Disclaimer: I don't own either GW or SM, and the purpose of this fic is solely for entertainment – hope so… Ah! And I also don't own the gods and goddesses of the Greek and/or Roman mythology.
Hi, peoples! Thanks for your suggestions for a title! This chapter is going to be very boring, I tell you, but it's important for the development of the story. I don't know what is going on with this because I can't seem to find a good outline for it. This story keeps changing and changing in my mind – maybe you know what I'm talking about.
Author's Notes: Many of the things you'll read in this story were inspired from mythology – though I'm going to mess it a little.
Ok! On with the story and hope you like it!
Chapter One
There was a time, even before the Silver Millennium, in which gods ruled the Earth and its inhabitants. This time, long forgotten in people's minds, was a very magical time since gods and goddesses walked the Earth and interacted with mortals in a normal basis.
Mortals were respected and, if they reached their goals throughout their lifetimes and did many good deeds, they could become demigods.
But it wasn't easy to attain a demigod status – though mortals have a long lifetime to reach it. A really long lifetime…
Mortals could live for long millennia without fearing death. In fact, the concept of death was very different from the way it is seen today. At that time, death was more of a personal decision than a mysterious and inevitable price of being alive. Many used to call it 'the long sleep", because – in a way – that's what it was.
A mortal could decide just when and where he or she wanted to 'die'. And they could even tell others beforehand so they could hold a ritual.
In this ritual, the mortal was to contact a deep state of meditation where his or her soul would leave its physical body to get to the Astral Dimension. In the Astral Dimension, ruled by the god Uranus, time moved at a different pace. Souls could rest there up until they decided to return to the Mortal World to either continue their last life or start a new one. Bodies could be burned, if the last 'owner' of it decided to do so, or it could be placed on crystal tombs to 'wait' for them to return.
This whole process could be held without mortals loosing a bit of their memories of all of their past lives. And, though they may go to the Astral Dimension to 'rest' and spend decades there, mortals – technically – didn't die.
Mortals could live on, trying to become demigods or demigoddesses. Throughout their lives they'll become stronger, thanks to the knowledge they've gained. And, every time they reached a higher level of knowledge, the gods would put mortals through many tests to see if they were worthy. Many mortals failed their tests and the price was to become weaker. But this didn't discourage mortals, it made them try harder to grow and become worthy of the demigod's status.
World was a happy place to live for long millennia… until a group of mortals started to feel ambitious.
Fueled by Ares constant thirst for war and gore, many weak-minded mortals started to believe they could harm the reputation of gods. Mortals could start to question gods' real intentions – are they just playing with mortal's innocence and their general desire to grow? Why was that that just a bunch of mortals actually reached demigod status? And why this selected group of mortals-turned-to-demigods has some kind of connection to the gods – say through birth or favors they received throughout their lifetimes?
If mortals started to distrust gods, a war would brake for the absolute control of mortal's lives.
And that's just what Ares wanted…
Selene, Goddess and Queen of the Moon, fearing a bloody war just like the one they held against the Titans, started to make plans for a new place where gods and mortals could live in peace and as one. A place where gods influence was limited to nature so they could provide a healthy atmosphere for mortals to live. A place where mortals were to be just mortals so there couldn't be any distrusts or ambition coming from them.
That's how the Silver Moon came to be, with the help of Jupiter, King of Gods. And those mortals, and even gods, who still believed in them.
Up to the Moon went Hermes, Juno – Queen of Gods -, Athena – which in time started to be called Haruka -, Apollo – this one went to live on the Sun - and Aphrodite with her baby Eros. And also a group of demigods and demigoddesses went with them to live in the utopian sphere of the Silver Moon.
The others stayed down on Earth… and war seemed to be avoided…
Gods on the Moon, inspired by Apollo's idea, started to travel and conquer other places in space. Many of them decided to make their residence on those planets they found. And many of those other gods that stayed on Earth started to get attracted with the idea of a peaceful place since the Earth – ruled by Ares – was a sad place to live.
The Silver Moon was peaceful for a couple of millennia… until it started to have its flaws… A dark secret loomed its bases – threatening to smash it to the ground. And it had a lot to do with a child who has the spirit of Earth and thunder… A child who came to be as a product of the disloyalty the Silver Moon was against of.
Jupiter's younger daughter… Princess Persephone…and, thanks to her, war did came to the Silver Moon…
But that's another story I'll tell you later…
Jupiter's voice roared through space…
"SOMEONE TOLD THEM!" – he thundered – literally. The usually quiet and strong marble halls of the Jupitarian Palace shook, as well as the ground. The sky "dome" of the Astral Dimension lit up with silver lightning streaks.
