LEGAL DISCLAIMER : None of the characters here belong to me. Sailor 
Moon belongs to DIC, and Graz Entertainment currently owns the 
Yoroiden / Ronin Warriors in North America. Don't sue me : I'm a 
student, and too broke to be worth it.

             SAILOR MOON / YOROIDEN SAMURAI TROOPERS X-OVER

                               RONIN SUMMER
               by Morgan Hudson (dataraven_659@excite.com)


PART 1 : LIGHT AND DARKNESS

	"Are you sure, Ami?" Minako leaned against the doorway. "It's 
supposed to be a really kickin' party..."

	The blue haired girl on the other side of the doorframe 
sighed and shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't tonight, Minako. My 
computers class starts early tomorrow and I need to study."

	"AMIII! Since when did you EVER need to study?" The blond girl 
smiled mockingly at her friend. "Besides, if you don't come, I'll be 
all alone... what if some creep attacked me?"

	Ami smiled. "I pity any creep who attacks Sailor V. Why don't 
you ask one of the other Senshi?"

	"I already did. Makoto's busy cooking, Usagi's on a date with 
Mamoru for once, and Rei said she wanted to consult the sacred fire 
about some weird vibes she's been getting." 

	"Weird vibes?" Ami perked up slightly. "Do you suppose it 
might be the Dark Kingdom?" 

	"AMI! Can't they wait?" Minako stamped her foot in frustration. 
"It's the first day of summer vacation! We should be celebrating!" 

	"Hmmm... I'll have to consult my computer on the possibility 
of another Dark Kingdom incursion..."

	Minako was now tapping her foot and glaring. "You're not even 
listening to me! I'll just go myself!"

**********


	"Tell me of our progress." The speaker was shrouded in 
darkness, his eyes glowing a baleful crimson in the chill and clammy 
shadows of the cave in which he sat.

	"Master..." The small and shrouded figure didn't even bother 
turning around. "I sense you are troubled."

	"I am troubled by our lack of progress, seer." A snort of fog 
jetted out into the air of the cave. "Throw your bones and tell me of 
my fates."

	The wizened and fragile bones clattered loudly on the damp 
stone floor. Legend had it that these bones were from the fingers of 
the mighty demon lord Arago himself, and they had never been wrong. 

	The seer lowered his cowled head. "The bones still speak ill, 
my lord and master. Your plans shall lead to our destruction."

	"Yes, from those blasted Sailor Senshi, I know. Are there no 
other possible outcomes?"

	"Only one... the Senshi each near a point of crisis, where 
they shall be rendered weak and alone. Should you strike them in this 
precise order, during the points of crises, they will die once and for 
all eternity."

	A picture of Queen Serenity rose from the floor, surrounded by 
four women in sailor fuku. One by one, the seer jabbed each with his 
walking stick, and they dissapated into fog. "Then," he rasped, "then 
shall the Queen be alone and defenseless herself. Then may you strike."

	"And the gods?"

	"They plot against you, as always, my lord. They do not wish 
their favorites to be destroyed."

	"I care not what they wish, seer. I am the end of all things, 
including the gods themselves. They dare not attack me directly."

**********

	Minako Aino was determined to have a good time tonight, Senshi 
or no Senshi. Just an average girl, living an average life... but that 
meant there was one last thing to take care of...

	"Minako! What are you- UMMMMPH!" The white cat struggled in 
vain against its owner's steel grip.

	"Sorry, Artemis, but this is for your own good... well, for MY 
own good, at least." With a quick toss, the cat landed in a Kitty 
Carrier bought for this exact purpose, and the wire frame door swung 
shut. "I'm going off to a party, just like a normal, non-Moon Kingdom 
girl, and that means no transformations, no monsters, and NO TALKING 
CATS!" Minako waved and laughed merrily. "Good night, Artemis!"

	"MINAKO! COME BACK HERE AND UNLOCK THIS..."

**********

	The bones clattered again. The seer peered at the markings 
upon them. "One reaches her time even now, my lord and master... but 
a consort of the Moon Kingdom is dangerously nearby..."

