Author's notes:

Please make sure to check out the important notes from the Prologue. Enjoy this chapter, and be sure to follow, favourite and/or review!

Music rec – Bird Set Free by Sia

Chapter Four

"Who are you?"

That voice.

The black-haired warrior standing before her, the woman Chibi had run to only moments earlier, stared at her in wonder, and Rini found that she could not tear her gaze away. Sapphire eyes locked with her own, and—like the days of her recently warped past—she felt like everything around her slowed. The woman was beautiful—long, lithe limbs, defined musculature, strikingly sharp features. Rini felt her breath hitch and her jaw slacken as she gaped at this person who left her with a feeling that she simply could not name.

"What relation do you have to that child?" One of the other senshi spoke coolly from her place atop a nearby rock. "She is of great importance to this kingdom and will be protected, should you pose a threat."

Eyes still locked with the mesmerising soldier, who seemed frozen and just as captivated as she was, Rini tucked the bouncing little girl behind her defensively. In this place, amongst the greyed mist and the oppressive heat, she felt odd—somehow lighter on her feet, and refreshed with air that seemed nearly tangible in her lungs. She shook off the thought and stood tall, ready to announce her title. "I am—"

"Her name is Rini, and I am Helios," Helios interrupted, giving her a sideward look. "And it seems that you already know Chibi Chibi, though how I am not sure."

The tallest of the three warriors narrowed her eyes. "We do," she said. "You say you are lost…"

"That's right," Helios replied, brushing his hand against Rini's as he moved toward the senshi. She understood—he was doing his utmost to appear approachable, yet protect her and Chibi all the same. "We are from the Sol system, a solar system found within this same galaxy."

Rini felt Chibi struggle against the firm grip she had on her hand. It seemed the child was quite excited about their newfound company. "Chibi…"

"The Sol system?" That voice spoke again, their spell finally broken by the mention of their home. Her piercing eyes examined Helios closely. "You are from Earth?"

Helios nodded cautiously. "We are in need of temporary refuge, if you will grant it to us."

"Of course we will."

The voice came out of nowhere, until a fine red shimmer began to appear in the air before them. It glinted in the fiery sunlight until a woman appeared, her auburn locks cast long over her royal gown and the small crossed symbol upon her forehead glowing brightly. A princess, Rini thought, only too certain that's precisely what she was.

"Princess," the solider with the silver hair spoke quickly, "these people came from beyond our star system—"

The woman smiled kindly at Rini and Helios, but cast a special glance at the child beside them. "I am quite aware, Healer," she said softly. "Hello again, Chibi Chibi."

Yet again, the mysterious child—who she thought she finally had figured out—perplexed Rini. You know these people too, Chibi?

"Chibi!" The toddler giggled, jostling her body about animatedly.

The princess glided closer to them, until Rini could see the lovely porcelain quality of her skin and the warmth of her gentle eyes. "I am Kakyuu, princess of Kinmoku, and these are my senshi—Healer, Maker," she indicated to the wary soldiers standing protectively on her left, and then over her right shoulder, "and Fighter."

Fighter.

"You are welcome to stay here as long as you need," Princess Kakyuu told them, and she reached out to cup Chibi's cheek tenderly. Her eyes met Rini's. "Any friends of the Sol senshi are friends of ours."

The one named Fighter snapped her gaze to the princess. "How do you know they are friends of the Sol senshi?"

"Yeah, how do you know that?" Rini found herself asking, and felt her cheeks flush when Fighter looked back to her suspiciously. "What?"

Fighter cocked her head, the trace of a smirk twitching on her lips at the Rini's attitude. "So you are?"

"Thank you for your kind offer, Princess," Helios cut in, "we would be most appreciative of your hospitality."

"It would be our pleasure," Princess Kakyuu replied. She gathered the skirt of her gown up from the dust, collecting it in a bundle in front of her. "Come, we will return to the palace to get you settled."

The princess turned and began her trek along the river's edge, Healer and Maker following close behind. Fighter straightened up and moved across to them confidently, her gait assertive and strong. "Hey, Chibi," she said, ruffling the little one's vibrant hair. She grinned down at her fondly. "Long time, no see."

"No see, no see!"

Fighter chuckled, and Rini's stomach churned at the sound. "So, are you?"

It was a moment before Rini realised Fighter was addressing her. She looked up at the guardian. "Am I what?"

"Friends of the Sol senshi," she said, folding her arms over her chest.

Rini looked to Helios, who opened his mouth to speak on her behalf, but Fighter beat him to it. "I think she can probably speak for herself."

