A/N: Wah, I haven't updated in so long! ^~ Well, sorry to disappoint
Kurama/Hotaru fans, this chapter only contains information you need to know
throughout the story. But nonetheless, as this chapter is finished, I can
be proud to say that the Kurama will appear in the next chapter, a brief
appearance, but definitely an appearance. And yes, Hotaru will meet him.
More of the past shall be revealed as I go along.
This chapter dedicated to Faia no Tenshi, who urged me to write this chapter as quick as possible as she's leaving tomorrow. ^~ I'm hoping she gets to read this before she leaves. ^~ Thanks for her help in everything. She can be amazingly persistent when she wants to read something, but not in a bad way. I totally appreciate her rushing me, because if it wasn't for her, I'd probably never finished this chapter!
^~ So thank her for this chapter.
Love through Centuries: Chapter 2: Talking Over and the Message
Written By: Eunice 01/07/02
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hotaru slowly turned the pages, her bright purple eyes lingering on the words as she continued to read. She was by herself at a table in the library, reading one of the oldest books in existence. The book that told of the myth of the Moon Kingdom. At least if she couldn't be with Serenity- hime in body, she could be with her in spirit.
'Princess Serenity 'in the power of the Moon' cried in anguish as Prince Endymion 'in the nature of the Earth' was ripped from her arms by the evil being, Metallia (may Saturn have no mercy on her soul). As a result, the princess gave herself to the darkness to be with her prince, even in death. Filled with agony for her daughter and anger for Metallia, the great Queen Serenity 'in the power of the Moon' used the crystal widely known as the 'Ginzuishou' to seal Metallia away, and officially announce the fall of the peaceful Silver Alliance'.
Biting her lip, she slammed the book closed. She had heard of this story so many times, it was a pain to read it. There were so many formalities given to the members of the royal family, it was hard to keep up. For example, she would be Princess Saturn 'in the destruction of Saturn', or Michiru would be Princess Neptune 'in the waves of Neptune'. She hardly cared about these formalities anymore. They had started using them again when Crystal Tokyo had been built, but now she hardly found any use of them here.
Suddenly, a raven burst through the doors of the library, enabling shrieks from the ferrygirls that were reading books or chatting with each other in- between breaks. Hotaru watched it with suspicious eyes, and noticed that a scroll was tied to one of its claws. She narrowed her violet orbs at the silent creature that swung low above the ferrygirls' heads and soared across the room. There was something about it.She sniffed the air and then shook her head disdainfully. She knew the smell of death when she smelt it. It was all over the raven. 'The sender of the message certainly wasn't careful in masking the scent. Either he's foolish, or the message was expected'. With a shrug, she turned her attention back to the closed book in front of her, dismissing the bird from her mind as it flew out the opposite door.
Tomorrow morning, she was to set out for Makai, the world of demons. She had been given a tour of the entire Reikai, so she was now familiar with everything. The other ferrygirls were nice, but she couldn't seem to form bonds or even slight friendships with them, like the ones she had with the other Sailor Senshi. Maybe it was because they had nothing in common. When she was the senshi, she felt a sense of belonging. It just wasn't like that with the ferrygirls.
Suddenly, a voice crackled over the overhead announcement speakers, used to alert if an emergency was to occur or to call certain ferrygirls if they were needed.
"Will ferrygirls Botan and Hotaru please head to Koenma-sama's office? Repeat, would Botan and Hotaru please head to Koenma-sama's office? You are needed there. Thank-you".
Sighing humorlessly, she grabbed the book off from the desk and made her way out of the library. Walking down the hall, she unconsciously dodged an oni who was rushing down the hall with a large stack of paper in his arms, before ducking under a ferrygirl who just happened to rush by riding on her oar, her face showing a wild look of panic.
Turning the corner, she promptly bumped into Ayame. The tall woman backed off a few feet while Hotaru winced, backing away as well.
"I'm sorry, Ayame-san", Hotaru apologized.
