A/N: Ehehehe…. *sheepish smile* Yes, I know this chapter is WAY overdue.
Look, I've just started high school. Meaning there has been A LOT more
homework, which means less time, which means no chapter…until now.
I've just reread my reviews, and I am SO overjoyed at the response I got
when I first started Future Meets Past. And at the beginning of Love
Through Centuries, I never even begin to imagine it would get such a big
response. ^^; With this chapter, I'm hoping to…er…attract all my past
readers back, so this chapter is extra long. Eight pages! Last
chapter was barely six pages, you know? So, I hope you enjoy this!
Love Through Centuries
Chapter 3: Arrival and Meeting…Him
Written by: Ketsuki
11/21/02
~*~*~*~
Dark, soulful purple eyes stared back at her. She raised her hand and lightly touched the cool surface of the mirror. Her image that mirrored so perfectly. She could see herself – her usual self, the dark hair and pale skin, the mirror of Death.
"That's what I am…aren't I?" She gave chuckled in actual amusement and smiled. Her mirror image did not do so, but merely frowned at her, shaking her head.
"We are the Sovereign of Silence. And yet, we are human as well. My mother created this world, Reikai and Meikai, and yet the latter was destroyed and infused with Reikai, so that the spirit world is now neutral. It's strange, isn't it, that now Makai should name the place of salvation after you", her mirror image said.
Hotaru shook her head. Her smile became wider and much more kind. "It doesn't matter, dear Saturn, for names are just names and they do not mean a thing. If demons choose to worship you, then pay them no mind. They are merely demons, after all".
The mirror smiled ironically, and vanished, leaving the image of Hotaru behind, as it should be.
She turned around and felt the broach bump against her collarbone. With a flick of her hand, her glaive appeared and she walked across the room, quickly vanishing through the door.
She was met with a harried looking Botan and an absolutely composed Ayame outside.
"Okay, good, you're ready. Ayame is going to bring you to the courtyard, that's where the portal is going to be. You wait there while I get Koenma-sama. That boy, always late". She turned around and rushed down the hall, turning the corner as her blue ponytail flew out from behind her.
Hotaru blinked.
Ayame let out a small laugh and took her arm (the one not holding the glaive), gently leading her down the hall. "Don't mind Botan-chan, she's always so hyperactive".
"Oh! I don't mind…she is very similar to an old friend of mine, in fact. They're both cheerful and always remaining kind to others…the resemblance is uncanny".
"Really? That's wonderful", she answered, a nice but passive smile on her face, her dark blue eyes remaining to the front.
Hotaru freed her arm from the older woman's grasp and walked quietly beside her. She thought it strange that Ayame was always in the background, only speaking when spoken to. She was nice, but incredibly passive, and never seemed to mingle with others. She reminded her, of, well, herself, before she met Chibi-Usa and became Sailor Saturn a thousand years ago.
"If I may ask a question, Ayame-san…"
"Hm? Oh, go ahead…"
"…Before these young women here become ferrygirls, what are they? How do you get chosen to become a ferrygirl?"
Ayame was silent for a long time, seemingly pondering the question. Hotaru waited patiently, but she couldn't help but realize that they had quickened the pace (for she followed Ayame) and was hurrying rapidly to the burst of dark energy she felt. She just assumed that was the portal to Makai.
"Ferrygirls are just like normal humans, before they died. Each ferrygirls' past is different, but before they died, it is common knowledge that each young woman had a special ability or power. As to how they are chosen, it is that power that attracts the power of Reikai to them. After they die, they become appointed as ferrygirls."
"Do they not become reincarnated just as the rest of all humanity are?"
"That is a rhetorical question…"
"I did not mean it to be, Ayame-san".
"And yet, it is. For I do not know, I have not reincarnated yet. Although there have been disappearances…but they are always forgotten, one time or another".
This was the point when Hotaru noticed that Ayame's face had grown sad. She had seemingly aged a few years, lines that had not been there before appeared, and her eyes grew sullen and her hair limp. She sighed, and turned away.
Hotaru kept silent, knowing that this was not a time to open her mouth. 'I suppose I had probed a little too far…I'll have to learn to keep my curiosity to myself. A rather hard thing to do, seeing as I am going into an all-new world in just a few minutes'.
The tall woman stopped at a large set of double doors. With a flick of her wrist, it slowly opened to reveal a flight of stairs with three steps and a long walk way. She turned to Hotaru. "This is as far as I go. Go forward, and down the stairs that is beyond the walkway, and that is where the gate is being opened. Botan-chan and Koenma-sama should be there by now".
Hotaru took a few steps forward, past the doors, and then turned around and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your help, Ayame-san. And for answering those questions. I do not know how they affect you, but I do so hope to continue our conversation when I get back". With that, she turned around and skipped down the stairs, before walking regally down the path.