	"We shall be subtle, then." The Lord of Darkness turned to 
a specially marked section of the floor. A pentagram glowed blue, and 
a man-sized, porcupine-like creature rose from the depths of the 
Earth. 

	"Go, my pet. Destroy Sailor Venus."

**********

	The sun was just beginning to set, and someone was starting a 
bonfire in the park clearing when Minako showed up. She was dressed to 
impress, in a red blazer, short skirt and high heels which showed off 
her legs. Several men were gawking openly, and she giggled to herself. 
It was always nice, even flattering, to get that kind of attention at 
times. 

	A few feet away, as if to prove how much the universe loves 
irony, another teen was arriving. Unlike Minako, he was not happy at 
all. In fact, he was being physically carried into the clearing by two 
other men. 

	"I really shouldn't be here, guys." Seiji Date tried to slip 
out of his friends' grips, but they held him even tighter. "Really! 
There's no need for this!"

	"It's summer, Sage!" the shorter of the two boys laughed and 
ruffled his captive's shaggy blond hair. "You need to relax!"
	
	"Why, Tomeo?" Seiji was almost whining.
	
	"Because you're the captain of our kendo team, and we just 
won the championships! Now we're going to set you down, and you're 
going to enjoy yourself, got it?" 

**********

	A few hours later, the ten people in the clearing had become 
several dozen, and some of the latest hits were thumping through the 
air. Bodies gyrated, punch poured, and a good time was being had by 
almost everybody. Seiji glanced around to make sure nobody was 
watching him and covertly snuck one hand inside his jacket. Time to 
make this party a little more enjoyable for Seiji Date...

**********

	A predator slunk through the crowd. He had seen his target 
from afar, laughing and dancing. And drinking, which was most 
important of all. He reached into his jacket and drew out the bottle. 
She was talking to someone else, and had no idea how close he was 
getting. 
	
	A quick tip of his hand, and the pills dropped into her 
glass, melting quickly in the sugary punch. Unnoticed, the predator 
slipped back into the swirling crowd. All he had to do now was wait... 

	She had such lovely blond hair...

**********

	Minako blinked as she lifted the cup to her lips. What was 
that sound? It was hauntingly familiar, drifting through the air and 
nearly drowned out by the stereo. 
	
	"Alan?" Minako muttered, and walked off into the bushes. 
	
	It was not Alan, but a man she had never seen before, perched 
cross-legged on a rock and playing a very familiar tune on a bamboo 
flute. He was about her height and age, with shoulder length blond 
hair that covered one eye. The other eye was closed, and he was 
swaying slightly in time with the music he played.
	
	"That's a beautiful tune." 

	Seiji started slightly before recovering. The woman had 
somehow snuck up on him. He blushed as he realised how intensely 
beautiful she was. 
	
	"Uhm... thank you..."
	
	"My name's Minako Aino."
	
	"Seiji Date. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Minako 
Aino." Seiji lowered his flute and returned it to his jacket pocket. 
"I'm sorry I drew you from the party, Minako. I felt the need to 
center myself after these past few hours." 

	"Don't worry, Seiji. It was... beautiful." Minako paused 
uncomfortably. "Do you... want to dance?"

	"Sure. Why not?" Seiji grinned boyishly and hopped off of the 
rock. As they re-entered the clearing, the music changed and Seji took 
Minako in his arms.

	"While hitting shoulders, pushing aside many people 
	 Completely like a maze, this crowded town. 
	 Lonely manners, not seeing anything manner 
	 Everyday passing pale eyes. 
	 Even now I'm still searching 
	 For those wind-colored eyes. 
	 Until I can see the heart through them." 

	"What an odd song... I wonder what it's about?" Minako asked. 
The song was nice and slow, though, and was good for dancing to.

	"I think I know," answered Seiji as he held her a little 
closer to him.

	"Last Lady! Last Lady! 
	 From that time I haven't loved anyone. 
 	 Last Lady! Last Lady! 
	 You are the person who took my heart. 
	 You are the one... " 

**********

	Minako smiled as she looked up at Seiji. "Thank you for the 
dance, good sir."
	
