A/N: Hello to those of you who made it thus far. Chapter 4 is the last prologue, our final introduction of sorts, before we get into the major story line. Since this really is an off the beaten path sort of fiction, (and odd mix, I know) it is difficult to write, but so much fun, when you get down to it.

I do not own any of the following: Mai HiME, Black Lagoon, Psycho-Pass, Gunslinger Girl, Sailor Moon.


Prologue 4
Valor or Cowardice?
The way of the Senshi.

If you could make a perfect place to live, wouldn't that be great?

I've always thought of things like that. I would doodle on small pieces of paper as a kid. I would pop a snack in my mouth, pick up my crayons, and draw the things that I'd like to see most. I was never a strong reader, or writer, but, I did love books, and having people read to me. Books I liked, always had things that were the same. A prince, or a knight. A princess, or some kind of girl who was waiting for him. It's old, and over used, but, it was the kind of story I liked. I wanted to see more pictures, but, the book never had enough, so I began to draw my own.

A queen had to have a big castle...she had to have servants, and a king who loved her...but I thought that was lonely. So, I thought, what if her servants, were also her best friends? What if, this girl, a princess, or a queen, it didn't matter who, tried to love everyone? What if she tried to see the good in everyone? What if she didn't punish people by doing mean things, but also tried to get them to see things her way? What if, this person was the type everyone wanted to follow, because of her personality. What if the king, who would marry her because he loved her..well..what if he also felt the same way about the kingdom?

That was the kind of thing I thought about, back when I was little. My parents always laughed at me, and told me that I had the head in the clouds...I probably did.

When I was in school, the teachers handed out this test and we had to take it. The questions weren't hard, but, there were a lot of them. I remember answering them with my heart, instead of my mind. When it asked me things, like what I wanted to be when I grew up, I actually wrote down that I wanted to be a princess. When it asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I said, that I wanted to make people happy. The test was a life changing moment for everyone in the class, because, at the end of the year, we were going to be given classes that best suited whatever we were going to be when we grew up.

That's just how the world works. I think it's dumb, because, who wants to be told what would make them happy? Not that it really matters, because the world won't ever change, but, I mean, isn't it kind of sad, when you think about it like that? Anyway, they would pass out the tests at the end of every school year, and, there were a lot of them, but, you know how that goes.

It was no surprise, I failed it...how does anyone fail a test like that, right? My parents thought that too.

I didn't repeat a year though. Instead, some people came to meet with my parents, and asked them if they could give me a new test. The questions were kind of the same. A little different, and it wasn't a written test. People in white coats asked me all of the questions themselves, and, they wanted me to talk about the things I thought were interesting. They wanted to see my drawings, they wanted to read to me...and, in the end, they asked me if I wanted to go to a special place...where I could learn how to be a princess. They told my parents that I could be accepted into a school for young girls, who could be taught everything needed to have a political role...

They told my parents, that I was a born politician.

They were shocked, and so was I...but, I wanted to be one so badly, that, they agreed to send me to the school.

This place, it isn't a school. I'm older now, and I know what this place is. It's an agency. Some people, like Ami, are interested in every little detail of how it works, but I'm not...I'm only interested in what I know my job will be. I have to wait for that time, but one day, I'll be able to be a person who I've always wanted to be. A princess, watching over her people...maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll meet a prince, and get married. Rei always says I need to take my upcoming role with more poise and dignity. Minako and Makoto just sort of shrug it off.

We're only teenagers, and, I've got a long time to go before I'll get to be that person...so it doesn't matter...they say that I have time.

I know that as a kid, I wanted to be a princess...but I'm older now, and sometimes, I see things here that I don't think I like. I wonder sometimes, if I'm really cut out to be that kind of person, but, I won't know unless I try, so I will...besides, I've made friends here...irreplaceable ones. I don't want to lose them...they're not going to just be my servants, and protectors...they're my best fiends...if I think about it, I'm being groomed for the one thing I dreamed about as a child...

