She threw incense into the flames, clapped her hands together and began to chant. The curling smoke and crackling flames spoke to her in ways that the other two women could not understand. They waited patiently as she questioned the spirits.
When she turned back to them she shrugged. "The Flame isn't answering on this one. All it keeps tossing up is the images of Draco and Starocean. Somehow those two are going to be important."
"Well lets hope they show up soon." Jupiter's voice sounded almost harsh. "I don’t like the way this whole thing feels."
Venus nodded. "This is the first time we have an enemy who is personally going after one of us." She crossed her arms, looking thoughtful. "We need to find out more about both this Shadow master and about Unicorn herself."
"The Master is willing to answer your questions, senshi of Venus," came a voice from the shadows behind the sacred fire.
The three women spun, dropping into combat stances as they did so. Jupiter stepped ahead of the other two, protection the first thing on her mind. "Who are you and who is this Master?"
Out of the shadows stepped a small woman dressed in a form fitting black dress. Her hair was like a spill of ink that caressed her shoulders. She smiled and bowed slightly to the warriors. "My name is of no matter, The Master is He Who Controls the Shadows. He has an offer for the Protector's of the Moon."
Mina spoke quietly, her voice all business. "Just what is this offer?"
The woman tossed her head, her hair swinging. "That if the Protectors will stay out of his plans for She who is His, he will leave them be until the Day."
Rei stepped forward, her eyes flashing. "We do not make bargains with youma, or with their masters. Unicorn is one of us, we do not sell out our friends."
The woman's eyes grew darker. "But is She really your friend, Mars? How well do you know this woman?" The youma's words were oddly compelling but the three senshi shook it off easily. They were not the children they once were.
"That was the wrong thing to do, youma." Jupiter stepped forward again, her hands going to fists. "Trying to control us is just one more evil trick and we don't take well to evil." She looked over to the priestess, who nodded. This creature needed to be shown just who it's master was up against.
As one the three women sprang. Not bothering to transform, Venus and Jupiter leapt to the attack. Both women were fine warriors, the years of fighting demons in the past had honed their reflexes and they worked together to distract the youma.
The shadow woman dodged and lashed out at the nearest senshi. Venus dodged gracefully and brought her hands down on the youma's arm with an audible snapping sound. The creature let out a screech, then snarled focusing on Venus. That was another mistake. As it charged the blonde warrior it didn't pay attention to the taller brunette.
Jupiter spun into a powerhouse kick that struck the youma across the back, throwing it forward, right into the binding ward that the priestess had prepared. It screamed as the slender piece of paper burned into its forehead and froze in place.
"Now you are going to answer a few questions for us," Rei's voice was deadly in its intensity.
"I think not," came another voice from behind the women. The youma strained to look up and it's eyes grew wide.
The three senshi spun about and spotted another youma hanging in the air. It gestured and the trapped one cried out once more, then dissolved into a small pile of ash. "The Master always did think that one was weak." He turned his attention to the senshi. "I see that what we had been told was true. I told her that turning any senshi would be impossible."
Mars narrowed her lavender eyes. "And who have you been talking with scum?" Venus and Jupiter flanked the priestess, both at the ready for more action.
The young seeming youma made sure to stay just out of range of anything the women could throw and smiled slyly. "My Master's realm is the shadows priestess, shadows contain secrets in many forms." He bowed in mock gentility and then faded from sight. "You have to decide ladies if the life of your Mistress is worth the life of one lone Star Knight."
Jupiter stepped forward ready to throw something but Venus put a hand on her arm. "He knows his job doesn't he?" She turned to Rei with a thoughtful look. "I think I see a pattern. But I still want to know what Pluto knows." The other two nodded and after cleaning up the temple headed back to Iriko's apartment to share their encounter with the others.
***
Uranus and Neptune made it home untroubled. Whether it was lack of interest by the Shadow master or the fact that they were acknowledged as some of the strongest of the Senshi it did not matter. They slipped inside their home, the pretty green haired woman went to check on Hotaru as the mannish blonde took a seat on the pristine couches.
"Michuru I think that this one is going be harder than the rest of our battles.” She sat tapping her fingers to her lips. A general in her past life, Haruka was very good at spotting patterns. Though she preferred direct action she could see how long range plans would be useful.
Michuru came back and settled next to her lover and nodded. "There was more going on with Unicorn than we know. Two guardian cats watching the same person. I thought only the royal family and Venus had them."
Hotaru curled up on the big chair across from her guardians. Now grown back to her teenaged self she needed their protection less than just a few months ago. She had been still a baby when the Star Knights had left Tokyo and barely knew about them.
"Just why is this Shadow Master so set on Unicorn? She isn't that powerful is she?"
“Power is relative senshi of the outer worlds,” came a voice from the window.
All three turned as one, pulling wands and preparing to attack. They paused as the guardian cat Andromeda slowly moved out of her perch. Hotaru moved to pick her up and with the grace of a queen the cat settled into her arms.
