Angel of Darkness

Author’s Note: Okay I know I’m posting a lot of chapters at once but that’s because I wasn’t even sure if I was going to post this at all. Only pair I am set on is eventually Shin/Hotaru.

Disclaimer: I don't own either Ronin Warriors or Sailor Moon.

WARNING: Adult topics, violence, and Language.

Chapter3) Sparkling Angel

It took a year in time but finally Hotaru seemed to be much more comfortable around Shin. She was now seventeen and it was a little over a year ago from the day he had found Hotaru. He was happy that at least now she smiled, though he was still concerned about how she was doing with her classmate. Horuta had been living with him for a little over year now so Shin had learned all her favorite foods, and had gotten a few details of what had happened. Shin sighed as he sat at the table in the kitchen.

Hotaru looked into the kitchen and wondered what Shin was thinking about as he stared at his cup of tea. She was clutching her science book close to her as she entered the room. “Shin-chan?” She spoke softly not wanting to bug him. He had been so nice after all. Hotaru had learned that he truly wanted to help her, and that he was sweet and kind. In some ways his kindness reminded her of Chibi-Usa and Usagi.

“What is it Hotaru?” He asked looking up and over to her. He was glad to see her, she was a beautiful young woman after all.

“Would you help me with my homework?” Hotaru asked softly, making Shin chuckle.

“Of course what is it this time?” He asked as she sat next to him. Cracking open her book the two began to go over her homework.

((Usagi’s house in Tokyo))

Usagi sighed heavily as she stared out the window. It had been almost a year since Hotaru was taken by this new enemy, yet there was no sign of her energy when they had gone there. Had they been tricked? If so where was Hotaru? Yet why was it that once again Michiru and Haruka were saying that Saturn needed to be destroyed before she killed the world. Then there was the vision Rei was getting about some guy and a girl, who they could assume was Saturn by the way Rei described her. The elements turning against the world against them and killing everything, and the girl laughed as darkness over took the world. “Oh Hotaru where are you?” Usagi whispered resting her head against the glass.

“Usagi? Are you in here?” Ami’s voice called from outside her bedroom door.

“Come on Usagi, we’re all worried about you?” Makoto added.

“Come in guys.” Usagi said as she opened the door.

“Well here’s the thing Usagi. Ami and I decided that after our last fight to see if we couldn’t figure out what our enemy is up to.” Rei said.

“It turns out that they truly don’t have Hotaru and are looking for her.” Ami chimed in.

“What do you guys mean?” A very familiar voice asked from the door way. Chibi-Usa stood there no longer a child but a young teen next to her was another young girl. “Where’s Hotaru? Who’s looking for her?” Chibi-Usa asked going over to the group.

“Well, Hotaru’s been missing for a little over a year. Up till recently we were under the impression she was captured by this new enemy. We don’t know where she is and well Haruka and Michiru they are saying that we have to find her and possibly kill her because there a new force inside her.” Ami explained being the only one able to say what was going on.

“How could they think that of Hotaru?” Chibi-Usa said looking to the other senshi for an explanation.

“Chibi-Usa?... Oh um sorry.” Another girl with auburn hair and dark purple eyes poked her head in the door. She looked to be about the same age as Chibi-Usa.

“We don’t know Chibi-Usa…. By the way who’s your friend?” Usagi asked looking at the other girl.

“This is Psyche, she one of the senshi I work with.” Chibi-Usa said with a smile as she introduced her friend/

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I am Psyche the Senshi of Aquarius.” Psyche bowed.

“Oh… so why did you come with Chibi-Usa back to the past?” Rei asked looking the new Senshi up and down.

“Well to be honest I came back here to understand the origins of my power.” Psyche said as she grasped the locket that hung around her neck.

“Wait, are we not able to help guide you in the future?” Minako asked feeling slightly worried now.

“Well…. No… It’s the other reason we came back. I know it’s wrong and Setsuna will be mad at us for doing this but we can’t let crystal Tokyo become what it is now.” Psyche said. “It change the day that the Angel of Darkness came to the world.” Psyche said.

“That’s what these guys have been talking about.” Ami said looking at the other Senshi. “This is bad…”

((Shin’s house))

Hotaru sat next to Shin as they watched a movie. It was late true but she enjoyed the quiet still nights with Shin. Hotaru hugged the blanket closer to her she to ward off the chill that crawled up her back. She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them.

“Hotaru?” Shin spoke softly to get Hotaru’s attention. “Hotaru are you alright?” Shin asked her when she looked over to him. The light from the screen was currently the only light they had other then the yellow glow from the kitchen.

“I’m just cold.” Hotaru said deciding not to tell Shin she felt like someone was watching them.

“I can get you another blanket? Would that help?” Shin asked moving to get up but Hotaru lightly caught his hand and shook her head. “You want me to stay here?” Shin asked smiling as she nodded. Though she was doing better little thing always reminded him that she still was not over the trauma of the past year. “All right.” Shin smiled and sat back down. Then an idea dawned on him and he began to slip out of his sweater.