The Higher Gods were gathered in the Jupitarian Palace's observation chamber – an open space surrounded by tall, white and gold marble columns. At the north side of the chamber, Jupiter's massive throne of white granite was held, high above the ground by three steps. In the middle of the chamber, a fountain filled with crystal clear waters was shining with a silver hue. Inside this fountain, an image of an unconscious girl, pressed protectively to the chest of a young woman with long green hair, filled the waters.
The King of the Higher Gods pounced his fist on the armrest of his throne.
"Who did it?!" – he demanded, eyes narrowed and an eyebrow raised high, nearly touching his hairline. His chestnut hair started to turn white, projecting lightning streaks. His cheeks were flushed. –" WHO did it?!" – he yelled.
Jupiter was beyond mad – he was at his worst. He was furious to the point where he was capable of summoning hurricanes without him knowing so. And when he was like that, you just don't want to be near him. Only a few can reason with him when he is like that… and two of them were still displayed on the fountain…
"WHO DID IT?!" – he roared, wind swirling high on the Astral Dimension's dome. A nasty sulfurous smell reached their noses, and the rest of the Higher Gods winced.
At Jupiter's left side, his wife and Queen of the Higher Gods, Juno, held her nose. She was a beautiful woman with long, reddish hair and sharp, dark green eyes. She was the epitome of grace and elegance, but she could be a tease whenever her husband's temper was at such a smelly display.
"Dear husband, please calm yourself." – she said with a warm, syrupy voice while gingerly placing a hand on his shoulder. –"You are intoxicating the air."
But Jupiter didn't hear her. His eyes were cast at a bright cloud of smoke that appeared not so far from where the fountain was. The cloud dispersed, leaving three figures in front of the King. A tall woman, with long green hair, held protectively a young girl to her chest – this girl looking extremely pale. Beside the tall woman, an also tall, teenage girl stood, heaving slightly – she seemed as if she just ran a marathon.
"We are so sorry, brother." – said the tall, green-haired, woman.
A woman with long russet hair and striking emerald eyes stood near the recently arrived females. Her beautiful face scrunched up with worry while she extended her arms to catch the young girl.
"Is she all right? – she whispered.
The tall, green-haired woman smiled warmly at her. "She's fine." – she whispered back.
"They nearly GOT HER, Setsuna!" – Jupiter roared, still mad. His younger child was nearly got by those who he despises the most – the Underworld people.
"We're so sorry, father." – the teenage girl said, kneeling. –"It's all my fault…"
"Do not say that, Haruka." – Queen Juno said. –"It is not your fault at all."
The woman who was carrying the girl now, scowled at the Queen. She was a beauty, just like the Queen Juno of Jupiter. In fact, they were sisters. Both of them had red locks and green eyes. But this woman had a grace far more tantalizing than that of the Queen and she was as sweet and pure as honey- although nobody could be able to said so now, when her temper was so flare up. She held herself with dignity, displaying a beautiful headdress made of flowers. She looked like a forest nymph. But she was no 'ordinary' nymph. She was a woman who dared to look at her Queen right in the eye…
Queen Juno looked offended, and her verdant eyes narrowed at her sister. An air of contempt filled the air. Both women seemed to be throwing daggers at one another. It was well known by anybody on the Astral Dimension that they held certain dislike for the guts of the other. And they seemed about to spit this dislike any moment now.
Queen Selene of the Moon, seeing this, stepped forward…
"We do not need to know whose fault is." – Queen Selene said in a warm, serene tone of voice. –"There are far more important things to resolve now."
Selene was the voice of reason right then. She was a beautiful woman with hair as light as silver, and big violet eyes. But, as I said before, there were a few who could reason with the King of the Higher Gods – and Selene wasn't one of them.
"I still want to know who did this. WHO told them my daughter was in the Mortal World! And I'll ask one more time…" – Jupiter said, his light blue eyes narrowing menacingly. –"Who told them?"
"You should not be asking that?" – the woman carrying the young girl roared while glancing ferociously at her sister. –"All of us already know who did it…"
Queen Juno's brow twitched and her lips pressed together into a tight, white line.
Jupiter, hearing the woman's not-so-discreet accusation, sighed. His massive shoulders slumped and his head hung low. His hair receded to his normal chestnut color. –"Not again!"- he murmured.
Queen Juno snapped her head to her right, a deep scowl on her face. But, in the process, her eyes got a glimpse of her smirking sister – which told her of her ability to control Jupiter's raging temper. Juno smirked also when an idea came to her. She softened her face and smiled sweetly…
"Aren't you going to say something other than 'not again', dear husband?" – Queen Juno asked with a fake smile on her lips.
