A/N: Here we go! chapter 5! This is over all a low key chapter! No large battles, no crazy idiocy, no random dreams on crack. Minako and Makoto take a large role in this chapter as well as a few things being explained. Basically going over some things that had been briefly brought up yet never fully explained in detail.
I DO NOT OWN SAILOR MOON!!!!
Chapter 5: Sisters in Arms: Families unite at last!
"I can't believe it was all just a dream." Makoto sighed as she took in her surroundings. Minako had her son in her arms a, small smile on her face. The area they currently inhabited was a dank cavern full of rich minerals. It was clear that the term 'diamond in the rough' clearly applied. It was hard to see anything clearly, the smell of water dripping from the top of the cave made it seem all the more discomforting. Minako for her part seemed at home in this extremely humble abode. Everyone that had come with her also lived along side her. In all reality Makoto was alarmed that this was the reality of where the people of mineral lived. She was expecting something far more extravagant, not just a cave behind a waterfall.
"It's alright." Minako sighed looking to the confused brunette. "Don't force yourself to try and figure things out. From what I understand you had a rough day." The blond resumed her focus on her son and smiled at his simplicity. The hardships of the world were unknown; the only thing he had to complain about was if he was hungry or unhappy. He knew no real fear of anything, in a way Minako wished she could partake in a carefree life. Even that of a normal human would be far more simplistic. For a moment the blonds' mind drifted wondering idly how Hotaru was doing in her new state before returning her gaze back to Makoto. "Usagi said you two shared a few words."
"We did." Makoto confirmed in a curt voice as if her memory allowed her to remember the fight that had transpired earlier. "I made my own views known, that's all really." Makoto's voice held a trace of defensiveness and Minako read into it almost instantly. "It's not our fault for this. We aren't the traitors, no way in hell." Her voice was on the verge of breaking and Minako sighed inwardly. She knew this was likely to be the reaction of the once tough fighter. Makoto had a loyalty that was hard to match, however her views also seemed to conflict with each other in every aspect of the brunettes life.
"No one is calling us anything like that." Minako said slowly trying to gauge the best possible responses to the tense atmosphere. "No one is to blame, not here and not now." Minako could see her friend becoming agitated yet she also knew the agitation wasn't actually aimed at her. If it had been she was sure Makoto would have made it known. "Listen," Minako said softly edging closer to the Senshi of thunder. "I know you have your reasons for saying what you did. If you hadn't had a reason you wouldn't have done it. Even so, I can't allow you to think anyone is at fault for anything as it stands here and now."
"How can you say that so easily?" Makoto said as part of her anger became withdrawn. Her normally strong voice held a deep sense of unease unbecoming of one who should wield courage. In its place a sense of failure overcame her, and in a way that was worse than any amount of rage the brunette could throw at someone. "What we apparently did… I refuse to believe that it's anything close to the damned truth!" Makoto said as she stood and punched a nearby wall. Her powers were now fully merged into her body and small sparks of electricity emitted from her fist. "What did we do so wrong in the past?" She whispered fiercely and she fell onto her knees "I don't get it. Why would I do that to Yasu? She's my daughter damn it!"
That's when it clicked what was actually going on in Makoto's head. It was all clear as if the light of why everything had happened had switched on. Minako knew why things were playing out and in effect why Makoto was so upset by what they had apparently done in the now nonexistent future. "Don't blame yourself for that. You didn't do anything wrong. You did what any parent would have done for their child. Yours would have done the same if you were there when it happened." Minako wasn't the Senshi of Venus because it was a simple title; she could feel emotions, and most of the time she could also understand who it was aimed at.
"My parent weren't Senshi! They were humans, they loved me while they were alive, my father would have protected me, and I should have done the same for Yasu! She didn't actually want parents; she can take care of herself." Makoto shot back as if Minako had stepped on a landmine. In reality it wasn't far from the truth. "She doesn't want to be left alone; she didn't want to be abandoned! My being her parent means shit for her if I'm not actually there, I should have known that sending her back here would be a bad idea!" Makoto felt light headed for exerting herself, it was hard accepting such a truth. "They were humans! They never had to worry about this! If I would have been like them, Yasu wouldn't have suffered like this." Makoto's voice cracked as she finally allowed herself to shed tears.
Not moving from her seat Minako smiled slightly at the irony in the statement. "You always do that." She said simply before allowing herself to take on a far more gentle tone. "You can't be both. You can not raise a Senshi as if she were a normal little girl. That's how we were raised and we have all paid for it dearly by affecting these kids the same way." Minako sighed remembering her own daughter Yumi and her constant loyalty for Chibiusa. In the thick of it all, even as children they held more responsibility than any normal child would. "Listen at your own words and you'll see the contradiction." Minako said carefully as she moved over to kneel next to Makoto staring her directly into the eyes. It was the stare of a leader and held all pretense of authority, even if Minako kept her voice soft and full of emotion. "You aren't your parents."
Makoto could see a deep severity as the hard stare pierced through every emoting Makoto seemed to have. She had never seen Minako act like this, a flow of powerful energy seemed to encircle the room. This power seemed to be a reflection the emotions between the two of them. It was a power that Makoto was unfamiliar with, and even if she didn't show it outwardly she was afraid of what ever it was Minako was doing.
