Sunlight scorched the parched lands of Kinmoku, the citizens of the devastated planet opting to stay inside or continue their tasks in the refuge of shade. Only a few stopped to glance at the spectacle taking place in the 'town square.' Three lone figures, two in black and one in long crimson petal skirts sat facing outward in a small circle. Their hands were in crude square shackles, making it almost impossible to move. Only a passer-by stopped to criticize them or even throw rotten food. The two remaining Starlights and Kakyuu bore this harassment without a word, their head hung in exhaustion, and hunger.

Their punishment had began a day prior when it was discovered that Healer was no where to be found. Fighter and Maker had tried to feign innocence by claiming that their comrade had escaped of her own will, but the citizens would not believe it. The rebels were able to piece together the fake hostage situation and the missing Starlight's escape. Rather than being beaten, the Kinmokiuan princess and her two guardians were shackled and marched into the square. They were told whereupon they had a long enough punishment, the three of them would be separated and sent to do work at encampments that were found by a scout. Three shadow guards were placed around the three 'prisoners', with orders to kill anyone who came near.

The two Starlights and Kakyuu were also not given any food or water for the two days that they had already spent there. The lack of both had caused Maker and Kakyuu to faint, and were cruelly awoken by a bucket of soapy water that had been used for cleaning dishes or laundry. It had temporarily cooled their parched and sunburned skin, but was unsanitary. They slept the best they could during the night, when the temperature would drop, but it was difficult because the desert like conditions made it very cold. The first night, Fighter woke to hear her princess sobbing very quietly in the darkness. The second night, it was Maker woke after hearing a noise. She lifted her head to see Mika and Suma approach them, only a few steps away from the guards, who they could see in the moonlight.

Mika looked from the shackles on the three captives' wrists to the haggard, tired face of each. Tears had begun to fill her eyes as she stared at them. "W-what can we do?"

Fighter had woken from a light sleep and had lifted her head bringing a dizzy spell with it. She spoke up, shrugging her shoulders. "You can't do anything. Until Healer and the other senshi return, we have to deal with whatever we are faced with."

"Besides," Maker continued in a serious tone, "we don't want you involved any further, you could be punished very badly for helping us."

"I-I heard that you're all going to be separated and sent to other camps." Mika squeaked, and the intelligent senshi nodded.

"Then, Mika and I can go out like we are taking a walk and we'll find them." Suma added confidently.

"It will be dangerous for you to walk during the day, it's too hot for traveling anywhere without any protection." Fighter said, lifting her head to glance at the inky sky dotted with stars.

"Plus, wouldn't the citizens expect you to be in the village?" Maker asked in a inquiring tone.

"We do have chores," Suma explained, "but afterward our time is our own. And if they are other encampments, we can spend the night without anyone worrying. Mika and I need to find you all if we are going to lead your friends to you."

"Why are you doing this for us? We settled our debt to you with the hair comb." Fighter glanced at her with a puzzled look.

"Would you rather not have help?" sneered Suma in an annoyed tone.

"I didn't say that!" hissed the leader of the Starlights, beginning to feel a little exasperated, "I just meant that you're willing to risk your safety for the three of us when you're not obliged to do so."

The older sibling shrugged, "You're going to escape anyway. When you're friends get back, no doubt they'll help you get away. We're just....speeding up the process."

Fighter raised her eyebrows, and could have laughed if the situation was not so grave, but she just shook her head with a smile.

"Alright, but continue to be extremely careful not to be caught. We don't want anything to happen to you two girls." Maker said solemnly looking from one to another.

The first inklings of dawn began to form over the horizon, a few stray beams of sunlight began to peek over the flat land as the sky went from black to a dark blue.

"It's almost daybreak, you should return to your home so no one suspects you of talking to us."

The two girls nodded and quietly wished them good luck as they turned for their hut.

Behind one of the homes, a tall old man with steely gray eyes in a black robe watched as this conversation was taking place. His eyes narrowed as he listened, noting what what said with an air of feverish excitement. He had a hunch that someone had been helping the traitors when he had seen bread crumbs in the prison. He had stayed awake to listen for any movement. At last, he had heard the quiet whispers of two the small citizens he had met not to long ago. This tall shadow slid out of his simple bed and skulked behind the huts watching the two children's every move with the aid of the moonlight. When he followed the two girls, he could not have imagined that they were helping the enemy, the traitors.

One of them had mentioned a hair comb. Good, that would be damning evidence to convicting in giving aid and comfort of the enemy. Tommorow the two would be leaving the camp, and he could search their belongings, and when they returned, he would have them searched for the item. Even children needed to be made examples of, and he would see to it that they were.

On the third day, the three prisoners were hauled roughly to their feet by a few burly men of the camp. Fighter sunk back to her knees from dehydration and starvation and was hauled up once more, this time by her ponytail before she was dragged onto the rough timbers that made up the floors of three carts where she sat. Maker was physically shoved into another, and Kakyuu was pushed into the last one. The intelligent senshi, who was closest to her princess noted the profuse sweat that seemed to be pouring down the royal's face, and causing crimson bangs to her forehead. The carts started to move slowly in three different directions. Fighter used her last remaining strength to send a telepathic message. Don't worry, we'll find one another soon enough. I have faith in those children, and in Healer. The leader of the Starlight's remaining energy finally fizzled out; Fighter's breathing became short and her eyes rolled back into her head as she collapsed to the floor unconcious.

The three primative vehicles slumped into the distance, growing farther and farther apart, until the occupants of them could no longer see one another. Even as the final rays of daylight shyed away they could not help but think of their comrade who was safe on the other side of the galaxy. They could endure anything as long as there was hope in seeing one another again.

TBC................

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a/n: sorry it took so long to post this chapter. I was writing a story for a fanswap and was totally consumed by it. The next three chapters will consist of the their individual accounts of what happens to each of them when they reach their do you want to have Healer chapter where she's trying to convince the Sol senshi to return with her? hmmm.....

James Birdsong: Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying my story.

joycy: oh...sorry about not thanking you sooner for your review. I will get on Healer's chapter next and see what plays out.

Stay tuned!