Ayame had a stunned look on her face even after the doors closed. 'She…how did she…' She blinked and turned around, began making her way back into the main building. A tiny smile crept across her face. 'Hotaru is certainly not as she seems'.
~*~*~*~
Finally stepping down from the last step, Hotaru watched what was going on in front of her in amazement. A whirling black hole floated from the ground, as three people dressed in matching uniforms were holding their arms out, golden thread like energy connecting to the hole. But that wasn't what had amazed her.
It was the sheer amount of dark energy practically pouring out of the hole was what almost made her stumble to the ground. Luckily, she caught herself and quickly made her way to stand by Botan's side, although she did wince once in awhile when the dark energy got too close for comfort. It reminded her too much of Mistress 9, in fact, though the energy was not the same. This energy was great, but not evil. More like darkness in a sense that it wasn't light. Mistress 9's evil was a more terrible thing, a fear and a great sense of hatred.
Botan looked over at the dark haired girl. Her face was serious and calm, which looked somewhat wrong on her. "Hotaru, I want you know Makai is really not the best place to be. If you think the demon energy pouring out of the portal seems bad, the energy running wild around that blasted place is worse. If you're unsure, I'd advise you not to go along with us".
The black haired girl looked momentarily hurt, but shook her head and closed her bright violet eyes. "…Foolish question, Botan-san. Of course I would come along".
She blinked at her response, and smiled. Once again, the ferrygirl had made a transformation back to her own cheerful self. "Glad to hear that. Then let's get going".
They both turned to Koenma, and he nodded. The three people holding the portal open walked backwards, so that the portal was widened. A blue light seemed to spiral through the darkness and propel out of the black hole, slightly shifting as it settled upon the ground. Hotaru calmly gazed as it as the light shaped into a being and the light left it.
It was a cat demon, notorious for their mischievousness and yet, trusting and loyal nature to their masters. For cat demons were naturally attached to a certain person, and in a way it was a type of slavery, depending on how you looked at it. This one, however, sported no markings upon his face, and seemed to be quite free. His hazel brown hair brushed his rosy cheeks, and rather luminous blue and emerald eyes gazed out from underneath stripped bangs. Cat ears sprouted from the side of his head and dangled, a tail swished frantically behind him. Dressed in a stylish white top tied near the waist, blue baggy pants cut near the midthighs and black stockings underneath, complete with a pair of rather humanoid white bulky platform shoes, a wicked smile graced his face. He was quite the beauty, but then again, as Hotaru reflected, all the high levelled demons with rather youthful bodies tended to be quite attractive.
The cat demon bowed, neck length hair falling low past his face, covering his features. "Koenma-sama, my name is Jenaka Rishido Merufjika, prince of the cat demons in the south of Makai. My mother is one of the territorial rulers, which rule over Merufjika, and I come to retrieve you, so to speak, in her company. The Sovereign Summit apparently, has no extra people to expend, and so I volunteered".
Koenma nodded. "Thank you to you, Jenaka Rishido, and to wish you good will in the hands of the Goddess. These two are in my company, Botan and Hotaru. I trust you will be their guide around the Sovereign Summit?"
The cat boy seemed pleased, and nodded, a cute smile on his face. "As you wish, Koenma-sama. But please, Jen is fine".
"Jen-chan!" Botan leapt forward as Koenma moved away to let her greet her friend and hugged the tiny boy, who looked around eight or nine in human years. Tears gathered in those bright magenta eyes as she tightened her arms around him. "It's so nice to see you again!"
Jen smiled happily, and nodded, hugging the young girl back with equal excitement. "It really has been too long, ne, Botan?"
"Yes, it surely has been". Botan reeled back and gazed at him, a soft motherly smile on her face. "My, how you've grown".
He giggled rather girlishly. "Now, who is that lovely young lady? Said Hotaru, I presume?"
The Senshi of Death blinked her large violet eyes, and then nodded slowly, tilting her torso to show a slight bow as a sign of respect. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Merufjika-san. I am Tomoe Hotaru, ferrygirl of Reikai".
He cocked his head and smiled pleasantly, though his eyes hardened and he no longer looked the child he seemed to be. "How strange that a ferrygirl would remember their human last name, that their memory hasn't been fully wiped. Curious, wouldn't you say, Hotaru-san?" His eyes traveled to the tall menacing glaive in her hand, watching the blade gleam as the light shone across its blade.
She smiled back, though much colder then he had, and her eyes seemed to frown upon his questionable behaviour. "I suppose I was just lucky".
They stared at each other, before Botan, sensing the rising tension, quickly stood up and gestured to the three soldiers of King Enma's army to widen the portal. They did as told wordlessly, stepping back as the golden threads of energy were pulled further.
Jen was the first to break eye contact, and he turned away from her, his eyes softening once again as he gazed upon Koenma and Botan. It was evident that he knew them personally, though why he introduced himself so formally remained a mystery to her. 'Perhaps it is a certain custom, to introduce your title even if you have known each for more then a decade. Rather unlike Crystal Tokyo'.