She smiled gently at the brunette. "It's alright, Hotaru. Koenma-sama's office is just down the hall", she pointed with a slender finger.
Nodding politely, Hotaru thanked her and walked towards the direction she had been pointed to, sighing. It was awkward with the other ferrygirls. Strange was it, to talk to them everyday instead of the senshi.
Her hand tightened on the book in her hands. Hurrying down the hall, she encountered countless other spiritual beings, before she finally made it to Koenma's office. She promptly met Botan there, right at the entrance.
"Botan-san", Hotaru murmured quietly, bowing by just slightly tilting her torso as a sign of a greeting or respect, either one.
The blue haired deity of death smiled good-naturedly and nodded, pushing the grand doors open, creating a creaking noise that rebounded off the empty walls of the hallway.
The young and childish face of the prince of Reikai, Koenma-sama, looked up in surprise, before sighing and sitting back, his chubby hands grasping the edge of his table. The sheets of paper from his previous work lay stranded all over the area, some fluttering to the floor and others hanging practically off the table.
"Oh, Hotaru, Botan.I'm glad you're here". Koenma sighed absentmindedly.
"Is something wrong, Koenma-sama? Nothing.nothing has happened, I hope?"
His face turned grim, pinching his lips together in a line. His eyes shone with worry as he chewed on his pacifier absently. "I'm sure both of you saw that raven from the Makai fly through the library before arriving here".
Hotaru and Botan glanced at each other, and then turned back to Koenma, nodding silently.
Without a word, Koenma gestured for the rolled up scroll on his desk to float its way towards them. Botan promptly snatched it out of the air and flicked it open with annoyance, before catching the other end and holding it straight for her to read.
Hotaru watched as her co-worker's magenta eyes scan the page quickly, before her pretty face changed into a frown. She watched with curiosity as confusion shone through her expressive eyes, although you could also say Botan was angry yet mystified as well.
"Here, Hotaru. Check it out", Botan said shortly, handing the paper to her.
"Un", Hotaru made a small noise of acknowledgement and turned her own violet eyes down to the words printed neatly on the paper.
To: Prince Koenma of Reikai, son of Enma Ruler of the Dead, His seventh Royalty since King Enma the first
--The pre-scheduled meeting of the three Makai lords and of the seven territorial rulers has been rescheduled to start tomorrow night, due to unforeseen matters. We ask that you and your two companions arrive to the Sovereign Summit this day's night and will be placed in your rooms promptly. The meeting will last a week, and during that time, no use of rei-ki shall be initiated unless given special reason. We hope to see you here tonight.--
Elders of Makai
Hotaru looked up warily, as she found that both Botan and Koenma were looking at her. Botan in a curious way and Koenma rather knowingly.
"This isn't just some random meeting held between the rulers of Makai, is it? Those people have had this meeting scheduled to happen at a certain time. It's a really big thing."
Koenma nodded an affirmative. "It's been going on for a long time now. We have this meeting every 5 years or so to keep good relations between all the rulers and the three Makai Lords".
"Not that it really works," Botan grumbled, crossing her arms in slight anger. Koenma turned sharply at her and just stared, while Hotaru watched this with growing interest. The blue haired ferrygirl seemed to wither under his look.
"Why do you say that, Botan-san?" Hotaru asked, feeling the girl's discomfort. She never knew the story, as only Reikai and Makai were supposed to know. After 1000 years, it seemed that even now, Ningenkai barely knew of the existence of the two other worlds, other then probably Setsuna and Neo Queen Serenity. Therefore the other senshi were not given the privilege of knowing the entire story.
"Because it's the truth! There's absolutely no point in trying to make excuses. Makai is under war right now, and I'd be damned if this time, Sovereign Summit won't go down with all those enraged rulers milling around. They fight over the smallest things! Intrusion upon their 'property', crossing of the borderline, even a killing of their soldier. It's not like they don't do the same thing to each other. Why can't they just admit they're at war, duke it out, and let Makai fall back into a fragmented sort of peace? Even if, it's peace all the same!" Botan exclaimed all this with great anger and frustration, her face taut with tension. The air around her seemed to bristle with her anger.
