A/N Ya know what? I really don't like flames.
M. Trunks: *sigh* Yes. We were flamed. Evil flamer.
S. Saturn: *glares at evil flamer* But ya know what? It only makes me want to write faster. To spite you. 132 reviewers can't be wrong.
M. Trunks: *clears throat* Yes. Uh. RRs!
esteebee: O.O Note to self.....don't kill off Inu any time soon. And yes, I loved the destruction! More please!
cassie: Uh...you'll see! And I don't think I'm even half way through this fic yet. ^_^ I'll be writing for awhile!
d.g. and crew: *is shaking* Ghosts...and snakes.....AHH!!! *hides in the closet* My skeleton collection will protect me!
Jennilyn Maxwell: Thanks! ^^ I so happy now!
sailor monkey: Thanks for reading! ^_^ I'm so evil for that cliffie.
Ren-Okye: I know what's gonna happen! ^_^ And soon, you will too!
Tigerfanfrv: Yeah, its getting old. I swear this will be the last chapter for that though....I'm just so bad with fight scenes....they're eigher too short or too long...can't get it right.
That-Loser-Chick: Ooooh. Okay then. You might see some of that this chapter!
Hart: Nope. I can't spell. And I will probably forget that again. Thanks for the info!
rsd: Thats okay, I know what its like to be busy. Story of my life right there.
Bakura's Girl: Uh....I might, in the sequel.
aserene: Nope! She's back! Hehe!
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~^o_o^~ Inuyasha says: WHATS WITH YOU, YOU %^&$* FLAMER??!!
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Chapter 13: Friends? What's that?
Distant eyes looked at the group. Hotaru had seemed to grow a couple of inches, her bangs were tassiled, and stuck out and around her forehead, revealing the symbol of Saturn. The girl rose her hands in front of her, flexing them with a forlorn look. "I have...awakened. After a deathly sleep I have returned." The girl smiled a smile that didn't seem to match her expression. "And now that I have, I must fulfill my duty."
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Inuyasha looked at the girl in bewilderment. 'What is she going on about? And what is that strange smell coming off of her? She smells older....darker. Is this what those other girls were so worried about?' He smirked. 'She's weaker now than when she was before!'
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Trista collapsed to her knees. "No. Oh no. Hotaru!"
The blonde behind her gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. "Its over. After all that hard work trying to save this world! Its over."
Tears streamed down Michelle's cheeks. "The Sovern of Silence! We're doomed."
The three watched in horror as a dark wand appeared in the girl's hand. "Its time fo the silence to start."
"Saturn Millenium Power! Makeup!"
A blinding violet light pulsed from the wand, enveloping the girl who held it. Its deathly power coursing into her.
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When the light died, Kagome looked to her possessed freind. She gasped at her new change of clothes. Her sleeves looked torn and jagged, revealing the girl's shoulders. The elbow-length gloves she wore were now pointed at the cuff. The heart-shaped pin on the front of the uniform was gone, replaced by a sharp, multipointed star.
"H-h-hotaru?" She gasped as she stepped closer to her freind.
"Kagome! Don't go near her!" Trista yelled.
"But. She's my freind!"
"No! Stay back!" Amira added.
Kagome gasped as Sailor Saturn snapped her head towards her. "Hotaru?"
Gently, Saturn brought her hand above her head, seemingly reaching for the heavens themselves. She closed her hand as a long siethe-like weapon appeared. In a single fluid movement, the girl brought down the glaive, leveling it inches away from Kagome's face. "I am not Hotaru any longer."
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Inuyasha's eyes widened in shock. "Kagome!" Momentarily forgetting about the snake demon, he jumped over to his ma...uh....shard detector. He stood inbetween Kagome and the blade that was pointing at her. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" He glared at Saturn.
The girl remained silent. Her features set in a distant, determined look.
"Hey wench! I'm talking to you!" Inuyasha growled. He glared at the girl. 'Something's wrong! Her scent changed again!' This new smell irrated his nose, making it burn. 'Death. She smells like death!'
Behind him, Kagome looked at her freind, with fear in her eyes. "Hotaru! What's wrong with you?"
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Darkness. That's all there was. Hotaru opened her eyes and gazed at the inky blackness. {What happened? Where am I?} Her head was spinning.
In front of her, a light formed. As she looked at it, the light took shape and solifyed. Hotaru blinked. {Who are you?}
{I am you} A familar voice answered as Hotaru stood up. Standing before her was a girl slightly taller than herself. She wore a sailor fuku much like her own, with only a few altercations. Hotaru gasped at the resemblance.
{You look like me!}
The figure gazed back at her. {I am you. The real you. I have been sleeping inside of you since we were reborn fifteen years ago. We worked as one for many years, until our two beings seperated after the final battle with Sailor Galaxia.}
{But, where am I? How did I get here?}
{You are inside your unconscious mind. After the snake attacked you, you fell into this state. Once the other Senshi arrived, they too battled with the demon, but the beast proved to be too powerful for them, and they failed. Knowing that the demon still posed a threat to this world, my being was awakened.}
Behind the spirit, a window appeared. {What is that?} Hotaru asked, looking at it.