There was also the matter of a certain cat demon prince. Jen was a cheerful person, she had to admit, seemingly cute and completely innocent. But his age was certainly not as young as he seemed, of that she was sure. Perhaps, sixty, seventy? Or perhaps to the extreme, at least over one thousand years old? With ageless demons, who could be sure?
Hotaru was broken out of her reverie when Jen gestured for them to enter the portal. Taking a deep breath, she tightened her hold on her glaive. All four of them stepped forward, and entered, promptly vanishing into the realm of darkness.
She shivered as a cold breeze blew past her. Darkness encompassed her and she glanced around quickly, wincing, as the dark energy seemed to pour from all around her and seep into her pores. She gulped, not in fear but rather of anxiousness, and made sure to stay by Botan's side, and was careful to keep in step with Jen in the front.
"Don't worry, Hotaru, once we get past this part, we'll arrive into the Makai in no time at all", the blue haired woman chirped cheerfully, turning to smile encouragingly at Hotaru.
The senshi nodded and smiled back hesitantly, nodding.
"Ne, Botan-chan, my mother insisted for me to lead you and Koenma-sama to the Makai for a reason. Some of the demons sent by the Sovereign Summit have disappeared while going through to the Ningenkai and Reikai. We don't know what the cause is, but my mother, as you know, is one of the less violent of the seven territorial rulers and she wanted to make sure you three were safe", Jen's light hearted voice spoke out, leaving no echo apparent in the air.
Hotaru frowned. "Strange that you would refer to your mother as the 'less violent ones' of the seven. Are all seven at war at the moment?"
Jen glanced at Koenma questioningly. "She's one of the newer ferrygirls; she is uninformed of the events taking place in the Makai", he quickly said.
The demon's eyes were now amused, lips curving into a smile that showed off his fangs. He turned back to the front, so no one could see him smile wickedly. Hotaru glared at his back.
"Rather surprising that a newer ferrygirl would accompany Koenma-sama to as dangerous a place as the Sovereign Summit. You must be held in rather high regard, Hotaru-san".
'Strange that I'm acting so egotistical. Sheesh, this Jen demon just gets to me like no one does. Must be his demon side showing. I wish Usagi-chan was here, she'd straighten him out'.
"And there is a reason why I am".
Silence. And then, "Of course, Hotaru-san. To answer your question, the seven rulers are always eager to claim land in their name. The Makai Lords are infinitely more powerful, and so they own, all together, at least five tenths of Makai. That, as you can tell, does not leave much for the rulers to claim as their own territory. And so they are forever warring, desperate to claim what little land is left for each their own".
To their surprise, Hotaru let out a rather girlish giggle, smiling as she chuckled in amusement. "Ah, that leaves no doubt in my mind. They will surely be out to kill once we arrive in the Sovereign Summit. This is nothing but a meeting of show and tell. Interesting little tactic", she smiled, kindly as a matter of fact, and quickened her stride.
'This is bad. If the rulers and the Makai Lords get out of hand…who will stop them? As for me being there…And Chiba-Usa being there as well, with two of her senshi…something is going to happen. No matter what, any evil is bound to be attracted to the power of a senshi, let alone four senshi in the same place. Please let it not be as powerful as Chaos, that's really all I ask'.
Everyone fell silent at her announcement, and finally they reached a dead end. A large set of metal doors stood in front of them, engraved with indecipherable pictures.
Jen held a hand in front of him and blue light shone from his eyes. Immediately, the door handles glowed the same colour, and the door opened.
Hotaru felt her jaw drop. The Sovereign Summit was a majestic building, almost like a castle, built from crystalloid stones atop one another to form large rooms and at least six towers. It was, simply speaking, breathtaking.
"This is incredible. Something like this exists in Makai!" she uttered, violet eyes wide and shining with excitement.
Seeing her seeming happy for the first time, even Jen seemed to change back into his childish self. "It is, isn't it? It didn't used to be like this, it looked all dirty and stuff. But when we arranged the meetings every five years, we decided to make this building into the official place. This is restricted ground. No boundaries nor killings are allowed to take place".
Blinking, she realized she had offended the young cat demon by making assumptions earlier on. Sighing inwardly, she actually felt ashamed at how she had brutally attacked him with words, just because of a few suspicious expressions he wore. It was hard to feel anger at him when he had reverted back to his childish pretend self. "I was unaware of that. I do look forward to acquiring more knowledge of this world, so do please forgive me", she bowed, her head dipping low.
Eyes wide, Jen shook his head wildly. "Ack! It's okay, Hotaru-san! I-I think I got carried away too, so you don't have to apologise!"
Botan laughed and bent down to hug the boy again, who seemed as if to go into hysterics this very moment. "Calm, Jen-chan, calm".