Neptune and Uranus looked at each other and then back at the cat. “Relative how Andromeda? Youma have one goal, to rule the universe. Why would this Shadow Master want Unicorn so badly? She is just one of the Knights.”
Before the cat could speak Hotaru answered. “No one who is part of the Moon Kingdom is just anything Michuru-mama.”
Andromeda looked up at the girl holding her with narrowed eyes for a moment. Being what she was she knew that Saturn held abilities and powers stronger than any of the other planetary senshi. Had the child gained wisdom in her latest incarnation? “You are right, child. Unicorn is different than the rest of you in that she was touched by destiny twice. Before she was a Star knight, she also fought for good and light in another battle.”
“Can you tell us about that?” asked Michuru.
“I know only as much as….my charge knew about Suteko,” the sadness in the elder cat’s voice brought a lump even to Hotaru’s throat. “She was reborn into an ancient human family that carried many secrets. While Dragon was reborn from the courts, she was always from Earth. At first I was sure she was part of Endeymon’s court but now I am not sure. Persephone knows but she wont tell.” The annoyance the cat felt at the younger guardian was clear.
“So she is more like the Kouhei than the senshi then?”
“No, the Kouhei battled their internal darkness as much as the Youma you all fought. Unicorn was always a force of light. Darkness can only hurt her, it can never take her over.”
“Maybe that is why the Shadow Master wants her. She is his polar opposite.” The teenaged Saturn looked thoughtful. “Maybe I should talk to her," she looked to her guardians.
***
Usagi and Mamaru found the small hotel that Suteko had chosen to stay in. Having her room key helped them avoid any awkward questions. They entered the small rundown room and quickly gathered the belongings. Not much had been unpacked. It was as if Suteko had only just arrived and had plans to move on soon. While Usagi gathered up the toiletries in the bath Mamaru picked up the few items on the night table. He p
aused to look at a few photographs that had been set out. One was of Suteko and her team mates at some eating contest. He could see the affection that the three Star knights held for each other in the expressions shown. He remembered Chris with a fond smile. His laughter was ghostly presence in the photo, as was the flare of temper that followed about Star knight Dragon when ever he was teased by his leader. Though he had only known Chris and the others a short while he had come to appreciate the lightness of Phoenix and the steadfastness of Dragon. They were sorely missed.
The other photo was one obviously taken a few years before Suteko had met her team. It was a photo of her arm in arm with a young man who bore her a striking resemblance. Taller than Suteko by at least a head there was something about the aura of the two that made them more than normal. Something about the young man that touched upon the ancient memories Mamaru kept buried most days. When he heard Usagi chattering as she came closer he slid the two framed photos into his jacket with care.
“Suteko has the most interesting collection of bottles. Mamaru can you read this label?” Usagi moved toward him quickly, clutching to her bosom an opened leather case, another small satchel over her arm. With an almost predictable motion, the pretty blonde over extended and started to fall. Mamaru, with ease of long practice caught her by the elbow, righting her before she could drop the case and taking it from her hands.
Taking the small bottle he glanced at the label. “Eucalyptus” he stated as he slid the bottle into the vacant spot in the case. He quickly scanned the bottles and was vaguely surprised. Inside the case was a number of medical herbal blends, some he recognized and others he had never heard of. “It seems this is Suteko’s medical kit…or at least a part of it.”
“She certainly is prepared with the medical stuff. Almost everything in here was creams and bandages. She only had a small brush, comb and toothbrush on the sink.” Usagi gave Mamaru one of her blindingly sweet smiles. “I think we should take her out and do something to make her feel better. Maybe if Mina and I take her out we can get her something pretty? Do you think that would help her?”
Mamaru smiled as his bride to be. Usagi always was up for helping someone she saw hurting. Though he knew that a little shopping would not cure what was really ailing the Star knight, maybe a few hours with Usagi and Mina would lighten the heart of the lone Unicorn.
With a last look about he started to leave when Usagi darted to the closet and pulled out a odd shaped case. Gently resting it on the bed, she opened the case and smiled, lightly running a nail along the shining strings of the instrument inside. “A harp, I knew she played something but Chris never did tell me what.” Turning once more to her beloved, “You know maybe this would be better. Chris always said that Suteko was a bard at heart.”
She carefully closed the case and held it tight. The old instrument held energies that Usagi could feel in the part of her that was Princess Serenity. Though it looked to be made of simple wood and wire, she knew that this was the real key to unlocking just who the woman who carried it was and would be in the future.
As the door closed behind the royal pair a figure faded into view. Setsuna smiled at the back of her future queen and nodded. She then reached back into the same closet the harp had come from and pulled out a ironwood staff. Carved with many ancient symbols it was the last of Suteko’s possessions from her life before the Star knights. “You are right that the harp will help her my queen but she will need this soon. If all goes forward she will be defending more than the future. She will need her past at her side.” She then faded out again, leaving only the faint echo of notes behind her.