"Yes, they were normal humans. Yes, they raised you as one when they were still around. Now think about this, what parent wouldn't give their life for that of their child. Those of the Dark Moon did it as well. Even more than that, your parents would have given their lives to save you. You're only so angry because you know what its like to know they aren't around anymore. She does now as well, and be honest. It's eating you alive to know that simple truth. It's literally making you face your demons head on and you hate that don't you. Well here's a wake up call, I have demons as well, things I don't like the world knowing, much less do I want Yumi to have to experience it." Minako said as she stood up and turned away. Even if Makoto couldn't see the blonds face it was clear she was crying.
"What on earth." Makoto whispered as she sat gaping at the energy around Minako. Was this how she felt all of the time? It was a thought Makoto hated to even begin to ponder. She felt all of emotions swirling around her and couldn't even begin to decipher where one ended and one began. She was unsure if the swirling emotional energy was actually Minako's or hers.
"Do you even know what it's like knowing what she'll have to go through? Do you even know what I go through?" Minako asked sincerely as she sat down looking at the floor, her son still in her arms. She could not look at him; it was painful to know the same principal also applied to him as well. Makoto wordlessly shook her head, but her expression was obviously begging for some type of answer. The one she received not only threw her off guard, it also seemed to give Minako a reason to rival the brunettes own self-hatred.
"Think about it clearly. Whenever we get a new enemy I have to ask you to fight. I send you all into some type of danger knowing I have no other option. I hate the job of sending not only my friends, but my lover into the fray of fighting knowing full well that one day they may not make it through too the end. Did you ever stop and think that Yumi will have to do that. Did you ever think she has done that now?" She turned slowly allowing Makoto to see her tear stained face before asking another question. "Even more than that, can you bring yourself to understand the types of hell they could face? We were Senshi at fourteen years old. If we had been normal little girls, we never would have had to deal with the truths we had. Another thought that comes to mind is this, even before we were awakened, none of us except for Usagi were normal. I think more than her steeling our lives away, we stole hers from right under her."
"What do you mean we stole her life?" Makoto asked honestly. She didn't understand what that could possibly mean, and Minako didn't fault her for not understanding. Instead all Makoto received was a simple sigh and then a rueful smile.
"Normal little girls don't fake their death and run away because of a painful breakup like I did. Normal little girls can't have powers that unnerve them, or even worse tell them things they'd rather not or shouldn't know about like the fire can give Rei. Normal little girls don't have an IQ over three hundred and fear emotional contact so much she hides in her own house all day long studying like Ami. Normally little girls don't have to raise themselves because her parents died in a plane crash when she was only a small child and everything she knew in her life was torn away from her like you." Minako sighed as she looked over at the understanding that finally seemed to dawn on Makoto's face.
"Usagi never had any of that." Makoto said softly finally understanding what Minako had meant. "She had a family and friends, her grades may have suffered a bit, but she was happy. She was a normal teenage girl, with problems every girl, even us had to face. We were given extra baggage she never had to deal with. In fact I wonder if she even could. All of us, Even the outers have baggage." What happened next was something in the record books for Minako. She pulled out her coin and her locket. She placed the locket in Makoto's hands while she continued to look at her coin.
Carefully Makoto opened the clasp and there were two photos inside. One was of Minako and Rei, the other was a group photo that had been taken in the crown a while back. It was confusing, a locket was meant for a person special in their life. If that was to be deemed true then why in the hell were all of the inner Senshi and Mamoru inside of that locket. "Why are we all in this?" Makoto whispered as her simplified question.
"When I received the locket a note said 'fill with love'. That's exactly what I did. Rei is my lover, and the rest of you are like the sisters and brother that actually would be a family. My blood relatives don't do that, they love me simply because I am their daughter. I love you all as family, albeit in different ways. There are many ways to feel love, and because of that I filled that locket with a variety." Minako explained as she looked at her coin. "We are sisters in arms. That is also the one thing we all have in common that Usagi could never understand. Even the outers can not comprehend what You, Ami, Rei, and I have." Minako said as her eyes became slightly puffy again.
"Our first battle was the hardest of all of the fights; part of it was because we were still learning to work as a team. The other part was because we had reasons to die for Usagi, but also for each other. I found that out after Ami slapped Usagi for wanting to give up after your death at D point. After that, she was the second to fall; I think her reason was because she couldn't go on without you. She knew she was a goner, in a way I think we all knew that after we lost you we were most likely doomed to fail. It was our willingness to follow in your footsteps that brought about that realization. You don't realize that not only do you embody courage; you also instill that within the rest of us. If it hadn't been for you, I know for a fact I would have allowed Usagi to give up her crystal. I admit, I was afraid. Ami stopped her from doing that."
The power that had been emitting for the Senshi slowly subsided, yet never fully faded as Minako put her locket back on her neck, pocketing her coin. Makoto also calmed down considerably, even if inwardly it was clear that her mind was filled with new questions. It didn't matter anyway, even if one held onto such questions, it was different to voice them. Answers came in so many forms that it not only became a matter of asking the right question, it was also about seeking out the correct person for the task. Currently answers came for a price of yet a new string of questions or a paradox within the actual answers given. At that point it wasn't of any value to ask anything since all it even seemed to do is put the Senshi as a whole two or more steps back from the intended goal.
Luckily for them it would be a short wait for someone with answers. Minako was expectant for Hotaru's arrival. Surely she had information others didn't, not to mention the fact that Yumi seemed to know more than she would ever let on. All of that simple knowledge kept Minako focused on keeping Makoto in one spot. Wandering off alone would be one thing in a big city, however now it was clear just how dangerous it was for anyone to randomly run off.