Koenma allowed himself an amused smile. It was tensional back there, in the portal, with Hotaru and Jen arguing beneath hidden words and meanings, but now it seemed like these two children, who seemed children on a physical plane, but really very nearly immortal, were at least on manageable terms.
Hotaru, though, was confused. Indeed, where was that spiteful disrespecting cat demon that had spoken to her back in the portal just now? It seemed like a complete personality switch. Strange, she thought, I'd have to ask Botan-san later on.
Jen led them down the path and Hotaru thought to look back, but the portal was gone. Shrugging inwardly to herself, she followed Jen. He pushed the large doors opened and stepped inside.
~*~*~*~
They had been led to the meeting room and left there, as Jen went to report to his mother. Koenma and Botan were conversing with some of the company of the rulers (the Lords hadn't arrived yet), as Hotaru mingled with the crowd, slipping away from the two. She needed some time alone right now.
As soon as they had arrived, they had been announced. As they were lead through the door into the room, a demon with fox ears and a tail, with wide eyes and a grin, had brought the microphone to her mouth and began to speak in it. "Upon arrival, King Koenma, the seventh ruler of Reikai since Enma the first, and his company, ferrygirls Botan and Hotaru".
She disliked being announced like that. In Crystal Tokyo, they had always called her "Sailor Saturn in the destruction of Saturn". She had gotten used to it, but now she would have to get used to being called 'ferrygirl Hotaru' whenever she went into a room. Rather irritating, to say the least.
When she had walked down the majestic steps and stepped down from it, they had glared at her. Or more so, at her glaive. Many had disliked the tall threatening weapon, and they avoided her, as if scared to anger her. After all, one who held such a weapon had to be experienced in the use of it.
She ran her fingers through her short neck length hair and looked around. There was Jen, speaking to a tall woman with burning scarlet hair that fell to her ankles, elegant cat ears that protruded from the side of her head as did his, and the long tail that swished behind her, unlike Jen's whose tail jabbed wildly in the air. She had to smile at Jen's young antics, but was again reminded at the sight of him to ask Botan about the young Jenaka.
There were demons with long fish tails, fox ears, or other strange extra appendages. Others had altered human features, maybe eyes to luminescent to be human, too straight and unnatural, tongue too long that it looked frightening, or skin with a tinge of colour that differed from the usual human's.
"How strange and foreign they all look", she said dreamily; she could almost imagine she was in an all-new world, or a fantasy realm, where mystical creatures were. Suddenly, she saw eight legs burst out from a seemingly beautiful young woman's back. The woman had such beautiful raven hair twisted into a long braid, the reddest lips and the blackest eyes. She dangled in the air, before dropping on all eight and crawling away.
A look of distaste swept across her face, and she turned away gagging at such a sick scene.
Someone new was arriving, a voice broke through the low murmurs in the room and all eyes turned to the door.
"Upon arrival, Lady Serenity of Crystal Tokyo, arriving in Her Royal Majesty, Neo Queen Serenity's place. In her company, the Royal Guards of the Palace, the Sailor Senshi".
Hotaru lit up, as she quickly made her way towards the young pink haired girl that glided down the stairs elegantly, her two senshi following behind her in their sailor fuku.
Chibi-Usa had grown. Beautiful pink hair spiralled down to her feet as they were held in small triangular shapes on her head. She wore the traditional white dress with golden edgings, but with a white cloak over her shoulders and nearly touching the ground. Her face lit up into a bright smile when she spotted Hotaru hurrying towards her, for this version of Chibi-Usa was the one who had gone back into the past and met this version of Hotaru. And so they were old friends and were eager to see each other again.
Suddenly, the fox announcer girl spoke again, and in surprise, Hotaru and Chibi-Usa looked towards the door.
"Upon arrival, one of the three Makai Lords, Lord Youko Kurama".
Blinking, Chibi-Usa turned back to Hotaru – and was shocked to see her best friend paled, standing as stiff as a stature.
Hotaru stared wide eyed at the white elegant creature that now started down the steps, golden hazel eyes, as beautiful as she remembered, sweeping the room. She winced, as inevitably, his eyes landed on her and their eyes met across the room.
She saw surprise, shock, and amazement, and finally recognition flashing repeatedly in those orbs, those eyes she had almost nearly forgotten. It was long ago, but she would always, always remember.
Which was why she hated them now, as she remembered. The way they had glared at her as he thrust the truth in her face – she could've saved him, the one who had been her first friend. It was partly her fault, wasn't it? For she could've saved him, but she hadn't.
She turned and fled.
Away from the memories, away from past, away from him…
~*~*~*~
TBC
A/N: It's guaranteed that it will be a very very long time before the next chapter will be out. Soooo…uh…be patient? ^^; Sorry, that's the best I can do. I have to admit, this is the first story I've stuck to for so long. There are no other stories I've enjoyed writing more then this one. Except for maybe "A Wish Is All It Takes", which I'm planning on rewriting and revising soon. So no matter what, no matter how long I take to write this story, be rest assured that I *will* stick with it till the very end…Actually, I've already planned the ending ^~;; Let's just say it'll be rather unexpected, ne?
