The Worlds Collide Isn't anyone trying to find me? Won't somebody come take me home... It's a damn cold night Trying to figure out this life Won't you take me by the hand, take me somewhere new I don't know who you are but I'm... I'm with you... I'm With You, Avril Lavigne
Cold. Icy. Painful.
Those were the first words that came into Hotaru's foggy confused mind. An icy wind was nipping and biting at her exposed skin. Her whole body was shaking uncontrollably and she could feel a wetness seeping through the back of her kimono causing an unbearable freezing cold dripping sensation as the cold water seeped down the back of her neck. She could feel something soft landing on her face but her mind seemed to be miles behind her physical reactions thinking only of how nice it would be to sleep.
'I-I'm so cold...where am I?'
Hotaru attempted to move her arm and groaned finding the action both heavy and painful to carry out. Blinking slightly she opened her eyes. The world around her was a sea of white cut off by a blue-grey horizon. Her heart skipped in shock as tears leaked down her raw cold face for some unknown reason. Her mouth was open as breathing through her blocked nose came as impossible.
"U-Usagi-chan..." Murmured Hotaru as her voice came out as a whisper. Her throat passages felt painful and swollen making talking difficult let alone trying to shot above the roaring wind.
'Must...find the Princess...must...find...princess...'
"U-Usagi! R-Rei...H-Haruka-papa!" She cried as her voice came out as a feeble wail drowned out by the wind. She wiggled her fingers attempting to ease the numbness spreading through her body. She felt like a human snowflake and their was no avail to the wind and snow. Sleep was becoming intoxicating as her eyes drooped shut and a pleasent warm sensation leaked through her body.
'U-Usagi...Haruka-papa...please...someone find me...'
"Help! Please...Haruka-papa! Michiru-mama! Setsuna-mama...please...help me!" Cried Hotaru as more tears slid down her cheeks. The wind howled in a reply leaving Hotaru alone in the snow feeling like she was burning from the cold. Shutting her eyes she faced the darkness feeling a warmth seep through her body. She tried desperately to open her eyes but found the ordeal tiring and heavy. Her head felt light but thick with fog. The only thoughts penetrating them were of the cold and if anyone could help although frequently her adopted parents would feature.
Why...why aren't they here...I need you..please...Setsuna-mama...help me...' Prayed Hotaru.
"Help...someone...Setsuna-mama..." Whispered Hotaru as silent tears welled up behind her eyes.
Suddenly she felt something warm touch her hand. The heat nipped for a moment but then Hotaru began to crave more. Urging her mind and body to co-operate she instinctively grabbed onto the warmth which she became aware of as a hand. Her heart lightened. Perhaps her parents had found her...perhaps Usagi-chan had.
"U-Usagi...S-Setsuna-mama," Murmured Hotaru struggling to make her voice heard but gripping on tighter to the hand as it attempted to move. Everything in Hotaru's body was screaming at her to keep a hold of the mysterious hand that felt so warm.
"Sessha is sorry but you must let go of his hand to let him help you de gozaru," Said a soft voice. Hotaru obeyed loosing her grip on the hand feeling the warmth fade away before she felt something nudge her uncomfortably in a sitting position. The urge to sleep was overpowering.
"T-Tired...Haruka-papa..." Stammered Hotaru beyond noticing that the person was definitely not her adopted father. She could feel her body sag but something was holding her upright. Hotaru attempted to open her eyes to see who her rescuer was and eventually she succeeded but was bet with a fierce reddish colour.
"What is your name?" Asked the voice. Hotaru mumbled trying to form the words with her frozen lips. She could feel something lift her and wrap something warm around her. Snuggling up to the heat the fabric offered her Hotaru managed to form a word before she slipped into unconsciousness.
"T-Tomoe...H-Ho...H-Hota..."
Himura Kenshin waded through the torrents of knee deep snow with a small paper bag as the cold wind blasted his hair making it resemble a red hedgehogs. He was glad though...glad it was him instead of Kaoru-dono attempting the shopping trip.
'Kenshin I am perfectly capable of collecting my own shopping!"
