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Disclaimer: All characters except for a few in this series belong to their respective…um, companies? You know what I mean.
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Puppet Master Chapter Three
New Enemies Emerge
Rini walked down the street, laughing happily as Darien held her hand. In her other hand was a large vanilla ice cream cone. Drops of ice cream fell to the concrete sidewalk as the two walked through the city's main park. Darien laughed along with his future daughter as the two enjoyed the soft, breathy wind and the gently sway of the blossoming trees. It was another soft spring day and even the sun seemed kind, its blinding light more comforting then the two knew it could be.
Serena was having a meeting with the girls at Rei's temple, her four friends truly making an effort to improve the blonde's scores. Even Mina had taken up the pledge, vowing that her friend would not be left behind when the school year was over. A flash of worry passed over Darien as he thought of what would happen when the year was over and began wondering whether Serena would manage to pass to the next grade level.
But those worries were easily forgotten with the beautiful sights of nature all around them. Darien was not the only ones to take the day off and enjoy nature. Dozens of people had flocked to the park, most hanging out in groups or couples while some preferred to sit alone with closed eyes, allowing the gently blowing wind to calm down the world around them. Cherry blossoms flew through the park on the breeze and their refreshing fragrance and soft caresses soothed the worn out city.
Rini giggled as a rush of petals surrounded her before floating away. Closing her eyes and sighing in pleasure, the small cherry haired girl took a quick glance at her future father. "Darien, don't you wish Serena was here with us?" her young voice questioned.
Darien smiled, his own eyes closed. "Of course I do. But I would rather have her studying if it helps her."
"Ok. I was just wondering if you would rather have her here instead of me."
Darien opened an eye. "I wouldn't trade a moment I spend with you, dear Rini."
Rini giggled, a slight blush on her checks. The two walked to a cool spot beneath a cherry tree and Darien opened a small brown picnic basket that he'd been holding. Inside were two lunches Serena had prepared for them. After failing nearly every class, the ditzy blonde had somber up, focusing more on her future and losing her more childish characteristics. She never whined about school work or chores anymore, her usual fights with Rini had nearly stopped and even in battles, the girl had toughened up and even stopped her traditional speech. Darien noticed a great change in the way she stopped hanging on him all the time and Serena had even stopped her protective attitude towards him. Serena's family and teachers thought the changes were all for the better but her friends worried secretly that the ditzy, ordango haired and naïve Serena they all cared about would drift away to be replaced by a grown up and distant version.
But Serena never lost her beautiful dreams and was often caught daydreaming about them. Serena once left her hair down but after seeing her friends hurt response, continued leaving them up in pigtails. Even Darien couldn't help but admit that he was losing her in a way. The two were never as close as before, Serena always leaving him with the excuse that she had to do homework or clean her chores or that her friends needed her. The beautiful Serena, the one untouched by the harsh world, was at last waking up to reality and Darien wished that he could have let her remain asleep forever.
Rini watched Darien's face, his conflicting emotions obvious to her inexperienced eyes. She looked away back to the sandwich Serena had made for her. It was a plain peanut butter and jelly sandwich but Serena had whispered into her ears before she'd left to Rei's that the sandwich was made especially for her. Her lips turned into a sorrowful smile. 'Serena is acting like my mommy now, but Darien doesn't want her to change. I wish Darien could act like he did before Serena changed but I also want Serena to keep acting like this. Why can't I have both?'
Darien absent mindedly took a bite out of his sandwich, running a hand through his charcoal colored hair. 'I knew Serena was not going to be a spontaneous and clumsy person forever but…' he winced, 'I wish she could have remained like that for a little while longer.'
A tall light haired person with dark sunglasses looked their way. The person's hair was cut short and the individual was dressed in comfortable looking beige pants with a white shirt and beige coat slug over their shoulder, walking with a more feminine style despite her manly appearance. Once she saw Darien and Rini, she made her way towards them.
Rini looked up as the person approached and squinted her eyes at them. After a moment, she gasped with wide eyes and jumped up, running through the distance to greet her. "Uranus!"
Sailor Uranus, now detransformed, smiled at the greeting. "Hello, Small Lady. Please remember to call be Amara now."
Rini smiled and nodded excitedly. "Of course. I'm sorry Amara. Is Plu- I mean Setsuna here? "
Amara nodded with a smile. "Sure thing, she's coming right now. I think I was a little faster on my bike then Michelle and Setsuna were in their car."
Rini gasped. "Michelle's here too?"