***
Chapter three
The Future Ain’t What it Used to be
The flight from the US to Japan was always a long one. In the old days there were ways of getting place to place that did not involve having to share a cabin with a hundred strangers. Shayla, once known as Sailor Sweetwater, sighed and buckled her seat belt. The plane was coming in to land finally. Taking her back to a place she wasn't sure she was ready to be. Memories were still fresh; the pain had not dimmed very much.
Looking out the window as the plane descended through the clouds her mind went back to the day she left. Jaeoh and Hana standing there, their silence supporting her, yet not saying goodbye. Something about Hana's face told her that she would be seeing them again. Hana had given to her a wrapped box that she was not open till she got back to her home. She carried it in her lap now, clutched tight as memories good and bad flooded through her.
She had not touched her Kouhei powers in the years between then and now. Only using the inner gifts of healing that she could not ignore. Being among so many living and breathing humans was a strain but she now had additional shields. Both those she hard forged for herself after Oak’s death and those given to her by Pluto and Time.
As she disembarked the plane she smiled as she spotted Setsuna. The Elder senshi was dressed in her conservative best for this meeting. Though there was no way that the green haired regal beauty of the Senshi of Time could be hidden she managed to look like a busy executive waiting for a business partner.
“I see you decided to come.” Setsuna’s voice was pleasant as ever when speaking to the Healer.
“I am needed, you know that.”
“Will you continue to protect what is in your care, Healer?” The flash in the red eyes should have frightened the retiring woman before her but Sweetwater had grown strong in the years of solitude in the old mountains of her home.
“Till it is returned to whom it belongs, my friend.” Shayla then smiled and chuckled. “Okay now that that is said, where do I need to go?”
Setsuna smiled and led the shorter woman to a waiting car. Her luggage was already in the truck and they sped off, skipping customs all together. She would be staying as a guest with Setsuna and her family. An old friend that the others would not remember. An ace in the sleeve that had an important part to play.
***
Hana left Gregor back in the place they had set up to observe the changes in the city and headed out. It was time to bring back another member of the old team and as much as he had changed, Gregor Matten was still not the most sensitive of men. While her teacher took care of the Healer, she was to bring back the leader.
Once she had been afraid of almost everything. A set of memories from longer ago than all but one being knew had been locked into her subconscious. It was long after she learned to trust a select few that those memories had been unlocked.
She smiled and reached for the bell next to the unmarked door. When it was yanked open she schooled her expression and blinked as an taller and broader Jaeoh barked, "What?"
Jaeoh stepped back as he saw a familiar face in front of him. "Hana…it's you,” He leaned out to look around her to see if she was alone. "I'm sorry.” He smiled down at her and in a gentlemanly sweep of his arm invited her in.
Hana stepped in and looked about. Jaeoh's apartment was spare and clean, a far cry from the mess and darkness outside. The dark cherry wood table and futon frame was polished to a quiet gleam and the cushions were of a dark burgundy. Hana nodded once, it was as she expected, down to the scattering of healthy plants.
She turned to face her host, "No reason to be. They have come all ready?"
Jaeoh chuckled and shook his head. Hana was always direct. No small talk needed with this former teammate. “The Shadow master seems to think that I am a toothless dragon now. A brief 'suggestion' that I tend to my business and let others tend to theirs.”
Hana nodded. The final battle had taken much from her team and much from her one time leader. But she knew things would come to a head only with Draco’s return. It was time for Draco and the Unicorn to meet. “It is time for you to come back from the dead, Jaeoh. There is s
omeone who has been waiting for you,” she smiled her enigmatic smile at his look only completing the sentence in her mind, “though she doesn’t know it yet.”
“And who would that be little one?” Jaeoh had grown over the years into a stern looking yet quiet adult. The years of running a small dojo away from the world had mellowed him some. As one of the very few who from the beginning understood that Hana was more than she would appear, he took whatever she told him to be the total unvarnished truth. Sailor Time, while able to hold back all time, didn’t waste a moment.
“Someone who will affect history that has yet to be written at this time.” She perched on the arm of the futon. “But that one will wait a bit longer. There are others who need to be gathered. Old friends.”
Jaeoh’s breath caught. He had not wanted the time to come when his old friends would be forced back into the world. He knew that she was here to take him to see those who had agreed once more to protect the planet from forces beyond human understanding. “You convinced her to come back?”
Hana shrugged. “No convincing is necessary when the call is given Draco. You know that. Destiny follows us all.”
***
Steve, once know as Sailor Star Ocean, rode the waves on a board of energy. Unlike the other Kouhei he never gave up using his gifts. Once the most carefree of them, a part of him died the day of their final battle. Losing friends and comrades had changed him. Before that battle he had never thought of the next day, of the true cost of what they were doing. When Sailor Moon and her senshi had released and healed the others it had awoken him to the true facts of how he had been deceived and mistreated.