A New Hope

Chapter two: Rei/Ikuko and Rikana/Rika

Ikuko Hindo rolled out of bed, and slapped the alarm clock so it would stop shrieking. She blinked twice and stood up, entering the bathroom that was connected to her room. As she looked at her reflection she sighed. If Usagi-chan could see her now, she'd have a fit. Her once long black hair, was now shoulder length and had been died a vibrant purple color. Her normally violet eyes were a smoky grey and all the laughter and amusment was gone from her eyes. They no longer twinkled with mischief.

"Iku-chan" Rika Hindo poked her head into the bathroom. Ikuko smiled at the younger girl.

"What is it, Rika?" She asked. Rika handed her and envelope.

"The mail came" She said. "I'm making breakfast. Do you want some?"

"Sure" Ikuko replied. "I'll take some eggs" Rika smiled and went back into the kitchen. As she was cooking the eggs, Rika sighed. It was a curse, to live this long, She decided as she fixed breakfast. She was 404 years old, and yet, she looked as though she was 16. At least Rei/Ikuko looked like an adult, but that was probably because she was over 1000 years old. Because of the way they aged, Ikuko and Rika had to change thier looks and identification alot. Rika was not even able to wear the traditional hairstyle of the royal family, because that would give who she was, away. King Diamond was a ruthless ruler. The Dark Moon clan lived just as long as the Royal Moon family. Rika sometimes wished that he would just drop dead. From the time she was five, Ikuko had told her stories about her family and that one day she would take back the kingdom, but that she couldn't do it alone. Ikuko walked into the kitchen just as Rika was putting breakfast onto the table. She brushed her white-blonde hair out of her face and smiled as they both sat down to eat.

"Iku-chan, do you miss my parents?" Rika asked. Ikuko looked up at her. She sighed heavily.

"Yes I do" She said softly. "Of course, I wasn't good friends with your mother like I was with your grandmother" She smiled softly. "Your grandmother and I used to have aweful fights when we were teenagers. She'd say something and I'd yell at her, then she'd cry and the other scouts would try to break up the fight"

"Grandmother was a crybaby?" Rika questioned. Ikuko shrugged.

"When we were younger, yes. She grew into a wise and kind ruler, but her daughter took after her in the crybaby department for awhile" She smiled. "Your mother went to the past twice, you know" Rika paused, her fork near her mouth. Ikuko had never told her that before.

"Really?" She asked. Ikuko nodded.

"The first time she arrived, she landed on top of your grandparents as they were making out. She was only six and didn't know that they were her parents. Usagi hated her for awhile because she brainwashed Usagi's entire family to think she was a cousin." Ikuko explained.

"Wow" Rika said. "What happened when Grandma found out?" Ikuko sighed.

"Well, we found out at the same time that your mother was kidnapped and brainwashed. Usagi and Mamoru had to find away to restore the good memories and save her. Usagi grew to love her and when she went home, they both were crying" Rika sighed.

"I wish I could remember them" She said, a tear trickling down her cheek.

"I know" Ikuko said. "But one day we will be able to avenge your family and you will take your rightful place as Queen of Crystal Tokyo"

"Do you really think so?" Rika asked.

"I know so" Ikuko said. "You are smart and wise."

"Not to mention old" Rika wrinkled her nose. "Don't you ever tire of living forever?"

"Yes, but it was your grandmother's wish that we would always be able to protect Crystal Tokyo" Ikuko replied. Rika sighed.

"Alot of good that did" She said. "Diamond took over" Ikuko sighed. Rika may be 404, but she still had the mindset of a teenager sometimes.

"We'll set things right. It was your mother's wish, and I will keep my promise to her" Ikuko said firmly. "And my promise to you." She stood up and placed her dishes in the sink. "I never break my promises" Rika smiled and put her dishes in the sink too. Ikuko went into her office and closed the door. Rika sighed. She wondered what Ikuko did all day, but she knew better than to ask.

"Iku-chan, I'm going out for awhile" She called.

"Okay" Ikuko called back. Rika smiled and headed out of the house. She decided to take a stroll in the park. It was very quiet until suddenly she heard a frightened mewing sound and the sound of boys shouting. She followed the sound to an alleyway, where three young boys were tormenting a yellow tabby cat.

"Hey" She shouted. The boys whirled around as she picked up a stick. "Scram! beat it!" The boys took off and Rika knelt beside the cat, who looked to injured to move. It's fur was matted with mud and she could see that it was bleeding. "Poor thing" She whispered. It was then that she noticed the mark. On the cat's forhead was a small sun. "Oh My" She picked up the cat and hurried home. Once she got home, she pondered whether or not she should disturb Ikuko. She decided not to and gave the cat a hot bath to clean him up and she dressed his wounds as well. He didn't not fuss, as a normal cat would, but merely purred when she placed him in the bathtub. Once the cat was all cleaned up, she fixed up a niced bed for him, out of some linens and a sewing basket.

"Thank you" The cat said softly, as if it were unsure it should speak. Rika wasn't really surprised. She suspected he might be one of the cats Ikuko had mentioned, but he didn't have a moon symbol, which was odd. Ikuko had talked of three cats and they all were moon cats.

"Who are you?" She asked curiously. The cat, slightly surprised that there was no reaction to him talking, crouched himself into the bed.

"My name is Solaris" He replied. "I am a sun cat" Now Rika was really surprised.

"I didn't know the sun had any life on it" She said. Solaris shook his head.

"It doesn't" He replied. "The sun was inhabited during the silver millenium, when Queen Serenity ruled the moon kingdom. When everyone was reborn, the sun ceased to be a place for the living. I was sent to earth like everyone else. I lived with Luna and Artemis in Crystal Tokyo" Rika frowned.

"Ikuko never told me about you" She said. Solaris looked surprised. He had never heard of anyone named Ikuko.

"Who is Ikuko?" He asked. Rika blushed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Ikuko is my guardian. She used to be a Soldier for the royal family. She was Sailor Mars" Solaris blinked.

"Sailor Mars is alive?" He asked in disbelief. Rika nodded.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I am Rika. Formerly known as Rikana" Solaris's eyes widened as a lightbulb went off in his head. He bowed his head.

"Your highness, forgive me for my rudeness" He said. Rika laughed.

"No need to apologize" She said. "People aren't suppose to know I'm alive. At least not yet" Suddenly Ikuko came out of her office.

"Rika, who are you talking to?" She asked. She paused when she saw Solaris.

"Solaris, you are alive" She whispered, tears filling her eyes. Rika watched as Rei scooped Solaris up in her arms.

"Careful" She said. "He was hurt badly" Ikuko sat down on the couch, holding Solaris carefully.

"I thought you had died with the others" She said.

"No. I managed to escape." Solaris said. "I tried to get Luna and Artemis to come with me, but they wouldn't leave the palace. They told me to take Diana, but we got seperated. I don't know what happened to her" Ikuko sighed.

"I wonder if anyone else made it out alive" She whispered. With Solaris on her lap she had hope, that possible some of her other friends could still be alive.