"That's enough, Botan. You're not the only one wishing for that to happen", Koenma snapped, though not in a cruel or harsh way, a bit of a gentle reprimanding was more like it.
Hotaru widened her eyes in surprise. 'They wish the rulers would admit they're at war.Well, I suppose in a deranged way, it would make sense.'
"So instead of letting themselves evade each other with excuses and small attacks, you're asking why they don't just erupt into a war so in the end, peace would come?"
Botan glanced at her, and nodded, looking down at her feet with her blue bangs cover her eyes.
The senshi of destruction and rebirth sighed and shook her head, lifting a hand to absently run her fingers through her black hair. "That might be the wrong tactic, Botan-san, Koenma.sama." Hotaru added the respective term hesitantly, not sure if she should be the one to call him that. It would've been more appropriate if it was the other way around, but Botan was there and she didn't know about Hotaru's situation.
Koenma clearly heard the hesitation, but nodded calmly for her to go on. Botan had looked up with mild anxiety and stared at her, wondering where she was getting at.
"I've gone through a lot," Hotaru began, "but what experience taught me was not to let two sides fight it out. That may be a good idea if, well, lives weren't at stake. If the rulers of Makai fight it out between themselves, they'll need armies of demons to fight their battles for them. From what I've heard, they seem to be the kind to sit back and give orders and take triumph merely when their orders are effective when carried out. But millions will die; depending on how long the battle is pulled out. It's the basic idea. The rulers are too proud to admit they're wrong; they'll just fight until neither sides have any armies or force left. And what kind of peace would that be? They'll be left angry, considering they think they've lost the battle. It won't bring absolute peace; sooner or later another battle will arise. Is this the life for Makai you want?"
Botan, all during Hotaru's speech, had slowly looked up and looked at her akin to shock and surprise. There was no way now that Hotaru was a simple soldier from Neo Queen Serenity's armies. She was too experienced, spoke with too much calm at the thought of war, her eyes were safely guarded, though it seemed her soul was as well. There was a certain dignity to her, the way she held herself or jus the simply graceful way she walked.there was more to Hotaru that met the eye.
The blue haired ferrygirl turned to her lord and was not surprised to see him silently agreeing with Hotaru, though his hazel eyes met hers and left an instant later. They were definitely hiding something.
"I suppose we'll have to see. However, I did not call you two to discuss the current situation in Makai. It has been twenty years since the last meeting, and since this will be Hotaru's first time, I figured we'd need to explain some things to her. Botan?"
She nodded, a cheerful smile once again back in place. Her sudden happy demeanor seemed to change the entire atmosphere of the room. Hotaru watched with amazement as Botan searched among the folds of kimono. Botan was so much like Usagi in different incomprehensible ways. How she could be so unhappy and determined one minute, and the next she was being her old sweet and cheerful self. How one brilliant smile could change one's heart was Botan's ability, and Usagi being the other special individual that had it as well. The senshi of destruction and rebirth felt her heart warm at the thought of being with Botan through this. Sure, Botan most certainly wasn't Usagi, but she was a nice and sweet person and she wouldn't mind going through this with anyone but Botan.
"Okay, got it", Botan chirped, a thick but obviously old book clutched in her right hand. She flipped to a page she had book marked earlier with a small hairpin. "Let's see.Ah, here it is. Okay, the rules of the Sovereign Summit. Hotaru-san, since we are invited to the meeting as guests, there are certain rules we must abide by. All the guests have their own set, considering who they are and where they're from. Reikai has a certain rule over Makai; it's the only world of the three that actually has a semblance of control over a part of Makai, and even that part is small. The Guards of the Sovereign Summit has to make sure we're kept on guard at all times, they have guards posted all over the entrances and exits, spells and traps are set up and cover every square inch of the place. It's probably the only place safe from random attacks. The seven rulers and three Makai lords will be housed there, each have their own guards, the guards are either sorcerers and sorceresses, each has the power to bind another creature, no matter how powerful they are. Don't underestimate the guards, that's one thing. Koenma-sama, since he's such an important character in this meeting, will have his own guard but hidden from view. They usually send one to tail us around, you probably won't be able travel around the place without them hanging to stare at you".
