Episode Four

A friend in wolves clothing. Romancing the enemy?

"Tsukini kawatte, oshokio!!"

Hotaru dreamt a dark dream, a dream of black and purple, of moons, planets, stars, and comets. She dreamt of chi, hearts, mirrors, and seeds. But most of all, she dreamt of death. The dark, hooded figure stalked her dreams, invaded them. Hotaru ran from the figure with the quiet scythe. She ran and ran and ran... and cried. Finally, when she could go no furthur, she stopped and whirled around. She reached foreward and grabbed the hood of her assailent. With a scream, the hood ripped away and Hotaru stared face to face with Sailor Saturn.

BEEEP!

Hotaru opened her eyes. The sun shone through her window onto her lavender bedsheets. All around her room were unlit lamps and a few bonzai trees. Folded on a chair, her school uniform. She stood out of bed and shuffled off her purple butterfly pajamas, then dressed in her uniform. She stuck butterfly hairclips in her hair, and a few braclets, rings, and a purple choker with a butterfly on it onto her neck. Looking into her mirror, she pressed on some purple lipstick and black eyeliner. Then ran out of the room to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, her father, Proffesor Tomoe, or rather Tomoe Souichi, as his past life as a proffesor had been erased from his mind, was setting breakfast on the table. He smiled up at Hotaru as she entered. His white hair reflecting the soft pinks and purples of the walls and making his hair seem almost ghostly. "Breakfast is ready, Hotaru. Perfect timing."

She smiled and sat down. "Arigato gozaimasu." And began eating, then looked up. "What assignment do you have planned for today?"

He laughed and smiled pleasantly. "It wouldn't be fair to give you a head start because you are my daughter. You are also my student."

She giggled softly, then continued.

Ever since the accident, Tomoe Souichi had had to relatively start over. He still had the gift for teaching, so he took on a job as a private school Japanese teacher. Hotaru was in his class at the school, and living a relatively normal and happy life. Of course she still remembered her experiences as a Sailor Senshi. Nehelenia, Galaxia, Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna. But after the threat was over, it was decided that she was best left with her real father. Plus, after the incident with Uranus and Neptune killing Pluto and her, it seemed the other two never quite forgave themselves, even though they did it only as an attempt the destroy Galaxia and save the princess.

Hotaru didn't blame them.

She and her father ate breakfast quietly, calmly, and happily.

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"WAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Usagi lept out of bed and promptly fell on her face because of the bedsheets wrapped around her legs.

Downstairs her family heard the scream followed by the thud. Her father sipped on his coffee. Shingo grumbled. "Ba-

-ka, Usagi!" Luna scolded. "You're a second year high-schooler and you still can't even get yourself up on time! How will you survive off in the real world when you have to leave home?"

Usagi stepped on Luna's tail in an attempt to reach the door to her room. Luna yelped and scratched Usagi across the leg as she was running. This sent the girl into a spiraling ball of pain that tumbled down the stairs all the way to the bottom. Shingo walked past his crumpled sister to the door.

"Looks like you're going to have to miss breakfast again if you don't want to be late."

Tears streamed from Usagi's face. "ITTTTTAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!"

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Usagi ran as fast as she could through the streets to her school, and was joined by Minako who had similar scratch marks on her arms. Usagi blinked and asked what happened as they ran. Minako grumbled that Artimis had gotten in the way of a perfect kick-flip she was going for.

Usagi got a sweatdrop. "You practice those sort of things at home?!"

Minako blinked. "Don't you?"

"...kowai..."

The two girls finally reached school to find Ami, Makoto, and Kizu all standing together and talking at the door.

Kizu laughed histerically at the welt on Usagi's head. "Odango-atama, you are growing new dumplings!"

POW!

Usagi hit Kizu in the face with the back of a very aggrivated fist. He fell to to ground, toothless SD style.

Ami looked worried. "What happened Usagi? You look beat up."

She laughed loudly and nervously, then abruptly stopped. "I fell down the stairs."

