The past becomes - The dividing of the Senshi


7th of January 1998

I'm not even sure how to explain, how to explain how my eyes have been opened merely the course of twenty-four hourse. How does one describe how their world can be turned upside down and inside out? When things that seem fanatical and impossible turn to reality. When faces alter and change and people turn into what appears to be different people but what is in fact probably their true selves? How does one explain that? How do I explain that?

I feel so small now sitting alone in the dark. I fear sleep for the horror that those monsters shall return. I fear seeking comfort in my sister in case I'm being selfish by putting her in harms way and also admittedly because I do not wish to admit that I still sleep with my sister at the age of Fourteen. A part of me wishes to phone Hotaru and seek comfort in her, her who can surely protect me from the evils I see surrounding me in the dark. But I dare not to do that either...I'm afraid of being merely a hazard in the way. An annoying pebble in a sea of grass. I feel so small now...there are things in this world to which I cannot comprehend and I cannot fight. I am so weak and alone now, powerless to do anything but run. That is all I long to do, run and leave the darkness behind me where I cannot see it, where it cannot haunt me.

I am not a Senshi. Haruka-san was right. I cannot transform my face and throw strange foreign powers at beings of darkness. I cannot stand and protect myself from them. I cannot fight them with a bokken or sword. I cannot run for help to my sister and brothers. All I can do is run.

I feel so tired...It's barely three am in the morning and I've only had an hour of sleep. I'm doing whatever I can to stay awake right now. I've already completely read Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I've even ran up and down on the spot just to shake the sleepiness away. I hope foolishly that when daylight comes I will be safe...how can I be safe in daylight? They attacked me in broad daylight so what safety does it offer?

Yet still I find myself curious. I want to know more about this strange new world of the Senshi. I want to know each of their powers and origins and how it is logically possible. I want to know who their enemy is, I want to know who Chibiusa-chan is and why her and Hotaru-chan are so close. I want to know so many things...but how can I? I cannot purchase such information through a book. I could ask but how would I know I was getting the whole truth? I suppose their must be records of the Senshi somewhere...I remember seeing their photographs in the newspaper so surely their must be archives about them? And maybe I could google that monster I saw earlier? It sounds idiotic but the Internet can do amazing things! All I can do is keep hope...and if I can't keep it, I shall find it and the answers.

Marimo

Marimo snapped the diary shut and hugged it to her chest before gazing around the bedroom suspiciously at all the shadows in the corners. She hardly ever used the diary. It had been a birthday present from Yuri but she always forgot to write in it and always gave up after her hand started to ache. But tonight she had so much on her mind that she needed an outlet and she had to admit writing down her thoughts certainly rationalised them. Slowly she tucked the red book under her pillow and creeped across the bedroom floor as soundlessly as possible to her computer chair. She bent down and flipped the switch and pushed the button listening as it hummed into life. Every hum made her heart jolt and her gaze stare out into the hall. Yuri was thankfully a deep sleeper but Shinji was awake at the slightest noise.

After five minutes she was fairly confident that her older brother was not awake. She clicked on her screen page and waited impaitently as it loaded, cursing her computers slowness. Finally her screen page loaded and she found herself face to face with her homepage screensaver. A photograph of her and Hotaru.

Marimo gazed at the photo smiling fondly, of course she looked a mess with her dark red hair flying all over the place with a huge clumsy smile plastered on her face and a bright pink gym top. Hotaru too was smiling brightly with her black hair fluttering all over the place. Her purple eyes gazed blankly into Marimo's own and she felt a stab of betrayal. Of course she could understand why Hotaru kept it a secret...but still deep down some small part of her was hurt and angry. She sighed clicking onto the Internet Explorer.

'Finding archives shouldn't be too hard...if I just type in Sailor Senshi something is bound to come up,' Thought Marimo hopefully as she punched in the words in the Search box. A few moments later she had a whole screen full of links and the majority of them were Fan Sites which was oddly disturbing. She clicked on one out of pure curiosity but promptly clicked off it. The page had displayed a lot of Pink Hearts followed by a semi-clothed Sailor Venus. Marimo wretched and blushed but inwardly snorted. Sometime she'd have to show Hotaru the crap people had come up with.

