Chapter 2: Fighter awakens.
Very early in our immortal lives, we discovered something very important.
You see, we made a mistake that resulted in a lot of heartbreak, and the result was a millennium of built up resentment.
Children cannot be taken away from their mothers because it will do damage to all three parties now, and in the future.
Mothers will experience the pain of having their child ripped away. The thought of the child they gave life to just taken away like that would be unbearable.
Children will grow up and regret that they missed out on all that time with their parents. They will, perhaps never be as close to their parents as one could get.
They will resent their guardians for taking them away like that, and hiding the truth.
After that mistake, we made sure that the Starlights were never away from their parents for an extended period of time, until That Time came.
**********
"Mr. and Mrs. Seiya, have you done any reading lately?" the two started at the seemingly innocent and pointless question. They exchanged looks before returning their gazes to Vittorio.
"Any reading from the Book of Gold?" he clarified. Orisa nodded once.
"Yes."
"Then I'm sure that you are very familiar with the legend of the Starlight's return?" Daiki raised an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"What is the meaning of this?! What does that have to do with us?" Their confusion was obvious, and Kasei seemed to revel in it.
"Not you."
"Just your child. Your third youngest."
"… You mean Kou?"
"Yes."
"I see," said Orisa. But she didn't see.
"Then I am sure that you are aware of the prophecy made by the four Guardian Gods. I am Vittorio."
"I am Li."
"My name is Kasei."
"And I am Yukio." Orisa got straight to the point though. She did not care for names; not where her daughter was concerned. It seemed she was the spokesman of the pair.
"How far in the future?"
"Roughly ten years from now."
"You know our legend. Please tell it to us."
"The Guardian Gods of Delphi trained all those with pure hearts, all those who ask for it. However, as time went on, less and less people came, until finally it was only the Kinmokusei soldiers that came. Since then, the Sailor Starlights have been under the guidance of these four men. Centuries ago- maybe even one millennium, none are sure, when the book was first created and the last Starlight died, you foretold the future. That a great evil would come and wipe us all out."
Daiki continued the tale.
"You said that until then, time would be peaceful, and so the Starlights would not return to this life. They would return when they were needed. And so would you. And when you returned, you would find the Starlights and you would guide and train them, perfecting all their skills in the hopes they might be able to stop that disaster from happening."
"Very good," yawned Yukio, already bored.
"Now, as to why we are here. Seiya Kou is the next Sailor Star Fighter."
"What?!" Now it was Daiki's turn to speak. His wife sat in shocked silence.
"You heard Kasei. Your daughter is a future protector of Kinmoku. Somewhere out there, even now, her Guardian Star sends out its power to her."
"Not- not possible!"
"Why?"
"Our daughter- she can't be that!"
Like I said, they took it rather well.
"And why not?"
"She would have no life! She could be hurt! Or, or killed!"
"But are you willing to sacrifice an entire planet of people, for your daughters' sake? If she does not fulfill her destiny, she won't have a life, period."
"But-"
"No buts."
"We won't take her away from you, we can't do that."
"We will however ensure she receives the best education possible. When the time is right, we will send for her. It is best that you properly acquaint yourself with your daughter now."
"When will you come?"
"When we wish it."
We made sure of it. We made sure that Seiya Kou had the best teachers in all subjects. The best equipment. She was taught how to add and subtract, to read and write, what chemicals react with what, and so on.
Most importantly, she was taught to fight. She was taught about the art of war. She was taught about all possible strategies, all past mistakes she and the others may have made in their past lives, diplomacy, honor.
She was never given any reason why.
**********
The earliest memory she had of Him was when she was three. The tall, handsome man with his platinum hair, clear eyes and strong, lithe body, who was always laughing at something.
The room was so tense; she could feel it even before entering. He was standing by the fire place, when her father led her by the hand into the living room. He looked up from the photos on the mantelpiece when she came in, and smiled, saying,
"There you are, little munchkin!" she had cowered behind her father's leg, staring up at this man with big sapphire blue eyes and he had laughed, asking if he were truly that scary. Then he had reached into his pocket and taken out a small gift box.
"Here you are. For the little fighter," he said, kneeling down to her level and holding it out in his hand. She had stared at him warily for a moment, smiled and then toddled forward to take it with a pudgy hand. He did not stand, instead watched as she unwrapped it quickly, and chuckling when she squealed with delight at the chocolate resting inside.
Her father had smiled too.
"Say hello to Un-" he stopped at the man's slight glare, and continued. "Say hello to Kasei, Kou-kou."