{It is a window to the outside world. At this moment, my conscious is moving our body, getting ready to destroy the two demons in our sight.} She gestered towards the screen.
Hotaru blinked. {So, those are my....our eyes?}
{Exactly.}
Awestruck, the raven-haired girl stared at it. {This is bizare!} Through her eyes, she gazed at the battlefield, or at least what her line of vision allowed. {Hey look! There's Kagome!} She gazed at her freind, that boy with the strange ears was standing in front of her glaring back.
The spirit gazed back at the window and sneered.
{What was that look for?} Hotaru asked.
The spirit sneered again. {That girl. She is being protected by that demon. Which must mean she is in league with them. That is unacceptable, and she must be punished along with them.}
Hotaru looked horrified. {What?!} She looked again and saw the weapon leveled at the two. {No!}
The spirit looked suprised. {You protest?}
{Yes! Its not right!}
{She is in league with these de-}
{SHE IS MY FREIND!}
The spirit was silent, her eyes gave a confused look as she stared at the girl.
{Listen, I've never had many freinds. Everyone always called me 'freak' and 'weirdo.' But Kagome isn't like that, she is one of the nicest people I have met. Please. Don't hurt her.} Tears weilded up in her pleading eyes as she waited for an answer.
When the answer didn't come, fear rose again in the pleading girl's eyes. {Spirit?}
The figure blinked, confused eyes changed to eyes of clarity and determination. {Freinds? We have...freinds?}
Hotaru blinked. Had she never had a freind before? Slowly she nodded. {Yeah.}
The spirit of Saturn smiled. This wasn't a smile mixed in with sorrowful eyes like her previous ones. This one was genuine. {We have freinds! And you know what? I like that.} The figure nodded. {Do not worry. I will not harm this girl, nor her demon freind. I will vanquish that serpant, and let you regain control.} The figure began to fade. {Wait here and witness.}
{Thank you. My freind.}
The light that was the spirit vanished, but the window before Hotaru remained. The voice of the spirit resounded around the darkness. {Yes. My freind.}
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Kagome gripped onto Inuyasha's shoulder. "Inuyasha. What's wrong with her?"
The inu hanyou before her growled. "How am I supposed to know?!"
The blade before them sparked with energy. Slowly, the blade rose as the girl brought it and into a vertical position. The teenager and half demon looked to the possessor of the glaive. "There has been an agreement." Came the cool voice of Sailor Saturn. "I will vanquish that serpent now. Wait here and witness." She turned her back to the couple and the soft tapping of her boots soon followed.
Inuyasha blinked, confused. "What just happened?" It took a moment for him to register what had happened, but when it finnally clicked, he growled. "LIKE HELL I'M GOING TO 'WAIT HERE AND WITNESS!!!'" He took off after the sailor. In an instant, he had passed her and reached the demon. "YOU WATCH AND SEE HOW ITS DONE!!!" He pushed off of the ground in a giant leap at the target.
"IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!!!"
His claws hit the beast's open mouth, which was clearly hoping for an easy meal. The power of the blast tore through the tender meat of the snake's mouth, causing blood and acid to spray from the wound.
"GOTCHA!!!" Inuyasha crowed.
Behind him, Kagome looked on in fear. A shower of covorsive acid and blood flew towards her! "INUYASHA!!!"
Inuyasha glanced back at the girl, still hyped up from finally getting a good blow in. That ecastaty quickly changed to horror. Kagome was in trouble! And he couldn't get to her in time! "KAGOME!!!"
The trembling girl brought her arms up in a devensive position. She could not possibly outrun the blast. She waited for the pain to come.
"SATURN SILENCE WALL!!!"
Saturn stood her glaive up before her, creating a large force field around her and Kagome behind her. She watched as the liquid acid rolled harmlessly down the wall and land sizzling on the concrete below. As the last of the venom and blood washed down, the girl relaxed; causeing the wall to vanish. The sailor turned. "You okay, Kagome?"
The trembling girl nodded. "Yeah...thanks."
Sailor Saturn nodded and returned her gaze to the serpent demon. 'Well, his scales are harder than rock, but his weak point is in his mouth. How can we use this to our advantage?'
The smaller demon looked her way, past her to Kagome behind her. The boy's eyes radiated relief, and another emotion the sailor couldn't read. She was familiar with only the dark emotions, the reason being that everyone who gazed at her showed fear and hatred in thier eyes.
'This is not the time for that! We must focus on the task at hand!'
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Kagome was shaken. 'She saved me! I really could have been killed there, but she protected me.' She glanced at Inuyasha, who was looking at her with a shocked expression. Slowly, she smiled at him, letting him know she would be okay. 'Now, about that demon, due to the power of the jewel shard, his power increased. If we could somehow get the shard away from him, Inuyasha could defeat him.' Kagome's eyes narrowed in thought.