'Kami-Sama I hope theres not one like that about Hotaru...Haruka-san would through a fit!' Giggled Marimo clicking off another page which was composed of the title Uranua Girl or Boy? Finally out of the heap one link caught her attention.

The Sailor Senshi, The true Facts!

The page loaded and Marimo was pleased to see it did not include any indecent photo's or inappropriate questions and conversations. Instead it was a webpage with a small photo of each Senshi in the back round with swirly print underneath indicating their names. Marimo scrolled down the introduction. Clearly the women was some sort of journalist or fan. She had stated that she'd seen each Senshi before on a number of occasions and of course they'd piqued her curiosity. She stated that this website was purely factual.

Looking up at each photo of the uniformed girls scanned the row but could not find Hotaru amongst any of them. Neither could she spot Setsuna. Eventually she clicked on Sailor Mars having always retained a slight respect for the dark haired Senshi.

The page was scarlett with a newspaper photo of Sailor Mars and a small title beneath it.

'Senshi of Fire and Passion guarded by the planet Deity of War, in the name of Mars I shall vanquish you!'

Marimo scrowled down the page further.

'Sailor Mars,' An unknown girl in her late teens is one of the Senshi claiming to fight in the name of her so called Planet alongside Sailor Moon. She first appeared with Sailor Moon and is known to defeat her foes with the power of Prayer leading many to believe she must be a religious figure of some sort. Many say she is the most beautiful of the senshi and some even say she is the leader. A select few who have seen her fight claim to say she uses 'fire' and a chant. Of course like the rest of the Senshi her identity remains a mystery and we can only speculate but it is my personal opinion that she is a Priestess of some sort who uses insences to burn her enemies. A few suspect names have cropped up but none have ever lead to anything. If you have had an expierence with this Senshi then please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

"Not far off the mark," Mumbled Marimo looking through all the old newspaper articles related to Sailor Mars. Finally one name caught her attention.

'Like the rest of the Senshi Sailor Mars is the last known person to see Dr Tomoe alive. His daughter remained missing for some months until her whereabouts resurfaced and she was adopted by some friends of the family. Police launched a full scale inquiry into the death of Dr Tomoe but they were unsuccessful - the case was abandoned some six months ago.'

Marimo's eyes widened and she felt her heart pound. She knew Hotaru's parents were dead but she never talked much about them. Only that her Mother had died when she was little and her Father a few years ago. She mentioned he was a scientist but...the senshi were the last to see him alive? Where they connected to his death? Did some sort of demon kill him? If so it must have been heart-breaking for Hotaru. Marimo felt a new respect well up for her dark haired friend. If someone had done that to her Mother she wouldn't know how to keep going. She stared at the photo of the white haired man in front of her. It was another newspaper cut out but it was still clear. Unlike Hotaru he had pale hair and his eyes were hidden by a pair of glasses. He looked quite young though...too young to have bleach white hair anyway.

Finally Marimo dragged herself away from the photo and looked in the margin. Who next? And why wasn't Hotaru and Setsuna there? Marimo looked down the margin and noticed a bright bold blue question mark. Clicking on it she waited as the page loaded, when it did it was black with gothic silver writing and a large heading.

Mystery Senshi?

Although there are no known photographs or images of these Senshi their existance has been confirmed by eye-witnesses. We consider there names to be Saturn and Pluto as by deduction they are the only remaining planets. An eye witness claimed to see a tall dark haired women of about twenty with a large staff while many others say they saw a little child with a scythe. Of course these are just rumours but could their be something more sinster to these Senshi? Fanart enclosed at the bottom of the page.

Marimo stared at the word sinister. Obviously she knew what a scythe symbolised but that was impossible. She'd touched that scythe and she was still alive to tell the tale. Slowly Marimo clicked on the fanart link with intrigue. It would be humouress to see how people had portrayed her friend.

Finally eight drawings landed themselves on the page. One looked like a mini grim reaper and had been dubbed Sailor Pluto while another had bright red hair and a black senshi uniform resembling spider-man. Some had huge exaggerated masks covering their face. Marimo started laughing silently.

'Kami-sama! What will they think of next? Oh if Hotaru could see this her face would be priceless!'