Helios gave an impish smile. "That she can," he murmured.

She felt her face grow hot, the spark of her temper igniting. "Yes, we are," she answered, folding her arms across her own chest and quickly recalling the subtle rise that had so recently formed. Her cheeks reddened further. "But that's all I'm telling you."

Fighter laughed in earnest. "Smart girl," she said. She held out a hand in the direction of her princess and fellow senshi. "After you."

Chibi whined as Rini held her hand tighter, the child desperate to be picked up by the woman Rini had only just met. A stranger, she thought, or is she?

"Later, Chibi, I promise," she heard Fighter say as they followed after the guardians and Princess Kakyuu.

"Promise, promise!"

Rini leant across to Helios, bumping against his shoulder. "Helios," she whispered, "how do we know whether we can trust them?"

She watched as the handsome boy glanced back over his shoulder guardedly. "We don't."

"So when do you leave, then?"

Usagi watched as Mamoru's eyes tracked across the room to hers, and then back to Haruka, who was leaning against the sliding door in their meeting room at Hikawa Shrine. "First thing tomorrow," he replied quietly, wringing his hands between his knees. "I need to get set up at the apartment before the semester starts."

"Tomorrow?" Minako exclaimed, banging her teacup down on the coffee table loudly. "That's awfully soon…"

Haruka looked away, her demeanour cold. She had refused to sit with the rest of the senshi, opting instead to stand to the side, arms folded across her chest. "Mmm," she agreed, and Usagi sensed that she was close to boiling point.

"Haruka," she said carefully, "this is okay, I have no issue with Mamo leaving—I told him to. If you want to be mad at anyone, be mad at me."

The tall guardian sighed and looked over to her. She smiled softly. "I'm not mad at you, kitten," she said, surprising Usagi. She looked at Mamoru and narrowed her eyes. "It's him I'm not terribly impressed with."

"Ruka—"

"It's fine," Mamoru interrupted, standing up from the floor where he was seated and approaching the hostile soldier. "I understand that it's a lot to ask of you all to protect Usagi without my help—"

"We don't need your help," Haruka said, pushing away from the wall. She stood before him, eye-to-eye. "We've protected her before without you, and she's well and truly capable of looking after herself."

That's new, Usagi thought, her confidence soaring. "Thank you!"

"But she still requires a lot of training, to make sure she is fit to tackle anything that faces her," Haruka continued. She stepped into his space menacingly. "Do you really think leaving your future queen to pursue your education is the best idea? Is that a decision a king would make?"

Mamoru bristled at the comment. "It's a decision we have made together—"

"Without consulting the rest of the senshi—"

"Haruka," Setsuna interrupted, speaking for the first time since the meeting had begun, "this is not your place."

Haruka shook her head and turned away, leaving the room in a huff. Usagi sighed, tipping back to sprawl herself hopelessly on the floorboards. "See, I told you!"

"We all knew she would react badly," Makoto said, peering down at her. "Just give her some time."

"She'll come around," Michiru said, watching out the window for her partner. She looked down at Usagi from across the room. "Though her concern is warranted—Usagi, Mamoru, are you certain that this is the best idea?"

Usagi propped herself up on her elbows. "I think so," she said, and then frowned back at her. "Do you agree with Haruka?"

Michiru cast her gaze across to Setsuna and Hotaru briefly, and then back to the Moon princess. "I don't disagree with Haruka," she said tactfully. "Your role as guardians is vital at a time like this, in the face of the our new enemy—this could potentially be the force that ushers in the new era."

Rei sat forward, nodding thoughtfully. "I have wondered that myself."

"It's true that we don't have a definitive timeline," Ami said, extracting the tiny, hand-held computer from her pocket and beginning to tap away. "It could very well be."

"You really think so?" Makoto asked, eyes wide. "So soon?"

Usagi glanced over at Mamoru, who was staring intently at the floor. She knew what they were referring to: the mysterious event that would lead to the freezing-over of the entire planet until Usagi awoke nearly a millennium later to awaken the people of the Earth, and ultimately rule alongside Mamoru. The thought terrified her. "What does it matter?" She asked, looking between the senshi. "If Mamo is here, or if he isn't?"

"Well, if it does happen—"

"And what if it doesn't?" She shook her head, letting out a long sigh. "He wastes his opportunity to pursue his dream? That isn't fair."

"None of this is necessarily fair, Usagi," Rei said harshly. "It's destiny."

