By Hotaru Hope Maxwell
Decided to show that I haven't given up on this story by coming out with a second chapter!-Oh…I'm thinking on slowing down and only writing chapters by the month. My Winter Cocoa of Chocolate Violets might not come out for some time now. Sorry bout that. Sign-Bambi
Purple eyes blinked back tears as laughter filtered through the small dining area of the Wiess team's home. Hotaru bit back the giggles and fits that were fighting to fall from her lips. Her head was thrown back, Omi noted, giving them all a look at her long pale neck. Her laughter was bells of joy in his ears, even if it was holding off the sadness the girl had just moments prior been in. Omi was happy that Yohji had invited the girl for coffee to talk. Her tone was sad until Yohji's funny stories over the four guys had broke into her mindset.
"And then Omi slipped and his head went up her skirt!" Yohji called out as Omi turned bright red. Wait a darn second-his mind shouted.
"As if it were my fault! You sprayed too much water, Yohji!" Omi began to retaliate. "And what's up with telling all our customers and friends about this story!" He shouted, rising up to glare at the older, his cheeks a brighter color as Hotaru blinked curiously and wide eyed from her current state of mirth.
Hotaru bit her inner cheek before her voice seemed to come out of it's own laughter. "You mean…. It's true?" With that the formerly sad princess was in a full out laughs. She'd fallen back against the cushions of the sofa in her waves of laughter. Omi watched her, noting the lovely voice. Her black hair glimmering and her eyes closed in glee. That smile atop her face, it fit her all so well. It was just perfect…if only she was truly happy. His thoughts went back to her previous talk with the four.
Flashback
"Miss Hotaru…. What happened with that woman?" Ken pried, setting a light mug of coffee mug down before the quiet girl. Hotaru looked up, eyes catching Omi's gaze. She looked down and sighed.
"When I was around 3 or so, my mother, Kieko Tomoe died in a laboratory explosion's flames…I was the cause, she was trying to save me. 9 years later, my father passed away with terminal heart disease. Some friends of my father had adopted me. Miss Setsuna Meioh, Mrs. Michiru Tenoh and Mrs. Haruka Tenoh were those people. ((A/n: In my story Haruka and Michiru married after the battle with Chaos))." Hotaru told them in a quiet tone. Her voice was stern and truthful, even though it was a lie. The lie she spoke had been practiced and used time and again to explain her relations to the Tenoh's and Meioh-san.
"Meioh….That was that pretty woman's name, eh?" Yohji smirked. Hotaru looked at him quietly, her eyes somewhat dull. She nodded, her head lowering as she stared at the coffee.
"For the last 3 years, Setsuna-mama has been out of the country. But…. When she got back…now…she-she wants me to stop the police from their search…Stop pressuring them." Hotaru choked, a few tears straying down her cheeks.
"I had thought that she understood. She was a friend with Makoto and Minako too…. But…She didn't care. She just came here and demanded that!" Hotaru broke out, clutching her chest and upper arms as the tears swelled down her cheeks. Her gasp came when Aya put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Sometimes we must forget the people who don't understand, Hotaru-san." He murmured, his tone in it's normally cold. Hotaru blinked but then nodded, pushing her tears away and soon letting a soft smile going over her features.
End flashback
Hotaru blinked, feeling a gaze on her now grinning face. She turned to stare into Omi's blue depths. Those oceans like eyes were a torrent of mixed up emotions that she could only somewhat read. He noted her curious look and quickly his eyes turned to the ringing of the back door. There stood Manx, a folder in hand. Hotaru also caught the boys' stiffinging backs and looked up to see a smiling Manx. The grin on her face darkened. She noted how serious each of the young men seemed, from Aya's cold glare to Yohji and Ken's loss of smiles. Standing up, she bowed to the young gentles.
"I'm afraid I better go now, Omi-san…Guys… I really do have to wake up early for work." With that she started towards the door. She stopped in front of Manx and did a proper Japanese bow. "Nice to see you again, Miss Manx. Perhaps you'd come over for some coffee sometime? I'd love the chance to talk to you more." Hotaru put on a happy face as she slowly departed from sight.
Guys
Manx and the others went into the basement after Hotaru had departed from sight. Manx wore a secretive smile, like always. Her red ruby eyes were gleaming as the group turned toward their t.v. Before Manx started the video, Yohji commented.
"It's a good thing the little missy left, isn't it?" Yohji's remark made the boys flinch and they all looked at him. Omi's eyebrows were raised.
"I don't get it…We were having fun…Why would she just leave like that?" Ken started, but stopped as Aya glared at the brunette.
"Simple. With the way you all stiffened up, the girl felt she was silently being told to leave. Hopefully she just isn't too curious to ask ME why." Manx remarked, giving each a half-glare. They all knew Manx was the best at covering things up so they had no worries. Without another wasted moment, the television screen was on.