Other than the half hearted humour of the site the only real discovery had been the little passage about Hotaru's father. It certainly begged a few questions in Marimo's mind. Part of her was really tempted to search about him but then again...it was Hotaru's business...but on the other hand Hotaru's business had nearly killed her today. Didn't that give her a right to know?

'What would Hotaru do...?'

Sighing Marimo exited the page and leant back in her swirly chair. She was back to step one again and she still had no answers. So much for her theory that nothing could be hidden on the web. Apart from a few arrests nobody actually really knew anything about the Senshi...which was probably why they were such a sensation in Tokyo. Everyone loves a good mystery.

'Still...where do I fit in on all this? It's like some bizarre cartoon. Hotaru's the super-heroine who saves the world while I'm her clueless best friend...I feel so weak and pathetic...Hotaru goes out and kills monsters while I can't even sleep without the light on...puts things into a whole new perspective...'

Marimo yawned loudly. She felt light-headed, dizzy and sleepy which was probably some sign of stress. She'd taken painkillers earlier for the 'Nerve Pain Army,' and it was only quater to four. She'd stayed up much later before...but then again she'd never had to worry about monsters smashing through her bedroom window trying to kill her.

She watched as the walls spun as she whirled on the twirly seat. Everything changed into a haze of blue and purple and if she closed her eyes she could still feel the chair spinning. Her limbs became warm and she snuggled closer into the chair feeling herself relax and her mind travel.

'Why?'


'Why? Why did this have to happen?'

That was a question which was constantly whirling through Usagi's mind as she stared at her mothers pale figure. The Hospital she was in, was the same one Shingo had been born in. She could tell because her nose was itching at the sterile smell in the air. The floor was clear and grey and the walls where an unimpressive white colour. One small window lit up the room where Ikuko was currently lying. Outside the room Doctors and Nurses were going about their businesses but inside the small room Usagi stared at her mother from her position in the chair next to her bed. In an attempt to brighten up the rooms she'd brought some white roses.

She felt a burning lump rise in her throat as tears burned her eyes. Ikuko's face was sallow and had beads of sweat rolling down her face. Her normally black shiny hair look limp and her usual energy had been removed. Looking at her mother in such a state was like a nightmare. It didn't take long for the tears to roll out.

"Mama...I'm so sorry...t-this...i-is...all my fault!" Cried Bunny, maybe if she'd thought of her family for once! She'd never really expected them to be targets...especially not her mother. For once Usagi didn't care who her mother was in her past life. All that mattered was the Mother in this life...and she was ill.

"Don't worry mama, I'm going to sort this out! I promise you I will defeat Amaterasu-Serenity and restore your health! In the name of the Moon I promise!" Said Usagi angrily standing up with a look of fierce determination. Whoever she was the Amaterasu had gone too far. Targetting her family? No! If her mother started to fade then so would Shingo and Chibiusa...their futures would dim and fade. Crystal Tokyo would never be. Sailor Moon would not exist. The thought was horrible and repulsive but it gave Bunny something to get worked up about. Bending over her mother she kissed her forehead and held on to her sweaty hand tightly.

"I'm going back...and I'm going to set things right...I swear!" Promised Usagi before she stood up and left the room. She sighed as soon as the door swung shut. It was nine in the morning. Shingo had visited last night but he was still asleep at home. From what she understood her Father didn't return home until the early hours of the morning.

'I will go back and set things straight...I have no choice...' Thought Usagi as her heart quivered before she walked through the busy Hospital until she reached the elavator. Still going back in time sounded amazing and scary. In a way Usagi couldn't wait...it would be so cool...but on the other hand what if something went wrong?

"Usa-ko!"

Usagi jerked her head out of her thoughts and looked up to see Mamo-chan hurrying through the crowd until he reached the doors of the elavator. His white trainee coat was flying all over the place and he had a check list in his hand but nevertheless he made it in the elavator. Usagi smiled slightly and leant her head against her boyfriends chest.

"Usa-ko...are you alright?" Inquired Mamoru. Usagi shook her head as more tears came out dampening the material of his white shirt. Mamoru sighed...he could change the shirt later. He hugged Usagi as the tears continued to pour out.

"Mamo-chan...I'm scared..."


"Happy Birthday Hotaru-chan!"

