Quiet Magics

Chapter 3 – The Day After

Beams of sunlight peeked through the crack in the curtains to dance across the guest bed's mint green comforter. Hotaru watched the patterns of light and shadows shift silently across the motionless form of her rescuer. It was a melancholy scene. This room, his stillness, the bandages… none of it suited the vibrant spirit that stood smiling down upon her from the rooftops last night.

The young girl shifted in the old rocker she'd curled up on in the pre-dawn hours, wrapping her faded purple comforter around her more tightly. Even if nearly every inch of her wasn't covered in bruises, the seat would still be uncomfortable. It was better than her room though. At least here she could watch over him.

Last night's sleep had been bad... very bad. Most of the details of her horrible dream had vaporized when she'd bolted awake, but, as she dozed uncomfortably in the rocker, little pieces would occasionally float to the surface of her mind.

There was a lot of blood in those scenes. Most of it came from people she cared about... and most of it she'd been forced to draw out herself. In each scene, a corpse-like hand resting on the small of her naked back pushed her to hurt her victims more and more... to deepen their anguish. Yellow eyes glowed in the darkness. Her keeper hissed his perverse pleasure. The stench of rotting flesh and the coppery tang of blood hung in the air. She could hear Usa whimpering through the gag… feel her body struggling under her…

Hotaru's head snapped back up. Damn dreams… Gingerly, the girl lifted an ice pack to her face, letting the coolness of it sink into the swollen skin around her eye. By now the thing had mostly melted. She'd need another one in a little while.

For the moment though, it served its purpose. Sunlight danced into the young Senshi's vision once again, pushing back the darkness. He was there... resting... serene. It didn't seem like there were any demons haunting his sleep. If anything, he was the one stalking devils in their nightmares.

A wicked little smile bloomed on Hotaru's battered face at that thought. In whatever hell the Scion of Fear had been sent back to, Hotaru hoped that he was trembling at the memory of blue flames and icy vengeance every time he closed his eyes. It would be poetic justice.

Hotaru's smile warmed for her savior. The thought that he frightened devils into nightmares seemed like a notion he'd enjoy. She wished he were awake so she could share the idea with him. It would be nice to hear him laugh.

Hotaru's smile faded. It would be nice to hear anything from him. This stillness, this quiet, it seemed so alien on him. It made him seem devoid of life, lying in that bed.

Not for the first time that morning, she wished she were closer to him. It had been a comfort on that battlefield to feel the rhythm of his heart and the filling of his lungs. For a moment the memory of his breath playing against her ear came back into focus.

She blushed. The thought of crawling into the bed next to him was so tempting. At least then she could feel the life in him. What if he were to wake up, though? How would she ever explain herself to him?

She sighed. It wasn't her place to sleep next to him anyway. She barely knew anything about him. The demon had called him Saotome and it had been sent to kill him. He was brave and unbelievably powerful. His heart was big enough to feel compassion for a stranger… and not just any stranger either, but a heartless killing machine. That was the extent of her knowledge.

He probably already had someone special in his life. As brave and as handsome as he was, Hotaru couldn't imagine him staying single for long. Beautiful women probably threw themselves at him left and right. Not that he'd take advantage of it, of course. Clearly with his kind heart he wouldn't toy with a girl's emotions so.

Dejectedly, the sometimes senshi of Saturn let her head fall back onto her ice pack. Right now there was probably some poor woman worried out of her mind that her knight in shining armor hadn't come home last night, and here Hotaru was thinking about how nice it would be to curl up in bed with him. Some defender of love and justice she was.

Even if there wasn't some pretty sweetheart waiting worried by a phone somewhere, Hotaru just couldn't picture him being interested in someone like her. He was clearly several years older than she was so he'd probably be interested in a more mature woman. Also, she could tell when he smiled that he really loved life. It would be wrong to tie such a vibrant soul to the harbinger of death. She was probably too cold for him… too brooding. He didn't deserve that.

He deserved someone prettier too. Hotaru hazarded a glance at the vanity on the far side of the room. The sight that greeted her couldn't be considered very desirable. Even ignoring the ugly purple lumps she'd picked up last night, there wasn't really much to look at.

Here she was, just turned sixteen… sort of… and she still had the body of a scrawny twelve year old. The last few years had just made her more gangly and awkward. Hell, with her short hair and flat chest, she might as well start getting tips from Haruka-papa on how to pass herself off as a boy.

"I wish I could be someone you'd wake up for," Hotaru whispered to the sleeping angel.

