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Kazenite leaned against the window looking out upon Destiny City. The street ran red with the blood of the fallen littered with bodies of those who had chosen the wrong side.

Out there, among the fray was her former mentor likely wondering if she would return to finish this prolonged fight. Not this time, she thought side glancing for the upteenth time at the still form of Vera as she laid in repose a few feet away atop the black comforter.

Darkness was all that surrounded the form of a woman in a black and red gown, black wings wrapped around her. She stood as still as a statue, looking down at a pure white feather that sat in her right palm. It felt warm, as if life was running through the small veins within the object. A slow pulse began to take place. With each pulse, a soft glow came from the feather. At first it was nothing more than a halo. Quick though, it became near a spot light. So bright that when the next pulse happened....

The gasping sound of air filling two complete lungs broke the silence in the room as red eyes shot open. As quickly as Vera's chest rose, it fell again to shake into coughing fits. The pain that flashed through her body was a sure sign of one thing: she was alive.

Startled by the sudden break in silence the teal haired woman nearly jumped out of her own skin. Though visibly shaken there was an intense bout of relief that washed over her as she stared into those ruby red eyes. Quickly she closed the distance between them and took a seat beside Vera and gently rubbed her back just as her sister had once done when she had been sick with bronchitis so very long ago, "You're okay, get it all out."

The coughing continued, slowly becoming a dry hacking sound as her body began to shake. ”It....hurts...." Vera forced out slowly as she leaned her head back down to the pillow. Tears were forming in her eyes from the pain that was flaring out from her chest. Rolling as slowly as she could back to rest on her back, Vera gazed up at the General Queen. "What....Hap...." She couldn't finish the word without stopping for another long gasp and attempt to control her breathing

Gently Kazenite placed her hand on Vera's abdomen above where the gervious scar remaned. "Benitoite." A name, that is all she needed to know; that Benitoite had been the one to injure her. 'What' exactly happen was in part a mystery since her back was turned but then again it didn't take science to figure it out. It was only by Xyla's report an hour ago that her suspisions had been confirmed.

The name....that name…was all Vera needed to hear as her eyes closed. She spend several long moments just breathing as she could feel the burning in her chest. All the while, she was almost self inspecting her body. Under Kazenite's touch, she had become aware of the hole in her chest. Slowly, she was allowing her body to make out the wrappings and the pressure than came with them. It helped some. "How...." Was all she finally got out. How was she alive?

Kazenite leaned forward and placed a kiss upon the injured womans brow. The empty wire wrap cage that hung from her choker swayed with her body movement gently resting its cold metal against Veras pale cheek. "It was a necessary sacrifice." Kryptic but right now she didn't want to go into it any further, "Try to get some more rest." she instructed softly before getting up off the couch and walking towards the kitchen to get a glass of water.

Her eyes were softly opening and closing as she tried to hold onto this world. Something in the darkness was pulling her back. Something was calling to her but what? It was not until she finally let her eyes close that she felt the tears on her cheek replacing the crisp feel of that cold metal. A silent part of her deep within felt as if it was gone. Something was missing but what?

Without opening her eyes again, Vera slowly spoke "Xyla?"

Teal-blue tips of triangular pointed ears peeked up over the side of the bed slowly followed by bright yellow owlish eyes with irises the size of saucers.

Her gaze flicked between the two women unsure what the hell just happened. One moment Vera was passed out asleep, the next hacking up a lung and a half.

Vera could see the ears out of the corner of her eyes. Turning her head slowly on the pillow, she smiled towards the cat and extended her hand. "Sorry..." The words were just above a whisper as she felt her eyes close again. She was alive. She was safe. The two closest to her were as well. Yet, still, she felt a hole in her heart as if something was gone she would never get back. Without opening her eyes, she mouthed the single word "Now?"

Kazentie saw Vera's lips move out of the corner of her eye but could not make out what it was she had said. "Hmm? What did you say?" she inquired softly, combing her fingers through through the women's ebony hair.

At the touch, Vera's body seemed to relax and that painful, empties disappeared. The hand reminded her of the woman who cared for her. Enough to give her the starseed she had treasured for so long. Vera owed Kazenite her life yet again. "What....now...." She whispered through harsh breath, eyes opening but a crack.

"The war is almost over. The streets are quieting as our agents apprehend the remaining of the resistance. You have done your part well, all you need to do is relax." Kazenite shifted so she sat on the bed beside the former white moon senshi, resting her back against the wall she continued running her fingers through the inky strands that fanned out across the pillow. "Don’t worry, you are safe" she whispered upon a exhale then closed her eyes focusing her attention on the sounds coming from the city streets and the breathing from the woman beside her.

With a soft purr Xyla leaped back onto the bed and walked across the comforter back to the warm spot beside Vera. With her nose she nudged her hand before laying back down beneath it. The sound and feel of a feline purr was often times relaxing to most, or so she had been told.

At the touch of both women, Vera felt her weight almost disappear. She was safe. Both of these would see to it that she had the time she needed to heal and get back on her own two feet. The General King had taken almost everything from her but instead, she had been saved by the one person who valued her for who she was.

As she moved her fingers softly over Xyla's fur, Vera's head turned into Kazenite's touch. The woman was slipping back into the world of darkness but this time, instead of standing alone, she was dreaming. As the images formed in her head, the harsh breathing of her body slowed and her hand stopped moving over Xyla. Once more, the dove had slipped into sleep.