A smiled traced his lips. Of course he knew Kaoru was quite independent but he point blank refused to let her go out shopping in a snow-storm in case she caught a flu or chill. Kaoru needless to say had not been happy when Kenshin suggested that he go instead, in fact she took offence but then again she had been a bit grouchy lately. With the awful weather the Dojo had to be closed meaning their income had dropped significantly. Yahiko had not helped the problem being in his own mood about being confided to bed after Kaoru had heard him coughing through the night leaving him irritable especially when Kaoru had served up another charred breakfast. The tension was rising between Master and Apprentice so Kenshin actually been relieved at an excuse to venture out hoping not to be caught up in the fight between the two.
'Maybe when Sessha returns it will have blown over...' Thought Kenshin hopefully. In any case he was quite glad Kaoru had not been there to be served by the angry miso-merchant who had thought Kenshin was a girl. The image was insulting and embarrasing.
'Oro! Sessha is not a girl! Or man dressing as a women!'
The thought of what Saitoh would say was enough to cause Kenshin to turn bright red. He doubted that the Miso-merchant would have been nearly as accusing if he knew Kenshins old identity...but Kenshin had kept quiet but had hastily corrected the man before dashing off with the miso as fast as possible.
Sighing Kenshin wrapped the extra hakama around him tightly. Kaoru had insisted that Kenshin wrap up and Kenshin for once did not refuse. The weather was bitterly cold outside...in fact he couldn't remember a winter this bad for years...
Kenshin felt his stomach lurch slightly.
He could...but he preferred not to recall it and it was for that reason that he disliked snow. It brought back old wounds. Kenshin touched his scar...yes it had a faded slightly in the three months following Enishi but he supposed it would never fade entirely. Still he didn't like to dwell on such matters knowing it would upset Kaoru and make her worry. He lived now to make those around him happy...Kaoru in particular.
'And everyone does seem happy recently, Yahiko turned eleven last month and Megumi-dono wrote again recently. Kaoru-dono was happy as her pupils had increased...the only person we haven't heard from is Sano...
Kenshin did miss the ex-street fighter. Sano had been his best friend...and he knew that the lack of news was worrying Kaoru. Yahiko brushed it off saying Sano was probably lost in the hills of China somewhere. Kenshin hoped this was true. He knew Sano was strong and would be fine but he was a bit annoyed at the lack of letter. He didn't like seeing Kaoru worry.
Slowly Kenshin was knocked out of his thoughtful reverie by a faint Ki. Kenshin widened his eyes and glared ahead through the snow before running off in the direction of the distressed Ki. He recognised the undertones of despair and pain but the strength of it was nearly overwhelming like a light in a dark room. In a matter of minutes Kenshin was searching blindly in the snow until a flash of purple caught his eyes. Racing forward he dropped the shopping bag gently before crouching down at the figure.
The deep plum coloured kimono instantly attracted his attention standing out vividly from the white of the snow. Little tiny flowers were embodied in lilac to mach the obi. From the clothes he could tell the women must be quite wealthy to afford such a beautiful kimono. Her face was hidden by a mane of black hair but the body was visibly shaking. Kenshin touched the hand and nearly withdrew it. It felt like ice.
'If she does not get into the warm then she will not make it'
Suddenly the cold hand grabbed his tightly. Kenshin winced slightly as the grip was strong like iron refusing to let go. He could catch signs of fear and desperation in her Ki so Kenshin decided to reassure her first.
"U-Usagi...S-Setsuna-mama," Said a quiet voice barely audiable.
"Sessha is sorry," Apologised Kenshin, "But you must let go of his hand to let him help you de gozaru." After a few moments the grip slowly relaxed and Kenshin withdrew his hand and reached her gently by the shoulders to sit her up out of the snow. Slowly the mane of dark hair swished out of the way to reveal a deadly pale face with flushed cheeks. Kenshin felt his insides squirm as he stared at the face...it seemed so familiar...shaking his head he knocked such thoughts aside. Tears were leaking from her eyes as she opened her mouth to speak again.
"T-Tired...Haruka-papa..." Murmured the girl. Kenshin felt her body sag but her kept a tight hold with one hand.
'Poor thing...she doesn't look that old...only about sixteen or seventeen...'
