I do not own Sailor Moon.  But Hinotama Taiyou is mine!  Haha!  Please R &R!  Enjoy!

Falling Stars

Chapter 3

Hinotama glanced down at her watch in silence, noticing how much later it was than she had anticipated. 'It's far later than I figured,' the sunlit girl thought. 'Yet what difference does it make?  The sun never rises anyway,' she added bitterly.

"What's wrong?" Usagi inquired, taking notice of her sister's dark expression.  The brunette seemed at first to ignore her gesture, but soon enough snapped out of her reverie and waved at Usagi with a smile.

"Nothing, Usagi-san. It's just normal protocol around here.  My watch says that it's about 1 o'clock in the morning and I realized that no one really keeps track anymore. There's no sun to light the day anyhow."  The girl leaned back against the cold wall, which her bed was built into and sighed again.  "I couldn't believe how disappointed I was to find that it was raining in your world when I arrived...perhaps it was a sign, ne?"

"Hai," Usagi replied, scratching her earlobe. "The strangest things happen when it rains."

"Yes, I'm sure they do." Usagi glanced about the room in silence again, waiting for Hinotama to speak up. Instead, the young woman stared down at her watch despondently, then discreetly removed it and placed it upon the pillow beside her. "Now that you're here, there are some things you should know, sis."    

"Such as...?" Usagi replied with a quizzical laugh, thankful for the change.  Hinotama pointed to a small latch on the floor.  "What is that?"

"Every huntress has her stash," Hinotama returned rising and striding over to the location smoothly. "This, Usagi, is my secret arsenal."  She knelt gracefully and unlatched the lock by waving her hand over, revealing a tack that lifted upwards.

"You're going to have to explain why you can do that magic stuff, but why do we--Usagi cut off as Hinotama pulled several guns and rifles out of the mysterious floor-rack.  

"These are our saving grace--our protectors and saviors," Hinotama said sarcastically.  "It's one of the only ways to stop these demons without our powers."  She pulled out a few more with a violent jerk in addition to the bullets that lay beside them on the floor. "Once you get settled in, we'll have to go out patrolling.  Even though it seems hopeless, we have to keep fighting until we find the source of this darkness.  As for my powers, I discovered them when this hell draped over my world.  You have them too Usagi, and when the time comes, they will be awakened within you."

"This is way different from being a Senshi," Usagi remarked. Suddenly her expression contorted with grief. "Oh god!" she exclaimed, burying her face into her hands.  "How are we going to tell the others?  Ami, Rei, Minako…Makoto!  What about them?!  They won't know!"

"Usagi...please, they can't do anything to help us.  Their powers are useless here.  You and I are the only ones," her sister answered walking over to her, hair fluttering behind her.  

"They have no idea where I am...or how long I'll be gone! They may think I'm dead and--Mamo-chan!" she added with a desperate shriek. Hinotama sat down beside her and put an arm across her shoulder. Though before she could offer any words of comfort, Usagi continued. "I know I should be strong.  But I'm so scared, and I have never been so scared in my entire life.  For the first time, Hinotama…I feel powerless, so powerless in fact that nothing I can possibly do will help!"  Usagi looked at the other girl with wide blue eyes, her arms flailing wildly as she was about to succumb to tears.  Hinotama's hardened expression, on the other hand, softened immediately as she retrieved a small tissue from the desk and handed it to the Odango Atama.  

"I know it's hard.  But we're not alone, there are others. And I understand how frightful this may seem--darkness, demons, hell. Trust me, after living for months often all alone, I know what its like to feel so hopeless.  But you and I have a job to do!  We have to stay strong for one another if not the universe," Hinotama explained. Usagi sniffled.

"Not quite what you expected, ne?" she choked out with a little smile.

"Nani?"

"Me, I mean...how spiteful I was...and here I am sobbing like an infant." Hinotama merely smiled warmly and Usagi did so in return. They reveled in a moment of sisterly bonding, their eyes catching one another's at different intervals.

"Well, I'm sure you're full of questions by now.  I think it would be best to discuss them and get the formalities out of the way."

"Yes!  I think that would be a good idea," Usagi replied with a sniffle, forcing a tiny smile.  "To start off with…where are we?"