"'Uncle' makes me feel so old," 'Kasei' had commented rather wryly. Both men had chuckled at that, though the tension was still there.
"Hey, dinners' ready," her mother had called then. Kasei had taken her hand gently and walked out, she glancing at her Father before following him to the dining room.
The whole family sat at the table, and there was a new place next to Kou's seat, for Kasei. Her older sisters Bini and Sofi and her younger brother Shi stared at him in awe at his expensive clothes, the white gold olive arm ring that signified his higher status as an advisor of the palace and the sword he unbuckled at left resting behind the door. Then he sat down beside Kou and looked at Mother and Father, waiting for their movement.
They bowed their heads and asked if he would like to start the prayer and he smiled and clasped his hands and bowed his head, wishing for peace on Kinmoku and good fortune for the family.
And then the dishes came, first, bowls full of steamy soup and then plates full of steaming vegetables in sauce, meats and rice, or bread and cheese. And then came desert, small dishes of watermelon, a delicious fruit with pink flesh, and some sweets.
Kasei heaped Kou's dish with vegetables and meat, telling her to eat so that she would grow up big and strong. She said in reply,
"Just like you?" and he laughed and nodded. Then he ate up all his own, making a show of it being delicious so that she'd follow his example.
She did. Slowly and with disgruntlement.
After that, Kasei and the family gathered again in the living room where Kasei told stories of old myths and legends. First of the Queens, and then one or two about the Starlights, describing them carefully to the family.
"Which is your favorite, Kou?" he asked kindly.
"Sailor Star Fighter!" she chirped brightly, and the three adults laughed among themselves as if it were some cute joke. After that, Kasei presented Kou with a picture book filled with bright illustrations, spoke quickly and quietly to her parents, handed them something in a large envelope and took his leave.
"Daiki, Orisa, in this envelope is several brochures for different schools. Choose one you think will suit Kou best."
**********
Kou was five years old. She was an intelligent girl- when she put her mind to it, and she was just starting at a good school.
However, her strengths and talents lay in her music, and in sport. She adapted quickly to the drums, but wouldn't play the flute because it was 'too girly'. They were only able to get her to try the piano because her mother had told her that as many, if not more boys played the piano then girls. Then she played it happily.
Kasei had given her several lessons in both instruments, before finding her a private tutor. He was far too busy. Kou didn't mind though; he always wrote to her- even if she didn't understand some of the things said in the letter and had to get an older family member to translate for her- and every time he visited was a happy one.
Bini once told her that he favored her; it was obvious from the things he gave her- books (mostly legends about the Kinmoku Soldiers, particularly Star Fighter), a kick ball, a baseball bat and ball, among other things. Kou told her older sister that he gave them all presents, and Bini agreed, but it seemed that he chose special care in her gifts and delighted in her reactions the most.
She had started lessons in the martial arts, to the obvious dislike of Orisa, but nobody stopped her. Kasei and Daiki encouraged her! The night Kou voiced her desires, with Daiki and Kasei showing their support, showed the start of a full-blown argument. Their voices could be heard all over the street, and Kou often sought the comfort of her myths. She would not cry.
The lessons had started like this. Kasei had once been telling the children yet another war story.
"Kasei, you talk as if you were there!"
"If I were, I'd be too old, wouldn't I?"
"True…."
"But can you fight?"
"Fight? Where did this come from, Sofi?"
"You carry a sword, don't you?"
"Of course…"
"Kasei! Show us some moves!" he had declined at first, but then caved in at four identical sets of pleading eyes. They'd gone into the back yard and he had positioned them away from the reach of the sword. And then he'd gone into a series of movements that flowed into each other, gracefully wielding the sword as if it were part of his body.
Bini, Shi and Sofi had been in awe- they all had- but it was then that Kou decided she wanted to learn to fight- in particular, with the sword. She had heard plenty of stories about great warriors wielding their swords into battle, but seeing it in action was something else.
"Teach me how to use that," she ordered. Kasei chuckled at that.
"Cheeky little devil," he grinned. At her unusually sober look however, he sighed and nodded.
"We'll have to talk to your parents though." He sheathed his sword. "There are different types of martial arts though- karate, kung fu, judo, and other weapons you can use- sword, the glaive, plenty of them."
"I want to learn to fight with a sword," was her stubborn reply. Kasei studied her face.
"You'll learn whatever you want and more," he said seriously.
**********
For a time, we were worried about the appearance of a new person in Kou's life.
Kasei in particular worried about how this girl would influence Kou's decisions. He had reason to be.