I just hope the reality is as wonderful, as my dream was...

My name is Usagi...and all I really want to be, is somebody's princess.

"Cheer up, Usagi." Makoto said then, as she put a warm plate of cookies in front of her blond friend. "I hear that Rei can help Shizuru. Once she's done helping her, she'll be back here, and then we can all gossip." She poured a tall glass of milk, and also set that in front of her friend. "It can be just like old times."

"I just wanted Ami and Shizuru to get along." Usagi said softly. "I wanted all of the HiME to be our friends...not out rivals."

"Shizuru wasn't trying to hurt Ami." Makoto said then, when she noticed the young, raven haired HiME slouch sadly in the chair next to Usagi. "Not you too, Mikoto...don't be so gloomy." She ruffled the girl's hair and returned to her vegetables, dicing them into small pieces. "Things will work out somehow."

"Mako's right." Mai said then, placing a bowl of noodles in front of Mikoto. "We get along, don't we? Things will even out, if you give them time."

"Natsuki and Nao feel differently." Usagi said as she popped a little cookie into her mouth, savoring the chocolate taste. "I know they don't like me...in fact, I think they hate me."

"They don't hate you." Mai said then. "If they hated you, they'd try to pick fights with you." Mai knew that Natsuki and Nao weren't above a good fistfight, especially when they hated someone. "They haven't tried to do that, have they?"

"They call people names." Mikoto said as she looked into her steaming bowl, fishing out her first taste with her chopsticks. "They aren't very nice, Mai. You know how Natsuki is."

"Nao's pretty mean sometimes too." Usagi agreed readily, looking forlorn. She was known to be a bottomless pit, but today, she just wasn't as hungry as she should have been. "Let's face it, we're meant to be rivals. It's so sad."

"No, Mai's telling the truth." Makoto finished her preparation for her salad, and cleaned her hands on her apron. "Usagi, those two are just withdrawn. Natsuki's actually pretty good at fighting, and so is Nao. I've talked to them a little bit, and Nao's a bit rude tempered...but they're okay."

"I feel like after the match up that Ami had with Shizuru, there's been a lot of things Natsuki wants to get into a fight about." Usagi drank some of her milk. "I don't know who the next match up is, but I don't want any fighting outside of the arena." Usagi didn't have to state that she hated the matches inside the arena as well, everyone at the table knew how troubled she got over every single training session.

"The next fight is actually between Makoto and I." Mai said then, with a tiny smile. "We're not allowed to use powers during the first fight, so I know I'm going to lose round one...round two will be in the simulations. With my combat mode active, I stand a good chance of actually winning." Still, even as she said that, it was clear she hadn't any intention of having hard feelings after the fight, no matter what happened.

"Honestly, Mai, it'll be fun to face you in combat mode...but in round one, you might just want to let me end that one quickly." Then a bit shyly, she looked down at the floor. Aside from the fact that she was taller than everyone else in the room, she also had a clearly defined muscle definition. Her arms, while feminine, held a lot of power within them. "Sometimes, I don't know my own strength...I don't want to actually hurt you." Then, as if it were an afterthought, she smirked a little. "I really want to fight Natsuki in the arena...I know I can fight to my fullest, and I won't risk hurting her."

"Oh yeah...I forgot about Natsuki's strength...she keeps it controlled well." Mai said then, as they all sat at the table. "Though, when I first saw her using the gravity press, I was surprised she could do well over ten times her own weight." Natsuki was truly a formidable opponent, it was easy to look beyond that on any given day. "But, she can only do that in combat mode...when that's idle, she isn't nearly as strong."

"She can still do four times as much when idle." Makoto said honestly. Brute strength was a gift of hers, but so was her speed, and her incredibly high pain tolerance. "I can only do three times my own body weight, and that's when I'm struggling...but I'm faster than Natsuki, so, as long as I can avoid her strikes, I'll be fine...but if she lands one good blow to a vital area, I'll be out cold for sure."