“Shin?...” Hotaru felt a small knot form in the pit of her stomach as Shin’s sweater came off. Though Hotaru knew Shin was just being nice fear and embarrassement began to peak out of their caves as he held out the sweater for her. This was her first time seeing Shin without a shirt, in a while. When he had learned it made her uncomfortable he’d gone out of his way to make sure it wouldn’t happen.

“It’s all right. Here why don’t you wear my sweater to help keep you warm.” Shin smiled handing over the gaurment. Shin knew Hotaru didn’t mean to flinch as she took the sweater but he knew she was still uncomfortable around guys let along when they were half dressed.

Hotaru saw Shin smile at her as she pulled the large sweater over her head. She could feel his warmth on the sweater as it touched her skin and shirt. The fabric was soft and smelled a tad like Shin’s cologne. Pulling the blanket back around her she felt slightly more at ease as the movie played on.

Shin hit the lights as the credits finished rolling. Quietly making his way over to the dvd player he pressed the stop button then turned off the TV. Hotaru had fallen asleep in the last half hour and he was glad. It showed that she really was much more comfortable then she had been. Yet this also brought a problem. He didn’t want to scare her by shaking her awake but moving her would be even worst. Shin chewed on his lip for a second before walking over to the couch and kneeling down next to Hotaru.

“Hotaru…. Hotaru wake up, the movies over.” Shin told her speaking softly and gradually getting louder. Hotaru moaned but didn’t wake up. Shin sighed in defeat and went to grab more blankets. Coming back into the room with an arm full of blankets he carefully laid each one over Hotaru’s sleep form. “Good night Hotaru and sweet dreams.” He whispered as he laid the last blanket down. Shin was half way up the stairs when something flashed in the corner of his eye. Turning quickly Shin thought he saw the figure of a man but as soon as he had seen it, the figure vanished. “Oh come on… It was probably a shadow…” Shin whispered to himself. Touma and Seiji were the type to be paranoid not him. With a tired yawn Shin shrugged off what might have been there and retired to his room for the night.

((Dream))

Shin’s eyes slowly opened, his mind hazey and sluggish. Yet these vanished when he heard a soft sob from outside his door. Not even bothering with slippers Shin walked out of his bedroom and headed to stairs to the noise. A thick purple mist lined the floor and came up to his knee, yet each step he took momentarily parted the mist. “Hello?” Shin called looking around for the source of the noise. As he turned the corner to go into the kitchen Shin felt his breath hitch. On the floor surrounded by splatters of blood and other fluids was the girl from the other dream sobbing and shaking. This time though she was like the first dream, and had no wings on her back. Shin tried to find his voice to call to her but he just couldn’t make a sound. Walking closer to her he could feel a new power swelling in him as he knelt at her side and gently touched her shoulder. With one look at him the girl lunge forwards and buried herself against his chest sobbing.

“Please don’t let them… I’m not a bad person…” She sobbed not able to focus enough to get out a coherent thought.

“Shhh, it’s okay I’m here now. I will never leave you again, for with my life I shall protect you. I will always protect you and any who would do you harm will suffer.” Shin couldn’t stop himself from speaking once again. “What is your name?” Shin asked as he embraced her shielding her from the cold.

“It’s –“ Before the girls named reached his ears Shin saw red. Flashes of blood of a boy cowering away begging for something as a knife was driven into him several times. The blood dripping off the tip as the rain began to fall. Screams, and sirens rang in his ears as everything finally went black.

((Living room of Shin’s house))

Shin gasped as his eyes shot open and took in his surroundings. Pushing himself up to a sitting position he swallowed in an attempt to sooth his dry throat. It was then Shin realized he wasn’t in the hall or his bed. He was sitting on the living room floor, and his clothes were wet. “How did I get here…Huh what’s… Oh god!” Shin stared in horror at the blood streaked knife on the floor next to him. What had happened? The dream, what he saw… Shin could feel his heart racing as he stared at the knife and his own hands. Standing up on shaky legs he looked around the room to see Hotaru still sleeping. “Oh god…” Shin mumbled as he grabbed the knife and headed for the kitchen. Turning on the hot water he tossed the knife into the sink and began to wash his hands fiercely. He was still shaking as the water ran red. Once he finished scrubbing his hands Shin grabbed a flashlight to check the carpet. To his amazement there was no stain… Not even the slightest of hints that something was wrong. Turning off the flashlight Shin stood there in the middle of the room confused.

“Shin?... What’s going on?” Hotaru’s voice pierced the silence.

“Hotaru…. I do know actually…. Look let’s get you upstairs okay?” Shin smiled weakly to her as she nodded and leaned against him as they moved up stairs for the night.

Hotaru closed the door to her room and her eyes widened. Her nails were sparkling with the purple light that came to her only when she transformed into a senshi. The light faded quickly but she didn’t understand what was going on. She was losing control of her powers and now… She risked hurting Shin if the other outer senshi were right that is. As much as she hated it, in the pit of her stomach Hotaru felt and knew they were right.

Author’s note: Sorry for the long pause. School and all anyways I hope you enjoyed for those reading.