light of the stars
by: naokofan
Intro: Hi guys! I just love writing these chapters out. We really enjoy having a place to public them. To all who like this story, arigato! I hope you enjoy the story as it prolongs, also if you do have any questions I can fill you in once you e-mail me. This part of the chapter begins to pry into the Star Lights and if they shall wish to return. Here we go!
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chapter two
kinmokusei & earth
Though the Kingdom was thriving, there was nothing thrilling or exciting about the atmosphere among the three legendary warriors. They would often train to build up a better defense, yet often Healer would notice changes in the way Fighter would move. Her stance would be tense, and her movements sudden, and sharp. Her grace and speed had vanished, and the way she seemed to be carrying herself was sluggish. Healer had greatly became recessive. Her movements were slow, and glossy green eyes were dull. Untouchable to her sisters, when she smiled, the smile never did reach her eyes. The only one that seemed to be neutral was Maker. She huddled in her courtiers, piling textbook upon textbook and absorbing paragraphs that she would never really need to remember. She also would keep to herself to do a lot more writing. Often at night, Healer would lay awake and listen to Maker scribble furiously against off-white sheets of paper.
In the olive gardens of Kinmokusei was were the ceremony took place. In honor of the rebirth of the Kingdom and in celebration of the defending warriors, Princess Kakyuu had taken her place as the heir of the lively planet. They had clapped, they had cheered, and they had bowed. Kakyuu would make a fine ruler for Kinmokusei. She was blessed with the herbs, and her crown had been blessed in promising new hope, and forever the Kingdom to remain peaceful. Due to the appointing from Princess to Queen, three new younger soldiers had been assigned to her side. Kakyuu was still loyal to her original three lights, which she had been connected to since she had been young.
Fighter had settled herself in her room, a blossoming crimson and violet flower held in her hands. Dark blue eyes were peering out the window in sorrow. It was only when she was alone did she allow her thoughts to catch up to her. At least when she was among Healer, Maker and her Queen, her mind would be vaguely at rest. There was a shimmer off to the east of the vivid skyline its blue-green coloring attracting her intense stare. Memories. Everything hitting her in the face, and reality patting her on the back. For when he saw that very faint outline of earth, he thought of her. Odango. She thought very faintly. How I want to see your smiling face again.
She gently laid the flower down against the windowpane, and stood up to walk across her bedroom to her dresser. Long fingers curling very slightly, she picked up the photograph she had carried back home with her. The picture was of a certain bubbly high school student, waving to the camera wearing one of her bright smiles with hands settled at her sides. Fighter winced, just seeing what was waiting there. What was back there on what had become her second home.
"I haven't seen you in nearly a year, Odango." Her gloved fingers traced the outline of the picture. "I wish you could know how much I miss you." For the first time in a long time, Fighter gently bent her head, and the moisture threatening her eyes finally seeped through and down her cheeks. Fighter, who had always been taught to be strong, wasn't feeling strong at the moment. She leaned back against her bed, and held the picture within her hands. "I hope you're happy."
Meanwhile, Healer, who had froze in her tracks outside of Fighter's door quietly backed away from it. She was on her way to call her to dinner, but once she had heard her words she refused to bother her. Brushing silver strands from her eyes, she retracted down the lush hallway towards Maker's wing. Placing a hand up against the door leading towards the marble staircase, she bit her bottom lip. It's all right Fighter. As much as I'd rather train for battle, I miss them too.
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Now we're back in the atmosphere. The words seemed to tickle Fighter's mind as she struggled to sleep that night. Tossing and turning under the comfort of her sheets, plagued by the soft whispers of somebody's voice she could not see. We're wondering if you missed us. It whispered again. We're wondering if you can even hear us. With startled breath, Fighter awoke with her face buried within her pillow. The planet still was slumbering within the nightfall, and rays in the skyline caused the terrain to glisten. Fighter untangled herself from her sheets, and stumbled over to the window. Quickly she opened it, allowing fresh air to invade the warm room.