So till next time! ^^
Love Through Centuries
Chapter 3: Arrival and Meeting…Him
Written by: Ketsuki
11/21/02
~*~*~*~
Dark, soulful purple eyes stared back at her. She raised her hand and lightly touched the cool surface of the mirror. Her image that mirrored so perfectly. She could see herself – her usual self, the dark hair and pale skin, the mirror of Death.
"That's what I am…aren't I?" She gave chuckled in actual amusement and smiled. Her mirror image did not do so, but merely frowned at her, shaking her head.
"We are the Sovereign of Silence. And yet, we are human as well. My mother created this world, Reikai and Meikai, and yet the latter was destroyed and infused with Reikai, so that the spirit world is now neutral. It's strange, isn't it, that now Makai should name the place of salvation after you", her mirror image said.
Hotaru shook her head. Her smile became wider and much more kind. "It doesn't matter, dear Saturn, for names are just names and they do not mean a thing. If demons choose to worship you, then pay them no mind. They are merely demons, after all".
The mirror smiled ironically, and vanished, leaving the image of Hotaru behind, as it should be.
She turned around and felt the broach bump against her collarbone. With a flick of her hand, her glaive appeared and she walked across the room, quickly vanishing through the door.
She was met with a harried looking Botan and an absolutely composed Ayame outside.
"Okay, good, you're ready. Ayame is going to bring you to the courtyard, that's where the portal is going to be. You wait there while I get Koenma-sama. That boy, always late". She turned around and rushed down the hall, turning the corner as her blue ponytail flew out from behind her.
Hotaru blinked.
Ayame let out a small laugh and took her arm (the one not holding the glaive), gently leading her down the hall. "Don't mind Botan-chan, she's always so hyperactive".
"Oh! I don't mind…she is very similar to an old friend of mine, in fact. They're both cheerful and always remaining kind to others…the resemblance is uncanny".
"Really? That's wonderful", she answered, a nice but passive smile on her face, her dark blue eyes remaining to the front.
Hotaru freed her arm from the older woman's grasp and walked quietly beside her. She thought it strange that Ayame was always in the background, only speaking when spoken to. She was nice, but incredibly passive, and never seemed to mingle with others. She reminded her, of, well, herself, before she met Chibi-Usa and became Sailor Saturn a thousand years ago.
"If I may ask a question, Ayame-san…"
"Hm? Oh, go ahead…"
"…Before these young women here become ferrygirls, what are they? How do you get chosen to become a ferrygirl?"
Ayame was silent for a long time, seemingly pondering the question. Hotaru waited patiently, but she couldn't help but realize that they had quickened the pace (for she followed Ayame) and was hurrying rapidly to the burst of dark energy she felt. She just assumed that was the portal to Makai.
"Ferrygirls are just like normal humans, before they died. Each ferrygirls' past is different, but before they died, it is common knowledge that each young woman had a special ability or power. As to how they are chosen, it is that power that attracts the power of Reikai to them. After they die, they become appointed as ferrygirls."
"Do they not become reincarnated just as the rest of all humanity are?"
"That is a rhetorical question…"
"I did not mean it to be, Ayame-san".
"And yet, it is. For I do not know, I have not reincarnated yet. Although there have been disappearances…but they are always forgotten, one time or another".
This was the point when Hotaru noticed that Ayame's face had grown sad. She had seemingly aged a few years, lines that had not been there before appeared, and her eyes grew sullen and her hair limp. She sighed, and turned away.
Hotaru kept silent, knowing that this was not a time to open her mouth. 'I suppose I had probed a little too far…I'll have to learn to keep my curiosity to myself. A rather hard thing to do, seeing as I am going into an all-new world in just a few minutes'.
The tall woman stopped at a large set of double doors. With a flick of her wrist, it slowly opened to reveal a flight of stairs with three steps and a long walk way. She turned to Hotaru. "This is as far as I go. Go forward, and down the stairs that is beyond the walkway, and that is where the gate is being opened. Botan-chan and Koenma-sama should be there by now".
Hotaru took a few steps forward, past the doors, and then turned around and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your help, Ayame-san. And for answering those questions. I do not know how they affect you, but I do so hope to continue our conversation when I get back". With that, she turned around and skipped down the stairs, before walking regally down the path.
Ayame had a stunned look on her face even after the doors closed. 'She…how did she…' She blinked and turned around, began making her way back into the main building. A tiny smile crept across her face. 'Hotaru is certainly not as she seems'.
~*~*~*~
Finally stepping down from the last step, Hotaru watched what was going on in front of her in amazement. A whirling black hole floated from the ground, as three people dressed in matching uniforms were holding their arms out, golden thread like energy connecting to the hole. But that wasn't what had amazed her.