Hotaru smiled warmly at Chibiusa as she presented her with a white parcel wrapped with a bright pink bow. Chibiusa smiled brightly looking from Hotaru to the present impaitently. Hotaru lifted the box and shook it gently listening as some of it's contents rattled around inside. She lifted the bow slightly and then turned it at all angles examining it crictically watching as the tension mounted within Chibiusa. Finally she snapped.

"Hotaru-chan! Open it!" Wailed the once Small Lady as her cheeks flushed as pink as her hair. Hotaru giggled. Her small friend may have grown up in height but she'd always remain the same on the inside.

"Well...maybe I should leave it until I get back," Teased Hotaru watching Chibiusa's bemourned expression. Finally she undid the ribbon neatly and lifted the lid off the box. Inside on a neat pink cushion were a number of objects. The first that caught her eyes sparkling in the sunlight was a silver necklace. Picking it up she looked at it. It was a small heart-shaped pendant with glittering words written on a pink and purple gem.

'Friends Forever!'

"Chibiusa-chan! Arigatou!" Cried Hotaru enloping her friend in a hug. Chibiusa smiled shyly as Hotaru tied the necklace around her neck. She then pointed to her own that matched perfectly. Hotaru smiled feeling completely happy for a few moments as the wind ruffled her raven locks making the blades of grass sway. The park bench they were both sitting on held a special connection for both of them.

"Theres more you know," Pointed out Chibiusa. Hotaru nodded and continued through the parcel. Inside there was a framed photo. Hotaru gasped.

'Wow...thats...Neo Queen Serenity...and...nani! Everyone else!'

The photo showed a shining room with walls made from crystal and a white marbel floor. Standing in the forefront were Neo Queen Serenity smiling serenly with brillant silver hair and misty blue eyes. Next to her was King Endymion dressed in blue armour to match his eyes with one arm around the Queen and the other around his daughter. At the front stood Chibiusa waving in her light pink dress with large roses in her hair. Behind them stood a row of ladies waving brightly. Princess Venus was dressed in a sunflower coloured dress with her long blonde hair held in place by a customary orange ribbon. Her hand was doing it's usual V victory pose. Next to her stood another women with wavy dark blue hair with a shy smile and deep blue eyes wearing a floaty icy dress, next to Princess Mercury was Jupiter standing as tall as ever with a certain grace to her figure. Her light green dress was bound with a pink sash and her hair a bright pink ribbon, then came Princess Mars with her long raven locks fanned out behind her and a bright red dress. Then to the left were another three figures smiling gently. Princess Neptune was in a deep sea green dress being held by Princess Uranus who was to Hotaru's shock and awe wearing a deep dark blue dress! Finally in the corner smiling mysteriously was Princess Pluto in a deep emerald dress. Everyone seemed warming and welcoming with their serene smiles and radiant beauty.

"T-This is from the future!" Gasped Hotaru as Chibiusa nodded.

"Mama had it done for you, for your birthday! Thats why your not in it," Explained Chibiusa. Hotaru nodded understandingly but it certainly aroused her curiosity about the future. So this was what she would become? They all looked happy...but that future was being threatened...it certainly gave Hotaru something to fight for in any case.

My dear friend Chibiusa-chan...I will keep your future safe...'

Since yesterdays events Hotaru felt strangely calm. Now that there was a clear enemy to focus on things became much clearer...even if she'd picture the sad lone verison of her mother everytime she tried to sleep...still she felt a great deal more at ease now her nightmares had an explanation. She even felt excited about going into the past. The only thing naggling at her conscience was the matter of Marimo...she'd have to wait a while to make ammends.

Shaking her head she pulled out the next gift which was a small stuffed black cat with a yellow marking. Hotaru stiffled a laugh recognising it as a plush verison of Luna.

"Where is Diana-chan?" Asked Hotaru remembering Chibiusa's feline and Luna's daughter. Chibiusa's face fell slightly.

"Mama said Diana couldn't come yet...and neither could the Asteroid Senshi. I don't think they were very happy about that thought but they obeyed mama anyways," Said Chibiusa sadly. Hotaru nodded and gave her friend a small hug before pulling out the final present.

A smooth plum coloured diary and a matching pen. Hotaru opened the pages feeling the crisp new paper under her fingers. Inside was some small neat hand writing.

