Eps. 1: Out of the fires and into the open! The awakening of a new enemy!
"DANKO!!!!!!!!! Wake up! This is the last time I'm warning you!"
The young girl sat up in bed, her sparkling pink hair matted in a mess at the top of her head. She rubbed her eyes and reached for a pair of glasses that were on her bed-stand. "Coming!" she called out, a massive yawn escaping her mouth as well. She turned so that her feet and calves hung from the bed and stepped into a pair of fuzzy pink slippers. Her pajamas were a long sleeved shirt that reached her mid-thigh. She walked sleepily, almost as if in a trance, to her restroom. Taking a brush she swiped through her hair until it was obedient and didn't stick up. She took the glasses from her face and stared at her now blurry reflection. "As always, I'm late once again. . . . ." She put in pink contacts, to make her usually brown eyes pink and slipped into her school uniform.
"Danko, now!"
"I said I'm coming!" She called back angrily. She put her sparkling pink hair into a tight braid and slipped her retainer into her mouth. She exited her bathroom and took a deep breath. She was surrounded by hot pink and red. The comforter and sheets for her bed were pink. Her curtains were pink. Her wall an extremely soft color of pink, often mistaken as white. She slipped on some shoes on and ran down the stairs. "Hey mom." She gave her mother a quick hug.
Her mother put her hands to her hips. "It's about time, Danko." Her soft pink lips set in a tight frown. Her usually beautiful face was creased with anger, blue eyes studying her daughter.
"Look mother, I woke up late." Danko sighed. She picked up her briefcase.
"Anyways, remember, you have ballet after school until five. You had better not get a detention." Her mother brushed away her lush brown hair and set a glare upon her.
"If I keep talking I will." Danko stated softly. She took a piece of toast and popped it into her mouth. "Ja matta!" she called out through her stuffed mouth as she exited the house. She finished eating her toast a few minutes later.
"Danko!" A girl called from behind her. The girl had aqua colored eyes and short, cropped brown hair, in a somewhat boyish cut.
Danko turned around with a smile. "Hey Jou." She smiled and waved politely to her good friend.
Jou quickened her pace to catch up with Danko. "Soooooooo. . . ."
"'Soooooo' what?" Danko looked at her friend, confusion in her eyes.
"How'd it go?" Jou asked softly.
"Fine." Danko replied quietly, her eyes closed as if reliving the memory.
"Well, details!" Jou stated expectantly.
"Hmpf. You sure are pushy."
"Yep, I sure am. Now, on with it."
"It was like a dream! We danced for hours. Everyone enjoyed it." Danko held her arms above her head and did a small spin on her tip toes. "I got my solo, and everyone clapped. Finally I got a solo. The whole night was fun and exciting."
"Sounds like it really did go well."
"All ballet recitals should be like that." Danko laughed softly.
Jou nodded in agreement. Both were stunned when they saw a blonde haired girl with two odango's running past them.
"Wasn't that. . . ." Danko started.
"Eep! Usagi-san! That means we're late!" Jou finished. The two girls picked up their pace, slowly bringing themselves to a full run.
They reached their seats about ten seconds before the bell rang. Today was the last day of school before summer vacation, they surely didn't want to get detention today.
~~~~After School~~~~
Danko smiled and waved goodbye to Jou as her mom approached the school in their car.
"Have fun at lessons." Jou called out sarcastically. "When you get off, I'll be up at Hikawa Jinja Shrine. Supposedly they have good luck charms for sale there."
"Alright, meet you there after practice." Danko replied as she got into the car.
"How was school?" her mother asked softly.
"It was fine, as always. Thank goodness it's over for a few months, though. I needed a break." Danko smiled. When they weren't fighting in the mornings about her being late, her mother was awfully nice.
"That's good. Ready for practice I hope?" Her mother joked.
Danko sent a small glare in her direction.
"Just kidding." Her mother quickly added.
"It's allright. Did you check the list to see if anyone new was in my class?" Danko sighed as she slipped her ballet slippers on, having successfully changed in the back and not having anyone notice. She hopped into the front once more.
