Author Notes:
Story: Of Earthen Royalty
Chapter 04: Opposition of a Traitor
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Drama
Summary: Kaori's next fight is determined.
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_____One hour later_____
The wind blew gently through the small expanse in front the temple. It blew several leaves across the stone ground as Rei finished reading off the list of chores to Kaori.
"Is that all?" Kaori asked.
"Yes, now I have shown you how to do everything, now do it." Rei's tone wasn't curt, just demanding. She looked at the other girl. No matter how many times she tried to figure her out, it never worked. The girl seemed to have so many barriers. But the priestess had broken through one barrier and discovered something that startled her. Kaori was sad. Not just any sad, the kind that hung in your heart and never went away. . .like losing someone you care about.
Rei knew enough about that to understand some of the shadows in the crimson eyes of Kaori. She almost wished that Kaori would open up to her and tell her of her sorrows. But she knew that wouldn't happen. Not now, not ever. Kaori seemed bound and determined to keep Rei away from her. And Rei wasn't going to intrude to try and figure out why some girl was sad.
Rei walked away from the girl, her raven hair flowing in the gentle breeze. Her heart missed a beat. Something. . .something was going to happen. She didn't know when or where, but she knew it would happen soon. Rei made a silent plead that it wouldn't happen while she was around Kaori. There were too many unknowns with the girl. She couldn't risk transforming or fighting anywhere near her.
With a sigh, she walked into the temple to begin her own chores and meditation.
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Kaori chuckled lightly. "Silly girl," She murmured.
"She can't figure me out that easily," She said quietly as she swept the stone floor in front of the temple.
"I'm far more complex than that," Kaori looked up to the sky. She held the broom loosely in her right hand and shielded her eyes from the sun.
"But how can I fight beside her and the others without them knowing who I am?"
She sighed. She hadn't wished for everything to develop so quickly in this fashion. But, alas, it seemed inevitable. She looked at the ground and grasped the broom with both hands and resumed sweeping.
The winds stirred again. Leaves blew wildly through the air. The air began to feel humid. Kaori began to feel anxious, knowing what was coming. She never minded storms, but sometimes they came at less than opportune times.
Several minutes passed. Kaori put the broom in the small closet on the side of the shrine. She looked at the darkening sky.
"Only a little more. . ." Her insides churned as the brewing storm foreshadowed the future.
Lightning cracked through the sky. Thunder rumbled loudly overhead. Rain began to pour in thick water droplets.
Kaori smiled. Sometimes a storm could be more comforting than anything else regardless of the impending terror. At least, she would have these moments of contentment before everything spiraled out of her control.
Several more minutes passed and the storm was not slowing down.
"Now." A small whisper flooded the area as lightning illuminated it.
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Several moments later a small earthquake rattled the area. It shook leaves from the trees and shifted the temple slightly. Rei and her grandfather rushed out of the temple and stood in shocked awe as the light faded.
There. In the center of the area before the temple stood Jedaite. Rei's shock changed quickly to disgust. A red pen appeared in her hand. She gripped it tightly but dared not raise it. It was too risky, her grandfather was standing right next to her. . .She had to protect him, but she knew he wouldn't be able to keep the secret.
Rei growled slightly and glared at Jedaite.
"What? No welcoming? I expected more from you," Jedaite's eyes narrowed. "Hino Rei."
Rei grinded her teeth as her grandfather looked between her and Jedaite. Confusion shined on the old man's face. "Rei, you know this guy?"
"Oh yes, she knows me very well, now don't you, Rei?" He placed a grin on his face.
The raven haired priestess's knuckles turned white around her pen but said nothing.
"Rei? My dear friend? What is it?" His voice mimicked someone who would sound worried. "You seem like you are hiding something? Is it possible. . ." His face mocked astonishment. "That he doesn't know?" Jedaite pointed to the old man beside her.
"Grandpa. . ." She said quietly. He looked at her. "Go inside the temple and stay there."
"What? No! I can't leave you out here with this guy! Rei!"
"Grandpa!" She hissed, growing more and more anxious. "Get inside! It isn't safe for you out here!"
"If it isn't safe for me then you better get inside yourself! I'm supposed to be the one taking care of you!" He said defiantly.
Rei began to say something else, but she was cut off by a sharp gust of wind.
"Wha-" She looked around, her eyes combing the area for the disturbance.
Jedaite growled. "Who's there? There isn't supposed to be anyone else here!"