"Don't sell yourself too short, Hotaru-chan."

Hotaru whipped her head around at the unexpected voice. "Setsuna-mama?"

Near the foot of the guest bed the sailor suited Guardian of Time leaned wearily against her Key-Staff and grinned at her youngest ward. "Good morning."

"That's it? Good morning?" The woman vanishes off the face of the Earth, probably literally, for more than four months, and all she has to say is 'good morning?'

The older senshi hung her head. "I know, little firefly. It's been a while. I'm sorry." Bloodshot eyes looked out through emerald locks. "Something came up. I've been very busy."

Hotaru took in the appearance of her eldest guardian more carefully. Despite the radiant power of her senshi form, Pluto looked like death warmed over. Dark rings circled heavily lidded eyes, and the young teen was pretty sure the older woman wouldn't be standing without her weapon to help support her. "Are you okay?"

The spent guardian took a few tired steps and then lowered herself to sit on the edge of the bed next to the young teen. Her hand lowered onto the purple blanket covering Hotaru's knee. "I'm well enough, firefly; just in need of some rest. What about you? I dare say you look a sight worse than I."

Hotaru broke eye contact with the woman and stared intently at her melting ice pack. "I'm fine."

Setsuna-mama shook her head. "No, you're not." The Senshi's white gloved hand lifted to Hotaru's chin and forced their eyes to meet again. "I know it was a near thing, Hotaru. If he had been just a second slower, if the devil had been just a bit more powerful, if you hadn't tripped over your own feet, we wouldn't be here to have this conversation." The Guardian of Time released her companion's chin and traced her fingers along the path of the teen's falling tears. "It didn't happen."

Hotaru's gaze fell again. "It could have. I could have killed all of you."

Setsuna turned her head to glance at the boy behind her and smiled. "I suppose it's fortunate, then, that our sleeping friend here is as resourceful as he is resilient."

Hotaru continued to toy dejectedly with the melted pack in her hands, letting the unnaturally blue gel gush through the bag as she squeezed each corner in turn. "Will he be okay?"

"I'm sure he'll pull through," Setsuna replied after a moment of thought. "But if you're looking for a more comfortable place to get some rest, then I'm reasonably certain he won't be objecting to a little extra company at any point today."

Hotaru felt her cheeks redden. Sometimes it was frightening how well Setsuna-mama could read a person. In spite of the teasing, though, it was good to hear the older woman say that the boy would be okay. If anyone would know for sure, it would be the Guardian of Time.

With a final pat to the girl's thigh, Setsuna pulled herself to her feet. "I think I'll let you get some sleep. After I have a word with the others I'll probably be doing the same thing myself."

As the jade haired Senshi shambled to the door, Hotaru considered the recently vacated corner of the bed. It did look a fair bit more comfortable than the old rocker she'd been suffering in all morning, and the girl was willing to bet she'd have fewer nightmares curled up there.

"Setsuna-mama," Hotaru asked, still looking at the bed. "Something's wrong, isn't it?"

From the door, the ancient guardian paused. "There are a few things that need to be fixed, Hotaru, but I'm sure we can handle it."

Hotaru nodded, and then turned to her comrade. "There's a new enemy, isn't there?"

Briefly the Guardian of the Gates looked back over her shoulder and smiled enigmatically. "Get some rest, Hotaru. It wouldn't do to let this opprotunity pass you by."

"If you'd like to challenge the owner to savage combat, use rear gate," the old woman read. For a moment she considered heeding the advice. It was very likely she would have to kill one of the dojo's occupants today. The least she could do was follow the proper protocol.

Ku'Lon shook her head. There was no reason yet to assume violence was a foregone conclusion. The events of the previous evening might not have anything to do with the residents of Nermia. Granted it was unlikely that the matriarch would be so fortunate, but it wouldn't hurt to confirm her suspicions before she dispensed justice. The shriveled woman raised her staff to the door and rapped twice.

Moments later the latch clicked, letting the door swing open to reveal the eldest of the Tendo daughters. "Oh, Elder Ku'Lon! What an unexpected surprise."

The wizened old woman took in the young lady before her. Kasumi was the very picture of the traditional housewife. Ku'Lon sighed. The poor girl had grown up too fast. The work she did for her family was a testament to her character, but she should have been out building her own future, not tending to an old man who couldn't pull himself out of a tragic past.