"She's right," Mamoru said, looking up at her with a sad smile. "Usako, perhaps we need to rethink things—"

"No, we don't," Usagi replied firmly, sitting up tall. She was sick and tired of decisions being taken out of her control and having her choices dictated to her. "This is what we have decided to do—I need you all to stand by me and support our choice."

The group fell silent—it was unusual that Usagi took command, and the act often flawed the other soldiers on the rare occasion that she did. Finally, Setsuna spoke. "I do think this is the best course of action," she said, and Usagi snapped her eyes up to her. "You both must pursue your dreams, regardless of the future that is foretold."

Minako placed a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "You know we support you, whatever you choose."

"And if something happens, we will be by your side," Hotaru added. "As always, Princess."

Usagi flushed, looking down into the tealeaves in the bottom of her cup. The dark fragments splayed out into the shape of a pointed star, almost perfect in its formation. "Thanks, you guys," she said softly.

There was a rap at window and Haruka stared back at them grumpily. "If you're all done being sentimental, we've got training to do," she said gruffly, and then stalked off, mumbling as she went.

Michiru smirked, raising her eyebrows at Usagi. "I told you."

Mamoru stood and pulled Usagi to her feet. "I'm going to go, I have a lot of packing to do," he said, giving her a peck on the forehead. "I'll speak to you later, alright?"

She nodded, watching as he and Setsuna shared a gentle smile as he left. Setsuna caught Usagi's gaze and looked away, and suddenly she couldn't shake the feeling that, perhaps, Setsuna had known about Mamoru's acceptance into Harvard before she did. "Setsuna…" She began, but was interrupted as the others dragged her out the door.

"Come on, Usagi, or Haruka will have our heads on a platter!"

They stepped out into the full light of the day, crossing the gardens to their private training space where Haruka waited impatiently on the grass. "Took your time…"

"Ruka, cut the girls some slack, you work them like dogs," Michiru scolded, stepping in line with her girlfriend. "It's been a trying afternoon, thanks to somebody's temper."

Haruka shot her a glare, but it didn't last. "Fine," she said, folding her arms over her torn denim vest. "But he deserved it…"

Ignoring her, Michiru looked around at the guardians, her expression serious. "In the wake of this new enemy, it is important that we are all prepared for battle," she said. "As we witnessed, it seems to have the ability to infiltrate the human form, destroying it in the most disturbing ways. It steals the energy of everything it comes into contact with, feeding the darkness it possesses."

Usagi shuddered, thinking of the masses of innocent people lying lifeless before her, and the bloody, broken body of the mother who she had managed to save. She had hoped, desperately, after they had defeated Chaos that it would be the end of the conflict, but this evil seemed more aggressive and more bloodthirsty than anything they'd ever come up against.

"Nobody has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack," Rei commented. She shook her head, looking frustrated. "And the fire hasn't given me any visions, not even any clues about what we're dealing with."

"We may be able to see the blackness as it consumes a victim, but right now, it's a faceless enemy," Haruka said lowly. She tugged her crystal change rod from her back pocket and twirled it between her fingers. "We can't trust anyone."

Michiru nodded. "They could be among us, hidden as an innocent."

"But what can we do?" Minako asked. "The attack at the racetrack was so sudden…"

"We must be prepared," Setsuna said. "To protect our planet, and our princess."

Usagi looked down at the sparse tufts of grass on the ground before her. "I don't need protecting," she said quietly, looking back up at the older guardians. "Haven't I already proven that?"

Haruka caught the spinning gadget in a fist and met her gaze. "You have," she said. "But this is our duty, Usagi."

"Especially with Mamoru away," Setsuna added. "And three less senshi here to look out for you."

Usagi looked away, the thought of the Starlights—of Seiya—leaving her chest heavy. I miss them—I miss him.

"Well then, if we need to be ready, we need to work harder," Rei said firmly. "In every aspect of our training."

Makoto nodded, pulling out her own rod and preparing it for transformation. "We need to step it up," she said, and then looked at Haruka. "Give us everything you've got."

"Done," Haruka said, fierce with determination. "Uranus planet power, make up!"

The scouts transformed swiftly, and Usagi clasped her hands around her brooch, ready to do the same, but a hand caught her wrist. "Not today," Michiru said, taking her hand and leading her away. "There's work we need to do."

"But I want to train…"

The pretty soldier shook her head, her aqua waves rustling about her shoulders. "You will," she said. "Come."

Usagi relaxed her grip into Michiru's, warmth spreading over her body as they headed away from the duelling guardians. Once again, she felt overwhelmed by the simple act of intimacy, the act leaving her with a strange feeling of neutrality and comfort. "So we're going to work on my foresight, then?"

