Chapter Two: Deliverance
Today was far warmer than usual, so then why was she shivering? Hino Rei wrapped her arms tightly around herself to ward off the cold. Swaying slightly in her step, she walked even slower. Her head felt like it was filled with fog, but she had to get to the shrine before everyone else showed up. Pushing away the weariness she felt, Rei trudged along in the direction of home. The fog she felt in her head grew even more dense as her body temperature dropped significantly. Vision blurring, the only option Rei had was take a small break until the feeling subsided.
By the time her sweaty palm touched a ridged hollow of the tree, a veil feel over her vision. Gasping, the sign of Mars burned brightly on her forehead as she spoke:
"The First Born has awakened from the seal caused by her deceit, with vengeance she seeks. Strike down will she, the Rabbit of the Moon and Spirit of Fire. Time turns. Its warder twists the Key and those who were never meant to be will return to restore those that were and now are naught. Awaken, shall they as strife reigns upon from the quarreling mourners. Their tears will cease when the sacrifice of Three is made. She Whose Radiance is Brighter Than Day shall return as the moon aligns itself with its true heir to rid the land of the usurp. Only then, will the first eye open in waiting of the True Trinity."
The world went completely black as images formed in front of her face, each appearing and disappearing so rapidly, it was hard to tell what they were, and most importantly what they meant. All Rei could make out were twins that somehow could never meet or the world would be forever lost in shadow. There were visions of lightening surrounding all of her friends—the bolts growing even more fierce around Minako and Makoto, or at least she thought it was them. Out of a lightening came a girl who only caused the bolts to grow in size. Worst of all, she saw the moon eclipsed in shadow. Rei was told how the destruction could be stopped, but none of it made sense to her, and was all a blur. There was one thing for certain:
"The hour of bloodshed us upon us."
Eyes shooting open, Rei gasped for air. She blinked repeatedly to try to clear the black specks that danced across her vision. "Interesting language, Hino-san," a mocking voice purred. Looking up, she stared straight into one of her classmate's dark auburn eyes. With her porcelain doll face framed by dark brown hair, and long bangs, Kanna Kuroshi could have been considered to be very beautiful if she lost her smug disposition. Now, a cool smirk played about her features. "Do you mind telling me what you said?"
Did she sat something just then? Searching her memory, all she could recall was walking home when she was overcome by a dizzy-spell, then…
Stomach churning, Rei instinctively leaned forward, retching. How did she get on the ground?
Kuroshi quickly jumped up from the ground and backed away from her classmate. "Next time warn me before you do that," she snapped and looked distastefully down at her shoes which narrowly skipped disaster.
Wiping her mouth, Rei shot Kuroshi a dark glare, "what are you doing here, anyway, Kanna-san?" Her tone was perhaps a bit harsher than she would have liked. Of course, Rei was never too thrilled with Kuroshi in the first place, so she wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Mentally she laughed, as if she would lose sleep over anyone.
However insulting Rei was, it only seemed to amuse Kuroshi. "Well aren't you just sugar and spice today, Hino-san," she remarked sarcastically. Her tone became more serious as she gestured to one of the two bags she carried. "I was actually looking for you," she held up one of the satchels and handed it to Rei. "You forgot this," she explained, "so sensei asked me to track you down and give it to you."
Quickly, Rei grabbed the bag out of Kuroshi's hand and examined it. Sure enough, it belonged to her. "Thank you, Kanna-san," she said. "I really just forgot this?" .
Kuroshi frowned slightly, her cool manner almost gone. Almost. "You should go home and rest, Hino-san," she said. "Would you like me to make sure you get home all right."
"Thank you for you concern, Kanna-san," Rei told her placidly. "But I am fine."
Kuroshi's auburn eyes studied her classmate; Rei wished she would not look at her anymore. Averting her own eyes, Kuroshi sneered, "you were always such a bitch, Rei. Well, suit yourself; can't say I didn't try to be nice." With that, Kuroshi pivoted and headed in the opposite direction.
Rei's anger flared at that comment. She was the bitch? Rei wasn't the type to hold grudges, but since the day she met her, Rei always had a sickening feeling about Kuroshi. It was unexplainable; there was just something about her that sent a shiver up her spine. Just what was she insinuating by saying that Rei was speaking something when she found her? Calming herself, Rei knew it didn't do any good to be angry. Kuroshi was a very conceited girl, and a well known liar to boot.
"Rei-sama?" Rei mentally cringed at that name, but turned around to face a group of girls. At one point, they would have been called her best friends. However, that time was long past.
"You look happy," her one-time best friend, Hisoka commented as she walked besides her.
