Eighteen hours had passed since Delilah had powered up as Eternal Sailor Phact and faced a run in that threatened to change her life. It had taken her that long to come up with a good enough reason to escape the city for a few hours. Thanks to the Mayor’s ‘lovely’ speech, everyone seemed to be on high alert, especially close to sun down. Between waiting for the sun to rise and then having to ‘work’ had stalled the meeting she needed to have.
Finally, she was able to get away and as she walked up to the edges of the senshi HQ, Delilah felt her heart begin to race. Stopping in place, her red eyes scanned the buildings and landed on the Oasis Hospital. Did she really want to know? What if Kazenite was right? What if Hannah had been keeping this from her? What then?
It had to be her internal drive to know things that kept her walking forward.
By the time she got to the shaded area just outside the door Delilah knew Hannah would exit in either form, her determination was back. If Acrucis did have the protection of a Negaviurse agent then that could prove interesting. If she didn’t, then she would still have time to figure out how to handle that general and most likely share that information with the rest of the team. Delilah was a member of the Watch after all.
For now, she leaned against the trunk of a tree and waited.
Haven just expended the remaining of her magic tending to the more critically injured, Acrucis emerged from the back portion of the Oasis with her skin scrubbed raw of the blood that once stained her hands; and a now clean uniform thanks to the benefits of powering down and back up again. Had it not of been for the weary look in her once vibrant sapphire colored eyes, or how her shoulders sagged in defeat and exhaustion, many would be none the wiser as to how many hours she had just spent tending to the wounded.
Completely out of it and on the verge of passing out Acrucis exited the headquarters hospital none the wiser that there was someone outside waiting for her.
“So many people owe you their life.” Delilah called out just as Acrucis began to walk past her. Seeing as she was not powered up and keeping quiet, a trait her time in the city had made her good at, Delilah was almost pleased Acrucis had not noticed her.
Stepping out of the shadow and into the afternoon sun, Delilah made her face clear that she was not there for pleasantries. Red eyes were set and her lips wore little more than a line. Some could say the senshi of doves had become cold in the past five years. Truth was, the were most likely right.
“Have a moment?” Delilah pointed back to a bench set away from the rest. It was where she felt comfortable now. Hidden, watching, learning. Not out in the open. Not being the hope for so many that her sister had become. Acrucis was an amazing woman and Delilah almost envied her.
Almost….
For a moment her expression remained unreadable as she looked over at Delilah with a glazed over look in her eyes. It took a second for her to process what her sister had said but once her words finally sunk in a small smile lifted the corners of her lips. ”Always” was her simple reply as she walked over to take a seat beside her raven haired friend.
Never would there be a day she would deny a request from one so dear to her. Never would there come a time where she wouldn’t drop what she was doing to run to her aid. Nobody had been left unchanged by the war, whereas some grew angry or resentful, others hid in fear, while a few of them stepped forward and refused to give up; Delilah was no exception. The Senshi of Prayer did not miss the displeased look on her friends face which was why once she had taken a seat she did not rest her head upon her beloved siblings shoulder. “What is wrong?” she asked with a patient yet kind voice.
Having learned over the years to listen for cues, Delilah could easily hear the tenderness in Acrucis’ voice. Sometimes she wondered if under different measures, her sister could not have become the perfect doctor. Her bedside manner would have made her the most sought after person in a hospital. It was most likely her ALL that would have stopped her from wanting to go that route. So much time in one had to be soul crushing.
Still, Delilah did reach out and place her hand on Acrucis’ right arm. “Acrucis… Hannah…” The last part she said in a whisper still ever cautious about the dual identities. Her mouth was dry and her breathing long and slow. How was the best way to ask this? Direct? No. That could come off as attacking. Lead up to? Acrucis knew her too well. With a quick eye shake to meet her’s Delilah spat out. “What have you been hiding from me all these years?”
Hiding?... “I’m sorry I’m not sure what you’re referring to.” There had been many things she had kept secret, pin pointing which one in particular Delilah was referring to was nigh impossible for one as tired as she. “If there was something I kept a secret it was in order to keep you safe.” There was no show of guilt in her eyes nor look of remorse for if indeed Hannah had kept something hidden, it truly would have been for a good reason; never out of malicious intent to keep her in the dark.
That much was true. If Delilah did not know about it, it meant there was a good reason. A damn good reason to be sure. But this once, Delilah knew she had to challenge that reason. It would determine what she did going forward and play a bigger roll in her mind set than she could imagine now. Delilah knew Hannah had become more willing to accept help ever since the relapse but if this was true, this was more than help in many ways. A protector? Was it even possible?
Inhaling once more, the woman wished she had been given a name. That would have made things so much easier. Instead, she turned so she could look at Acrucis fully in the face. This also allowed her to drop her voice to just above a whisper and take in the fact that her sister was more than tired. She was drained.
Sure they were in the senshi safe headquarters but Delilah did not trust people not to have ears. If this was true, no one else needed to know. “Is someone in the Negaverse watching over you?” Delilah looked to meet her eyes. Her own held a small softness hidden in the depths of the fear of the answer. “You know I will never stand in the way of your neutrality and I admire it where many question it. But is there someone out doing more than just coming to you for medical help?”
