Continuation of part 1, please review. And I hope this story makes sense.

Future Meets Past

By: Ketsuki

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Kurama stopped at the entrance of his lair and turned to the small girl, a non caring look on his face.

"Little Saturn, you must have something you can pay me back with. Jewelry, anything that can be sold with a big price. Being a princess, you have to have some kind of heirloom you can give me", Kurama said plainly. Being a thief, he was demanding for something that could give him riches for giving Saturn a suitable shelter for the night.

Saturn looked down, fidgeting visibly. Kurama could see the choker around her neck with the little golden shape in the front. But he knew she had more jewelry then just the choker. But her gown covered her arms and wrists, and was down to her ankles, so it pretty much concealed everything.

"I might have something...But let me spend the night in your lair and tomorrow morning, I shall give you my jewelry. However, only if you promise not to bring me any harm during the night. I am still not sure if I can trust you or not", Saturn said bluntly, lifting her head to stare back at Youko Kurama with defiance in her eyes.

'Smart little girl...Knows not to trust a stranger...But silly of her to tell me to make such a promise'. But nevertheless, Kurama nodded silently and turned his gaze away from her.

With that settled, he led her inside without a word. He heard Saturn's gasp of amazement, and he turned to glance at her.

Saturn was staring at the many plants that surrounded them, climbing the walls, with only one kind of flower in sight. There were only roses grown in the lair, but inside the cave, it seemed so peaceful, so serene. And the scent of roses lingered in the air, enough to make Saturn a bit drowsy.

As cold as Kurama was, he knew a creature of innocence when he saw one. But then, it was rare to not see a young child as not a creature of innocence. But her facial features made her look innocent, yet deadlyjust the same. Her pale skin and black hair contrasted deeply with each other, and her large bright violet eyes seemed to stare at you from faraway and seemed to read your soul clearly. Her glare made her look dead serious, as if she was giving off a warning that she was not one to cross.

"Hey, Kurama!" A greeting broke through his thoughts and he turned his eyes from Saturn to his fellow thief and companion, Kuronue. The call seemed to have startled Saturn as well, as she turn to stare at the newcomer with her serious gaze.

"Kuronue, back from your little robbery so soon?" Kurama asked almost sarcastically, as far as sarcastic he could get without breaking his emotionless facade.

Kuronue shrugged, then knelt down to look at Saturn in the face. "And who might you be, little girl?"

"Why are everyone intent on calling me little girl? Sir, my name is Saturn. Please address me properly", Saturn said a bit too sternly for her age.

"Saturn, eh?" Kuronue smiled in amusement as he stood up and glanced over at his silent companion. "I didn't know you bring naive little girls to bed. And such a sweet one too, such a shame".

Saturn frowned deeply, and suddenly had the urge to run. She wasn't sure what this new person meant but she felt very threatened at the moment.

"Kuronue, she is only ten. As she keeps repeating", he muttered, heading towards a highly concealed opening that Saturn guessed was probably his room.

Saturn looked after the retreating Youko Kurama then looked at the new creature. This one had a sort of straw hat, though she couldn't see what was the use of it. His hair was black, or rather, dark navy, and was tied into a long ponytail. His back rested a pair of wings that resembled wings of a bat. And he was staring at her with a grin that told Saturn that this creature was much different then the one who called himself Youko Kurama.

"There are innocent ears listening, you know", Saturn muttered quietly under her breath at Kuronue's comment.

"Oh, well then, how stupid of me to say such things to such a young child", Kuronue said dramatically, sighing as if he was greatly disappointed in himself.

Saturn couldn't help but giggle a bit at his drama and decided that even for his earlier words, he seemed much for social then Youko Kurama. Maybe he could tell her just where she was. And give her a straight answer as well.

"Sir, can you please tell me what you and Youko Kurama are? And just what is this place? And what is 'Makai', 'Ningenkai', and 'Reikai'?" Saturn asked innocently, her face full of puzzlement.

"You must not be from around here then, Saturn, if you don't know about the three worlds and the infamous Youko Kurama", Kuronue commented.

Saturn suddenly changed her expression to show that she was deeply annoyed. "Why should I know of a infamous Youko Kurama even if I am from around here, sir?" she asked, trying to conceal her annoyance.

"None of this 'sir' stuff, Saturn. Just call me Kuronue, and you can call that anti-social kitsune Kurama. Drop the Youko", Kuronue said to Saturn.

Saturn nodded and silently took a seat on a pile of comfortable leaves, as Kuronue did the same. "Kitsune? You-I mean, Kurama is a kitsune? Isn't that another word for a fox demon?" Saturn asked, her childish curiosity showing through her mask. She had been taught to keep up a stance that showed off her maturity at all times, but at different times, she couldn't help but act as a child that she was.