That night continued pensive, neither Senshi found sleep, yet neither found valuable reason to converse deeply. This perhaps was one luxury to being a Senshi, not everything had to be spoken at once, and in fact it never was. Fragmented pieces of information always left life story primarily hidden. It was best that way; a woman being entitled to secrets gave some ability to maintain some humanity. Minako was indeed a combat leader, indeed they were all soldiers, however Saeko had once said it perfectly. They were people who could wield powers of gods, not a run of the mill army. Perhaps this was why they all craved humanity, in some ways perhaps that was why Hotaru made the choice she had. Everything Minako wanted to know would be a gift if it were simple enough to place on her shoulders. It was because of the impossibilities of such things that made the life of a Senshi so hard. Not everything could be stated, some what could be, never should be. That was the life of a Senshi, that was the real cost of what one was, even if the individualities of that rule varied. Even in this new style of life, the rule still applied, and the reality was that this life as it sat now was quite possibly more imperfect than what life was as teenagers back at D Point. Back when everything was still new and fresh. Back when being a superhero actually gave them hope instead of fear.
Now they knew they were not some pretty sailor scouts with preppy lines and a super ego. They were not totally immortal, they bled, could feel pain, both of emotion and physical wounds, yet they were far from a human. They were soldiers that like any army would and could take lives. Just cause was in the eye of the beholder. That mentality was no different from the corrupt world that they came from. The difference now was that instead of the 'just cause' being far away from their families and them growing up, the 'just cause' of battle became normal within their daily lives, eye sight, and became a mortal danger to both them and their families. This was what earth was like during a few famous wars found in the history books at school. Now the price was higher, not perhaps in the actual casualty count itself, but perhaps the fact that that count could now easily include people that were important to them.
Earth had changed. If they failed at their task as Senshi they would be unable to go back to a normal life. There were no more schools to attend, no more stores to shop at, and no more childhood dreams to achieve. Being a flower shop owner or an idol were no longer goals that could be reached in the life they used to know. Another hard fact to accept being that any human relatives they had once had were now gone. They were unable to reach out and find the members they had called aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. Even if it was bound to happen one day anyway didn't ease their thoughts. Minako missed her family and she was sure that Rei and the others did as well.
The sun sat high in the sky by the time those riding on the birds made it near the cavern. Yumi showed a distance Minako could only claim to be uncertainty. Not necessarily trusting the surroundings. Her aura was clearly stating that the powers of Venus took a back burner to the much more dominant Mars traits. Xen and the other Senshi used to being in areas unlike their own showed signs of curiosity. In all actuality Minako knew there would be others that would show up. What Minako didn't expect was the boy of the flames, Zori to take an interest in the minerals around him. It baffled her even more when he started to forge the minerals into some type of weaponry. Makoto took the role of impromptu babysitter of Yuuki while his mother was pulled into a private discussion by a few of the kids.
"So let me get this right, the reason you want us to all fight with real weapons is because using power is dishonorable?" Makoto asked as she watched the production of the many blades.
"Not exactly," Zori said as he produced hot flames in his hands to melt down metals. "It's the value you place on the fight in hand. If you noticed no one here actually uses a planets power in a combat situation, more like day by day living needs. Using power you place very little in the way of lives since normally you do not endanger yourself by the outcome. That's what makes any child with mixed deities different; the deities punish them for the values placed." He spoke in simple understanding, fighting as a Senshi didn't mean he was readily able to fall back on his powers. He had to be a skilled fighter, and often it placed the odds in his the opponents favor if he made a mistake.
"Oh and spearing them with swords and other painful metal objects does?" Makoto asked incredulously, if not sassily.
"No, but it allows others to place value on your own." Zori said as he worked carefully on his weapon crafting. "Think about it, if you're going to kill someone, you're taking their life, meaning that you place no value on them. If you did, it would be a bad thing to kill them. To attack with powers gives very little chance to retaliate if the Senshi who used the powers is a ranged fighter. Placing yourself within a blades reach allows them to place value to your life. The value may be different or equal, but the fact you gave them a chance to choose that value gives you honor even if you're the one to die. That's what we from Flame are raised to know and understand."
The talk of why one does not use powers to fight continued while in the other room Hotaru, Xen, and Yumi spoke with Minako away from others. The motive behind this conversation was to bring everything that had happened into one condensed battle plan. Xen was tense, but not outwardly fearful as she sat slightly behind Yumi as if to show a high level of respect for the daughter of such a strong Senshi. Hotaru was much more casual sitting directly next to Yumi instead of behind her. This status placement confused Minako and she when she inquired why Xen was sitting in such a way she received an answer she wasn't expecting.
"I am a follower of Yumi. I vow my blade to protect her, the others have done the same and in the number I will find strength. This is how rebel groups are formed, for our kind it is needed and Yumi has a clear skill to lead us into a long life. That is why I have joined this odd alliance." Xen explained as she reflected momentarily on how her views had changed regarding the one who she should technically hate. Fliers and flames never sat well with one another, yet here she was following one who held such a deity. Perhaps it was because Xen herself had multiple deities, another reason she thought was perhaps it was the fact she felt she could trust Yumi. Either way, it didn't matter. Xen would now follow under Yumi's command and in that pact she had found a home.
"I see." Minako said before noting that only added to Xen's discomfort. Saving face Minako quickly changed the topic. "Hotaru, the death pack on Usagi and yourself have not followed through yet. Why is this?" Minako asked as she kept half her gaze on Xen.