Darien looked around to find Rini gone. He stood and whirled around, seeing her standing off a ways with a familiar looking person. "Uranus," he whispered, not knowing whether he should be glad to see the Sailor Scout or angry from the way she and Neptune had left without a word to Serena and the girls. He walked briskly towards them, not wanting to attract the attention of other park goers.
Amara saw Darien approaching and her face turned to stone. She looked at Rini apologetically. "I'm sorry Small Lady but it looks like I'm not welcome here. Darien seems quite upset with me for some reason."
"What? Darien wouldn't be mad," Rini argued as Darien came up to them. "Are you mad Darien?"
Darien risked a smile at the pink haired girl. "Of course I'm not mad," he said, looking at the dirty blond haired woman before him. 'Not at you, at least.'
Amara arched an eyebrow. "You mean not at her."
Darien scrowled. "What do you want, Amara?"
Amara shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing that concerns you, rose man. I'm here for Sailor Moon and possibly the Sailor Scouts."
"Sailor Moon, what do you want with Serena?"
"Like I said, nothing that concerns Tuxedo Mask. If, after I tell Serena what I came here to tell her and the Inner Scouts, she decides to let you know, I couldn't care less. But it's up to her."
"Oh dear, are you getting in a fight already Amara?" an elegant voice questioned teasingly. The three turned to see Michelle and Setsuna making their way towards them.
"Setsuna!" Rini cried happily, running towards the green haired woman. The two hugged and began to talk eagerly.
"How are you Small Lady?"
"I'm fine! How are you?"
Setsuna smiled. "Everything is going fine. Your parents miss you greatly and hope that you'll return to the future soon. They are planning a rather large party just for you when you decide to return home. Your mother really misses you. She wants you to come home for your birthday."
"Really! Then I'll do it." Rini laughed.
Darien nodded in greeting to the two but his attention never left Amara, just as she continued looking at him contemptuously.
Michelle stepped between the two. "Amara, we really don't have time for this. Darien, do you know where Serena is? We really must talk to her."
"She's at Rei's," Rini answered for Darien who refused to answer.
Michelle smiled. "Thank you, Small Lady. Would you like to come with us?"
Rini smiled and said "Yes," just as Darien scrowled and said "No." The women looked at each other.
"We were having a picnic before you interrupted us," Darien said, anger in his voice.
"But Darien, this could be really important. Please let me go?" Rini whined.
Darien stepped back startled. 'She acts just like Serena.' He nodded once and walked back to the picnic.
"What's wrong with him?" Michelle asked, confused. "He never use to be so cold."
Rini sighed. "It's because of Serena," she explained as the four of them walked out of the park. "She's changing I guess. Darien doesn't like it."
"What do you mean, she's changing Small Lady?" Amara asked.
Rini shrugged. "I don't know…she's not as clumsy or mean or loud or childish and everyone misses how Serena use to be."
"Hey, I thought you'd never come!"
Rini's eyes popped open. "Hotaru?"
The short black haired girl jumped out of a red car, the car Rini, Amara, Michelle and Setsuna were heading to. "Rini? Rini!"
The two friends ran towards each other. "Hotaru! I thought I'd never see you again!"
Hotaru shook her head, crystal tears in her dark eyes. She was wearing a dark purple shirt with black pants and was laughing with joy. "Me neither!"
The two talked happily as the three women smiled and got in the car. "Looks like they stayed friends through it all," Michelle remarked. Amara and Setsuna smiled in agreement. The car started and drove away through the busy streets of Japan.
Not too far off, in the top of a tree stood a small figure with dark auburn eyes, burning with eagerness. The person leaped down and walked into the park, always staying in the shadows. His thick cloak swished with his incredibly fast pace, its hood drawn up to protect him from probing eyes. Birds quieted down as he walked near and flew away if he came close, panic making their flight graceless and awkward. A cat that was hunting for food stopped, paralyzed as the presence grew near. It hissed and leaped away, tail hidden between its legs and ears drawn back as its wild eyes searched for an exit from the corrupt man.
A deep throaty laughter was issued from his mouth but he kept going on, deeper into the forest-like park. At last, he stopped beside a crystal clear pond. Trees hovered near him, hiding the exit from both him and any other living soul. The man bowed low and removed his cloak to revel a long white robe. His silvery hair fell like spun silk, hiding irregularly long and pointed ears. His delicate pale face was covered by his long bangs and his long, fine fingers clasped together.
