Part 6: Identities
Aiko winced at suddenly finding herself on the ground. "What the hell happened?" she asked, looking at Misu and Ardiana. "And why are we detransformed?"
"And where are the others?" Ardiana asked.
"I think there was too much power released in a short time frame and small area." Misu explained, typing on Mercury computer as she spoke. "The others probably ended up in similar situations as us. We are probably only together because of luck."
It was then that they noticed the small black cat nearby, with a crescent moon on his forehead.
"Neonis" Aiko called out "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine thank you. And seeing that you are all fine as well, I had better find my mistress. She is probably confused. Her name is Annamika Hina." With that the black cat ran off.
"That name is familiar, she goes to my school," Ardiana said. "I'll talk to her tomorrow. "
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"Tell her to give them to the ones that she feels the power from" the dark haired woman said to the blonde and the aqua haired one.
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Tacy ended up eating lunch with Aiko and Misu again the next day. Nariko wasn't with them because she had stayed home that day.
"I have something for you two," Tacy smiled as she handed tickets to the girls.
"What are these for?" Aiko asked, inspecting the envelope.
"They are for a concert tonight. Lirit Marina and Noelani Kana will be performing." Tacy replied.
"Thank you very much Tacy. I love their music." Misu said,
"Yes, thank you Tacy" Aiko added her own thanks. 'I've never heard of them, but if Misu likes them it should be good. Besides, I don't want to hurt Tacy's feelings.'
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"Guess what Oba?" Aiko said to her Grandmother when she got home from school, dropping her bag on the floor as she walked in.
"What Ai-chan" Suki asked.
"I'm going to a concert with Misu and Tacy tonight. Tacy gave us the tickets, may I go please?"
"What kind of concert?" Suki looked a bit worried. She knew those loud bands the kids we into nowadays could cause damage to the ears.
"Um" she pulled out her ticket and read off the names, "Lirit Marina and Noelani Kana. Misu likes them, so it can't be all that bad"
"You may go. Make sure you dress nice Ai-chan. The New Hope symphony hall is an upscale place."
"Thank you Oba" Aiko hugged her Grandmother and ran upstairs to her room. She pulled out an orange dress from her closet and laid it out on her bed. She opened her jewelry box and picked out opal earrings with an opal necklace to match. She made sure everything was ready before she went downstairs to help her grandparents with dinner.
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Misu was waiting for her in front of the concert hall. She looked stunning in her fitted knee length baby blue dress. She had on earrings, a necklace, and bracelet of silver and turquoise. She waved at Aiko as she saw the other girl approaching, looking just as nice in her orange ensemble.
"Shall we find our seats?" Misu asked the blonde.
"Yes we shall my lady," Aiko answered her, barely surpassing a giggle.
The two friends made their way into the hall, turning a few heads. Aiko ran her hand through part of her hair that wasn't held back by the red ribbon. They found their seats and sat down.
"I can't wait until they start" Misu looked at the curtained stage as she spoke.
"I know. These seats are really close; I hope Tacy didn't spend too much."
"Aiko, tickets are hard enough to get for their concerts, let alone this close."
"Maybe Tacy knows them or something." Aiko figured. "And speaking of Tacy, where is she?"
No sooner had she spoken, Tacy appeared from the isle. She had a dark purple dress on. She had a short golden necklace on with a round amethyst pendant. She also had amethyst chips on the clips in her shoulder length dark hair. "Sorry I'm a little bit late. I'm not used to dressing up." She sat down next to Misu.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the New Hope Symphony hall." Came a voice from on stage as the curtain rose. "The emergency exits are on the left and right of the stage, and in the back of the auditorium. Now, welcome Lirit and Noelani. Lirit will be playing her violin, and will be accompanied by Noelani on the piano."
Two figures walked onto stage with their introductions. Lirit was wearing an aquamarine off the shoulder gown, and had her hair of the same color tied back with a blue ribbon. She walked elegantly onto the stage while carrying her violin, already out of its case. Noelani was wearing a dark blue suit. Due to the suit being fitted, one could make out her feminine form if they were looking hard enough. Her short dark blonde hair almost seamed to wave in an unknown breeze as she took her seat at the piano.
"The first piece that we will be performing is one we wrote ourselves entitled 'Sea and Sky'" Lirit announced before settling her violin into its proper place.
Aiko listened in awe as the music played. It was beautiful, yet haunting as if it was trying to tell her something. She could see why Misu liked them so much. Aiko felt like she was being surrounded by the emotions of the music. The music swirled around her, almost like waves and gusts of wind. She watched Lirit and Noelani as she was swept up by the music, and their appearances started distorting. Lirit's image started merging with that of Guardian Neptune, and Noelani with Uranus. Somehow it seamed right.
Next to Aiko, Misu was having a similar experience. She saw the two guardian figures onstage playing the instruments. In response to their feelings, and unknown to them, Aiko and Misu started to glow slightly with their colors. Tacy looked strait at Lirit, who was watching while playing, and winked at her. Looking at the two girls, who glow only a guardian could see at this point, Lirit could just make out the faint symbols of mercury and Venus on Misu and Aiko's foreheads. Noelani also looked at the two and noticed the symbols as well. She winked at Tacy so the girl would know what to do.
