Author's Note: I think I may make the chapters alternate. Go between the senshi's points of view one chapter, and then Sailor New Moon's point of view the next. I hope this makes some sense. I'm new at the fan fiction thing. Avid RPer, but never fan fictiony. This chapter is a little dark, but it'll lighten up soon I believe. Well let me know what you think. Arigato.
A long sigh of exasperation fluttered across the tranquil landscape of the shrine. Tsukino Usagi draped her lean figure over the stairs in an expression of boredom. "You know baka head you could help me instead of loafing about" the stately black haired woman scolded. Hino Rei had helped her grandfather here at Hikawa Jinja for a long while now, and knew even as she scolded her golden headed friend, there was no chance of Usagi picking up a broom.
Another sigh left Usa's pretty pink lips. "It's been so…dull lately" she stated. Lazily she pulled herself up into a sitting position. "You want to be fighting monsters left and right? You want to wake up every morning not knowing whether you're going to see the sun set?" Rei asked rather sharply. Usagi looked at her with a few slow blinks of her sapphire eyes. "No, that's…that's not what I meant at all. But it's difficult to get used to being so…useless." The blonde seemed very downhearted. At that moment Rei completely understood. It wasn't danger Usagi wanted, it was to feel like she truly was helping someone. Rei shook her head and decided to liven the mood. She tossed the bamboo broom at Usagi. Usagi's reflexes had greatly improved since the first time she'd found out she was Senshi of the moon, and she caught the broom without much thought. "Well make yourself useful then" Rei ordered, laughs and smiles sparkling in her violet eyes. Those kind sapphire eyes glared for but a moment as she thought of something clever to say.
"Cut it out you two" the sharp voice of Luna floated to them. She walked at the head of the small group heading down the path. Makoto and Minako were deep in conversation, while Ami waved cheerily in their direction. The last companion of the group trailed at the end. He sat next to Luna and licked his white paw. "We haven't time for your silly squabbling" Artemis said unhurriedly.Makoto took her place on the steps beside Usagi, while Minako and Ami perched on the railing closest to Rei. All looked at the two felines."It's not like the world is going to end" Usagi quipped. It was Minako that spoke then. "Maybe not yet. Have you happened to look at the paper?" She asked. "You mean like actually read it?" Usagi grinned sheepishly. She never touched the morning paper. Rei let out a heavy sigh. "Baka head" she muttered. Minako spared them both a scolding glance. "Two people were murdered last night" Minako said softly. The atmosphere of the group dimmed. "Murdered? That's not really our area of expertise" Makoto pointed out. Luna nodded her furry head. "Usually I'd say it was something for the police, but this is quite unusual. The victims were…" she paused and Minako took over. "Beheaded, bloodless, and marked with strange symbols" she shuddered a little inwardly. "Still could be a run of the mill serial killer" Rei said. Luna shook her head. "Why not?" Rei asked of the black cat. "The symbols are…Lunarian. Ancient, before the time of the Moon Kingdom, when they say wolves lived upon it…whoever killed these people, is not from this world." She explained. Stunned silence followed. "You'll patrol this evening. Let's find out what we're up against this time." Artemis suggested. There was a collective nod from the group. Luna turned her attention to Usagi "Go find Mamoru-san and let him know. I believe we'll need all the help we can get." She ordered her. Usagi nodded instantly.
It was Rei's attention they noticed had left them then. She was looking beyond them all. In the shadows of the cherry trees stood a tall beautiful figure with long green tinted raven hair. Rei bowed slowly and addressed her presence. "Setsuna-san" she greeted softly. The others rose and followed in greeting.
The Senshi of Time smiled gracefully and walked to them. "Hello to you all" she greeted gently. "This isn't a social call I guess?" Luna asked immediately. Setsuna shook her head and looked sad. "I wish it was, I truly due" she stated. Usagi looked at her worriedly. "Chibi-Usa?" She asked, fear rising in her voice. "Oh heavens, no…Chibi Usa is alright. As is everyone else in the future." She stated quickly, pressing her hand to her heart. Usagi looked relieved for only a moment. "Then why are you here?" she asked. "The creature who killed those men is a Senshi. A guardian Senshi. I fear it may be one of the original three." She stated. Luna and Artemis let out gasps of horror. "Oh no!" the cat stated. Setsuna nodded wearily. The other Senshi seemed confused, they looked to her for the answer.
"There is a Senshi for every planet, for every galaxy, and much more. There were though three Senshi created who were more powerful than many of these other Senshi. The Guardian Senshi like myself, guard an aspect of existence. I guard time and the gate between the past, present, and future. Yet I am nothing compared to the original three. The guardian of Life, The guardian of Reality, and the Guardian of Death. They were unmatched in strength and power. They disappeared long before I was a Senshi. They are myths. I fear though that one has returned somehow." She paused to see if they understood. Setsuna inhaled slowly and sighed. "The Guardians were lost. Senshi were never again made as powerful as they were. If even one has returned, it may be enough to destroy us all." She shook her head and shoved her hands into the pockets of her Edwardian jacket. "But if they are Senshi…why would they do that?" Ami asked, breaking her collected calm silence. "There were three, they were never apart…They kept each other in check, so to speak. Together they were unstoppable, but controlled. Only one has returned. I believe it is the Senshi of Death." She stopped again, struggling with her dry throat.
"Death does not distinguish between good and evil. This Senshi will kill each and every one of us, and never care. She has no soul; she survives on the souls and blood of those she kills. When she kills someone she judges that soul, and there are horrors waiting in the next life that are unimaginable." She shuddered as if a sudden cold wind had caressed her.
The group shuddered as well. Setsuna let out a dry laugh as she watched the sky cloud over with rain. They all looked at her startled when the humorless laugh touched their ears.
"We are not strong enough to stop her. The only way will survive is by running from her. Believe me when I say she is coming for us." She scribbled two quick symbols in the dirt as the rain began to fall. Two symbols not seen on Earth until the two dead men had been discovered the night before.
"Judgment for the warriors of the solar system, past and future" she whispered.
"Death for all" she quickly brushed out the symbols and bowed her head against the downpour.