Juno's sister lifted her nose high into the air. She was about to reply something, but her pride stopped her before she could retort. Also, Queen Selene intervened.
"Please, do not start a fight you two, Juno, Demeter. We should be concentrating on more important matters. Like, what are we going to do now…"
Someone sighed loudly, making everybody's gaze to follow the sound. In front of the fountain a golden light exploded into a shower of hearts. A female figure stood, wearing a tight tunic made of white silk. Her golden hair was held high into an intricate ponytail of braids and curls. She was wearing a headdress of hearts made in gold with amber accents.
"There is nothing for us to do…" – she said, snapping her fingers to materialize a fainting couch behind her. She sat lazily, sighing and materializing a bowl full of treats in front of her. – "I say we should let those Messengers get her…"
"What?!" – Demeter and Jupiter cried in unison.
"You can't be serious, Aphrodite!" – Selene said, agape and forgetting the royal manner of speaking.
"I won't let those blasted Messengers get my daughter!" – Jupiter yelled.
Aphrodite shrugged and brought an amber-colored treat to her lips. And just when she was about to take a bite, Selene slapped her hand…
"What, in the Moon's name, is wrong with you, Aphrodite?! This isn't you at all…"
Aphrodite scowled at her sister. She shoved her treat into her mouth and smiled defiantly. "I'm tired of all this!" – she said with her mouth full. –"It is not fair!" – she said, pieces of her treat flying out of her mouth and landing on her sister's prim silvery dress.
"Don't do that, Aphrodite!" – Queen Juno reprimanded. –"That is disgusting…"
Aphrodite smirked and lounged back on her seat, stretching her arms over her head and sighing. She knew she would get into her sisters' nerves by talking with her mouth full. And now she was contented she succeeded…
Setsuna sighed. "We have been doing this for far too long, brother." – she said. –"We are risking too much. What would happen if Father ever gets to know this?"
Haruka straightened, a look of worry smeared on her features. "I have the ability to feel my grandfather, Uranus, and I know something is not right with him…"
"What do you mean, Haruka dear?" – Juno asked turning pale.
"I do not know for sure, Mother, but I got the feeling that he may be planning on coming back…"
Now it was Jupiter's turn to pale. "What?!" – he asked, eyes wide. –"We have to take her out of here!" – he said, frantic. He stood from his throne and went to grab his daughter. Demeter's light green eyes were wide with fear. If Uranus decided to come back, there won't be a way for them to save the girl. She would be sent to the Underworld without mercy…
Just then, the wind blew and howled threateningly. The air chilled and the Higher God's shivered – though none of them knew if it was from cold or fear. They all knew who just arrived…
"Don't you try to fool me once more, Son!" – a deep voice thundered.
All of the Higher Gods, except Aphrodite, swallowed and turned slightly. Outside the chamber stood the Distant Sky King, the former king of Gods, the Great Uranus. He was scowling fiercely at them, wind howling around his body making his long, white beard to undulate in the air while he summoned the winds to pick up the young girl from her father's grasp.
Jupiter gasped. Juno's eyes widened with shock and fear. Demeter stood motionless at Setsuna's side. Selene's skin turned a whiter shade. Haruka scowled. And Aphrodite filed her nails, humming softly to herself.
"Father, please, don't take her away!" – surprisingly, it was Juno's voice that said these words. She was shaking while her eyes welled up with tears of extreme anxiety. –"Please, don't!"
But it was too late. The girl was safely pressed to Uranus chest. He held one hand up…
"I won't tolerate any more of this." – he said. –"You have been playing with time and destiny for too long…"
"But, Father…" – Jupiter started to protest.
Uranus stopped him with a simple gesture of his hand. Behind the former King, three silhouettes stood…
"I am going to end with this nonsense right now, Son. You won't change destiny anymore. Do you know what your stupid manipulations provoked?"
Silence ruled the space…
"A war will break." – Uranus said. –"A war Hades tried to prevent and, thanks to you, will come to be. Now he and his Messengers are stranded on the Mortal World. Do you know what could happen? Ares may come and try to take the Underworld once more! And all because of you!"
"But Ares is trapped on the Underworld, King Uranus." – Selene said. –"He can't come out."
Uranus smiled sarcastically. "Fools!" – he said. –"All of you are fools! That's why you are trapped in the Astral Dimension… That's why all of this started in the first place. But I'm not letting you curse my granddaughters' life. And I'm going to clean the mess you created…" – he waved his hand and the three silhouettes behind him materialized completely.