	"No," smiled Seiji, "thank YOU..." Suddenly, he felt a 
familiar twitching sensation from the gem around his neck. The Korin? 
How could this girl be affecting his Yoroi crystal? 

	** Wisdom... **

	He shook his head. It must have been a misfire. There was no 
way that Minako could be a yauja. Just the same, he decided to keep an 
eye on her.

**********

	Minako couldn't stop smiling as she sipped her punch. The rest 
of the girls didn't know what they were missing. That Seiji had been 
one kawaii guy, and he was still giving her funny looks out of his one 
exposed eye. She wondered if the other eye was as nice as the one she 
had seen...

	Her cup was empty. She must have been thirstier than she 
thought. Shrugging, she reached for another cup. 

**********

	"Where is our soldier, seer?" 
	
	The cloaked figure nodded imperceptibly. "The time is not yet 
right, my lord and master. Her time of crisis is not yet upon her, 
though it grows closer by the second."
	
	"And the consort?"

	"He remains dangerously close, my lord and master. It would 
seem the gods are INDIRECTLY attempting to interfere with your plans."

	"Let them try, seer. Let them try."

**********

	Minako staggered a little. Her vision was getting a little 
fuzzy for some reason, and the whole park seemed to be spinning. She 
turned to the man she was dancing with.

	"I'm sorry... I think I need some fresh air..."

	The man nodded. "Of course. Come on, I'll find you someplace 
to lie down for a second..." Carefully, he wrapped one arm around her 
shoulders for support as they walked away from the crowd. By now, 
Minako's head was spinning, and she couldn't seem to keep her balance.

***********

	Seiji watched as Tomeo escorted Minako out of the clearing. 
How very odd, he thought, she didn't seem nearly as drunk when I was 
dancing with her earlier... On impulse, he decided to follow after 
them. 

	He was quite disappointed to see Tomeo grabbing her behind the 
bushes. The man had already hiked up her skirt, and opened up her 
blouse. Her head lolled back and forth, and her eyes were shut.

	"Taking advantage of a defenseless woman, Tomeo?" Seiji 
walked forward and lifted his 'friend' by the neck. "That isn't very 
courteous of you."

	"Sage... buddy! I was just having a little - ERK! - fun!"

	"It doesn't look like SHE'S having much fun, Tomeo." Seiji 
could already feel the handle of his sword sliding down his sleeve and 
into his hand as he pressed the cool metal blade against the side of 
the other man's face. "And you are NOT... my friend. Not if you do 
things like this."

	Tomeo was rapidly turning white. "You... you aren't going to 
kill me, are you, Sage?"
	
	"Maybe I should..." Seiji sighed and sheathed his blade, "but 
I won't. Get out of my sight, before I change my mind."

	The other man ran, and Seiji leaned down over Minako. Nothing 
had happened, thank Kami. He hiked her skirt back down and hastily 
rebuttoned her blouse, which is hard to do with one's eyes closed. He 
had to get her to a hospital, or something.

	Then he would come back and beat the crap out of 'good old' 
Tomeo. With that thought, he gently lifted her into his arms and slung 
her over his shoulder. 

**********

	From the bushes, a pair of slitted eyes watched. The Senshi 
was incapacitated. Her escort was just an ordinary school child. It 
would be an easy kill.

**********

	Across town, a small white cat broke out of his cage and 
bolted out of the window. 

**********

	Seiji never even saw what hit him. Coughing blood, he doubled 
over and dropped his feminine cargo. The girl bounced once or twice 
before rolling to a stop by a nearby tree. He fell to his knees and 
clutched his stomach, gagging and wheezing.

	The assailant landed on all fours, like a cat, and 
prepared to strike again. The spines that covered its entire, humanoid 
body bristled in anticipation of the kill to come. A long, barbed 
tongue licked the red blood off of its claws.

	"An easssssy kill," it hissed, "almosssst too easssy." Slowly 
rising onto its hind legs, tail thrashing as it tried to maintain its 
balance, the monster turned to the blond girl. It would fall on her, 
it decided, and then feast on her flesh. 

	"Who... who sent you?" 

	"EH?" The creature looked back over its shoulder. "How is it 
possssssible that you live?"