Group sweatdrops all around.

Makoto checked her watch. "It's time for me to head to my cooking class, minna. Ja ne!"

"Ja ne!" They all responded. And Makoto headed off.

She walked quietly through the hallway, pulling out a few class notes from her bag, when SMACK! She ran straight into another student. Both fell backwards and dropped books and papers everywhere.

"I-itai.." Makoto rubbed her head, then opened her eyes to see the boy she had run into. "G-gomen nasi!"

The boy had shoulder length white hair and grey eyes. He was VERY handsome. He stood and began gathering his and Makoto's papers. "No, I should be apologizing! I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention. He helped Makoto up and handed her her books and papers. Then smiled and waved. "Sorry again, but I'm in a hurry! Bye!" He ran off.

Makoto blinked after him. "Handsome.."

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Usagi walked away from the school, munching happily on a doughnut she got from... oh... let's say... Makoto.

She stopped suddenly. Naru was sitting alone on a bench beside the street. She moved and sat beside her.

Naru smiled. "Konnichi wa, Usagi-chan."

Usagi nodded. "Ne... Naru-chan. I don't have anything to do after school today. Would... you like to go do something?"

Naru seemed almost struck by this statement, and was quiet for a moment, he face changing into a look of deep appreciation. "Alright. Let's go." The two stood and walked away. Watching from the entrance of the school, the white haired student with his hands in his pockets smiled sinisterly at the two as they walked away.

He was joined by a female student with long blue hair. She brushed her hand through her hair. "Do you have a new target?"

He nodded. "Hai... Aquan."

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Kizu stayed after that day for art club, and now exited the room waving and saying his goodbyes to classmates. He smiled to himself and walked down the empty hall alone. He heard the echo of footsteps down in the direction he was heading.

The white haired boy from before was walking towards his direction, but stopped in mid-pace. Kizu also stopped and the two just looked at one another quietly for a moment.

Then the boy smiled and approached Kizu a little sheepishly. "Gomen.. it's my first day here... and... I can't seem to find the way out."

Kizu laughed and smiled. "That's pretty bad, but I can sympathize. I'm new here too. My name's Kizu."

The boy took his hand. "I'm Aori. It's nice to meet you."

Kizu blushed a little, but recovered quickly. "There is an exit this way. I'll show you." Aori smiled greatfully and the two were off.

Down the hall, Ami, who had also stayed after, saw the two together and smiled to herself.

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In the dark ruins, the man in black sat quietly, the two shadowed girls on either side. Before him, Aeron bowed respectfully. As the leader of the Gaian Elite, he was often called upon to be their ambassador for Choas.

Choas spoke softly and deliberately. "You have a target?"

Aeron nodded. "A second year high-schooler. Very kind and pretty, but a li- "

Choas waved his hand dismissingly. "I don't care about details, Aeron. Just check the girl."

Aeron bowed again, but made a hidden scowl. Choas was always so haughty. He rose up again.

Choas's gaze rose up to actually look at Aeron. "How is the infiltration coming?"

The white haired henchman smiled with a sort of pride. "Very well, Choas- sama. Aquan, Floran, Pyron and I have all infiltrated different high- schools around Japan. There was no suspition from the humans."

He nodded approvingly. "Come here Aeron."

The white clad soldier moved forward towards his master, and stood right before the chair. Choas's hand reached out of the shadows, revealing very pale skin and a black sleave, also black painted nails. The hand rubbed Aeron's cheek. The soldier still looked forward, completely unphased by the caress.

"Aeron, you truely are a beautiful boy. Use it to your advantage. Draw them in and then slip through their fingers like the elusive spirit you are. I have always had a fondness for you. But too many failures and I may lose it."

Aeron nodded. "I understand."

Choas sat back in his throne. The two girls on either side snickered quietly to one another, causing another scowl on Aeron's face.

"Be gone."