It was the sheer amount of dark energy practically pouring out of the hole was what almost made her stumble to the ground. Luckily, she caught herself and quickly made her way to stand by Botan's side, although she did wince once in awhile when the dark energy got too close for comfort. It reminded her too much of Mistress 9, in fact, though the energy was not the same. This energy was great, but not evil. More like darkness in a sense that it wasn't light. Mistress 9's evil was a more terrible thing, a fear and a great sense of hatred.
Botan looked over at the dark haired girl. Her face was serious and calm, which looked somewhat wrong on her. "Hotaru, I want you know Makai is really not the best place to be. If you think the demon energy pouring out of the portal seems bad, the energy running wild around that blasted place is worse. If you're unsure, I'd advise you not to go along with us".
The black haired girl looked momentarily hurt, but shook her head and closed her bright violet eyes. "…Foolish question, Botan-san. Of course I would come along".
She blinked at her response, and smiled. Once again, the ferrygirl had made a transformation back to her own cheerful self. "Glad to hear that. Then let's get going".
They both turned to Koenma, and he nodded. The three people holding the portal open walked backwards, so that the portal was widened. A blue light seemed to spiral through the darkness and propel out of the black hole, slightly shifting as it settled upon the ground. Hotaru calmly gazed as it as the light shaped into a being and the light left it.
It was a cat demon, notorious for their mischievousness and yet, trusting and loyal nature to their masters. For cat demons were naturally attached to a certain person, and in a way it was a type of slavery, depending on how you looked at it. This one, however, sported no markings upon his face, and seemed to be quite free. His hazel brown hair brushed his rosy cheeks, and rather luminous blue and emerald eyes gazed out from underneath stripped bangs. Cat ears sprouted from the side of his head and dangled, a tail swished frantically behind him. Dressed in a stylish white top tied near the waist, blue baggy pants cut near the midthighs and black stockings underneath, complete with a pair of rather humanoid white bulky platform shoes, a wicked smile graced his face. He was quite the beauty, but then again, as Hotaru reflected, all the high levelled demons with rather youthful bodies tended to be quite attractive.
The cat demon bowed, neck length hair falling low past his face, covering his features. "Koenma-sama, my name is Jenaka Rishido Merufjika, prince of the cat demons in the south of Makai. My mother is one of the territorial rulers, which rule over Merufjika, and I come to retrieve you, so to speak, in her company. The Sovereign Summit apparently, has no extra people to expend, and so I volunteered".
Koenma nodded. "Thank you to you, Jenaka Rishido, and to wish you good will in the hands of the Goddess. These two are in my company, Botan and Hotaru. I trust you will be their guide around the Sovereign Summit?"
The cat boy seemed pleased, and nodded, a cute smile on his face. "As you wish, Koenma-sama. But please, Jen is fine".
"Jen-chan!" Botan leapt forward as Koenma moved away to let her greet her friend and hugged the tiny boy, who looked around eight or nine in human years. Tears gathered in those bright magenta eyes as she tightened her arms around him. "It's so nice to see you again!"
Jen smiled happily, and nodded, hugging the young girl back with equal excitement. "It really has been too long, ne, Botan?"
"Yes, it surely has been". Botan reeled back and gazed at him, a soft motherly smile on her face. "My, how you've grown".
He giggled rather girlishly. "Now, who is that lovely young lady? Said Hotaru, I presume?"
The Senshi of Death blinked her large violet eyes, and then nodded slowly, tilting her torso to show a slight bow as a sign of respect. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Merufjika-san. I am Tomoe Hotaru, ferrygirl of Reikai".
He cocked his head and smiled pleasantly, though his eyes hardened and he no longer looked the child he seemed to be. "How strange that a ferrygirl would remember their human last name, that their memory hasn't been fully wiped. Curious, wouldn't you say, Hotaru-san?" His eyes traveled to the tall menacing glaive in her hand, watching the blade gleam as the light shone across its blade.
She smiled back, though much colder then he had, and her eyes seemed to frown upon his questionable behaviour. "I suppose I was just lucky".
They stared at each other, before Botan, sensing the rising tension, quickly stood up and gestured to the three soldiers of King Enma's army to widen the portal. They did as told wordlessly, stepping back as the golden threads of energy were pulled further.
Jen was the first to break eye contact, and he turned away from her, his eyes softening once again as he gazed upon Koenma and Botan. It was evident that he knew them personally, though why he introduced himself so formally remained a mystery to her. 'Perhaps it is a certain custom, to introduce your title even if you have known each for more then a decade. Rather unlike Crystal Tokyo'.
There was also the matter of a certain cat demon prince. Jen was a cheerful person, she had to admit, seemingly cute and completely innocent. But his age was certainly not as young as he seemed, of that she was sure. Perhaps, sixty, seventy? Or perhaps to the extreme, at least over one thousand years old? With ageless demons, who could be sure?
