I do not own Sailor Moon. Duh, lol. If anyone is reading my Gundam Fic: My Destiny, I wont be updating it for a while, don't panic lol. Its just that I have severe writer's block with that story right now.

~lol enjoy! r/r please~


Falling Stars



'Two and a half hours...' Jerrid thought guiltily as he slunk back to his office. His cheek was still coarsing with slight pain, and a now visible bruise could be seen adorning his high cheek bone. He touched a finger to it lightly and cringed at the shock of pain it shot through his body. 'That girl can really hit...and her sister is a fighter. I should have been more careful...stronger and smarter. Not only did I let her out, but I insulted Usa about their age affecting their responsibilities...not a smart choice on my part.'

Running a nervous and tired hand through his unruly midnight hair, the 22 year old collapsed onto his bunk within the first office he came upon. 'What is something really does happen to her...what if she gets acquires an injury even our nurses can't handle...or worse...what if she dies?'

Jerrid punched his right fist against the underside of the bunk above him, disturbing the bunk's unsuspecting occupant. "Think you could stop punching me?" Cody murmured.

"What are you doing here?!" Jerrid shouted, his amber eyes blazing as he rolled off the cot and glared at the boy above. "I gave specific orders to follow Usagi in the search for Hinotama!"

Cody sighed and slung his legs over the side of his bunk. His blonde hair was messy and his eyes were dark and tired. "Miss Tsukino gave me clear orders that if I or anyone else followed her, she would do a lot more than what she did to you. This is something that she and her sister need to work out. Obviously none of us are getting through to Princess Hinotama, and Usagi is our last hope. We have to wait..."

"What if they both die, Cody? What if Hinotama is killed and Usagi never masters her gift? What if we all die?"

"Then...we will die, that's what. We have to deal with whatever comes our way...and you have so little faith in Hinotama, the "foolish 17-year-old Princess" as you say. How can you believe in her so little, but love her so much?" Jerrid stopped pacing and shot Cody his darkest glare.

"What did you say?" he stammered, his voice of voice slight surprise and fear betrayed his furious expression.

"Oh come on, Lieutenant," Cody laughed softly, emphasizing Jerrid's title. "Any baka could figure it out from the way you look at her."

"I don't-

"Jerrid, for God's sake. Admit it! At least the one you want is still around to be wanted." The boy slammed an enraged fist against the beam structuring of the bunks; it shook hard beneath his hand, being as rickety as it was. The two were surprised it didn't collapse. Cody sighed, his eyes became darker than before; now they grew red rimmed, as if he were on the verge of a breakdown. "I have to act happy, and I have to pretend to be hopeful...because if I don't...the pain will only creep in and consume me. I know that Myou is dead...and I am trying to accept that. The thing is, she never knew how much I loved her." Jerrid was quiet now and hung his head.

"I'm sorry man...I really am. I have been so selfish, but the thing is, Hino hates me. She only sees me as a worthless, disobediant subordinate. And I treat her like a child...Hinotama is only 17...and I am 22 years old. How sad is that? Cody, at least you had Myou. She was a friend to all of us." Cody rested his head in his hands and let out a small, but hysterical laugh.

"But she was everything to me."

*~*~*

All that could be heard throughout the silent darkness, was the soft pattering of footsteps as they echoed on the air. A lithe form, quick as a flash, ducked under broken formations, vaulted over rubble mounds, and dodged between destruction zones. Eyes fully alert and blazing in their angelic blue, the form settled onto a tall boulder to overlook the area; they were sitting in a position much like that of a crouching tiger, lying in wait of its prey. Within seconds, the form was off again, blonde hair tied up securely in a wild ponytail that whipped behind her as she ran.

"Just a 17 year old Princess, give me a break!" she snorted angrily. Usagi wasn't the least bit pleased with Jerrid's comment. "What do I look like, some fragile, quiet, innocent doll you keep in a glass case on a high shelf? How could he be so foolish? What is with that man? But Mamoru, he was never that way with me. Mamo always believed in me...he always loved me. And everytime I think about you, Mamoru, I want to cry. All I think about at night is you and the girls. I love you all so much. I only wish that Hino could know the same joys I do...she did once before this all happened. Mamo-chan, I will always love you. And even if the world shatters and ends forever, never forget that. I love you forever." The girl went on her way, keeping her senses open and ready. Naturally, she encountered a few as she raced through the miserable remains of the city, taking them down with relative ease. But Usa knew quite well in her mind that these were among the weakest demons inhabiting the dead planet.