"Don't read it! Not...not yet...it's for when you go back," Protested Chibiusa. Hotaru shot her a look of blank surprise before flipping the diary shut and tucking it away back in the parcel safely with the rest of the presents. For a few moments they sat in silence just enjoying each others company again, watching as a few boys idly kicked a football past.

"It's not fair! We've only just seen each other and you have to go!" Wailed Chibiusa suddenly. Hotaru stared in astonishment as she felt Chibiusa wrap her arms around Hotaru. Hotaru tensed for a few moments in shock before she began to fiddle with the locks of light pink hair.

"I know..." Murmured Hotaru, " but you'll be here when I come back won't you? I bet Haruka-papa, Setsuna-mama and Michiru-mama would let you stay for awhile...then I could introduce you to Marimo-chan...you'd like her...and we could all play together..."

"Hotaru?"

"Hmm?"

"Marimo-chan...whats she like?" Asked Chibiusa quietly.

"She's...well when I met her we were both sort of...alone. After you left I felt like an outsider at school...but then one day we got partnered in History and she leant me a pen...she was really shy though but when we started to talk we got on well. She's loyal and understanding...you two would get on well..." Said Hotaru thinking of her red haired friend, "And also she's the Champion under 16 runner in Tokyo!" She added.

"She sounds really nice...she seemed really nice yesterday...do you think she'll be okay?" Asked Chibiusa.

"I hope so..." Said Hotaru sadly before an idea struck her.

"Chibiusa...if you get lonely while I'm gone you should visit her. You could keep each other company...and anyway if I'm not back by the race on Wednesday could you cheer her on for me?" Asked Hotaru. Chibiusa nodded and smiled.

"Hai!"

"Ariagatou...so tell me Chibiusa," Said Hotaru with a mischevious edge to her voice that resembled Michiru, "What is the exact relationship between you and Helios?"

"NANI!"


"Well Rei-chan...everything is in order and I'm sure I'll manage the temple just fine while your gone. Go away and have a good trip with Haruka-san, Hotaru-chan and Usagi-chan! I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself in Yokohama!" Said Rei's grandfather cheerfully.

Rei sighed skeptically but hugged her Grandfather anyway. Of course she'd needed some plausible excuse as to why she'd be away which is why she'd asked Chibiusa to alter her Grandfathers thoughts. She didn't like the idea much but it was better than her just disappearing. Her Grandfather was under the impression that she was going on tour with Haruka and that it had been planned for weeks. Rei had even packed a suitcase.

"Bye Grandpa...don't overwork yourself!" Cautioned Rei. Her Grandpa sniffed.

"You young people these days! I don't feel a day over forty!" He protested. Rei giggled and then bowed respectfully before turning to walk down the steps leading away from her temple. As she did she felt something land on her shoulder. Aware of something feathery tickling her ears Rei lifted her hand to stroke her Ravens and Guardians.

"Phobos...Demios...I'm not sure if you can come," Said Rei sadly. It would have been nice to have some company wherever she was going. Her head was still trying to digest yesterdays happenings but it had all been planned out eventually. A little messy in Rei's opinion but it would have to do. Rei, Haruka, Hotaru, Luna and Ami were all accompanying Usagi to the past. Apparently the less Senshi that went then the more it would appear that Sailor Moon was still in her rightful time. With Mamoru behind and Chibiusa the idea was to attract Amaterasu's attention away from the past. Sailor Venus was going to disguise herself once again as Sailor Moon. Usagi had opposed the idea fiercely but everyone else had over-ridden her and Mars and Venus had stated as the leaders of the Senshi they had the authority to tell her what to do. Usagi needless to say had not been happy.

Baka-Odango...when will she realise...'

Rei sighed. Usagi was like an annoying little sister. A pain, a pest but still somebody you protected. And right now Rei felt impaitent and ready for action. She wanted to show Amaterasu what happened if you messed with fire! What was more concerning though were the aura's of darkness tainting all the light. And of course the voice from her dream was still pestering her.

'Who was that...she sounded familiar...'