Suddenly, an idea hit the girl. Her eyes widened in the simple answer that struck her. Without bothering with an explaination, she turned on her heel and ran.
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Amira looked at the retreating girl. "Well, at least she has the sense to run." She looked back at the transformed Saturn. 'Too bad it will do no good.'
Trista looked at the fight from her spot on the concrete. "No. The Earth is doomed! Saturn will silence it. Like she did to our Millenium Kingdom all those years ago! She is heartless and ruthless!" But something didn't add up. 'Why did she go out of her way to protect Kagome? Is it possible? What is she thinking?'
'Where is she going?' Michelle thought as Kagome ran into the main house. 'Well, at least she is out of immediate danger. But, why did Saturn protect her? That isn't like her at all. Could it be possible? Is Hotaru still in there somewhere?!'
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"KAGOME?!" Inuyasha yelled. 'Where does she think she's going?!' He leapt above another swipe of the demon's tail. "I NEED YOU TO TELL ME WHERE THAT SHARD IS!!!"
Behind him, the serpant spat out the last of the blood dripping from its mouth. He lunged at the distracted hanyou, jaws snapping and venom spraying.
Inuyasha turned in time to see the movements of the serpant. "What the HELL?!" He drew the Tetsugia from his sheath, where he had put it right before Neptune's last attack. "Bring it on!" He said, preparing for its strike.
"Saturn Silence Glaive Suprise!!!"
Above his head, purple circular bands shot at the snake's open mouth, striking and sometimes passing through it.
Inuyasha jumped clear of the falling fangs and chunks of flesh that fell around him. The serpant's open mouth resounded screams of pain and agony as teh demon became limp and crashed before Inuyasha. Growling loudly, he spun behind him, where Saturn stood, having just swiped her glaive towards the snake. He knew she was the one who had caused his foe's agony.
"I didn't ask for your help! This is my fight! Stay out of it!"
The soldier of silence stayed true to her name as she remained unresponsive. The girl's gaze remained locked behind him, as the downed monster. Or so he thought.
The pointed ears atop Inuyasha's head twitched as they picked up the sound of dry skin scraping along hard concrete. Inuyasha tensed and spun around.
Slowly, the demon was slithering away from him, towards teh dry well from wince he came. The blood that flowed from the open wounds in his mouth steadily slowed as the dark energy of the jewel helped in the demon's natural healing ability.
"Just where do you think you're going?!" Inuyasha roared as he hurried to head the demon off. He held Tetsuagia out threateningly as the demon stopped.
"What's the matter, demon?" Saturn asked as she slowly made her own approach to the snake. "Finding it hard to summon the power of the scouts that you stole? Well, it should be. Only those with a pure heart can call on the sacred power of the senshi." She stopped as the snake bared what was left of its fangs at her. Which was two. Slowly, something happened that no one, especially the other scouts, expected. Saturn giggled. "Well, I'm sure your dentist will love your vist, seeing as how the bill will certainly keep him in business!"
Suddenly, the laughter stopped, and the serious look reappeared on the scout's face. "Once Galaxia was defeated, Sailor Moon used the silver crystal to ensure that the powers of the Sailor's would never again be used for evil. That same day, my other self swore to never again use this, the Silence Glaive." She motioned to the staff in her hand. "And my being was locked away in the far corners of her mind. But now, she has allowed my participation in this battle, and I will not dissapoint her. So, prepare yourself snake." The glaive rose above her girl's head. "For now I will bring the ultimate attack of death upon you!"
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"The ultimate attack?!" Trista repeated.
"No Saturn!!" Amara called, stepping towards her. "Its too powerful!!!"
"It'll destroy the Earth!" Michelle said pleadingly. "And you!"
"Its the only way." Saturn said, bringing the staff into position. 'If the shard was not positioned within its gut, giving his scales such incrediable armor, I wouldn't need to use full power, but since it is...'
{Saturn, what is happening?} Hotaru asked in her mind.
{Do not worry, my friend. Once I use the full force of this attack, the demon will be no more.} She replied.
{But, what about you, spirit?}
{Just like before, I will return to a deathly silence. Not to be risen again. You will be forever free of me.}
{What? You mean...you will *die*?! NO!!! Don't do it!!!}
{This is the only path to take.} Saturn sent most of her energy into her glaive. "The power of death! Make yourself known!"
Hotaru clasped her hands together. {No please! Someone, anyone. Please. Stop this!}
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A bright streak cut through the afternoon sun. It hit the scaly hide of the serpant, adn exploded upon contact. The brilliant light caused everyone to sheild thier eyes.
Saturn brought down her glaive in suprise, not having released its deathly power. She looked towards where the beam orginated. She inwardly gasped. "Kagome!?"
The raven'haired Kagome stood just outside the main house, bow in hand. Quickly, she notched another arrow from the quiver on her back and aimed. "Snake! I swear I won't miss that shard this time!" She narrowed her eyes, just to the side of that giant hole in the creature's scales resided the shikon no tama shard. "Say goodbye to that shard!" She yelled as she released her arrow. Holy power encased the arrow as it traveled through the air.