"We are in an alternative universe parallel to yours.  Everything is the same, except those in power.  I, as the Princess of the Sun, ruled this galaxy, as you would come to rule yours.  However, time slowly brought on a new enemy…one that killed everyone I loved…including my Senshi.  There are still people in hiding, of course, and they, you will come to know and trust.  I have known many of them since my childhood, and others have become like family to me." She said the last sentence with a sort of loving gleam in her eyes, as though the people she mentioned held a specific significance in her life. "There are many, but they're hiding in fear of the darkness.  Most are in underground shelters like you and I.  Women, small children, and their husbands.  Even girls and boys our ages have banned together in the fight."

"Ninjas, huh?"

"Not quite, Usa. They know that here I am the Princess, and their intended ruler. They understand the past millennia, my role, and those of my senshi. But mostly, we have learned from one another how to fight and defend and we occupy a rather extensive territory underground. I have shown them how to stay safe and how to survive...and whether or not I feel like getting up in the morning, no matter how sore or tired I am, it's my job to keep going."  

"I never knew.  I'm sorry.  But…you--had guardians, too?" Usagi exclaimed with widening eyes.  Hinotama nodded and her gaze quickly shifted in pain, focusing on some distant point in the large room, which for a simple shelter, wasn't that bad.  It wasn't like home…but like Hinotama had said, it fit its purpose.

"Yes, I had Senshi.  And they died protecting me," Hinotama finally spoke, meeting eyes with Usagi. The pain that welled up within her prussian eyes was staggering. "But by some strange twist of Fate, I was rescued.  The Fates themselves told me that I had a higher purpose than to be the leader and the Princess of this world.  They told me my destiny was to protect others, and their worlds from falling to the darkness.  And that's when my powers awoke within me...like they will for you.  And so this is where we are now.  I have brought you back to join in the fight, one we have to approach carefully and fully prepared.  But in the meantime, I must teach you the ways of the night.  The same ways I live by and save others with.  But tonight, or actually this morning, we rest.  And then soon we can start your training, Usagi."  

"Training...I thought Luna had pummeled me enough with that already." The blonde nodded and gave her sister a smile.  "At first I thought coming here was going to be a nightmare.  And it is…but now I know that I can help.  We're sisters…and I won't turn my back on family.  No matter how many I have," Usagi added playfully.  Hinotama smiled at her and rose.  

"Any more questions sis?"

"Yes, I...well when did this happen?" Usagi inquired softly, her heels resting against the indentation of the cot support.

"Just a few months.  Since April and by now it's about mid June.  And even though the darkness never truly lifts, during what should be day it lightens a bit.  If we're lucky, on what are considered the "nice" days around here, you can see the blood red sky," Hinotama answered nodding.  

"That sounds attractive," Usagi responded sarcastically.

"Doesn't it?" Hinotama replied laughing.  For a few moments, quiet followed as their words faded into the past.  "Now, if you're going to be living around here, sundresses don't fly!"  Hinotama pointed at Usagi's bright yellow sundress with a red rose print.  It was a halter dress that tied up around the neck and smoothed down into a short, but sleek dress that was light and billowy.

"I guess not.  Why, the monsters don't like pretty girls in short dresses?" Usagi giggled.

"Oh trust me, they do.  That is why they eat them," Hinotama tittered.  The girl pushed her long hair behind her and pulled it up into a tight ponytail the draped down her back.  "Here we are…you're new outfit!"  

Usagi caught the bundle that Hinotama tossed at her and unwrapped it slowly.  As the black tie fell to the ground Usagi recognized it to be a black spaghetti strap tank top along with slimming black leather pants.  "Hmm, very stylish for a night in the hell world."

"Well, looking good on the job is a plus.  It's fun too," the girl answered giving her sister a thumbs-up and a wink.  Usagi decided to change and went behind the dark tarp and quickly threw on her new outfit.  There was a tall mirror that was slightly dusty beside her, and the Odangoed blonde blew away the covering of particles quickly.  Usagi stood in front of the mirror and posed with her right hand on her hip, head thrown back, and left arm at her side.  

"Ooh, I look good," Usagi giggled slightly.  'I can laugh all I want, but Hinotama knows the truth. I'm scared to death and if she knows me as well as she acts...we must share this sinking feeling I have inside. And it's terrorizing me...' she thought suddenly. The blonde shook it off and gave herself a once-over before emerging from behind the tarp. Hinotama was reclining on her cot, gazing at her sister intently.  

"I know what you mean…Usagi I feel it too," Hinotama said as Usagi came to stand before her.  