From the pond came a mist of dark violet color that washed away to revel a shadow form covered in darkness. Dark and dangerous eyes the color of utter darkness gazed from beneath the black fog that covered it.
"Report, Sydin," a raspy voice commanded.
"Yes, mistress. The Outer Scouts have returned and are currently seeking the Inner Scouts with some news. They have with them the future princess and have already begun transporting themselves to the Hikawa Temple, the place where all the Inner Scouts are presently at. All four Outer Scouts are here, including the Dark Sailor, Sailor Saturn." His voice was soft yet commanding and his head was kept bowed low.
"Very good, Sydin." The raspy voice seemed happy, almost, from the news that all Scouts were joining together.
"Mistress, may I ask of my brother," Sydin pleaded.
"Hmm, very well. Your brother is as successful as you and already we have a powerful, if as of yet unknowing, ally from a different plane. His name is Heero Yuy and his dimension collides with this one in the future, though that future is still closer to this time then the future that the Princess you speak of comes from. Soon, you will meet again with your brother."
"Mistress, please, tell me how a mere mortal will aid your cause?"
"How can a mere fairy aid my cause," the voice hissed angrily. Sydin cowered lower, murmuring deep apologies. The figure seemed to consider a thought then said "Very well, if it will make you serve me better."
Sydin, his face nearly pressed to the soft grass, nodded sincerely.
"If we take a mere human, as you wish to call them, and place it in a different dimension, that human will gain extraordinary powers. But those powers will only show themselves if the mortal is willingly transported and if that human is already powerful in their own time." A scaly tongue protruded from the figures mouth, licking dry black lips anxiously. "This human, Heero Yuy, is the most powerful human in his dimension, possibly stronger then the Scouts are and he is only a boy. If he were placed in this dimension under our control, then everything here will belong to me!"
Sydin smiled wickedly. "You will be in control of all, as you were born to be, Mistress."
"Go now, and continue reporting any activity of the Scouts."
Sydin began to rise. "Mistress, I have just remembered that the Scouts ally, Tuxedo Mask and Darien Shields, is currently fighting with the Outer Scouts and seems to be avoiding the Inner Scouts."
"Hmm, we shall use his inner problems to our own use. Now go and complete your mission."
Once the eleven spy left, the fog was dropped to revel a beautiful woman dressed in purple silk. Her hair was also silver spun silk and she had a single gem extruding from her forehead. Her skin gleamed in pale moonlight though it was midday outside of her hidden prison deep in the woods. Pale, silvery eyes watched as the vision of the moon cast dead light across the frozen pond her body was trapped in. The gem was shaped like a tear and glittered mournfully from its position. She also bared long and pointed ears, the trademark for all eleven and fairy kind. Wispy willows surrounded her, weeping with her as they always did and always would- the summoned guardians chosen to protect and guard her for all eternity. Her figure seemed to flicker, fading to the background and never truly there.
Only when her servants came could she muster enough energy to summon a shadow of her true self, one that could be seen by mortal eyes, and even then she was cursed to be seen as a creature of the dark, a reptilian monstrosity. Her body was aged beyond time, before the Moon Kingdom and she could be called a sister of the Goddess Serenity. Her astral self could be seen only by immortals and the only immortals lived without the slightest hint of her existence.
Letting out a deep and pain filled wail, the fallen entity cried with the knowledge that none could hear her in her frozen prism and vowed to extract revenge on the one who threw her into this prison. Silver tear flew from her eyes in slow motions as the woman lay down again, falling back to her body frozen miles beneath the surface in the bottomless lake.
Even if the Queen who damned her to this prison was dead, her line lived on. And as long as the lineage lived, her torment would continue. Destroy the living heir to the Moon Kingdom's thrown and the curse was destroyed with it. But the lineage wasn't passed through just the Princess Serena. It came from the Goddess that started all the lines of the Royalty.
It was passed through all of the Princesses and Scouts.
And with the boy child Heero Yuy working for her, their demise was soon and foreseen.
*****
Heero awoke in a small bed. Blinking twice, his sleep vision was cleared and he found himself on the bed in a small and empty room. There was a single entry way and the walls were made of solid stone. The air was chilly but he could feel nothing of its cold beneath the thick blankets that were pressed around him.
He threw them off and stepped gingerly onto the floor, body instantly adjusting to the room's temperature. For some reason, the small and sealed chamber he was in seemed to calm him more than anywhere else he'd been for the past few months. And Heero had traveled far to find some type of peace for him, a boy breed for wars. Already, the madness that had been lying dormant during the war was slowly awakening and he knew that it would soon consume him.