His disappeared in a chaotic swirl of wind. The two girls shrieked as their hair and dresses flew up. Choas just smirked.

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Kizu yawned and stretched out on a couch, then pulled a book up and continued reading. His phone rang. Groaning, he reached out and picked it up. "Hai, moshi-moshi."

"Kizu-kun?" It was Rei.

Kizu blinked. "Hai. Hello Rei-chan. How are you?"

"Okay. Ami and I were planning on going to a coffee shop and wondering if you'd like to join us."

Kizu blinked. "Alright. I'll come right over."

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Kizu, Ami, and Rei all sat drinking and talking with one another, but Ami had a more deliberate line of questioning she wanted asked. Of course she couldn't do it herself, so she called upon Rei to be more... blunt.

"Are you a homosexual?"

There was a squeeking sound from the bottom of Kizu's chair and he toppled backwards with a loud crash. The patrons of the cafe looked in their general direction, but quickly returned back to their other conversations.

Kizu pulled himself up, beet red, and sat down in his chair once more.

"E-excuse me?"

Rei stuck her hand out, palm up, in a nonchalant gesture. "It's a simple question. Are you a homosexual?"

"R-Rei-chan! This is not what I meant when I said work it in!"

Kizu looked surprised at Ami.

"YOU are behind this?!"

Now it was Ami's turn to turn red. "G-gomen, Kizu-kun! Demo... I just kind of noticed you with Mamoru-san... and Aori-san."

Kizu grew a sweatdrop. "The Sailor Senshi must be well informed with you around for surveillance."

Ami put her face in her hands, shaking her head. "Gomen nasai! I wan't trying to pry!"

Rei patted Ami's back then quickly leapt up and crawled onto the table, face to face with Kizu, who grew a large sweatdrop and leaned back. "So... are you?"

He frowned. "D-Does it matter?"

She just kept staring intently.

Kizu cried out. "FINE! I'M A HOMOSEXUAL!! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?!"

Now the patrons were all watching the three intently. Ami sobbing into her hands, Rei on top of the table, and Kizu with his latest outburst. He stood suddenly, sending Rei sprawling backwards and ran out of the cafe.

"K-Kizu-kun!" Rei grabbed Ami's arm and bolted after him.

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Kizu emerged from the cafe's door and ran quickly out. Rei with Ami in arm followed quickly out. They smashed into a woman carrying presents that all fell to the ground. Rei continued after the boy, screaming "Kizu-kun! Matte!" and Ami screaming "Gomen nasai!" to the woman with the presents.

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Mamoru was walking down the street while simultaneously reading a book (he's talented that way). He looked up just in time to see Kizu run by looking distressed.

"K-kizu-kun!" He called after him.

Just at that moment, Rei came bursting forward, sending Mamoru sprawling onto his butt. Ami screamed her apologies as she was pulled behind.

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Usagi and Naru walked through an empty playground together, laughing and talking like they used to. Usagi relayed stories of what had happened in the past year (not including Senshi related stuff) and her meeting the celebrities, the "Three Lights."

"Sugoi!" Naru exclaimed, "I heard they mysteriously disappeared a while ago."

Usagi laughed. "They just went home."

Naru thought for a minute. "They DID all share the same name. Were they brothers?"

Usagi blinked. "I don't know."

However, Naru's gaze and attentions were quickly averted. She noticed someone approaching the two: a strange looking man dressed in white and yellow. She gasped, noticing his elfish looking ears, and pointed. "U-Usagi- chan!"

Usagi turned around just as the man stepped right up to them. She instantly knew he must be one of the Gaian Elite. Was he after Naru-chan? How could she transform with Naru-chan here?

Aeron pointed an elongated finger at Usagi. "Tsukino Usagi?"

