Title: Gifts of the Cosmos

Chapter 2: A Touch of Hope

Author:ani

Disclaimer: It’s Naoko Takeuchi’s universe, I’m only playing in it. My universe is getting an exorcism.

He looked like he was around 13 as he crawled onto the table. The pale blue-gray uniform stood out on the black onyx, the sandy blonde hair swaying just past his ears as he crawled to the mass of dark brown muslin in the center. Stopping at one end, he pulled it back, lifting something into his lap.

“She will need help in this new world, this new life. Will you be her guide, her companion?” he jumped at the familiar voices, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the ones on the table.

Slowly walking around it, all he saw was a dark red streak in a head of black hair as the young man replied, “All that and more, if she’ll have me.”

A jolt of familiarity shot through him before it all went dark again, those same beings enshrouded in space were in front of him.

The one on his left, with straight hair down to the elbows stepped up, those blank black eyes boring into his. “The High Priestess can help grant your heart’s desire.” Two voices came from those lips.

The other, moonlight hair in intricate braids, joined them. “The Daughter of Terra’s strength grows with her Mother.”

Stepping back, both mouths moved, “With the power of both you may be able to reach her.”

“Chiba!” the professor exclaimed, making him jump, banging his knee on the damn lecture hall desk.

Feeling like he’d just pulled the crew out of his knee, Mamoru quickly snatched his books and left, ignoring the scene he’d just caused. He ignored a lot on his way home; his phone, the traffic, almost missed both the bus and his stop. Only the vision was on his mind, those words festering as he ran up the stairs, fumbled his keys in the lock. Practically barging through the door, he found them right there, anxiously waiting. “W-Who was… the High Pri-Priestess?” Mamoru panted, slamming the door, falling to his knees. “Tell me… about the Daughter of Terra.”

He’d never seen them this nervous, this shocked since the dream he’d had five months ago. They’d fallen to their knees with him, Zoisite sitting on his feet, as they turned to each other. “Tell me,” he almost ordered.

The generals jumped at the tone, before nodding. “She is – was the same person Endymion.” Kunzite started, “The same child. The Queen’s abilities were mere parlor tricks compared to the High Priestess.” He nodded at the look Mamoru sent him, “It was even rumored that the Daughter of Terra’s power rivaled the Moon Queen’s even without the Golden Crystal. The King and the rest of the priests went out of their way to make sure she never got near it.”

“That powerful… it’s impossible…” Mamoru stuttered, his gaze falling to the carpet between them.

Zoisite spoke up, “It’s true Endymion. I remember in my homeland, watching as she cleansed a great lake of deadly algae just by putting one finger in the water. Everyone was amazed as the dead fish started jumping.”

“The same was true for my old kingdom,” Jadeite added. “Walking row by row the Priestess revitalized a completely charred orchard. The first three rows were already bearing fruit when she was done.”

They could only watch as the shock at their testimonies melted into acceptance as pieces started falling, “So that’s why Serenity and I…”

Kunzite sighed, “Yes. The Daughter of Terra had the whole Silver Millennium anxious, if not downright afraid of us. The King and Queen were trying to prove she was not a threat when…”

He nodded, knowing his forgiveness hadn’t completely removed their guilt at their betrayal.

He jumped as he felt the ghost of a hand on his shoulder. Turning to it, he was surprised to find Nephrite standing at his side. “What happened Mamoru?” he asked as he stood up, facing his second, “Why did you suddenly remember her?”

He put his hand on his forehead, sighing, “I don’t really know what happened… another dream, a vision… I don’t know.” He flopped down in the easy chair. “I was sitting at lecture, them suddenly I’m watching this 13-14 year old kid crawl across a table to this mud-brown pile of fabric,” he paused at Zoisite’s gasp, “That double-voice was back, asking the kid to look out for her, to help her. I walked around the table, but all I could see was a head of black hair with a blood-red streak as he said yes.”

“Mud-brown…?” Zoisite tried to cover up his gasp.

“Yeah, why?”

“All the Priest of Terra wore mud-brown robes.” Nephrite said calmly, turning away slightly, “Only the Priest chosen to raise her ever saw beneath the High Priestess’s hood.”

Barely catching the look on his face, Mamoru kept going, “Well, the table and kids disappeared, those people wearing the universe returned and said, ‘The High Priestess can help grant your heart’s desire. The Daughter of Terra’s strength grows with her Mother. With the power of both you may be able to reach her.’ “

“ ‘Your heart’s desire’?” Jadeite questioned, “You don’t mean…”

“Her strength grows with her mother,” Kunzite started, trying to keep them focused, “so apparently she’s not on Earth.”

“They’re referring to the same person…” Zoisite added, “So…”

Nephrite nodded, “If ‘both’ is what I think they mean then…”

They all turned to him.

“Even if it’s only a chance,” he sighed as he turned to the picture frame on the end table, “I want you guys back with me… I’ve got to tell them.”