Slowly the girls eyes opened halfway to reveal looming dark eyes. Kenshin felt like he'd swallowed stone as he looked into the depths of the dark eyes and caught signs of deep purple among the iris. His heart thumped uncomfortably...the last time he'd seen such dark eyes...no...he must get her warm. He removed his spare hakama and wrapped into around her before lifting her gently.
"What is your name?" He inquired curiously.
"T-Tomoe...H-Ho...H-Hota..." Stammered the girl trying to form her name before she sighed. Kenshin felt her body go limp but her remained rooted to the spot for a moment as he thought of her last name. Of course it was foolish...mentally he kicked such thoughts away and moved through the snow picking up the shopping and balancing it in one arm. Kaoru would kill him if he forgot it. Turning he caught sight of a pink object among the snow. He looked closer with fascination to see it was some sort of shiny luggage carrier. Obviously it must belong to Tomoe-dono...so he'd be best to pick it up for her.
'Sessha hopes she'll be alright...I wonder how such a girl ended up out here?'
Kamiya Kaoru huddled closer towards the fire.
'I can't remember the last time I had this lit...it's been so cold recently...'
She sighed allowing the flames to heat her cold hands. Staring into the heated amber depths she smiled fondly. She could remember vaguely a really cold winter a few years ago when she'd been little. Her father had wrapped her up in a blanket and had sat her next to the fire. Sometimes she really missed him...with so much going on in the past year she'd nearly forgotten the anniversary of his death was approaching.
'Still...I'm not alone anymore...I have Yahiko...and Kenshin...'
A deep cough echoed through the room. Kaoru growled in irritation and anxiety. Why on earth was Yahiko so stubborn? He needed to see a doctor! But no he'd let his stupid ego get in the way and brush it off.
'Ungrateful little brat...'
And then there was Kenshin, Kaoru's feelings for him remained but she'd had little chance to tell him. With the few precious moments that they had shared together Kaoru had turned bright red. Megumi's words still reverted themselves in her mind but...well Kaoru was shy...and admittedly a little afraid. How could she possibly be with Kenshin without insulting Tomoe? And would she always walk in her shadow? No...Kaoru was grateful towards Tomoe and could even sympathise with the young women willing to sacrifice her life. Kaoru shook her head brushing the depressing thoughts aside. In any case before the snow had arrived she'd been quite happy. Students were finally arriving at her Dojo again! She'd had about six of them before the awful weather had began. And of course there was Tsumbe and Tae...the only person really worrying Kaoru was Sano.
'Stupid rooster...can't even write a letter! When he gets back here I'm gonna...'
Mentally images of whacking the ex street-fighter over the head with a bokken repeatedly soother their way into her mind before another shuddering cough echoed again. Kaoru moved from the fire-place and stomped through the shoji-screen until she reached Yahiko's room. Pulling the screen across viciously she stared at the sleeping pupil. Yahiko was lying asleep probably dead to the world. Venturing forwards she knelt next to him putting a hand to his forehead.
'He's got a temperature...thats it! I don't care if I have to gag him, he's going to Dr Genzai!'
Kaoru brushed his hair gently. In truth the sight of the little boy who she thought of as an annoying little brother lying in bed coughing was frightening.
"Get better Yahiko..." Whispered Kaoru stealing away quietly from his room. Once again she found herself shivering in front of the fire with a blanket across her shoulders. Impaitence and worry began to nip at her. What on earth was taking Kenshin so long?
'I should have gone...really it's not like I can't get my own shopping! He's just trying to be over-protective again! Hmph! It's not like I can't look after myself...'
"Stupid Kenshin," Growled Kaoru as her stomach rumbled. Finally a few moments later the door open and a draft penetrated the Kamiya home. Smiling in relief Kaoru braced herself to wage war on the rurouni.
"Kenshin!" She yelled, stepping up to the entrance of the Kamiya home coming face to face with her lodger. Wide innocent lilac eyes met her own. Sighing she gazed at his snow covered hair and giggled slightly until she realised that his extra hakama was missing. Kaoru glared threateningly. If he'd been out without it there was going to be hell to pay...averting her eyes she noticed for the first time she noticed the huddled figure in his arms. Kaoru gasped.
"Kaoru-dono...she needs to be warmed up," Spoke Kenshin firmly.