"It had to be obvious, Saturn, with his ears and tail. I guess you don't see much of creatures like we are at your homeland?" Kuronue asked, now completely serious.

Saturn was a bit surprised to see Kuronue transform from a very rambunctious personality to a serious and stern one. She smiled a little at Kuronue's question. "At my homeland, we do not have a large amount of different sorts of species. There are us, the Saturnarians, which are the inhabitants of my planet, mind you, and a evil sort. Of course, we have lived in peace with each other, they are just different. It was just a few years ago that they stopped multiplying after many of theirs died. Before you ask, they were blood drinkers", Saturn explained.

Kuronue's face suddenly showed a deep dislike and disgust. "You have vampires on your planet?" Kuronue asked.

"Vampires? Is that what you call them? Well, they aren't as disgusting as they seem. The left over blood drinkers are so old that they do not need blood to survive any longer. And the sun cannot harm them, though the sunlight on our planet is a bit dim, considering the distance. But overall, the Saturnarians and the blood drinkers are hardly enemies anymore. We act as one large population", Saturn said, as if trying to convince Kuronue to wipe that look of disgust off his face.

"I see", Kuronue said quietly, looking away from the little girl.

Saturn tried not to feel a bit hurt to see her only friend - it seemed, in this place - turn away from her. "But you were going to tell me all about your world, weren't you? I'm curious of everything. How beautiful this world is - and the forest in which I journeyed was incredible. I could hardly take my eyes off the beauty of it. Tell me everything about this world, Kuronue. Everything you know!" Saturn said, smiling brightly. She might have exaggerated a bit, but she hated seeing anyone disgusted, angry, or even sad.

Kuronue grinned back at her, his playfulness back. "You are different then the other children your age, Saturn. I can see you are truely not from this place".

Saturn smiled to herself. "Please tell me everything".

Kuronue nodded, and began. Saturn found herself lost as her friend told her everything of the world in which she resided in.

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In the time of Crystal Tokyo
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"That, of course, I will not be telling you about. I had promised my friend not to reveal anything to others who have never been to Makai. Do not take this in as an offense, minna-chan, just that I would never break that vow. You'd understand", Hotaru said, smiling to show that she showed no offense.

"That's alright, Hotaru-chan. I know how important a friend's promise can be", Usagi said, an encouraging smile on her face. Hotaru nodded at her in a silent thank you.

"So, after Kuronue explains everything to you, what happens next?" Ami asked curiously, her blue eyes shining in excitement.

All of the senshi was caught up in Hotaru's detailed and emotional tale.

Hotaru sat back and glanced down at her drawing. During her speaking, she had been mindlessly working on the drawing of Youko Kurama. His face and facial features were slowly taking shape, revealing the face Hotaru hoped never to forget.

Suddenly, Setsuna waved a hand to indicate for her to stop. "Hotaru-chan, it's half an hour before dinner time. Why don't we stop for now and continue on until after dinner?"

"That's a good idea, Setsuna-chan. I'm getting pretty hungry", Michiru commented, who had stayed silent throughout the entire tale.

"Why don't we all head to our rooms to freshen up a bit. Let's gather here tonight at eight. Alright, minna?" Haruka suggested.

"Great idea, Haruka-chan. Let's go!" Makoto said and with that arranged, they all trooped out of the room and went their separate ways.

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In the time of modern Tokyo, Japan
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Kurama stopped there. The others were still staring expectantly at him, urging silently for him to continue on with his story.

"Are all of you spending the night here? Kaasan and Kenji and Shuuichi are still out of town. I have the house to myself for a week", Kurama said, checking his watch.

"Sure, let's!" Keiko said, nudging Yuusuke.

"Of course. I'm not going to be the one to miss one minute of that story!" Yuusuke said, then glaced at the others for their answers.

"We'll all stay. But for now, we should go get some dinner. Then after dinner, Kurama-kun can continue his story. Agreed?" Shizuru said, smashing up her cigarette into the ashtray.

"Why don't Kurama-kun and I try to conjure up something edible to eat? It seems like only we can cook around here", Keiko suggested, a sheepish smile on her face.

"Yeah, Keiko-chan! You cook and we'll wait for dinner. Shizuru, I challenge you to another game of cards!" Kuwabara shouted, pointing a finger at his older sister.

Botan and Yuusuke glanced at each other. "Hey, we're playing too!" they cried in unison and they leapt for the pack of cards. Shizuru sighed and shook her head in exasperation as she calmly grabbed the pack of cards out of reach, took them out, and began shuffling them calmly.

With a amused smile, Kurama headed to the kitchen, followed by Keiko.

Yukina just watched the others play cards while Hiei watched Yukina silently.

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End of Part 2