A/N: Short but sweet. Maybe I'll let Usagi be awake in the next chapter. Who knows. ^-^ Thanks for all the support you guys! I love you all and God bless!
Jaws dropped at the sight of the missing Senshi of wind. When Michiru and Hotaru stepped around the corner Luna felt her knees weaken. They really were alive. Haruka's face was an angry scowl as she stormed up to Setsuna, pointing a finger in her face. A worried Michiru rushed after her, grabbing her arm and struggling to pull her back before she did anything she'd regret. Setsuna realized that Hotaru had grown up in the years since the last battle. She was no longer an adolescent but a young woman. She had to be around nineteen or twenty, at least that's how her body appeared. Her true age would never be defined, as well as the rest of the Senshi.
"Why didn't you protect her! We left you in charge and this is what happens? You're just as low as the rest of them!" Even Hiiro was surprised when he saw the rage ignite in Setsuna's normally composed eyes. The tall woman stepped forward, meeting Haruka's gaze evenly.
"Don't you dare pin this on me Haruka! You know darn well this wasn't my fault! Our princess has the right to do as she wishes and she put the others and I in a barrier that not even I could break! If you care so much then why weren't you there for her?" Haruka didn't flinch as Setsuna yelled at her. Michiru had stepped back, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. And it would be an understatement to say that the group was shocked when Hotaru grabbed Haruka by the hair and pulled her away from Setsuna. The younger Senshi forced the elders to lower themselves to her eye level. A scowl present on her face as a dark flame began to surround her.
"Cut it out. We don't need any more tension than there already is. And don't you dare speak to Setsuna like that! Who do you think you are?" With that she released Haruka, pushing her away before turning to Setsuna. "I would like to see my brother." Setsuna gathered her composure and began to lead the way. Duo was the only one they were allowed to see for the time being seeing as how he was in stable condition.
Haruka followed Hotaru with a frown, her arms crossed over her chest. She was more upset that she had forgotten about Hotaru's sensitivity to the situation than the fact that she humiliated her in front of the pilots. The pilots and Usagi's guardians remained behind as the trio went to Duo's room. Michiru looked at Luna and smiled, bowing low before Luna hurriedly stood her up.
"There's no need for such formalities anymore Michiru. After all, we're no longer in that era." Her smile was soft as they embraced one another. "Come and sit, we have much to talk about." The two women took a seat before their chatter began. Artemis and Trowa looked on with a smile as Diana joined them, sitting beside her mother.
Hotaru suppressed the urge to run to her brother's bedside. He was lying on his back, an IV protruding from his hand. The high-pitched beeping of a heart monitor sounded in the background. Going up to him she took his hand in hers as she sat in the chair next to the bed. Gently she kissed it, noticing the numerous bruises that littered his lithe form. She noticed the bandages wrapped around his bare torso, covering the burns and stitches on his pale skin. His eyes seemed to have sunken further into his skull and his skin was paler than death itself. Sighing Hotaru kissed his forehead, stroking back a few strands of his hair. His braid had been undone and brushed out by one of the nurses to get rid of the blood that had covered it.
"Oh my dearest brother. After all this time I had hoped to find you well when we finally reunited." A sad smile graced her pale face as she pushed her own hair behind her ear. When his eyelids started to move she smiled. His violet eyes opened to see ones that were almost identical.
"Ho—Hotaru?" Hs voice was low and raspy, almost strained. Putting a finger to his lips she silenced him.
"Hey big Bro. What kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?" Her smile made tears come to his eyes. Reaching up he ignored the pain in order to hold her. He was shocked to see her. Wasn't she dead? When Hotaru felt his body shaking she stroked his head in order to soothe him. Gently she positioned herself on the bed so that she could hold her brother while they cried together.
Setsuna watched from the doorway with Haruka by her side as the twins embraced one another. (A/N: I'm not sure how old Hotaru was during the Silver Millennium but I made her Duo's twin. In my version she was only younger because that's how she was 're-incarnated'.) Haruka's heart softened, automatically forgiving Hotaru for the embarrassing moment just minutes before. She was only so tense because she was scared of loosing her brother and princess. They were all scared of loosing Usagi. Turning she left, giving them time alone. Setsuna smiled to herself, following Haruka. Before they rounded the corner to once again be in the company of the others, Setsuna placed a hand on Haruka's shoulder to halt her.
"Haruka, if you would truly like, we could go and see her." Haruka's eyes widened as she nodded. "But I must warn you, it won't be pretty. And you can't let the others know you've seen her." Once more she nodded before hurriedly following the older Senshi.
"Do you think Duo's awake now mommy?" Luna held her daughter and sighed.
