A high pitched voice interrupted, "Earth-sama."

"What?" she screech at the intruder.

The steam parted to reveal one of her servant yoma. Fear of its master’s fury caused the creature to shake slightly and hurry to its knees. Tucking in its black wings as sign of respect, it bowed.

Noticing the yoma’s discomfort, Kyoko sighed - pleased by her dominance. In a lighter voice she asked, "What information do you have for me?"

"Earth-sama, there is no sign of the four soldiers named for the elements. It is as if they disappeared."

"They haven't disappeared! Those disgraceful girls ran off abandoning their missions as soldiers. They're hiding somewhere! Now go find them!"

Flames of red licked Kyoko's irises as she watched the creature hurry out of the room. "I can feel them. So close, that I could just reach and touch them. If only I knew where they were. No matter, soon, soon, I will get rid of them and have everything to myself. Everything... including Usa. Mamoru, we will compete for her soon enough."

The dark haired girl rose to her feet, her school uniform morphing into the black and red sailor suit as she stood. Her voice rebounded in the darkness, "The rest of you, it is time! Blacken everything in your path! Leave no plant, no creature alive! The sun shall forever set and we will control this dead planet!"

From the shadows, her creatures emerged and bowed respectfully before setting out to begin the end of the world.

Time-less moments passed as Haruka and Michiru sat together in their favorite coffee shop. Waiting for their order, silence dominated most of their conversation.

Finally Haruka slammed her fist on the table. Frustrated she questioned, "What can this enemy be all about? We can't seem to hurt her."

Michiru nodded her head. "Not without hurting Mamoru-san in the process. And what happened to those four Elemental Soldiers? They seemed to have disappeared."

"Will there never be an end to these evils?"

Michiru looked out the window by their table. "We can't think about that now," she answered. She turned back to partner. "We'll fight together, won't we?"

"Of course, to the end " Haruka assured her, "to the end."

Michiru placed her hand over the clutched fist of the boyishly clad woman. Haruka’s hand relaxed as a shared smile passed over their lips. Eyes locked with her partner, Haruka didn't even bother to look up when the waitress placed their coffee on the table although she was quite cute. Both reached for their cups and took a drink.

Breaking the trance, Haruka glanced out the window. "Mamoru, Odango-atama, she thought, I hope you two will be able to stand against this enemy. We're staking our lives on it."

Seconds after her thoughts were finished a huge explosion sounded outside. Both women jumped to their feet and ran out the door. The streets glowed with a pernicious light as creatures of all sizes, adorned with black roses, lashed out at anything within their path. Haruka and Michiru quickly transformed into Uranus and Neptune and began to fend off the hundreds of creatures endangering the humans in the area.

In a small hotel room, Pepper and Melody sat quietly. Alone, they awaited the return of their friends who were delivering the two knights back to their homes where they might be safe. Not a word was spoken of what they considered their cowardly act of the night before nor did they intend to speak of it.

In the front of a medium sized house, Oceanna and Yukio stood together. He informed her that his parents were out of town for the week on business. "That's good they will be safe if they stay out of town for a while. You should be okay here; it’s far enough away from the Academy that you shouldn't be affected. I have to go, Yukio, I have to go back and fight."

He took her hand in his, "I want to fight, too. I wish only to protect you, Norris-sa -- Oceanna."

"Another time, Yukio, in another place I will always call for you, but here I can't. This battle is not meant for the protection of me."

The young man took her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Oceanna accepted and squeezed back. "Then at least agree to be my girlfriend."

"Okay," she replied softly. Pulling her away a little he was able to stare into her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her gently. They parted ways, both hoping that there would be a day when they could meet again.

Takashi walked quickly while Bunny trailed behind, trying to keep his pace. Soon, they arrived in silence at a small apartment complex. He leaned against a brick wall and continued to keep the stifling quiet. Though she tried to gain his attention he would only look away from her. She lowered her head. "I know you didn't want to be involved," she said hurt, "but thank you for saving my life."

