bloodsong1 | These plot bunnies, I swear...

Sarah nibbled her lower lip as she typed on her I-phone, trying to figure out exactly how to ask Rei Hino, Priestess and Sailor Mars (she barely held in a whimper. SAILOR MARS!!!), what the bloody blue blazes was going on. Of all the Fictional Characters Brought to Life, the priestess was second only to the genius for figuring things out and Sarah hadn't seen Muzino anywhere.

"Hello! Tell fortune?" Hino-miko-sama asked, coming around the shrine table. Sarah glanced up and shook her head.

~Hino-sama, am I a priestess?~ She asked. Hino-miko-sama's face became adorably confused. Sarah bit her lip hard.

~A...priestess?~ Hino-miko-sama repeated.

~Today, I've seen you, Lady Priestess Higurashi, Princess Usagi, Lord Mamoru AND Small Lady! In America, you are fictional characters!~

~EH!?!~ Now Hino-miko...oh hell with it, Sarah thought. REI now looked confused and insulted. Sarah sighed and held up a finger, going back to her I-phone. A bit of tapping later and she handed it to Rei with a small bow. Rei took it and read the following, translated:

"I am from New York, where I have watched Sailor Moon anime and collected the manga. It was always cited as fiction. So how is it, when I come to Japan, you are all real and breathing? Either I'm a priestess or I've fallen into another dimension or maybe I'm just going crazy!"

~Sarah-san,~ Rei murmured, looking up. Sarah couldn't stop a few tears escaping.

~I am a widow! I have two children! WHY is this happening to me?~ She asked, linking her fingers together tightly. Rei looked from her to her children, still happily being entertained by Yuichiro, and back.

~Come. I will take you to the Great Fire.~ Rei handed the I-phone back. Sarah tucked it into her purse, then glanced at her kiddos.

"Chibi-Usa's here, and Mamoru recognized King Endymion's name," She muttered in English. Rei jerked a little at the royal mention. The gaijin glanced at the priestess.

~Hino-san, are there Daimohns or Remless?~

~What is a Remless?~

~Never mind. Have you found the Messiah?~ Rei leaped over the table, sending Sarah skittering backward.

~Do you know anything about the Messiah?~ Rei asked eagerly. Sarah shook her head, held up her phone. Rei nodded and Sarah typed quickly before handing it over again.

"Knowledge of the future is dangerous. If you're still looking for the Messiah, then I need to find a way back to my own dimension quickly. It's not safe for my children." Rei looked up.

~Could you show me?~ She asked, wiggling the phone. Sarah demonstrated the translation program and Rei typed a response.

"You and your family will stay here at the shrine. We have room and you will be safe. I will introduce you to the Great Fire. If you are a priestess, it will tell us. Then I will call Ami and we will see what we can do. Please don't be afraid." Sarah read the response and typed back.

"You are very kind. Our belongings are still at the Andon Ryokan, do you know this place?" Rei looked up and shook her head. Sarah sighed. "Guess that proves the alternate dimension idea," She muttered. Rei clapped her hands.

~Come. We will help you.~ Sarah nodded.

"Marc, Becca! Come inside!" The two children got up and ran over, Yuichiro on their heels.

"Mom? Is she..." Marc asked

"Yes."

"What...series?"

"S, Witches 5."

"Saturn?"

"Not yet."

"Damn." Sarah rapped her son's skull with her knuckles. "OW!"

"No swearing, young man. We're going to be staying here until we can get back to our Tokyo. Be gracious." Marc rubbed his head and bowed to the visibly sweating Rei.

~I'm sorry, Priestess Rei.~ Rei shook her head and glared at Yuuchiro.

~Take the children to the guest room.~

"Mommy, I'm hungry," Becca piped up, taking her mother's hand. Sarah looked at Rei with a wry smile.

~She's hungry. I could go get...~ Rei shook her head.

~We have plenty. I need you to come with me. Yuichiro...~

"I will make dinner, Miss Sarah! Come on Marc-kun, Becca-chan! I make great dinner!" Yuichiro ushered the children into the shrine. Sarah bowed to Rei.

~I am ready, Lady Priestess.~

~Call me Rei, Sarah-san.~