But the answer to the problem was found instantly, just as every other question he'd asked had eventually been answered. Such was the life of the young pilot who'd not yet seen twenty years in life though the years already witnessed were enough to pass as a lifetime of experience.
Heero moved to the door, noting that he'd been striped of his clothing, wearing only a pair of spandex shorts- the same type that he'd worn during the war. Without the clothing over his skin, new and old scars showed themselves in a startling vicious array. All over his body was cuts and bruises. Several deep gashes lay in a row across his two forearms, creating a sort of striped pattern. The long scar starting from his right ear ended in a sharp line above his heart and a second scar started nearby, running down his right side and ending in the middle of his belly, creating a sort of "L." Black bruises covered half of Heero's left leg and deep purple ones graced the skin on his back. Heero emitted a skilled and more than ready to battle fighter and the sight of the marks removed him to a time after the war when his madness began to show itself.
*** flashback ***
"Heero Yuy, is that your name?"
The dark haired boy nodded once sharply, careful not to let his face leave the shadows.
"Hmm, do you like peace, boy?" The black street fighter sucked hard on his cigar and breezed out in a fluid motion, the signs of a relaxed mode. Heero mentally smiled as he shook his head just as decisively. "Then why you named after some peace guy? You agree with those "pacifist" ideas, boy?"
Heero shook his head once more. The smell of the man was extremely unpleasant but he was offering Heero a chance out of the tormenting peace. Now that the Preventers Unit was practically overflowing with volunteers, peace problems reported anywhere could be handled by specialists. But this particular case was reportedly the one behind the recent killing spree in this neighborhood and Lady Une believed it required the experience of a Gundam Pilot.
"Ok than. What do you want with us?" The man motioned with his hand and twenty or so different gangsters moved out of the shadows. Heero had noticed them long before and had already planned on how to take them out. If they were as stupid as the man before him, it would be far easier then what Lady Une had described the street gang to be. But he was prepared for the worst, imagining them as well-trained soldiers. His main goal was to capture the leader but taking out his bandits would get him some bonus money.
"I want to join you. This peace is getting to me and I don't know why people have stopped fighting, I mean fighting is what separates us from monkeys." Heero's dark eyes narrowed slightly when he noticed the deep slashes on the gangsters arms. The stripes were old but from the way every mobster had the same pattern on their own arms, it was clear that the cuts were only there as decorative symbols, signs to distinguish their cult from the rest.
The mob boss laughed heartily. "You know, boy. I like your attitude. And just because I'm feeling generous, I'll let you join. But you have to get…let's say, 'signed' in, if you know what I mean." The big man motioned to the deep gashes. His tiny black eyes tried to glare at Heero menacingly but only succeeded in lowering Heero's opinion of himself. "Are you up to it? Or do these big scratches scare you?" the man laughed and began leaving, his body guard falling in step as he passed
Heero glared at him but said nothing, his only answer to move forward and begin walking after the group at a comfortable pace.
They passed several large and empty building before stopping before something that resembled a crude shack. Mice and rats squeaked all around, their bright yellow eyes watching the huge men from cracks in the walls of the shanty and beneath old newspapers. Flies buzzed annoyingly close but Heero brushed them away, attention focused on his surroundings. Cats and dogs sounded from far away, the noise echoing through the deserted streets and an ambulance's alarm echoed through the alley. Heero remembered living in a place not unlike this own rundown neighborhood during his 'survival' training as he sidestepped a large, black bag looking suspiciously like a dead body.
A huge smile broke across the black man's chubby face, displaying black rotting teeth as he called down into the rotting house "Come out, you. We've got another member."
A stringy, dirty white man crawled out, back hunched over as he licked his lips and wrung his fingers exceptionally. "Yes, what do you want now?" he demanded in a squeaky and deceitful voice. He looked at Heero, eyeing the boy's lean body with more than casual interest. "Are you...loaning…him to me? I haven't had one of them in a while and I've been very good…"
The mobster swiped his fist at the dirty Caucasian. "No, you don't get him until you make up for your last mistake. Now…fetch me a knife. He just joined today and needs to get his tattoo."
White head bobbed once and was gone. Only a moment passed before the odd man returned, dull and rusted knife in hand. The mobster grabbed the knife away, examined it and turned to Heero with a wicked grin. "Now, don't scream."