Kou couldn't form bonds anybody; not the type that would keep her from realizing her duty. What if Kou chose to stay behind with her family, rather then go on to train?
It had happened before but it had been agreed that we could not afford to let that happen in this time.
"If things come to this, I will interfere," he stated, quite calmly.
"No need to act so rashly," was Vittorio's calm answer. Yukio balanced a fire ball in his hand. All knew that he would support Kasei, if anything came to it.
**********
At eight years of age, Kou made a new friend. Her name was Kodomo Hideko. The two hit it off well, though no one would expect it.
Kodomo Hideko was a small girl with blonde hair and brown eyes. She was rather pudgy for an eight-year-old, and she was also very quiet and very shy. A rather plain girl.
Seiya Kou was her opposite. With her black hair, sapphire eyes and strong body, she was loud, cheerful, and popular. Everybody loved her.
So nobody took any notice when the teacher introduced the new girl. All were bent over their note books, or passing notes, doodling, doing anything but facing the front.
"Class, please welcome Kodomo Hideko." There were some half-hearted greetings but none bothered looking up. Hideko flushed, obviously embarrassed to be ignored like this.
"Are there any spare seats here?" continued the teacher. Nobody bothered raising their hands, even though there were at least three or four of them. Kou frowned; why didn't anybody say anything? Didn't they see how nervous she was, and how distressed that nobody would offer even a sign of friendship?
She stood, and pointed to the seat beside her.
"I am Seiya Kou. Welcome to this class. You can sit here if you like," she said, grinning. Hideko smiled brilliantly, lighting up her whole face, and all could see that she was not, indeed, plain. The others immediately looked up, greeting her.
"Hey, Hideko."
"Nice to meet you."
"How are you going?"
"Thank you," she whispered, before walking forward and taking it.
"If you need anything, just give us a yell," said Kou. Hideko smiled again, and Kou wondered how anyone could think her plain.
At recess however, Kou forget all about the new girl to play a game of kick ball.
"Third base! Come on!"
"Throw to third base!"
It was Kou's turn to 'bat', when she noticed again the young girl sitting, watching them all half enviously. Obviously nobody had invited her to play. Kou smiled once, and waved for Hideko to join them, regretting that she had abandoned her like that.
"Yo! 'Deko! Come play!" The girl looked startled, equally so at the nick name and the invitation.
"Are you sure? I don't want to come in the middle," she said. Kou shook her head.
"Nah, it isn't a problem. Second team hasn't… 'batted' yet." Hideko nodded, stood forward, and looked at both teams.
"Where-" Kou waved her over.
"You can go on my time." A boy named Dagu on the opposite team frowned.
"But that means you'll have an extra player," he protested.
"Glad you can count," answered Kou sarcastically. "One of you can just have another kick or something." Dagu nodded, albeit reluctantly, and Hideko flushed faintly, embarrassed at his obvious reluctance for her to join. The 'New Girl.'
"When do I go?" she asked. Kou waved for her to go first.
"You know the drill. Kick. Hard. Then run. Fast."
They were friends after that, Kou bringing Hideko out of her shell and Hideko giving Kou all the ego-boosting that she needed. They matched each other perfectly, with their strengths and weaknesses, Kou's masculinity and Hideko's femininity.
It was as if they were… two peas in a pod.
**********
Orisa tied up the package carefully, and then walked out into the hallway. Kou was quickly tying on her shoes, her sword lying on the ground beside her.
More then once she cursed the man who bought her that. Orisa smiled fondly at her daughter, trying to stop thinking about the future.
God knows even thinking about it has bought us so much trouble! She fumed inwardly.
Outwardly, though, she put on a smile. She wanted to let her daughter live the life of a normal girl as long as it was possible.
"Kou-kou." The girl in question scowled; she hated the nickname. It was a pain in the ass, it was stupid and worse of all it was childish. None of the other students had to put up with something like that, or if they did, it wasn't as pathetic as 'Kou-kou'. Not to mention the fact that at least their parents used those nicknames in private. More then one occasion, Orisa had called her that in front of the whole class. How humiliating!
"What?" she said, turning to face her mother. Orisa started at her tone, staring at her daughter. Kou rarely used that tone with her; only when she was truly upset over something. Quickly, she went through all the reasons her daughter could be upset with her in her mind.
"Your lunch," she said, handing it to her. Her mind came up with a blank. "Is anything wrong?" Kou frowned, glaring slightly at her, and she wondered briefly where that look had come from. That… cold, glare, that made someone want to wither and die in front of you.
