The Author's Notes: So this time we learn a little bit more about Houshite and finally Queen Serenity step in the picture.

And still reviews are appreciated.

CHAPTER 4: The Past Catches Up

Everyone is looking confused around them, "What just happened?" Mars asks.

Then they notice Houshite who is looking at the trees somewhere, and also a sword has appeared in her hand. Next their confusion turns to shock as they see a rose cut in two, slowly falling to the ground in front of Houshite. Uranus and Pluto turn their eyes at the trees as well and see a scared and confused Tuxedo Mask looking at Houshite, who is still smiling. When Sailor Moon gets grasp of the situation, she raises her Spiral Moon Rod above her. And in a flash, faster than anyone can blink, Houshite had run through the park to Sailor Moon jump over her, barely missing, and cut the Spiral Moon Rod in two. Fear fills everyone's bodies as they see the upper half of The Spiral Moon Rod fall before Sailor Moon. After covering from the shock, just enough to turn around, she sees Houshite in a ready attack pose.

But when Houshite attacks, something happens so unexpectedly that no one even realizes it. And when they do, they see Houshite on her knees, with her sword laying next to her. She's holding her head with her hands as if it was about to explode, and screaming like a tortured soul. Once she stops screaming she tips towards, but reaches out her left hand just in time to stop from hitting the ground. She is breathing heavily and is sweaty. She's obviously exhausted.

"Damn you. I don't need you, so GO AWAY!" Houshite shouts. She realizes that the sailor girls are still staring at her, so she stands up and says: "You may have won the battle, but the war is far from over." Right after she disappears into the shadows of the night.

Sailor Moon faints as she changes from super to a normal Sailor Soldier. Everyone gathered around her worried just as always. When she regains consciousness, the first thing she hears are Mars' words: "You know, one of these times that might kill you." Mars sounds a bit worried, but also relaxed.

"Who was that woman?" Sailor Moon asks.

Houshite is running away from the park by jumping through the rooftops in the city. She has calmed completely. She is also thinking: "Could she have been... No, she couldn't have been... Queen Serenity! Serenity should be long gone by now. No matter I will find out who she is, eventually."

Her thoughts circle this for some time, until she gets around to her recently regained memories, from one thousand years ago:

Houshite and Queen Serenity had once been close friends. They shared everything from meals to secret crushes. Although when they were friends Queen Serenity was still known as princess Serenity. One very ordinary evening, walking through the palace-gardens, Houshite shared her feelings that she had on a boy, with Serenity. She told her how they had been good friends for a long while and that she would maybe like something more. And told about her plans to ask him out on a "date."

But on the crystal clear night she was supposed to do this, something came between this. She walking to the park in the middle of the gardens, with a fountain. And when she reached the park she saw something that crushed her heart. Princess Serenity kissing the boy, passionately. Houshite quickly turned around and ran as fast as she could away from the park, as far as she could.

Houshite could only keep her anger of Serenity's betrayal hidden for so long. As time passed Houshite and Serenity began to separate. Serenity started to spend more and more time with the boy and hatred started consuming Houshite. When the two got married and were crowned the king and Queen of the Moon Kingdom, Houshite had had enough.

This time her plans consisted of killing Queen Serenity and everyone who would come in her way. Finally the her past training would come in handy. On a silent and peaceful night, soon after the crowning, she stormed the palace. She easily slaughtered every guard she came across, her skills with a sword, as well as her agility and speed, were unmatched. That night the halls of the palace were soaked with blood. Until she got to the Royal bedroom. She walked in and saw Serenity sleeping, with a strange ball-shaped crystal hanging around her neck. Houshite raised her blade above Serenity, in order to strike.

"NO!" came from the door, it was the King. Both of them seemed a little surprised seeing each other. Houshite rushes at King holding her sword like a spear. The blood of the King quickly fills the floor of the bedroom.

The Queen had woken up, and is sitting on her bed horrified by what she sees: her old friend, standing next to the bleeding body of her husband, holding a blood tainted sword in her hand. Houshite declares: "You die next," and steps forward. After that one step a sudden bright light shines from the silver crystal on Serenity neck. Houshite is blinded and only hears the soft voice of Serenity: "For the crimes you have committed, I condemn you to a thousand year sleep. Until your heart is purified of the anger and hatred that consume it." The light grows brighter as Houshite's vision blurs.

Houshite stops on the roof of a fairly small building. She turns her eyes at the beautiful night sky, as she lays down. "You were my best and only friend Serenity. Why did you double-cross me like that?" she keeps thinking as she slowly falls asleep.

So next time we ease up the tone a little.