Michiru led her over the ornate bridge, beneath the willows and cherry blossoms. "No," she said, looking back at her. "We're just going to talk."

The sound of the battling soldiers slowly faded away, replaced instead by the gentle trickle of the creek and the chirp of birds in the trees. Usagi let out a long breath that she felt like she'd been holding for days as they sat on the roots of a willow that had broken free of the earth, roped and sprawling across the grass.

"It's about time you let that out," Michiru said with a smile, releasing Usagi's hand to smooth her skirt. "We can't have you holding your breath all the time, Princess."

Usagi sighed. "Some princess," she grumbled, picking at the bark of the tree aimlessly. "I'm not allowed to train, no one has any confidence that I can look after myself, and the only time I can ever seem to generate any significant power is when something goes really wrong..."

Michiru looked at her intently. "We have plenty of confidence in you, Usa," she said. "You have to understand, as Haruka said, it's our duty to protect you from harm."

Usagi leant back on her palms and crossed her ankles out in front of her. "But is it, really?" She shook her head. "I'm not your princess now—I was in a past life, and may be in the future…"

"May be?" Michiru eyed her suspiciously. "You don't believe in your destiny?"

"I…" Usagi started, and then tipped her head back to look at the sky. "I don't know."

They were quiet for a moment, and Usagi could nearly feel the soft energy emanating from Michiru's body as she used one of her strongest senses. It felt tingly on Usagi's skin—like it was trying to crawl under and course its way into her mind. "Last week I saw Haruka knock you down in battle," Michiru said after a while, her eyes never leaving Usagi. "You were doing well, but something distracted you."

Usagi grew nervous and avoided Michiru's eye. "Thanks for reminding me…"

"It wasn't a criticism," Michiru replied. "I wonder, perhaps, if we're not utilising your skills in the best way."

Usagi scrunched her nose at her. "What do you mean?"

"Despite what you believe, you've been given many gifts, Usagi," Michiru said kindly. "The most important of all: your ability to influence and inspire those around you."

Usagi let her shoulders slump in disappointment. "That's it?" She rolled her eyes. "That's not going to help me when we're being attacked."

"You know better than that, Usagi," Michiru said, raising her eyebrows at her. "You have a fighter's spirit, but in a different way than the rest of us—you appeal to the good in others and seek peace. It's how you won the battle against Chaos, without bloodshed or brutality."

"I guess," Usagi said, unconvinced. "But like I said, that doesn't always help me when I'm battling an enemy."

Michiru hummed. "If you're clever, it most certainly could," she said, a small smile on her lips. "And we have a perfect target to practice on."

Usagi frowned at her. "I don't understand."

"Haruka," Michiru said. "Next time you train, appeal to her weaknesses—disarm her."

"How?" Usagi said, confused. "I've got nothing over Haruka."

Michiru laughed softly. "Oh, Usagi," she sighed. "You've got plenty over her. That attraction holds a lot of power, you know."

Usagi felt her cheeks flush. "Um…"

"Perhaps," she said, leaning forward, her eyes mischievous, "it's about time you used some of that power you wield, hm?"

Usagi blinked at her, finally catching on to what she was suggesting. "You think I should—"

"Michi, kitten!" Haruka jogged over to them, resting her hands on her hips. "The two of you disappeared."

Michiru dusted off her skirt as she stood. "We just went off for a chat," she said vaguely. "All done now."

Haruka nodded, letting go of her transformation and returning to her civilian clothing. She mussed her hair until it nearly stood on end. "Us too," she said, and frowned as Michiru flattened her hair out tenderly. "Do you have to?"

"Yes," Michiru said defiantly. She kissed her on the cheek and passed her, heading back toward the other scouts. "I'll see you once you're done talking!"

Haruka stared after her. "Um, okay," she said, and then turned awkwardly to look at Usagi. "Sometimes her foresight is a pain in the ass."

Usagi giggled, relating to the comment more than Haruka knew. "I'm sure."

"I did want to talk to you," Haruka said, taking Michiru's place on the twisted root with a thump. "About the other day, at the track…"

Usagi waved her off. "Don't worry about it—it's no big deal!"

"No, it is," Haruka said, and then shook her head. "I understand now why your mind was wandering…you were struggling with the news about Mamoru."

"Oh," Usagi said, churning the comment over in her mind. It couldn't have been further from the truth—in fact, Haruka had been more accurate in her deduction the first time around. "Yeah…"

Haruka circled her long arms around her knees and drew them in to her chest. "That wouldn't've been easy, so I guess the way you acted makes sense…"

Usagi narrowed her eyes and smirked. "Haruka," she said slyly, "is this an apology?"

