#anahoris

The morning Hirahara woke up, he realized he was about to be late for class. The alarm hadn’t gone off like it was supposed to, and with all the commotion that was caused by the ghost last night, the boy didn’t get enough sleep. “GACK!” He freaked out as he threw on clothing at break neck speed. “Saitou, why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”

“I tried,” the cat at the window shrugged. “But you’re a really heavy sleeper.” Without stopping to get breakfast, Hirahara rushed out the door and dashed down the street, his backpack gripped by only one of the straps. To his surprise, however, he ran straight into another student, and upon looking to see who it was, he realized that this was his friend.

“Tagami?” Hirahara asked, before throwing his arms around his fellow classmate. “Oh it is you! Now if we go late to school together, the teacher might not be as mad…!” Tagami glared at Hirahara, knowing that the silly plan was not going to work.

“You might as well just run, if you think coming late together is a good idea.” He let out a huge yawn, indicating he had very little sleep the previous night as well.

“Eh? Tagami was working hard on a mission as well?” Hirahara probed curiously. The amber eyed boy, the Sailor Scout of Venus, rarely did as he was intended to as a crime fighter, but was actually very reliable when he worked together with the other five Scouts. When Tagami nodded but didn’t want to go into detail about the missions results, Hirahara backed off a little. “Ah, so it went well?” He asked.

“It doesn’t matter, for now, shouldn’t you be focusing on getting to class in time?” Hirahara looked down at his watch and felt his panic set in.

“Ack! Tagami, come on! We’ve got to run before we-“ Ding! Dong! The two heard the sound of their school clock tower labeling eight o’clock. “-’re LATE! We’re late Tagami, come on!” With that, the energetic boy dragged the less enthusiastic by the arm all the way to their class, just making it through the door in time to be scolded by their teacher on proper attendance. Both hung their head in shame and took their seats at the back of the classroom. With that, classes began.

“Hey…” Tagami poked the back of Hirahara’s neck. “I didn’t see Saitou or you at all last night.”

“Ah…” Hirahara nervously laughed. “That’s because when we finished our mission… I went home to sleep.” He felt Tagami’s pokes getting harder and more furious.

“I see.” He could feel poison laced in the amber eyed boy’s tone. “I could have really used Saitou last night to analyze the enemy…” Oh god I’m so sorry please don’t kill me you can have him! Hirahara’s mind ran frantically with responses. He pretended to focus on the things written on the chalkboard before he felt Tagami returning to his assignment as well.

It was no wonder Saitou was very popular among the Sailor Scouts. He and Rokkaku, the other black haired cat with crimson eyes, were special friends sent to help the Scouts analyze ghosts that had to be captured. The two cats also happened to be very helpful in planning and advice. Saitou stayed at Hirahara’s house, feeling the need to be close to the Sailor Scout of the Moon, while Rokkaku was with the Sailor Scout of Mercury. 

“Oh, that’s right,” Tagami suddenly whispered again, jolting Hirahara. “We should see how Kinoshita is during lunch break as well.”

“Ah, yeah!” Hirahara agreed, smiling. “I bet he did something cool last night as well.” The Sailor Scout of Jupiter, Kinoshita, was a year older than Hirahara and Tagami, but was in the same school. The three of them usually exchanged information about ghosts with each other more than with anyone else due to the fact that they could conveniently meet up every day. Since there was nothing else to worry about, Hirahara went back to daydreaming during his class, waiting for the ever needed lunch break to hurry up and approach.

—

Kinoshita was on the roof having his lunch like always when Tagami and Hirahara brought their food up as well. “Oh, glad you two seem so energetic.” Kinoshita teased. For someone who defended justice just as late at night as the other two, he seemed very well rested. Tagami responded with a glare before sitting down and unpacking his lunch, while Hirahara stuck his tongue out. “Last night have an unusually high number of ghosts. I heard that everyone else was busy as well.”

“At times like this, doesn’t it mean…” Hirahara started, “that there’s going to be a super powerful guy coming?!” It was a total jump to conclusions. He and the others hadn’t been Sailor Scouts for long, so he wasn’t actually sure what the regulations were with ghosts. All he knew is that the previous week, the group of six Sailor Scouts had been very busy.

“That can’t possibly be what it means, Hirahara,” Tagami said as he finished up. “You play too many video games.”

“Well actually,” a voice came from the side of the roof. All three jumped and turned to the direction of the mysterious person who might have been relaxing on the ledge. It turned out just to be Saitou, resting a batting his tail from side to side. “You aren’t wrong. I think a general from our enemy will appear soon.”