The walk to the Outer Senshi house was fairly quiet. The suitcase she was dragging seemed to increase in weight. She was really begining to wonder what she'd shoved in it. She remembered just shoving in every item of formal traditional japanese clothing she could spare along with a few prayer scrolls and charms just in case. Finally she arrived outside of the house and let herself in. In the sitting room sitting down calmly sipping on some tea was the transformed Sailor Pluto while next to her sat Haruka with a similar suitcase and a slightly smaller one which Rei concluded was Hotaru's judging by the butterflys imprinted on it. Usagi was sitting on the sofa with Mamoru while Hotaru was sitting next to Michiru. Makoto, Minako, Chibiusa and Ami had yet to arrive.

"Rei-chan," Greeted Usagi quietly with none of her usual energy. Rei halted for a moment in surprise at her unusual greeting and instead adopted a kinder tone which she seldom used with Usagi.

"Hey Bunny...how is your mother?"

"T-The doctors don't know whats wrong...Shingo and Papa...they think I'm going on a college trip..." Sighed the Moon senshi.

Wow...I've never seen Usagi so down before...'

Suddenly the door creaked open to reveal Ami with her own small suitcase and Chibiusa walking beside her. Ami nodded and sat down and sighed.

"How did it go Ami-chan?" Inquired Michiru politely. Ami sighed again.

"It wasn't easy but Chibiusa eventually convinced my mother that I was going on a medic trip to Kyoto," Said Ami tiredly. Rei concluded that either Ami's mother was not the gulible sort or that she was not very surceptable to mind manipulation. At least the excuse worked though. Finally a few moments later Minako and Makoto came flying through the door wailing excuses about how Minako's manager had held her up again. Rei mentally shot an Akuryo Taisan at the infuriating man who she'd never even met.

"Well," Said Pluto setting down her tea-cup and standing up, "If that is everyone then I guess I shall instruct you. First and formost you will all need disguises as those Demons from yesterday saw your untransformed forms and will no doubt have alerted Amaterasu."

Rei nodded and took out her henshin pen from the pocket of her trousers. Without furtherado she flung the pen up into the air where it glowed for a split second.

"Mars Crystal Power Disguise!" Yelled Rei feeling the warmth flood through her limbs as a sizzling heat surrounded her. She allowed the flames to melt with her body allowing their raw heat to penetrate her skin as it remoulded her body. She felt the strange sensation of her limbs and skin stretching and tightening. Fabric slowly materialised around her skin and she felt her hair tug at it's roots. Finally she felt herself land on the carpet as the strange sensations of burning faded away. Rei blinked and held out her hands.

"Here is a mirror," Said Michiru with an amused look on her face as she passed Rei a mirror from the table. Behind her Rei could hear disgruntled groans put ignored them as she lifted the mirror.

She gasped feeling her heart wrench.

Her face! It had matured and had grown cheekbones! Her eyes had melted from a crackling violet to a light amber colour. The smooth locks of dark hair she'd came to associate with were thankfully the exact same except for her hair had done itself into a semi-ponytail. Around her body was wrapped a deep blood red kimono with a golden obi and lastly she had grown a few inches.

'Kami-sama!'

Rei whirled around and nearly dropped the mirror in shock. Behind her stood four completely foreign figures. She faintly recognised one as Usagi for her hair was in the exact same Odango style but had turned coal black. Her face was more easily recognised as Neo Queen Serenity's and her clothes had changed into a pure white kimono with faint silver roses splashed over the obi. However the confused look definately gave her away.

"R-Rei?" Shrieked Usagi in surprise.

She peered behind Usagi to where another girl sat. This one had shoulder length dark blue hair with a small ribbon in it while her clothing had changed to a deep dark blue with and icy coloured obi. Ami touched her new face and jumped a few inches.

"A-Ami!" Cried Usagi upon recognising her friend. Ami blushed deeply when she saw her reflection. Then finally standing together came the two biggest shocks of all.

Haruka in a kimono!

The tomboys sandy hair had turned a dusky colour and grown until it was just long enough to tie into a topknot while her manly clothing had given way to a yellow kimono. Haruka gawped at her reflection while Michiru burst into fits of laughter. Finally stood the last addition to the set.

H-Hotaru?

The young girl had aged. Her height had shot up so that she was now level with Michiru while her long dark hair had wound itself into a low ponytail leaving a few strang bangs to shield her face. Her features had altered and lengthend into a graceful shape while her wan purple eyes had darkend. Her kimono was a deep plum colour decorated with little lilac flowers.