"Simple, the pacts have not had to follow through." Hotaru said as she placed her weapon in front of her. "I have no need for my pact to take place for I have yet to be claimed by any deity. I am a human, because of that my pact will only go into effect if a deity actually claims me, yet none have. Chibiusa and the others have seen to that." Hotaru said as she looked at her hands and smiled sincerely and when Minako thought back she never could remember a smile quite as happy as the one on her face currently. Hotaru was indeed a human soul. "The pact on Usagi will only follow through if she should fail completely. If we can not bring about the Crystal Era then she will fall and the final end to all of the Moon deities, regardless of orientation, related to her bloodline will cease to exist and in the place of any actual kingdom the Senshi will rule their own deities without a major figurehead. These are the current the terms for each pact and I don't presume either will be carried out as long as I don't get attached to a deity and we do our job to save our royal family." The air of confidence Hotaru had was upbringing and Minako found at least some solace in those words.
"Alright, then how do we go about saving Usagi?" Minako said looking between Yumi and Hotaru. There was something that Minako seemed to be missing, and she wasn't sure what. Luckily for her Hotaru knew exactly what that missing fragment was.
"Simple, you all have coins that represent a personal failure in some way, shape, or form and the eventual way to redeem yourself from that failure. In the past a version of this failure happened. It just so happened that you also committed this very failure in your current lives as well. That's why you were granted the coins." Hotaru said as she picked up her glaive and opened a side slot. She too had a coin, yet it was not one from a deity, it was one carved of what looked to be a rock. "Even I have a coin." She said as she pressed the coin in Minako's palm.
It was a simple carving now, drained of most of its importance all that was left on it was one simple word, 'Remember'. The word was the crime committed, but then how was Hotaru redeemed, it seemed odd. "My word 'Remember' was given too me when I walked away from being a Senshi. I didn't want to do the very thing I had to do to stay with you all. Thus, even in my human form, I still bare all of the pains of my past. There was a segment of Usagi's hair that was the aura of my deity, however it is gone now. As long as both Usagi and I stay true to my coin then that segment will not return. That is the task we must complete." Hotaru said as she pocketed her coin.
As she stood to take her leave form the conversation she bestowed the final piece of information. "We all have to do well by our coins. When we find out the answer and apply the answer to each riddle the band of color on her head will return to normal. Once all segments are returned to the proper color a new crystal will form." It was then she walked away before abruptly stopping as if to make one final thing clear. "However in this knowledge take great heed, if at any moment you or any of the others betray the coin the segment of that aura color will return until you are able to do right by your own coin. This time the fate Usagi has rests in our hands, either we all stand, or we all fall. The choice is for all of you to decide." With those words she walked away without telling the others where she was going. It seemed even Hotaru had a deep role to play in this after all.
With Hotaru out of the conversation this left only Minako, Yumi and Xen in the room to talk. Xen explained about how mergers in power worked and also noted her will in whatever it was Yumi would have her do. It was also made clear that Xen would not listen to Minako, nor fully trust her. Minako had gathered that previously, yet that only further confirmed her suspicions. There was some else on her mind and after Xen took her leave mother and daughter both had a few things to say to one another.
"You've done well Yumi. I never thought you'd be placed into things like this, but I guess life has its ways of throwing a curve ball sometimes." Minako said as she looked at her daughter. The child of only ten years held the same type of eyes Minako had. The mirror image of the eyes hardened by life of a leader only served Minako in confirming her earlier worries. Her daughter in a lot of ways became her, granted the eyes were many years younger, and had not hardened into that of a true solider. Still, even the eyes she saw now were not those of a normal child. "What will you do, when this is all over? It seems Xen has her eyes set on you." Minako couldn't explain the feeling in the air, but she knew it was of peace somehow, even amongst the confusion.
"She has her eyes on me as that of a protector, a follower, but the spot of a lover has already been filled, and not by me, or anyone of us. It will be Izumi you can mark my words on that." Yumi said with a hint of finality in her voice. "There is only one person currently who seeks my heart that actually seeks it for love, and not strength. That would be the boy named Zori, the boy of Flame. Only reason I know this is because he apparently told mother as much one time on the airship. I slightly overheard." Yumi sighed as she waited for some type of response. In reality Yumi knew that she had not answered the right question.
"If you hadn't made a choice on that you have no need to skirt around the subject. As much as you may find me to be your enemy I didn't mean to cause you harm." Minako paused thinking on how to best explain herself. "I am a Senshi that was raised to be a normal girl without powers. Because of that, I'm at fault for trying to raise you the same and we know this now. We all see and understand this now, we know what we did wrong, and if it's any consolation we all are sorry we pulled such an idiotic stunt." Minako said as she hugged her daughter with slight tears in her eyes.
"We don't need apologies, right now we need proof." Yumi said with a slight void in her emotions. "Show me you're sorry, and I'll show you a life we were all meant to have. Do right by your coin and prove to me that there is still a Crystal Era to believe in. if you can do that, then and only then, will you have regained my trust. I can not speak for the others." Yumi said as she slightly returned the embrace before breaking away and returning back to the group. Minako could tell that void had not been there to show anger, sadness, or anything of the sort, she really held no emotion. It was then Minako knew; the deity of Venus was rejecting Yumi.
It would be a few more days until the others would arrive and in the time needed to wait Minako made it a personal mission of hers to understand the children around her, especially Zori who seemed very protective of Yumi. In fact the rather shy boy wasn't one to speak openly to other deities. Even if he wasn't overly friendly, it was clear he was not as spiteful as he first appeared to be. Minako knew his intentions were pure; it seemed as if the boy was waiting his time before making any type of declaration.
