I do not own Sailor Moon.


Falling Stars

Chapter 15

Hinotama left puffs of breath upon the frigid air as she emerged from the shelter, her chest heaving despite the short distance she'd run. Behind her, the heavy, iron door slammed shut and rang out on the solid air. She froze in her steps for a moment, surveying the silent land as an eerie, but dirty wind danced through, echoing in her thoughts. Her honey locks trailed down her back, errant hairs lifting with the sweeping breeze.

Her gaze fell onto the land before her and her face remained expressionless. The sky was a fiercly muddy brown, splashes of dried, blood-red here and there. Thick, ashen clouds drifted sluggishly above in their ever so foreboding appeal. The expanse of barren, dead ground seemed to stretch for miles until it hit a tall, now-rickety steel gate, which encircled the entire safe house area--both above and below ground. Several tufts of long, but deceased weeds stood out amongst the disparity, and twiddled in the midst of such a scene. With a stronger gust of wind, the individual links of the far gate shuddered, and under its howl, it nearly folded in two. Already the intense gurgling of a Viperion had reached her ears, and in a sudden burst of speed, she raced towards the gate. Stealthy, strong, and fearless she entered the eternal darkness.

It would be her first kill of the night.

*~*~*

Usagi stumbled quite a few times as she made her way through the dim hallways, the passers-by barely giving her a second glance as she fought to find the exit. The blonde had been down there so long, each passageway seemed identical to the next. A small smile danced on her lips as she felt the cold steel blade press against her skin--the cooling effect was a relief against the fever she'd maintained. "I'm never going to find Hino at this rate..." she muttered angrily. Stealth was not on her side today.

"Usagi! Usagi-san! Wait!" a desperate voice cried out, its masculinity echoing in her ears. She came to a dead stop on her heel, finally reaching a secluded area that no one had yet infiltrated. "Usagi!"

Blocking out the voice, she leaned against the corner for support as a new wave of dizziness passed over her. She knew better than to be running around in the condition she was--but what choice did she have?

'Mamo-chan. Minna, give me strength,' she plead silently, praying for fortitude and the safety of her sister.

"Usa!" the voice persisted, and within second, a harsh handle wrapped itself about her upper arm. Immediately in response, she whipped around and violently brought her free hand down in a fist upon the elbow of the assailent.

"Cody! Oh no!" the blonde gasped, her arms shooting out to comfort him. Her cerulean eyes were wide now as she listened helplessly to his mutters, backing away as he did so.

"Hinotama's gone," he said in a guttural tone, rubbing furiously at his elbow. A brief glint of pain entered his eyes and quickly disappeared as he looked at her. Usagi nodded, her eyes reflecting his grief. "Everyone is freaking out...an enormous mass of demons is quickly approaching the base, and our leader flew the coop. I don't know what to do..."

"I know, and I'm going after her," Usagi answered, a determined air now surrounding her. "I won't let you die. Not a single one of you. I've fought too many battles and for too long to lose any more friends. Get down to Communications, and fire up the comlink system. Have Derek try to tag Hinotama and contact me as soon as possible." She held up a small, hand-held object that resembled a walkee-talkee.

Cody touched her shoulder tenderly, a smile forcing itself to the surface. But soon enough, he found himself engulfed in a warm hug. "Usagi--

"Please, Cody," she murmured, squeezing. "You're all like family to me. And Jerrid, look out for him. I won't leave until I know that the two love birds in denial have come to terms." A half-smile graced her lips as she reflected on her sister's bitter relationship with the general.

The blonde haired young man stepped back, holding her at arm's length. "Be careful."

"Always." She turned her back, preparing to head off into the eternal night. And she couldn't help but wonder, despite the hope she promised, would she die alone tonight? Cody, behind her, however smiled weakly and waited for her to go on her way. When she remained firmly planted in place, he walked towards her, tilting his head in question.

"What is it?" he wondered quietly. The blonde young woman wheeled around to face him, looking up into his brilliant eyes.

"Myou," she said in a near whisper. "I'm sorry that she..."

Feeling a sudden wave of tears, Cody nodded, blinking them back. "Go on now, you've got a sister--and a world--to save." Usagi gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran off without another word, blonde mane flying behind her. "Be careful...please."

*~*~*

Launching herself into the air, the young fighter came down upon the demon, and swiveled around it, gaining a vantage point near its belly. Dogding its lashing tail, a scream of esctasy escaped Hinotama as she drove her blade deep into the throat of the Viperion, ripping it through its flesh with a momentous force. The demon's bladed arms froze in place, and its snake tail wiggled furiously as a result of the endured trauma. Chest heaving, Hino watched in vengeful satisfaction as inky blood dribbled down its snake-like body. With a shriek and a low gurgle, it sagged to the ground, eyes wide and tongue exposed through its well-endowed, fanged mouth.

She reached down and wrenched her weapon from its corpse in a fluid, effortless motion. Her hair was mussed and flew all about, and her eyes were wild. Not full of passion or life...but wild with hatred and all of accompanying evils. Though she did not fear what might become of her--Hinotama's only objective was to end the darkness.

Glancing callously at the fallen Viperion, she cast it a smirk. "Like I said...it's you or me." All of a sudden, it was as if a shot had gone off in head. Paralyzed with concentration, Hinotama's thoughts wandered, desperately seeking the cause.

Usagi. Usagi was awake and strong...and trailing her as well.

"Usagi-san!" her voice echoed suddenly, carrying on the silent air. It was as if a light had gone off in her mind, awakening her senses. "I can't do this without you, I just don't want anyone else to die!" Those reawakened thoughts, however, quickly died as the faroff gurgle of another demon approached. Immediately, her kamikaze-mission mode took over and she was completely immersed. Inside, her heart and mind were screaming, but Hinotama would not hear it. No one else would die. Save for herself.

Her glittering eyes beseeched a location far beyond their reach, and she closed them, tilting back her head. "Usagi...no one else will die..." Palms facing out, as if to address to dead world before her, they gradually began to glow. Accessing the gift that Fate had bestowed upon her, Hinotama conjured her magical abilites.

"In a world of death...draw me forth to the darkness..." she called out, her hands ablaze with swirling spheres of ruby hued energy. Clasping her hands together in one fluid motion, the spheres melded into one and it popped out of her grip, floating before her at eye-level. Eye's snapping open, Hinotama regarded her creations with an empty smile. "Take me to them! Take me to the powers that stole away their lives!" She could feel the warmth of the Sunfire Crystal against her skin as it burned through her jacket.

They were with her. At once she could feel them near and she smiled faintly.

The sphere shot forth in immediate compliance and Hinotama prepared herself for the battle ahead. Flexing the hand that now wielded her blade, she sped off after the fluttering ball. A smirk graced her lips and a dark glint filled her normally bright eyes. It was now or never.





R/R!!