"Here, I'll recite your class list for you. Hinode Danko," her mother smiled softly as she started. "Ani Kassie, Mizu Hotto, Hi Liela, Kaioh Michiru, and then there were a few more. But no new kids."
"That sucks." Danko sighed. She flipped down the mirror in the car and fixed her long, sparkling hot pink hair into a bun.
"Yeah, I suppose. Well, here we are." Her mother stopped the car, and Danko hopped out, bringing her duffle bag across her shoulder. "Shall I pick you up after practice?"
"Nah. I'm going to the Hikawa Jinja shrine after practice. Jou promised to meet me there. Besides, it's not too far from here." Danko waved as her mother nodded and drove off, finally entering the small building. She placed her duffle bag at the door and leaped onto the wooden practice floor. Only a few were in her class, and none were there yet. She leaped into the air softly, as she landed she stood on her tip toes and twirled gracefully about. She walked over to the bar and began her stretching.
"Ohayo, Danko." The teacher stated as she walked in.
"Konnichi wa, sensei." Danko replied almost breathlessly as she continued her stretches.
"Danko, we have a new student. She didn't join till today, that's why you probably didn't see her on the class list. Her name is Ririshi Hoshikozu. I'd like you to give her a summary of what's going on, and help her around."
A tall girl with a slender, yet curvaceous body stepped in the doorframe. She wore a black leotard with a small skirt on the bottom. Her face was extremely exsquisite, soft features and gorgeous blue eyes. Her lush black hair was pulled into a single bun on the top of her head, held up by a jewelled band, sapphires decorating its simple looks. "Hello." She stated somewhat softly. Having been so beautiful, one would have thought she'd be more outgoing. Stereotypical for them to think so, as she was extremely shy to any new people she met.
"Ah, Ririshi, there you are now." The teacher smiled and motioned for her to come over.
Ririshi smiled and walked over softly.
"This is Danko Hinode, she'll be helping you around. She's the nicest girl in the class, so don't be afraid of her." The teacher laughed softly.
Danko smiled and held her hand out. "Nice to meet you, Ririshi-san."
Ririshi graciously accepted the hand, and shook it softly. "Same to you, Danko-san."
In the doorway appeared a young woman. Soft teal hair cascaded to hardly past her shoulders. Smiling aqua eyes gazed upon them. Her face was soft featured and just as gorgeous, if not any more, as Ririshi's. She wore a teal short-sleeved leotard with teal pantyhose/leggings. She lifted her arms and carefully put her teal hair into a bun at the top of her head. She walked softly onto the tiled floor and travelled to where the three stood.
"Konnichi wa, sensei, Danko-chan." She smiled. She turned to the other girl. "Are you new?" she asked softly.
"Hai. I'm Ririshi Hoshikozu." Ririshi held out her hand.
"Michiru Kaioh. Pleasure to meet you, Ririshi-san." Michiru shook the girl's hand. At the moment the hands touched, Michiru's eyes hazed over. Four tall soldiers stood in a sea of darkness. Who those four were, was unknown to her. She shook her head and released her grip from Ririshi's hand, a smile penetrating her face once more.
"Michiru? Are you allright?" Danko asked softly.
"Hai, I'm fine." Michiru smiled.
Danko smiled softly and walked over to the bar. She placed her right hand on it and stretched. "Ririshi-san, have you ever done ballet before?"
"Yes, I have. But I'm not really good at it."
Danko sighed. "I doubt that."
"Believe what you want to, but I'm seriously not that good." Ririshi giggled softly.
~~~~~*~~~~After Practice~~~~*~~~~
Danko finished changing into her normal clothes and stepped out of the restroom. She grabbed her duffel bag. "Michiru, Ririshi-san, I have to get going. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"
Michiru smiled and nodded. "Of course."
"Why not?" Ririshi laughed. "Bye."