"Jedaite. . ." A soft voice carried through the winds to everyone's ears. "I never thought. . ." A shadowed figure began to emerge from the small wooded area near the temple. "You would turn. . ." The figure stepped out of the shadows and revealed herself as a cloaked figure. "Against him. . .against me!" Her voice thundered and Jedaite took a step backwards.
"Who are you?" He snarled.
"I am. . ." The figure took a deep breath before lowering her hood.
"The soldier of the shadows." A shock of pink hair tumbled from the cloak.
"The one who will always fight for the just and innocent." The pink hair framed crimson eyes that gleamed with sadness.
"I am the protector of my guardian planet." She untied the cloak.
"I will dispose of all threatening evil." The cloak fell to the ground.
"I am the soldier of the planet in forever solitude." Rei gasped.
"I am the soldier of Planet Earth." Jedaite's eyes widened.
"I am Sailor Earth!" Sailor Earth gazed sadly, but determinedly, at Jedaite.
"Sailor. . ." Jedaite began.
"Earth?" Rei finished, awe once again washing over her senses. Another senshi? How could that be? There was never one of Earth before. . .Was she really part of the Sailor Senshi?
Jedaite and Rei took in exactly what the new soldier looked like. She stood still and straight, her strength obvious. She was clothed in a white bodysuit with a dark green skirt. She arms were clad in white elbow-long gloves that ended with three rings in the color of jade. Her front bow was pastel shade of blue while her bow on her lower back was navy blue - almost black. The jewel on her golden tiara seemed to be different colors. . .Depending on the light that you looked at it in, he could be any shade of the rainbow. Her boots came high and were adorned with a silver sign on each. The sign looked like a rose entwined with the planet Earth.
Sailor Earth's gaze remained fixated on Jedaite until Rei spoke.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice sounded accusatory.
"I. ." Earth looked down for a moment before looking at Rei. "I am here to protect this planet and aid the other senshi."
Rei began to speak again but she realized she couldn't with her grandfather still standing beside her.
"Rei, please take your grandfather inside. There is no reason for him to see this."
Rei narrowed her eyes slightly before nodding. She knew. Sailor Earth knew. She knew who Rei was. . .Sailor Mars.
Rei escorted her grandfather back into the temple with little resistance.
"Good. They're gone." Earth turned her gaze back onto Jedaite. "Now we can get down to business."
"Business? We have no business. I do not know you so you better leave before I change my mind."
Earth took a step forward. "Yes, you do know me." Her voice was quiet. Her eyes were sad. Her demeanor strong.
"You were of Prince Endymion's protector's. You prized you position and gave him every once of your loyalty. Then Queen Beryl came. She came and stole you and the others away from Endymion. She turned you against him. You turned traitor to your once best friend!" Earth accused Jedaite.
"I did no such thing! Queen Beryl is the only one who has ever had my loyalties. I would never demean myself by pledging my allegiance to some silly prince!"
Anger swept through Earth her she clenched her left fist. "How dare you!" She hissed, her voice low and threatening. "He was your friend! Your friend!" A green glow began to emit from her clenched hand and glow brighter as her anger increased.
"Don't tell me who I pledge myself to!" Jedaite's also angered eyes glared at the senshi. "Great, another brat to mess with." He muttered.
Sailor Earth moved several steps forward.
"So, you don't remember?" She asked quietly. Before Jedaite could reply she spoke again, her voice loud and hurt. "That is your past! He was your best friend! How could you turn traitor?! You bastard! I will make sure you never see your precious Beryl again!" She roared.
Jedaite snickered. "Try it."
The angry glare in Sailor Earth's eyes kept him from saying anything more daring. Her fists clenched.
"You allowed yourself to be brainwashed and turned against the one to whom you were most loyal. That is a weakness I cannot forgive." She said quietly.
The emerald glow that was still emitting from her hand exploded in power. Her entire form was covered in the bright light.
"It is time I ended this charade."
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AN:
Wow, that took me a month to get out. Sorry about the long wait. I have a pretty good idea as to what will happen in the next chapter. I'll try to get it out sooner. Please review!
Man. . .I always forget to reply to reviews, but this time I won't^_^
Evening Star: Thanks for the reviews. Her color scheme just might have something to do with Chibi Usa. . .^_~ Thanks for the info about being more descriptive. I will try to be better at that. Arigato.
Freakiedgrl: You're write, the Kaori in this story isn't Kaorinite. I just thought Kaori was a pretty name^_^
Topaz: Arigato! I was pretty worried about this being one those "make up your own senshi" fics. To be honest, most stories like that I don't read myself. Thank you for your comments.
Aserene: Thanks for reviewing. I'm in the middle of reading one of your fics right now. I'll review it as soon as I can!