"That would make sense, I suppose".
"We are not allowed to use any form of rei-ki, it will set off an alarm and alert every single guard in the building and they'll be on you in seconds. The alarms are arranged to react to any form of rei-ki or demon energy. Only magical spells can pass through unharmed, but no one in the building other then the guards know magic anyway".
Hotaru nodded thoughtfully, her arms crossed, her eyes inquisitive. "How about the actual meeting? Is there anything I should know?"
Botan flipped to the next page and nodded. "The ones attending the meeting will be the three Makai lords, obviously, and the seven territorial rulers. Koenma-sama will be there at the main table, you and I will be sitting at his side, Neo Queen Serenity of Ningenkai was supposed to attend but I figure with her circumstances at hand, she will send a representative. As for her company with two of her own soldiers, it's certainly unsure of. There, that is the people of the main table. The other table is the elders. Elders of Makai, Reikai, and Ningenkai. They're very mysterious, but are wise. No one knows who they are, but they have an endless supply of knowledge. It does everyone good to speak to the Elders, so I've been told. I've never spoken to one yet, though. Along with the underlings of every Lord, ruler, and guest, I'd think there'd be a pretty big cast. You're bound to meet someone there, whether you want to or not".
Hotaru nodded an affirmative, silently drinking in the information. What could almost guess what Botan had left out. There would be tension in the air - danger in every corner, attempted assassinations, physical attacks as the use of any kind of energy was certainly out of the question. The Sovereign Summit was a dangerous place, and she would be on her guard at soon as she even stepped foot on its floors.
"Thank you, Botan-chan, you may return to your duties. Hotaru, if you wouldn't mind, stay here for now. I have something to inform you of", Koenma said shortly. Botan nodded and bounced out the door, but not before giving Hotaru a playful wink and a wave. The door slammed shut.
Hotaru turned back to the prince of Reikai, but not before giving the closed door a tiny fond smile.
"Neo Queen Serenity wanted me to inform you that her future daughter will go as her representative."
If a bomb suddenly dropped into the room and Botan had whacked her over the head with her oar, she wouldn't have been as surprised. ".What?"
"Pluto-sama brought Neo Princess Serenity from the farther future before you were brought here. She will be attending the meeting in her mother's place. Two of her senshi will be accompanying her; the remaining two will stay at her time. That is the message Neo Queen Serenity told me to relay back to you".
Hotaru blinked hard - her eyes were just slightly glassy, Koenma noticed. The senshi nodded and murmured a thank you, before bowing a little and making her way to the door.
"We will head out tonight, Hotaru-san. Please have your things packed by then".
Hotaru paused, looked back slightly, and nodded again. She hurried out of the door, before she stopped short. There something in her mind, something nagging her.
She turned back to the prince of Reikai who was watching her with slight curiosity. "I was wondering - We will be going to the Sovereign Summit tonight. The name of the place; how did they come up with something like that?"
The prince gave her a half crooked smile and answered calmly. "The 'summit' part of the name merely means a place of meeting. As for the other part, the Sovereign, it is named after a person; practically a goddess to us, you can say, the one who created the world of the Dead, the one who condemned all in their death. She is famous in many parts of Makai and Reikai, and no doubt in Ningenkai as well".
Hotaru's eyes widened in shock. "You mean."
"The building of which the world of Makai's fate shall be decided - was named after the Sovereign of Silence." He paused - for effect, perhaps - and said one word that made Hotaru frown and look away. "You".
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Hope you like ^~ I worked hard on this chapter, please review! *pouts* If you don't it'll be a waste of time to update this! Btw, if you like Yu- Gi-Oh, go over and read my ficcie. No one reviewed the second chapter -.- ;; Meeaaan!