Danko waved one last time and ran off quickly. She was so late. She couldn't believe the teacher kept them half an hour over the normal time. Jou was gonna get so angry with her.
She ran up the stairs to the shrine frantically, hoping Jou wouldn't be too upset. "Jou-chan!"
Jou turned around quickly, a smile spreading her face. "Danko! Oh thank kami-sama you're allright!"
Danko slowed down somewhat. "Why? Were you afraid I got hurt or something?"
"Well, I was a tad early. I asked the shrine priestess a favor. I wanted her to do a fire reading on our future. Well, she agreed to it. In the middle of the fire reading she passed out! I was so afraid something was going to happen to you, I paced around the shrine. Her grandfather said she'll be allright." Jou hugged Danko quickly.
"Woah, weird." Danko muttered as she pushed Jou away from herself. "Anyways, I'm sorry about worrying you."
"It's allright. Now I know you're fine, I'll live. Come on, you must be starved! Let's get something to eat." Jou tugged on her friends arm and pulled her to the nearest café. The two sat at a booth and looked around.
"You're too pushy." Danko sighed.
"I love being pushy!" Jou giggled.
The girl seated at the booth behind Jou looked over her shoulder. Black hair tumbling over her shoulder.
Danko smiled. "Ririshi-san!"
The girl let a smile on her face. "I thought it was you, Danko-san. Michiru told me you usually come here after practice. You're really the only person I know in this city." Ririshi stood up and walked over, sitting next to Danko.
"Jou, this is Ririshi Hoshikozu, she's new and is in my ballet class." Danko introduced, ignoring the glare of death her best friend was giving her.
Jou then smiled. "Hi! I'm Jou Hi, Danko's BEST friend."
Danko smiled halfly.
"Nice to meet you, Jou-san." Ririshi greeted softly. She turned back to Danko. "Anyways, Michiru-san told me to tell you that she hopes you get the solo. Danko-san, do you think I could possibly get a tour around the city from you tomorrow? Jou-san can come along if she wants."
"Of course I'll come along!" Jou stated quickly.
"Allright." Danko sighed. "Yare, you're so protective Jou."
Jou glared at Danko and then looked at Ririshi. She didn't like this girl. 'Possible competition for my best friend, it should seem.'
Ririshi smiled. "It should seem I'm late getting home, so I'll have to continue this chat with you later." She moved from her seat, her expressionless eyes glancing somewhat at Jou and then left.
"Jou! What's your problem?!" Danko exclaimed, banging her fists on the table.
Jou shrank back. "Danko. . . ."
"I want an answer, and it had better be the truth. Ririshi never did anything to you, why were you so rude to her?"
"I wasn't rude. I just didn't like the feeling I got from her. She had some magical aura to her, or something."
"I can't believe you actually believe in that stuff." Danko muttered.
"I don't see what you see in her, because I don't see a thing." Jou protested.
Danko sighed and got from her spot. "I have to get home, my choir concert's tonight."
"You can't run from the truth, Danko." Jou hissed angrily.
"I can try. Jou, I'll see you tomorrow."
Danko grabbed her coat and duffel bag and marched out of the diner.
Jou frowned and allowed her head to slump onto the table. "Fine, Danko. Be that way."
A girl with short brown hair, just past her shoulders, sat in front of Jou. "I'm Akatsuki Genzen. You're Danko's best friend, are you not?"
"Genzen-san, is it alright if call you that?"
The girl nodded.
"Danko and I have been good friends for as long as I can remember. This Ririshi girl seems to be nice, she's just weird."
"Your name means Imperial Sun in the english language, does it not?" Genzen asked softly.
Jou nodded. "Yours means solemn daybreak, correct?"
Genzen smiled. "That it does. I'm a friend of Danko's, she always talks about you. Ririshi is a new girl, I've met her, she's kind and sweet. Exact opposite of what most would think."
"What point are you getting at?"
"If you and Danko have been good friends for as long as you say, then you shouldn't feel threatened by Ririshi. You have something that she doesn't, but that doesn't mean she'll try to 'steal' Danko from you."