Orisa started. She had seen that look once, on Yukio's face, many years ago. Silently, she cursed Kasei's name again.
"Yes… could you please stop calling me Kou-kou??" she demanded. Orisa started again, slightly hurt. That nickname had been hers since she was just a little child! Another part of her child was going; even if it were a small part.
"What's wrong with that name, Kou-kou?" she asked. Kou frowned again.
"Ma, I'm sorry…" her face hardened slightly. "It's annoying. It's… babyish! Can't you just call me by my name?"
No! That is your name! Don't do this! Oh God please!
"But- that IS your name!"
"No it's not! It's just a childish version of it! I hate it! It's so tiresome!" the young girl gripped her sword.
Where does a girl her age learn the word 'tiresome', wondered Orisa. She had not noticed her daughter pick up the sword.
"Mum, please, just don't call me that anymore." She sighed, relenting.
"Ok, Kou, if that is what you wish." She was rewarded with a smile, and then Kou ran outside clutching her sword.
It was just the small things that went. Kou didn't like to be fussed over anymore. She wanted no part of the 'childish and babyish' nickname. She preferred spending time with Kasei over time with her family. It had been so long since they had truly talked.
Orisa felt like crying.
**********
"Look at them."
"What?"
"Those flowers."
"… What about them, Yukio?"
"They're blooming."
**********
Wake up.
"Nngh," mumbled Kou. She buried herself deeper into her blankets, unwilling to wake just yet.
Wake up, Sweet heart.
That voice sounds familiar… thought Kou drowsily.
Kou, stop bull-shitting me. Wake up or you'll be late.
Abruptly, her eyes flew open, and Kou sat up, staring in bewilderment at her surroundings.
"Kasei?" she wondered out loud. Nothing except the morning breeze greeted her, and she frowned. It was rather strange. That blasted voice always had to wake up! It sounded a lot like Kasei too, except, as far as Kou was concerned, Kasei had no magickal abilities to speak of. She dared not tell anybody; her parents always put on sour looks when she mentioned his name. Bini and Sofi would just laugh and wave her away, saying something about hormones while Shi would snigger and tease her. So that left Hideko, and Kou wasn't sure she wanted to tell 'Deko anything.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Hideko. She worried what her best friend might think of her.
'Deko was sweet, but sometimes her conscience would get the best of her. Kou would be in the sick-bay being checked up on the voices in her head faster than anybody could say 'fast-talking-fighters'.
"I am decidedly going mad." Kou closed her eyes again, groaned, then sat up, rubbing her head. She stilled, taking in the quietness in the house. It was a bit too quiet. She could hear some faint sounds downstairs, but they didn't sound like the ones she normally woke up to. It was too unnatural. This had happened before, but her mind never screamed at her to be careful like it did now.
I have learned that you can never be too careful. If your instincts tell you something is wrong, then you follow them. Don't let your guard down, until you are certain nothing is wrong. Kou took in a deep breath, as Kasei told her inside what to do. She got up slowly, taking her katana down from the shelf before edging towards the door. Her mind barely registered the red flowers blooming by her window. Briefly, she wondered if she was just over-reacting.
Quietly, Kou padded across the hallway, down the stairs, making as little noise as possible. She picked her way across Shi's scattered toys, peering carefully into rooms before continuing on.
All of them were empty.
Finally, she arrived at the living room. Some quiet sounds came from within, of people talking, and Kou frowned again.
Were there visitors? Not this early in the morning though…
She pushed the door open and aimed the end of the katana straight at the person's chest.
"Holy mother of –! Don't do that!" Kou blinked, and lowered it, flushing. Her whole family and Kasei were in the living room. All except Shi were sitting- her younger brother was now staring almost terrified at the blade. His shirt was ripped; he would have to get rid of it.
"I'm – sorry –" she muttered, lowering it.
"You did not use your senses, Kou," stated Kasei coolly from his seat. She flushed; he had been right. Had she been focusing, Shi would not nearly have been gutted.
"I'm sorry Shi," she repeated. She tried her usual 'I'm-so-great-and-there's-nothing-you-can-do-about-it' grin. Her brother stepped back quickly, nodding. She ignored his reply though, because something still seemed wrong. All her family was tense, but she knew it was because of Kasei. Daiki and Orisa were never happy when he came, and that created tension so thick you could carve it with a katana. Kasei was discomforted too; he met her eyes squarely, and she knew that he felt the same thing as her.
