Read Me First!
When I wrote the first "Times Not Known", it was intended as a single short story without any to follow, it being a spur of the moment type thing. However, by request, there will be more parts, as short stories, dealing with personal issues of each Senshi.
Following in the same tone as the first part, these will apt to be sad or tragic in their content, as in this part, but not necessarily so. There will be a total of five parts. Enjoy, and perhaps keep the tissues handy.
Any comments, good, bad, or indifferent, please direct to me at: andyhme@mix-net.net
Thank You.
Times Not Known #2
Had it really been a year? The young woman wondered sometimes, it almost seemed like yesterday, then at times it seemed like a century had passed. The passing of one of her best friends, caught in a blast of dark energy, unable to move fast enough to avoid it. The grief was still close to the surface, and at times almost overwhelmed her, causing her to break down in tears almost uncontrollably. Her other friends would always be there for her, comforting, trying to ease her pain. She was thankful for that, for if they weren't there, she would have surely gone insane.
Today was a quiet day, no youma had attacked, seeming almost to be giving reverence to the anniversary of her loss, though she knew that wasn't true. The Senshi had given the enemy a terrible beating just two days ago, causing the loss of many of their number. She gave a fierce grin at that, it served them right! *They* had been the ones who had caused her pain, *they* deserved the same, and more, a hundred, no, a thousand fold. Ever since the return of Sailor Mars, they had been able to push back the Dark Kingdom from its former expansion, but it had been too late to save the life of her friend.
As she made her way to the Shrine, for that is where, by mutual consent, it had been decided where the grave should be, she gave thought as to how the others had taken the loss. They all had felt the pain, and had grieved deeply with her, but perhaps it was Luna who had suffered the most, for she was closer than any of the others, and had very deep feelings, though she might not admit it openly. All that was certain was that she had said she needed to be alone for a while, and had disappeared for days. No one knew where she had gone, what she had done, and after the third day everyone started to get very worried. Luna returned after five days, looking much thinner, apparently not eating very much during that time, but had regained her composure again.Everyone was relieved.
Upon reaching the Shrine, she turned and slowly ascended the stairs. Turning to the left at the top, to go to the corner of the property where the grave was located, she saw that everyone else was already there, waiting for her. She knew that they would be there, for today was a day to pay homage to the honored dead. She approached the grave, which was right beside the one for Rei's Grandfather, and knelt down next to it, placing the bouquet she had along with the others already in place. She then bowed her head to give a silent prayer, her long blond hair cascading over her shoulders onto the small mound there. Then raising her head, Minako read the marker that she had read so many times before.
The End