Next to her, Aoi snickered, "personally, whenever I am doing talking to Kanna-san, I always feel so refreshed," she said dryly.
"Geez!" Hisoka remarked. "That's right. Sensei asked her to return your bag," looking at Rei, she asked nonchalantly, "is anything missing?"
"I didn't check," Rei replied, resigning herself to socialize and not be rude. "I don't peg her as the type to steal."
Her contribution to the conversation just incurred her to more unwanted attention. "Are you feeling all right, Rei-sama?" Aoi asked. "I have some aspirin in my purse if you want any. Or is it cramps? I think Keiko may have something for that since she is also on her period."
Keiko's face flushed. "Aoi!" She shrieked as she he hit the back of her friend's head with a notebook. "Why would you tell anyone that?"
Hisoka laughed then leaned towards Rei, "we think it's the mood swings," she explained with a coy grin.
The remainder of the walk was spent idly gossiping. As soon as she reached the Hikawa Shrine, she politely excused herself to climb up the massive stairs. "She was certainly in a sociable mood," Aoi remarked.
"That's probably because you scared her off," Keiko chided as she playfully swung her notebook once more.
- - -
Closing the door behind her, Kuroshi lazily kicked off her shoes and hung her school bag up on its proper peg. "I am home," she called. Receiving no answer, Kuroshi only shrugged; it wasn't unusual for her to be home alone. It didn't take an expert to know that her father was a very distance man, not saying more than a few words to his daughter at a time.
Most girls would have not taken a lack of a father very well. However, her housekeeper sufficed as a parental figure well enough.
Making her way to her room, Kuroshi paused at her father's study momentarily. Who knows if he was home after all. Sometimes he was so caught up in work he detached himself from the rest of reality. Not hearing any sound, she promptly opened the door to her room, and stepped in.
There, upon her bed, sat a cat whose fur was a few shades too light to be called silver. The cat's eyes reflected wisdom and knowledge no feline could ever hold; it was like looking into the eyes of a human. Perhaps more peculiar was the shape of a crescent moon on her forehead. Instinctively, Kuroshi's eyes were always drawn to it.
About one year ago, Phoebe had appeared to her, telling her of tales of a time long past known as the Silver Millennium, where peace had reigned throughout the entire galaxy. The cat greatly emphasized the soldiers protecting it, more specifically, the warriors who served the Queen of that age. She also went on to tell her how Kuroshi was amongst them, destined to lead them all. As farfetched as that seemed to be, somehow, despite herself, Kuroshi believed. A great sorrow passed before Pheobe's too human eyes as she intoned, "it is time." Kuroshi could only nod in reply.
"Then I accept."
A soft glow emitted from the moon mark on Phoebe's forehead. Slowly, the light engulfed Kuroshi. Eyes closing in a trance, she saw before her a woman shroud completely in darkness, beckoning her. Reaching out towards her, Kuroshi tried to grasp her outstretched hand and with it, it's power. The light that now filled her being barred her way. It guided her towards a blazing inferno with powers much weaker to that of the shadows. As soon as she took hold of the inferno, it split into two separate entities.
Slowly, opening her eyes, Kuroshi saw a wand floating before her. Moving to touch it, she gasped as her fingers grasped around the warm metal; a surge of energy went through her entire being. Holding the wand up she called out, "Sol Celestial Power…Make up!" After those words left her lips, Kuroshi was engulfed in a flame that somehow did not burn her to a crisp. Her school uniform changed to a black sailorfuku. A black skirt with a red stripe at the bottom appeared with a shimmer. Long dark red bows appeared that were much longer than any other Sailor Senshi's. The collar was the same shade as the bows. In the center of the bows on her chest, sat a deep red gem. Upon her forehead, there was a silver tiara and sitting in its center was a gem the same color as the broach.
Studying her reflection, Sailorsol's blood ran cold. She felt like an outsider who was wearing someone else's skin.
- - -
Peeking in what was known as the 'meeting room,' Rei rolled her eyes. It was so typical of Usagi to be late. Knowing the rest of her friends, if Usagi fell behind, they all would. Times like this, she wished so desperately she could attend Juuban with the rest of the girls. Once before, she had went to her father in hopes that he would let her attend a public school with the rest of her friends. When her petition was turned down, her grandfather told Rei that she must accept the things she cannot change.
Even if she had accepted it, that never stopped it from hurting. As much as Rei hated to admit it, she felt excluded from the rest of the Sailor Team for such a minor reason as not going to the same school. Exiting the shrine, Rei picked up the broom. Somehow, her meeting with Kuroshi had left her with an unsetteling feeling. Instead of dwelling on it, Rei began sweeping to pass the time before everyone showed up.
