"D-dead?" I stammered out. My body began to shake, and I couldn't stop it. Ice ran through my veins. I leaned weakly against the frame of my door for support, staring at nothing.

The woman rattled on about a car accident, complications, a hospital, starting plans for a funeral, and a bunch of words that didn't mean anything to me. Death? Dead? No. No. They can't be dead…

I could hear faintly behind the woman's unintelligible murmuring frantic footsteps running up the stairs that leads to my floor. A flash of pink was illuminated by the muted glare of my porch light and Chibiusa screeched to a halt beside the woman.

She took once glance at my more pale-than-usual face and grasped my hands in hers.

"We need to go to the hospital. I'll drive you. You don't seem to be in good condition to get there on your own..." Chibiusa nodded to the woman that everything was okay, my face still frozen and my body paralyzed.

A strange sob escaped my mouth as I began to crumble. This was too much to take in. I felt so cold now, so icy and so alone…this feeling, I had felt it once before, a long time ago…

Chibiusa hugged me tightly, caressing my jet-black hair comfortingly. I sobbed and sobbed, the sound echoing across the hallway and down to the city. My mind was blank. It hurt to think, to breathe. I sniffled and pulled back, wiping my nose.

Her voice was small and distant. "We need to get going now…come on." And with that, we rambled to the hospital.

* * *

I was swept away through corridors, bright, pale hallways, bustling with activity. The light hurt my eyes, already numb and red. I couldn't contemplate anything. Wherever Chibiusa led me, I followed. Memories flowed into my mind; Setsuna, Haruka and Michiru all fussing over me; going to the beach with Michiru; Haruka, speeding through the streets, while Michiru screamed to slow down and I giggled in the backseat; growing up so fast, so very fast…

We stopped in a room with uncomfortable-looking chairs set in corners and along the wall. I blinked, and recognized everyone in the room. The Queen and King, surrounded by their soldiers; Ami and her small, blue-eyed son; Minako; Makoto, her husband, and Claelia; Setsuna, her hair slicked back and her eyes puffy; and Jeanne, holding Claelia's hand tightly, a look of fright upon her face.

The group looked up at my expressionless eyes and pushed toward me, hugging me in a grief-stricken blob. Several started to cry, and Jeanne burst into tears, burying her head into Setsuna's shoulder.

"What…what happened?" I whispered. Queen Serenity gave her daughter a kiss and then embraced me tightly, in that gentle but firm way I have grown to know. I sighed deeply, closing my eyes, letting the grief and sadness wash over me in waves.

"They…they were in an accident, Hotaru. You know Haruka…always wanting to drive as fast as she could through those busy streets…they were coming to see you…to see how you were doing…" Her last sentence came out as a low and hushed sound, echoing in my mind.

They killed themselves trying to come and see how I was coming along. I bit my lip hard and let the information sink in.

They would still be alive if I hadn't moved out…

Drifting back to reality, Queen Serenity's silver-sapphire eyes were staring in my violet ones sadly. I shook in her embrace, like a little child afraid of the dark. I was scared, so very scared…guilt took its place inside my trembling body, one more thing I couldn't think about.

"Rei was in the car, too…she…we're not sure how she's doing…" The Queen's voice wavered, tears falling from her face. I glanced over at Jeanne, clinging to Setsuna. This was so sickening, so very unreal. I was stabbed inside, the blade ripping through my heart, my stomach…

This couldn't be happening to me. Their faces swam in front of me, distantly. I was so far away now…home was gone, all was lost…Haruka and Michiru were swept away. My head ached dully, the skin prickling on my face. I inhaled deeply, feeling dizzy and torn. With a tiny breath, and a surprised gasp from Ami, I fainted, the bright lights burning into my eyes.

* * *
Blue, white, violet, gray…I was speeding through this web, this mass of color…

I could smell the crisp air that was filling my lungs. So sweet, laced with the heavy scent of flowers. My arms felt so heavy, my legs as if they were filled with lead. I was staring up at a blue painted sky, a meadow dotted with yellow and red flowers spread around my still form. The wind brushed like an angel's breath on my cheek, so soft and caring…

"Hotaru.."

The silver voice echoed across the field, clear, stirring the peaceful scene. Barely there, it stood out in my thoughtless mind, ringing like a single bell. I was content here, in this silent bliss. I closed my eyes, feeling the sunlight fall across my closed eyelids.

I opened them quickly, staring into a pair china blue eyes. Ryo stared comfortingly into my face, our noses almost touching. His arms were wrapped around me, strong and gentle. I was a single candle, a burning flame, a scream in this silent place. He slid his hand down my arm and gripped my hand in his, entwining his fingers around my own. I was melting, bleeding happily.

The breeze took his white-blonde hair, pulling it around in the wind. I sighed, remembering to breathe. Behind Ryo, I could see beautiful feathered wings softly waving back and forth in the wind, pure and white. They were almost transparent, but so beautiful and breathtaking I wanted to cry. His blue eyes bore into mine, his lips playing into a smile. He seemed mischievous, almost playful.

Pulling back, holding on to my hand, Ryo began to float, pulling me along with him. I smiled, not afraid at all. My sleepy self was pulled away from the grass and flowers, into the security of angelic Ryo. I laughed, feeling nothing but air beneath my feet. We were two dots in the sky, surrounded by beauty.

He pulled me close to him, staring at into eyes, unwavering. I was engulfed by warmth, sweet warmth. I was dizzy, wonderfully dizzy. A buzz in the back of my head was the only blemish in the perfection, growing louder and louder.

Suddenly, I was dropped from Ryo's arms, the skies becoming dark and cold. He stood farther and farther away above me, sadly staring at me with those blue ovals. I fell, the air chilling my skin. Falling into nothing, blackness, dark. A yell erupted from my lips, and I slammed hard into the ground.

* * *

My body shuddered as I awoke from my strange state. I could still feel the impact from my fall, like it was real. I screamed as I opened my eyes, realizing everyone was standing above me, concerned. My chest rose up and down rapidly as I focused on the figures above my head.

I remembered. Haruka, Michiru, Rei. Car accident. Hospital…oh, God…

Dead….

I shook my head, feeling the familiar ache return. Helping me up, Chibiusa looked tired and sad.

"Rei's gone now, too," she whispered. "Three soldiers. Gone.."

Jeanne, Chibiusa, Claelia and I embraced together, unsure of what we should do now that two of us were parentless.

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A/N: Mysterious mysterious…who exactly is this Ryo guy? The next chapter should be out soon ^_^