Hotaru was broken out of her reverie when Jen gestured for them to enter the portal. Taking a deep breath, she tightened her hold on her glaive. All four of them stepped forward, and entered, promptly vanishing into the realm of darkness.
She shivered as a cold breeze blew past her. Darkness encompassed her and she glanced around quickly, wincing, as the dark energy seemed to pour from all around her and seep into her pores. She gulped, not in fear but rather of anxiousness, and made sure to stay by Botan's side, and was careful to keep in step with Jen in the front.
"Don't worry, Hotaru, once we get past this part, we'll arrive into the Makai in no time at all", the blue haired woman chirped cheerfully, turning to smile encouragingly at Hotaru.
The senshi nodded and smiled back hesitantly, nodding.
"Ne, Botan-chan, my mother insisted for me to lead you and Koenma-sama to the Makai for a reason. Some of the demons sent by the Sovereign Summit have disappeared while going through to the Ningenkai and Reikai. We don't know what the cause is, but my mother, as you know, is one of the less violent of the seven territorial rulers and she wanted to make sure you three were safe", Jen's light hearted voice spoke out, leaving no echo apparent in the air.
Hotaru frowned. "Strange that you would refer to your mother as the 'less violent ones' of the seven. Are all seven at war at the moment?"
Jen glanced at Koenma questioningly. "She's one of the newer ferrygirls; she is uninformed of the events taking place in the Makai", he quickly said.
The demon's eyes were now amused, lips curving into a smile that showed off his fangs. He turned back to the front, so no one could see him smile wickedly. Hotaru glared at his back.
"Rather surprising that a newer ferrygirl would accompany Koenma-sama to as dangerous a place as the Sovereign Summit. You must be held in rather high regard, Hotaru-san".
'Strange that I'm acting so egotistical. Sheesh, this Jen demon just gets to me like no one does. Must be his demon side showing. I wish Usagi-chan was here, she'd straighten him out'.
"And there is a reason why I am".
Silence. And then, "Of course, Hotaru-san. To answer your question, the seven rulers are always eager to claim land in their name. The Makai Lords are infinitely more powerful, and so they own, all together, at least five tenths of Makai. That, as you can tell, does not leave much for the rulers to claim as their own territory. And so they are forever warring, desperate to claim what little land is left for each their own".
To their surprise, Hotaru let out a rather girlish giggle, smiling as she chuckled in amusement. "Ah, that leaves no doubt in my mind. They will surely be out to kill once we arrive in the Sovereign Summit. This is nothing but a meeting of show and tell. Interesting little tactic", she smiled, kindly as a matter of fact, and quickened her stride.
'This is bad. If the rulers and the Makai Lords get out of hand…who will stop them? As for me being there…And Chiba-Usa being there as well, with two of her senshi…something is going to happen. No matter what, any evil is bound to be attracted to the power of a senshi, let alone four senshi in the same place. Please let it not be as powerful as Chaos, that's really all I ask'.
Everyone fell silent at her announcement, and finally they reached a dead end. A large set of metal doors stood in front of them, engraved with indecipherable pictures.
Jen held a hand in front of him and blue light shone from his eyes. Immediately, the door handles glowed the same colour, and the door opened.
Hotaru felt her jaw drop. The Sovereign Summit was a majestic building, almost like a castle, built from crystalloid stones atop one another to form large rooms and at least six towers. It was, simply speaking, breathtaking.
"This is incredible. Something like this exists in Makai!" she uttered, violet eyes wide and shining with excitement.
Seeing her seeming happy for the first time, even Jen seemed to change back into his childish self. "It is, isn't it? It didn't used to be like this, it looked all dirty and stuff. But when we arranged the meetings every five years, we decided to make this building into the official place. This is restricted ground. No boundaries nor killings are allowed to take place".
Blinking, she realized she had offended the young cat demon by making assumptions earlier on. Sighing inwardly, she actually felt ashamed at how she had brutally attacked him with words, just because of a few suspicious expressions he wore. It was hard to feel anger at him when he had reverted back to his childish pretend self. "I was unaware of that. I do look forward to acquiring more knowledge of this world, so do please forgive me", she bowed, her head dipping low.
Eyes wide, Jen shook his head wildly. "Ack! It's okay, Hotaru-san! I-I think I got carried away too, so you don't have to apologise!"
Botan laughed and bent down to hug the boy again, who seemed as if to go into hysterics this very moment. "Calm, Jen-chan, calm".
Koenma allowed himself an amused smile. It was tensional back there, in the portal, with Hotaru and Jen arguing beneath hidden words and meanings, but now it seemed like these two children, who seemed children on a physical plane, but really very nearly immortal, were at least on manageable terms.