The Higher Gods were facing the Parcae, the three deities of Fate. They were Urth, the oldest, which had long white hair and wore a dark cloak; Verthandi, a young woman with long blonde hair who wore a light blue tunic; and Skuld, the youngest, which also had blonde hair and wore a rose robe. The young woman, Verthandi, stepped forward and took the little girl from Uranus arms.
"NO. PLEASE!" – Jupiter cried.
"It is time…" – Urth started.
"To right…" – Verthandi continued.
"Wrongs."- Skuld finished.
"You won't…" – Urth started again.
"Interfere…" – Verthandi said.
"This time." – Skuld finished.
And, then, the three deities started to glow on their respective colors, black, light blue and pink. The young girl also started to glow, but she did it in a soft green hue. When the girl's light became as strong as those of the Parcae, they merged together and left in a long, bright line that touched the Astral Dimension's dome.
"Oh, Goodness…" – Selene whispered, seeing how the bright line became thinner and, then, disappeared in the endless midnight blue of the Astral Dimension's dome.
"I hope justice will be attained this time…" – Aphrodite said.
Jupiter shook his head and looked at his father pleadingly…But Uranus just smiled sadly.
"Now, everything that happens is going to be out of your hands. You can still keep an eye on her, but you won't be able to intrude in her life. And if you do try to intrude then," – he didn't finished his statement and shook his head sadly. –" It is time to keep your promises…" – he finished, raising his arms and summoning the winds of time. His dark blue cloak and hair started to undulate in the air. –"Hope to see you soon, my Son…" – his voice trailed off while his body became one with the air.
The Higher Gods stood there, agape – all, except Aphrodite, who stood from her fainting couch and turned. "Let's hope we see our children again…" – she said disappearing with a shower of golden hearts.
Selene scowled, looking to where her younger sister was sitting just a few moments ago. Did she have something to do with this? , she thought.
Juno sat heavily on Jupiter's throne, her shoulders started to shake and she brought her hands to her face, sobbing.
Demeter caught a sight of this and went, raging, to her. "This is all your fault!" – she said, tears streaming down her face. –"You sold your own child!"
Juno raised her face and looked at her sister through tears. A deep scowl started to form on her face. She was so tempted to pound her sister, but the hurt on Demeter's eyes stopped her from doing so. Still she couldn't forget her lies and offensive words. She stood and left in a bright flash of maroon color.
"Do you think we could help her somehow, Setsuna?" – asked Selene.
"I am not sure, Queen Selene. But Father did say that we could be near her…"
"I want to be with her…" – a new voice said.
Everybody turned to look at the graceful form of Neo Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo. The young Queen of the Silver Moon must have felt something wrong happened with one of her closest friends, because she was there surrounded with part of her guards. Her husband, Neo King Endymion also stood near her.
"We'll keep an eye on her." – Princess Rei of Mars said. –"And try to keep her from getting near to any of this Messengers…"
"It is dangerous, Rei." – Haruka said. –"If my grandfather's words are true, she may start to remember what happened…"
"We can't leave her all alone down there!" – Princess Ami of Mercury interrupted, surprising everyone with, what sounded like, rudeness. –"She's our friend…"
"She helped us when we needed it." – Princess Mina of Venus said. –"It is only fair that we do the same for her…"
"We can not let her be caught by any of the Messengers." – Selene said. – "Life, as we know it, may end…"
Neo Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo nodded. She looked sadly over her shoulder to her beloved husband. Neo King Endymion smiled kindly at her and bent down to place a kiss on her forehead. "Go" – he whispered in her ear, before hugging her. The young queen hugged him with all of her might.
"It is settled then." – Haruka said. –"We are going to help her…"
"But we can just go down there," – said Princess Ami of Mercury –"we need to make a plan…"
"Well, then, let's do it!" – said Princess Mina of Venus.
198 A.C.
Earth
"Waaaaaahhhhhh! Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!"
She could hear her sister crying down the hallway of the school. And the note of desperation on her cries made her run towards the small office at the end of the corridor. She was oblivious to the cheerful walls painted in a bright yellow shade that surrounded her. Or to the many tiny hands that decorated those walls with the colors of the rainbow. She wasn't interested on that. She just wanted to get to her little sister. She has to protect her…
When she reached the door of the director's office, she peeked through the crystal window beside it to see inside. There she saw a very distressed baby sister, turning red from all of her crying. Her lovely caramel locks looked messy with big chunks of it coming out of her pigtails. Not so far away from where her sister was, a young boy, with messy chocolate brown hair, stood smirking while crossing his chubby arms about his chest.
"Lita, please." – the nurse of the school said, trying to calm down the crying child. She was a young woman with long, black hair and mysterious violet eyes.
But Lita just threw her head back and cried louder…
"I want Mommy! Waaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
The little boy's smirk turned to mocking laughter.