"She doesn't look quite that strong." Usagi said, though she had witnessed Natsuki's raw power for herself a few times in the weight training room. "I know she is, but it's just hard to believe."

"It's how she focuses her protons." Mai said then. "Kind of like how I use mine, when we need another burner for a pan or something." Yes..that was the easiest way to think of it. "Natsuki turns her protons into guns, usually...but, if she tries hard enough, she can focus those protons around an area of her body...we all can, that's step one to how we use them...she just focus the power in a spot, like her arms or legs. That's why she gets so powerful...she forces out a short burst. It's almost like getting hit point blank with protons." Mai explained. "When she's using them to lift the weights, she's just stopping at step two, pushing them out from her body...she's not actually forming a shape with them...that would be step three...in her case, forming her guns."

"Well, what about you?" Makoto asked then. "I've seen you call your protons, but what happens when you just center them like Natsuki does?"

"Umm, well, it's nothing like what Natsuki can do." She thought about it, the power of fire just a little more obscure than Natsuki's ice. She held out her hand, and focused a small circle of fire there. "It isn't hot to the touch, or anything like that, but, it's kinda like a shield." Mai smiled a bit at that as she watched the fire go out. "Being able to block some things is cool, but, if you were to try to punch through it, you might be able to. I know for a fact Natsuki can, she's tried. Most of the other HiME can't break through...Shizuru can't, at least, not in idle mode. She's tried with her poisonous fist." Mai shrugged. "If she tried using her actual weapon, things may be a different story."

At that, the women of the hour came through the door. Though, Shizuru was being pushed in a wheelchair by Natsuki. "Hey guys, what's up?" Natsuki greeted, as they came to a stop at the table, before going behind the counter to grab two bowls, eager to get some lunch. "I smell fire."

"I was showing Makoto my shield." Mai said then, as she turned to face Natsuki. "There's some fresh curry bread in the blue bread box." Mai told Natsuki offhandedly.

"Really?" She licked her lips. "Sweet, I'm going to grab one." As she pulled off the lid, she partook a freshly baked bun that she knew had tasty flavors inside. "Do you want one, Shizuru?"

"No thank you, dear." Shizuru sighed. "Just a small bowl of noodles will suffice." She pulled out a small bottle filled with pills, and took two of them out, sighing as she popped them into her mouth, drinking deeply from the water glass Natsuki had placed at her side. "So, how's Ami doing?"

"She's just fine." Makoto reported with a smile. "She's probably got her nose stuck in a book again. She always looses track of time when she's discussing scientific theories with Gal and Shino."

"Don't forget ranting about old civilizations with Midori." Natsuki added dryly. "Or weird math problems with Yukino."

"That too." Makoto nodded. "I can't say that you appear so well, Shizuru." The Senshi allowed a tint of worry slip into her voice. "You aren't still injured from the arena battle, are you?"

"Oh no, not at all. Ami's ice attacks are nothing compared to Natsuki's own when in simulation. These injuries were inflicted during our recent assignment." Shizuru replied, thanking her lover, when Natsuki brought over the meal, for Shizuru to enjoy. "I'm actually doing much better, but I still become easily fatigued. It should be expected, I assume. I used quite a lot of protons and the nano machines in my blood. It'll take time for them to regroup and build back up."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Usagi said with a bit of a frown. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Well, apparently, we need to meet with Rei." Natsuki said, before recounting all that she had been told in detail. She explained well of the little chat she'd had with Section Two, and filled in the gaps of the incident that Shizuru couldn't recall completely. At the end of her long retelling of the events, she sighed. "So, anyway, Doctor Gal wants us to talk to Rei about what we might be able to do."

"Sounds intense." Usagi said with worry.

"It might be." Shizuru was just as unsure of what awaited for her.

"In any case, after lunch, we've gotta meet with her." Natsuki muttered, not exactly keen on it. "Hopefully, it won't be a big deal."

