I do not own Sailor Moon. duh...now enjoy and PLEASE review!!!! I know I haven't updated in forever, but thank god school is out so I can!


Falling Stars

It was a miracle in itself that Usagi had been able to survive as long as she was. Her loss of blood and the amount of total damage she took was immense, and at first her chances of living to see another day were slim to none. But Hinotama and the others, no matter how grief stricken, managed to pray and keep their hopes alive for her safety. And with good fortune, thank God, Miss Usagi Tsukino lived to see another day.

Following the day of her awakening and the brief meeting she and her sister shared, Usagi drifted in and out of consciousness randomly. All the time, her sister was curled up on the floor beside her bed, a blanket placed gently over her shoulders. Jerrid too, needing to make sure both women were holding up all right, kept a silent vigil outside the door, leaning against the wall. In his mind, nothing but doubt and angst swirled throughout his psyche. For the sisters, however, their thoughts and dreams were dominated with conquest of the darkness, and the resurrection of peace.

*~*~*

Hinotama awoke a few hours later, still to her relief, to find her sister resting quietly. Her eyes were open, but her thoughts had drifted into a comfortable daydream. 'Probably thinking about Mamoru-san,' Hino concluded and decided she could use a bit more rest. Closing her eyes, a short period of time passed before true sleep overwhelmed her mind and body, pulling her into a restful world of peaceful slumber. Usagi watched this with slight interest, and was glad her sister was hanging on.

'She works so hard...and exerts so much pressure onto herself. She scares away people with her fearless wit on purpose...even if it is in her personality, its become a sort of defense mechanism in itself,' Usa wondered, her mind sifting through different memories. 'Hinotama doesn't want anyone to get too close to her, except those she is already tight with. My sister is afraid of losing anyone else, therefore she forces them away. Like Jerrid. They are both so stubborn, why can't they just admit their feelings for one another? There is the age difference, but how is that any different from Mamo & I?'

The blonde let out a little sigh and closed her eyes. The world went black again.

*~*~*

Three o'clock in the morning, the young brunette sat up and rubbed her tired eyes with a yawn. Usagi was out cold again...but the monitors didnt seem to show anything out of the ordinary. Hinotama finally realized just how many machines her sister was hooked up to. Three to monitor her heart and brain waves, two more to keep a close tab on her vitals, and a few more pumping oxygen and blood into her system. Another was cycling her kidneys and liver, since she was practically immobile for the time being. Hinotama had helped to tie back her thick blonde hair, so she wouldn't get overheated. But that was the most she could do...except wait and pray. The Prussian-eyed Princess stood up for a moment and gazed down at Usagi. "Please be okay," she said softly. A sudden creak from the door behind her startled Hinotama slightly, but she didn't show it. The shadow of a man fell onto the concrete floor and obscured the dim light from the hallways from her view.

"Hinotama, can I have a word with you?" The epitome of the man's statement said nothing for a moment, and gave her sister one last look. Finally she turned on her heel slowly and followed the midnight-haired man into the hallway.

"What is it?" Hinotama said, her voice forcing irritation even though she didn't feel it. She couldn't deal with this right now...not Jerrid. His warm amber eyes looked upon her with favor and hope, expressions that betrayed the cold look on his face.

"We have report of a large mass of demonic forces assembling not far from this shelter. We need your permission to launch an attack and draw them away before the innocents are killed." Hinotama's heart stopped and her body froze.

'Myou...Hikari said she had been possessed and used as a tool to locate us. I forgot in all of this commotion. Now I really have screwed up royally!'

"Princess?" Jerrid repeated, standing up straight, his posture rigid and formal. The girl shook off her notions and straightened her stance. She threw her hair up into a messy bun with hair spraying out the sides as the two walked down the halls. After a few moments, the silent duo entered another room, one far from the nurses' station within the corridors. Jerrid pushed the door open for Hinotama, an action she didn't quite appreciate.

"What do I look like, a renowned Queen?" she spat, mentally cursing her statement. Jerrid's eyes shot to the floor as he wordlessly held open the door and allowed her to walk through. The man picked up his gaze as soon as he entered the control room, which was filled with a few computers and two large television screens that covered the far wall in front of the computers. The TV's monitored two distinct areas, one: the surface around the shelter entrances, and two: the metropolis. Hinotama walked over silently to one of the men at the computers, a young man a year or two older than her.

"Tell me, what type are they?" she spoke formally to the young man, who looked up at her with wavering brown eyes and shaggy, dirty-blonde hair that fell into his eyes. He typed into the keyboard and the screen to the left drew up a profile, containing 3d, detailed images of the demonic masses. "Derek, come on. We're pressed for time here," Hinotama pushed. The boy nodded and drew up another text file that now was placed next to the first picture.

"This," Derek began as he keyed a few more things, "is the Viperion. It has a lot of things in common with snakes; its bodily structure is serpent like, without legs. Although it does have long, strong, and well built arms...which are well equipped with razor like blades." He zoomed on the image of the serpentine creature. It was in fact much like a snake with teal scales and large, quite round yellow eyes. The arms were teal, except for the undersides, like its belly, which were a light cream color. "Its strength is mainly in its tail which is used for lashing, grasping, and lifting things. Good to avoid during combat. Its other strong point lies in its arms, especially the bladed hands it wields."

"Where were they first seen?" Hino demanded, her eyes blazing at the image upon the screen. Derek punched a few more keys; a slight sheen of perspiration beginning to form on his forehead as he worked.

"The Viperion were first sited a few hours ago, and once when this whole mess started. But, we haven't seen them since then until now."