"Sit down, Kou," murmured her mother. She glanced pointedly at the katana, but Kou did not set it aside. She held onto it tightly as she sat down next to Kasei, balancing it between her legs carefully.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Daiki smiled tightly at her, and she stared back defiantly. She had long since stopped feeling guilty whenever they did that.
"Kasei, has an idea-"
The air between them shimmered. The image of an incredibly beautiful woman stood there, in golden armor. Her beauty, however, was warped because of the cruel smirk on her face. Crystals floated all around her, bathing her in a light.
The feeling was still partly there. The cold, dead feeling, that something bad was going to happen.
"– training. You can have a better education there, and you'll meet the Princess. Kou, Kasei wants you to go to the palace. They'll… accept you." Kou blinked, staring first at her family then at Kasei. None of them with the exception of Kasei seemed to notice what had just happened, the woman appearing. The man himself wore a small frown. He held a packet in his hands.
Cards, she thought. A future-teller's cards.
"Why don't we let the girl decide after school?" said Kasei loudly. "Give her some time to think." Kou hurriedly tried to remember what Daiki had been telling her.
Oh. Yeah. The whole going to the palace to be educated thing. Great.
She stood up, near slicing her face in half with her katana, and then walked back upstairs to change.
Entering her room, she hung the katana up then walked to her closet, opening it.
She was not a fussy dresser, unlike Bini and Sofi. She knew that she could look good in anything.
Her hand automatically when to the customary shirt and un-matching pants, but then she stopped. Kou took out the white shirt with the golden buttons. Her hand reached for the black, near skin-tight pants, and a pair of white socks.
Kou stripped down, glaring at herself in the mirror. She was growing. Muttering a curse, she reached for a breast band too. There would be no stopping from wearing one of those curse things now.
Quickly, she clipped it into place, before pulling the rest of her clothes on. Reaching into the closet again, Kou reached for her black combat boots; the one she always wore for training. A belt was the first and final accessory; she didn't really need one. It was only there for show- and there to clip a sword on.
She trotted out, feeling remarkably light in the clothes. They were simple to fight in- though it didn't seem so with the pants- and very easy to move in.
Kasei waited in the living room. He held two bags in one hand; her school bag, and another one. Delicious smells wafted from it, and her stomach growled. His sword was clipped to his side, and in his other had gleamed a-
"Bloody hell!"
"Kou!"
"Watch your language!"
"Don't swear!" she winced, and Kasei sniggered. In his hand there gleamed a new sword. From this distance she could tell already the finest blade-maker in Kinmoku had made it. Its edge was very sharp; she had no doubt it could split a hair from her head, and the balance was probably excellent as well.
"Improving your form," explained Kasei casually. "It helps if you have a good sword to go with it." It looked much like the one Kasei had by his side. Kou bounded over to his side, took it gingerly out of her hand and then clipped it to her side; much like Kasei.
"Let's go Munchkin," he said. Kou grimaced but did not say anything.
"Bye Ma! By Da! Shi, keep out of trouble! See ya later Sofi, and Bini!" the family answered back, maybe more coolly than they usually did, but she ignored it. It was still too early; she didn't have to be at school for another hour, but if Kasei came at this time it meant he wanted to train and that nothing would stop him.
Hm.
She looked up at the tall man walking in front of her curiously, wondering why he led her to her school now.
He could be strange, at times, when he acted like he knew everything, or when they trained, or when – never mind. People always looked at him with awe. They probably would've bowed to him even if he dressed in rags. Kou imitated the way he walked, and started thinking about her sword instead. She snickered – the boys would be so jealous of her!
When they arrived in the school grounds, Kasei set the bags down onto a bench. Kou took off her sword, and he did the same. They set them leaning carefully against the bench.
"Start your warm up exercises," he ordered. She frowned, but nodded at his look, and he turned away.
**********
Kasei walked around the court yard, frowning in thought. He wondered if it would be a good idea to send her away, considering her reaction from this morning, and then decided he might as well ask.
If she agreed, she'd go.
If she refused, well, she'd still go.
Kou was done stretching by now.
Kasei walked back to her. The both took one step away from each other, bowed, and then unsheathed their swords.
"Guard."
**********
Kou wasn't keeping track of time.
After a while, Kasei started speaking.
"The palace can train you further in the martial arts." Jab.
"You're a good enough swordsman." They circled each other.
"One must always improve their ability as much as possible. 'Good enough' is not acceptable." He turned to the side, avoiding a blow.
A small crowd had gathered at this time.
"What about my family? The palace – for crying out loud! – will take years to reach!" Kou blocked one of his parries.