The serpant, knowing it could not possibly survive this new attack, used the last of its power to coil and spring into the air. The holy arrow flew harmlessly by, and hit a small storehouse.
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Inuyasha snarled as the demon soared above his head. "Damn!"
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Sailor Saturn spun her glaive. 'Now's my chance!' Focusing at the steadily closing wound on the serpant's side, a new plan had formed. {Hotaru, thank Kagome for me!}
In a blinding flash, Saturn released more power into her glaive.
"SATURN DEATH REBORN REVELUTION!!!"
Using all of her physical limits, the senshi threw the seithe of death at the open wound of the demon. She smiled as the blade peirced into its tender meat, and exploded upon contact.
The entire group witnessed the demon's scream of pain and suprise as it's body turned to dust and evaporated. The aftershock resounded around them. Inuyasha ran to Kagome and knocked her down to block the debris.
Amara gasped as once again, she found herself in the bush. Trista ran into the well house for shelter, and Michelle pressed herself to the ground for as much protection as it could offer.
Saturn just stood her ground. Her eyes closed as the dust and wind surrounded her. 'My power is completely tapped out, and my job is done.' She sighed. {Hotaru? It is time.}
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Hotaru gasped as the two windows before her vanished, leaving her alone in the black void. {Time? For what?}
The spirit of Saturn slowly materialized before her. {My job is done, and my time has expired.}
Hotaru paled. {What do you mean, spirit?! You're...not going to die?!}
The spirit looked suprised, before she closed her eyes and giggled. {No. Though I am grateful for your worry. I just meant that the demon is destroyed, and you can regain control.}
The girl blinked. {So...does this mean...you'll still be here?}
{I was planning to go and return to sleep. My power is completely gone, and I will be no use to you until I regain it.}
{So. This means you will still be here, with me?}
The spirit nodded. {Yes. I will always be with you, until you ask otherwise. For, like you, I never really had many people who would call me a freind.}
Hotaru smiled. {That's great!} She gasped as the darkness around her lightened. {What's happening?!}
{Do not worry, you are regaining full conscienous.} The spirit began to fade. {But, always remember, Hotaru, if you should ever need me, I will be here.}
{Wait, spirit! I don't even know you're name! Please, tell me!}
The spirit smiled. {Mikomi. Call me Mikomi.}
Hotaru smiled as closed her eyes. {Hope. That's a fitting name.} Around her, the void vanished, and when she opened her eyes again, she was standing at Kagome's shrine, in her school uniform. "What a ride!"
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Meanwhile 500 years in the past, an earily quiet figure approached the dry well. "So, this is it. The passage that allows that girl to come to this world."
The figure rose its weapon in the air. "No longer."
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Trista emerged from the well house. She noticed Michelle helping Amara out of the bush.
Inuyasha and Kagome were digging through the rubble near the God-Tree, and Kagome let out a whoop as she held up the stolen shikon shard.
Hotaru was back to normal, sitting on the ground. She looked more haggard than the others and smiled weakly as she met Trista's gaze.
She, Amara, and Michelle walked over to the small girl. "That was a rush!" Hotaru exclaimed as they approached.
Michelle knelt down beside the girl. "Are you okay?"
"What happened to you Hotaru?" Amara asked.
The girl's eyes lit up. "It was so cool you guys! This other girl, Mikomi, came to me and told me she would destroy that demon. She looked just like me! She told me she would not hurt you guys, cause you were my freinds! She was very nice!"
"Mikomi, the original Sailor Saturn, the one from the old Silver Millenium." Michelle whispered. "I never thought I'd hear that name again."
"Well, isn't this convienant?" Came a voice from behind them. They all turned as Inuyasha and a beaming Kagome approached. "I've got some questions, and you four are going to answer them, or I will beat 'im outta ya!"
Amara blocked his way. "Its none of your business, demon. So why don't you and your little girlfriend go somewhere before I get really mad!"
"Cut it out Amara!" Trista intervined. "Don't forget, we have questions of our own, we should cooperate..." Her voice drifted off, and the young woman became quiet.
"Or what, Trista?" Michelle asked.
Hotaru noticed the strange look on the older senshi's face. "Trista, what's wrong?"
"The flow of time, something's wrong! Time has started to change!"
The others looked puzzled. What could that mean?
They got the answer as a huge explosion resounded from behind them. Dust and wood flew around them. Inuyasha wrapped his arms protectively around a frightened Kagome as the dust covered the six.
After the shock wore off, everyone looked around, but it was Kagome who saw it first as she passed the damaged wellhouse.
The well was completely destroyed.
Ends Chapter 13
S. Saturn: Sorry guys, that would have been up sooner, had it not been for a very annoying hurricane that blew through my yard and knocked out all my power.
M. Trunks: Don't you just hate the weather?
S. Saturn: Anyway. Review please! ^_^ Oh, and you can try to guess who destoryed the well! To me its obvious, but then again. Im the one who knows!