Jou glanced up at Genzen. "You're a smart person, no wonder you're friends with Danko."
Genzen smiled. "You're a nice girl, I hope my presumptions are correct."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The shadowed figure let out a soft, dangerous laugh. "The sailor senshi shall not defeat me, as I will destroy them. I'm stronger than anything they've ever faced before, and they shall not win this battle." She let out yet another devious cackle. "Anrui, send one of your most trusted warriors! We need the energy more than anything else! We are not as primative as Beryl and her minions were. Oh no, not us. We're strategic in our ways. Isn't that so, Anrui?"
The woman in the only lightened spot nodded. Her long red hair in a claw clip, and her thick red bangs hanging over the right side of her face. "That's right, mistress." Her velvety voice ringed through the room. "YAMIYO!"
At the toll of her voice, the young man entered dutifully. His short black hair spiked atop his head. He wore a long black trenchcoat, no shirt, and baggy jeans. "You called, Anrui?"
Anrui nodded. "The Mistress here would like to collect energy. So we can start this duty off well, I called for you. You are one I trust. Collect energy, I don't care what methods you use, just get me a sufficient amount."
Yamiyo nodded his head. "As you wish, Anrui."
Anrui smiled at him. "I would suggest sending youma out and saving the real trouble for yourself to handle," she stated softly to him, as not to hint to the mistress that she was helping her general.
Yamiyo bowed slightly and walked backwards through a portal that had just moments ago appeared behind him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Danko was silent all the way to the performance.
Ms. Hinode frowned. "Hun? What's wrong?"
"I met this new girl, but now Jou's acting all protective." Danko massaged her forehead softly.
"Jou only worries for you. You know that, hun." Ms. Hinode sent a sympathetic glance in her daughter's direction.
"I know, but she's acting weird." Danko allowed her chin to sluimp into her upturned palm.
Not before long, they reached the auditorium.
"At least think about what I said, Danko. I'll be in the audience." Ms. Hinode let her daughter out of the car and went to go park it.
"DANKO!!!!!!!!! Wake up! This is the last time I'm warning you!"
The young girl sat up in bed, her sparkling pink hair matted in a mess at the top of her head. She rubbed her eyes and reached for a pair of glasses that were on her bed-stand. "Coming!" she called out, a massive yawn escaping her mouth as well. She turned so that her feet and calves hung from the bed and stepped into a pair of fuzzy pink slippers. Her pajamas were a long sleeved shirt that reached her mid-thigh. She walked sleepily, almost as if in a trance, to her restroom. Taking a brush she swiped through her hair until it was obedient and didn't stick up. She took the glasses from her face and stared at her now blurry reflection. "As always, I'm late once again. . . . ." She put in pink contacts, to make her usually brown eyes pink and slipped into her school uniform.
"Danko, now!"
"I said I'm coming!" She called back angrily. She put her sparkling pink hair into a tight braid and slipped her retainer into her mouth. She exited her bathroom and took a deep breath. She was surrounded by hot pink and red. The comforter and sheets for her bed were pink. Her curtains were pink. Her wall an extremely soft color of pink, often mistaken as white. She slipped on some shoes on and ran down the stairs. "Hey mom." She gave her mother a quick hug.
Her mother put her hands to her hips. "It's about time, Danko." Her soft pink lips set in a tight frown. Her usually beautiful face was creased with anger, blue eyes studying her daughter.
"Look mother, I woke up late." Danko sighed. She picked up her briefcase.
"Anyways, remember, you have ballet after school until five. You had better not get a detention." Her mother brushed away her lush brown hair and set a glare upon her.
"If I keep talking I will." Danko stated softly. She took a piece of toast and popped it into her mouth. "Ja matta!" she called out through her stuffed mouth as she exited the house. She finished eating her toast a few minutes later.
"Danko!" A girl called from behind her. The girl had aqua colored eyes and short, cropped brown hair, in a somewhat boyish cut.