The young girl outside the office couldn't stand to see her sister crying like that any longer while that brat was making fun of her. So she opened the door forcefully nearly yanking it from the threshold, her protective side making her do things rudely, and she stepped inside the office with a deep scowl on her face.
"What happened here?!" – she asked, walking to her sister's side. She placed a hand on her sister's head and the little girl stopped crying, looking up to her.
"Mako! Mako!" – her sister said, hiccupping and shaking her head while her lips were trembling.
"What happened, Sweetie Pie?" – the young girl asked softly, kneeling in front of her sister to be at the same height.
Lita threw her hands around the young girl's neck and hugged her.
"Luna, Mako! Luna! Waaaaahhh!" – Lita cried in her sister's ear.
The young girl raised an eyebrow and looked completely crossed towards the nurse.
"What?" – the young girl asked.
The nurse sighed, placing a hand on her hip and standing in front of the two girls.
"Lita lost Luna on her trip, Makoto." – she explained. –"Nobody knows how it happened, but she got here just like that…"- she said, referring to Lita's bawling.
The young girl, named Makoto, scowled and looked at the laughing boy.
"Did you have something to do with this, boy?" – she asked.
The boy stopped laughing and looked at Makoto with faked deer-about-to-be-hit-by-a-car eyes.
"Nothing…" – the boy said, pouting and frowning at Makoto.
But Makoto didn't buy the boy's 'innocence'. She growled…
"Oh, kid, you better be telling me the truth because…!"
"He did it, Mako! He threw Luna down the stairs, waaaaahhhhhhhh! And he said there is a monster! I couldn't save Luna…. Waaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!" – Lita said, throwing her head back and wailing.
The nurse winced when Lita's high-pitched cries nearly left her deaf. Makoto picked up her sister and cooed her. She rocked her, placed a kiss on her forehead and whispered on her ear. But Lita continued to cry, though not so loud. The little girl rubbed her face on Makoto's shoulder, then sighed.
"She's tired." – Makoto said softly.
The nurse nodded and smiled fondly at the two. "I think you better take her home." - she said. –"I'll make sure young mister over there tells me what really happened on the trip. Right, Billy?" – the nurse said.
The boy pouted. "I didn't do anything!" – and he crossed his arms.
The nurse raised an eyebrow. "We'll see…"- then, she looked at Makoto –"And I'll call the Preventer's headquarters to see if they found something."
"Thank you." – Makoto smiled.
"Pweese… find Luna…" – Lita said.
"WHAT?!" – yelled an exasperated Chinese young man. –"This is not the missing objects department!" – and he hanged the phone.
~ RING! RING! ~
"Chang Wufei…"
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"
"Not you again, onna! How the hell did you found this extension so fast?"
But the person didn't hear his question since she was talking at the same time he spoke…
"I'm going to report you to your superior! Your not supposed to talk to people the way you did to me!"
"Look, Miss, I'm not in the mood for this nonsense. If your child lost her teddy bear, go buy her another one!"
"It's not a teddybear !! Is a stuffed cat with a crescent moon on the forehead…"
"What-ever!"
While the Chinese young man argued with the person on the phone, the door of his office was opened and two men came inside. One of them smiled impishly, while the other one didn't look interested on the events in front of them.
"Wow! Sally at her best …" – the one with the impish grin commented.
"Sally is on vacation." – the other one said reaching his desk and seating in front of a computer.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot."- he said, and then frowned. –"Then, with whom is Wu-man arguing?"
The other didn't answer; he just flipped on his computer and started to type – though his attention went to the Chinese man…
"If I promise to look for the damn teddy bear…"
"CAT, DAMNIT!!"
"ALL RIGHT, CAT! Would you leave me alone to do my work if I promise to look for the damn toy?!"
"It would be nice of you, for a change, if you do so…"
"Damn onna…" – muttered the Chinese young man.
"What did you say?"
"I'll look for the damn teddy! Give me your phone number and I'll call you if I find it."
The man jotted the number on a piece of paper.
"This is your friend's phone and her name is… all right…and her address is…yeah, I got it… Damnit, I'd say I'd look for it! Argh!" – the man looked at the earpiece of his phone and scowled. He was about to smash it against the base, but he controlled his anger before doing so…
"Wow, Wu-man, who was that?"
The man growled and narrowed his eyes. He was about to loose his temper again…
"You'll never learn, don't you, baka?" – he asked, walking to the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To look for a damn toy!" – he said placing a hand on the doorknob.
One of the two other young men in the room started to laugh, making the Chinese one to turn and point a finger to him.
"Stop laughing, Maxwell and come and help me!" – he said.