She had to admit that all of the children seemed to have an odd way of living their lives. Each of them had their own personality and within that personality talents that would aid their way of life. Yumi was quite simply a leader; she kept the peace when it looked like a battle royal would ensue. Other than that she wasn't much more than a figurehead for the group. That was what had confused Minako in the first place, outside of giving orders or keeping peace Yumi didn't really care who did what. This meant that outside of combat all hell would break loose and she would do nothing to stop it if she didn't see fit.
Zori and Xen both had very different views on how thing should be done and on occasion that different view turned into a short fistfight on occasion. If Izumi or Yumi didn't stop them no one else seemed to be able too. It appeared to Minako that Xen could be even worse than Makoto in terms of anger, however that view quickly changed when she saw how well Xen cared for Hana. That child was the most overactive child Minako had seen, yet Xen had never ending understanding to offer the smallest of the group.
Honestly this was all that was going on during the simple off days waiting for the Shuttle to arrive. Children played, plans were made, and training with sharp weaponry began. Makoto could often be found relaxing on the tallest rock watching the water of the cavern cascade down from high above. On occasion Xen and Yasu would dive from the tallest point into the deep crag of waters. Other times they would play by the very shallow entrance near the mouth of the actual cavern. Perhaps that was how the conversation started, and how a deep respect was formed for the seemingly brash child of wind.
It was early morning on the final day of waiting for the shuttle; the others would be arriving late in the afternoon. Minako found it impossible to sleep, and her son had found refuge in Yumi's arms that night. Perhaps she felt cold, or alone, with no kindred spirit awake to share in her sleeplessness. This was why she was now standing at the mouth of the cavern. The smells of early morning were just making themselves known amongst the sounds that had been night. It was simply grey outside, the color noting the sun would rise within a few hours, yet not bright enough to see very far ahead. The sounds of the water rippling softly on the sides and banks as the fall above made continuous waves allowed Minako to know that outside the world may not have slept.
Xen was also awake and had herself perched on Makoto's usual rock for no apparent reason. She was calm then, not making a move, not uttering a sound. Her eyes acknowledged Minako, yet she made no form of greeting, no form of approval, or an invitation to join her on the rock. All she had allowed Minako was a simple acknowledgment, letting her know that she had been seen. On Xen's lap was Hana curled up sleeping soundly. Yes, perhaps this was how the conversation began; the need to talk, the need for another to hear, this too was part of being a Senshi.
Allowing herself the proper amount of calm equal of Xen's, Minako took a seat along side the other Senshi. Her words were simple at first. "You look a lot like a friend of mine when you sit there like that." It was true; Xen wasn't much younger than the other Senshi. She was one of the few who were in the middle someplace floating around. Not the oldest by a long shot, yet not a mere child who had not hit puberty, Xen was in the middle ground. "Only thing is my friend is older and much taller than you." Minako said, it was quite obvious that she had been referring to Makoto.
"Perhaps so, however you both seem to be weak as far as your abilities of understanding powers go." Xen said quickly continuing before Minako could debate that argument. "Makoto is a nomad however so am I. Between the two of us; I am a far more skilled in my element. You all lack the ability it use your elements out of battle." Xen said earning a look of confusion from Minako. "All I can say is, where your element is concerned, being a Senshi of Mineral is far more complex than simply being able to feel emotions and understanding how to lead strong fighters." Xen was calling Minako out, but her voice left things out in the open, as if she was trying to start a debate. Actually a test would be more like the proper terminology.
"Are you going to tell me you're a sudden expert on the topic of what makes people of the mineral tick?" Minako asked curiously. "Can you honestly tell me you can sit there and tell me that we don't seem to have a grasp of our deities? If that's what you claim you'd better give me an explanation I can actually put to use." Minako retaliated carefully. She knew that Xen was trying to read her, however the reasoning behind why was still veiled to Minako.
"You are of mineral, however keep this in mind, each and everything in the world has an elemental base. Fire, water, wind, earth, well you get the idea. Even the dead have a base of some nature, as a nomad you are taught basic understanding to allow you to endure such things in you have too in the future. For example, even if we hate the people of fire, and are raised to treat them with little tolerance we also know how they are able to survive. That is a nomad trait, be it from Storms, or the path of the Fliers, we know our place as well as the place of those around us." Xen said simply as if this was second nature. Even if it was, Minako felt as if she was being lectured and even if she kept her moth shut while Xen continued she wasn't fond of the prospect.
Xen for her part kept her voice stable even if this was a continually hated subject to keep going over. She and the other elements came here for one simple reason, to stop the fighting, even if it was a common wish of all of the elements, old habits die hard and that's why they had come here. That was the only reason any of the elements had come here. "Your people, those of mineral have a place among our homelands, and even of we don't outwardly befriend you, we do not start a war zone as if you would be of the Flame, actually, in all reality it is because you are friends to our enemies that we must rival you. There honestly is no other reason besides that simple fact. Your people dislike those of the storms, our nomadic brethren, meaning that we Fliers aren't normally welcome among you for the same exact reason. Do you see the pattern yet Minako? Our rules and ways of life are that of primal war and inward fighting amongst both our friends and enemies. The only real reason any of us have come here is because we all want it to stop. Even if we do want to stop fighting, we all have ideals that contradict each other; we all have reasons to hate each other. That is in all honestly the only difference between those that walk this planet among you and the others who chose not to travel here. We want it to stop, those on the outer realm, either could not travel far enough to get here, have died, or will continue to fight in never ending war zones because that was the path they chose."
