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[protectedbywind]

On a hill overlooking the sparkling lights of Tokyo, There's a shadow perched on a limb in a tree. The shadow shifts and moonlight reveals first the curved edge of a scimitar-like sword, then the sihlouette of a young woman in a sailor senshi suit. Specifically, it's Sailoruranus, to those who would know her

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[waterfell]

By now, Mercury understands a small part of Uranus' motivations. Even so, she feels mild surprise to see it is done; Sailorsaturn will never awaken now. Good. To awaken the senshi of Destruction would only have led to misfortune.

She doubts this is the end of it, once Tomoe and those working for and through him hear of it. Tomoe Hotaru, dead, will be news. Scandal. Unless, as often seems to happen here, Mugen manages to silence the scandal.

And so this moment finds Mercury, having just caught up to Uranus with the others after the taller senshi fled the scene, beneath the tree looking up into it.

"Sailoruranus," she calls.

[protectedbywind]

There's only a shift in Uranus' gaze, but she doesn't look directly at Mercury. A short exhalation and a curve to her lips that doesn't seem natural, and Uranus straightens, leaning her forearm against her knee and resting her back against the tree trunk.

With her gaze starward, she finally answers. "Come to tell me to get off your planet again?" she asks in a wry tone.

[waterfell]

"Well. Now that you've already said it, you've learned, right?" Mercury answers readily.

A sly look. "Maybe I came to congratulate you."

[protectedbywind]

Uranus' carefully guarded expression doesn't change.

"There is no reason for congratulations. What is done is done."

[earthvictorious]

As may be expected, Kunzite greets the events of the day with his typical cynical detachment. It is no impediment to him if the new senshi wish to take out his enemies for him, and despite a lingering irritation at their presence, he must admit they have avoided making the situation worse. In fact, he concedes privately, this is quite a helpful stroke.

He doesn't bother chasing the fled senshi, quite, preferring to track her instead. The signs even she must leave on the ground - the soft prints of her short boots, the bent and trampled plants - may as well be giant and glaring neon, to him.

When he has her, the corners of his mouth lift upward. "Have you become a bird, Uranus?" he questions.

[protectedbywind]

That wasn't the greeting she was expecting. Her voice answers him, clear and without hesitating, serious.

"I am the wind which carries the birds--except for the golden-winged bird who caws loudly from the ground because it cannot fly."

There's a short rustle in the leaves as the senshi vaults backwards off the limb she had been perched on. She lands easily on her feet, facing the shitennou. Her expression is serious, somewhat hard, but there's an out of place curve, like a smirk, on her lips. "Kunzite," she greets in a flat tone.

[earthvictorious]

"An apt description," Kunzite returns pleasantly, with a pointed glance at the tree branch Uranus had not, in fact, flown from. No, the girl is far too young to catch him unawares or unable to turn her words back on her.

"How is your health?" he maintains the obvious facade of a calm, even friendly visit.

[protectedbywind]

She cocks her head slightly, watching him. She shows no emotion on her countenance, but there is a slight pause.

"Never better. And yours?"

[windunchained]

He can feel it on the wind, Uranus' presence as she flees. Zoisite is not far behind. He glances up among the limbs and branches. Luckily for her, it would be an awkward place to continue following her to. He has Questions, after all.

"Sailoruranus. What are your intentions here?"

[protectedbywind]

"To carry out my duty," she says without hesitation. No more, no less.

[windunchained]

Zoisite considers that answer. The soldiers of the outer planets, he knows from their fame in that distant past, were those responsible for threats from beyond the entire solar system.

"Then these enemies on our planet, they are invaders from outside." In contrast, of course, to the insurrection of the past, Beryl's rise, and even Metalia who came from this system's sun.

[protectedbywind]

Uranus glances down to the silver shitennou, one brow raised. She made a vague noise, perhaps in the affirmative.

This one was...interesting.

[honoo_no_senshi]

The blood is what catches Mars' eye. She sneers, stalking up to the tree. She's battered and bruised, and has little tolerance for outer senshi at the moment.

"So, who'd you kill now, Uranus?"

[protectedbywind]

There's no answer at first, or any reaction at all, really. The senshi's eyes finally shift, looking to the girl below. There's no recognition for a moment.

"You are...?" and then her head lifts slightly. "Sailormars? ...I was under the impression you'd given up your henshin bracelet."

[honoo_no_senshi]

"Different Mars." She says matter-of-factly, like haha, I know something you don't. Pfft.

"Now tell me. Whose blood did you spill tonight? Was it an innocent?"

[protectedbywind]

Diff--...ah. The different dimensions. Interesting. This Mars was a bit like the Mercury of this world, just with less humor about her.

"The senshi of destruction has been prevented from awakening and causing the destruction of Earth." she answers, as a secretary might give a report.

[freezingkiss]

The blood isn't what scares Chibiusa the most, though it is horrifying. It's the blank look in Uranus' eyes that really frighten her. She watches for a while, unsure of what to say or say, if anything at all. Maybe it'd be best if she just left...but she can't. Her damned sympathy compells her to stay and help, if she can.

She moves closer to the tree and looks up at Uranus, clearly worried. She won't leap to conclusions until she hears the truth from her friend herself.

"Uranus...?"

[protectedbywind]

It's a moment, but Uranus' eyes shift to Chibi-usa's, and there's no recognition there at all. "Who are you?" she asks, sitting up a little straighter. There's a thin smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "It's late for little girls like you to be wondering about."

[freezingkiss]

It's been so long from the battle with Pharaoh 90 that Chibiusa had all but forgotten how intimidating the Outer Senshi could be. She shuddered involuntarily; Uranus' gaze was hard and piercing, her teasing cold. Chibiusa infinitely preferred the warm smile and the affectionate "kitten" nickname.

"I'm sorry," she replied automatically, having a sudden urge to run and forget the whole thing. "I, um. I-I just wanted to make sure you weren't hurt," she finished lamely.

[protectedbywind]

A pause, perhaps a little surprised. "Heh." The senshi of wind closes her eyes a moment, a slightly more genuine smile tugging one corner of her lips.

Very lightly, she hops down from the tree, and suddenly the sword has vanished. She leans down, hands on her knees, looking at the smaller girl. Her smile is a bit warmer now, some of the chill gone from her eyes. "So, little odango," she asks, "how do you know my name?"