	Seiji smiled grimly and moved his arm to reveal the shredded 
shirt he wore... and the plating underneath. "Heh. Weren't expecting 
armour, were you?"

**********

	Artemis raced along fences and over rooftops, moving so 
quickly, he seemed to be little more than a blur of white. His breath 
was coming in pants, but he could tell that Minako was in some kind of 
danger. There was no time to summon the other Senshi : he would have 
to save her himself.

**********

	"BUSSO... KORIN!"

	There was an explosion of green energy, with the young man 
as its centerpoint, glowing brighter than magnesium. The youma 
turned away and covered its eyes, hissing in pain. 
	
	In attacking its opponent, the youma had made a critical error.
In Japan in particular, especially when dealing with perfectly average 
looking school children, it was important to remember one thing : 

	Sometimes the toes you step on are connected to the boot that 
kicks your ass. 

	The smoke cleared, and a frightening figure emerged. His body 
was swathed in emerald samurai armour, and a fierce steel mask covered 
his face. The long and jagged blade in his hand was over six feet 
long, and its bearer looked like he knew how to use it. 

	"A Yoroiden!" shrieked the youma.

	"Exactly," growled the warrior as he stepped forward. "Your 
masters never told you who you were after, did they? Know then : I am 
Seiji Date, Ronin of the Halo, Yoroiden of the Korin, and master of the 
Thunderbolt Cut!" 

	"Prepare," he added as an afterthought, "to die."

**********

	Artemis slid to a halt as he saw the scene unfolding before 
him. A youma of come unknown kind was facing off against...

	"A Yoroiden Samurai..." he murmered. "So the legends ARE true, 
after all..."

********** 

	Seiji lifted his blade and gazed warily at the monster before 
him. Some kind of youja, probably, although he had never seen its like 
serving the Dynasty before. 

	"Who sent you?" he asked again, "Kayura? Arago? Anubis?"
It was important he know, to warn the others. 

	"I am called Thornzz, Yoroiden of the Korin." The creature's 
spines continued to flutter as it crouched down into a fighting 
stance. "And I shall be... your DEATH!" 

	At that, a hail of quills flew from the monster's body and 
launched themselves towards Seiji. Rolling, he dodged the first few, 
which exploded behind him as they hit the ground. This was going to 
be tricky, he decided.

**********

	Minako tried to lift her head. Something was wrong... she 
needed to transform! Desperately, she scrabbled for her wand. Where 
was her wand? She couldn't find her wand! 

	"Minako... CATCH!" Artemis burst out of the underbrush and 
flew towards her, carrying a very familiar wand in his mouth. The 
silly ditz had left it at home : he would have to remember to 
reprimand her for that later.

	Minako threw herself forward, and the wand landed gently in 
her hand. Ewww, cat drool... she grimaced and lifted the wand to the 
sky.

	"VENUS... STAR... POWER!!!"

	Seiji winced as a quill slashed open his face. Reaching up, he 
grabbed the barb and pulled it free, a ribbon of blood splurting from 
his cheek as he threw it aside. Whoever or whatever this Thornzz was, 
he was pretty tough. He was no Dark Warlord, but he was still tough.

	*Fortunately...* Seiji grinned, *I'm much tougher...*  

	Sailor Venus leapt forward and landed beside him. "Hi!" she 
said cheerily, "I saw you were having some trouble here. Need help?" 

	"NO." Seiji dug his sword into the soft ground and vaulted 
feet first into the thorny devil. Thornzz grunted and fell down. 

	"VENUS... LOVE... ME... CHAIN !!!" Minako hurled her 
glittering ribbon of stars around the foe, who hissed as the light 
touched his skin.

	"Don't like light, eh?" Seiji smiled as a bolt of lightning 
arced and flared around his sword blade. "Well, you're going to hate 
this! THUNDER... " He drew back the sword, trailing electricity, 
"BOLT..." the energy collected along the edge of the sword, sizzling 
and crackling as he held the blade like a baseball bat, "CUT!" 
	
	He swung, and the demon screamed in horror as it collapsed 
into a smoking pile of ash. 