"Men of Wiess. You're new mission is to stop this man, Seno Risk." A picture of a longhaired man with black eyes appeared on the screen. "He is using his political powers to rape and murder young women in order to get their parents support. His next target is most likely this girl." A woman with dark black hair and dull violet eyes stared out at the picture. She wore no smile, but rather a look of complete agitation. Her clothing was a short sleeved plain red dress with a black belt around the waist and dark black shoes. Her hair nearly reached her butt. Yohji let out a whistle to which Ken threw a nearby pillow at him for.
"Her name is Rei Hino, the daughter of a Mr. Konryu Hino, the current Minister of Internal Affairs. However, the girl disappeared during a trip to Germany to visit a companion. Your mission consists of finding the girl and bringing this monster to justice. Hunters of the Night, destroy this evil beast!" Persia's shadowed form disappeared as the screen went blank.
"This is a list of Hino-san's friends in Japan as well as family members who might know anything about her or her whereabouts. Hino-san has been missing for almost 1 month now. If she isn't found in time, who knows what may happen." Manx stated, handing Aya the folder. Aya scanned through it quietly but stopped, his eyes going wide.
"Tomoe Hotaru is on this list." He stated harshly, glancing up to hear the others gasp. "Say what?!" They all called out.
"Hotaru-san's on the list too?" Omi questioned, looking from Manx to Aya. Manx wore a silky smirk. "At least I know what to talk to her about when we meet. I'll get your info, Aya. Leave that poor lass alone." Manx gingerly grinned, putting a hand to her hip before she started up the stairs. "Oh, by the way. Tomoe-chan's adoptive family is on that list…be careful to not raise too much suspicion now!" Manx giggled and winked at the boys before exiting.
Hotaru
Hotaru stood in the middle of the black ally, hidden within the shadows, her Lynx attire already on. "Hello Manx." She commented, sensing the woman's approach coming within 15 meters. The red head that was busy crossing the street sighed and looked up at the cloak-bearing girl. She approached until the woman was 3 feet from her, leaning against the wall.
"I didn't expect to see you in there, Little Kit. What's the matter?" Manx asked, looking at the bloody colored sunglasses with her piercing red eyes. Lynx turned away from her gaze, glancing at the ground. She huffed somewhat as Manx pulled out a cigar and lit it up.
"Personal." Hotaru/Lynx stated, before letting a soothing silence fix between the two of them. "What's up?"
"Seems that a certain Hino has gone missing. Know anything?" Manx puffed out a long trail of smoke off to the side before glancing through the corner of her eyes at Lynx. The girl's head was still down and she seemed to have found something in the street very interesting.
"I know she was kidnapped the day my apartment was ransacked by Takatori's henchmen. I know her father is Konryu Hino, a mastermind of politics who, thanks to Takatori's interventions wants nothing to do with his own family. I know her mother died when she was 5 in a Takatori caused accident and her grandfather passed away two years ago. Anything else you want to know?" Hotaru sneered. After Mako and Mina had gone missing, Hotaru did a deep research project on Takatori. He seemed to be the cause to Raye and Ayame's pain. Everything that blasted bastard did caused people pain. She figured it would be heaven coming from hell once he was gone. Crossing her arms over her chest, Hotaru/Lynx turned to glare at the woman.
"What's going on, Manx. You normally don't ask questions of this with me." Lynx bit out, her tone sharp and bittersweet. Manx's eyes closed as a sigh escaped her lips. The woman opened the eyes to gaze into the shades. Her reflection shown within those glasses, a dark ruby outline of what was truly there.
"It's come to our attention that the culprit may be a man named Seno Risk. Heard of him?" Manx commented.
Hotaru nodded, "He's becoming a known rapist in the crime organizations as well as sick murderer for hire. He'll kill any pretty face. Got a nice scar from his girl- some think it's his reason for killing." Manx nodded at the information Hotaru stated.
"Pluto approached me today." Hotaru interrupted Manx's train of thought. Manx looked at her with wide eyes. "Sailor Pluto? One of the disappeared senshi?" Manx asked. Lynx/Hotaru nodded, her hand shaken.
"Pluto doesn't like the way I've been acting. I think she might attack Wiess. I'm going to keep tabs on them. If it comes down to it…I may end up fighting as my old self." Hotaru bit her lower lip, fighting the urge to snarl.
"As Saturn…" Manx sighed when the girl nodded her head. "If you have duties to go back to, Lynx. Don't be afraid to attend to them." Hotaru shook her head at this and began to walk down the ally. The wind picked up causing the girl to shiver slightly, her cloak spinning behind her.
"I have nothing to regret, Manx. I am providing justice where the Senshi failed. I won't let them get in my way, even if Cosmos or Queen Selenity strike me down. I will continue to fight." With that the cloaked girl vanished without a trace. Manx gazed out after her figure and then at the Moon she'd walked toward. 'You've explained some of your past to me, Little Lynx…But I fear for you, senshi or not…I fear for you…' She thought quietly before she threw her smoke onto the ground, stopping on it with her heel as she left.