Hotaru, though, was confused. Indeed, where was that spiteful disrespecting cat demon that had spoken to her back in the portal just now? It seemed like a complete personality switch. Strange, she thought, I'd have to ask Botan-san later on.
Jen led them down the path and Hotaru thought to look back, but the portal was gone. Shrugging inwardly to herself, she followed Jen. He pushed the large doors opened and stepped inside.
~*~*~*~
They had been led to the meeting room and left there, as Jen went to report to his mother. Koenma and Botan were conversing with some of the company of the rulers (the Lords hadn't arrived yet), as Hotaru mingled with the crowd, slipping away from the two. She needed some time alone right now.
As soon as they had arrived, they had been announced. As they were lead through the door into the room, a demon with fox ears and a tail, with wide eyes and a grin, had brought the microphone to her mouth and began to speak in it. "Upon arrival, King Koenma, the seventh ruler of Reikai since Enma the first, and his company, ferrygirls Botan and Hotaru".
She disliked being announced like that. In Crystal Tokyo, they had always called her "Sailor Saturn in the destruction of Saturn". She had gotten used to it, but now she would have to get used to being called 'ferrygirl Hotaru' whenever she went into a room. Rather irritating, to say the least.
When she had walked down the majestic steps and stepped down from it, they had glared at her. Or more so, at her glaive. Many had disliked the tall threatening weapon, and they avoided her, as if scared to anger her. After all, one who held such a weapon had to be experienced in the use of it.
She ran her fingers through her short neck length hair and looked around. There was Jen, speaking to a tall woman with burning scarlet hair that fell to her ankles, elegant cat ears that protruded from the side of her head as did his, and the long tail that swished behind her, unlike Jen's whose tail jabbed wildly in the air. She had to smile at Jen's young antics, but was again reminded at the sight of him to ask Botan about the young Jenaka.
There were demons with long fish tails, fox ears, or other strange extra appendages. Others had altered human features, maybe eyes to luminescent to be human, too straight and unnatural, tongue too long that it looked frightening, or skin with a tinge of colour that differed from the usual human's.
"How strange and foreign they all look", she said dreamily; she could almost imagine she was in an all-new world, or a fantasy realm, where mystical creatures were. Suddenly, she saw eight legs burst out from a seemingly beautiful young woman's back. The woman had such beautiful raven hair twisted into a long braid, the reddest lips and the blackest eyes. She dangled in the air, before dropping on all eight and crawling away.
A look of distaste swept across her face, and she turned away gagging at such a sick scene.
Someone new was arriving, a voice broke through the low murmurs in the room and all eyes turned to the door.
"Upon arrival, Lady Serenity of Crystal Tokyo, arriving in Her Royal Majesty, Neo Queen Serenity's place. In her company, the Royal Guards of the Palace, the Sailor Senshi".
Hotaru lit up, as she quickly made her way towards the young pink haired girl that glided down the stairs elegantly, her two senshi following behind her in their sailor fuku.
Chibi-Usa had grown. Beautiful pink hair spiralled down to her feet as they were held in small triangular shapes on her head. She wore the traditional white dress with golden edgings, but with a white cloak over her shoulders and nearly touching the ground. Her face lit up into a bright smile when she spotted Hotaru hurrying towards her, for this version of Chibi-Usa was the one who had gone back into the past and met this version of Hotaru. And so they were old friends and were eager to see each other again.
Suddenly, the fox announcer girl spoke again, and in surprise, Hotaru and Chibi-Usa looked towards the door.
"Upon arrival, one of the three Makai Lords, Lord Youko Kurama".
Blinking, Chibi-Usa turned back to Hotaru – and was shocked to see her best friend paled, standing as stiff as a stature.
Hotaru stared wide eyed at the white elegant creature that now started down the steps, golden hazel eyes, as beautiful as she remembered, sweeping the room. She winced, as inevitably, his eyes landed on her and their eyes met across the room.
She saw surprise, shock, and amazement, and finally recognition flashing repeatedly in those orbs, those eyes she had almost nearly forgotten. It was long ago, but she would always, always remember.
Which was why she hated them now, as she remembered. The way they had glared at her as he thrust the truth in her face – she could've saved him, the one who had been her first friend. It was partly her fault, wasn't it? For she could've saved him, but she hadn't.
She turned and fled.
Away from the memories, away from past, away from him…
~*~*~*~
TBC
A/N: It's guaranteed that it will be a very very long time before the next chapter will be out. Soooo…uh…be patient? ^^; Sorry, that's the best I can do. I have to admit, this is the first story I've stuck to for so long. There are no other stories I've enjoyed writing more then this one. Except for maybe "A Wish Is All It Takes", which I'm planning on rewriting and revising soon. So no matter what, no matter how long I take to write this story, be rest assured that I *will* stick with it till the very end…Actually, I've already planned the ending ^~;; Let's just say it'll be rather unexpected, ne?
So till next time! ^^