Rei was hard to locate, and she was often reclusive during the evenings. After lunch, they'd searched for her, but found no trace of priestess. It was rare for the Senshi to willingly let people walk through their common rooms, but, for Natsuki and Shizuru they made such an acceptance at Rei's behest. When they finally found the raven haired woman, she was lingering over her fire. "Dress in my spare garbs, and then, have Shizuru come in. Natsuki, you will have to wait outside." Those were Rei's orders, and, she knew her friends would follow them to the letter.

Rei meditated while she waited, her body in a relaxed state, while her mind focused on the problem at hand. This was her innate duty, and she'd trained hard, even back home, to give this kind of guidance. As a child, she worked hard to understand spirits, and faith. She tried to quell her own turmoils and trials within her heart, and found this gift was one that seemed to also be a curse. Back when her metal abilities were wild, and she found that she lacked control.

Now she was older, with a wealth of experience. Now she knew, and nightmares haunted her less frequently. They told her things meaningfully now, and she was grateful for it. Visions instead of becoming something horrific, became insight.

Not a truth, not a lie...not even merely a possibility, until she herself, acclaimed it to be so...which she learned, could only be achieved, when she had a sound mind.

When Shizuru was brought to her, cleansed, and ready for the topic of this discussion, they spent several long moments not speaking any words, formalities, tossed away. "Let's cut to the core of the matter." Rei said slowly, as her eyes, a of purple, seemed to close slightly, Rei peering beyond something. "This is going to be difficult." Then she closed her eyes completely, steadying herself with a sigh, and then, opened them. "Please, endure this with me."

Shizuru nodded, quite unsure what to say to that, or to this usually fiery girl. It was amazing, watching her becoming a picture of reform.

"As a Senshi, we all have powers...but those powers are useless alone." Rei's voice was a little sad, and her fingers curled into fists. "Before we came here, we all felt alone." Rei had thought about that, about such a dire need, to cling desperately to the other Senshi..especially one particularly. "The Senshi tools to use our powers, were made shortly after photon research was completed...that's why our powers are so under developed. You've all had years to perfect yours..and our powers, are vastly different, and we're just now learning how to utilize them."

However, even if Rei knew that to be the case, she couldn't help but feel one strong connection. "The photons can't change the way we think. So, I know my feelings, about always wanting to stay by Usagi's side...and protecting her...those are my own desires. I also know, those desires run just a little deeper than one might deem appropriate." A meaningful glace to the ring on Shizuru's finger, confirmed Rei's theory. "You and Natsuki are very ambiguous, aren't you?"

"In some ways more than others." Shizuru answered with a noncommittal lilt to her voice.

"Would you be willing to speak to be about that?" Rei asked then, knowing Shizuru was quite a private person on principle.

"A bold question." Her matters were her own, and that was how Shizuru felt about everything. Surely she would talk pleasantly with anyone who might be willing to be social. Still, matters that were of a more personal nature, namely her relationship with Natsuki, was something kept tightly under lock and key. Natsuki, aside from occasional jokes with her friends, was much the same."That would depend."

"On?" Rei prodded gently.

"What that would have to do with my powers." Shizuru sighed, as if it had been obvious. "I don't speak things of that nature freely." Their sexuality and anything regarding that, wasn't often a welcomed subject to discuss. "I need a good reason."

"I have a great deal of them, actually." Rei said then, as she pulled a short, palm sized wand from the air. It came to her so easily. The burning red color of the metal shimmered in the firelight. "If our powers are to be believed, then, I'm sure I have an answer for you." Rei's eyes looked to the door, seeing shadows upon the paper. "I have an answer, because it was also a conclusion I drew for myself."

"If only I'd be willing to speak?" Shizuru wondered that, and the pang in her heart told her that it was unwise to say anything. "You're sure it will help?"

Rei considered the cool metal in her hand, then looked to Shizuru. "When the Senshi fight, we're stronger in numbers. When all five of us inevitably face an opponent, we're always sure to win. Our power levels spike to incredibly high levels when we're together. The only thing I can draw, is that the Senshi are either more emotionally stronger, or, that our powers simply just tie together that deeply."