Nah, I luv my readers! ^~ neeee?
--Eunice
This chapter dedicated to Faia no Tenshi, who urged me to write this chapter as quick as possible as she's leaving tomorrow. ^~ I'm hoping she gets to read this before she leaves. ^~ Thanks for her help in everything. She can be amazingly persistent when she wants to read something, but not in a bad way. I totally appreciate her rushing me, because if it wasn't for her, I'd probably never finished this chapter!
^~ So thank her for this chapter.
Love through Centuries: Chapter 2: Talking Over and the Message
Written By: Eunice 01/07/02
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hotaru slowly turned the pages, her bright purple eyes lingering on the words as she continued to read. She was by herself at a table in the library, reading one of the oldest books in existence. The book that told of the myth of the Moon Kingdom. At least if she couldn't be with Serenity- hime in body, she could be with her in spirit.
'Princess Serenity 'in the power of the Moon' cried in anguish as Prince Endymion 'in the nature of the Earth' was ripped from her arms by the evil being, Metallia (may Saturn have no mercy on her soul). As a result, the princess gave herself to the darkness to be with her prince, even in death. Filled with agony for her daughter and anger for Metallia, the great Queen Serenity 'in the power of the Moon' used the crystal widely known as the 'Ginzuishou' to seal Metallia away, and officially announce the fall of the peaceful Silver Alliance'.
Biting her lip, she slammed the book closed. She had heard of this story so many times, it was a pain to read it. There were so many formalities given to the members of the royal family, it was hard to keep up. For example, she would be Princess Saturn 'in the destruction of Saturn', or Michiru would be Princess Neptune 'in the waves of Neptune'. She hardly cared about these formalities anymore. They had started using them again when Crystal Tokyo had been built, but now she hardly found any use of them here.
Suddenly, a raven burst through the doors of the library, enabling shrieks from the ferrygirls that were reading books or chatting with each other in- between breaks. Hotaru watched it with suspicious eyes, and noticed that a scroll was tied to one of its claws. She narrowed her violet orbs at the silent creature that swung low above the ferrygirls' heads and soared across the room. There was something about it.She sniffed the air and then shook her head disdainfully. She knew the smell of death when she smelt it. It was all over the raven. 'The sender of the message certainly wasn't careful in masking the scent. Either he's foolish, or the message was expected'. With a shrug, she turned her attention back to the closed book in front of her, dismissing the bird from her mind as it flew out the opposite door.
Tomorrow morning, she was to set out for Makai, the world of demons. She had been given a tour of the entire Reikai, so she was now familiar with everything. The other ferrygirls were nice, but she couldn't seem to form bonds or even slight friendships with them, like the ones she had with the other Sailor Senshi. Maybe it was because they had nothing in common. When she was the senshi, she felt a sense of belonging. It just wasn't like that with the ferrygirls.
Suddenly, a voice crackled over the overhead announcement speakers, used to alert if an emergency was to occur or to call certain ferrygirls if they were needed.
"Will ferrygirls Botan and Hotaru please head to Koenma-sama's office? Repeat, would Botan and Hotaru please head to Koenma-sama's office? You are needed there. Thank-you".
Sighing humorlessly, she grabbed the book off from the desk and made her way out of the library. Walking down the hall, she unconsciously dodged an oni who was rushing down the hall with a large stack of paper in his arms, before ducking under a ferrygirl who just happened to rush by riding on her oar, her face showing a wild look of panic.
Turning the corner, she promptly bumped into Ayame. The tall woman backed off a few feet while Hotaru winced, backing away as well.
"I'm sorry, Ayame-san", Hotaru apologized.
She smiled gently at the brunette. "It's alright, Hotaru. Koenma-sama's office is just down the hall", she pointed with a slender finger.