Later ((3 days later))
Lynx landed on the roof beside the other assassins. She was a little shocked everything had gone so smoothly. Seno Risk was a real risk taker ((a/n: ha! Couldn't resist the pun in that!)). The man had been without any security it seemed, however, there was no Rei. The girl was still missing. Hotaru tried to keep the waves of sadness off of herself as she concentrated on running with the guys. Suddenly her senses went on full alert as a powerful aura of mist surrounded the area. Lynx looked at Omi and his companions as they tried to figure out what was going on. A lone figure slowly walked through the smoke, long and tall. A woman's frame that was bust and full of lean muscle appeared through the mist as the person got closer. At the sight of the smoke and then the figure, Hotaru knew who had come.
"Wiess, I suggest you leave." Lynx muttered, pulling out her extending pole. It extended, cutting off Bombay's question as to why and he let out a gasp. She began to walk forward.
"Didn't you fools hear me?" Lynx sneered, glaring back at the boys through the corner of her eyes. "Get out of here." The men, however, ignored her command and simply removed their weapons.
"Trying to save them won't change anything. " The cold voice of Pluto drifted throughout the area. Hotaru turned her head sharply to gaze, as the figure of the Senshi became fully visible. Yohji let out a soft whistle but Hotaru ignored it as the former ally stood there with her pole.
Yohji's eyes turned to big hearts as the delicious senshi was revealed. The woman before Wiess had long green hair and dark ruby eyes. She wore a sultry version of what could be called a sailor school uniform with dark purple skirt and ruby ribbons. Her long beautiful tan legs were covered up to the knees by similar colored boots.
"I won't warn you again…. Lynx…. Stand down…." The woman's stern voice was cold and icy. It was almost as if age over age was filled within that voice. Her eyes were trained on the new helper to the Wiess team.
"Do not make me fight you Pluto. I will not allow you to harm Wiess or myself." The group gasped as the words left Lynx's mouth. Pluto, the title ringed over their ears. When all had been children or teens they'd heard the names of the senshi warriors over and over again. It'd been a good deal of time, but the world heroes were still about. Aya's eyes darkened as his mind filled with questions. How exactly did Sailor Pluto and Lynx know each other.
"Pluto…." Setsuna began, closing her eyes and focusing her power. Lynx froze for a second before she snarled and spat. Running forward the girl brought the staff down hard toward the taller. The older dodged by jumping back.
"It's no use, child. If you refuse, then I have no other choice…" Setsuna remarked, looking at the bloody glasses the lass now wore. They stared at her, compelling her even though the violet eyes couldn't be seen. Hotaru snarled, leaping out of the way of the Time Staff by rolling. Their staves clanged against each other as Wiess stood by in helpless wonder.
"I am no longer a child, Pluto-san…and you do not make choices for me anymore!" With that, Hotaru launched into a breathless amount of slashes that ended up with the cloaked girl and Pluto in a standstill. Wiess noted that Lynx and Pluto were seeming to become electrified. Their energy began to radiate and Pluto prepared her attack again.
"Pluto deadly scream!" Pluto shouted, sending the attack at the great senshi of destruction. Hotaru took it in the back and flew to the ground, landing and skidding along it hard. "Lynx-san!" Omi called out, his tone fearful. Pluto glanced at him from the corner of her eye as Hotaru got up.
"Why? Why won't you stop?" Pluto questioned. "Because…" Hotaru sneered, knowing her riddles and vague speech would often give Pluto headaches.
"Tell me…" Pluto demanded as Lynx whipped some blood from her chin. Lynx rose, lying on her staff slightly.
"I won't let you kill Wiess or any of its members, Pluto. You can't and you won't." Hotaru hissed, standing up, glaring through the cracked shades. Omi's eyes went large. "Sailor Pluto came to kill us? Awe man…why do all the good lookers want us dead?" Yohji complained. Aya's eyes darkened again. How the hell did she know this, how did Lynx get her information on the senshi.
"You will have to kill me first, Pluto…." Lynx remarked.
"So be it…Princess Saturn…"
TBC….
Wow! Another Chapters done! I did it! Hehehehe…. Okay so the battle between Hotaru and Setsuna is a little weird and unfinished but I have so many ideas for this story I don't know where to go with it! Review with some ideas! In any case, Hope you liked the chapter!
Next time on FCJ: L ;
Hotaru and Sailor Pluto fight it out. Can destruction overcome it's greatest opponent? What happens when Hotaru is stuck in a vision of the future or past? Will Sailor Saturn be shown or will Hotaru really abandon the Wiess? And what's this about Pluto having a secret lover? Who is Swartz and what is their connection to the kidnappings? All will be revealed in, When the wind blows petals away….