Still, the unlikely Tendo matron was as beautiful as she was kind. Not for the first time, Ku'Lon wondered why it wasn't this young woman that the old men of the house tried to force into Ranma's bed. She would have been good for the poor boy, and the matriarch doubted that her sometimes pupil would have protested all that much.

"It's good to see you, child. I'm sorry that my visits have been so infrequent of late." Truth be told, Ku'Lon hadn't found reason to visit this place since before Ranma decided to leave town. If it wasn't for recent events, she wouldn't have minded avoiding the place entirely.

"I'm sure your work at the restaurant keeps you busy, Ku'Lon-san. Think nothing of it." The young woman smiled down at her warmly. Ku'Lon had to smile in return. There weren't many people in the world like Kasumi. It's a shame her family didn't realize what a treasure they had in her. "Please, come in."

Ku'Lon accepted the invitation with a simple nod and followed the girl into the house proper. Despite the difficulties that her wayward student faced from those inside, it was easy to see what made the boy so reluctant to leave. The Tendo home was a tiny sliver of the old world nestled in the heart of the modern city. The traditional backdrop suited Ranma, even if its occupants tended not to.

"The weather lately has been beautiful, wouldn't you agree, elder?" Kasumi began as the two seated themselves at the table.

Small talk… What a ridiculous concept. Still, Ku'Lon was the guest here and 'polite' was often a matter of perspective. It was a lesson her great granddaughter had yet to learn, even in spite of their extended stay in the land of Wa. "It's a touch on the cold side for these old bones, but at least it's been dry."

"I suppose you're right," Kasumi settled into her seat comfortably, as though preparing for a long meal rather than a simple cup of tea. How often, Ku'Lon wondered, did the poor woman actually have real company to entertain? It was a shame that the matriarch only came by to slay one of her houseguests. "May I pour for you?"

"Thank you, child." Ku'Lon watched her hostess contentedly go to work. The old woman sighed. She really should have found time to visit more often, if for no other reason than the simple joy it brought the young lady seated across from her. Ku'Lon took her cup and sipped, letting the bowl rest at her lips so that she could savor the aroma. Today would probably be her last opportunity to partake of this particular blend. It was best to enjoy it while it lasted.

"So," Ku'Lon peered at her hostess over the rim of her cup, watching the girl get ready to enjoy the beverage herself. "How was your tryst with my future son-in-law?"

The poor girl nearly choked on her tea, coughing up a fine mist of hot spray as she stuttered, fish-eyed, in shock. Ku'Lon had to smile to herself. There weren't many people who'd ever gotten to see the eldest Tendo girl flustered. "Oh for the love of… Nothing happened! I swear, has everyone heard that silly rumor!"

The matriarch chuckled into her cup. "The story did make it around town a few times. Little surprise; your sister has a voice that can carry all the way to the Nekohanten when she's upset."

The young hostess's teacup clattered to its saucer as she let out a snort of exasperation.

Ku'Lon's smile widened. "Relax, child. Ranma set the record straight with me before he left. Forgive an old woman for having a bit of fun?"

Kasumi glanced back at the matriarch. "You mean you knew he was leaving?"

Ku'Lon's smile turned more wistful. "I'm afraid I might have been the one to put the notion in his head." The matriarch put her cup down and gave Kasumi her full attention. "I gave him a new technique to chew on for a while and I might have suggested that taking a training trip would give him some time to work out his frustrations. I honestly didn't think he'd be gone this long."

Kasumi's glare became marginally less frosty. "Well, I suppose he did need a bit of a vacation. Still, he could have let us known where he was going."

Ku'Lon shook her head in sympathy. "Given the way that poor child's life has gone so far, I'd say that leaving a trail for all his would-be lovers and rivals to follow would have been the absolute last thing he needed to do."

Traces of suspicion crept their way into the young hostess's gaze. "And I suppose that your great granddaughter doesn't have a clue where he might have gone either?"

"Ha!" Ku'Lon began to cackle. "Child, getting my great granddaughter lost in the wilds of Japan for a few weeks is precisely the reason I put the notion in the boy's head to begin with. Listening to that girl spout the virtues of her 'airen' can become more than a little tedious after a while. It wouldn't do to have her drag the boy back too quickly. You see, Ranma wasn't the only one that needed a vacation."

Even Kasumi had to giggle a bit at that. "You really do care for him, don't you Ku'Lon-san?" The elder just shrugged and sipped at her tea. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

For a moment the two sat in silence, each enjoying their cups. "Do you know if he'll be back soon? Life around here has gotten so boring since he left."