Nodding politely, Hotaru thanked her and walked towards the direction she had been pointed to, sighing. It was awkward with the other ferrygirls. Strange was it, to talk to them everyday instead of the senshi.
Her hand tightened on the book in her hands. Hurrying down the hall, she encountered countless other spiritual beings, before she finally made it to Koenma's office. She promptly met Botan there, right at the entrance.
"Botan-san", Hotaru murmured quietly, bowing by just slightly tilting her torso as a sign of a greeting or respect, either one.
The blue haired deity of death smiled good-naturedly and nodded, pushing the grand doors open, creating a creaking noise that rebounded off the empty walls of the hallway.
The young and childish face of the prince of Reikai, Koenma-sama, looked up in surprise, before sighing and sitting back, his chubby hands grasping the edge of his table. The sheets of paper from his previous work lay stranded all over the area, some fluttering to the floor and others hanging practically off the table.
"Oh, Hotaru, Botan.I'm glad you're here". Koenma sighed absentmindedly.
"Is something wrong, Koenma-sama? Nothing.nothing has happened, I hope?"
His face turned grim, pinching his lips together in a line. His eyes shone with worry as he chewed on his pacifier absently. "I'm sure both of you saw that raven from the Makai fly through the library before arriving here".
Hotaru and Botan glanced at each other, and then turned back to Koenma, nodding silently.
Without a word, Koenma gestured for the rolled up scroll on his desk to float its way towards them. Botan promptly snatched it out of the air and flicked it open with annoyance, before catching the other end and holding it straight for her to read.
Hotaru watched as her co-worker's magenta eyes scan the page quickly, before her pretty face changed into a frown. She watched with curiosity as confusion shone through her expressive eyes, although you could also say Botan was angry yet mystified as well.
"Here, Hotaru. Check it out", Botan said shortly, handing the paper to her.
"Un", Hotaru made a small noise of acknowledgement and turned her own violet eyes down to the words printed neatly on the paper.
To: Prince Koenma of Reikai, son of Enma Ruler of the Dead, His seventh Royalty since King Enma the first
--The pre-scheduled meeting of the three Makai lords and of the seven territorial rulers has been rescheduled to start tomorrow night, due to unforeseen matters. We ask that you and your two companions arrive to the Sovereign Summit this day's night and will be placed in your rooms promptly. The meeting will last a week, and during that time, no use of rei-ki shall be initiated unless given special reason. We hope to see you here tonight.--
Elders of Makai
Hotaru looked up warily, as she found that both Botan and Koenma were looking at her. Botan in a curious way and Koenma rather knowingly.
"This isn't just some random meeting held between the rulers of Makai, is it? Those people have had this meeting scheduled to happen at a certain time. It's a really big thing."
Koenma nodded an affirmative. "It's been going on for a long time now. We have this meeting every 5 years or so to keep good relations between all the rulers and the three Makai Lords".
"Not that it really works," Botan grumbled, crossing her arms in slight anger. Koenma turned sharply at her and just stared, while Hotaru watched this with growing interest. The blue haired ferrygirl seemed to wither under his look.
"Why do you say that, Botan-san?" Hotaru asked, feeling the girl's discomfort. She never knew the story, as only Reikai and Makai were supposed to know. After 1000 years, it seemed that even now, Ningenkai barely knew of the existence of the two other worlds, other then probably Setsuna and Neo Queen Serenity. Therefore the other senshi were not given the privilege of knowing the entire story.
"Because it's the truth! There's absolutely no point in trying to make excuses. Makai is under war right now, and I'd be damned if this time, Sovereign Summit won't go down with all those enraged rulers milling around. They fight over the smallest things! Intrusion upon their 'property', crossing of the borderline, even a killing of their soldier. It's not like they don't do the same thing to each other. Why can't they just admit they're at war, duke it out, and let Makai fall back into a fragmented sort of peace? Even if, it's peace all the same!" Botan exclaimed all this with great anger and frustration, her face taut with tension. The air around her seemed to bristle with her anger.