Sometimes Rei wished instead of being attuned to the energies and auras around her, she could do something more useful for life outside of being a Sailor Senshi. Like the ability to levitate objects for example. She and Yuuichirou joked that they could sit down and have a nice refreshing drink while they waved their arms, getting chores done.. "Easy pay," as he called it. She grinned slightly at the thought of the former shrine hand. When the new school year started, Yuuichirou went off to college. The day he left, he sheepishly presented Rei with a pitiful half bouquet of Casablancas and a soft kiss.
That was the last she heard from him. Everytime she grew close to a man, he always left--her father, Kaidou, Mamoru, and now--
"Excuse me," a quiet voice behind Rei said. Looking up, an exotic looking woman wearing an almost militant uniform stood before her.
"Yes?" Rei asked as she put down her broom. "May I help you?" Despite her strange attire, the woman was a potential customer. Phobias and Demois darted past her and started to squawk and circle the area as if they were defending her. It took her all day, but Rei finally understood what the vibes she had been feeling meant. Now it was too late.
- - -
"Rei is going to KILL us for being late!" Usagi wailed as she frantically dashed up the steps of the Hikawa Shrine.
Behind her, everyone else was trying to keep with with the blonde. ""I believe that the correct terminology would be that Rei will kill YOU for keeping us at the arcade for so long," Ami said, wheezing loudly between words.
Usagi came to a sudden stop causing Makoto to nearly run into her. "How is it my fault that we are late?" She demanded.
After regaining her footing, Makoto placed a friendly hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Well," she began. "You did challenge Ami to a Sailor V game."
"And lo-ost!" Minako chimed in with a grin.
"So did you," Usagi reminded her. When she felt herself grow angry, this time Usagi did not feel guilt. How could her friends be so cruel? No, she was not over-reacting, she knew she wasn't.
"Oh yeah," Minako said innocently. " That's right..."
"You are still dawdling behind?" Luna snapped as she and Artemis came up from behind them. "You shouldn't keep Rei waiting like this."
Something seemed to kick in Usagi's head as she bolted up the remainder of the steps. "Rei is gunna KILL US!"
- - -
Michiru let the wind blow aqua hair about her. Times like these, she couldn't worry about trivial things such as vanity. Her dark blue eyes stared forward at the sea as she listened to what it had to say. Unlike Mars' cryptic visions, Michiru prided herself in her ability to comprehend the sea's meaning.
But not today.
With a gentle flash of light, The Deep Aqua Mirror appeared in Michiru's hands. "Tell me," she said softly. "What does the sea want me to know?" The glass began to changed into different colors before it showed her the answer she sought. Satisfied, the images slowly faded and once more, it became a simple mirror. Looking into the glass, she caught a reflection. Abruptly, the mirror faded from her hands. "Setsuna," Michiru whispered.
The green haired woman only nodded solemnly. "It would seem you know all I needed to tell you," she said. "It's good to see you again, Michiru. Even if this isn't under the best circumstances." Behind Setsuna, Haruka could only smile sadly.
It seemed that their time of peace would be over. They would have to become Senshi again.
- - -
Transforming into Sailormars only caused the woman to smile sympathetically. She gave her a look a mother might give to a child she was about to discipline. Her smile faded as soon as she heard Usagi's frantic wails. "If it were up to me, you would live," the woman said simply. She yanked Sailormars by the hair, forcing her violet eyes to lock with her own golden ones. "The lesser princess shall know justice," she hissed. "Tell her that when you see her next." Holding out her palm, a white energy gathered...
Sailormars' eyes widened at that. "Pressing her palm against the woman's chest, she channeled her energy into a spell. "Mars Flame--"
"REI!" Usagi screamed. Running, she pushed her friend out of the way.
Falling on the ground, Sailormars could only watch helplessly as the energy meant through her ripped trough her friend. "Usagi-chan..." She wanted to look and reach out for her friend, but the self-satisfied smirk on the strange woman's lips confirmed her worst thoughts.
Standing up, Mars gathered her energy once more. "Burning Mandala!" She shouted. It was too late. The second attack from the woman knocked Sailormars on the ground. Feeling the last amount of energy drain from her, Sailormars' unifrom melted away.
With her mission completed, Elemental Champion Quintessence teleported away before the remainder Sailor Senshi could even notice she was there.
-
Sailormecury scanned the shrine grounds with her mini computer. "I can't pick up any source of negative energy," she explained as she frantically keyed the buttons in hopes of finding something
"Forget it!" Sailorjupter yelled from Rei's side. "Help me stop the blood until the ambulance gets here."
"Who could have done this," murmured Sailorvenus. Feeling at Usagi's neck, her eyes widened. "There's no pulse!" She gasped.