"T-The fires lit..." She stammered gesturing to the other rooms. Kenshin nodded and set down the shopping and a strange pink bag before hurrying into the other room. Kaoru followed and watched as he lay the girl out in front of the fire. Kaoru couldn't help but admire his quick reactions as he examined the girl. Kaoru watched curiously staring at the rich kimono to the deathly pale skin. Her eyes were red raw and had tears slipping down them. Kaoru felt her heart twist.
"She needs to get out of those wet clothes.." Spoke Kaoru quietly. Kenshin's face promptly turned crimson.
"Orororo...um...maybe thise one should go and fetch Dr Genzai de gozaru?" Suggested Kenshin meekly. Kaoru chuckled lightly despite the situation Kenshin looked so naive and clueless...like a puppy with the wide innocent purple eyes.
"Hai...I've got a spare kimono..." Said Kaoru thinking of her own lacking wardrobe with regret but brightened up thinking of the new income she'd recieve when the bad weather ended. She'd barely noticed Kenshin had left the room until she heard the door shut leaving a slight draft in it's wake. Turning her attention to her new ward Kaoru flushed pink. Hopefully the girl wouldn't mind Kaoru changing her clothes...
'Its for her own good...she'll catch a fever if she stays in them much longer' Thought Kaoru firmly looking at the damp kimono.
"I'll be back in a minute," She said politely as though the girl could hear her. It didn't take long for her to find a spare blanket and one of her old blue kimono's. When she'd returned the child was still motionless. Kaoru had concluded that she must be about Misao's age.
Slowly she undid the obi of the kimono taking care to give the girl her privacy as she untied all the necessary ties. She took great care to remove the Kimono as gently as possible which was awkward giving the fact that she felt like she was having to undress an extremely heavy ragdoll. Her finger brushed against the pale skin a few times and each time Kaoru instinctively withdrew as though she'd touched an ice cube. Eventually the girl was dressed in Kaoru's old patched kimono. Kaoru tucked the blanket neatly over the girl and fetched a few pillows until eventually she had a made-up futon leaving Kaoru with a damp kimono.
'It's beautiful...she must be exceedingly rich...maybe she's the daughter of a wealthy politician? Or even the Emperor?! Nah...thats just too unlikely...'
Still it begged the question of how did she get in the snow? Kaoru eyed her with fascination. Maybe she'd been kidnapped and held for ransom? Or maybe she'd tried to runaway? Or perhaps she was travelling somewhere and got ambushed? Or maybe-
"Kaoru-dono sessha has returned with Dr Genzai!"
Kaoru train of thoughts were interrupted as Kenshin entered the room leading the old doctor with him. Kaoru smiled at the doctor and greeted him.
"Oh...hello Dr Genzai...this is...well..." Kaoru trailed off as she stumbled remembering the girl had no name. Dr Genzai smiled and nodded before kneeling next to the girl. Kaoru stepped back beside Kenshin allowing the doctor to continue his examination in peace.
"Who do you think she is?" Asked Kaoru curiously.
"I have not a clue Karou-dono," Answered Kenshin truthfully, "Although she kept calling out for somebody..."
"She did?" Muttered Kaoru.
"Hai...somebody named Usagi and two others she addressed as Setsuna-mama and Haruka-papa," Said Kenshin sadly. Kaoru felt her heart wrench and her anger build up. The poor girl was obviously scared and confused having being seperated from her parents.
"Well it's luck Kenshin-san found her in time...and luck you changed her clothes," Said Dr Genzai hobbling to his feet, "She appears to have substained no long lasting damage although she does have a fever...I suggest she stays in the warm for a week or so."
"Arigatou Dr Genzai," Thanked Kaoru before gazing back at the young girl. Obviously she'd need looking after for a while...and Kaoru wasn't going to turn her out into the snow again that was for sure.
"So...it looks like we have a new lodger Kaoru-dono," Intoned Kenshin smiling as Kaoru nodded before a familiar whine filled the room.
"Kaoru I know I was sick but you didn't need to call a doctor!" Yelled Yahiko entering the room with tousled hair and sleepy eyes. It took a few moments for the scene to digest in his mind before he spoke.
"Oh...whose she?"
