Chapter 2: Meet the Family
Saturday afternoon found Tawni walking down the streets of Tokyo, looking for someplace to eat. She had been shopping all morning, and it was time for lunch. She decided to try the little cafe` she had passed earlier. Ten minutes later, she walked in the door, only to be astonished at how crowded it was. 'Where am I going to sit?' Just as she started contemplating going somewhere else, a voice came from the table under the window.
"You may sit with us if you wish."
Deep and full, the voice could easily have been mistaken for a guy's, and had been many times, but Tawni wasn't fooled. Walking over, she saw that the speaker sat at the table with two other girls, a couple of years older then her. The one next to the girl that has spoken was very pretty, with shoulder-length sea green hair and fair skin. The third girl sat across the table from her. She had long, dark green hair that brought out her startling red eyes. This girl watched the clock almost absentmindedly, as if she was forcing it to tick the seconds by. She turned toward Tawni and smiled, motioning toward the seat next to her.
"You may sit next to me. I don't believe that Amara wants to give her seat up." At this, the original speaker grinned and winked at the girl next to her. Then she turned to Tawni, giving her a full view of her face. Hair cut short and blonde, Amara could have easily been mistaken for a boy, and Tawni got the feeling that this was the intent. Tawni seated herself next to the dark haired girl, and tried to avoid Amara's sharp eyes, which seemed to pierce through her to read every thought.
"Stop it Amara, you're making her nervous." said a soft voice, and Tawni looked up to see that it had come from the girl next to Amara. "Hello, don't mind Amara. She likes to be intimidating. My name is Michelle, and you are seated next to Trista. What is your name?"
"My name is Tawni, and it's nice to meet all of you. I'm kinda new here, so it's nice to meet new people." The other girls smiled at this, and Michelle asked Tawni if she liked it in Tokyo. Tawni thought about that question. Earlier that week, she would've said no, that she hated it. But now...
"Yeah, I do. People are nice here."
"Make any new friends?" This came from Amara, who turned her gaze back on Tawni again. This time, her eyes had a look of vague interest.
"Yeah, I did. Miss Haruna introduced me to some kids in my class, and one of them introduced me to her friends." Suddenly, all three looked very interested.
"Do you go to Crossroads High?" asked Trista, her eyes bright.
"Well yeah, why?" Tawni was curious at the reaction of her new friends. To her surprise, Michelle started to laugh.
"I told you there was something about her." she said to Amara. To Tawni she said, "The girls you were introduced to wouldn't happen to be named Serena, Ami, Rei, Mina and Lita would they?"
"Actually, yeah. Do you know them?" Amara grinned, and Trista chuckled.
"Oh yes, we know them," said Trista, "Very well, in fact. Very well indeed."
****************
The moonlight glistened in the tree branches as a small, lithe figure made its way toward the paddock. A small, black cat leapt up on top of the fence post and meowed plaintively into the night. From the other side of the paddock, a beautiful chestnut horse emerged from the darkness, trotting over to where the cat was seated.
"Hello Aurora, it has been a long time," said Luna. A woman's voice seemed to emerge from the horse. Lush and full, it was reminiscent of sunshine itself.
"Greetings Luna, what brings you out here on this dark night?" she asked.
"I've come to ask you why Tawni has not yet come into her full power. The scouts are sorely in need of her help." Aurora shook her great head, her dark mane falling back in place.
"She is not yet ready. As you know, Sailor Heartlight's power comes from her intense love of all things. I can't awaken her power unless someone she loves is in danger."
Luna sighed, worry etched in her face.
"I am sorry I couldn't help any further," Aurora said, "If I could, you know I would."
"I know Aurora, and thank you. And keep trying!" Luna leapt off the post and ran into the night.
"I will," Aurora said to her retreating form, and then turned, trotting back into the darkness.
*************