M. Trunks: Laterz all!
~Sailor Saturn and Mirai Trunks~
M. Trunks: *sigh* Yes. We were flamed. Evil flamer.
S. Saturn: *glares at evil flamer* But ya know what? It only makes me want to write faster. To spite you. 132 reviewers can't be wrong.
M. Trunks: *clears throat* Yes. Uh. RRs!
esteebee: O.O Note to self.....don't kill off Inu any time soon. And yes, I loved the destruction! More please!
cassie: Uh...you'll see! And I don't think I'm even half way through this fic yet. ^_^ I'll be writing for awhile!
d.g. and crew: *is shaking* Ghosts...and snakes.....AHH!!! *hides in the closet* My skeleton collection will protect me!
Jennilyn Maxwell: Thanks! ^^ I so happy now!
sailor monkey: Thanks for reading! ^_^ I'm so evil for that cliffie.
Ren-Okye: I know what's gonna happen! ^_^ And soon, you will too!
Tigerfanfrv: Yeah, its getting old. I swear this will be the last chapter for that though....I'm just so bad with fight scenes....they're eigher too short or too long...can't get it right.
That-Loser-Chick: Ooooh. Okay then. You might see some of that this chapter!
Hart: Nope. I can't spell. And I will probably forget that again. Thanks for the info!
rsd: Thats okay, I know what its like to be busy. Story of my life right there.
Bakura's Girl: Uh....I might, in the sequel.
aserene: Nope! She's back! Hehe!
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~^o_o^~ Inuyasha says: WHATS WITH YOU, YOU %^&$* FLAMER??!!
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Chapter 13: Friends? What's that?
Distant eyes looked at the group. Hotaru had seemed to grow a couple of inches, her bangs were tassiled, and stuck out and around her forehead, revealing the symbol of Saturn. The girl rose her hands in front of her, flexing them with a forlorn look. "I have...awakened. After a deathly sleep I have returned." The girl smiled a smile that didn't seem to match her expression. "And now that I have, I must fulfill my duty."
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Inuyasha looked at the girl in bewilderment. 'What is she going on about? And what is that strange smell coming off of her? She smells older....darker. Is this what those other girls were so worried about?' He smirked. 'She's weaker now than when she was before!'
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Trista collapsed to her knees. "No. Oh no. Hotaru!"
The blonde behind her gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. "Its over. After all that hard work trying to save this world! Its over."
Tears streamed down Michelle's cheeks. "The Sovern of Silence! We're doomed."
The three watched in horror as a dark wand appeared in the girl's hand. "Its time fo the silence to start."
"Saturn Millenium Power! Makeup!"
A blinding violet light pulsed from the wand, enveloping the girl who held it. Its deathly power coursing into her.
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When the light died, Kagome looked to her possessed freind. She gasped at her new change of clothes. Her sleeves looked torn and jagged, revealing the girl's shoulders. The elbow-length gloves she wore were now pointed at the cuff. The heart-shaped pin on the front of the uniform was gone, replaced by a sharp, multipointed star.
"H-h-hotaru?" She gasped as she stepped closer to her freind.
"Kagome! Don't go near her!" Trista yelled.
"But. She's my freind!"
"No! Stay back!" Amira added.
Kagome gasped as Sailor Saturn snapped her head towards her. "Hotaru?"
Gently, Saturn brought her hand above her head, seemingly reaching for the heavens themselves. She closed her hand as a long siethe-like weapon appeared. In a single fluid movement, the girl brought down the glaive, leveling it inches away from Kagome's face. "I am not Hotaru any longer."
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Inuyasha's eyes widened in shock. "Kagome!" Momentarily forgetting about the snake demon, he jumped over to his ma...uh....shard detector. He stood inbetween Kagome and the blade that was pointing at her. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" He glared at Saturn.
The girl remained silent. Her features set in a distant, determined look.
"Hey wench! I'm talking to you!" Inuyasha growled. He glared at the girl. 'Something's wrong! Her scent changed again!' This new smell irrated his nose, making it burn. 'Death. She smells like death!'
Behind him, Kagome looked at her freind, with fear in her eyes. "Hotaru! What's wrong with you?"
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Darkness. That's all there was. Hotaru opened her eyes and gazed at the inky blackness. {What happened? Where am I?} Her head was spinning.
In front of her, a light formed. As she looked at it, the light took shape and solifyed. Hotaru blinked. {Who are you?}
{I am you} A familar voice answered as Hotaru stood up. Standing before her was a girl slightly taller than herself. She wore a sailor fuku much like her own, with only a few altercations. Hotaru gasped at the resemblance.
{You look like me!}
The figure gazed back at her. {I am you. The real you. I have been sleeping inside of you since we were reborn fifteen years ago. We worked as one for many years, until our two beings seperated after the final battle with Sailor Galaxia.}
{But, where am I? How did I get here?}
{You are inside your unconscious mind. After the snake attacked you, you fell into this state. Once the other Senshi arrived, they too battled with the demon, but the beast proved to be too powerful for them, and they failed. Knowing that the demon still posed a threat to this world, my being was awakened.}
Behind the spirit, a window appeared. {What is that?} Hotaru asked, looking at it.
