Word count: 1175
Lily frowned when she changed back to her normal self as she got closer to the hospital. Her hair was still tattered though she hoped that maybe it would be fine when she transformed back, but she had no such luck. Not only that she had to go 'buy' a hoodie from a closed store, not that it was locked. She left the money under the register, tax and all and hoped the store’s owner would not mind.
Now she entered the hospital hood up and was making her way toward the ward where Tallulah lay. Although the girl was asleep, Lily felt the need to talk to her. She may have been asleep, but she could hear and it was late so no one else would be around.
As she made to enter the ward Xander exited. The pair stood still for a moment looking at each other before Xander placed his hand on his sister shoulder and started to stir her off in another direction. They walked silently, until they reached what appeared to be a staff lounge although it was empty.
Xander turned frowning at his sister, but pulled her to him and hugged her tight.
"Mother and father are very worried. They came back to the room and you were gone. They were ready to panic. After what happened just a few days ago and now this, they do not know what to do. I calmed them down and told them I would look for you, saying you were probably visiting a friend."
Xander pulled his sister away from him and looked down at her, "Lily I looked everywhere for you. I've been looking for an hour."
By now Lily was in tears, looking up at her brother, feeling so guilty for making him worry so. She let her head sink and removed her hood revealing her choppy curls, long and some places, short in other. She heard her brother gasp, and felt him pull her closer. She started to cry, as her brother asked, what was going on with her.
"Xander can we talk," she mumbled into his shirt now wet with her tears.
"I'm right here," he said, but Lily shook her head.
"Not here," she mumbled, "It too important."
She stepped back wiping her tears and gave him a sad smile. "It has to be somewhere no one will hear," she said holding out her hand for Xander to lead the way.
His hand grasped hers, while the other pulled up her hood and the pair took off headed down the hospital corridors, ignored by the others, seemingly in a world all their own. The headed down and the hospital only seemed quieter the further they went. The room they finally enter made Lily frown, looked wide eyed at the small steel doors, refrigerator for the dead. She knew in light of the recent events they were probably full. It made her feel sick to her stomach.
Xander released his sister and turned her to face him. "No one will be coming down here anytime soon, most of the dead have been gathered and the survivors are stable, for now."
Lily looked up to her brother and frown, but nodded. She sighed taking a step back and taking a deep breath. "What I am about to tell you, you must not tell anyone. It is of the utmost importance and both our lives depend on it."
Xander face became deadly serious and his always smiling mouth displayed a frown. He nodded to his sister, but she shook her head. "Swear it, Xan," she said softly, using her nickname for him she had a young child.
Xander nodded once more, "I swear Lily."
Lily nodded, and gave a deep sigh, "This is not a terrorist attack. In fact there are no terrorist. We are currently threatened by the negaversers and many of the dead that come to the morgue everyday have probably been killed by their officers. They are the bad guys, but there are good guys as well."
Lily gave a sad smile, "I am one of the good guys. A sailor senshi, who protects the city and it citizens from the fate the negaverse wished to impose upon them. Though we the senshi are without a leader, our princess, and are fighting rather blindly."
Xander frowned, his face showing clear confusion and sheer disbelief, but Lily continued.
"In truth, I have no idea what it is I am suppose to be doing, but I do know that I was chosen and it fight or have you like taken, your starseed taken. I have to patrol the empty area to protect the hospital, the police aren't enough."
Xander expression changed from confused and disbelieving to extremely worried, so Lily stepped back and summoned her henshin pen.
"Maia power make-up," she shouted and transformed right before her brother.
She stood before him in her senshi uniform, "Tonight I had a battle and I am lucky that I only lost some hair, it could have been worse."
Xander seemed to be lacking a response, so he did the only thing he could think off. He grabbed his sister and held her tight, "Don't worry Lily blossom, I'll help you in whatever way that I can. It's unfair for your to have to fight when you hardly know what you are fight for. But don't worry Lily, I'll help you carry this burden my little sister."
Lily cried feeling relieved, even though she knew telling Xander probably had endangered them both, but for now at least she had help. She prayed slightly as she changed back for her family's safety.
Xander pulled his sister away from him and pulled the ponytail holder from his hair. "There has to be some scissors around here somewhere. Let see if we can fix your hair."
Lily frowned but nodded as Xander looked around for a packaged pair of scissor. When he found a pair he put his sister's hair in a ponytail and cut off the remaining longer stands and braids so that her hair appeared even. Lily looked as though her life was over as she watched the strands of red hair fall to the floor.
When he was finished he cleaned up the mess and tossed the scissors in the trash. He turned to Lily as the pair got ready to leave the room, "Lily, is this there doing ... the coma that is," he asked.
Lily frowned, "I'm not sure Xan, but I'm trying to find out. I really do not think so though. Don't worry though, I've got some help and now I've got you too."
Xander nodded and headed out with Lily right beside him. It was time to go face their parents and it wasn't going to be easy or fun. "Oh and Lily."
Lily looked to Xander, "Yeah?"
"You probably shouldn't transform to make your point anymore. We are in a hospital after all."
Lily was tempted to roll her eyes at her brother, but simply nodded.