"You believe it's the former, interesting." Shizuru said then, with a little sigh of her own. "If that's the case, I'll be frank." Her eyes also looked to the door, and found the emptiness beyond the door comforting. "Natsuki and I do share a relationship that includes intimacy." It meant no one else would hear her. "However, that is not something will freely discuss at whim. I regret to say, it is a very personal matter, and so it shall remain."

Rei hated to be the pest she knew she had to be. "Natsuki is your greatest weakness. Even without being a mystic, I can see that clearly." There was simply no other way. "The reason I bring up your personal relationship, is because, if Senshi powers are made to become stronger based on how we might feel...the same could easily be said for your powers as well." At this, she allowed her wand to dissipate, and crossed her arms. "I don't mean to pry, I only ask that you consider a few things...even if it is only to yourself."

"Just what things, might those be?" Shizuru worried her lip, pulling it between her teeth.

"Well, many things." Rei said as she closed her eyes. "When Usagi is in danger, I feel angry...very, very angry. Like I'm about to burst." Then she opened her eyes. "When you fought Ami, I could hardly keep Makoto from entering the arena to fight you herself. At that moment, I could feel a dire need bubbling in me, to protect a fellow Senshi." Rei sighed then, and shook her head, when she regarded Shizuru again. "But, you see...as strong as the feeling is when Ami or Makoto find themselves in danger...my feelings get even more insistent, when Minako is hurt...when Usagi faces danger...all of us have an instinct to protect her."

Shizuru could see the white flag of admittance, and she finally allowed herself to let a fracture of her guard down. "I have always tried to protect Natsuki, and she always tries to do the same for me." Then, Shizuru licked her lips, and thought about the real question that was left unsaid. "I would never be able to live, without Natsuki by my side...that is how I feel."

"You spoke before of sharing intimacy." Rei began again. "How far does it truly go?"

"We're a married couple." Shizuru replied, a little cold in her tone. "Assume what you will, based on that fact."

"There are many people who are married, it doesn't mean they live soundly." Rei replied then. "Martial relations are apart of my training as a priestess. I am always supposed to be able to offer guidance." However, even as she said that, she had a different reason to press for an answer. "I'm not interested in how sexually active you may, or may not be...rather, how well do you know her, and how well does she know you?"

"That also isn't any issue." Shizuru again, left little room to dig for answers. "If you have a true question, Rei, ask me already."

"If you want something like that, sure." Rei took the time to meditate again for another few moments, to clear her head, and then, she looked over to the door. "Ask yourself only this: what is Kiyohime?" It was then, she that she tossed some spices into the fire. "Return to me in a few days if you truly want answers to that question. But, only do so, if your willing to strip away anything that might confine you. A person's soul is like a book, but, in order to read it, first, you must be willing to open it...understanding the complexity of a power such as yours, begins with understanding yourself."

With such a question, it needed time to linger, and she sent Shizuru off on her way.

...

It was only later that night, when Natsuki found herself unable to sleep.

She ended up browsing through computer files, trying to keep herself from being bored. Shizuru slept next to her, and Natsuki would have let Shizuru stay wrapped up in that warmth all night, if it hadn't been for a summons from Rei. Natsuki got the message via her computer, and when Rei replied that it was direly important, and couldn't wait, Natsuki felt the urgent need to make sure everything would be okay.

She'd rushed to the empty canteen. No one would be there at this time of night, or so she assumed. When she opened the door, however, Natsuki found herself face to face with a concerned Rei. "Have a seat." The Senshi said.

"This better be good." Natsuki mumbled more to herself than at Rei, as she sat down at the table. "So, what's going on?"

"Shizuru's powers are stronger, because she feels strongly." Rei said then, direct in her information. "However, feeling strongly about something, is a good way to lose sight of your goals." She nibbled at the top of her nail, just a tiny bit, thinking about that, and why she called Natsuki here. "I sent Shizuru away from me with a question, because honestly, I doubt she's ready to really think of the implications behind her power." She found however, emerald eyes searched for a better reply. "You and I need to talk as well...if I am to understand Shizuru, you are an important key."