{It is a window to the outside world. At this moment, my conscious is moving our body, getting ready to destroy the two demons in our sight.} She gestered towards the screen.
Hotaru blinked. {So, those are my....our eyes?}
{Exactly.}
Awestruck, the raven-haired girl stared at it. {This is bizare!} Through her eyes, she gazed at the battlefield, or at least what her line of vision allowed. {Hey look! There's Kagome!} She gazed at her freind, that boy with the strange ears was standing in front of her glaring back.
The spirit gazed back at the window and sneered.
{What was that look for?} Hotaru asked.
The spirit sneered again. {That girl. She is being protected by that demon. Which must mean she is in league with them. That is unacceptable, and she must be punished along with them.}
Hotaru looked horrified. {What?!} She looked again and saw the weapon leveled at the two. {No!}
The spirit looked suprised. {You protest?}
{Yes! Its not right!}
{She is in league with these de-}
{SHE IS MY FREIND!}
The spirit was silent, her eyes gave a confused look as she stared at the girl.
{Listen, I've never had many freinds. Everyone always called me 'freak' and 'weirdo.' But Kagome isn't like that, she is one of the nicest people I have met. Please. Don't hurt her.} Tears weilded up in her pleading eyes as she waited for an answer.
When the answer didn't come, fear rose again in the pleading girl's eyes. {Spirit?}
The figure blinked, confused eyes changed to eyes of clarity and determination. {Freinds? We have...freinds?}
Hotaru blinked. Had she never had a freind before? Slowly she nodded. {Yeah.}
The spirit of Saturn smiled. This wasn't a smile mixed in with sorrowful eyes like her previous ones. This one was genuine. {We have freinds! And you know what? I like that.} The figure nodded. {Do not worry. I will not harm this girl, nor her demon freind. I will vanquish that serpant, and let you regain control.} The figure began to fade. {Wait here and witness.}
{Thank you. My freind.}
The light that was the spirit vanished, but the window before Hotaru remained. The voice of the spirit resounded around the darkness. {Yes. My freind.}
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Kagome gripped onto Inuyasha's shoulder. "Inuyasha. What's wrong with her?"
The inu hanyou before her growled. "How am I supposed to know?!"
The blade before them sparked with energy. Slowly, the blade rose as the girl brought it and into a vertical position. The teenager and half demon looked to the possessor of the glaive. "There has been an agreement." Came the cool voice of Sailor Saturn. "I will vanquish that serpent now. Wait here and witness." She turned her back to the couple and the soft tapping of her boots soon followed.
Inuyasha blinked, confused. "What just happened?" It took a moment for him to register what had happened, but when it finnally clicked, he growled. "LIKE HELL I'M GOING TO 'WAIT HERE AND WITNESS!!!'" He took off after the sailor. In an instant, he had passed her and reached the demon. "YOU WATCH AND SEE HOW ITS DONE!!!" He pushed off of the ground in a giant leap at the target.
"IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!!!"
His claws hit the beast's open mouth, which was clearly hoping for an easy meal. The power of the blast tore through the tender meat of the snake's mouth, causing blood and acid to spray from the wound.
"GOTCHA!!!" Inuyasha crowed.
Behind him, Kagome looked on in fear. A shower of covorsive acid and blood flew towards her! "INUYASHA!!!"
Inuyasha glanced back at the girl, still hyped up from finally getting a good blow in. That ecastaty quickly changed to horror. Kagome was in trouble! And he couldn't get to her in time! "KAGOME!!!"
The trembling girl brought her arms up in a devensive position. She could not possibly outrun the blast. She waited for the pain to come.
"SATURN SILENCE WALL!!!"
Saturn stood her glaive up before her, creating a large force field around her and Kagome behind her. She watched as the liquid acid rolled harmlessly down the wall and land sizzling on the concrete below. As the last of the venom and blood washed down, the girl relaxed; causeing the wall to vanish. The sailor turned. "You okay, Kagome?"
The trembling girl nodded. "Yeah...thanks."
Sailor Saturn nodded and returned her gaze to the serpent demon. 'Well, his scales are harder than rock, but his weak point is in his mouth. How can we use this to our advantage?'
The smaller demon looked her way, past her to Kagome behind her. The boy's eyes radiated relief, and another emotion the sailor couldn't read. She was familiar with only the dark emotions, the reason being that everyone who gazed at her showed fear and hatred in thier eyes.
'This is not the time for that! We must focus on the task at hand!'
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Kagome was shaken. 'She saved me! I really could have been killed there, but she protected me.' She glanced at Inuyasha, who was looking at her with a shocked expression. Slowly, she smiled at him, letting him know she would be okay. 'Now, about that demon, due to the power of the jewel shard, his power increased. If we could somehow get the shard away from him, Inuyasha could defeat him.' Kagome's eyes narrowed in thought.
Suddenly, an idea hit the girl. Her eyes widened in the simple answer that struck her. Without bothering with an explaination, she turned on her heel and ran.