"What are you-

"We're interconnected, Usagi-san. Posessing both powers and blood relations aren't our only awesome abilities," Hinotama laughed.  "Since we are sisters, we are connected on a higher level than any human.  We can read each others thoughts and feelings."  

"I'm sorry--about what I said," Usagi murmured as she sat down beside her chestnut-haired sister. "You didn't deserve to be berated...you've already been through enough."

"It must be a thing with you--guilt."

"Why, you've never felt guilt before?" Usagi inquired, keenly interested.

"Usagi, I wear guilt like clothing. It's always hanging upon my shoulders--I've always bore its weight."

"You didn't deserve this, Hinotama. No one does."

"I guess Fate had other plans in mind."

"I suppose. But, oh, Hino! I feel almost left out because I posess any of your abilities yet! I feel worthless and helpless without them!"

"Usagi, soon. When the time is right you shall understand. But first, let's have a little fun.  You cannot fight with those odangoes flying everywhere like that, Usagi-chan!" Hinotama's mood swinging wildly about through a spectrum of emotions.

"You sound like Mamoru...oh, Mamo-chan…" the blonde replied sadly.

"Mamoru?  Is that you're boyfriend?" Hinotama asked quietly with a strange twinkle in her eyes.  Usagi nodded with a lopsided smile.

"He'll be so worried about me.  After all…he is my future husband."

"Oh, Usagi, at least you still have a future husband," the honey-haired girl sighed.   

"Hino-chan!  I'm sorry, sister…it took him from you?" Usagi swiveled to face her sister and was about to throw her arms around the young woman. "Hino-chan--
     
 "Yes." Hinotama held up a hand to silence her sister's queries, and closed her watering eyes.   "And I miss him terribly.  But someday, when the darkness lifts…maybe I will see him again."

"You will, I know it," Usagi confided. "I lost Mamoru many years ago...and somehow we found one another again. I know that one day you will find your beloved."

"Usagi, I..." Hinotama trailed off and finally sighed. The young blonde could not understand. Though equal in age, the sisters had experienced far different things. How could Hinotama expect Usagi to understand what it's like to lose your beloved--forever.   "Listen, I know it's hard, but please, try to focus on the here and now.  If we have faith in ourselves and one another…nothing can stop us." Hino's eyes glimmered.  Usagi nodded again sadly.

"If that is all that we have to do to save this place, then I will do so with everything I've got!"

"I knew you would help me, Usagi."  

"What are sisters for?" she returned with a shrug.  They both smiled and a moment of quiet followed as the girls reflected on the just past events.  "So what were you suggesting we do with my odangoes?  If you think you're going cut them, you're insane!"  Hinotama laughed at her determined remark.

"Don't worry…it's nothing like that.  I just thought we'd do this," the brunette continued.  Hinotama turned Usagi around and sat her down in a wooden chair in front of the mirror behind the tarp.  Still dressed in her street clothes from Usagi's world, Hinotama began to unfold her blonde meatballs, smoothing out her beautiful blonde tresses as they spilled down her back. "You have gorgeous hair, sis!  That's what everyone used to tell me before this whole debacle started."   

The Prussian-eyed young woman brushed out the blonde's long hair and flipped it up into a tight ponytail, twisting it into a bun with the sides streaming out. With the final placing of a pin here or there, Hinotama was done.  "I love it!" Usagi laughed, gently pressing at it.  

"And a final touch," Hinotama said, she waved her hand over it and imposed a strong hold into the locks so they would not fall out during battle.  "That's the fun of this magic stuff…you can kick demon butt and still look fabulous!"  

After a bit the two resided within the main room, reclining on the cots quietly. They discusses their current situation now and again, but decided it would be best to rest for a few hours before training.  As they settled onto and in their cots, Usagi sat up in her own separate bed and voice one final question.  "Where is the Sunfire Crystal?"

Hinotama was quiet for a moment before answering, "The Sunfire, like your Silver Crystal, is an embodiment of my powers within me.  I can call upon it when needed.  And in time, you will learn to access its power, and heighten its levels when combined with mine."

"Maybe someday I will understand. Goodnight, Hinotama."

"Goodnight, Usagi."  And with that, Hinotama flicked a hand towards the ceiling, and under her bidding, the lanterns and lights slowly dimmed and flickered out.                     


Chapter 3 revised as of 1/19/2002.