If the Future May Fade Ch. 08

. . .

Maybe I was angry. But I didn't feel angry. Just surprised. So I don't know what came over me when I pushed Hotaru to the floor. She looks up from her sprawled position with wide eyes as I realize what I've done. "I-I'm sorry, Hotaru-chan! I just-"

There's no way to explain my way out of this. I have never struck another senshi. Not one of mine and never one of mama's. Never. "Mama said there's no force in the universe strong enough to manipulate time space that much. You... You have to be wrong. You have to." My breath is heavy and I try to offer a hand to my friend.

But she just swats it away and pushes herself off from the tile. "Chibiusa, the Queen is the one who sent me here."

"Liar!"

Hotaru shakes her head and frowns. "Your mother is trying to protect you. You can't fathom the severity of this new enem-"

"Nyanko-chan, are you okay? You've been in here for a..." Yua opens the door and stops short when she assesses the scene. "Oh. It's you."

"Hey yourself, Wakahisa-san."

Yua purses her lips and looks Hotaru up and down and I can feel the tension in the air. What's going on? "Don't worry, Nyanko-chan, I don't think Tomoe-san will be bothering you any time soon."

"She wasn't-" Too late. Already the girl turns back and exits the bathroom. I look back to Hotaru but she's purposely avoiding my gaze. "Sorry," I whisper before moving to follow my new friend out. Maybe coming here was a mistake. With what Hotaru said about a new evil...

Is it safe to be here?

Midori and Hana pounce on us upon our exit, worry lining their faces. It's just the bathroom. Aren't they just overreacting to my absence? "Are you okay, Nyanko-chan? We sent Yua-chan in case you were hurt or someth-"

"Oh, we're fine. Tomoe-san on the other hand has made another appearance. This time to our new little Nyan-chan." Yua's voice sounds unmistakably bitter to my ears as she talks about Hotaru. So the tension I felt earlier wasn't a fluke to brush off. This is the real deal. The girls all gasp and wrap their arms around me in some demented group hug.

Hana whimpers in my ear. "Poor girl! What did she say to you? I bet it was just awful. Tomoe-san is so mean." And slowly, the girls step away from me, awaiting my answer.

Hotaru? Mean? It sounds impossible. She hasn't been able to hurt anything unrelated to evil since the Mistress 9 stint from her past life. Once upon a time ago she told me it still haunts her dreams, a constant reminder to herself to remain pure. The only time she can qualify as mean is when she's...protecting someone she loved. My stomach sinks. If she's mean to these girls, what does it mean that I've gotten myself into?

Could they be part of the new enemy? I swallow. Don't think about it, Chibiusa. "She was just asking about how it's like to move so far from my family for a whole term." I try to offer a small smile but it feels weak. "What's her story, if she's the local bully?"

"She's mean!"

"Embodiment of cruelty!"

"Never to be trusted!"

Their accusations come all at once. It doesn't help any of my theories, though. "She seemed nice enough just a moment ago."

The bell rings.

Yua shrugs and a darkness falls over her face. But she turns around and motions for us to follow before I have the chance to look closer. "Tomoe-san doesn't need the distraction of friendship. No matter the consequences."

What does that mean?

Midori and Hana laugh as they keep pace with their leader. "Yua-chan is just offended that the only other girl with purple hair refuses to be friends," Midori whispers, winking as she points to the girl ahead of us.

Hana joins in, her own whisper tickling my ear. "Tomoe-san only ever talks to Kin-san, that boy with the white hair. I think Yua-chan is jealous!"

Helios is in on it with Hotaru? Just how powerful is new evil?

"I can hear you guys!" Yua grumbles without actually denying anything. "Just believe me-those two are up to no good I can just feel it-"

A low rumble followed by the roaring screams of students cuts Yua short and I feel a familiar tug in my chest.

Shit.

There's a youma on campus. But who can fight it when the girls are across the street? Visions of chaos fill my mind and at this point I don't think being discreet about my identity as a senshi is going to do anyone any good.

"Nyanko-chan!"

I flinch and feel myself being dragged somewhere. My eyes open but it's too late and my butt hits the cold ground with a thump. We're in an empty classroom. Yua gives a small smile. "Sorry, Nyan-chan, but stay here. We're going to try to get some help from across the street." I blink.

"O-okay?"

Before I have the opportunity to ask-the three girls are gone. Getting off the ground, I pull the door open. They're nowhere in sight. But that doesn't mean the hallways are empty. Chaos has erupted on this campus. Running and screaming. I shut the door.

Now is not the time to worry about if I befriended the enemy. Now is the time to save people.

I don't hesitate as I shove my hand into my skirt pocket and pull out my brooch.

I throw my hand in the air and light fills the classroom.

"Pink Moon Crystal Power, Make-Up!"

. . .

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