"But where?" Jerrid pursued from his place leaning against the wall with his arms folded.

"The first few were sited by a scout team heading north of the metropolis and taking a sharp detour here by the southwest gate. A half hour ago they were getting curious about the fencing and decided to test it. Luckily it withstood the pressure of the things."

"Why wasn't I notified sooner?!" Hinotama shouted, slamming a fist onto the computer table. The instruments shook wildly under her fist.

"Princess-
Hino held up her hand and closed her eyes, "Just get on with it. The next one please." Derek looked at her with fear and uncertainty in his eyes for a moment. Jerrid caught his gaze and sent the nervous boy a reassuring glance. With a deep breath he went on.

"These are-

"Morpha!" Hinotama gasped, her eyes wide as she recognized the form brought up onto the screen. Derek spun around in his chair to see her eyes wavering slightly, her expression unreadable. Jerrid noticed her apprehension and placed his hand on her shoulder to calm her.

His voice was gentle, "What is it?"

"Stop it, Jerrid. I have to concentrate!" she hissed spinning around and slapping his arm away. This time, the man wasn't going to take the abuse any longer.

"Damnit, Hinotama! Why the hell do you have to be so cold?" he shouted, and it clearly drew the desired reaction he wanted from her. Her eyes were wide again, hair fanning out now as the elastic snapped. He stared at her, burning holes through her. And he could see plainly it was getting to Hinotama. She looked away quickly, and turned her back to him, wrapping her arms across her chest. She closed her eyes for a moment. But that moment changed everything. She spun around once again, but the surprise in her eyes melted away and was replaced with fury.

"My sister is close to death, the demons are closing in on us. The dark lords are gaining the upper hand. I am trying to run this facility and save our lives! I can't worry about your needs, Jerrid!" her voice snapped. Jerrid shot her a furious expression and slammed the door behind him as he stormed out. Hinotama sighed after the rattling of the hinges quieted.

'Jerrid…I'm so sorry. I just can't let anyone get too close…I afraid I'll lose everyone again. I can't risk that…' Hinotama thought pensively, now feeling the overall effects of her self-induced coldness. Placing a tired hand to her forehead she sat down beside Derek. "Continue."

"The Morpha can take on many forms like their name implies. But its base form is catlike with reptile DNA splashed in," he went on focusing the image and text file. "Their blue eyes have perfect vision and can see in the pitch black, which includes even underground without light. They walk on all fours, which are clawed and powerful, but can stand erect when needed. They are shaped mostly like a cat, including a tale, except for the fact that their bodies are covered in black scales. This makes them blend in quite effortlessly with the night and shadows. They resemble a cougar in build and facial features. Their strongest points are in their shape shifting abilities. They can take on the form of anything they have killed that is other than humanity. Their other abilities are catlike obviously, claws, teeth...that sort of thing." Hinotama rubbed her temples angrily.

"Dispatch a team immediately to the southwest gate and set up a post along the neighboring exits. I want every area covered immediately before their groups spread," Hino commanded.

"But Hinotama," the occupant of the room persisted from the corner. He was an older man of graying beard and hair with soft blue eyes and a husky, but general-like air. "We don't know where all of the pods are situated now."

"The longer we wait, the more time they have to invade. We cannot allow for an invasion. Everything will be lost!" Hinotama replied, her eyes conveying her genuine concern.

"Hino-san! You must wait…now is not the time for impulsive acts that could endanger the lives of everyone here. Princess, please. You have been through too much to let everything blow to hell now," the older man cut in, hoping to instill valuable wisdom into the lost and vengeful young woman.

With a defeated sigh, Hinotama agreed with a nod. "Derek, the final type." The boy at the computers complied and drew up the final file.

"We've nicknamed these demons the Gemini. It is a griffin like creature with wings and four legs, and a head much like that of a reptile's. The reason why we named it so is because the creature has multiplying capabilities, in which it can split into two and then so on and so on. This not only increases their numbers, but strength and power. If these things get into our hideout, we're dead for sure. We're going to have to evacuate or stick it out," Derek finished. Hinotama was furious.

"Where are the Morpha and Gemini now?" she said, but it came out so different from she had intended. She wanted her voice to be commanding and angry...except her voice showed her true emotions of fear, concern, and guilt.

"The Gemini have not arrived yet, but a few have been seen wandering through the metropolis and areas outside of it. The Morpha along with the Viperion have neared the base. We still have a little bit of time before they start whatever it is they're planning." Hino stood up for a moment and closed her eyes, trying to focus her priorities and remain calm. But instead…all she could feel was her soul calling out to her. Hinotama knew what she had to do…and now the world was at a crossroads. There was no other choice-Hinotama had accepted her destiny…and would give all of those lost and wondering souls the Messiah they sought.

She lifted her beautiful Sunfire Crystal and gazed into the swirling colors within. 'My Senshi…the strength of all my dear Senshi. Together we will defeat the darkness.' The men in the room with her looked on in confusion.

"Hinotama?" Eyes practically glowing in their Prussian glitter, Hinotama busily went about gathering firearms and weaponry in her dark shorts and tank top. Her hair was thrown up messily...and in every sense of the word did she look dangerous. The fiery Princess loaded two magnums and placed them in their holsters, which hung at her hips. Sliding a delicate, but lethal blade into her boot, she gathered two stakes and hid them within her jacket along with the crystal. With one final statement, Princess Hinotama of the Parallel Universe slung the coat over her shoulder and slammed the door behind her.

"I'm going to put an end to this hell on Earth. If the dark lords want me…so be it."