"Is her power going to be that hard to control?" If so, Natsuki didn't even want Shizuru to try. She didn't want to risk anyone getting hurt. "If it's that dangerous, she shouldn't be put into combat mode anymore."

"It isn't just about her power...that's merely a catalyst." Rei told Natsuki, with a hint of an apology to her voice. "Shizuru is well guarded, I wonder who she can truly rely on." Rei even doubted for a moment, that Shizuru had anyone else. "When we talked today, she was a fortress."

"Shizuru likes to pretend that things are carefree." Natsuki said, catching Rei's drift.

"I think HiME powers are more complicated than you think." Rei finally shrugged. "If she wants to try to control it, there may be some ways to do that. It isn't anything that can be done with the machines in your body...it has more to do with Shizuru on a personal level...and in some ways, that may also include you too." Frankly, Rei was a bit worried about the latter. "Shizuru needs to try and remember what happen the day of the incident. If she does, I'm positive we can figure out why her power spun out of control."

"I think that she needs to try and do the same thing...but I also don't want her to strain herself to do it." Natsuki got up and went over to the vending machine, choosing a soda from the selection list. And then popped another coin in for Rei, buying her a green tea. "Her hue may get darker, and I don't want to risk that."

"About that..." Rei accepted her drink, undoing the top, and taking a sip. "How clouded is she?"

"Higher than normal." Natsuki shook her head. "Combat mode really took its toll this time."

"That could be a good thing." Rei wasn't sure, the theory was one she hadn't been able to test. "Do you think we'll be able to defeat the system as we are?"

"Who knows." Natsuki didn't join up for that reason alone, but it was her primary focus before all else...it was the plight of the entire agency.

"I don't think we will." Rei then said slowly and then looked at Natsuki expectantly. "Others have tried to bring the system down, and they've failed...sometimes I wonder why we think we'll be able to even stand a chance."

"We've made it this far." It was the only real proof they had. "We'll take this world back, and we'll make human again...even if we fail, talk about a hell of a way to go down, don't you think?"

"Maybe." Rei shrugged with a smile. "Just look after Shizuru. She's going to get stronger before she tapers off...I can feel it. I saw it in her eyes at the mention of your name."

The large flat screen floated in the air, showing the fight in all of it's glory, or lack there of. It was, as the teams predicted, uneventful. Makoto and Mai were both dressed the same. A wife beater, and a pair of loose fitting pants. That was all they needed, the rest was up to them. Makoto's muscles rippled with every punch, and kick. It was a flurry of fast strikes that Mai struggled to block.

An uppercut to the jaw finally ended round one. "That's gotta hurt." Natsuki winced, unsure if she really wanted to face Makoto in a head long battle in the arena, knowing that sooner or later, it would eventually happen. "Look at that." Natsuki sighed at the slow motion replay.

"The scanner indicates her feet lifted off the ground by only a few inches." Ami replied as she typed away at her computers.

"Makoto was going easy." Rei said then, more to herself than to the other girls.

"That's going easy?" Nao scoffed then. "Bullshit. I mean, look at her." Mai was down on the ground, the room for her likely still spinning, and with great difficulty, she went back to the middle of the ring to wait for the bell to ring. "She's wobbling around."

"This isn't good." Natsuki sighed, shaking her head. "We should call this off."

"If we do that, Mai will eventually have to go back in the ring with her later." Nao shook her head. "Do you really want her to go through this again?"

"Good point." Natsuki didn't have to like it, and as the alarm sounded, she held a breath.