He sighed almost angrily. She paused before speaking again. "Takashi-senpai, I believe our meeting was destined. Something greater than myself asked me to be born and I was led to the Planet Academy to meet my future, to meet you as well."

The young man looked over his glasses stunned by her words. "Still, this is my choice to fight and even though I am scared to go alone, I won't ask for you to be involved anymore."

She started to walk away, but his voice called to her, making her stop and turn. "Kinn-san, did... did you mean what you said back in Naushi-sensei's class?"

"Of course," she responded without hesitation then she continued to walk away.

Usagi was on her way to Mamoru's apartment for a surprise visit. She had been working on her special homemade cookies most of the day, and carried a bag full of them with her. She studied the contents of the bag as she walked. "I can't wait for Mamo-chan to taste these."

Suddenly Usagi connected with another human body. She looked at her victim and discovered she had run into Kyoko. "I'm sorry!"

"It's alright." The black haired girl smiled.

Usagi took a closer look at the girl standing across from her, and indeed recognized her from that day. "Oh, Kyoko-san."

Feeling awkward under her companion’s long stares, Usagi wanted to get away. "Please excuse me," she said as she bowed. Then she turned to leave.

Just as she turned, Kyoko caught her hand. "No don't! I mean, look, over there is my car. I'll give you a ride anywhere you like."

Usagi hesitated for a moment, not anxious to be alone with the girl. She looked into Kyoko's piercing blue eyes about to say 'no', but found herself agreeing. The next thing she knew, she was speeding down the street in a black car. "So, where do you want to go?"

"The way you're driving I believe you already know where you're taking us," Usagi answered, and hunkered in her seat.

Kyoko laughed. "True. I was thinking about what a perfect day it is to go to the park. I hope you don't mind."

"I guess not," she mumbled. To herself, she asked, "Do I have a choice?"

They finally reached their destination and the car screeched to a halt. Usagi's legs wobbled when she stepped onto the firm pavement, and her head felt like it was spinning. "Here let me help you," Kyoko whispered, and then guided her to a bench. "Sit down, and you'll feel better."

The odango gave her thanks and did as she was told. Suddenly, she remembered her cookies. She was relieved to find she still held them tightly in her hand. Her gaze moved from the bag to her companion.

"Would you like a cookie?"

Kyoko accepted the offered treat and bit into it. Her face turned a shade green as she spat it back out. "That was disgusting!"

Usagi's face crumbled under the harsh words. She thought of Mamoru and how he always choked down her cookies no matter how terrible they were. Never did he complain or stop smiling. The blonde haired girl gasped, "Mamo-chan! I forgot I was on my way to his apartment!"

"Wait! Don't go! I'm sorry about what I said," Kyoko apologized, then hugged the still upset looking Usagi.

"Alright, but I can't stay long."

"That's okay. Just a short while is worth a century. Let's just watch the sun together while it's still here."

"What?" Usagi said confused.

"It's setting, see. It will be night soon and we won't see it again."

"Not until tomorrow anyway," Usagi responded cheerfully.

Just as the last rays of the sun were sinking behind the city building Usagi caught sight of a familiar, dark-haired male. "Mamo-chan! I'm sorry Kyoko-san but I have to go."

Kyoko watched angrily as the odango ran to her boyfriend. "Chiba Mamoru," she thought, "how I envy you. Why was it you who got control? You have everything, your own body as well as Usa. Everything. Time is drawing near when she will become Queen and I will become her King."

Her eyes glowed red as she began to float into the air. Quick as a flash, she flew off before anyone could see her, the car she had conjured to drive Usagi disappearing as well. "Where could the element soldiers be hiding?" She hissed.

Six floors above ground in a hotel located several miles from the Tokyo Academy, the four girls were finally reunited. Pepper looked at each of her friends with guilty eyes. Owning up to her request to run, she apologized for asking such a thing of them.

"Pepper-san, it’s not your fault," Melody assured her.

Bunny bobbed her head in agreement. "Yeah, we didn't have to follow you."