"We don't know," Said Kaoru staring at the sleeping young teenage girl watching as the fire illuminated her pale skin with an orange glow making her hair seem almost red in comparison. Her chest rose and fell with each breath but there was something oddly serene about the whole picture...there was something strange Kaoru couldn't place but she felt like she was missing something.
'Who are you?'
Hotaru stared as the familiar feeling of icy fear leaped in her stomach. A cold wind blew through her hair and a pale light illuminated the whole land in a transparent yellow light. Clouds of dust rose in spirals towards the dark empty blackness of the night sky. Already she knew there would be no Moon tonight...and no moon ever again. Walking forwards through the barren wasteland hearing her silent steps echo through the lonely landscape. There was no life here...there was just flat dusty orange ground as far as the eyes could see littered with red liquid.
Blood. She could already smell it's metallic perfume.
Cold panic wound it's way through her soul. She longed to turn and run but her feet marched onwards through the sea of corpses. Some still clinging to life tried desperately to grab onto her purple boots. Hotaru felt her Glaive spin in her hands as she subconsiously knocked feeble souls into the next life with a few slashing motions. Nausea threatened to overwhelm her as her face and mouth curved into a cold smile as she continued to walk onwards unavoidably further through the gloomy landscape until she came to a clearing away from the blood and bodies.
There she saw the source of the pale light.
An extraordinarily beautiful woman was curled up in the landscape. Her light pink gown flowed like liquid water smoothly down each curve of her body until the white trail ended at her feet. Long silky soft pink hair cascaded down the womans back wound up into two identical rabbit shaped buns while her skin glowed. On her head was a glittering silver crown and each feature on her face was graceful and breathtaking. Inside Hotaru screamed but nothing came out. She no longer had the will-power over her own body. The Queen turned to face Sailor Saturn with tears streaming down her face and her bright pink eyes devoid of energy or light. While Hotaru wanted to lean down and heal her friend her body clamped up.
"No...that is not what you are Saturn...watch..."
Hotaru felt like roaring at that voice demanding it to stop. Instead the women spoke pleading and begging.
"P-Please...S-Saturn..." She cried uncurling her fist. In the centre was a bright glowing silver necklace with two interlocking pink and purple gems.
"Friends forever..."
Saturn raised the glaive. Hotaru willed herself to stop. She too begged, cried and pleaded.
"Friends forever..."
The Glaive fell and crashed into the figure. An inhumane scream fell through the silent land as the Messiah of Silence wailed in despair.
"You know...you are a killer Saturn...a Senshi with a heart cold enough to kill her Queen, her comrade...her best friend..."
Tears slipped down Hotaru's cheek. She wanted it to end...she didn't want to be here anymore.
'Friends Forever...'
Tomoe Hotaru like so many recent nights awoke with a scream and tears running down her face. Hotaru had never been known to be a crybaby. She did cry quite a few times when she had been growing up at her fathers manison an outcast and alone with nothing but the darkness of Mistress Nine tainting her mind.
In the slip second of her awakening - the moment where dream and reality collide Hotaru would have willingly traded her nightmares for the darkness of Mistress Nine. She could still see Chibiusa's agony and betrayal with her eyes. She could feel an invisible knife wrenching itself into her chest and she could still feel the despair and fear curdling her insides. Never had she felt so trapped and enclosed.
She sat on the bed sobbing not caring where she was. She was aware that there was something warm and bright beside her lighting up the darkened room and she could hear the wind howling outside against the walls but she didn't care. For once the solemn and cautious senshi of Death lost her composure like the previous night. Except there was no Setsuna-mama to ease her pain. She was once again alone in the world.
Or so she thought.
Her head snapped up as she heard something open, rubbing her red sore eyes she hugged the blanket around her she could only stare as three figures burst into the room interrupting the silence and privacy and putting Hotaru in an awkward situation. Any emotions of fear melted away in an instant as she felt three pairs of eyes staring at her pale and crying figure. She felt her cheeks flush...she would have given up her Glaive at that moment if the ground would swallow her.
'Oh no...what have I done? What do I say?...I'd better think of something reasonable...'
She stared at each face in turn trying to hide her own curiosity. She was staring at walking, breathing history.
And it spoke.