Ku'Lon frowned. There was a very real possibility that the boy died yesterday evening. "I'm not sure, child. I believe he'll come back if he can, though it's hard to say if it will be for good. A person can only take so much pain in life, even one so strong as Ranma."

Kasumi's smile slipped as well and she turned away from the old woman, fidgeting with the hem of her apron. "We haven't been very kind to him, have we?"

The old woman shook her head. "I'm sure he's known kindness here, young one, but we've all given him hardships too. Like as not, he'll remember the fond memories long after he's forgotten the painful ones. In the mean time he has a future to decide for himself, and whatever path he chooses; we'll have to learn to respect it."

Ku'Lon returned her eyes to the cup she held and took a moment to reflect on her time with the Saotome heir, allowing her hostess the time to do the same. Neither spoke for several minutes.

"Elder Ku'Lon, why did you visit?" Kasumi asked; her eyes still averted.

This was it then. This was the end of the pleasantries. "I've come for Happosai."

Kasumi peeked over at the aging matriarch. "What's he done this time?"

This time… How many times had the old fool hurt people? How often had he gotten others into trouble? There had been too many second chances, too much compassion. Now the whole of the world may suffer for it. Ku'Lon should have finished this more than two centuries ago. "Perhaps he's done nothing. I don't know. Something terrible has happened, though, and I must know if the he was involved."

The young hostess sighed. "I wish I could help you, Ku'Lon-san, but I'm afraid Grandpa Happosai left on a trip several weeks ago."

"I see." At least the shriveled pervert had the good graces to commit his blasphemy someplace out of town. It made sense. If he'd done the deed here at the Dojo, then Nermia would have been noticeably more interesting. "Do you know where he might have gone?"

The girl shook her head. "He only said he was going to go find Ranma. We haven't seen him since."

Of course, they probably hadn't been looking very hard either, the matriarch thought to herself. Even by his successors, the Grandmaster of the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryu wasn't exactly well loved. She would have to search elsewhere for the old gnome.

"I see. I suppose I should be going then." The elder placed her cup back on its saucer. "Thank you for your hospitality Tendo-san."

"Oh, think noting of it." The woman smiled as the two walked back to the front door. "I hope we can do it again sometime."

The matriarch felt a pang of regret for the poor young woman's loneliness. "Yes. When I have less pressing business, I'll make a point to pay you a visit." With luck the world would still be around long enough for her to make good on that promise.

"She's still with him, isn't she?" Haruka asked. Michiru nodded her head almost imperceptibly. She could understand her lover's concern. It didn't pay to get attached to rogue elements and there was a chance that, despite what he did for Hotaru, the boy might be an unavoidable threat.

Michiru's partner continued to pace, taking occasional glances back at the stairs. She'd always been a woman of action, but there was no clear path to take in this situation. They needed more information, and until they had it, they were forced to wait. Poor Haruka, she didn't exactly wait well.

In the mean time, their daughter was developing an understandable infatuation with the very subject of their concerns. Even if the boy turned out to be benign, odds were still very high that he'd break the young girl's heart.

"Haruka, I really wish you'd sit down. That's an expensive carpet you're wearing out." The young father-figure stopped only long enough to toss Michiru a frustrated snort.

"This can't end well Michiru. She's going to be hurt, one way or the other."

"Yes." Sometimes remaining dignified was a hellish task. "That's true, she might. It was bound to happen eventually."

"Well we should do something!" Haruka spat back.

Michiru's delicate lips turned down ever so slightly. Had the love of her life just shouted at her? The Senshi of Neptune met Haruka's frustration with her own cold glare. Her lover's posture wilted instantly. Good. Some things just couldn't be allowed to pass.

"I just don't want her to be hurt." Haruka finally gave up her pacing to slump into the leather recliner on the other side of the study.

Michiru let some of her chill melt and favored the worried 'father' with a sympathetic smile. "I know, love. But there's really not much we can do at this point. Separating her from the boy won't stop her crush, and could only serve as a wedge if we had to take more aggressive action later. For the moment, we'll just have to wait until we have more information and hope for the best."

"That seems like a wise decision."

The heads of both women turned towards the unexpected whisper to find the Guardian of the Gates of Time leaning against the wall of the stairwell in full senshi form. "I hate to impose," she intoned in a soft and mysterious tone, "but could one of you help me to a seat?"