This is surreal...

"Now that, that is complete I have a set of rules you will need to follow," Spoke Pluto barely hiding her own amusement as Haruka walked forward nearly tripping up on her hem, "Firstly you must not change anything! The slightest change in the past will alter the future!"

Rei nodded in unison with the others.

"Secondly I must urge Bunny and Firefly-chan not to transform. If they see you transformed they will know you are there! You will have to rely on Haruka, Ami and Rei for protection. Do not reveal your Identies except for in emergencies and lastly do not allow harm to come to Usagi's ancestors."

"But how will we know who they are Sailor Pluto?" Asked Usagi in a confunded voice.

"They live in Tokyo at the Kamiya Dojo, the lady who knows the dojo is known as Kamiya Kaoru and she is your ancestor. Protect her..." Explained Pluto lifting her garnet Rod into the air while everyone exchanged farewells. Rei embraced Minako and watched as Chibiusa and Hotaru said goodbye and turned away embarrassed by Usagi's soppy goodbye to Mamoru.

"Don't worry...you'll have Luna with you," Assured Minako as she pulled away from Rei.

"Arigatou Mina-chan," Murmured Rei picking up her suitcase feeling a little ridiculous as Pluto's Rod started to glow. A hush spilled over the room as the Time Senshi glowed with a powerful red light and spoke in a clear commanding voice.

"In the name of my Father Chronos God of Time, Open the Gate to the Past!"

The voice echoed in Rei's head as in the next moment a huge bang echoed through the room and Rei grabbed blindly at her suitcase and started shouting names as a bright white light swallowed her body ripping her away from her friends. Distantly she could hear sweet laughter and then the world turned dark.


"Yuri? Well at least their at the doctors now," Sighed Marimo mournfully as sleep threatened to over-take her as she gulped down the cup of coffee in front of her. She eyed her brother from across the table. Shinji was seventeen and tall but thin with a cat-like quality of agility and grace around him. His hair was a slightly bright shade of red and was pulled into a high topknot while his eyes glinted.

"Hai, but that leaves us in a problem, One of us needs to manage the shop today while the other teaches classes," Said Shinji raising an eyebrow. Marimo felt fury well up within her from hours without sleep and glared back icly at her brother.

"I suggest I take classes while you manage the shop," She hissed dangerously. Shinji's eyes narrowed into slits. That was the problem where the two were concerned. Shinji had an arrogant independant attitude and a temper that could flare dangerously at any moment while Marimo was calm, sarcastic and manipulative. Putting the two together for two long was like shoving petrol on a fire.

"You are not the Assistant Master yet Marimo which is why I propose you manage the cake shop," Growled Shinji.

He had to say that! Ugly horrible arrogant Baka!!

"I will be next year brother dear so wouldn't it be good for me to practice?" Snarled Marimo, "Since I am inheriting the Dojo then naturally it should be me who-"

"You are not inheriting the Dojo Marimo," Said Shinji standing up and walking lightly towards the door leaving his fuming little sister to clear away the breakfast table. Marimo nearly yelled in rage as she shoved the cereal roughly into the cupboard. Usually their little arguements didn't bother her but now he was irking her today which was a bad combination with her sore-head and sleepiness and overall stresss. It appeared that the virus her mother had contracted was contagious as now both Yoshi and Yuri had it. If Marimo was any sort of judge it appeared to be going by age. If she was correct then Shinji was the next victim. A doctors appointment had been made for all three of them and they were confinded to their bedrooms were Ayame refused to see any of her children in case they too became ill, which left a dilhelmia as both family businesses would go downhill without being opened which left Marimo a choice - sitting behind a counter all day selling cakes or teaching seven year olds how to use a shinai.

"Shinta, Shinjiro! Get through here and clean up this mess!" Yelled Marimo refusing point blank to do her little brothers dirty dishes. A few moments later two identical raven haired and purple eyes twins came running through into the kitchen with looks of saintly innocence that would melt the hearts of all - except Marimo.

"Shinta dry Shinjiro wash...NOW!" She screeched for further emphasis. Usually they'd worm their way out of it with some stupid lie but today upon seeing their angry tired big sister with hair like a porcipine and baggy eyes they decided it would be best not to tempt fate.