"What the heck!" Blurted out one figure with a mixture of annoyance and irritation. Hotaru scowled feeling slight anger. It was plain rude to act that way in front of people! She squinted her eyes allowing them to peer through the darkness at ease. Night vision was easy for the Senshi born from the darkness of death. She see a boy of about ten standing with messy spiky black hair and clear brown eyes. He appeared to be wearing an old fashioned yugata and was still rubbing the sleep away from his eyes. Next to him was a girl of about Usagi's age with long black hair done up in a ponytail with a bright pink ribbon. Her clothing was also old fashioned - a slightly worn out vivid yellow kimono and a blue blanket draped around her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes were widened with surprise.
'They must live together...brother and sister...' Concluded Hotaru feeling her heart race.
Thankfully the girl reacted first slapping her 'little brother' on the head and glaring daggers at him.
"Yahiko, that is no way to treat a guest! Apologise at once!" Demanded the woman. Hotaru shook her head. The last thing she wanted to cause was a disturbance. Her mind felt strangely foggy and her body kept flushing hot and cold but she made an effort to clamber to her feet. She succeeded wavering ungracefully for a moment as a wave of nausea overtook her...funny...the room never normally swayed...and her head felt so light...
Before she realised what was happened she was falling...backwards into the fire.
Luckily something caught her first. A pair of arms appeared and blocked her path setting her gently but irreversably onto the made up futon where she had been lying.
'This isn't going too well...they must think I'm mad...'
"G-Gomen," She stammered awkwardly.
A bright pair of lilac eyes bore into her own. Hotaru stared politely back feeling small cold shivers run down her spine. Finally the pair of eyes took a step backwards so she was able to identify her rescuer.
He was short.
Not as short as she was...but still for an adult male quite short. His hair was bright Scarlett and tied into a low messy ponytail. He was slender in frame and wearing a pink Gi which clashed with the red hair. He appeared to be young, at first glance Hotaru would have said about Haruka-papa's age but there was something more to those lilac eyes. Hotaru could feel something...something slight...but it was still there.
'It's almost like darkness...yet it's strange for the rest appears to be light...such old eyes...'
"G-Gomen...it's alright...I'm sorry I startled you all...I was having a bad dream," Said Hotaru politely and truthfully. Her cheeks were still pink though and she felt like she was being cross-examined before finally the woman smiled reassuringly.
"It's fine...my name is Kamiya Kaoru and this is my apprentice Myojin Yahiko," Said Kaoru gesturing at the boy. Hotaru nodded but then gasped as realisation hit her like smacking into a brick wall.
'Kamiya Kaoru! So this is Usagi-chans ancestor!'
She stared at Kaoru curiously searching for small similarities between her and Hotaru's Princess but she found none...except for the eyes...she had the same eyes...slightly darker but still the same. And her kind nature...it did sort of remind Hotaru of Usagi.
'It appears I'm lucky...for once. Where is everyone else? If I'm the only one here then what do I do?'
Hotaru shook her head firmly and felt determination clear up inside her washing away all other emotions. Her path was once again crystal clear. She was now at the Dojo and her misson was to protect this young women. She would try to find the others later but right now she needed to give these people some answers.
"Oh...um...and this is Himura Kenshin our friend and lodger," Said Kaoru blushing at Hotaru's intense look. Hotaru smiled and shifted her gaze to Kenshin who also smiled and nodded.
"My name is Tomoe Hotaru," Said Hotaru inclining her head, "I'm sorry about the trouble I've caused you...thank you very much for saving me...If I'm causing any inconvenience then-"
"No! Hotaru-chan we're happy to have you here...right?" Said Kaoru earnestly facing her two friends with looks of fierceness. Hotaru could read the message...it was the same one Setsuna used on Michiru and Haruka. The-agree-with-me-or-else! Yahiko grumbled and nodded and Kenshin spoke.
"Like Kaoru-dono said we are happy to have you with us Hotaru-dono...any in any case you cannot leave until you are better de gozaru," He said grinning with good humour. Hotaru nodded and smiled gratefully. This would make guarding them so much more easier. Not that she'd be in any fit state to protect them in her current condition.