"We chose to," Oceanna finished.

Pepper grasped her friends in a hug of relief and respect. Pulling away, she began to speak, "I know we are all afraid but we it’s time to face our fears. Before, we were weak yet I know that now if we stand together we will be stronger than ever. Thank you for being my strength."

Usagi gazed at her boyfriend with concern. Looking into his deep blue eyes, she asked, "Mamo-chan, is it alright for you to be out of bed so soon?"

He stopped her by pressing his fingers to her lips. "I had to see you, Usa. I felt like I needed to talk to you now, before anything else happens."

"What is it?" she asked innocently.

"My beautiful princess... Usa, I know I have kept quiet many times about the things happening to me, to us, but I only ever wanted to protect you. I love you so very much. I always want to protect you, not only as Tuxedo Kamen but as your husband." He smiled and cleared his throat. "Usa, will you marry me?"

"Mamo-chan!" She squealed throwing her arms around his neck.

"Is that a yes?"

Her face glowed with joy as she nodded excitedly. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

The four girls leapt to their feet. Iridescent light filled their room as the four colored rings they wore began to pulsate. Each girl overlapped her right hand over the ring, perplexed. They looked to one another, realizing the strange wave of emotion they felt could have only come from Mamoru.

"We must go to him," Pepper said sternly.

"Whatever befalls us, we can accept it," Oceanna replied.

"Because we were born to protect him," Bunny added smiling.

"And this world," Melody nodded in agreement as they all hugged each other tightly.

After a round of coffee and homemade cookies, Usagi and Mamoru snuggled close together on his couch. The odango sighed and rested her head on her boyfriend's chest. His proposal ran over again in her mind, sending a excited chill down her spine. "My wish is going to come true! I'll be Mamo-chan's wife!" She shouted, inwardly.

Basking in a blissful state of laziness, the couple barely noticed the slight surge of electricity in the apartment. Suddenly, darkness fell over them as the lights went out. Shocked, neither peeped a sound until Mamoru rose to his feet. Noticing a light peeking from underneath his front door, he moved towards the source.

Usagi panicked and clutched his hand. "Where are you going?"

"Don't worry. I'm just going to check something."

Having adjusted to the dark, she watched his figure walk away. He kneeled next to the door and placed his ear against the surface. He listened quietly for a few minutes, then whispered for Usagi to join him. Carefully, through the darkness, she tip-toed to his side. Had it been another situation they may have well been surprised at her agility, but fear and caution made Mamoru wrap Usagi into a protective embrace instead.

The couple's heads shot up as a loud tapping sounded at the sliding glass door. All peace was completely broken as the glass shattered and a legion of yoma crashed into the apartment. Creatures rushed at the pair with an unmatched viciousness, allowing no time for them to transform.

Several pinned Mamoru to the ground with uncanny cautiousness, but Usagi was not so fortunate. From all sides yoma rammed, pushed, and hit her until she fell. Freeing one arm, her love managed to strike at one of her attackers with a rose before he was suppressed again. She gave him a weak smile of thanks before her world slipped away.

A dark figure stepped into the apartment. Glass crunched under her feet as she made her way to the injured girl. Shadows seemed slither along with her, covering the identity of her face. She leaned over her victim and traced a line down the girl's battered face.

Usagi returned to consciousness long enough to look into the blue orbs which stared at her. The eyes were so familiar yet there was a hint of something different about them. Before blackness encased her again, she managed to choke out "Mamo-chan?"

The dark haired woman gave a throaty laugh as she turned toward Mamoru. "Do you think she was correct?"

Kyoko stepped from the shadows and looked directly into his face. She took great pleasure in his shock of finding before him a feminine mirror image of himself. She glared at him, then gazed back at Usagi with fonder eyes. She brushed her finger tips over the bruised cheek. "Usa, finally you are mine."

With that, she flew from the apartment, carrying Usagi in her arms. The yoma who were left behind gathered Mamoru into their large claws and followed after their leader.

End Episode 08.