Both contenders ran headlong into each other, and Mai grappled with Makoto to the best of her ability, but the taller girl was undoubtedly stronger, and got Mai into a hold this time around. Her knees buckled easily under Makoto's insistence, and they both fell to the ground in a thud. Then, with a quick maneuver, Makoto expertly got Mai into a cradle position, and just like that, Mai got pinned. The countdown began, and Mai endured the firm arena floor on her back the entire time...twenty seconds went by slowly, but they all knew what the outcome would be.

"Brutal." Nao laughed then. "Though, I guess that this is better than being punched out."

"Well, Mai wanted to try at lest, that was her first mistake." Natsuki knew better. There weren't many of their group that could withstand Makoto in civilian form without the use of their elements. "She was right to dive into grappling this time..."

The loud buzzer sounded, and Makoto released Mai from her hold. They exchanged words,but the speaker system didn't pick up what they were saying. It was clear, however, that Makoto was asking how the girl was, considering Mai had given a small smile and a nod. After Makoto helped Mai to get up, they both went back to the starting positions.

"If she's smart, she'll repeat that one more time." Nao said then, awaiting for the starting buzzer to ring one last time. "I actually might throw my matches with that damned Kino, she's a beast."

"Don't say that to her." Ami said then, quietly but firmly. "Makoto would take that to heart."

"It's true..." Nao muttered then. "Natsuki's the only one that stands any real chance while grappling. If fists go flying, then I might, I repeat might, be able to stand up to it...but that's a hard call to make."

"You can withstand a few of my punches...and I don't hold back all that much." Natsuki shrugged. "The only time you get screwed is when I'm able to get a good hold on you."

"That's why I said I might be able to take her on, I just don't know." Natsuki growled low in her throat.

The final buzz sounded, and all it took this time, was Makoto to end the battle quickly. She rushed in and dove right on top of Mai, putting her hands on the back of her head, to block Mai's fall a little bit. Even Makoto knew when a match was completely unfair. Mai wouldn't take to another grappling well. The countdown timer started, and Natsuki took a breath of relief.

"I've been thinking..." Nao wasn't sure if this was a good time to ask, but the idea tickled her fancy. "What's going to happen when Shizuru has to go in there?"

"I'm going to let her, and hope she wins." Natsuki knew the worry edged her voice sharply, but she couldn't help it. "Shizuru's bested me on the rare occasion when we're lined up to spar with each other...so I know, that she stands a chance, even if it isn't a very good one."

"Victory, Kino." The woman's voice, though was computerized interrupted them. It continued, rather lacking in any emotion, as it gave the final report. "Final status; Makoto Kino, three. Mai Tokiha, zero. Makoto earns a perfect score."

"Yeah, no shit." Nao grumbled as they pushed beyond the metal doors, and went into the arena. An injured Mai sat, nursing her newest acquired wounds.

"It's computer genus, it can't hear you." Natsuki wasted no time pulling over the stretcher, and they both waited while Mai rested on it. "Makoto, help Nao take Mai to the sickbay, I'm going to clean up in here."

"Sure thing." Makoto said, grabbing Natsuki's end of it. "Sorry again Mai."

"Hmm." Mai made a weak noise, but shook her head. "Don't be."

"We'll have her patched up in no time." Makoto said to Natsuki as they carried Mai off.

The arena was splattered with blood, and ashes from Mai's deflective fire. Natsuki sighed as she got a dustpan and a broom, but, as soon as she went about sweeping up the mess, a light tap on her shoulder interrupted her. She turned around, the mousy Senshi in front of her, had a soft gaze. "Please, allow me." Ami said then, she was dressed in her combat garb, a sailor outfit. "I can clear this away much more efficiently."

"If you want." Natsuki held onto the broom, but backed away to give the young woman space as she called upon her powers. She'd heard the incantation before, several times, but, the the dance of water still mesmerized her. It was something that defied logic, and gravity. A shine aqua illusion. Natsuki felt compelled to reach out, and touch the little droplets that seemed to tease her, and as she did, it broke apart into even smaller little drops that got pulled away with the current. A thin sheet of ice was left in wake of the attack that had covered the entire arena. "This stuff will eventually melt, right?"