Danko turned around with a smile. "Hey Jou." She smiled and waved politely to her good friend.
Jou quickened her pace to catch up with Danko. "Soooooooo. . . ."
"'Soooooo' what?" Danko looked at her friend, confusion in her eyes.
"How'd it go?" Jou asked softly.
"Fine." Danko replied quietly, her eyes closed as if reliving the memory.
"Well, details!" Jou stated expectantly.
"Hmpf. You sure are pushy."
"Yep, I sure am. Now, on with it."
"It was like a dream! We danced for hours. Everyone enjoyed it." Danko held her arms above her head and did a small spin on her tip toes. "I got my solo, and everyone clapped. Finally I got a solo. The whole night was fun and exciting."
"Sounds like it really did go well."
"All ballet recitals should be like that." Danko laughed softly.
Jou nodded in agreement. Both were stunned when they saw a blonde haired girl with two odango's running past them.
"Wasn't that. . . ." Danko started.
"Eep! Usagi-san! That means we're late!" Jou finished. The two girls picked up their pace, slowly bringing themselves to a full run.
They reached their seats about ten seconds before the bell rang. Today was the last day of school before summer vacation, they surely didn't want to get detention today.
~~~~After School~~~~
Danko smiled and waved goodbye to Jou as her mom approached the school in their car.
"Have fun at lessons." Jou called out sarcastically. "When you get off, I'll be up at Hikawa Jinja Shrine. Supposedly they have good luck charms for sale there."
"Alright, meet you there after practice." Danko replied as she got into the car.
"How was school?" her mother asked softly.
"It was fine, as always. Thank goodness it's over for a few months, though. I needed a break." Danko smiled. When they weren't fighting in the mornings about her being late, her mother was awfully nice.
"That's good. Ready for practice I hope?" Her mother joked.
Danko sent a small glare in her direction.
"Just kidding." Her mother quickly added.
"It's allright. Did you check the list to see if anyone new was in my class?" Danko sighed as she slipped her ballet slippers on, having successfully changed in the back and not having anyone notice. She hopped into the front once more.
"Here, I'll recite your class list for you. Hinode Danko," her mother smiled softly as she started. "Ani Kassie, Mizu Hotto, Hi Liela, Kaioh Michiru, and then there were a few more. But no new kids."
"That sucks." Danko sighed. She flipped down the mirror in the car and fixed her long, sparkling hot pink hair into a bun.
"Yeah, I suppose. Well, here we are." Her mother stopped the car, and Danko hopped out, bringing her duffle bag across her shoulder. "Shall I pick you up after practice?"
"Nah. I'm going to the Hikawa Jinja shrine after practice. Jou promised to meet me there. Besides, it's not too far from here." Danko waved as her mother nodded and drove off, finally entering the small building. She placed her duffle bag at the door and leaped onto the wooden practice floor. Only a few were in her class, and none were there yet. She leaped into the air softly, as she landed she stood on her tip toes and twirled gracefully about. She walked over to the bar and began her stretching.
"Ohayo, Danko." The teacher stated as she walked in.
"Konnichi wa, sensei." Danko replied almost breathlessly as she continued her stretches.
"Danko, we have a new student. She didn't join till today, that's why you probably didn't see her on the class list. Her name is Ririshi Hoshikozu. I'd like you to give her a summary of what's going on, and help her around."
A tall girl with a slender, yet curvaceous body stepped in the doorframe. She wore a black leotard with a small skirt on the bottom. Her face was extremely exsquisite, soft features and gorgeous blue eyes. Her lush black hair was pulled into a single bun on the top of her head, held up by a jewelled band, sapphires decorating its simple looks. "Hello." She stated somewhat softly. Having been so beautiful, one would have thought she'd be more outgoing. Stereotypical for them to think so, as she was extremely shy to any new people she met.
"Ah, Ririshi, there you are now." The teacher smiled and motioned for her to come over.
Ririshi smiled and walked over softly.