Haruka rolled her eyes skyward, groaning. "I suppose," she said, and then looked at her. "Look, I didn't mean to—"

"It's okay," Usagi said, giving her a smile. "I'm sorry you didn't get to race…really sorry, actually."

"You don't have to be," Haruka said flatly, kicking at a tuft of grass. "As you said—it's no big deal."

"It's a huge deal, Haruka," Usagi said, sitting forward. "This is your career—your future!"

Haruka looked up at her, her teal eyes boring into Usagi's. "You're my future, Usagi."

Usagi squirmed, flushing once again. "Haruka—"

"You know what I mean," Haruka said, and then she sighed. "I have to put everything else aside when you're in danger, or there won't be a future for any of us."

Nodding, Usagi cast her gaze out across the creek. The coil of pressure lodged inside her felt like it was ever climbing, stuck in her throat and ready to explode at any moment. Holding it down was exhausting, to say the least.

"There's something else," Haruka said gingerly, and Usagi looked over as she hesitated. "I shouldn't have brought him up, given the circumstances."

"Who?"

Haruka huffed. "Seiya."

"Oh," Usagi laughed, instantly uncomfortable. "Right…"

"It's for the best," Haruka said stiffly.

What was for the best, Usagi wasn't sure, so she said nothing, instead chewing on her lip. It frustrated her that the entire subject of the Starlights couldn't be discussed without tension, especially in Haruka's presence. "He saved my life, Haruka," she said finally. "More than once."

"Yes," Haruka said, looking out across the water. "And for that I am eternally grateful. To him, and the other Starlights."

Usagi chuckled, hearing the slight hint of sarcasm at how eternally grateful the sandy-haired senshi was. Yet again, there was more silence, and Usagi was reminded that Haruka wasn't much of a talker. "I wonder," she said eventually, trying to break the ice on such a cool topic, "do you think Seiya would care that we keep referring to him as him?"

"Hmm," Haruka grunted, looking bemused. She tipped her head from side to side undecidedly. "I don't know…we knew him as a him, mostly. And he pissed me off more as a guy."

Usagi grinned. "No, really?"

"Hush, kitten," she replied playfully. She looked at her sharply, her eyes narrow. "What does it matter?"

"It doesn't," Usagi shrugged. "Not at all."

Haruka smirked. "Didn't think so."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Usagi asked.

"Oh, nothing," Haruka said haughtily, pulling herself off the ground. "But now that we're talking about it…"

"What…?"

Haruka planted her hands on her hips and cocked an eyebrow at her. "Just knew you swung both ways."

Usagi's jaw dropped. "What—I don't—"

"Yeah, yeah," Haruka chuckled. She extended a hand to help Usagi up and she took it, and was instantly tugged in close to the guardian's warm chest, her breath on her cheek. Haruka grinned as she spotted her blush at the contact. "My point exactly…"

The tall senshi let her go, brushing against her as she turned away with a wink. Usagi was frozen to the spot; awash with a feeling she couldn't quite put her finger on. Her face burned as she tried to splutter a response and follow after her. "You—that's not—"

Haruka kept walking. "Whatever you say, kitten!"

"Haruka!"

"Seiya!"

The voice that hissed her name reached out and grasped Seiya's wrist, yanking her around the corner of a shadowed hallway in the palace. She glared at Yaten and rubbed her wrist. "What the hell, Yaten?"

Taiki stuck her head out from their hiding place and watched the visitors and their Princess continue on down the hall, unaware of their absence. "We needed to speak with you," she said, moving back to look at the other Starlights. "Without Kakyuu."

Seiya craned her neck to watch them go, still mesmerised by the young girl who had appeared on her home planet. As they had returned back to the palace, Seiya had watched her every move; watching in amazement as the girl's gait, her mannerisms, nearly everything reminded her of Odango. There was just something else about her…

"Who are they?" Yaten demanded, as though the universe would open up and provide them with the answers they needed. She growled at Seiya. "For God's sake would you stop staring? Yes, we know, the resemblance is uncanny—but can you focus on the bigger picture for a minute?"

Seiya tore her gaze away and folded her arms over her chest. "This can't be a coincidence," she said, her mind tumbling over an endless list of possibilities. "We have to find out what's going on."

"They say they are friends of the Sol senshi," Taiki said, eyes narrowed. "Clearly our Princess knows more than she is letting on, and for whatever reason, she trusts them."