Nearly an hour later, Heero exited the old and neglected neighborhood walking behind the gangsters. Blood was still dripping through tightly wrapped cloth around his arms and Heero ignored the numbing sensation running through his muscles. His shirt gone, ripped up to bandage the gruesome chisels on his arms and from the signs he'd been receiving from the gang, the next initiation process required more…body. The gang had been looking at him with a hungry and sensual look for the past few minutes and Heero began to wish he'd brought more then the spare gun hidden in his shoes.
The underworld leader stopped at a large and obviously barren building, lust burning in his eyes. He looked at Heero and smiled dirtily. "After you."
Heero's eyes glared at the man a moment before calmly walking forward. Heero paused a moment at the doorway beside the large black man and looked inside, giving off the image of ignorance while he calculated their reaction speed. A large black rat hissed, drawing the gang's attention and Heero flashed into movement. His hand curled into a fist and he threw it into the black man's face, the momentum throwing the man nearly ten feet back into a solid brick wall. By the time the man's guard realized who the enemy was, Heero had removed his gun, fired several disarming shots and had effectively demobilizing nearly all of the guard. Only three men were left standing while the others fell to the ground in pain. Heero rushed forwards and knocked the three out with a series of punches and stepped back to review his work.
The boss moaned in pain and Heero strode to him, lifting the man off the ground. "Mr. Chang," he stated in a monotone voice, causing a shiver of fear to run down the offender's spine, "you are as of this moment under arrest for a series of violence against this city. As of now, you are under the custody of the Preventers Unit, headed by Lady Une and will be charged under her rules. Any attempt to escape will be met by harsh punishments enforced by me. Already you have injured my person so that I need little provocation to enforce those punishments. You will be tried under the rulings of Vice Foreign Minister Relena Dorlien who will decide whether you're trial will be public and who will also appoint you a public attorney to speak for you."
Chang watched with fearful eyes as Heero lifted his fist. "W-what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to subdue you to prevent future escape attempts," Heero replied simply, knocking the mob leader out with a simple flow of the hand.
Nearly three days later, Heero walked into the Preventers Headquarters. Lady Une was waiting at the door for him, a pile of papers in her hand. She looked up as he approached and though her eyes widened slightly, she made no comments about the huge scars running across his arms. Already he had three scars on his young face and the additional ones added to his cold appearance.
She cleared her throat, inclining her head towards a hallway. The two walked down the hall with a strict military stride. At its end, she turned to the side, making sure no one was following, and lifted one of the large wall hangings. Beneath it was what looked like a plain wall but Lady Une pressed an unassuming knot in the wood wall, activating the hidden passageway. Heero watched the procedure with knowing and slightly annoyed eyes. It wasn't the first time he'd seen the many secret and hidden passageways designed to protect the Preventers leader-Relena Peacecraft Dorlien. To him, the numerous secret handshakes, phrases and buttons were nothing but annoying triggers that would never truly stop an enemy.
Lady Une bowed her head slightly and stepped back, waiting for Heero to enter the room before shutting the passageway.
Heero walked forward and stopped, waiting for the blonde haired pacifist named Relena Dorlien to notice his arrival. The girl was sitting at her ivory desk, sorting through piles of documents, most of them marked 'Urgent' or "Confidential.'
Relena smiled politely a minute later when she noticed the shadowy figure at the doorway. "Heero-Heero! What happened?" She scrambled for her chair, papers floating off her desk as she ran by. They drifted down to the floor with a soft rustling sound and landed with hardly a whisper. Heero watched the papers begin to drift off the table, the weight of one pulling others down with it like silky difting petals.
Relena's hands gently touched his arm, yanking his attention back to undeniable reality. He stepped back from her probing eyes and her light touches and bowed his head slightly. "Vice Foreign Minister Dorlien."
Relena's eyes pleaded with him to let her into his life but the only answer she got was the cold and direct tone of his voice and the distant look of his eyes. She sighed painfully, turning back to her desk. "Heero Yuy, how are you doing?"
Heero ignored the question, staring straight ahead as he waited for the true reason behind this meeting.
""Yes, I see. Well, I just wanted to…congratulate you with your recent success and notify you of my decision." She watched his every movement for some hint of the Heero of her dreams, wanting him to break through the cold icy wall that blocked out the world. "I've decided free you from your obligations of a Preventer."
"What do you mean?" Heero asked, already knowing the answer but a small part of him hoped it wasn't true.