"This is Danko Hinode, she'll be helping you around. She's the nicest girl in the class, so don't be afraid of her." The teacher laughed softly.
Danko smiled and held her hand out. "Nice to meet you, Ririshi-san."
Ririshi graciously accepted the hand, and shook it softly. "Same to you, Danko-san."
In the doorway appeared a young woman. Soft teal hair cascaded to hardly past her shoulders. Smiling aqua eyes gazed upon them. Her face was soft featured and just as gorgeous, if not any more, as Ririshi's. She wore a teal short-sleeved leotard with teal pantyhose/leggings. She lifted her arms and carefully put her teal hair into a bun at the top of her head. She walked softly onto the tiled floor and travelled to where the three stood.
"Konnichi wa, sensei, Danko-chan." She smiled. She turned to the other girl. "Are you new?" she asked softly.
"Hai. I'm Ririshi Hoshikozu." Ririshi held out her hand.
"Michiru Kaioh. Pleasure to meet you, Ririshi-san." Michiru shook the girl's hand. At the moment the hands touched, Michiru's eyes hazed over. Four tall soldiers stood in a sea of darkness. Who those four were, was unknown to her. She shook her head and released her grip from Ririshi's hand, a smile penetrating her face once more.
"Michiru? Are you allright?" Danko asked softly.
"Hai, I'm fine." Michiru smiled.
Danko smiled softly and walked over to the bar. She placed her right hand on it and stretched. "Ririshi-san, have you ever done ballet before?"
"Yes, I have. But I'm not really good at it."
Danko sighed. "I doubt that."
"Believe what you want to, but I'm seriously not that good." Ririshi giggled softly.
~~~~~*~~~~After Practice~~~~*~~~~
Danko finished changing into her normal clothes and stepped out of the restroom. She grabbed her duffel bag. "Michiru, Ririshi-san, I have to get going. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"
Michiru smiled and nodded. "Of course."
"Why not?" Ririshi laughed. "Bye."
Danko waved one last time and ran off quickly. She was so late. She couldn't believe the teacher kept them half an hour over the normal time. Jou was gonna get so angry with her.
She ran up the stairs to the shrine frantically, hoping Jou wouldn't be too upset. "Jou-chan!"
Jou turned around quickly, a smile spreading her face. "Danko! Oh thank kami-sama you're allright!"
Danko slowed down somewhat. "Why? Were you afraid I got hurt or something?"
"Well, I was a tad early. I asked the shrine priestess a favor. I wanted her to do a fire reading on our future. Well, she agreed to it. In the middle of the fire reading she passed out! I was so afraid something was going to happen to you, I paced around the shrine. Her grandfather said she'll be allright." Jou hugged Danko quickly.
"Woah, weird." Danko muttered as she pushed Jou away from herself. "Anyways, I'm sorry about worrying you."
"It's allright. Now I know you're fine, I'll live. Come on, you must be starved! Let's get something to eat." Jou tugged on her friends arm and pulled her to the nearest café. The two sat at a booth and looked around.
"You're too pushy." Danko sighed.
"I love being pushy!" Jou giggled.
The girl seated at the booth behind Jou looked over her shoulder. Black hair tumbling over her shoulder.
Danko smiled. "Ririshi-san!"
The girl let a smile on her face. "I thought it was you, Danko-san. Michiru told me you usually come here after practice. You're really the only person I know in this city." Ririshi stood up and walked over, sitting next to Danko.
"Jou, this is Ririshi Hoshikozu, she's new and is in my ballet class." Danko introduced, ignoring the glare of death her best friend was giving her.
Jou then smiled. "Hi! I'm Jou Hi, Danko's BEST friend."
Danko smiled halfly.
"Nice to meet you, Jou-san." Ririshi greeted softly. She turned back to Danko. "Anyways, Michiru-san told me to tell you that she hopes you get the solo. Danko-san, do you think I could possibly get a tour around the city from you tomorrow? Jou-san can come along if she wants."
"Of course I'll come along!" Jou stated quickly.