"You're over exaggerating." Block.
"Friends and family. I would be all alone." They met in a clash of the swords, faces inches away from each other. It was rather strange, watching Kasei tower over Kou.
"You will make new ones." Kasei quickly stepped back, and Kou flailed slightly, losing her balance. Kasei darted in again, resting the tip of his sword on her neck.
"Yield."
**********
Hideko gasped slightly as Kasei pressed the tip of the sword into Kou's neck. The girl dropped her sword, raising her hands up slowly.
"I will make new ones?"
"Yes."
"Will I like them?"
"Yes."
"I will still see my family and friends?"
"Of course."
"Kasei, please give me some time."
"Certainly, Kou." The two stepped back again, and bowed. "This session is over."
She could not understand what had just occurred in the conversation. Was Kou actually considering leaving??
Hideko looked at Kasei with resentment.
She had met this man almost immediately after she met Kou - the next day, in fact. After school, he was there waiting for them. He had smiled first at Kou, then at her, but the one for herself did not reach his eyes. This man did not like her. How much, she wasn't sure yet.
She dared not say anything to Kou. Her best friend adored the man; looked up to him. She had known him since she was a toddler, and he had always supported her in her decisions when no one would.
When Kou had introduced them to each other, he had smiled easily and said, 'Any friend of Kou's is a friend of mine.' His clear eyes had stared at her though, reading into her soul, all her secrets and her desires. It was like he knew all about her and was just reviewing her history. His manner towards her had been charming.
But…
She looked up at again; the hairs on her neck were rising.
He stared at her, with those clear eyes. She looked into them, trying to read them, and, all she could see was the knowledge of… something. Something that he and only he knew. That he had to do something, and there was nothing that anybody could do to stop him. He could be causing the apocalypse and nobody would have no hint until it did happen.
And then it was just them, standing in space. And he, the man known as Kasei, spoke. His mouth did not move, but he was saying something and somehow she could hear him.
Dare interfere, and you will regret it. I have powers beyond your imagination.
And everything was normal, and he was chatting with Kou and handing her food from the bag.
"Eat slowly. You just had exercise."
Did that truly happen? Hideko shivered. This man was dangerous. He was not to be crossed.
**********
The day was boringly boring. That was all there was to say. She yawned slightly, and then glanced down lovingly at her sword. For some reason the teacher had allowed her to wear it. Kou thought that Kasei had something to do with it.
Nobody could disobey any of his commands, with out severe consequences.
Now, as the teacher droned on and on math somehow implementing her technique of boring the students from hell to back, she drifted off, and stared out the window. She longed to be out there, practicing the Fighting Arts.
Her nose twitched.
She wanted to wield her sword – or her glaive – or – anything! – that could cause damage.
Meh.
Something stirred at the back of her mind.
She wanted to be able to fight like the heroes in all the myths. She wanted to keep war and violence and confidence ready to be unleashed just like the Starlights were said to have done. [1]
It stirred again.
Kou wrinkled her nose; what was that?! It was so annoying!
"Kou, is there anything wrong?" the girl in question started; everybody was watching her with either confusion, amusement or both.
"No – nothing, Ms."
Danger.
"It certainly didn't look it. Is my math class so boring?"
Danger.
"No – no – It's just that – something feels… strange!"
Danger.
"I'm sure it's just you're imagination."
DANGER.
"No! Ms – really!"
The room froze – everybody was bathed in light – and the ground exploded. The screams of her school mates rang in her ears. Two voices so familiar called out orders to each other, and there was a third… silky… or, like velvet… dangerous…
"– really, you should pay more attention in class!" Kou blinked in confusion; everything was fine! The explosion; that was just her imagination! Kou bowed her head in apology and promised not to do it again.
The stirring at the back of her mind stopped.
At lunch, Hideko grabbed her arm, pulled her to the corner and demanded to know what was wrong.
"I swear! I don't know! It was probably just my imagination. I hear that staring out windows does that to you."
"Kou… if there is anything you need to talk about, you can come to me, you know that right?"
"Yes." But her tone didn't convince either of them, and Hideko continued to press.
"Kou, you have to listen-" her voice began to fade in and out, as that something in her mind began to stir again. Everything dimmed.
Danger.
Danger.
Danger.
"– please, I know there-" the warnings came more frequently now.