"If that's true why can't you all change your ways. Surely you have tried to befriend even your worse enemies?" Minako asked sincerely confused with that admission. "You can't sit there and tell me that even some of your values aren't flawed to a degree." The tall blond said as she dipped her bare feet into the very cold water. Xen didn't seem phased by the question, more like she had been expecting it.
"That's the primary issue. Every element, even those who we of the Fliers can call brethren can have fighting among the many clans. As you see just because all Fliers share a deity it does not mean we don't differ as individuals. Same goes for everyone else. However generalizations are made simply because it's easier to do so. We of the fliers know that even among those of our element we have enemies; it's just that we can single them out. We know how to protect ourselves. Again the same can be said of the other elements and their problematic groups. However we of the Fliers are unable to decipher that kind of thing with the other elements just as they are unable to do it with our element. This provides for us a high level of danger when dealing with others who may want to do harm." Xen said as Hana partially stirred from sleep, opening her eyes at the sounds of talking even if she didn't really understand most of it. Deciding that the noise was not her idea of a peaceful sleep she sought out Zori who willingly allowed her to snuggle near his cape of fur.
Xen sighed at the look Hana had on her face while trying to allow sleep to claim her for a few more hours. Zori meanwhile was humming a soft tune trying to be helpful and in all honestly the odd way Hana bounced around all of the older kids reminded Minako of Hotaru's most recent rebirth. The small child was content being looked after by a bunch of would be teenagers and held little regard for anyone else. It was confusing in a lot of ways and Minako allowed a thought to pass her lips that she at first thought she should have kept away from Xen. "Is this her fate now as well?"
Xen just raised an eyebrow before sighing. "Man you leaders are all the same. Royalty perhaps, but dumb as they come. That child would have been an orphan one day anyway. On the outer realms those of ice do not bode well with those of flame, Quume is a woman of the ice who also travels with children in a nomadic light, that's how i know about her. She take those who would have no home otherwise and allows them to adapt to climates that are unlike the cold winters of ice. Since Hana has had movement since she was a baby I don't think she'll have an issue surviving out here, the people of flame also travel while they are children as mercenaries, although that's for being taught the values of war and conquest. If they don't travel outside of the heated core at a very young age they'll be unable to last long as adults." Xen sighed again looking at the child who now fell asleep.
"She isn't of mixed deities; however she would have had this fate either way. Her parents were not able to come with her here meaning that unless a family finds her within a year or two it'll be our job to raise her as that of a child in a rebel group. That's how kids as young as her or even babies are able to survive; we grow in number simply because we will take whoever has no home. As adults we leave the rebel group and start our own families, sometimes taking a few kids with us, but always leaving a leader behind." Xen was not speaking of as if she felt bad, in fact it alarmed Minako how much pride Xen had for the situation.
If Yumi was their leader was she now apart of this group? Is this what Yumi had wanted in the first place, it was all a lot to take in and now Minako had new reasons to find out more about rebel groups. Her questions were heated and in a way demanding of some type of solace instead of merely answers. "Why do you all even choose to be in rebel groups, like yourself Xen? Your father is back with those of storms according to Makoto, so why are you here and not with him. Why have you thrown away everything so quickly?"
"If that is what you think I have done you are blinder than I had first thought." Xen said as if she stood up also acknowledging another by their side, those questions regarded Yumi, not herself, and Xen would not answer a question another should voice. "I have a reason for my actions, I always do. That question was aimed at me, but really the answer you seek is why Yumi has chosen this path. I am not Yumi so I can not give you that answer." She turned to see Zori standing by the cave, as if he felt a need for his voice to be heard, and Xen allowed him that voice. Before she went by Hana's side once more she made a final statement. "Come ask me my reasons when you truly want to know that for myself and not your daughter. If you still seek the reasoning of another, Zori is the one to speak too, he is of the flame, and thus he has more reason to speak than a nomad like myself."
Xen made her way back through the cavern, making sure she didn't get wet by the waterfall. Hana was quick to curl up in the extra fur clothing that Xen wore. Xen made sure her focus was not on the outside conversation. It was not her place to listen in, no her place was here with Hana as her protector. Xen's reasons were unknown to most, but it didn't matter. They were a rebel group, one day Xen herself would leave as an adult, when that day came, little Hana would have to choose who to go with. Thankfully for the small child she had a long time to decide.
Meanwhile, outside Zori had somehow found the confidence to speak with the woman who his queen loved. It was the level of status that allowed him the courage to speak and he keeled before Minako in a large amount of respect as if her status was equal to that of Rei herself. This didn't bode well for Minako who promptly requested he treat her as a normal civilian.
He carefully took a seat besides her offering a respectable distance and began to speak very respectfully and carefully. "Please, don't think any less of Xen for her lack of respect. That's the way she is, and for what it's worth, even if I don't outwardly like her, she's protective of Yumi, that is why she has earned my respect and trust for now. Please do not be upset. I know my queen would not like to see you in a distraught state." The boy said before pausing for a moment, thinking before continuing his thoughts. "I know you had requested that Xen answer for you a series of questions and she walked away. I am of the flame, but I know not why Yumi herself has chosen to be so kind towards all of us. If you perhaps would like answers from me, I will consider it a task given to me as if you were the queen herself, my allegiance for you is the same as her and your daughter. It is because of this I will answer anything you may want to know." His voice was pleading for her not to be angry with him, even offering her answers freely into his own personal life if it would ease her worries. This was a gift, not a duty, even if that's what he thought it was.
