One day the shadows will surround me

Someday the days will come to end

Sometime I'll have to face the real me

Somehow I'll have to learn to bend

And now I see clearly

-Five Finger Death Punch (I Apologize)

~HOTARU~

The cool breeze kissed the trees as she stood in a tree. Her eyes scanned the horizon as she waited for Haruka. She had grown attached to the seemingly fearless Uranian.

It had been a rough search but she was certain of the wolf on Jupiter. She worked alone for the most part as the others assisted Makoto. Haruka was the only one to fill Hotaru in on what the others discovered. They refused to work with her for some reason.

"I'm getting tired of killing kings," Haruka said. She was on the branch below Hotaru. "It's almost as if they try their hardest to lose."

"I have a feeling that this king won't be easy," Hotaru said.

"So let's get this over with," Haruka said. She leapt from the tree and landed on the ground gracefully. "I want to see my kid again."

The entirety of the situation hit her like a freight train. She not only had to return to Rukia safely, but she had to ensure that Haruka did so as well. Fear started setting in.

"You coming or what?" Haruka asked.

Hotaru nodded and caught up with Haruka.

"Why can't you kill him?" Haruka asked.

"It's a matter of covering my own ass. I can't kill royalty unless I know for certain they are committing a crime against the throne," Hotaru said. "I might be wrong but I am pretty sure that he came out of nowhere, just like Revolution."

Haruka walked in silence.

"I have a gift from Minako," Hotaru pulled a sword from the transdimensional pouch she carried.

Haruka held it in her hand and a smile drew across her face. She started laughing maniacally.

"She had it restored," Haruka said. "Gramr is alive!"

"A Kingslayer needs their blade," Hotaru said.

"Kingslayer?" Haruka pondered the thought for awhile then she hellishly grinned. "I like that."

"The Queen also blessed it with the power to serve the throne," Hotaru said. She touched Haruka's arm.

Haruka nodded then looked away. A frown crossed her face. "Never again will Gramr be used to fight against the throne," she said. "Only to enforce justice."

They were close to reaching the palace doors when they were stopped by the guard with their weapons drawn. The guards had their faces covered with masks. Haruka tried to push forward but a guard pushed her back.

Gramr was drawn and the guards lost their arms. The blood ran freely as Haruka sheathed Gramr. She pushed the guards aside and she glanced back at Hotaru.

"You coming?" Haruka asked.

Hotaru followed her.

She noticed how bloodthirsty Haruka became, almost as if a switch was flipped. Guards came at them but Haruka cut them down. With each slash she became another person. Her movements were fluid and precise.

They made it to the throne room and the king was sitting on his throne. His eyes were darkened and he had a shit-eating grin on his face as he watched Haruka approach him.

"I must admit that I'm impressed that you were able to figure it out," King Benjiro cackled.

"So you admit that you are a changeling," Haruka growled.

"No, just a sympathizer," King Benjiro stood up and walked towards them. "The Black Wolf was surprised that you were still alive after all this time." He held out his hand and a sword came to him. "He said he would bring back my love if I kill the Undead Uranian."

"Why?" Hotaru asked.

"Revolution had my daughter and it was the only way to keep her safe, but then he died, then he gave me an offer I couldn't refuse," King Benjiro said. He slashed at Haruka and missed. "He will provide an heir of my blood to rule this planet. A son to reign in my stead."

Haruka slashed at him only to be parried. Each thrust was blocked then countered. She was hit a couple times but she kept fighting on.

"King Asher was killed by you?" King Benjiro scoffed. "You're going to bleed out before you even hit me."

Haruka grinned then knelt down as King Benjiro swung for Haruka's head.

"I yield," Haruka declared.

It was then when the others rushed in with many Lunarian guards. Artemis walked in with Minako at his side.

"I must admit that I wouldn't have believed Hotaru if I wasn't listening in on your confession," Artemis said. He walked up to King Benjiro. "As a hand of the Queen, it is my duty to see that justice is carried out. Whereas I have heard your confession I must act in favor of the throne. You are hereby sentenced to death for treason and conspiracy to overthrow the throne. In your place a Lunarian lord will serve as protector of Jupiter."

Artemis turned around and started to walk away. The guards seized Benjiro and Minako stepped forward. However, Makoto put her hand on Minako's shoulder.

"I want to be the one," Makoto said.

Minako nodded then stood aside.

"Mako," Benjiro said.

She stood before Benjiro with a sword in her hand. No words left her mouth as she took the head off the former King Benjiro. There were no tears that left her eyes, only a slight grin.

Hotaru had never seen anything like this. She thought that those who loved couldn't swing the sword. Maybe they do have a sense of duty, she thought to herself.