"That sure as hell doesn't mean we have to," Yaten said. She checked the hall again for good measure. "They've got Chibi Chibi—what if she's in danger?"

Seiya frowned, thinking aloud. "Before we defeated Galaxia, Odango said Chibi was her sister," she said. "But we watched her disappear…"

"That's right," Taiki confirmed. "Chibi Chibi was merely a manifestation of Sailor Galaxia's star seed, and once it was returned and Galaxia was finally at peace, I was certain Chibi Chibi would cease to exist…"

"But here she is," Seiya murmured, recalling the warmth of the child's embrace and familiar blue eyes. "Just as we last saw her."

"And that girl…" Yaten wondered, and then shook her head vehemently. "There's no way they can be trusted!"

Taiki nodded in agreement. "We must keep our guard up, for the time being."

Seiya stared at the floor. From the instant that young girl had spoken, with her fiery attitude and spunk, something had begun to chip away at her, and she simply didn't want to keep her guard up. She wanted—she needed—to know who this Rini was.

"That won't be necessary, Maker," Kakyuu's voice came as she rounded the corner. She smiled at them. "Our guests are just making themselves comfortable."

Yaten looked at her, eyes wide. "Princess, how can you possibly know that they can be trusted?" She shook her head. "They may say they are allies of the Sol senshi, but we can't know that for sure, even in spite of her likeness to Sailor Moon!"

"With all due respect, Princess," Taiki said levelly, "we are concerned that this could be a ploy to try and infiltrate our kingdom—they were able to cross into our atmosphere undetected, after all."

Kakyuu didn't falter, nor did she give anything away. "I understand your concern, but I can assure you that there's no need to worry."

"No need to worry?" Yaten cried. "How did they get a hold of Chibi Chibi? How did they even get here? And why the hell does that boy have a horn on his head?"

Kakyuu laughed softly. "I don't mean to hide anything from you, Starlights, but there isn't a lot that I can tell you," she said. She looked at Seiya, her face unreadable. "But I sense they are of no threat to us."

"So this isn't the threat you told us of?" Taiki asked.

The princess considered her question. "I believe these children are what will take you away from our kingdom," she replied cryptically. "A new mission, if you will."

"Our mission is to be here, to defend you," Yaten said. "Not to babysit kids from outside our star system."

"There are very few things we would willingly leave Kinmoku to do, Princess," Taiki added. "We have a duty to our planet."

Seiya felt Kakyuu's ruby gaze lock on her and she met her eye, her stomach churning and her body buzzing with nervous energy. What did this mean? Was it finally an opportunity to visit Earth once more?

"And we have a duty to the Sol senshi, after everything they did for us," Kakyuu said. "They are lost—get to know them, and help them find their way home."

Taiki and Yaten looked between one another. "Princess—"

She held up a delicate hand to silence them. "That is an order, Starlights," she said gently. "Make them feel comfortable, tell them of your time spent with the Sol senshi, and perhaps we will win their trust. Remember, they know nothing of us."

Seiya peered around the corner once again, catching a glimpse of two bobbing pink pigtails as Rini crossed the hall to the bathroom. The strangest sensation pooled in the pit of her stomach and she looked at Kakyuu, determined. "Of course, Princess." She immediately felt her fellow guardians' eyes on her, but ignored them. She winked and gave Kakyuu a smile. "We'll win them over, don't worry."

Mamoru sighed as he crossed the tarmac, his backpack slung heavily over his shoulder. The boarding pass in his hand felt like it would burn a hole in his palm—a reminder that this was not a good idea; he shouldn't have been leaving again. He glanced back to the airport, looking for the shadow of the girlfriend who had not accompanied him to say farewell.

It's for the best, she had said.

Perhaps it had been. There were no awkward goodbyes, no words left unsaid, no lingering promises. He could just go, and return to fulfil their destiny, together.

The thought left him numb, terrifyingly so.

Together.

This place, Rini thought, gazing out over the crimson ocean, it's beautiful.

Wispy pink clouds shrouded the large sun hovering above the water, kissing the sky a burnt orange and fading away into a stormy horizon alive with white lightning. Beyond the huge flaming sun, two more stars shone, their combined intensity heating the red rock of the planet and all life upon it. It was a bizarre place, stunning in its rugged terrain and frightening in its wild nature—but Rini felt strangely at home. She leant against the warm glass and breathed in the heavy air, feeling it course to the tips of her body and back out again. Does everybody feel this way here, or is it only me?

"Everything alright, Rini?"