Sighing angrily, Usagi found her way to what would have once been the metrolpolis of the area. The remains of large buildings, markets, and even a few cars could be found littered her and there like scraps. "Kami, give me strength..." Usagi whispered, clutching a pistol close to her chest. It was black and sleek, just like her clothing to conceal herself from wandering demons. The girl dropped her gun to ground, losing all of her emotions and becoming nauseous as she walked into the area. There was nothing but dust and large piles of debris. The buildings had mostly caved in, the walls crumbled to mounds of weakened rock and cement; the luckier of the bunch still maintained shabby windows and doorways which were little or half destroyed. Usagi's pants were dirty and dusted, fading the once lustrous and stylish leather to a dull black, and her matching tank top was splattered with tiny droplets of blood and gun powder mixed in.

"This was the heart of Hinotama's world...where she grew up. Over there...that house. Or what is left of it," Usagi spoke with conviction as she pointed to a large pile about 30 yards to her left. It was relatively small now of course because it was no more than a 20 foot in diameter, rubble-filled mess; but Usagi could feel the power and the spirits of life and happiness radiating around it even from so long ago after being drenched and hidden in death. It was like another, knowledgable being had entered her body and was speaking for her. The blonde had never been here before, but her soul and celestial connection with her sister brought of all these things to life in her mind. "And there, the bank, and there! That was Hikari and Myou's home..." Usagi continued to speak to no one in particular. Usagi could see young children playing on the sidewalks, happy shoppers weaving in and out of the markets, and even teens her own age running around and enjoying life. All this was in her mind, but all she could see were the physical remains. After a few moments, she regained full awareness and shook her head.

"What was that all about? Was that me...no. I don't know anything about this place...but...my heart does. It knows all of this and all of the happiness my sister felt and lost so suddenly. Hinotama...did you come here to hide from the truth? Did you run from us so could revisit this once Eutopic home land?" Usagi lowered her head and began to walk farther inside, turning to look at different areas and things, recognizing them by means of the emotions they gave her. Her eyes were blank again, they saw but did now see...they understood but did not know. They were just strange emotions swirling in her mind and soul, yet nevertheless, Usagi recognized, realized, and accepted them for what they were: the memories of lost and wandering souls. Even in death, they walked in torment, searching for their savior. Usagi stopped and allowed a gasp to escape her lips.

They were searching for Hinotama.

*~*~*

"This was home once," Hinotama sighed, gently examining the shimmering crystal in her hands. "It was a miracle to have lived such a happy life once...it was a miracle to have been able to have and do the things I did. And it is a miracle to know that my friends once lost are still watching over me. And you...you are proof," she finished regarding the crystal. The sphere glowed a brilliant orange following her comment, almost in response to her speaking. The colors within seemed to glow brighter. Hinotama smiled. She knew it was them, them that were causing the crystal to glow. Their spirits within were keeping her strong and safe. And Hinotama would never lose sight of that again. The girl allowed her hair to drift around her shoulders and back, her wide Prussian eyes taking in everything she saw. It was the once completely animated and lively metropolis of her home. It was dark now, but even in her losses, Hinotama could still see her friends and family...even neighbors in her mind as they enjoyed every second of their lives. Stopping for a moment, she came to settle on the old stairs of town hall, cold and crumbled as they were.

The girl hadn't any time nor any desire to care that she was vulernable. Now it was time for her to accept her destiny and to realize that even in her pain and suffering...there was a way to stop all of the suffering and hurt. Not just for herself, but for everyone around her. She could change things...and a few demons hiding amongst the rubble wouldn't stop her now. Cradling the crystal in her hands, Hino smiled again and began to speak as the soft, and unusually fresh breeze danced with her hair playfully.

"You are the Legendary SunFire Crystal. And in the name of my friends, and in the name of this universe, I will use you to help me stop this dark plague. I allowed myself to lose hope and to lose what I held closest to my heart. Keikan, you were my rock and my shield. I can look into this sphere and see your bright green eyes glowing, and your gorgeous black hair swaying on the afternoon breezes in the park. I can still feel your arms around me like when we used to kiss, and I can smell your sweet, masculine cologne everytime I think of you. And my Senshi: Hikari, Kasumi, Hayashi, and Meirou. I can still see your happy faces and feel your strong and friendly auras around me. Your gifts, your thoughts, your personalities. I loved you all...you were my best friends...and you still are even in death."

A sudden chill ran up Hinotama's spine. She wasn't alone anymore. But before she could turn, a hauntingly icy voice whispered in her ear. "Scream for me."