	"Heh-heh! Dusted!" Sailor Venus walked over and wiped her 
forehead. Transforming had helped, but she still felt a little woozy...

	"Dusted? I like the sound of that!" Seiji looked over at the 
girl in the sailor fuku, just as she collapsed. Catching her, he 
pressed his armoured fingers against her forehead. A glowing heart 
appeared, and the kanji on his own forehead glowed in response.

	** Wisdom... ** 

	He opened her mind, and entered. It wasn't a pleasant 
sensation, but it was necessary for him to use his healing powers upon 
her. Now he saw she was not drunk, but drugged, and he set about 
flushing her system of the intoxicant. 

	The Moon Kingdom? Seiji blinked inwardly as he saw a beautiful 
and regal lady... Queen Serenity, he knew... using the last of her 
strength to send her daughter somewhere safe, somewhere untouched by 
evil...

	Minako blinked. Grandfather had sent him to the basement again, 
even though he hadn't been at fault! Still, he reflected, this was 
better than to allow his opponent to be dishonored for cheating in 
their match... something in the corner glowed green... he / they 
reached out and grabbed the crystal : KORIN...

	Anubis laughed from the top of the waterfall as Nasuti swung 
on the end of his chain. She was in the water! She couldn't breathe! 
And Shuu was still trapped in the rock! Minako took a deep breath and 
lifted her sword. There was only one chance...

	Sailor Moon screamed as she and the other Senshi were forced 
to their knees. The bubble around them was made of pure black energy : 
Seiji closed his eyes and tried to settle his stomach. It all relied 
on him now. "VENUS CRESCENT BEAM!" he cried, and pointed...

	"THUNDER BOLT CUT!" Minako screamed, and soared through the 
air towards Anubis...

	Queen Beryl had managed to seperate the entire team. Seiji 
grit his teeth and prepared to face the final obstacle. "GO!" he yelled 
at Sailor Moon... at Usagi... "this is my fight!"

	Lord Tahlpa had managed to seperate the entire team. Minako 
stopped as she ran up the stairs and turned to Ryo. "GO!" she yelled 
at him, "this is my fight!" Gripping her sword, she ran back down the 
stairs towards certain death...

**********

	Seiji jerked back his fingers and stared at Minako in shock. 
Sometime during their... whatever that had been, both of them had 
reverted back to their civilian clothes. 
	
	Minako looked up at him. "Your parents used to dress you as 
a girl?" she asked in confusion.

	"Your cat talks?" he asked her in equal confusion. 

	"I do," answered the cat, "and I have a few questions for you, 
Yoroiden no Korin."

	"They can wait," mumbled Seiji, "I need to go somewhere and 
clear my head."

	"Don't forget your flute." Minako said, smiling.

	"Yeah, well... say 'hi' to Makoto for me." And Seiji was gone, 
still trying to sort out what had happened to him.

**********

	"Tell me, seer. What do you see?" 

	The seer hunched over his bones once again. "The world is in 
flux. A time of great crisis comes for all... "
	
	"I already know that. Tell me more."

	"The Sailor Senshi are still in peril. They shall fight... and 
they shall cry... they shall fail, and they shall die. But there will 
be others."
	
	"Others? What others?"

	The seer gestured, and once again the image of Queen Serenity 
and her Senshi appeared on the floor of the cave. One by one, each of 
the Senshi fell... and was caught by a shadowy figure.

	"Water's depth, and speed of light 
	 Strength of rock shall join the fight.
	 Heaven's vengeance, and virtue's flame,
	 Shall battle in Usagi's name.

	 Virtue, Justice, Truth and Chi,
	 Wisdom : known as Courtesy.
	 Some will fight, and some will swoon,
	 But they shall kill you... for the Moon." 

	The seer seemed to shudder as he fell out of his trance. His 
master watched, and felt a vague flutter of what might be fear. 

	"Never," the shadow cried, "shall I be beaten by such... such 
POSEURS! They shall come, but they shall DIE!" His words echoed off of 
the walls, chasing themselves around the cave : 

	"DIE!"

	"DIE!!"
	
	"DIE!!!"

                            To Be Continued