"Arigatou...Kamiya-san, Myojin-san, Himura-san," Said Hotaru thankfully, "I know you probably think I'm a bit strange...but the truth is...I got separated from some friends of mine...and I need to find them again...we were all meant to be meeting in Tokyo...but now I have no idea where they are."
Hotaru wasn't really sure where the answer had developed from but it wasn't exactly a lie. She had been separated and she did need to find everyone. She was positive that they too would be close by probably in Tokyo. If that was the case then she could just give them directions through the communicators. Feeling a bit of relief flood through her Hotaru sighed happily. So far everything was going as planned.
"Thats awful...if we can help in any way please let us know," Said Kaoru sympathetically. Yahiko nodded firmly as well as Kenshin.
"Ariagtou...I'm sure I'll find them soon," Smiled Hotaru for once that day feeling a bit better.
Kaoru tossed in her futon again restlessly musing over the day, once again she'd gained another new friend for Hotaru-chan seemed a nice girl with a slightly quiet, shy side to her as well as being incredibly polite and friendly. Of course Kaoru didn't ask anything about her past...she had a habit of not doing that...many would consider her naive but she considered it as a right of privacy. The past was the past...it was their own business and in any case Hotaru didn't seem dangerous at all. She just seemed lost...and lonely.
'I hope her friends are alright...I'll have to make inquires about them tomorrow...if the snow doesn't ever clear up!'
Laying down she could hear the wind russling outside making the Dojo creak noisly and eerily. Kaoru lay in the darkness of her own room feeling slightly nervous and anxious as every noise outside made her jump suddenly. It was strange a year ago it would never have bothered her but now, after Enishi, she certainly didn't want more maniacs intent on revenge entering her Dojo.
I'm just being ridiculous...
Kaoru yawned tiredly and turned over before falling into an uneasy sleep.
Hotaru sat alone in the dark.
In any case sleep didn't seem an inviting prospect in the current situation but her fevered body was craving it. She could feel her mind slowly digesting her thoughts as she flushed from freezing to boiling kicking and pulling the blanket on and off as each phase happened. Instead she decided to put her unrestful body to better use by planning her next moves cautiously. Obviously she had arrived in the correct designation but what about the others? She'd tried reaching them on the communicators but she just got a feeble buzzing noise as a reply. Since she was forbidden to Transform it made searching for them even harder especially when she was bed-ridden for at least a week.
'As soon as I'm able to I'll go looking for them...knowing Usagi-san and Haruka-papa there bound to make an impression...'
Or she hoped so anyway.
Sighing she looke around the lonely room taking in every sight with fascination. A part of her could not believe she was here sitting in a Dojo over one hundred and forty years in the past. Was this place even still standing in her time? That thought made her sad...Kaoru and everyone were so alive here...it hurt to think of them as otherwise.
'I must not think like that..' Thought Hotaru searching through the darkness for a distraction. Finally her eyes rested on her pink suitcase in the corner. Of course Chibiusa's diary! She could write everything down so that when she came back she could show Chibiusa everything...
'And maybe Marimo too...'Thought Hotaru hopefully feeling much happier at that prospect. Crawling across the floor she snatched the heavy suitcase wondering what Setsuna-mama had chucked in it. Unzipping it quietly she rummaged through the contents until she grabbed the shiny purple book with interest wondering what Chibiusa had written in it. Finally she slipped open the first page to see neat loopy handwriting.
Dear Hotaru,
I guess by the time you read this you'll be in the past...I wish I could be with you! It sounds so interesting getting to see all the ancient sights and stuff. I've missed you quite a lot...the futures great but I've been kept busy with Senshi training...the Asteroids are such workaholics! I've hardly had any time to myself and I was looking forward to coming back here to see everyone but already we're being separated. Well I've given you this so you can write letters to me. I've got an identical one so I'll write whats going on to me if you do the same! Then when we meet up again I can show you...although yours will probably be much more interesting!
Love, Princess Lady Usagi-Serenity of Crystal Tokyo,
Chibiusa-chan xx
Hotaru felt her heart ache but she smiled fondly picking up the pen thinking of her pink haired friend. Pulling out the glossy future photograph she stared at each face. This was her future...this was what she was protecting. With a bright smile she undid the pen lid and began to write.