“Wah? Seriously?” Hirahara exclaimed excitedly.

“I think it’s best you six work together to defeat him and continue protecting the Earth.” The cat then got up and walked over to where the three boys were sitting, resting in Hirahara’s lap. The golden eyed boy pat his fur enthusiastically.

“Why don’t we go to Saeki’s shrine today?” Kinoshita suggested. “I’ll bet Kirishima will be there too.” After this plan was agreed on by the three boys, the hurried to finish lunch (if they hadn’t already) and went back to their separate classes.

—

The shrine just up the hill from their school was a rather nice and well kept Shinto Shrine. It wasn’t very busy all the time, which made it a very nice place for the boys to sometimes gather and talk about various important… Sailor Scout business. Also, Kirika, the manager, had caught on since the beginning that the five frequent visitors were not always there to pray. As Hirahara, Tagami, and Kinoshita approached the red Torii, she greeted them a with a smile.

“Saeki is a little busy right now, but Kirishima and Tanizaki came by and are in the admissions office, if you’d like to wait for him.” She mentioned, already knowing their intentions. “Do you want any snacks while you wait?”

“Auntie, thanks!” Hirahara beamed at the mention of food. He was dragged away before he could further bother the lady from her job. In the admissions office, an idle boy with dark hair was sitting with a black cat in his arms, stroking it quietly. The other boy was standing up and pacing around, as if eager to do something. When the three walked in, he stopped and greeted them.

“So we all had the same idea, huh?” He asked, crossing his arms. “Rokkaku did say that we should all meet up.” The black cat lifted his head at the mention of his name, looking over at the new group.

“Oh? Where’s Saitou?” He asked, jumping from the other boy’s lap. Hirahara quickly took his backpack off and unzipped it, letting the white cat get a breath a fresh air. Saitou hurried out of the book bag. “That’s no way to carry a cat, Hirahara.”

“But… the teacher would be mad if I brought a cat to class with me…” The golden eyed escort looked down. “It’s Saitou’s fault for wanting to come with me…” The boy who had been sitting down came to say hello to the others as well. Kirishima spoke very little unless Saeki was around, and he and Tanizaki both attended the same school. The white cat just shrugged, and all was forgiven. At least, that was the hope.

“Rokkaku, have you felt a strange amount of miasma around lately?” He asked, receiving a nod from the other feline. “It feels like a rather big enemy will be coming, don’t you think?” Again, the other cat nodded.

“To be honest, I thought things had been going rather smoothly from the beginning.” Rokkaku admitted. “You would think that Queen Maki would try harder to reawaken her powers.” It was at this moment Saeki, a light haired boy who was Kinoshita’s age, came in baring a tray of cookies and juice.

“Eh? Something a lot tougher is coming?” He asked, only hearing part of the conversation. He set the tray down on the table and offered it to his friends who were gathered. “Are you saying it might be too big for us to handle?”

“Individually, I think it’s best you don’t try to fight whatever general the dark queen sends our way.” Rokkaku agreed. “So, for now, why don’t you all work together and prepare for the oncoming attack? Minor ghosts will just have to be dealt with quickly. I don’t think you should be alone until this miasma passes.” And with that, it was decided that when the Sailor Scouts patrolled the town at night for anything, they would at least pair up. With no other urgent business involving the supernatural, the six kids spent the rest of the time talking about their day.

—

A few days passed since the group decided to all work together. Mostly it was the same as usual: small ghosts trying to steal energy from humans that could have easily been handled by one or two people, but none the less, no one wanted to disobey Rokkaku and Saitou’s suggestion. It wasn’t until one particular night when Hirahara was thrown awake by a strange feeling of distress that the Sailor Scouts felt that there was truly something terrifying coming about.

Sneaking out his window, he hurried and called the others as he made a run for where he felt all the dark energy gathering. Saitou, who had been soundly staring out his window, was running after him. “Don’t do anything stupid before the others show up, Sailor Scout of the Moon.” The cat advised. As if I’m going to rush into something this big alone…! Hirahara thought back. The two met up with Kirishima, who happened to be hurrying down the road with Rokkaku in his arms. The two felt the strange energy coming from an old warehouse, and stopped outside the entrance.

