Kohaku half guided, half carried Hotaru to the bed where Lord Sesshomaru lay Rin's body. He watched in amazement as Hotaru put her hands on Rin's chest. Both of the girls glowed a soft white light for a few seconds before Rin coughed and Hotaru collapsed.
"Hotaru!" Kohaku rushed forward in fear to catch her. She was breathing, but her eyes were closed and her face was completely drained of color. She didn't respond to him. Rin didn't rouse either, though she was now clearly alive. Lord Sesshomaru put his hand on the younger girl's cheek.
"They'll sleep it off." Lord Sesshomaru's mother said nonchalantly. She walked closer to observe the two unconscious girls. "You do indeed keep peculiar company, Sesshomaru. Tell me how it is that the guardian of death fell under your charge."
"What do you know of her, Mother?"
Lord Sesshomaru's mother raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Are you telling me you took her in without knowing who she was? How fortuitous."
"Do not try my patience. Tell me what you know of her?"
Kohaku didn't like the zealous interest in Lord Sesshomaru's mother's eyes when she looked down at the sleeping girl. Subconsciously, he shifted trying to shield his friend from view as best as he could.
"Rumors only. It's been so very long..."
"I am not going to play games with you."
"You've always been such a demanding child."
Lord Sesshomaru put his hand on his sword. His mother simply rolled her eyes.
"So dramatic. Very well, I will tell you what I know, but know that I cannot distinguish fact from myth. It is said there are beings more powerful than even the strongest demons in this world. Beings who live among the stars and control time and space itself. Humans and lesser demons might call them gods. Though, I believe they called themselves 'guardians'. They ruled the world from their home on the moon back when I was very young. They rarely interacted with Earth. Your father knew their queen. He is the only reason I know for certain they were anything more than a legend.
"They had the powers of the heavens at their command, but they grew arrogant and their own war brought about their extinction. It's been five-hundred-years since they supposedly all died off. Yet here you have one. Sailor Saturn. The most powerful of all. The soldier of silence. The messiah of destruction. The forbidden guardian. She could destroy worlds in seconds if she wanted, feared even amongst the gods."
"This brat is really that powerful?" Jaken asked incredulously.
"She's still young of course." Lord Sesshomaru's mother replied. "I doubt her powers are even close to fully developed. It's possible she doesn't even know what she's capable of. But with time and proper training..."
"I suppose you believe you're the one to train her." Lord Sesshomaru said dryly.
"I could help her unlock her true potential. I admit; I grow lonely in my old age. My son has no interest in visiting. I yearn to nurture another." Her voice was full of fake sentiment, but her eyes showed nothing but ambition.
"How very maternal of you," Lord Sesshomaru said with the hint of annoyance in his usual monotone, "but the girl is under my protection. We are leaving as soon as they wake." His words were curt as ever, holding an air of finality that very few would dare to challenge.
His mother didn't object.
"Shame." She said, then she turned away. "It's getting late. Most likely the girls will take the night to recover. You'd do best to stay here till morning." With that she left.
Kohaku still held Hotaru in his arms. Jaken looked at her. "Do you think what your Lady Mother said was true, my lord? Do you think this girl is as powerful as all that?"
"It does not matter." Lord Sesshomaru replied. He put a blanket over Rin, not seeming remotely interested in Hotaru or this new information his mother divulged.
Kohaku was still trying to process it. Hotaru, a god? Not only that, but the most powerful of the gods? It seemed impossible as he looked down at the girl sleeping fitfully in his arms. There had to be a mistake. He knew she was powerful. He had seen her defend herself. But she was also sweet and vulnerable, and just a little clumsy. She wasn't a god. Lord Sesshomaru's mother had gotten it wrong. Even she admitted that she couldn't be sure what was true and what was legend. Whoever this forbidden guardian was, it wasn't Hotaru. Hotaru was his friend.
Still...the image of her standing there on the precipice of the underworld wouldn't get out of his mind. She seemed like a completely different person. He couldn't explain it. It scared him.
Suddenly something else came to Kohaku's mind: the girl is under my protection. The events of Lady Kikyo dying and coming across Lord Sesshomaru had happened so fast that Kohaku and Hotaru hadn't discussed their plans. Lord Sesshomaru had never invited them to join his entourage, they just got swept up into it, but Kohaku couldn't help feeling a surge of relief. If anyone could defeat Naraku it was Lord Sesshomaru, and Kohaku also knew if the demon regarded Hotaru to be under his protection then no one would be allowed to hurt her. Doing so would be considered a personal insult to the demon's pride, which would not be tolerated.
Suddenly feeling exhausted, Kohaku curled up next to Hotaru and Rin on a pile of furs a servant had brought out. He fell asleep with the memory of their experience in the underworld still playing through his head.
Author's Note: Hey everyone. Hope you're still enjoying it. Stay safe, and please review. I really want to know your guys' opinions. Also am I updating too often? I honestly don't know what time is anymore.