There was something about the smell of this world that she just didn't like. The trained senshi scowled as she took another whiff of the foul air. Just a little farther down, and she would be within striking range.
"Omae o korosu."
She felt the lukewarm metal touch her face in the complete darkness before she heard or sensed anything. How could this have happened? She had been sure that her quarry, the elusive perfect soldier, had been at least 35 ft ahead of her, and about to go around the next bend mere seconds ago. How could he be so fast?
The moment that she stood there, looking straight at her future killer, and not being able to see him seemed to drag on forever. They always said your life flashed before your eyes, but for Rei, it was only the events that had led her to this strange place.
It had been after a quiet battle in the park, one that seemed almost too easy, and the senshi were about to leave. They were interrupted, however by a flood of noise and orange fire. Sailor Mars had been acutely aware of the explosion, and strangely comforted by its flames. She thought of her princess first and foremost, like the rest of the senshi and Tuxedo Kamen. She closed her eyes, finally surrendering to the destruction of fire.
Suddenly, the senshi of fire's communion with death ended as the sound of the explosion cleared from her ears and another explosion burst somewhere overhead. But even in her confused state, Rei could tell that it came from a long distance away. She opened her eyes. A plane buzzed overhead. Cars and motorcycles zoomed by on a nearby street. She looked around quickly and sighed in a relief when she saw Sailor Moon. Sobbing or not, she was alive, praise be, her princess was still alive.
But their situation was dire. They were stuck, in the middle of some war torn world, and Rei alone had to defend, protect, provide for Serenity. She panicked. How could she do this? She wasn't smart like Ami, not strong like Makoto; she was all alone. They were doomed. Suddenly, all trivial thoughts disappeared with a searing pain to her head. She was here, she had her duty, and she would do whatever it took to accomplish it. Sometimes, Rei thought back to that moment, and thought that maybe her friends had sent her some of their own spirits to help her. Ever since that moment, Rei had found herself with more of Ami's intelligence, Minako's ingenuity, and Makoto's strength. She had tucked away all emotions and done her job. Every moment since then seemed distant, and blurry, every action and event a trivial detail of an overwhelming duty: protecting the princess. She couldn't even remember exactly who had taught her to shoot, or precisely when she had gotten the scar that ran over her left eye, or the face of the man who had promised her 10 grand to shoot Hiiro Yuy.
Thinking back to the present, she knew she'd have to do something, otherwise, this man would shoot her, and then what would happen to Usagi? She made up the quickest story she could think of, hoping that something close to the truth would do to at least distract him, while she found some way to salvage this disaster of a mission.
"I'm sorry. I need help."
His only reply was silence from the other side of the deadly weapon.
"There are people after me, and I need sanctuary for me and my friend."
"Why did you bring a gun?"
"I needed some self-defense to get here."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because, now, we are even."
A fireball gathered in her hand, illuminating the area, and giving the two their first views of each other. Rei held her eyes to the disturbing prussian blue ones in front of her, even as she felt her stomach drop out of her body.
A/N: Alright, that's the beginning. Fun, huh? Perhaps I'll explain more later. Yes, it's Rei/Hiiro. We'll get the other characters in here someday, maybe. Maybe not.