Tell me, could you hear it within the wind? The breeze tickled her cheek, and with it came a phrase only she could decode in her mind. Inhaling deeply, she carefully rose to her feet, and rushed to the door of her bedroom. Quietly she opened it to find the corridor of the hallway still dark. Backing away from the door, she emerged into the hallway. What's going on? Okay if this is Healer or Maker playing a joke on me, they're going to regret it. Sucked into musing, Fighter ran right into another figure that seemed to be roaming the abandoned hallway.
"Ow!"
"Ow!"
"Who's there?"
"Fighter?"
"Healer?"
"What are you doing out here?!"
"SHHH. Not so loud."
"Caught in the act are you?"
"What act?" Healer spat. "I just couldn't sleep!"
Fighter's eyes narrowed. "Did you have a dream?"
"No I heard somebody whispering."
"You heard that to?"
"Yeah, very odd."
The two struggled to find words for a moment, yet even if they had heard the same thing, either could really describe it. Fighter suddenly reached out, and grabbed Healer's wrist. Startled, she looked up, green eyes flaring in a bit of surprise. "Fighter, what on Kinmokusei.." Fighter silenced her with a dismissing wave of her hand. She dragged the silver haired one into her room, and over to the opened window. Mutely her eyes traveled back to east of the skyline. The earth was seeming to be glittering as well, blue-green in all its splendor of the night. So arouse the whispering again. Gentle souls, we are here. We are here. It was faint, but enough to once again touch Fighter's, as well as Healer's ears.
"It's like somebody is calling out to us." Fighter turned to observe Healer, who seemed to spiral into perplexity. She freed her wrist from Fighter's grasp, and pressed her palms against the windowpane. "And so, you think this whispering is a cry from that planet?" Healer spoke dryly, still a bit harassed at having been disturbed from her beauty sleep. Fighter looked unsure for a moment, before she nodded. "That's insane, Fighter.. You're not saying we--" They were cut off by hurried footsteps, and another figure entering through Fighter's door.
Maker stood before the two soldiers, breathing rapidly and her expression harassed as well. "If you two." Pause. "Think it's so funny." Pause, breathe. "To wake somebody up." Pause. "By whispering in their ear." Pause. "It's not!" Violet eyes were narrowed sharply, and brown hair messily invaded her face. Healer turned her head, and snorted at the soldier's appearance. She placed her hand to her temple in amusement. Fighter shook her head, smirking. "It wasn't us, Maker."
Still a bit suspicious, Maker retreated over to the window, as another round of wind filtered, ruffling Fighter's dark hair. Ready, set, on your mark, go! You can feel it working through the night air. Maker's expression softened, while Healer's expression was horrified. The dark haired one turned to the other two parts to the famous trio. "That's it." Fighter slammed a fist into her palm.
"We're going back."
Healer and Maker exchanged glances. "We're WHAT?!"
"We're going back, to earth."
Maker stepped forward. "Fighter are you mad? We cannot abandon our posts!"
Yet the powerful soldier wasn't going to have it. "O--Somebody might be in trouble and is seeking our assistance! I'm speaking to the Queen at once in the morning. I want to. We must... we must go back." Maker's eyes widened. "Fighter--You just want to go down there to see Tsukino-san again!" Healer sniggered darkly behind her hand. Fighter's brow twitched in irritation, a flush creeping up along her cheeks. "Well you want to see Ami-san again."
Maker blushed. "I don't!"
"You do too!"
"OI!" Healer waved her hands in front of the two, seeming to sense an argument in the making. "We'll see what she says, Fighter." Her tone softened just a bit, and she placed a comforting hand against her shoulder. Maker caved in, and sighed heavily. "Count me in too."
"Good. I tell you, we're going back."
"Don't get your hopes up."
"SILENCE, Ami-san lover!"
The words were drowned out by Fighter's screech as Maker came at her with a large pillow stolen from her bed.