Relena smiled nervously. "What I mean is that you no longer have to live your life like this, Heero. You don't have to keep fighting. Already, you and the other pilots have given so much to the people of the Earth and the colonies, it is my firm belief that you need a chance to live however you want with no ties to anyone." She looked down. "Not even me. It is selfish of me to continue working you pilots when I already have enough resources to take care of the peace."
Heero's eyes were the slightest bit unfocused and his breathing in a minor fashion was disoriented but Relena wasn't able to pick up on the change. He stood still for a long moment then nodded once and turned sharply, leaving the room with a brisk stride.
Relena put her head on the table and held back the sob as the teen pilot walked out of the room without a second glance. "I'm sorry Heero."
***end flashback***
Heero's vision refocused itself as a tall and blonde haired man walked into the room. The man was wearing a dark cloak and was carrying a small package. He jumped back, startled, when he saw the boy standing across from him.
"Oh, so you're awake? I was beginning to think that the antidote wasn't working."
Heero stared at him with steely eyes.
"Hmm, yes well, I think you'll want your clothes back." The man reached down to pick up his fallen parcel and gave it to Heero. "Here you go."
Heero looked at him a moment more before taking the package and opening it to find his clothing, freshly washed. He quickly pulled them on and tuned out the blonde.
When Heero was dressed, the man smiled in a friendly way, stretching out a hand. "My name is Phillip, in case you were wondering." His long pale fingers were outstretched a moment before Heero slowly reached over and shook hands. Phillip's smile brightened. "So, how do you feel? The doctors said it was a rather rare potion you'd been injected with, one certain Oriental cultures use to use when giving sacrifices to their Gods. Rather interesting, wouldn't you say?"
Heero pulled on his black gloves, giving Phillip a grunt for response.
"Yeah. They said you were lucky because they were nearly out of the antidote. I must admit, if those guys were you're friends, I'd hate to see your enemies."
Heero glared at the cocky blonde and began to notice his unusual ears.
Phillip noticed the stare and reached up to touch an ear. "Yes, I know. I guess you can call them a birthmark or something." He brushed away his hair to reveal long and pointed ears. "The girls go crazy over them."
"Phillip, what do you want from me?"
Phillip's eyes widened. 'He actually talked to me!' An innocent smile was displayed, flashing white teeth. "Heero! I just want to be your friend! Remember back in the cave? I told you I knew how to help you and that's the only reason I even wanted to met you."
Heero's gaze never wandered from the man's pale face. 'I…don't remember anything from last night except Wufei…' the name stirred a pit of emotions within the silent pilot, most of them quite dark. 'Everything is too dim. Is this a side effect from the poison? "Where are we?"
Phillip shrugged. "My home. It's not too far from the local airport if you want to leave."
Heero considered the idea but shook his head. "I'll stay."
Phillip smiled. "Good. Come on, I've already eaten but there's still plenty of food. The kitchen's this way."
His cheerful voice faded away as Heero stayed where he was, trying hard to remember and forget. After a moment, he felt as though something was calling him and he followed obediently, trailing after the blonde. It was although Dr. J. was giving him another assignment-he felt no need to oppose the call and was raised to follow. A new puppet master had picked up the strings.
*****
A dimension away, a silken haired mistress watched a fake moon, a content and victorious smile on her face. The image of all Sailor Scouts gathered together appeared before her, each basking in their planetary color.
"Sailor Moon, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Venus, Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune, Sailor Pluto and Sailor Mini-Moon," she whispered softly, counting the Scouts off on her fingers. "Soon you will pay."
Her attention was turned to a dark and brooding color off to the side. The dark purple color that was Sailor Saturn. "Don't worry, Sailor Saturn. Soon, the dark ones will be united with a greater addition then anything foreseen. You won't have to be tied up with those pathetic wretches for much longer." A long finger reached up to touch the violent color. "I know that you don't belong with them, just as you will soon know."
*****
Hotaru shivered uncontrollably and glanced around. It felt as though someone had been caressing her mind…reaching into her soul. She watched as her friends continued talking on the way to the temple and hoped that no one noticed her sudden quiet. She had always felt alone and distant but each passing day did nothing but increase that feeling.
The image of the boy they'd seen in the orb floated to her mind. 'Heero…I know you. I know you're coming here. And I know that you're not suppose to but I can't help the feeling I have, the feeling that I know you.' Her dark eyes shut. 'and I can't help it if I want to meet you. Please Heero, please hurry. I can't keep this secret much longer.'
*****