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Amira looked at the retreating girl. "Well, at least she has the sense to run." She looked back at the transformed Saturn. 'Too bad it will do no good.'
Trista looked at the fight from her spot on the concrete. "No. The Earth is doomed! Saturn will silence it. Like she did to our Millenium Kingdom all those years ago! She is heartless and ruthless!" But something didn't add up. 'Why did she go out of her way to protect Kagome? Is it possible? What is she thinking?'
'Where is she going?' Michelle thought as Kagome ran into the main house. 'Well, at least she is out of immediate danger. But, why did Saturn protect her? That isn't like her at all. Could it be possible? Is Hotaru still in there somewhere?!'
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"KAGOME?!" Inuyasha yelled. 'Where does she think she's going?!' He leapt above another swipe of the demon's tail. "I NEED YOU TO TELL ME WHERE THAT SHARD IS!!!"
Behind him, the serpant spat out the last of the blood dripping from its mouth. He lunged at the distracted hanyou, jaws snapping and venom spraying.
Inuyasha turned in time to see the movements of the serpant. "What the HELL?!" He drew the Tetsugia from his sheath, where he had put it right before Neptune's last attack. "Bring it on!" He said, preparing for its strike.
"Saturn Silence Glaive Suprise!!!"
Above his head, purple circular bands shot at the snake's open mouth, striking and sometimes passing through it.
Inuyasha jumped clear of the falling fangs and chunks of flesh that fell around him. The serpant's open mouth resounded screams of pain and agony as teh demon became limp and crashed before Inuyasha. Growling loudly, he spun behind him, where Saturn stood, having just swiped her glaive towards the snake. He knew she was the one who had caused his foe's agony.
"I didn't ask for your help! This is my fight! Stay out of it!"
The soldier of silence stayed true to her name as she remained unresponsive. The girl's gaze remained locked behind him, as the downed monster. Or so he thought.
The pointed ears atop Inuyasha's head twitched as they picked up the sound of dry skin scraping along hard concrete. Inuyasha tensed and spun around.
Slowly, the demon was slithering away from him, towards teh dry well from wince he came. The blood that flowed from the open wounds in his mouth steadily slowed as the dark energy of the jewel helped in the demon's natural healing ability.
"Just where do you think you're going?!" Inuyasha roared as he hurried to head the demon off. He held Tetsuagia out threateningly as the demon stopped.
"What's the matter, demon?" Saturn asked as she slowly made her own approach to the snake. "Finding it hard to summon the power of the scouts that you stole? Well, it should be. Only those with a pure heart can call on the sacred power of the senshi." She stopped as the snake bared what was left of its fangs at her. Which was two. Slowly, something happened that no one, especially the other scouts, expected. Saturn giggled. "Well, I'm sure your dentist will love your vist, seeing as how the bill will certainly keep him in business!"
Suddenly, the laughter stopped, and the serious look reappeared on the scout's face. "Once Galaxia was defeated, Sailor Moon used the silver crystal to ensure that the powers of the Sailor's would never again be used for evil. That same day, my other self swore to never again use this, the Silence Glaive." She motioned to the staff in her hand. "And my being was locked away in the far corners of her mind. But now, she has allowed my participation in this battle, and I will not dissapoint her. So, prepare yourself snake." The glaive rose above her girl's head. "For now I will bring the ultimate attack of death upon you!"
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"The ultimate attack?!" Trista repeated.
"No Saturn!!" Amara called, stepping towards her. "Its too powerful!!!"
"It'll destroy the Earth!" Michelle said pleadingly. "And you!"
"Its the only way." Saturn said, bringing the staff into position. 'If the shard was not positioned within its gut, giving his scales such incrediable armor, I wouldn't need to use full power, but since it is...'
{Saturn, what is happening?} Hotaru asked in her mind.
{Do not worry, my friend. Once I use the full force of this attack, the demon will be no more.} She replied.
{But, what about you, spirit?}
{Just like before, I will return to a deathly silence. Not to be risen again. You will be forever free of me.}
{What? You mean...you will *die*?! NO!!! Don't do it!!!}
{This is the only path to take.} Saturn sent most of her energy into her glaive. "The power of death! Make yourself known!"
Hotaru clasped her hands together. {No please! Someone, anyone. Please. Stop this!}
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A bright streak cut through the afternoon sun. It hit the scaly hide of the serpant, adn exploded upon contact. The brilliant light caused everyone to sheild thier eyes.
Saturn brought down her glaive in suprise, not having released its deathly power. She looked towards where the beam orginated. She inwardly gasped. "Kagome!?"
The raven'haired Kagome stood just outside the main house, bow in hand. Quickly, she notched another arrow from the quiver on her back and aimed. "Snake! I swear I won't miss that shard this time!" She narrowed her eyes, just to the side of that giant hole in the creature's scales resided the shikon no tama shard. "Say goodbye to that shard!" She yelled as she released her arrow. Holy power encased the arrow as it traveled through the air.
