1: Misted Memories
She had stood at her Gate, that of Life, for a long time. She could very well remember the time before her Gate, a time she wished she could return to. A time that made her existence in the yellow and red plane of her Gate so much harder to endure. A time she wished her eternal memory would let her forget. Just wishing the dagger that constantly made her think of that time would unstick from her heart, leave her in peace.
Twisting. Always twisting, forever a reminder.
She didn't need that pain to remember. Her loneliness was enough to remind her.
Too many passed through the Gate of Life for her to remember, all of them passing but once. Except for those with further business in the mortal world. Those tied down to it. The senshi.
The didn't know her.
Didn't recognize her.
But she'd always remember them.
Every LifeCycle the Senshi of a particular system would gather and pass through to be reborn together. Each LifeCycle was staggered with another so that there would be at least some sort of defense against chaos. Not much, but a little.
Rarely a lone Senshi such as Pluto could be seen crossing the expanse of mist. And Pluto was the only one who had ever seemed to notice the red-and-yellow clad Guardian of Life. A fellow guardian.
There was also a Gate that paralleled hers in purpose, though not under her control. True, she knew how to open that Gate, but her honor called for respect of the Black Moon's Gates. They seemed to respect hers.
She sighed and tugged self-consciously at the short red and yellow pleated skirt. Things weren't always as easy as they appeared. She'd learned that the hard way.
Things that had seemed well within her grasp had been ripped from her arms, shattering all her dreams and hopes. She still believed that she had been awarded this responsibility to mend her soul.
Instead, it had ripped it further.
She had too much time to dwell in the past, thinking of what she should've done differently. And looking for the same person, though she knew she'd be disappointed in the end.
He isn't going to come back! she stubbornly told herself. He won't be reborn. No reason too...I'll never find him... "Why do I even try?" She closed her eyes tight as a single tear slipped down her face. I ignored him for so long... She leaned back against the pure white arch that was such a big part of her Gate. I have no right to have him back.
Dismally, she kicked at a patch of red mist with her yellow boots. They had a heel on the of about an inch and a half, enough for comfort, elegance, and practicability as far as Senshi footwear was concerned. At the knee they slanted off to the side, giving her knees a white 'v' when she stood with her ankles touching.
With those boots she stood at 5 feet, 6 and 1/2 inches tall. And was proud of that height.
Starting to breathe normally again, she stretched muscles long ago too tense to allow running. Standing up all the time had its disadvantages. She didn't know how Sailorpluto did it. Did Pluto even sleep? She would find herself nodding off once and awhile, but it wasn't like anything bad would happen if she just fell asleep at her post. There was a little she had to do in the way of upkeep, but it wasn't anything that couldn't wait until the next century. Then again, she'd been the guardian of the Gate for little less than one LifeCycle.
For a second, a thought flashed through her mind. Why not leave? There's never been any trouble. Long ago the novelty of 'owning' a Gate had worn off. She hesitantly took a step forward, then back, her white-sheathed sword slapping against her right thigh.
She looked down at it, and could hear the voice of her mother echoing through time.
I just want you to be happy.
Her resolve firmed, she turned towards the mirror-like substance of her own Gate. Before she sighed and walked through, she took care to brush the tears away with a gloved hand with a smile, letting them fall from that.
He dove to catch them, his own form solidifying as Atris' passed further through her Gate. He stood and looked after her. "Because you have to," he whispered before going through himself.