Dangerdangerdangerdangerdangerdangerdangerdangerdangerdangerdanger -
"Kou, listen-"
Evilcomesdestroyeverythingnoonesurviveevilcomesdestroyeverythingnoonesurvive -
"– what is –"
Musttransformfightprotectcan'tletanybodydiemusttransformfightprotectcan'tletanybodydie -
"– answer –"
TRANSFORMASISYOURWILLFIGHTER –
"– Kou –"
TAKEUPYOURSWORDNOTIMETOPREPAREFASTAPPROACHINGNONEHERECANHELPTHEYARETOOGONEHEISHEREBUTCANHENOTIMETOLOSEPREPAREORDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIE
"Everybody get down and stay down!!!" roared a man's voice. The children in the courtyard stopped their games looked around confused.
And around them, the ground exploded. Evil laughter resounded.
**********
Hideko looked around wildly, in confusion. Students and teachers alike were shrieking with terror, running around the court searching desperately for escape.
There was none. They had been boxed in.
There was a huge gust of wind, and Hideko felt herself being pushed towards the side, up against the walls that blocked them from safety.
Stay or die.
Around her, all the other people were being pushed too. Hideko soon couldn't breathe; bodies smothered her, each trying to break free and run.
Stay or die.
In front of them, the air shimmered, and Hideko could see people pressing against something. Only one person was not protected, if you will. She stood in the middle, head down, her sword drawn.
"You fool!" shrieked Hideko. Kou did not seem to hear her; her eyes searched the ground desperately, for some reason.
Her head snapped up suddenly, and she looked wildly around her. She seemed to be following the movements of something.
"Are you afraid girl?!" demanded a voice. Inhumane. "Are you afraid of your destiny?!" They were all silent now. It was obvious who that voice addressed.
Kou's mouth worked. She was frightened, but her face hardened with determination.
"I am not afraid of anything!"
"Will you say that once you find out what your future holds for you?"
"I will not falter!"
"You speak the words of Kasei. How am I to believe you?" Hideko frowned. Kasei? What…
Her thought was answered soon enough.
The air wavered. The wind roared. It was so cold all of a sudden. Air, wind, flew down from the skies whipping around them. It seemed to… solidify; they could all see it. They saw a person. Abruptly, there stood one man. No words could describe his beauty.
"Ka – Kasei?" asked Kou. She was angry. Obviously at the fact that she had not known he could do those things.
This was the Kasei that she and Hideko knew, and yet he was not. He seemed to glow; Hideko had never seen any other mortal like him.
"Shugoshin Kasei," intoned the mysterious voice. Another figure appeared. Tall, imposing, a black cloak covered the person. None could tell what gender it was. The teacher beside Hideko flinched. At what? She did not know.
"Her time is not yet." He did not look at anybody else. Kou scowled again.
"What magic is this?!" she shouted furiously.
"Of course it is. Needs must. You of all people should know that."
"She was to be tested in Delphi, trained at Delphi." The teacher was sweating profusely.
"Needs must." Kou was obviously very confused. Kasei turned to her, and from where she was Hideko had to gasp.
Now she knew why he seemed so different.
His face was empty of everything.
Only purpose remained.
"Guardian God Kasei, you do not control the future. This will happen now. If Kou survives, then your time has been well spent. If she dies, then one year will not give you the perfect soldier."
Kasei did not flinch. All others present did. They recognized now the title 'Shugoshin'. Only four held it. Kasei lowered his head slightly in acquiescence.
"If the girl dies, the girl dies." He turned and walked to the edge where she was.
"You bastard!" shrieked Kou. "How dare you betray me!" Hideko thought she saw something flicker through his eyes, but dismissed it.
The cloaked figure disappeared – and in its place was the mother of all monsters…! Huge, muscled, with a nice set of sharp claws, Kou would not stand a chance.
"You will fight! As your trainer says… if you die, you die!" the monster attacked immediately. Kou gasped, rolling to the side and just managing to avoid a set of vicious looking claws.
Hideko could only watch in shock.
The monster hurled Kou's figure to the side, and then advanced on her.
"Kasei, why did you do this?" she asked.
Kou had long since abandoned the use of the sword. Now she worked only on keeping herself from being disemboweled.
"Don't waste my time girl! Fight!"
"The Guardian Gods are supposed to be good people."
"Why me?!" came the hoarse cry of Kou. She stifled a shriek – the monster had managed to strike her. There was a long cut along her arm, and it bled profusely.
"Fight – or you will die by my hand."
"I don't know how to! I'm not a Sailor Soldier!" Kou sounded ashamed. Hideko thought she heard both Kasei and the voice snigger.