"Me? Now way!"
"Come or I'll chop your braid off! Besides, the toy is owned by one of those kids you escorted this morning…"
"The ones from pre-school?"
"Yes. The child's name is Lita Kino…"
Maxwell smiled…
"I know who she is…"
Makoto left the school with her baby sister held protectively to her chest. They had to take a bus and then walk to their home. Through the entire trip to the district where they live, the little kid stayed sleepy and sad…
"Mommy…mommy…"- Lita mumbled against Makoto's chest.
They were getting near where they live – a little apartment on the second floor of an old house, the first floor of it being Makoto's only means of survival. She inherited a small café from her mother and she's been taking care of it ever since her mother gave birth to her little sister and started to have problems with her heart. It seems those years, traveling around the colonies had its toll on her. Or maybe the sadness of being left alone really broke her heart…
It's been three years since you died, Mother. And I still miss you so much…
Lita sighed and lifted her head from Makoto's chest. "I want Luna, Mommy. Where's Luna?"- she asked, pouting.
Makoto smiled sadly. Her sister always have a tendency to call her 'Mommy' whenever she's sad - or she wants something really bad. The gesture touches her, but at the same time saddens her. Her sister never got to know their mother, so she must see Makoto as her mother figure.
They were passing in front of an old cemetery. Makoto glanced at it, her eyes getting a far off look. She stopped and went inside. The sky above her started to turn gray.
When they reached one particular tombstone, Makoto stopped and placed Lita on the ground. The kid looked around, confused and stood beside her sister's kneeling form. She saw that Makoto's eyes were welling and that her chin quivered slightly. Makoto was delineating the engraved words on the cold rock, a couple of tears falling from her eyes.
"Why Mommy sleeps there?" –Lita asked, her caramel-colored brows creasing in confusion. - "Why don't she sleeps on our house, with us Mako?"
Makoto had to smile. Her little sister just reached the stage where all toddlers start to ask endless questions. Sometimes it was hard for her to keep up with the kid and her constant chatter and questions, but she must admit that she also liked to have her sister around. Loneliness is too much of a burden for a young girl's heart, especially for one who seemed to have the ability to loose all that she holds dear with a frightening easiness.
First, she lost her father in a plane crash when she was about the same age her sister is now. She also lost her stepfather – he left when he learned Makoto's mother was sick. And then, the icing of the cake, she lost her mother due to heart problems about three years ago.
Her little sister meant the whole world for her. She was the reason why she was still able to smile. She was the purpose that kept her going. And she doesn't want to think how lonely her life could be if her sister wasn't around. That's why she protects her with all of her might.
Rain started to fall lightly.
"We better get going, Lita." – Makoto said, standing up from the soft ground.
Lita, looked up to her sister with wide green eyes. She still couldn't understand what does that simple granite tombstone in front of her meant. She's just a toddler after all, a bright one at that, but still too young.
"Why she sleeps there?"- she insisted.
Makoto chuckled just when the wind started to blow cold, humid air on them. Makoto kneeled in front of her sister. Lita was frowning, still waiting for her answer to her earlier questions while Makoto pulled the hood of her pink jacket over her small head and buttoned it securely under her chin.
"I told you, Lita." – Makoto whispered. – "She's not there anymore. Her spirit is keeping an eye on us from Heaven…" – she finished, straightening herself and taking her sister's hand.
"Where's Heaven?" – asked Lita looking up to her sister and frowning once more. –"Can I go there, too?"
Makoto's body tensed. She wanted to tell her sister that she couldn't go to Heaven and that she couldn't leave her alone. But she held her tongue before doing so. Instead, she smiled warmly at her sister and gave her a reassuring squeeze on her hand. They were walking out of the graveyard as fast as Lita's short legs allowed them.
"You can't go to Heaven now, Lita." – Makoto said with a warm smile on her lips while looking down to her sister. –"To do so, you would have to leave me. Do you want to leave me?"
"No!" – Lita answered vehemently, while pouting with resolution on her childish face. –"I don't wanna leave you!"
They reached the street and moved fast down the sidewalk, trying to get to their home before the rain gets them full force. Lita was walking – or should I say, bounce - on the tip of her toes, trying to keep up with her sister's long strides. Rain actually was getting worse - too fast for comfort.
Makoto had Lita's small backpack in her hand. Raindrops were crashing on her face, making it difficult for her to look forward. She picked Lita on her arms and started to run. She didn't want her sister to get sick… and she was so worried for her sister's safety that she never noticed the man that was walking down the sidewalk in the opposite direction they were running.
They clashed…
Makoto fell hard on her butt, surprisingly, still clutching Lita to her chest.