"Zori, you don't need to speak to me so formally." Minako said again trying to get the boy to loosen up at least a little bit. It was clear he was taught to respect royalty, and how to respect a woman. At least the latter she could put in her back pocket for comfort if he ever did try to date Yumi. For now though a larger question needed answering. "Why do people form rebel groups? I know you can't answer for Yumi, but why would you join one?" Minako asked truly concerned, confused, and all around lost by the prospect.
"It is a necessity for everyday life on the outer realm." Zori said as his eyes darkened slightly. Minako could feel the sense of pain that seemed to lightly invade his aura. "Kids are orphaned in many ways, others run away from home. Some like me need to become strong so we leave the safety of our families to form our own journeys. What ever the reason the kids are then known as rebels with no home until they either find a family to take them in or return home." Zori seemed careful how to word the next set of thoughts. He wanted to be sure everything was spoken correctly. "Sometimes rebel groups find an elderly person unable to care for themselves, they will sometimes take them in and in return that elderly person imparts wisdom and the kindness of an adult. Other times it's the exact opposite, and adult runs into a large number of young rebels who are unable to care for themselves. That lone adult would watch them and oversee things willingly on occasion. That's often how rebel groups don't look like normal nomadic colonies or families. The ages usually differ greatly with no middle ground."
Minako froze for a moment at the simple yet hidden admission. She could tell the boy had more to say, yet he also seemed as if he feared to speak it. Her prompt was a question filled with hope and in a sense filled with concern. "What about you? Why have you chosen to side with those who you would normally fight?"
"Me? I chose to team up with Yumi because I must be a strong man in order to protect my family. As a person born of the flame I must learn how to be self-reliant before I can rely on another for any reason. I left my father behind to follow Yumi and her mother, the queen, upon her request. For me it's a great honor and I quickly jumped at the chance. In the short time on my journeys with the others I have learned much about the others who accompany your daughter. Time for me to start my own life has been fast approaching for awhile. Your daughter is both wise and strong, but, she should not have to be strong alone. That is why I follow her; the others at her side also show loyalty that is why I respect them. In that respect we have gained more strength than you know." Zori explained as the night continued into day and the sun began to show a reflection on the lightening hues in the sky. Slowly the lifeless grey of early morning began to be painted in the hues of the daily beauty.
~~~~~~~~~~ Back on planet Pluto~~~~
Two figures stood side by side, one was far older and wiser and wiser as she peered into the Staff that rest at her sides. The other figure was a tall figure, also a woman, reborn without regret of the pasts. Even so, even she remembered the crimes committed.
"Well? Why in the hell did you drag me all the way here if all we intend to do is stand around like idiots?" Katan spat highly annoyed that she had to put up with the woman of her childhood. "If all we were doing was looking at the damned staff you could have left me alone and not even bothered me." She sighed pulling out a cigarette placing it to her lips.
"Light that thing and I'll show you what a dead scream really is." Setsuna warned with some slight annoyance. "You may be an adult, but that doesn't mean you can act like a simple delinquent. As for why I woke you up, that wasn't simply because I wanted for you to stare at the time staff." Setsuna said as she took a seat in a corner of her study. "I merely wanted to talk to you, even if I hadn't been around back when you were a child, I really do care about you. All of you were my world and in the end of the day it's my right to worry about you."
"Look, what's done is done Pluto." Katan sighed as she rolled her eyes and took the cigarette out of her mouth and placed it back into its pack. "However I don't see why you want our help with all of this." The younger woman of the dark Moon complained as she put her feet on the coffee table. "I don't really give a damn to tie loose ends on our past; if I did you'd be the first one I would kill. Even so, why are you so adamant to stir up trouble with the other Senshi? Looks like enough pissin' matches are goin' on." Katan dismissed with a wave of her hand as she sloppily took a seat.
"You really don't have any idea what it means to be politically correct do you?" Setsuna blanched as she took in the sight. Katan was like a rowdy teenager going through a phase. Inwardly that's what the mage wished was actually true instead of an adult who held no signs of decency. "The reason I'm sending you is because it's what your mother would want. Growing up you all had things you wanted to be, and while you're rough around the edges Hotaru will need you."
"I can't believe I'm related by random chance to the little runt. Then again it's better than a dumb ass brother and a sister who plays mind warp. Speaking of Talan where in the hell is she?" Katan complained as she tapped her finger highly annoyed. Talan had aged in her rebirth slightly and was now the age of Hotaru with no signed of aging further for quite a long time. Clearly it was a sign of her bloodline.
"As much as you'd like to think Hotaru is a runt you must admit she can hold her own." Setsuna said with a knowing smile. "Now play nice, I don't want to have to break up a blade on blade fight. You both went far enough last time." Even if concerned inwardly Setsuna showed no outward signs of worry. "Just take care of yourself; I know you want a family one day just like before."
"Yeah, whatever, even if I wanted a family who's to say it won't be taken away again just like every damned time. I'll play your little fucked up game of house for now Pluto, but as far as I'm concerned who's my family and who is not remains to be seen." Katan cut off the woman in front of her before curtly walking to the sleeping man across the room hitting him in the head. "Get up, time to go." She sighed slightly annoyed as she watched him turn over.
"Yep, time to go. I'll be ready soon." Dalan said as he yawned and snuggled down in his pillow, his foot stuck out slightly from the blanket he was under and that only added to his sisters' quickly rising temper.