Some sort of strange feeling caused a vibration in Hirahara’s heart. It was as if whatever was in there had a huge amount of dark power. “You felt it too, right?” Kirishima asked, receiving a nod. “We’d better wait for the others.” Slowly, everyone else joined them at their location. First, it was Kinoshita, then Tanizaki, and finally, Saeki and Tagami. The six peeked through the door, wondering what it could have possibly been that caused them all to feel slightly nauseous.

At the center of the large room stood a hooded figure with ghostly shadows swarming around her. She had a human appearance, with short black hair and pale skin. “My lady Maki sent me here… so that I could destroy the Sailor Scouts and guarantee her revival.” She repeated her instructions to herself. “This is great! The general Yuko has been reborn!” Just then, one of the six heroes (everyone knew it was Hirahara) knocked one of the beams supporting the door loudly, causing the dark general to turn to the door. “Who’s there? Show yourself or die!”

“We’re here to stop you, Dark General Yuko!” Kinoshita said, stepping in from behind the door. “We’re the Sailor Scouts, defenders of earth!” Ah, that’s my line…! Hirahara thought, rushing in as well.

“That’s right!” He added, stealing his thunder back. “So, in the name of the moon, we’ll punish you!” With that, he lifted his hand into the sky. “Moon Prism Power!” There was a brilliant flash of light as his magical transformation turned him from his regular self into the Sailor Scout of the Moon, which involved a lot of glamorous hearts and sparkles. He appeared in his yellow uniform, pointing at the general. “Prepare to be defeated by the Sailor Scouts!”

Everyone else, at this time, took the chance to transform into their Sailor Scout uniforms as well. Kirishima, the Sailor Scout of Mercury, had on a similar design with shorter socks and a blue bow and shorts. He appeared in a wave of water and bubbles. Kinoshita, the Sailor Scout of Jupiter, had sparks and lightning flash as he changed into his green uniform. His happened to have a red armband on his left arm, and was wearing black boots instead. Tagami, the Sailor Scout of Venus, had an orange uniform that dazzled with ribbons and stars. Saeki, Sailor Scout of Neptune, summoned the currents of the sea and appeared in his cyan uniform. He had on an extra cape of the same color. Finally, Tanizaki, the Sailor Scout of Pluto, in a circle of dust, changed into his purple uniform.

“Are you always this flashy?” The Dark General asked. “It must take a lot of time.” The Sailor Scouts, in various poses at the moment, couldn’t disagree.

“It- It may be time consuming, but it’s necessary to defeat you!” Tanizaki claimed, although he may or may not have been rethinking the whole thing at that moment. Yuko shrugged, and pointed a finger at them.

“Well, since Queen Maki asked me to finish you off so that her plans can continue, I hope you don’t take this personally.” With a swing of Yuko’s hand, the ghostly shadows began attacking the Sailor Scouts. 

“Look out!” Rokkaku shouted, him and Saitou jumping out of the way as they usually did to spectate a fight. “It seems like she can control minor ghosts through her shadows. You’ve all got to be careful not to get hit, or it could be fatal.” That was easier said than done. The flexibility of the shadows themselves gave their enemy a huge advantage. It was no good just dodging them if no one could lay a hand on the actual controller.

“Well never take her down if we don’t go on the offensive,” Saeki pointed out, managing to land gracefully with a flash of his cape. He revealed his weapon of a gun with an outstretched hand. His attacks were very water based, and easily disbursed some of the shadows. “Kirishima, can you throw up a mist?” The Sailor Scout of Mercury nodded, pulling a sword from his side and holding it straight up. When he brought it down, it carried a mist that quickly filled the area around the dark general.

“What’s this?” Yuko wondered, trying to locate her targets. It was very hard to see. A few more water bullets came flying at her, but she dodged them rather easily. “If you’re really going to hide where you are, you shouldn’t make your attacks so obvious,” she commented.

“Oh, that was just the distraction,” came Saeki’s voice. To confirm, Yuko felt a prick of electricity in the air. With all the water partials floating around, this could not end well. Kinoshita, from outside the mist, pointed his axe towards the cloud of water. Lightning had been gathering in his metal blade for a while, and once it touched the mist, the place was set nearly on fire. Yuko managed to jump out of the mist just in time.

“You should look behind you,” Tanizaki advised, lifting his kanabo into the air and swinging down with full force. Yuko was blasted to the ground, where a crater was created where she landed. As she slowly got up, she was greeted by a crossing pick ax and shovel pointed at her neck, one held by Tagami and the other by Hirahara.

“Ah, so I guess this means I lost…” She sighed, giving a sort of friendly chuckle. “It was fun playing with you, while it lasted.”

—