She turned to look at Helios, who had appeared alongside her in the guest room she had been assigned by Princess Kakyuu. "Yeah," she said. "Just admiring the view—it's so beautiful…"

Helios moved his eye from the breathtaking outlook and settled on her. "It is," he murmured.

For the first time since their hasty escape from Crystal Tokyo, Rini really looked at the boy. She studied his amber eyes, his white hair, that kind smile, and felt her eyes well with tears. "It's really you," she breathed. "You're really here."

He laughed gently. "I am," he said, giving her a smile. "It is lovely to see you again, even given the circumstances."

Rini blushed, looking away from his intense gaze. Something about him was different—he seemed a little broader, perhaps a little taller. "You look different," she blurted, and immediately cursed herself. "I mean, I didn't think that you aged, but you look a bit older…"

"I could say the same for you," he replied, tilting his head. "Though I'd say you look more than 'a bit' older."

The flush on her cheeks coursed down her neck and she did her best to ignore it. She hummed in agreement, looking down at her unfamiliar adolescent body. "I don't understand any of it," she said, shaking her head. She looked up at him. "Helios, do you know what happened to Crystal Tokyo?"

"I'm afraid not," he said, letting out a long breath. "It was only after I became lost from Elysion that I heard your cry for help and, somehow, I managed to find you."

She looked up at him, eyes wide. "You were lost?"

He nodded. "I was merely carrying out my duty, guarding the crystal," his eyes flew briefly upward to his golden horn, and then back to her, "when suddenly everything changed, and I was pulled away. It was the strangest sensation, as though I was being summoned, like—"

"Like your entire world had shifted?" Rini finished.

His gaze met hers. "Exactly," he said. "Rini, you must tell me what has been going on."

A lump formed in her throat. "I can't even tell you when it all started…" She started, swallowing down her tears. "All of a sudden, nothing was like it was before—everything kept changing and morphing, and nobody could see it but me. There were so many hours, maybe days, of darkness, and I could never focus on what was really there. And the pain—" She cut herself off, watching as Helios' jaw tightened at the mention of her suffering. "Then Chibi appeared, out of nowhere, and then everything just collapsed. That's when you found us."

He glanced across to the little child, who was huddled up on the enormous bed, draped with fine netting. "Who is she?"

"I'm not exactly sure," she said, examining the tendrils of bright pink hair splayed across the silk. "But I think she's my sister."

The deduction didn't seem to surprise Helios. "She is very much like your mother," he said, a small smile on his lips as he watched the child rest. "More so even than you."

Rini laughed quietly. "Poor thing," she said playfully. She looked back to Helios. "I guess something changed in the past, which changed my present…"

"Yes," Helios agreed, his expression thoughtful. "Though the past is ever-changing to alter your life, and usually those changes are gradual, gentle." His warm eyes darkened. "Not jumbled and painful."

"It's alright, I'm fine—"

He reached out the tips of his slender fingers and brushed her cheek. The contact sent a spark through her skin. "A girl as lovely as you should never have to suffer."

She swallowed the nerves that had collected in her throat. "So what should we do now?" She asked, her voice scratchy.

"We have to get to Earth, to the twentieth century," he said, pulling his hand away. "For now, we will accept the generosity of these people graciously, and use the time to find a way back."

Rini's mind wandered to the guardian that had stolen her attention so significantly, recalling the look on the woman's face as she held Chibi Chibi in her arms—like she'd seen her before, which—apparently—they had. "They seem to know Chibi Chibi, and the Sol senshi," she said, frowning. "How can that possibly be?"

"I don't know," Helios said. There was a knock at the door, and he looked across warily. "Perhaps we can try to find out—they may be able to help us find a way back."

Rini nodded. "Come in!" She watched as the door swung open, a long swish of black hair backing its way into the room. She added quietly: "Maybe we can trust them."

She moved to greet Fighter, but Helios caught her wrist, pulling her close enough to whisper into her ear. "Be careful."

"Hope I'm not interrupting," Fighter said, a hint of cheek in her husky voice. She held out a large tray stacked high with food. "The Princess thought you'd be hungry after your journey."

"Thank you, Fighter," Helios said, nodding gratefully and moving with Rini across the large room. "We are quite famished."

Fighter placed the tray down on the nightstand and stared down fondly at Chibi Chibi. "She's exhausted," she said, smiling warmly. "Maybe after a long nap, she'll want a good feed—she has quite the appetite."

Rini eyed the soldier, curiosity getting the better of her. "How do you know that?"

"That," Fighter said, meeting her eye, "is a very long story for once the three of you have had some food and some rest."