"Allright." Danko sighed. "Yare, you're so protective Jou."
Jou glared at Danko and then looked at Ririshi. She didn't like this girl. 'Possible competition for my best friend, it should seem.'
Ririshi smiled. "It should seem I'm late getting home, so I'll have to continue this chat with you later." She moved from her seat, her expressionless eyes glancing somewhat at Jou and then left.
"Jou! What's your problem?!" Danko exclaimed, banging her fists on the table.
Jou shrank back. "Danko. . . ."
"I want an answer, and it had better be the truth. Ririshi never did anything to you, why were you so rude to her?"
"I wasn't rude. I just didn't like the feeling I got from her. She had some magical aura to her, or something."
"I can't believe you actually believe in that stuff." Danko muttered.
"I don't see what you see in her, because I don't see a thing." Jou protested.
Danko sighed and got from her spot. "I have to get home, my choir concert's tonight."
"You can't run from the truth, Danko." Jou hissed angrily.
"I can try. Jou, I'll see you tomorrow."
Danko grabbed her coat and duffel bag and marched out of the diner.
Jou frowned and allowed her head to slump onto the table. "Fine, Danko. Be that way."
A girl with short brown hair, just past her shoulders, sat in front of Jou. "I'm Akatsuki Genzen. You're Danko's best friend, are you not?"
"Genzen-san, is it alright if call you that?"
The girl nodded.
"Danko and I have been good friends for as long as I can remember. This Ririshi girl seems to be nice, she's just weird."
"Your name means Imperial Sun in the english language, does it not?" Genzen asked softly.
Jou nodded. "Yours means solemn daybreak, correct?"
Genzen smiled. "That it does. I'm a friend of Danko's, she always talks about you. Ririshi is a new girl, I've met her, she's kind and sweet. Exact opposite of what most would think."
"What point are you getting at?"
"If you and Danko have been good friends for as long as you say, then you shouldn't feel threatened by Ririshi. You have something that she doesn't, but that doesn't mean she'll try to 'steal' Danko from you."
Jou glanced up at Genzen. "You're a smart person, no wonder you're friends with Danko."
Genzen smiled. "You're a nice girl, I hope my presumptions are correct."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The shadowed figure let out a soft, dangerous laugh. "The sailor senshi shall not defeat me, as I will destroy them. I'm stronger than anything they've ever faced before, and they shall not win this battle." She let out yet another devious cackle. "Anrui, send one of your most trusted warriors! We need the energy more than anything else! We are not as primative as Beryl and her minions were. Oh no, not us. We're strategic in our ways. Isn't that so, Anrui?"
The woman in the only lightened spot nodded. Her long red hair in a claw clip, and her thick red bangs hanging over the right side of her face. "That's right, mistress." Her velvety voice ringed through the room. "YAMIYO!"
At the toll of her voice, the young man entered dutifully. His short black hair spiked atop his head. He wore a long black trenchcoat, no shirt, and baggy jeans. "You called, Anrui?"
Anrui nodded. "The Mistress here would like to collect energy. So we can start this duty off well, I called for you. You are one I trust. Collect energy, I don't care what methods you use, just get me a sufficient amount."
Yamiyo nodded his head. "As you wish, Anrui."
Anrui smiled at him. "I would suggest sending youma out and saving the real trouble for yourself to handle," she stated softly to him, as not to hint to the mistress that she was helping her general.
Yamiyo bowed slightly and walked backwards through a portal that had just moments ago appeared behind him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Danko was silent all the way to the performance.
Ms. Hinode frowned. "Hun? What's wrong?"
"I met this new girl, but now Jou's acting all protective." Danko massaged her forehead softly.
"Jou only worries for you. You know that, hun." Ms. Hinode sent a sympathetic glance in her daughter's direction.
"I know, but she's acting weird." Danko allowed her chin to sluimp into her upturned palm.
Not before long, they reached the auditorium.
"At least think about what I said, Danko. I'll be in the audience." Ms. Hinode let her daughter out of the car and went to go park it.