"Yes, and when it does, it will take everything you see here along with it." Ami explained as she let her transformation fall from her form. She stood awkwardly, unsure if she should flee away or not. "I was running combat logs, and scanning Mai's performance." Ami said then, with little else to ease her. "Mai's shown improvement in her skills."

"Not enough." Natsuki was a little bitter, but she couldn't help but take in the beauty of the shimmering crystals that covered the surfaces. "Mai has a long way to go." Her ice couldn't do this...her ice was destructive, it wasn't serene like this. "So do I." She wanted to become this good, to have something this wonderful at her disposal.

It was then a spark of fire melted all of the ice around, and Rei stood at the entrance. The ice, now reduced to little more than a puddle, began to exit down the stadium drains. "Mai and Ami are pacifists by nature, they hate to fight." Rei said as she looked at Natsuki then when an understanding eye. "Fire and ice, they're mortal enemies...but, the two of them...they share a lot in common."

"You throw fire around too, ya know." Natsuki replied, stating the obvious, lifting up her foot, and grimacing at how wet her shoes were. There was a good inch of water all around, still draining. "What does that make us, enemies?"

"Unlucky." Rei said then, as she turned around on her heel. "Come on, Ami...we promised we'd meet up with Minako and Usagi after the match." Rei didn't receive a response. "Ami...are you coming, or not?"

"Y-yes." Ami stuttered a little bit, her eyes looking to the puddle on the floor before she jogged a bit to catch up. "I'd like to drop by the library sometime today, so could we do that first? I have to drop off an agency notebook." They traveled down the hall, leaving Natsuki behind, and when Ami looked back, Natsuki had already gone though the other exit. "Rei, you don't really believe that you're unlucky, do you?"

"Bad fortunes come and go." Rei explained as she glanced towards her shorter comrade. "You can never predict them, but, when they come my way, I can usually feel it. I can't really explain it, but, it's just a feeling I get."

Fire is a spiritual conundrum. It has a reason, but it's willful. It has a path, but it normally destroys everything it touches. Fire is deadly, so, the person who slings it around, needs to be able to know when to stomp it out...before it burns the person controlling it...that's how I think about my power...I wish others would take their skills just as seriously as I take mine.

For example, Usagi prances with her head in the clouds...and still, I follow her anyway.

I'd like to think, because of my powers...my abilities, that I can help the world. The way people think, it isn't like the days my grandpa talks about. He used to prattle on about how in his day, people did things for themselves. They decided who they wanted to be, why they wanted to be that way, and they reached out for their dreams. I think the concept is novel, but I also know, that's the way life really used to be.

It had no other way to be...it's scary to think about...and exciting at the same time. I don't know, maybe it was because I know if the system ever broke, I know humans would be forced to rely on themselves again.

That idea interests me, because, as a human with the ability of foresight, I knew from the start of having visions, that things were not always as they appeared. I understood that if I wanted to be stronger, I would need to break out of a system so focused on efficiency. The problem is, that stupid thing forgets why a person strives to do well in the first place.

Happiness isn't fluid, and just because I'm good at many things, it doesn't mean those things bring me happiness. Like archery. I'm skilled in it, but, does it make me happy to hit my target all the time? The answer is, not really. There are more fulfilling things I can do.

So, I do them instead.

However, because I do have a gift not many have, I need to respect it. I dare not take it lightly. See, visions put a toll on the mind...nightmares can change the way a person sees things, and because of that, I was pegged as a latent criminal as a small child. I had two choices, risk getting caught and locked away, because of my foresight, and the terrible thoughts that would sometimes come because of it...

Or, live my life in the shadows...I chose the shadows.

So, we will take down this horrible computer system once and for all...I want to do it, so that I can be free again...even if it does turn the world upside down. I think, deep down, people want to be free from it, they want to deny it's even there at all...so, I like the idea of making that happen.


Well, that's chapter 4. Now, all of the prologues are done and we can move onto the meat and potatoes of the story.