"That's enough, Botan. You're not the only one wishing for that to happen", Koenma snapped, though not in a cruel or harsh way, a bit of a gentle reprimanding was more like it.
Hotaru widened her eyes in surprise. 'They wish the rulers would admit they're at war.Well, I suppose in a deranged way, it would make sense.'
"So instead of letting themselves evade each other with excuses and small attacks, you're asking why they don't just erupt into a war so in the end, peace would come?"
Botan glanced at her, and nodded, looking down at her feet with her blue bangs cover her eyes.
The senshi of destruction and rebirth sighed and shook her head, lifting a hand to absently run her fingers through her black hair. "That might be the wrong tactic, Botan-san, Koenma.sama." Hotaru added the respective term hesitantly, not sure if she should be the one to call him that. It would've been more appropriate if it was the other way around, but Botan was there and she didn't know about Hotaru's situation.
Koenma clearly heard the hesitation, but nodded calmly for her to go on. Botan had looked up with mild anxiety and stared at her, wondering where she was getting at.
"I've gone through a lot," Hotaru began, "but what experience taught me was not to let two sides fight it out. That may be a good idea if, well, lives weren't at stake. If the rulers of Makai fight it out between themselves, they'll need armies of demons to fight their battles for them. From what I've heard, they seem to be the kind to sit back and give orders and take triumph merely when their orders are effective when carried out. But millions will die; depending on how long the battle is pulled out. It's the basic idea. The rulers are too proud to admit they're wrong; they'll just fight until neither sides have any armies or force left. And what kind of peace would that be? They'll be left angry, considering they think they've lost the battle. It won't bring absolute peace; sooner or later another battle will arise. Is this the life for Makai you want?"
Botan, all during Hotaru's speech, had slowly looked up and looked at her akin to shock and surprise. There was no way now that Hotaru was a simple soldier from Neo Queen Serenity's armies. She was too experienced, spoke with too much calm at the thought of war, her eyes were safely guarded, though it seemed her soul was as well. There was a certain dignity to her, the way she held herself or jus the simply graceful way she walked.there was more to Hotaru that met the eye.
The blue haired ferrygirl turned to her lord and was not surprised to see him silently agreeing with Hotaru, though his hazel eyes met hers and left an instant later. They were definitely hiding something.
"I suppose we'll have to see. However, I did not call you two to discuss the current situation in Makai. It has been twenty years since the last meeting, and since this will be Hotaru's first time, I figured we'd need to explain some things to her. Botan?"
She nodded, a cheerful smile once again back in place. Her sudden happy demeanor seemed to change the entire atmosphere of the room. Hotaru watched with amazement as Botan searched among the folds of kimono. Botan was so much like Usagi in different incomprehensible ways. How she could be so unhappy and determined one minute, and the next she was being her old sweet and cheerful self. How one brilliant smile could change one's heart was Botan's ability, and Usagi being the other special individual that had it as well. The senshi of destruction and rebirth felt her heart warm at the thought of being with Botan through this. Sure, Botan most certainly wasn't Usagi, but she was a nice and sweet person and she wouldn't mind going through this with anyone but Botan.
"Okay, got it", Botan chirped, a thick but obviously old book clutched in her right hand. She flipped to a page she had book marked earlier with a small hairpin. "Let's see.Ah, here it is. Okay, the rules of the Sovereign Summit. Hotaru-san, since we are invited to the meeting as guests, there are certain rules we must abide by. All the guests have their own set, considering who they are and where they're from. Reikai has a certain rule over Makai; it's the only world of the three that actually has a semblance of control over a part of Makai, and even that part is small. The Guards of the Sovereign Summit has to make sure we're kept on guard at all times, they have guards posted all over the entrances and exits, spells and traps are set up and cover every square inch of the place. It's probably the only place safe from random attacks. The seven rulers and three Makai lords will be housed there, each have their own guards, the guards are either sorcerers and sorceresses, each has the power to bind another creature, no matter how powerful they are. Don't underestimate the guards, that's one thing. Koenma-sama, since he's such an important character in this meeting, will have his own guard but hidden from view. They usually send one to tail us around, you probably won't be able travel around the place without them hanging to stare at you".