The man was off balance, but he didn't fall.
"Hey! Look where you going!" – Makoto cried, scowling fiercely.
The man didn't say a thing. He just bent and extended a hand to her. Rain was soaking him and he didn't seemed to mind at all.
Lita looked up to him and scowled…
Makoto's features softened and she took his hand. In this time and date, it's a rarity to find someone who actually tries to help you. The man pulled firmly and helped her to her feet…
"Thank you." – she whispered, smiling at him.
He turned to leave…
"Hey!" – Makoto called.
He stopped, but he never turned to look at her. She noticed he was a tall man – taller than her – and that he had auburn hair. His shoulders were broad and he seemed to be in good physical shape, though his body was lean.
"I was rude to you a moment ago." – Makoto said. –"Would you care for some coffee? My treat."
"No, thank you." – he simply said, his voice rich but nearly devoid of inflection.
"Its cold." – Lita whispered, shivering in Makoto's arms, her scowl still deep on her features.
Makoto sighed and looked down to her sister. Lita's face softened at the sound of her sister's sigh, but her lower lip was quivering and Makoto, instinctively, pressed her to her chest.
"We're going home now…" – Makoto whispered, stealing a glance to where the man was…
But he was already gone…
They found their café and they went in right away. The merry tinkle of a bell placed high on the door announced their arrival. Makoto looked around, skipping all the details of the place. She knew it by heart. Her small café seemed a little rustic, but very warm and homey. Everything inside of it was in country style, which meant a lot of wood, gingham and wildflowers. The aroma that came from the kitchen just enhanced its appeal. They were baking apple pies…
"Um! Sweets! Yay!" – Lita rejoiced jumping.
A blonde girl came out of the kitchen.
"Oh, hi!"- the girl said, smiling warmly.
"Hi!" – Makoto replied with a smile while kneeling beside her sister. - "You finally got here, Mina."
"Hi, hi!" – Lita sang waving her small, free hand at her.
Makoto was too busy trying to take the jacket off of her sister's shoulders to notice that they weren't alone in the café.
A young man, reaching his late teenage years, was staring at Makoto and her sister from his table at the far end of the café. He had long chestnut hair, neatly braided, and big expressive indigo eyes. He was wearing a dark jacket over a red shirt and black pants. A smile grazed his lips at the scene.
"What happened? Why are you soaking wet?" – the blonde girl asked.
"Mako bumped with a man in the street and she fell…" – Lita explained.
Mina smiled mischievously. "Was he handsome?" – she asked.
Makoto looked at her and shook her head. "You'll never change, would you?"
"I want some cake, Mako." – Lita said.
"No, we're going up to change your clothes…"
"But I want some cake!" – the girl said, pouting cutely at the young woman. –"Pweese!"
"No."
"How 'bout some juice and toast?" – suggested Mina from the other side of the counter.
Lita wasn't too excited with the suggestion…
"That'll be fine." –Makoto said looking down at Lita. –"Don't you think so, Lita?"
"No." – Lita declared, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting. –"I want some cake!"
The young man's smile widened.
"I've told you, time and again, that you can't eat sweets before dinner."
Lita pouted even more and scowled at the young woman. "I want cake!" – she declared defiantly. –"I_ want _cake!" - Lita turned on the balls of her feet and ran. Her plan was to get to the kitchen and grab a piece of cake before Makoto catches her.
Makoto sighed and went to stop Lita before she gets to the kitchen. She grabbed the girl by one of her curly pigtails, making her turn and yell angrily at her. Makoto chose that moment to pick up her sister. Then she walked to a stool and sat the little girl there. Lita just held her nose high, refusing to look at the young woman while she kept her arms crossed over her chest.
The young man chuckled and, somehow, caught the attention of the little girl.
"Duo!" – she smiled at him and waved her little hand.
Makoto looked confused for a moment. Lita took advantage of this and jumped from the stool and ran towards the young man.
"Duo! Is you!" – Lita said smiling brightly at the braided young man.
He smiled kindly at her, while Makoto frowned at him. The young woman, who had a beautiful head of reddish-brown hair and soft green eyes, went to them. She cleared her throat to gain their attention…
"Do I know you?" – she asked, placing her hands on her hips.
The young man looked up to her and smiled a charming smile meant to melt any girl's defenses. But Makoto was in protective mode and his smile didn't faze her. On the contrary, she scowled at him…
"She's Mommy, Duo. Remember I told you about her?" –Lita said taking the young man's hand and giving it a pull. Duo's attention was solely on her sister, and Lita didn't like that.