Kaoru watched in horror.
Each scene played itself leaving Kaoru weeping in it's wake. First Kenshin morphing into Battousai with a blood stained sword and amber eyes glaring at Kaoru herself. She tried to yell...to call him back but it was useless...she could only watch in sickness as he continued to slay more people. Next came the scene where Kenshin turned and smiled, "Sessha is grateful for all you have done Kaoru-dono...but sessha is a rurouni.."
He left...gone leaving Kaoru alone again paralysed in shock watching helplessly as he walked away. Then came the worst...Kenshin fully impaled by Enishi's sword...dead...gone...not coming back...no hope...
"Kenshin!"
Kaoru sat up with a jolt, hearing her heart pound against her ribcage. After a few moments of deep breaths she stood up to her feet. She needed to make sure...every instinct she had was urging her to make sure everyone was alright...her legs moved themselves through the dark corridors...it wasn't until she was outside Kenshins room that she had any notion of how she got there. She blushed furiously and stood back a pace aghast at what she nearly did.
'I-I can't go in there!'
A part of her longed to though...just to check...but then she didn't know if he was a deep sleeper...she supposed he wasn't being such an expert swordsman so he was likely to hear her...and if he woke up...well Kaoru didn't want to think about it...the thought itself was too embarrassing.
'This is my Dojo though...and...one look can't hurt...just to check...'
Kaoru outstretched a hand and then withdrew it tentaively. Could she? It was an invasion of privacy yet...yet already those images replayed themself in Kaoru's mind and she found tears slipping down her cheeks. Finally gathering about her courage she pushed the screen lightly before she could doubt herself.
The small room was pitch-dark.
Distantly she could hear soft breathing...as her eyes adjusted she could make out a shape underneath a blanket inhaling lightly. After a few minutes she could notice how he was curled up in a ball like a cat with his hair loose spanning over the whole pillow and his eyes shut.
Kaoru smiled lovingly.
'He looks so peaceful...'
She remained at the shoji screen for more minutes just watching. Half of her expected him to awake at any moment but he didn't. The wind continued to ravage outside but Kaoru had eyes only for the rurouni laying asleep. Eventually she tore herself away and slid the shoji shut quietly.
"Goodnight Kenshin..." She whispered walking back to her own room which seemed so uninviting. She knew she wouldn't get back to sleep now, not alone in the dark. She'd lay awake all night trying not to think of her dreams...her nightmares. The nightmares that had haunted her for three months...
"My Queen...we have succeeded in interrupting the Time Guardian...we believe that they are all scattered throughout Japan while the future Senshi was accidentally sent into an even further past..." Stated Agrona bowing her her yellow head as her wings fluttered inpaitently as her Queen mulled over the new news.
"It is alright..." Said Amaterasu eventually smiling, " We can make that work to our advantage. I understand the time is one full of chaos and blood...I doubt she'll last too long once her health starts to deteroriate...although feel free to hunt anytime. Sailor Pluto cannot do anything now..." Agrona grinned hungrily. Amaterasu could never understand why villans treated their servants so poorly and then wondered why they jumped at the oppertunity of being free? It was stupid...and Amaterasu was many things but stupid didn't even come into the equation. She did on some level care for her servants...which was probably why they remained with her through thick and thin. She just returned the gesture.
"Sailor Pluto? I thought she could do anything" Said Agrona standing up speaking casually. Serenity shook her head.
"No, my dear cousin is not invincible...none of them are. No one ever is...she will undoubtably want to help but she knows leaving Time unguarded while it's in such a depressing state will not bode well with the powers that be...she'll grudgingly put her trust into the Senshi...as she always has" Explained Amaterasu rolling her eyes.
"Of course manipulating the dreams of Saturn is childs play...I cannot see her because of the guardians that protect her but dreams are so fragile...her nightmares feed of her own fears...I just lend a helping hand," Shrugged the Sun Queen.
'The one thing you will never be able to run from Saturn is yourself...'
Thank you reviewers! xx Keep them coming and tell me if I've kept everyone IC xx The next few chapters will be based purely around Hotaru and the kenshin-gumi for the time being working on their relationships with each other. The chapters after that will be about the other Senshi trying to find each other.