"That would make sense, I suppose".
"We are not allowed to use any form of rei-ki, it will set off an alarm and alert every single guard in the building and they'll be on you in seconds. The alarms are arranged to react to any form of rei-ki or demon energy. Only magical spells can pass through unharmed, but no one in the building other then the guards know magic anyway".
Hotaru nodded thoughtfully, her arms crossed, her eyes inquisitive. "How about the actual meeting? Is there anything I should know?"
Botan flipped to the next page and nodded. "The ones attending the meeting will be the three Makai lords, obviously, and the seven territorial rulers. Koenma-sama will be there at the main table, you and I will be sitting at his side, Neo Queen Serenity of Ningenkai was supposed to attend but I figure with her circumstances at hand, she will send a representative. As for her company with two of her own soldiers, it's certainly unsure of. There, that is the people of the main table. The other table is the elders. Elders of Makai, Reikai, and Ningenkai. They're very mysterious, but are wise. No one knows who they are, but they have an endless supply of knowledge. It does everyone good to speak to the Elders, so I've been told. I've never spoken to one yet, though. Along with the underlings of every Lord, ruler, and guest, I'd think there'd be a pretty big cast. You're bound to meet someone there, whether you want to or not".
Hotaru nodded an affirmative, silently drinking in the information. What could almost guess what Botan had left out. There would be tension in the air - danger in every corner, attempted assassinations, physical attacks as the use of any kind of energy was certainly out of the question. The Sovereign Summit was a dangerous place, and she would be on her guard at soon as she even stepped foot on its floors.
"Thank you, Botan-chan, you may return to your duties. Hotaru, if you wouldn't mind, stay here for now. I have something to inform you of", Koenma said shortly. Botan nodded and bounced out the door, but not before giving Hotaru a playful wink and a wave. The door slammed shut.
Hotaru turned back to the prince of Reikai, but not before giving the closed door a tiny fond smile.
"Neo Queen Serenity wanted me to inform you that her future daughter will go as her representative."
If a bomb suddenly dropped into the room and Botan had whacked her over the head with her oar, she wouldn't have been as surprised. ".What?"
"Pluto-sama brought Neo Princess Serenity from the farther future before you were brought here. She will be attending the meeting in her mother's place. Two of her senshi will be accompanying her; the remaining two will stay at her time. That is the message Neo Queen Serenity told me to relay back to you".
Hotaru blinked hard - her eyes were just slightly glassy, Koenma noticed. The senshi nodded and murmured a thank you, before bowing a little and making her way to the door.
"We will head out tonight, Hotaru-san. Please have your things packed by then".
Hotaru paused, looked back slightly, and nodded again. She hurried out of the door, before she stopped short. There something in her mind, something nagging her.
She turned back to the prince of Reikai who was watching her with slight curiosity. "I was wondering - We will be going to the Sovereign Summit tonight. The name of the place; how did they come up with something like that?"
The prince gave her a half crooked smile and answered calmly. "The 'summit' part of the name merely means a place of meeting. As for the other part, the Sovereign, it is named after a person; practically a goddess to us, you can say, the one who created the world of the Dead, the one who condemned all in their death. She is famous in many parts of Makai and Reikai, and no doubt in Ningenkai as well".
Hotaru's eyes widened in shock. "You mean."
"The building of which the world of Makai's fate shall be decided - was named after the Sovereign of Silence." He paused - for effect, perhaps - and said one word that made Hotaru frown and look away. "You".
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A/N: Hope you like ^~ I worked hard on this chapter, please review! *pouts* If you don't it'll be a waste of time to update this! Btw, if you like Yu- Gi-Oh, go over and read my ficcie. No one reviewed the second chapter -.- ;; Meeaaan!
Nah, I luv my readers! ^~ neeee?
--Eunice