Though her smile faded, her eye contact did not waiver in the slightest. “Yes,” she replied for what use was it to lie. “Though when we met six years ago he was only a General and i was a basic Senshi; now... now he’s one of the General Kings.” Oh how things have changed since the day the Shade Queen invaded Destiny City along with her clones; back in a time where both factions worked together to eliminate a common threat. Now the tides have turned so drastically that she feared the extinction of the White Moon Senshi and Knights as a whole. “Why do you ask?” she asked simply.
Upon the word ‘yes’ hitting Delilah’s ears, she almost missed everything else that came from Acrucis’ mouth. Closing her eyes and letting her head slowly drop so that her long, black bangs fell free and hid her face, Delilah sat in silence for a moment before speaking. “I had to find out if someone was lying to me.” Her voice was shaky as if it scared her to realize the truth in the matter. If this was true, what else did Kazenite know about her and her loved ones? Not to mention, how did she find out about Acrucis having a protector.
“And now that I know…” Her head finally lifted up and she gave one of the weakest smiles a person could give. It shined with confusion, fear, betrayal, hurt, and relief. “I have a very important decision ahead of me.” Small tears were pooling in her eyes. “Tell me though, has he ever hurt you?”
Acrucis grew silent for several moments, her features softened as she leaned over to wrap her arms around Delilah’s shoulders. “No.” she replied shaking her head slightly while stroking her friends back in reassurance. “There were several times he had teleported me away from battles to keep me safe. Even going as far as telling people to leave me alone. The only time I ever got hurt was when I didn’t know it was him and I ran. I was so scared I didn’t see where I was going and fell; nearly bit a hole through my lip and got skinned up pretty badly.”
Leaning back, the Senshi of Prayer lifted Delilahs face and pressed their foreheads together like they had done when they were still children. “I had just used the last of my abilities, I was completely vulnerable. He could have corrupted me or even killed me right then and there... but he didn’t. He teleported me to a safe place and took it upon himself to bring me some first aid materials.” Tilting her head back she placed a kiss upon her sisters brow. “I know he has a dark past but he’s never once hurt me.”
A quiet moment passed as Delilah listened to the truth finally come out. Things from their past began to fall into place now. The disappearances. The not wanting to discuss items. Over the years, Delilah had just let them go but now, she wondered if that had been the right thing to do. Those deep red eyes were soft and pained. While she felt a small ounce of hurt wanting to force the tears down her face at not having Hannah’s trust to tell her, the logic side of her mind kept them back. “Hannah, you have the grace of a three legged dog sometimes.”
Opening her mouth and inhaling a deep breath, she pulled back from her sister and looked that small frame over. “I’m glad he has not touched you but I am sure others could say differently.” Her eyes glanced off towards the rest of HQ and she sighed watching people run around. “If only all of them could say they have the grace of winning the favor of someone such as your guardian. Maybe then things could have been different. But we aren’t all that lucky, are we? Some of us get thrown to the wolves and have to pray we find a way to keep going and stay alive.” Looking back over, her face still showed traces of before but was slowly returning to the mask she had started to wear. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“In part I was scared. Scared of your reaction, that you’d make me stop powering up and helping people. But then you n’ I… we started going on patrol together helping where we could and it was amazing.” Acrucis paused for several moment just reading Delilah’s reaction as she spoke, “There were a few times I almost told you” she finally admitted. “But I had to stop myself before I pulled you under with me. I love you too much to put you in danger like that, I wanted to keep you out of their sights, I wanted to keep you safe.”
The Senshi of Prayer’s heart ached terribly as she drew in a calming breath; now was not the time to break down. Stay strong she repeated over and over in her mind till the ache subsided. “He’s not the only one I’ve made friends with over the years, my ties run through the Dark Mirror Senshi court as well. So long as I can serve a purpose I can keep you safe. Once I stop being useful I’m scared that all bets will be off.”
“Let me guess.” Delilah’s hand shifted downward to the pocket in the jeans she wore and slipped out a device that they both had. The only differences came in the colors. It was her Henshin pen. “You stop being useful when you either stop being able to use this or no longer remain neutral.” Her eyes glanced towards her own pen as she twisted it over in her hand. “Hard to believe this little thing caused all our lives to change. Caused all this to happen.” Her words were emotionless as the device dropped in her lap.
“I feel as if I could ask many more questions but something tells me I should not.” Delilah glanced outward. “You are not my mission. Knowing all this does make me worry but I also know that you will not be foolish and throw your life away.” Her now free hand reached over to Acrucis’ arm. She did not trust that agent, General King or not, to protect this woman till the end. If it suited him, he would yank that life out of her chest. “A life that was so hardly fought for. No, I’ll stop unless there is anything else you want to tell me?”