"Most likely. Although I think we should wait for Hotaru to come back and tell us how things are. After all, she is his family." The young girl nodded before staring back down at the floor.
Michiru stood next to Trowa, leaning against the wall. It had been almost two hours since the three Senshi had left to visit their friend. In that time there head been no news of Usagi's progress and it was killing them all. When she felt sudden warmth in her hand she looked to see that Trowa was holding it. Slowly she leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder. It had been too long since she'd been with him.
Quatre was pacing the room furiously, unsure whether to be angry, sad or worried. He had seen how much blood had been on her and Trowa when they had placed her on the stretcher and taken her to the ER. That much blood loss would surely kill a person. So if she was dead how come no one had come to tell them? If she was living then she deserved to know her progress.
Wufei had long ago sat down on the floor to calm his nerves. The caffeine intake had done a number on him. He felt wired beyond belief and the fact that he wanted to scream or cry wasn't helping. The suspense was driving him insane. How could those moronic doctors not give them at least a report on how Usagi was doing? And why did that onna Hotaru get to see Maxwell? Just because she was the man's sister she thought she had every right to see him. What about the pilots and himself? They had spent more time with him than she ever had, especially since they had been sent to this time. He wanted to see how his friend was doing, not that he'd ever admit out loud that he considered Duo to be his best friend.
Hiiro stood next to the wall, watching Quatre pace the room. He too was upset about not being able to see her. The same thoughts that were running through his comrade's heads were the same thoughts going through his. Yet every time he tried to sort his thoughts out the incessant sound of Quatre's shoes clicking back and forth on the marble tile of the waiting room interrupted him. It was getting to the point where his anger grew bit by bit every time he heard it. Finally he stood up, growling deep in his throat. Storming angrily out of the room he was unaware of the eyes following him.
Haruka sat on the floor outside of the operating room, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had long since stopped her cries of 'oh god!' and was now rocking herself back and forth. Setsuna stood against the opposite wall, watching her friend. Haruka had her knees drawn up to her chest and her hands buried in her hair as she rested her forehead against her knees. The sight of Usagi had been too much for her. Setsuna had already known what she looked like, so it wasn't as much of a shock to her system. For nearly an hour and a half they had been in the hallway, not daring to go back. Haruka was in no condition to go back and Setsuna couldn't simply leave her alone. So she stood there, listening to the mumblings of the doctors and nurses from behind the heavy metal doors.
Haruka's words kept resurfacing as she waited in silence. Why hadn't she gone to aid her princess? Hadn't she sworn to protect her the day she was born? After all this time she had hesitated to help her. Perhaps if she had tried she would have gotten through the barrier. Maybe if she had then Duo would be all right. Maybe Usagi wouldn't be in such critical condition. Just thinking of how her princess had looked made her skin crawl. When Trowa had placed her on the table she had been drenched in her own blood. Her once blue dress was dark maroon, no blue to be seen. Her golden hair was matted with blood and she had lost her flip-flops somewhere along the way. When the sounds of another person coming their way reached her ears she paused and looked up. Haruka ignored the intruder all together.
Hiiro walked down the hallway, seeing the silent Setsuna and a very disturbed Haruka. For the first time in his life he felt his heart reach out to another person besides Usagi. Haruka was never that disgruntled. He paused momentarily by her side, seeing that they were in front of Usagi's operating room. Cautiously he kneeled down next to her, watching as she slowly lifted her head. Her blood shot eyes and tear stained face put him off guard. Was Usagi in really that bad of shape? Placing a comforting hand on Haruka's shoulder he stood once more, taking his time. Stepping up to the doors he looked over to Setsuna, asking silent permission to go in. The only response he got was the lowering of her head. Taking a slow, deep breath he braced himself for the worst before opening the doors to look at her.
What he saw had the same impact as a swift punch to the gut. Usagi lay on the operating table, blood covering her entire body. Stitches covered the many wounds that scattered her once perfect skin. Bruises were everywhere that he could see. One doctor was working on putting pins into her left ankle and knee, to help the bones heal properly. Another doctor was caring for her right arm, which seemed to have been broken as well. Her face was bruised almost beyond recognition.
There was a blood covered sheet over the most intimate parts of her body, but he could still see the center of her chest, where the crystals had exploded. The doctors were working on putting a metal plate over the hole. He stumbled back, out of the room and into the wall next to Haruka. Looking over to Setsuna his tear filled eyes conveyed his emotions. Kneeling next to Haruka once more he took the young woman into his arms, his first act of humanity. He needed the comfort. He needed someone who understood how he was feeling. Haruka gripped him, her hard exterior melting as tears overflowed. And that's how the others found them half an hour later, huddled in a ball on the floor sobbing like children.