It took Michiru a moment to realize that Setsuna's relaxed posture was more than just for dramatic effect. The Senshi of Pluto was managing to keep her feet, but it was a near thing. Her head lulled against the wall, letting a curtain of jade hair fall about her like a shroud. Michiru crossed over to her friend and mentor and helped ease her off the steps.

"What the hell happened to you?" Haruka stared at their mutual friend as Michiru guided the exhausted guardian to to the sofa.

Setsuna slumped into the offered seat. "There's been an incident. The intended flow of time has been compromised."

Haruka cast a nervous glance back towards the stairs. "What kind of an incident? Is someone trying to interfere with the ascension of Serenity?"

"I'm not sure." The exhausted Senshi lulled her head to catch the other woman's eye. "It's a possibility. There's also a chance that this was a natural calamity. As stable as the timeline leading up to the founding of Crystal Tokyo was, nothing is certain until it comes to pass." Setsuna rested her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes. "The strength and stability of the interfering timeline, as well as its dark nature, does, however, suggest intentional manipulation."

Michiru sat next to her friend, holding the woman's limp hand in her own. "There was an attack last night. Is that the cause of this?"

The other woman's head shook almost imperceptibly. "No. This began a little more than four months ago. I'm not sure what caused it. It wasn't a part of the potential timelines that I've monitored. Last night was partly my doing. It was the only way I could think of to prevent unavoidable paradox."

"Wait, you brought that thing here?" Haruka's voice seemed to drop the temperature of the room several degrees. "Do you have any idea what it almost did!"

"Yes, Haruka, I saw it. I know what happened. It was necessary."

Michiru gave her mentor's hand a squeeze. "Setsuna, why leave Hotaru to fight that creature alone? Why didn't you warn us?"

"I didn't have the strength. I had to feed nearly the whole extent of my power to the Gate. It was the only way to prevent potential paradox from re-writing our history before I could correct the damage that has been done." The Mistress of Time took long moments to collect her thoughts. "The drain on my power trapped me in the nexus where the Gate resides. Making even a partial connection to this world for only the span of a heartbeat was almost enough to trap me forever."

Haruka sat heavily on the far side of the couch. "I really hate temporal mechanics."

It was a thought Michiru could readily agree with. Understanding what, exactly, their mutual friend did would take a lifetime of education, perhaps even several lifetimes. "What effect could you possibly have in so short a time, and if the drain was so great, how is it that you're free now?"

Setsuna leaned forward in the chair and tried to shake herself into alertness. "I don't have the energy to explain at the moment. Suffice it to say that we have more time now than we originally did. Nevertheless, Fear was only part of the problem. The seal that held him was one of seven that separate this world from the original planes of chaos and evil. Now that one of the seals is cracked, the rest will slowly degrade, letting increasingly more dangerous devils loose in this realm. We'll have to find a way to stop this from happening."

Haruka nodded. "So we find and repair the seals before anything too nasty gets loose. Where do we start looking?"

"At the moment I'm not sure. The Scion of Fear had many of the seals in motion already when I first began to locate them. His premature death will have changed the outcome of those visions. Usually I have other methods of discerning such information, but those paths have only just re-opened to me, and what I've learned thus far is, at best, clouded."

Setsuna leaned back against the sofa and closed her eyes. "There's more. The creatures that escape to Earth, they'll be able to sense the power of our Soul Crystals. These beasts will come looking for us. The others must be warned."

Michiru stood. "I'll contact them. Is there anything else they'll need to be told?"

For long moments the Senshi of Pluto didn't speak. When at last she did, she seemed uncomfortable with her words. "An event will occur near the end of the next week that should allow me greater access to future knowledge. I'll be able to explain more at that time. Until then… there is one other thing, but even I don't understand what it means."

Michiru watched her friend as she reclined. The older woman made several efforts to begin speaking again, her mouth going so far as to open, only to snap itself back shut.

"Oh, spit it out!" Haruka's outburst nearly made Michiru jump out of her skin, but it seemed to galvanize Pluto as well.

"Hygiene products… Styling gel, fragrances, hair care essentials… they aren't really evil and we'll need them before this is over with."

Silence reigned in the room for several long minutes. Michiru turned her eyes from the enigmatic Senshi of Time to a decorative mirror on the wall and then back again. Her hair looked fine. A quick glance at Haruka confirmed that her lover, too, was well groomed, though the woman was currently sniffing at her underarms in a most unattractive manner. Had that been some kind of a joke?

Setsuna shrugged. "I told you it didn't make sense. Keep some of these items on hand anyway. Tell the others, too. They'll need to know." With that the Senshi of Time dragged herself up the stairs that would lead her to her bed. In her wake she left two very confused friends.