"That was wonderful" Misu said to Tacy and Aiko when the show was over.
"I'm glad you liked it." Tacy smiled. "I want to show both of you something if you would come with me."
"Sure" both Misu and Aiko said, still a bit in awe. They followed Tacy backstage, surprised that no one had stopped them. All Tacy had to do was smile at the usher, and he let them through. Tacy looked at both girls before knocking on a door. Before Aiko or Misu knew what was happening, they ended up in Lirit's dressing room, where both she and Noelani were.
"Wow" was all Misu managed at the sight of her favorite musicians still in their finery.
"Lirit, Lani, these are my friends from school, Misu Minerva and Aiko Kitoko." Tacy introduced the girls.
"Welcome Misu and Aiko" Lirit said warmly.
"Greetings Mercury and Venus" came a voice from the shadows. A tall slender woman with long dark green hair walked up to them. "I saw the symbols on your head while 'sea and sky' was playing. I am Toki Michiko, and Guardian Pluto." She held out her dark red guardian gem with the Kanji for revolution on it.
Aiko and Misu stood in total shock, staring at the group. Finally Aiko spoke, "You two are Guardians Neptune and Uranus, aren't you?" She motioned towards Lirit and Noelani.
"Correct," Tacy said, drawing their attention to her, "and I am guardian Saturn"
"Pleased to meet you," Misu found her voice.
"So that leaves only the identities of Jupiter, Moon, and Mars" Lirit pondered.
"A girl named Annamika Hina that attends the private Jr high is Moon" Aiko told them. "Her cat gave me her name before going to look for her. Mars is Ardiana Nuri. She goes to the same school and Moon, and she is a Shinto Priestess in training."
"I suspect that Nariko Saskia, a classmate of mine, might be Jupiter." Tacy added. "I felt a strong power from her, similar to Aiko and Misu's. She also seamed curious about my guardian stone."
"She saw your gem?" Noelani looked at the girl
"No only that I had a necklace on under my blouse." Tacy smiled. "Don't worry, she didn't see the gem."
"So what do we do now?" Misu asked the others. "Morrisa said something about them going after earth."
"I'll be going to earth the next day or so to check things out again," Toki told the group. "I can keep you all informed as to any developments."
"We have been meeting at Ardiana's temple. You all are welcome to come." Misu invited.
"How about tomorrow after lunch?" Tacy suggested. "If Toki is leaving for earth soon, we can all have one meeting before she leaves."
"Good idea" Toki agreed. "I'll be there"
"So will Lani and I" Lirit added.
"Misu and I will have to be going soon," Aiko said. "My grandmother will be mad if we are out late."
"I'm staying at her place tonight" Misu added.
"I can take the both of you home then." Noelani offered.
"Thank you" Misu and Aiko said together.
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Suki sat in the living room watching out the window for the girls. She looked at her watch again and frowned. 'Those girls should have been home an hour ago' she thought worriedly. She stood up from the sofa after being started by the sound of the engine of a sports car. She watched as Misu and Aiko climbed out of the backseat of a dark blue convertible. She thought the passenger in the front looked like she had aqua hair, but dismissed it as just looking weird in the dark street.
"Well it's about time you two arrived." She said to them as they entered.
"Gomen nasi Oba." Aiko said nervously. "We were talking to Lirit and Noelani after the concert was over and didn't notice the time. Tacy took us backstage; she is a good friend of theirs." Aiko had to restrain herself from laughing. She didn't think her grandmother needed to know that Tacy was more then just a friend, she was an ally.
"Good evening, Mrs. Kitoko" Misu said after Aiko was finished. "Thank you very much for letting me spend the night, and I apologize for being late."
"It's all right" Suki relented. 'Ai-chan has such a polite friend.' "It's not every day you get to meet someone like Lirit Marina or Noelani Kana now is it? Go get ready for bed. Misu, your bag is in Aiko's room, and I made the trundle bed for you"
The girls half ran, half walked up the stairs. They quickly got ready for bed and each girl was under the covers in her own bed when Suki poked her head in to say goodnight.
"Goodnight Misu-chan, Ai-chan. See you in the morning." She closed the door behind her.
"The communicator, Ardiana" Aiko whispered after waiting for Suki to leave.
"What?" Misu muttered, half asleep, having gotten comfortable.
"We have to tell Ardiana what happened, especially since the meeting is at her house. I'll tell her, don't worry." Aiko grabbed her communicator as Misu pulled the blankets closer around her. ~Ardiana, its Aiko. I've found out the identities of most of the others. They want to meet at your place. ~ Aiko sent over the communicator.
~ What bloody time is it? ~ Ardiana's sleep laden voice was heard.
~ Gomen, I'll explain everything tomorrow. We will be at your place after lunch. ~ Aiko prayed that Ardiana wasn't too mad at her.
~k, fine, sure. See you tomorrow~ came the reply from the Shinto. Aiko smiled and went to sleep as well.
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Hope you liked that installment of the storey. Things are finally starting to go somewhere, ne? I hope to have this storey finished before school starts (begging of September) since I'll have lots of papers to write this semester, and psychology papers are not fun to write.
I'll probably put up everyone's names, and such at the end of next chapter. I'm planning on revealing Jupiter's identity then, so I can put all the Guardian's together.
Thanks for reading ~_^