It hit her. He wasn't after Naru-chan this time... he was after her. Usagi spun around. "Naru-chan, run!" She grabbed Naru's wrist and the two sprinted away from Aeron. They ran towards the swing set, and a gust of wind sent their hair billowing. Aeron stepped from behind the tiny pole of the swing's side. Usagi and Naru halted, then turned around and headed the other way. There was another gust of wind, and Aeron appeared between the lines of the jungle gym, stepping in their way once again. Naru screamed in fear this time, but Usagi pulled her away in a last vain attempt. Again, the wind and he was blocking there escape. This time, Aeron knocked Naru to the ground.

"Naru-chan!" Usagi screamed.

Aeron grabbed her throat and slammed Usagi against the bars of the jungle gym. She yelled out in pain. Naru rose from the ground and began beating Aeron's back.

"Let her go! You monster!"

Aeron turned his head to Naru and blew a soft wind into her face. Naru promptly fainted. Aeron's powers were strong than the other Gaian's, this was obvious.

He turned back to Usagi, pulling the yellow Fire of Terra out from under his shirt, and pointed the amulet at her chest. There was a bright light...

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Rei and Ami stopped. Kizu was crouched down, staring at a light through some bushes.

They joined him, peering through.

"Odango is under attack," he explained.

Rei's eyes widened. "We have to help her!"

He nodded, and looked to the two. This would be the first time he transformed in front of anyone.

"Chiron Comet Power, Make-Up!"

Three points of light and much feathers, plus fun techno-music were invovled in the spectacular transformation that you will never get to fully see because I am only writing.

Ami and Rei looked at one another and nodded.

"Mercury Crystal Power, Make Up!"

"Mars Crystal Power, Make Up!"

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Usagi fell to the ground as the light of her anigai left her body. Aeron quickly threw the ball out, and it caught the light. There was another bright flash and from the ball a human form emerged.

It was a beautiful, pale, woman with white clothes, hair, and tufts of soft fur like fuzz covering every ending of the clothing. Her skirt, her sleaves, the tops of her boots, and a poofy tail were all ended in poofs of a cotton like substance. Poking out from her long, pale-white, hair were two long rabbit ears. The whole creature shone with a light that seemed to illuminate the entire playground.

"I am the Pearl Hare."

Aeron slammed her fist into a bar of the jungle gym. The metal bent.

"Wrong AGAIN! I was SURE this time!" he fumed.

Several feathers fell gently in front of him from above. He blinked and looked up to find the sky empty.

Wham! A kick to his back sent Aeron reeling foreward. Chiron stood behind him, his foot in the air.

Aeron whipped around. "Pearl Hare, take care of this vermin!"

The beautiful woman moved swiftly. Almost in the blink of an eye she was over Chiron and knocked him to the ground. She noticed a rustling behind her and turned her head. Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars were both pulling the unconscious Usagi onto their shoulders. Her once cute pink eyes bled into a deep red, and she lunged at the two. One swift kick after another sent the two flying to the ground.

"Scarlet Trinity Arrow!"

She dodged the red beam to the side easily and it smashed through the middle of the metalic bars behind her.

Aeron decided he was tired of Chiron's interuptions, and grabbed both of his arms from behind, screaming, "Finish them!"

The hare delivered a swift kick to Mars's side, and she coughed in pain. Just as she was pulling back for another blow a voice rang out.

"Stop!"

Pearl Hare turned her head just in time for a swift blade to cut straight through her neck. Light poured from the dismembered neck and the body collapsed within itself. The shining form of a rabbit lept from the hole, and re-entered Usagi's body.

Sailor Saturn stood above the quickly shrinking corpse of the enemy.

Chiron gasped. "Sailor Saturn... she's awake again."

Saturn pointed her glaive at Aeron and Chiron. "Let him go and leave, or there will be dire consequences."

Aeron glared at her, but exploded into a burst of wind, freeing Chiron. The freed ninja bounded for Saturn.

"Sailor Saturn! You're awake!" he knelt down on one knee. "I have come to serve you."

Saturn pointed her glaive down and over his shoulder in an act that closely resembled a queen knighting a warrior. "Welcome back.... Chiron."