"Get up!" she said dragging his foot along with his body across the floor before stepping over his back. "We have work to do! Get off your lazy ass!" She left the room in search of her sister. Setsuna just shook her head as Dalan groaned and dusted himself off. This was the family that had been forged, and the children who held innocence were still as crass as they had been before the rebirth. Yet even in the gruff action Katan often graced everyone she came into contact, it was filled with a deep sense of protection for her siblings. The fact that the woman even continued to speak at all to Setsuna gave hope that happiness would one day find the children of the old Dark Moon.
"Sis will always be sis, eh?" Dalan said and stretched out slightly before he stood. He's smile was soft and even if he was a grown man, he was still the lazy troublesome boy within his heart.
"Yes." Setsuna said also with a faint smile of her own. "Your sister will always be the same brash person no matter what fate seems to do." Standing on her feet she embraced the person she knew as her son before pulling on his ear to lower the man to her stature whispering faintly "Don't tell your sister I told you, but I really don't mind her attitude. Even if you all seem to act like teenagers I quite like having you all around again." She said before dragging him along still holding onto his lobe "Now if my memory serves me correct your sister told you to get ready, so go on, off with you."
"Talk about not changing one bit…" Dalan said under his breath rubbing his right ear that had been swollen. That woman was still one of the strongest he's ever known, allowing himself to remember some of the happier moments of his childhood he proceeded down the hallway in search of his sisters. Indeed it was good to be around family again.
~~~~~~~~~Back at the Cavern~~~~
The Shuttle had finally arrived at the cavern and families were reunited once again, even if they all knew it would only be for a short while. Minako caught up with the events that she had missed and the rest of the Senshi were finding it nice to finally relax momentarily. Minako found herself attached to Rei unable to let the woman out of her sight. Laughter was plentiful as memories were relived and truths were reveled. There were only two who weren't part of the fun. Both of them currently sat on the top of the cavern near the fall. Haruka and Mari had not found Michiru or the twins and felt slightly worried about the Senshi of the Sea.
"There's an ominous wind rising." Haruka said as she closed her eyes and allowed herself to seek out the source even if she knew it wasn't going to work. She felt darkness in large amounts but for no apparent reason, in an instant her eyes shot open and she looked directly in Mari's eye.
"It speaks to you as well." Mari replied cryptically. "That wind calls us, we need to find mom." She stood with her face to the wind and noted the sky above her was almost calling her name aloud. Xen was also now at their side along with Cade.
"The wind deity wants us to follow it. I'm not sure why, but I feel something that's not right." Xen said softly as some leaves stuck in the current of the winds rolled along the grounds. "It speaks of battle though I don't know where." Her voice was a quiet whisper trying not to disturb the area around her.
"The wind speaks of sounds in the far distances; surely all of our brethren can hear the clashes of swords. It is not our place to disturb outside deities and that battle is not our own. It is best we stay here." Cade explained his ears were sensitive of his deity having been alive for so long. He understood the plea that the wind gave, one of warning, one of fear. The wind spoke many things today and even if the day spoke beauty, the wind spoke of something ugly.
"Bullshit. We're going." Yumi said as she stood next to Mari glairing at Cade for his comments. "Others are still out there, and I feel you all becoming pensive. Something is going on and I refuse to sit and do nothing." She turned towards Xen with a deep fire in her eyes. "Get all the birds you can ready, those who want to go saddle up, we don't have time to loose." Yumi ordered as she looked over at Mari and Haruka a simple understanding in her eyes. "Go, we will catch up. Run after them." She said simply.
Both of them froze, could they run for that long, that fast? It didn't seem possible, yet, perhaps they could. "Our Deity is calling, does it want us to us its power to give us strength?" Mari asked Cade while Xen was running down the hill. All the old man did was simply nod following after the girls speeding down the hill, Yumi was far slower.
Mari looked to Haruka who also wordlessly nodded and the both took off. They ran fast, faster than they knew they could run, the power of the wind had called and they had answered willingly. They didn't know what was guiding them but they could hear distant birds squawking and the loud creaking of wooden tires, the others were following as both papa and daughter ran without fatigue, this was a gift the deity had granted. They were using the wind to travel, to run freely away from normal bipedal restraint. It was then they understood. This was one way a deity could be used without harming others, but instead a way of life. The salt water in the air noted that Michiru would be near and that's they call they followed. Running just simply running Xen also followed suit, blindly to wherever the deity wanted them to go.
The warmth of Haruka's coin brought happiness, peace, a lot of emotions simply by following her heart. Freedom, this was her coin and that's what she was. She ran because Yumi told them to go, to run recklessly into where ever they needed to end up. That's what they did, and for once the Senshi of the wind followed no law of the Moon, she followed not the law of a solider, but the calls that beckoned her to follow, the others close behind. In the back of her mind she was on the track again, not thinking, only trusting in the blind invisibility of her deity with no rime and hardly a reason, but instead purely a whim.
What lie ahead no one really knew, yet they were a family and no matter what all would be united together soon. With the tides of a battle thick in the air, few could guess what was actually happening on the sandy beaches of the ocean.
TBC!
There you have it. Chapter 5. Please Read and Review. (I have no idea how one can have 15-25+ visitors read this on any given day but rarely have any reviews!) I hope you liked the slightly relaxing chapter because things are going to heat up come chapter 6, so get ready... My laptop is still on speed for an odd reason so please bear with me as I work from a great many desktops or scrap sheets of paper!