bloodsong1 | Somehow, this seems appropriate.

Sarah scrunched up her nose, fighting the tug of consciousness. She wanted to stay cuddled in Helios' arms a little longer.

"Lady Sarah," a voice called, increasing the tugging. Sarah sighed and blinked her eyes open. She frowned and shoved her bangs out of her face. The man hovering over her had reddish-brown hair.

"Nephrite?" She asked quietly. Nephrite nodded. Sarah forced herself to sit up, scrubbed her face with her palms. Nephrite offered her a cup of tea. "What?"

"Drink, my lady," He said, forcing the cup into her hands. She hissed from the heat and put it on her lap. "You had quite the battle last night."

"Battle?" Sarah blinked at the steaming cup, remembering the dream and the Slayer spells. Helios had said something about the Ragna Blade racing up the connection and destroying the demon. The demon...who had been outside her body...in...this...room. Her head snapped up. "Bloody hell! That...that was REAL?!"

"Quite real, my lady. Zoicite woke all of us up when the demon appeared, but we were not strong enough to do anything about it."

"Well, fuck." Sarah muttered and looked around. Was it her imagination, or was the tatami mats a little...scorched?

"Yes, Lady Sarah. You destroyed the demon. Wakamiya-sama absorbed most of the energy blast. All we could do was prevent the room from catching fire."

"Waka-chan! Is...she all right?" Sarah asked, horrified. The idea that she could actually USE Lina Inverse's powers, especially spells as strong as the Ragna Blade and the Dragon Slave, triggered a wave of ice down her spine and deep in her gut. No one, NO ONE should have that kind of power! She doubted Eternal Sailor Moon could stand against a Dragon Slave and WAKA-CHAN had contained the Ragna Blade? The second most powerful spell in the Slayer universe?

"She was severely weakened, but she insisted you visit her after breakfast."

"I might actually OWE her sex," Sarah muttered and gulped her tea. The liquid scorched her tongue and throat, burning all the way down. She endured the pain as due penance. "Um, Nephrite? Why are you here?"

"Zoicite said he was afraid to face you and the consequences of your actions."

"And you're not?"

"My lady, you acted in self defense. We Shitennou could do nothing to protect you, only stand and watch." Nephrite fisted his right hand and held it over his heart. Sarah blinked stupidly. He was kneeling! "We failed our duty to you and our Prince. We will accept any punishment you deem appropriate."

"Punish YOU!?" Sarah shrieked. Nephrite looked up, clearly startled. Sarah stared at her hands, they were shaking. "Oh...gods above and below. I...I killed. I killed." Tears flooded her eyes and she clapped trembling fingers to her mouth. Her stomach rolled and she could barely concentrate on breathing through her nose. She, a Witch, one who held life sacred, even when it came to eating meat
, had killed another being in cold blood. Her gut clenched again and she scrambled to the bathroom, knocking Nephrite's hands away. Sarah gasped between retches, unable to stop the tears pouring down her face. There wasn't much in her stomach. She shuddered through the dry heaves and finally curled up in a ball on the floor, still crying.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," She whispered over and over. Warm hands gently lifted her and carried her back to the futon. A cool, damp rag gently cleaned her face, even as more tears trickled out. She was unaware of time, only the warm hands and the cool washcloth and a soft voice saying something about a nightmare.

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Nephrite nodded as Zoicite dealt with Green Nakai-san, who had come to inquire about breakfast. Lady Sarah remained in a tight ball on her futon, staring at nothing as her tears slowly stopped. Her reaction had lasted half an hour and he wasn't sure when she would fully return to herself. Her sobbed apologies broke his heart. Unlike them, her hands had been free of blood. He dipped the cloth into the now warm water and gently wiped her face again. She sighed and shivered.

"Will she be all right?" Zoicite asked in a whisper, joining them on her futon. Nephrite shook his head.

"We won't know until she comes out of it. I don't want to push her. It was obvious she thought it had been only a dream." Zoicite fiddled with his ponytail, face unhappy as he stared at Lady Sarah.

"Waka-chan," Lady Sarah breathed. The two men snapped to attention. Lady Sarah blinked a few times and sighed again. "I...I have to check on Waka-chan," She said in a slightly louder voice.

"Of course, my lady. After you dress and eat something," Nephrite agreed, putting the washcloth in the bowl. Lady Sarah nodded and he helped her sit up. Zoicite brought over the remaining fruit and buns from the sitting area. Both men watched closely as Lady Sarah choked down the lychees and jam buns. Zoicite offered her another cup of tea and she drank it slowly.

"Thank you," She said softly.

"We are here for you, Lady Sarah," Zoicite said, taking her hand in both of his. She focused on him and he smiled. "When you are ready to talk about it, we will be here to listen. I leave you now in Nephrite's capable hands. He has your amulet." She nodded and squeezed his fingers.

"I...I..." She started, only to trail off when Zoicite kissed her hand.

"When you are ready," He said firmly and dissolved into stone. Lady Sarah picked up the chunk of zoicite and held it to her chest. Nephrite squeezed her shoulders.

"I will fetch your clothes and wait outside," He said into her ear. She nodded and he brought over her traveling bag. Bowing, he left the room.

Now she REALLY needs that trip up Mt. Misen!