The serpant, knowing it could not possibly survive this new attack, used the last of its power to coil and spring into the air. The holy arrow flew harmlessly by, and hit a small storehouse.
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Inuyasha snarled as the demon soared above his head. "Damn!"
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Sailor Saturn spun her glaive. 'Now's my chance!' Focusing at the steadily closing wound on the serpant's side, a new plan had formed. {Hotaru, thank Kagome for me!}
In a blinding flash, Saturn released more power into her glaive.
"SATURN DEATH REBORN REVELUTION!!!"
Using all of her physical limits, the senshi threw the seithe of death at the open wound of the demon. She smiled as the blade peirced into its tender meat, and exploded upon contact.
The entire group witnessed the demon's scream of pain and suprise as it's body turned to dust and evaporated. The aftershock resounded around them. Inuyasha ran to Kagome and knocked her down to block the debris.
Amara gasped as once again, she found herself in the bush. Trista ran into the well house for shelter, and Michelle pressed herself to the ground for as much protection as it could offer.
Saturn just stood her ground. Her eyes closed as the dust and wind surrounded her. 'My power is completely tapped out, and my job is done.' She sighed. {Hotaru? It is time.}
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Hotaru gasped as the two windows before her vanished, leaving her alone in the black void. {Time? For what?}
The spirit of Saturn slowly materialized before her. {My job is done, and my time has expired.}
Hotaru paled. {What do you mean, spirit?! You're...not going to die?!}
The spirit looked suprised, before she closed her eyes and giggled. {No. Though I am grateful for your worry. I just meant that the demon is destroyed, and you can regain control.}
The girl blinked. {So...does this mean...you'll still be here?}
{I was planning to go and return to sleep. My power is completely gone, and I will be no use to you until I regain it.}
{So. This means you will still be here, with me?}
The spirit nodded. {Yes. I will always be with you, until you ask otherwise. For, like you, I never really had many people who would call me a freind.}
Hotaru smiled. {That's great!} She gasped as the darkness around her lightened. {What's happening?!}
{Do not worry, you are regaining full conscienous.} The spirit began to fade. {But, always remember, Hotaru, if you should ever need me, I will be here.}
{Wait, spirit! I don't even know you're name! Please, tell me!}
The spirit smiled. {Mikomi. Call me Mikomi.}
Hotaru smiled as closed her eyes. {Hope. That's a fitting name.} Around her, the void vanished, and when she opened her eyes again, she was standing at Kagome's shrine, in her school uniform. "What a ride!"
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Meanwhile 500 years in the past, an earily quiet figure approached the dry well. "So, this is it. The passage that allows that girl to come to this world."
The figure rose its weapon in the air. "No longer."
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Trista emerged from the well house. She noticed Michelle helping Amara out of the bush.
Inuyasha and Kagome were digging through the rubble near the God-Tree, and Kagome let out a whoop as she held up the stolen shikon shard.
Hotaru was back to normal, sitting on the ground. She looked more haggard than the others and smiled weakly as she met Trista's gaze.
She, Amara, and Michelle walked over to the small girl. "That was a rush!" Hotaru exclaimed as they approached.
Michelle knelt down beside the girl. "Are you okay?"
"What happened to you Hotaru?" Amara asked.
The girl's eyes lit up. "It was so cool you guys! This other girl, Mikomi, came to me and told me she would destroy that demon. She looked just like me! She told me she would not hurt you guys, cause you were my freinds! She was very nice!"
"Mikomi, the original Sailor Saturn, the one from the old Silver Millenium." Michelle whispered. "I never thought I'd hear that name again."
"Well, isn't this convienant?" Came a voice from behind them. They all turned as Inuyasha and a beaming Kagome approached. "I've got some questions, and you four are going to answer them, or I will beat 'im outta ya!"
Amara blocked his way. "Its none of your business, demon. So why don't you and your little girlfriend go somewhere before I get really mad!"
"Cut it out Amara!" Trista intervined. "Don't forget, we have questions of our own, we should cooperate..." Her voice drifted off, and the young woman became quiet.
"Or what, Trista?" Michelle asked.
Hotaru noticed the strange look on the older senshi's face. "Trista, what's wrong?"
"The flow of time, something's wrong! Time has started to change!"
The others looked puzzled. What could that mean?
They got the answer as a huge explosion resounded from behind them. Dust and wood flew around them. Inuyasha wrapped his arms protectively around a frightened Kagome as the dust covered the six.
After the shock wore off, everyone looked around, but it was Kagome who saw it first as she passed the damaged wellhouse.
The well was completely destroyed.
Ends Chapter 13
S. Saturn: Sorry guys, that would have been up sooner, had it not been for a very annoying hurricane that blew through my yard and knocked out all my power.
M. Trunks: Don't you just hate the weather?
S. Saturn: Anyway. Review please! ^_^ Oh, and you can try to guess who destoryed the well! To me its obvious, but then again. Im the one who knows!
M. Trunks: Laterz all!
~Sailor Saturn and Mirai Trunks~