Duo looked taken aback by Lita's words. He never thought such a young – and so beautiful – woman can be Lita's mother. Why! She looks as young as he does, or even younger…
"I didn't knew Lita has such a beautiful mother…" – he murmured without him knowing he actually expressed his thoughts out loud. –"And so young, too…"
Someone giggled on the kitchen and Mina's golden head popped from a window placed on the wall behind the counter. Her beautiful sky blue eyes held mirth while she looked at the braided boy.
Duo looked a little uncomfortable. "Did I miss something?" – he asked.
Makoto smiled at him with a very gentle smile that softened her features and made her look like an ethereal creature. There was something on her eyes that seemed so familiar to him, but he didn't know what. He doesn't remember meeting a girl like her on his life – he knows he would never forget such a charming face. But still, he feels he knows her… he just doesn't know from where.
Lita gave a hard pull to his hand, making him look down at her. She was so tiny that she looked like a little doll. Yet her scowl and pout told him she was no toy.
"Why you look at Mommy like that?" – she asked.
Makoto laughed nervously. She also noticed the hard gaze the young man gave her. It made her feel self-conscious and timid – things she didn't like, since it was the first time she felt something like it with a young man. She could feel her hands shake and sweat. Her cheeks felt hot under his gaze and something stirred at the pit of her stomach. And it wasn't that this young man wasn't attractive. Quite the opposite, she found him very attractive and just the thought made her feel even more nervous…
"So, Lita, what happened in school?" – another young woman asked absentmindedly. This one had a very warm voice. She sported a head of short blue-black hair and deep blue eyes. In her hands she carried a tray with freshly baked apple pie that she was placing on a plate over the counter.
"Yeah, Lita. What happened in school?" – asked Mina from the inside of the kitchen, her head peeking trough the window behind the counter – "I forgot to ask you. Did that boy Billy did something to you?"
"Oh, no…" – muttered Makoto bringing a hand to her hair and preparing herself for the worst.
Lita's face scrunched up. Her lower lip started to tremble. She threw her head back and …
"Luuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! Luna!" – she cried.
Duo winced and Makoto bent down to carry her. Mina came out of the kitchen and the other young woman nearly drops the apple pie in her hands.
"That Billy boy did something to her, did he?" – Mina spat angrily. –"I'll show him!"
"Mina!" – the one with the short blue-black hair admonished. –"He's just a kid."
"He's a devil kid! That's what he is, Amy!" – Mina said placing her hands on her hips.
"Luuuuunnnnnnaaaaa, Mommy! I want Luna!"
"Sh… Sweetie Pie, Raye said she'd try to find her…sh…" – Makoto cooed on Lita's ear.
"No! I want Luna now!"
The young man, though entranced with the way Makoto held the little girl and talked to her softly, just had to ask…
"What's Luna?"
Makoto smiled to him and for the second time he felt he knew her from somewhere… he just couldn't place a finger where. The young woman blushed under his intent gaze while she patted the little kid's back. She seemed nervous when she started to answer his question. She even cleared her throat before doing so.
"Luna is Lita's favorite toy." – she explained over Lita's high-pitched cries. –"She goes everywhere with it."
Duo had the impulse to smack his own forehead. How could he forget the reason why he was in that café?
"You mean…" – he said turning and looking beside him and picked up a dark bundle. – "This?" – he finished unwrapping the bundle and showing a black cuddly cat with a yellow crescent on its forehead.
Lita looked up from Makoto's shoulder and her verdant eyes lighted up with happiness.
"Luna! You saved her, Duo!"
Makoto, once more on protective mode, narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.
"Who are you?" – she asked him. She had to put Lita on the ground because her little sister was jumping up and down in her arms trying to grab her favorite toy.
The young man smiled dashingly at her. His full attention placed upon her once more and – this time – without any distractions. Lita went to Amy and Mina's side to tell them 'Duo saved Luna'. The young girl then proceeded to explain them how Billy threw her toy down a staircase, while Mina kept a mischievous eye on the pair in front of her. A small, impish smile grazed Mina's lips.
The young man gave a step forward while Makoto moved two backwards bringing a hand to her throat unconsciously. He extended his hand and took hers, bowing slightly to ease the mood. Mina giggled while Makoto turned a whiter shade.
"The name's Duo Maxwell." – he said. –"And Lita's mother name is?"
Now Mina snorted and started to laugh. Makoto blushed fiercely. Duo looked crossed.
"She's my sister, Silly Duo!" – Lita said stomping her tiny feet.
And Duo's grin couldn't be bigger.
"My name is Makoto." – she said and he looked at her. He just loved the soft, husky voice she has… and the way she blushed… her green eyes… and so on…
"Pleased to meet you, Makoto." – he said, placing a kiss on Makoto's hand.