eyes closed, her fingers playing delicately through Hotaru's hair. Usagi was smiling softly and leant down, kissing Hotaru on the lips. She felt the kiss returned and smiled, wrapping her arms around Hotaru's back and pulling her off the bed slightly. As they broke the kiss and Usagi leaned back and smiled warmly. "You OK Taru-chan?" Hotaru nodded softly and returned the smile. "As long as I have you, I'll always be just fine."