All she could do was shrug at the conclusion Delilah had drawn, perhaps that is what would cause the bonds of friendship she had built over the past six years to break. Friendship was a fragile thing these days; there really was no telling what would cause it to fall apart. “Ask whatever is on your mind and I will tell you everything.” The floodgates had been opened and Acrucis was helpless to stop the flow of answers she would give if only her sister would so much as ask the questions that plagued her mind. Just please, please don’t ask me to tell you their names… Allow me to keep their secret just as I’ve been trying so desperately hard to keep yours.
Delilah could feel the shutting down in the back of Acrucis’ words. Admitting it or not, she had pinned her friend in a difficult place that had to be painful to surface. If only Delilah could find the words to explain why she had done such a dark, selfish thing. But that was now her secret, her burden, to carry. One that she would do alone because unlike Acrucis, she was just another member of the watch with little to offer anyone else. “No Acrucis, I won’t. These past five years have made it so that even simple questions have painful results. All I ask of you in return is one thing.”
Delilah shifted herself slightly to lean her forehead against Acrucis. “That if you ever are in trouble, you will seek out help.” Her eyes were strong as she said this, and the smile showing on her face once more. Inside though, her mind screamed to be released. She would contain them, hold them back this once. Delilah would not allow anyone to know Acrucis secret and that meant she could not know the details. It would be fatal if either side knew.
“I have to get back to the city soon.” Delilah started as she turned her eyes off. “They are coming close to installing a curfew and if I came back after dark, it would draw up questions.” A sigh formed on her shoulders as they dropped. “Dark times Acrucis. Dark times. They are already instilling an higher quota for energy drains. If they keep this up, we won’t be able to get out of bed anymore.”
“Then don’t go” came a quick plea as Acrucis reached out to take ahold of Delilah’s hands. “Stay here…” her voice began to quiver “Stay here at the headquarters.”
Perhaps it was because she was so tired that had her jumping to conclusions but the way Delilah had asked her to seek help made her heart clench so fiercely it felt like god himself had taken ahold of it. “I’m sorry, it’s a selfish thing for me to ask but please. Don’t go. Don’t leave me… please don’t let this be goodbye.”
Hot tears poured from Acrucis’ eyes as she began to tremble “I should have told you and I’m sorry. If I could turn back time I would, just please don’t go… I need you.” the last three words were spoken just barely above a whisper.
The sudden motion caused a jerk reaction in Delilah’s back. She had jumped, not expecting Acrucis to react so painfully. They had lived like this for years, and yet now, for the first time since the went down separate paths, Delilah’s heart ached at the thought of leaving her sister behind.
As she reached around with her other hand, Delilah closed both around the one that held her own. “And do what?” Her own voice shook a moment as she strained to be the strength they both needed. “We both know that here, I serve little purpose outside of another mouth to look after. At least in the city, I can be useful.” Her eyes were strong this time as it was her turn to release the hand hold and touch the shoulder of the girl next to her.
“This is not goodbye. Just until next time. I will be back and when I come back, I’ll bring you something as well besides news. But I have to go back. I have a chance presented to me to really set some things in motion and if I play it right, maybe be able to get some decent intell. I’m tired of only knowing who is missing and who is secretly a supporter.” Delilah’s shoulder softened. “Just this once, let me be selfish and try to make myself as useful as you have always been. But I promise, I will come back.”
Pulling back, Delilah extended her hand with a pinky out and gave a wink.
There was truth to her words, things that not even Acrucis could deny. Still it did little to stymie the ache or quell the fear. How did things become this way? They use to be inseparable and now too much time spanned between the times they got to spend with one another.
The Senshi of Prayer bit down on her lower lip hard enough to nearly draw blood, it felt like losing a loved one all over again, something she could not handle. Still when was the last time Delilah had ever made a selfish request; never… her mind mentally berated herself.
Reluctantly she raised her hand and hooked her pinky around her sisters. “Promise me, I need to hear you say it again. Please, promise me.”
Hooking the two fingers together, Delilah smiled and nodded. “I, Delilah White, promise you that I will come back to you. Alive.” Her free hand reached down and scooped up her henshin pen. “And that as a senshi, I wouldn’t go out there looking to get killed.”
She finally broke into a small chuckle before pulling back. “But I do need to start heading back. Lord knows what they will ask if I get back too late. I’m good at masking but only so much after a long day working and then visiting family.”
Standing up, Delilah glance down at Hannah and nodded. “Mom sends her love. Next time I come, I’ll bring some of her fudge.” And with that, Delilah turned to go, shoving her pen back into her pocket.
“Kay, please be safe.” Tears still slid down her face though slower than before. Acrucis knew she looked like a mess, red eyes, blotchy cheeks, likely a runny nose; the works. Still it didn’t stop her from pulling Delilah into a final embrace a gesture that was filled with whatever love she still had left.
The yank back nearly caused Delilah to stumble but she held on. At first she didn’t fully respond to the hug but finally, gave in and squeezed the woman tight. “Go get some rest.” Delilah finally said. “You look like hell.” Leaning forward to touch her forehead to Acrucis was her final goodbye for that time as she let go and walked back towards the path that led to the cage of Destiny City. She had some thinking to do.
