Chapter 8: Setbacks and Progress

“Setback?” the man asked.

Zephyr continued tending to his wounds. “Only temporary.”

“I’m sure,” he replied, coming closer. “I’m not sure how the master will like you repeat of Boreas’ performance.”

“I’m not going to fail,” Zephyr said through clenched teeth. “I will not repeat her mistakes.”

“No, of course not.” The patronizing tone grated Zephyr’s nerve. “You’re too busy making your own mistakes to follow hers.”

“Maybe you would like to try?”

The man merely smiled, brushing his long, light blue hair back over his shoulder. “Keep this up, Zephyr, and I will have my chance.”

He disappeared, his laughter echoing in the nearly empty chamber. Zephyr clenched his fist until his knuckles cracked. ‘I will not end up like Boreas,’ he told himself, throwing the bandages across the room.

“I will not fail!”

However, as his defiant cry echoed off the walls, Zephyr couldn’t bring himself to quite believe it.
* * * * *

“Moshi moshi,” Tomiko greeted into the phone.

“It’s Setsuna.”

She sighed. “I can’t say I haven’t been expecting your call.”

“Have you made any progress?”

“I’ve been working on it, although I don’t how effective I’ve been,” Tomiko admitted. “I’ll keep trying. However, if things don’t improve, I may have to try a more direct approach.”

Tomiko could see the other woman’s hesitation over the phone lines. What they were doing wasn’t without risks. She knew that Setsuna’s feelings for Sol was driving to take this chance but she didn’t know how far emotion would drive the other woman.

“We both know this is risky. We can stop if you want.”

“No,” Setsuna replied. “I realize the possible consequences, but I can’t give up on her like that. Not when we have a chance to help her.”

“I understand. I’ll keep trying.”

“Let me know of your progress. We can meet again if you think it’s necessary.”

“I’ll be in touch.”

With that, Tomiko hung up the phone. She glanced at the clock and quickly did some mental math. If she wasn’t wrong, it was time for her to get to work.

* * * * *

“No, don’t!”

Celeste sat up in her bed, still trying to wipe the blood off her hands. Taking a series of deep, calming breaths, she tried to relax. However, she knew it would a long time before she would attempt to sleep again.

“That damn dream,” she muttered, getting out of the bed. This was the second time she had awakened from it that night and it had plagued her every night. It was robbing her of much need sleep and the stress was being to take its toll.

Although she doubted that tea would help anymore than it had the other nights, Celeste headed toward the kitchen. She set the kettle on the stove and waited for the water to boil. If things kept up, she would go to the doctor for some sleeping pills.

“The dream again?” Selene asked, padding quietly into the kitchen.

Celeste nodded. “It’s getting longer but I still can’t learn anything about the mysterious Senshi. She’s so familiar though. I wish I knew who she was.”

“It could be a warning of the future,” the cat offered.

“Why now?” Celeste countered. “I’ve never dreamed of the future before. It’s always been dreams of the past. Most of them are about my life in the Silver Millennium but some do go further back than that.”

“I wish I knew.”

“So, you know nothing about the meaning of my dreams?”

The cat shook its head. “I don’t think my knowledge of the future would help anyway. I think by coming to the past, I’ve altered things somehow.”

“Like Chibi-Usa did?”

The cat looked up. “What do you mean?”

“Chibi-Usa went into the past to help save Crystal Tokyo,” Celeste explained. “Although she really did it unknowingly, she did change things by going back. Maybe your presence here is having a similar effect.”

“Then my mission is really meaningless.”

“No, I don’t think so. Without your help, I would never have known to look for the new Senshi or prepare for the new enemies.”

“You could have figured that out soon enough on your own,” the cat argued.

“I liked being fair-warned,” Celeste stated, “and I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for you.”

As Celeste fixed her cup of tea, Selene took comfort in her words. However, the unexplained dreams were a disturbing puzzle. Their recurrence and vividness of detail meant that they shouldn’t be ignored.

“What did Sailor Pluto say about your dreams?” the cat asked.

Celeste smiled slightly. “Setsuna gave her usual evasive answers.”

“What about Rei?”

“I never thought to ask her,” Celeste admitted. “Do you think that she get some answers from the sacred fire?”

“Would it hurt to ask her?”