"It is in you." The monster stopped suddenly. It glowed, uttering several low growls, and suddenly there were three of them. Three identical ones. They flexed their arms. The three ran forward, leaping and striking at where Kou stood.
Kasei swore suddenly. The holes in the ground were more than that – craters.
"All equally powerful." He frowned. "But can I interfere…?" he unsheathed his sword, moving so quickly like the wind. He was just in time to shield Kou from a blow of one of the monsters.
"I will not have you die now!" he growled. "I have worked far too hard to let this planet die!" Kou only grinned shakily at him, blinking when her sword was in her hands.
"I do not appreciate interference."
For a moment, everything was still. Hideko shivered; it seemed as if something was looking them over, trying to decide which was suitable enough to feed to the monsters.
The world spun around her, and she was tempted to empty her guts on the floor.
Cool air was around her, quite different to the one that had protected the teachers and students.
She stood in the open, and one of the monsters looked quite hungry.
**********
"I would have you lower your shields when the time is right."
"People could be harmed for this."
"Would Pythia truly do something like that?"
"Would you put it past her?"
"Lower your shields and see what happens."
**********
They were all suddenly free. Kou could see that. Now nothing stood between them and a slow, painful dead in a monsters' cook pot. Kasei stood in the middle of the battle ground, watching her.
Then all the screams started. Bodies were ripped open, guts poured out onto the grounds. Kou stared in horror. All around her, people, her friends and classmates and teachers were being ripped to shreds. Her heart began to throb, and her mind screamed at her to do something.
The smell of death and pain was all around her.
"Please help us!"
"Stop!"
"No!"
"Kou!!" she turned and saw Hideko reaching for her.
Kou stared at her hand. At the hand that reached out and begged to be held. She looked up into Kasei's eyes, he watched her still.
What will you do, he seemed to ask. Will you take her hand or will you follow?
"Kou!" she backed away, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, 'Deko," she said. "I'm sorry…"
People are dying. There's nothing I can do. I'm helpless! No matter what I do, I am no match!
Child, repeat the words after me. 'Fighter Star Power! Make Up!'
Everything stopped once again. All the blood and gore disappeared. The ones that had been slain stood now, looking around them in amazement.
It had all been an act, the killing. A tactic used to make her see.
… But They were not…
"Fighter Star Power! Make Up!"
**********
"One has returned." "It was not all in vain."
**********
"Kou-kou, my sweet child. You've gone so far. And you'll keep going, never looking back."
**********
By the Queens' good name, she felt wonderful. A bit cold yes, the skimpy leather-seeming outfit didn't cover much, but she felt wonderful. Power ran through her body.
"I will not let trash like that pollute the galaxy." A gloved hand lifted.
"Star… Serious… Laser!" a large energy ball, so bright that all except Kasei and Kou had to look away erupted from her hands and sped towards the monster. It consumed it, the monster shrieking, leaving naught a sign behind.
The remaining two grunted, shuffling their feet and looking nervous.
"- Serious Laser!" a second, and then a third erupted from her hand, consuming the last two.
The light died down.
The figure appeared once again.
"I am Pythia, the Priestess of Delphi. Congratulations, Sailor Star Fighter, you have passed your test."
**********
Hideko just stared. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
Kou – her Kou – was a Sailor Soldier! It was the stuff of dreams. It was unreal. Kasei, now, seemed to bow to Kou without actually doing so.
Now, the two of them ignored the others, who were still recovering from their ordeal. Both spoke quickly and quietly, there was a look of excitement on Kou's face now. Her Soldier uniform disappeared, her day clothes reappearing again.
"You're parents have accepted. I'll take you to see them for a moment after."
"Okay."
She seemed to see things in a new light.
"Kou… don't go." Hideko knew the plea was in vain. Sailor Star Fighter had made her decision when she had backed away, had not taken her hand. Kasei watched her, a warning look in his eyes.
"I'll write, I promise." They shook hands, and Kou hugged her tightly, magicking up a red flower – a rose.
"They're growing already. I saw a whole bush of them by my window." There were no thorns; Kou had plucked them away carefully.
When?
Why were you so urgent this time?
I couldn't tell you; not yet.
"Watch out for them. I will come back on their blooming day."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
1. *shy grin* From the Wheel of Time. I can't remember what the actual quote was. Lan was said to be able to do that. And I urge any fantasy/sci-fi fans to read the series.
^^;; And, yeah, Cassandra is right. ^^;; It was inspired by Anne Rice- but only after I saw the name in the site! *crosses heart* I swear!
Original characters- what do we think of the original characters? There may be more soon.