Rini hummed suspiciously, crossing the room to examine the food on the bronze tray. The sweet scent filled her nostrils and her stomach grumbled loudly. "Food does sound good…I'm starving!"

"As always," Helios said, giving her a mischievous smile and offering her what looked like a glazed pastry. She took it and wolfed it down inelegantly. "Slow down, Rini…"

Fighter chuckled, cocking an eyebrow at her. "Someone else with a big appetite," she said teasingly. "Seems to be a common theme."

The look that swept so fleetingly over Fighter's face seemed oddly sad. "What's that?" Rini asked through a mouthful of the delicious pastry.

Fighter's expression softened as she shook her head with a smile. The flutter returned to Rini's stomach. "Nothing," she said quietly. "You kids eat up and come join us when you're ready, we'll be around."

For all the awe and intrigue the guardian stirred in Rini, she couldn't help but feel drawn to spar with her, like a challenge; a magnetic energy. "Kids?" She glared at her, folding her arms over her chest. "Chibi is a kid—I'm not even that much younger than you!"

Fighter's back was already to her and she tossed a gloved hand up in the air dismissively as she left the room. "Whatever you say, kid!"

Rini growled at the door and then at Helios, who seemed amused by the interaction. "What are you laughing at? I may not know exactly how old I am, but I'm not a kid!"

"You most certainly are not," Helios said, and Rini couldn't tell if he was mocking her, or whether his words meant something else. He sat on the edge of the bed where the canopy opened, careful not to disturb Chibi. "That senshi seems to rile you somewhat, Rini."

"Mm," Rini responded, the food forgotten. She joined him on the edge of the bed and chewed at her lip. "There's just something about her—I can't put my finger on it…"

Helios stared at the door, his head tilted in thought. "I sense it, too," he said. Rini yawned loudly and he stood, giving her a smile. "I will retreat to my room—leave you to rest."

"No, it's okay, I don't need to—"

She stopped short when he bent down to place a gentle kiss on her cheek, which burned fiercely. "Sleep well, my maiden," he said softly, and left her alone with Chibi.

She stared after him, her heart thumping wildly. "You too, Helios."

"Mamoru. Protect her."

She threw an arm up to shield herself from the heat that was burning her flesh, coughing as the thick air suffocated her lungs. Everything was caught in a fiery haze, framed by vision that was ragged and black. Lashes of fire singed her wings and scorned her skin, but she couldn't give up—she had to push forward, she had no choice.

"Protect her."

She ground her teeth and moved ahead, her naked body aching and scarred. The crystal suspended before her chest pulsed with weakened power, struggling to regenerate her energy, and she wondered desperately whether this would be the end of her. I have to live—for Rini…

A crack of fire whipped at her back like a hot blade, and she cried as she was knocked to the ground, but something, someone, caught her. A cool, soothing embrance. A hum that took all the pain away, and let her breathe again. She drunk the air hungrily and nestled into the crook of a neck that felt so familiar, somehow.

"Odango…"

She gazed up into beautiful, cobalt blue eyes, and gasped as their brilliant colour expanded around the two of them in a shimmering sphere, defending them from the fire and the noise; the burden of the strange world.

Seiya cupped her face and she felt life return to her. "I will protect you."

The brilliant silver light of her crystal engulfed their surroundings, and she let go. Let go of her wings, her crystal, her crescent moon. She just closed her eyes, and let go.

"Odango, wake up."

She didn't want to. She simply didn't.

"Usagi, wake up."

She gasped as she came back to reality, her dream vanishing once again to make way for the light of a new day. She fluttered a hand to her head, rubbing over the spot where her crescent appeared—every time, it burned white hot.

Luna sat perched on her chest, gazing down at her curiously. "One of these days, you're going to have to tell me what these dreams are all about, Usagi," she said.

"I'm sorry, Luna," she mumbled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes tiredly. "Did I wake you again?"

The black cat nodded and hopped off the bed, arching her back in a stretch. "Yes, but that's alright." She looked Usagi in the eye. "Please, Usagi, if something is going on, you know I will help you—these dreams might mean something important."

Usagi swung her legs over the edge and reached for her sweat pants, tugging them up her legs. "I know, Luna," she replied. "They're nothing though, I promise."

"Okay," Luna said sceptically. "If you say so…"

Luna tottered out the door, and Usagi released a long breath, looking up at the moon that was just visible in the clear blue sky. Her dreams were far from nothing, each more vivid than the last, but there was no way that she could share them with Luna, or the other scouts. They simply wouldn't understand.

"Seiya," she murmured, cupping her cheeks as she gazed out at the fading moon. "What am I going to do?"