"This is the spot all right," Minako exclaimed as she ducked under the unattended police tape. "If a demon didn't cause this, then I don't know what did."

Ami was forced to agree. The devastation was impressive to say the least. Not that they both hadn't seen far worse in their tenure as senshi, but the level of property damage certainly was well above average. What temperature did asphalt liquefy at anyway? She'd have to check on that.

Ami stooped under the tape and moved next to the slightly taller blonde. In the glow of the setting sun, long shadows stretched across the sea of ruined tarmac. Disconcerting forms spread themselves across the broken walls, slowly devouring the blood red light. The sometimes senshi of Mercury suppressed a shiver.

Minako peered about nervously. "It's strange how quiet it is here. It's like I can't hear the rest of the city just on the other side."

Ami nodded. "Let's get this done with and get out of here."

The girl pulled out the Mercury Computer and began priming it to scan the area. It had been nearly twenty-three hours since the previous night's battle, and undoubtedly a number of contractors, law enforcement officers, insurance agents, and business owners had passed through, but there might be some residual evidence for the device to catalog.

"So, you think this guy Hotaru found is cute?" Minako asked as she continued to peer into the eldritch shadows.

Ami shook her head. "No idea." Leave it to Minako to worry about that in spite of everything else. Makoto wanted to know how strong he was, Rei wanted to know if he could be trusted. Minako, though, she just wanted to know if he was datable.

The self proclaimed senshi of love shuddered briefly then began rubbing her arms for warmth. "I'll bet he is. Lucky Hotaru… Wish some handsome stranger would swoop out of the night and rescue me."

Ami tried to ignore her friend's ramblings as she focused on her work. The sooner she finished her survey, the better, especially if her partner was too focused on her love life to worry about the very real possibility of a demon showing up to steal their power.

"Ami, do you think I'll end up an old maid?"

The girl turned away from her computer for a moment to stare at her friend. The senshi of Venus was still watching the deepening shadows, but she would occasionally cast a miserable glance back over her shoulder. Was she serious?

"Minako, I don't think you've got anything to worry about," Ami replied. Was the woman going crazy? She was beautiful, popular, and a talented athlete. Why would she have any trouble finding a boyfriend?

The girl in question nodded slightly but her mood didn't seem to lighten. "It's just that, you know, I've kind of been looking, and every time we find a cute boy he either ends up with someone else, or it turns out he's trying to kill us. Is there some reason I can't, like, find a normal hunky guy?"

Ami shrugged. "I'm sure it's just bad luck. We lead interesting lives, after all, and sometimes it's hard to find time for a social life when you have to put everything on hold to save the world."

"…Maybe." Minako cast her eyes down before fighting off another shaking fit. Was it really that cold out?

Ami swung her computer towards her friend to get a scan. A few seconds later the screen displayed the image of the blonde senshi superimposed by the readout of her spiritual pattern. Something was very wrong.

Usually her friend's aura read as a vibrant gold penetrated by streamers of sky blue and deep orange, but the display showed the usually dazzling spectacle turning a foul shade of yellowish green wherever it touched the ground.

"Minako, something isn't right. I think we should move." Ami watched in the monitor as her friend turned to face her. Another burst of sickly green washed across the display.

The blonde senshi took a few steps back, her eyes darting around the thickening twilight. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

With that the two teens began walking quickly towards the nearest section of police tape. Ami let out a sigh of relief as her hands came into contact with the symbolic barrier. "That place, it was affecting our life energy somehow. I think-"

Ami's next words were cut off as a dark mass from above crashed into her blonde friend. The shape quickly resolved itself into a cloaked and hooded form wielding an ancient spear.

The figure stepped off the twitching Minako and leveled the deadly blade at the blue haired Senshi. Ami's eyes crossed as she tracked the length of the weapon to the razor sharp point just millimeters from her nose.

A slender hand pushed back the cloak's hood to reveal an exotic and foreign beauty seldom seen. Lustrous purple tresses spilled out as the woman shook her head free of its confinement. The stranger raised her chin imperiously, her heavily lidded eyes focused like lasers, boring into Ami's soul.

"You!" the woman demanded. "You tell what you know about this place and maybe you no get hurt too bad."

Author's notes…

Yes, I realize this chapter wasn't exactly the most exciting that I've ever written. Believe me, it could have been worse. I had another three or four pages of temporal mechanics in the original draft.