Smirking with a satisfaction that can come only from watching younger siblings do chores Marimo raced down the corridor and slipped open the Shoji screen to her bedroom quietly. If she acted fast enough then she could beat Shinji to the Dojo and then he'd have to look after the cake shop. Marimo was quite excited at the prospect of teaching lessons...usually Shinji did them all because he was 'Assitant Master' or in Marimo's opinion 'Assitant nutbrain.' Just because she couldn't become one until she was sixteen did not mean that she was any less skilled than her brother! She'd vowed she'd inherit the Dojo...Shinji could get the stupid cake shop for all she cared.

Tying her hair up in a loose ponytail with a vivid purple ribbon she changed quickly into her training uniform and grabbed the bokken from under her bed and raced from the room down the corridor bypassing her brothers bedroom. Today she needed something to occupy her thoughts away from her sick family and complicated friends. What better way than beating up kids with bokkens?

Five minutes later she arrived in the yard where a small stream of about fifteen children were lined up neatly with their parents and their money. Putting on a bright smile Marimo greeted the parents.

"Hello, due to unfortunate circumstances neither my mother nor Shinji can teach todays class so I will be filling in!" Explained Marimo collecting the standard fees before rounding up the students and herding them into the Dojo. Slamming the doors neatly shut she turned and smiled nervously at the children who ranged from ages seven to twelve. A few of them stared back with wide eyed curiosity and others looked skeptical. Breathing in she stared ahead at the wide space before addressing her class.

"Hi...my name is Marimo and as many of you will probably know I'm Shinji-Sensei's little sister and today I will be instructing this less..." Said Marimo clearly before eyeing the rack of shinai's, "I'd like you all to gather your Shinai's so we can perform a few basic warm ups...yes?"

A small girl raised her hand.

"Um...I'm sort of new...er..." Continued the small girl nervously. Marimo smiled warmly at her.

"It's okay...don't be intimidated by everyone. Whats your name?"

"Ryousuke...M-Maeko," Stammered the girl.

"Well not to worry Maeko-chan. If you just follow the rest of the class and if you feel uncomfortable or confused please just raise your hand," Said Marimo kindly. Maeko nodded and slipped back in amongst her fellows. After a fifteen minute warm up Marimo assessed some one on one sparring before teaching them how to improve some of their techniques. All and all the two hour lesson ran smoothly except for one boy who kept hitting a little girl repeatedly to which Marimo whack him over the head and screamed her lungs out...which had the desired effect.

At the end of the lesson she saw the children out of the Dojo to their parents...and then she was confronted with a angry Shinji who despite the apron looked lethal.

"You locked the door!" He growled.

Marimo smiled even wider.

"Ohayo Shinji-nii...how was your morning?" Beamed Marimo.

"An old hag throw her bag at me and tried to set her cat on me!" Snapped Shinji. Marimo giggled at the thought of her brother having to force himself to be polite in such a situation.

"Laugh away Harpy-face!" Shouted Shinji. Marimo rolled her eyes.

"Great come back...what the hell is a Harpy?"

"A winged hybred women who torments humans with their greatest fears," Answered Shinji. Marimo stood and hovered on the spot for a moment as the realisation of her brothers words hit home. Dropping her bokken she shoved past him and in a matter of minutes skidded into her bedroom and slammed on her computer.

Harpy...a winged demon...thats what attacked me...

After fifteen infuriating minutes she printed out five sheets on all she could find. Picking them along with everything on her table she ran out into her yard and unchained her old bicycle and dumped the contents into the basket. Her heart was racing with adrenaline as she whizzed out of the garden and down the street her feet pumping viciously on the peddles. She had information...they probably already knew but a little extra knowledge couldn't hurt. As she cycled through the back streets of Tokyo she half expected to be swooped upon. A part of her was aware of how bizarre she must look riding a bike in her training uniform with a stack of papers, books, a lollypop and a stray earring peeping out of her basket. It didn't matter...half an hour later she'd pulled up outside Hotaru's house and wheeled her bike up to the door. Her heart was pounding and her muscles aching as she rang the door bell. One hand securely around the bike handle she awaited the padding of footsteps.

None came.

Instead a bright light blinded her eyes and she felt everything go dark.