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Peaceful days passed and Katsuko was getting more involved with the moon princess and her Scouts. Usagi's clumsiness didn't bother her at all and she was rather amused by Rei's berating whenever Usagi showed up late for a study session. Katsuko had been concerned about Minako after their discussion, but Minako showed no change in attitude and Katsuko's worry soon disappeared. But her worry about her Leader didn't. The Wind Leader Elite had still not contacted her. It was going on weeks now and Katsuko didn't understand. The temptation to reach Tori or Taka was great, but obedience to one's Leader was required, disobedience punishable. At times Katsuko lost herself in staring out into the sky, a wistful look on her face. Taiki spied her in the garden one night, sitting on a stone bench, watching the stars silently.
"Katsuko-chan? What are you doing out here?," he asked, throwing his blazer over her bare shoulders. She had been wearing a sleeveless sun dress that afternoon, but the warm air had turned chilly with the setting sun.
"Oh...Taiki kou...," she murmured, coming out of her daze. "What time is it?"
"It's nine o'clock." The tall Light sat next to her, searching her profile. "What is wrong, dear friend? Something is bothering you. It's all over your face."
Katsuko smiled gently but the sadness remained. "Ah,Taiki....you were always so perceptive." She leaned over to take his hand, face still heaven ward. "It has been a long time, hasn't it? Since we've really spent time together?"
"Hai, it has."
She nodded. "So many things have changed, Taiki kou..." She sighed. "I've changed."
"We all have, Katsuko-chan."
"Hmm." Her onyx eyes, usually so clear and confident, looked pained and watery. "I used to believe that I was as strong as any good Sailor warrior should be. My mother believed that." Taiki came closer as the first tear drop fell. Her voice was agonized. "My Leader has not contacted me for days, weeks now. Perhaps I am not the strong warrior she needs for a mission."
"Katsuko-chan, how could you think that? I don't believe there is a warrior out there that matches up to your caliber." Strong arms held her gently. "I've know what you've been through and you've come through it beautifully. Your mother would have been so proud. We are. All of us are. Especially Yaten."
Katsuko's tear-streaked face looked up at him. "Really, Taiki? You're proud of me?"
"I would never lie to you."
Her smile warmed him. "Thank you, my friend."
They went inside then and he escorted her to her room. "Should I send Yaten in to see you?"
"Iie, let him sleep. I shall be fine. You go rest now."
Leaving her to her thoughts, Taiki went off to his own room. Katsuko undressed and on her way to bed, hair brush in hand as she took the tangles from her long crowning glory, she stopped by the window to gaze out at the stars again. Do you really have use for me, my Leader?
"Of course, I do, my lovely."
Katsuko turned sharply to see a shimmering blue image of the Wind Goddess before her. She dropped to one knee in haste, hair falling to the floor.
"My Leader!"
"Oh, my lovely, how we've missed you."
Katsuko looked up with a teary smile. "I have missed you all as well."
The Wind Leader nodded. "It is almost too bad that your mission begins soon. The Temple is dull without you." While the Wind Leader tried for levity, there was something in her tone that suggested something was wrong.
Katsuko's heart soared despite that. My mission! She needs me after all! "I mean to show no impatience, my Leader, but I am compelled to ask what you need of me."
"Certainly, my lovely. I want you to train the moon princess and her guardians."
"Train?"
"Yes. There may be....something dark headed your way, my lovely. You all must be prepared for it. My sisters and I can not determine what it is, but it is evil and I will not have it taking you away from us. Your Guardian sisters need you as well as I do. we couldn't bear another in our ranks fall in battle. Not so soon after..."
The Wind Leader trailed off and the sadness in Katsuko returned. No, the Elite could not bear another death almost immediately after Mane's fatality. The Wind Leader began speaking again.
"I want you to make sure that this time Sailor Moon and her warriors will have no doubts as to being able to defeat their enemy. Be careful, Monarch. This new darkness I'm feeling...it will be terrible. Fight it with everything you have."
"Yes, my Leader. I hear and obey."
"May Mother Goddess keep you."
The image flickered away, leaving Katsuko alone in her darkened room.
A terrible darkness...What are we going up against?
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