“No, I don’t think it could. Besides, what do we have to lose?”


Setbacks and Progress “Setback?” the man asked. Zephyr continued tending to his wounds. “Only temporary.” “I’m sure,” he replied, coming closer. “I’m not sure how the master will like you repeat of Boreas’ performance.” “I’m not going to fail,” Zephyr said through clenched teeth. “I will not repeat her mistakes.” “No, of course not.” The patronizing tone grated Zephyr’s nerve. “You’re too busy making your own mistakes to follow hers.” “Maybe you would like to try?” The man merely smiled, brushing his long, light blue hair back over his shoulder. “Keep this up, Zephyr, and I will have my chance.” He disappeared, his laughter echoing in the nearly empty chamber. Zephyr clenched his fist until his knuckles cracked. ‘I will not end up like Boreas,’ he told himself, throwing the bandages across the room. “I will not fail!” However, as his defiant cry echoed off the walls, Zephyr couldn’t bring himself to quite believe it. * * * * * “Moshi moshi,” Tomiko greeted into the phone. “It’s Setsuna.” She sighed. “I can’t say I haven’t been expecting your call.” “Have you made any progress?” “I’ve been working on it, although I don’t how effective I’ve been,” Tomiko admitted. “I’ll keep trying. However, if things don’t improve, I may have to try a more direct approach.” Tomiko could see the other woman’s hesitation over the phone lines. What they were doing wasn’t without risks. She knew that Setsuna’s feelings for Sol was driving to take this chance but she didn’t know how far emotion would drive the other woman. “We both know this is risky. We can stop if you want.” “No,” Setsuna replied. “I realize the possible consequences, but I can’t give up on her like that. Not when we have a chance to help her.” “I understand. I’ll keep trying.” “Let me know of your progress. We can meet again if you think it’s necessary.” “I’ll be in touch.” With that, Tomiko hung up the phone. She glanced at the clock and quickly did some mental math. If she wasn’t wrong, it was time for her to get to work. * * * * * “No, don’t!” Celeste sat up in her bed, still trying to wipe the blood off her hands. Taking a series of deep, calming breaths, she tried to relax. However, she knew it would a long time before she would attempt to sleep again. “That damn dream,” she muttered, getting out of the bed. This was the second time she had awakened from it that night and it had plagued her every night. It was robbing her of much need sleep and the stress was being to take its toll. Although she doubted that tea would help anymore than it had the other nights, Celeste headed toward the kitchen. She set the kettle on the stove and waited for the water to boil. If things kept up, she would go to the doctor for some sleeping pills. “The dream again?” Selene asked, padding quietly into the kitchen. Celeste nodded. “It’s getting longer but I still can’t learn anything about the mysterious Senshi. She’s so familiar though. I wish I knew who she was.” “It could be a warning of the future,” the cat offered. “Why now?” Celeste countered. “I’ve never dreamed of the future before. It’s always been dreams of the past. Most of them are about my life in the Silver Millennium but some do go further back than that.” “I wish I knew.” “So, you know nothing about the meaning of my dreams?” The cat shook its head. “I don’t think my knowledge of the future would help anyway. I think by coming to the past, I’ve altered things somehow.” “Like Chibi-Usa did?” The cat looked up. “What do you mean?” “Chibi-Usa went into the past to help save Crystal Tokyo,” Celeste explained. “Although she really did it unknowingly, she did change things by going back. Maybe your presence here is having a similar effect.” “Then my mission is really meaningless.” “No, I don’t think so. Without your help, I would never have known to look for the new Senshi or prepare for the new enemies.” “You could have figured that out soon enough on your own,” the cat argued. “I liked being fair-warned,” Celeste stated, “and I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for you.” As Celeste fixed her cup of tea, Selene took comfort in her words. However, the unexplained dreams were a disturbing puzzle. Their recurrence and vividness of detail meant that they shouldn’t be ignored. “What did Sailor Pluto say about your dreams?” the cat asked. Celeste smiled slightly. “Setsuna gave her usual evasive answers.” “What about Rei?” “I never thought to ask her,” Celeste admitted. “Do you think that she get some answers from the sacred fire?” “Would it hurt to ask her?” “No, I don’t think it could. Besides, what do we have to lose?”


Chapter 9: Probing Questions Sailor Sol: Battle Against the Winds