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Super Sailor Acubens

The title kept pulsating through Acubens' head like some sort of mantra. It made her heart beat harder, her legs move faster, and her confidence a little stronger. Not four months ago she was so certain that she would die before she saw event hef aintest glimmer of hope with her calling. And now she had powered up into something stronger than she was before. Even without using her magic, Acubens could feel the wind rushing by her faster than he had before. And even as a senshi she had accelerated speed. Now this was... Well, if Acubens had been in a less distressed state of mind, she would have been damned near her own special form of climax. The speed, the wind in her face, the thrill of the new power. Who knew what her powers did this time!

As it stood, however, terrible guilt had gnawed at her stomach since she found the note Lesath had left.

Honestly, she hadn't meant to abandon Keren. One night, Acubens figured one night wouldn't make a difference. She'd been shirking her patroling duties because she'd been escorting Keren home both personally and by just silently following her. But that night, Acubens figured any enemies had seen the senshi with her enough that they would steet clear of her.

All but one. Oh god, she should have known Lesath would come after her. She should have known she would do anything to have her way. Tears stung at Acubens' eyes as she tried not to think about the horrible things that might be happening to her.

No. Bravery. Lesath can't see you afraid. She'll use that. As she used Keren. Nothing will be sacred. Nothing.

Acubens pushed her fear inside of her, tamped it down with her red hot temper and forgot about it. Bravery and diplomacy, for she would not harm Lesath. Oh, as angry as she was at her, Acubens would never harm Lesath. Even as she came to her destination, she knew that this would not be a fight. If Lesath attcked, then she would bear it. But she would not hit back.

"Lesath," she shouted, skidding to a halt as she reached the meeting place. As always with her running, she began to sweat really only after she stopped. Now was no different. Even witht eh magic propelling her, Acubens' body shook witht he effort to keep herself calm and the effort it had taken to run at a dead sprint. Would she have any more energy left for whatever would be thrown at her now? As the sweat ran in rivulet down her back and chest, she called out to the invisible kidnapper again. "Lesath release Keren, or so help me I will release her myself."

Beloved though Lesath was, she was wearing on Acuben's nerves. No. That was an understatement. Acubens could taste the fury on her tongue as she bit hack what she knew she was regret. She could feel the adrenaline of her rage in the way her body shook, her muscles tight with the need to control with her temper. Her law muscles worked as she gorn her teeth together, her nostrils flared, and her fists were clenched at her sides.

And all of this was plain on Acubens' countanence.

A woman who never bothered to hide anything and didn't bother to begin now.

"I gave you my reasons, Lesath. Just as I would never draw you fro a path you determined to be good, please do not try and take me from mine." She released and clenched her fists at her sides. "Let her go."

"Loving..." Acubens repeated the word, feeling how strange it was in her own mouth. "Loving... Lesath," she laughed mirthlessly, "you know nothing of love. That's just a word to you. The meaning is... is lost." How did she even begin to explain. How could... Acubens even form words to describe the swlling in her heart at the thought of the violet headed woman whom Lesath had taken from her.

"No... no, you're right. She'll never know what I am." Acubens relaxed her muscles, forcing herself to be calm. Violence would do nothing, she already knew. And besides that, how could she preach what she needed while Lesath bled at her feet? She looked down at her hands, trying to find the words to express what she felt.

"She'll never know... and that's the way I want it." She looked back up from her hands, anger all but forgotten as she tried to explain herself.

"This life... our... life... it's not what I want for her. It's the last thing I want for her. I can barely take it." Acubens took a tentative step forward as she continued. "Why would I put someone I love through that? Oh Lesath, that's what love is. It's... protecting the object of your love at all costs... and never being th one to cause them pain." Another step. "But then, knowing that you will, and when that happens, acception responsibility for your actions."

Acubens could feel her voice wavering again. Oh god, don't cry. Not again. "And I know that I hurt you Lesath. I know I did. And I'm sorry." She wiping fiercly at her eyes, trying to keep her composure. "But no matter what I did, that does not give you the right to pull an innocent life into this discrepency." Slowly, her sorrow was beginning to turn back into anger as her voice rose in volume.

"And if you loved me... the way you say you do... then you would not put me in this painful position. Just making this decision killed me, and now you twist the knife further to take from me the only woman I have ever loved to coerse me to your side. Lesath... you know nothing of love..."

Acubens stood where she was for just a moment, waiting for Lesath to react to her statements. She braced for attack, knowing how volitle Lesath could be. Her muscles quivered like bow strings pulled taunt, ready to be released. Her new, more presice attack danced on her tongue, ready to be called and used for the first time. She was ready to fight. Ready to win. Ready to save Keren at all costs.

And then she left.

Lesath just left. She delivered a threat, gave Keren back, and then left. And Acubens still stood where she was before, waiting for Lesath to come back. For what, Acubens wasn't really sure. To attack, to beg forgiveness, to apologize. Anything. But she never did.

After a long moment of watching after Lesath, eyes glued to the mirror she'd passed through, Acubens finally stooped to gather Keren in her arms. She'd be lying if her entire being didn't wail, if her soul wasn't screaming and her heart not throwing itself against her chest, compelling her to call Lesath back, to take her too, to come back and lover her. I'll be with out, just love me again.

But she had work to do.

Keren had to get home, she had to get her safe and better again. And so she ran. As punishment, Acubens ran as fast as she could, as far as she could. And then she ran farther and faster. Until her lungs burned she ran, punishing herself to the pain she'd caused to everyone. Punishing herself for her own hubris.